De La Rue Cash Systems Inc.

General Electric Company

Talaris Limited

De La Rue Systems Americas Corporation

Glory Global Solutions (international) Limited

John P Grajewski

Robert L Zwieg

Thomas P Adams

Jon Stieber

John A Kressin

Robert F Fredrick

Daniel Brandle

Thomas Murphy

Myron Spoehr

Cory A Kohls

Myron W Spoehr

Robert J Loyzim

Klaus Muller

Jon R Stieber

A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track () over which coins () pass in a single file, an illumination source () for illuminating at least portions of the coins () as the coins move along the coin track (), an optical detector () spaced from the coin track () for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens () positioned between the optical detector () and the coin track (), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector () is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens () as each coin moves along the coin track (). The optical sensor and detector () can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (). The sensor assembly () also includes inductive sensors () and a Hall effect sensor () for discriminating invalid coins.

Method and sensor for sensing coins for valuation

A coin sorting apparatus and method uses a light source ( ) disposed on one side of the coin path ( ); a coin moving member ( ) of light transmissive material; a coin path insert ( ) having at least a portion the is light transmissive; an optical detector ( ) disposed on an opposite side of the coin path ( ) from the light source ( ) for detecting coin size as a coin ( ) passes the coin path insert ( ); a coin core alloy composition sensor ( ); a coin surface alloy composition sensor ( ); an edge sensor ( ) disposed along a reference edge ( ) along the coin path; and a plurality of processors ( ) for receiving data developed from signals from the optical detector ( ), the coin core alloy sensor ( ), the coin surface ( ) alloy detector, and the coin edge sensor ( ), the data being for comparison with stored values for a plurality of denominations to determine the denomination of the coin ( ). A lens array ( ) helps direct light from the light source ( ) to the optical detector ( ). The coin path insert can have an upper surface of zirconia ceramic ( ) with a sapphire window ( ), or the upper surface can be an integral sapphire element ( ).

Methods and apparatus for detection of coin denomination and other parameters

A coin handling machine ( ) has a coin sorting member ( ) with a plurality of sorting openings ( ) by which respective denominations of coins ( ) are sorted, having a coin driving member ( ) with webs ( ) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings ( ), having a motor ( ) coupled to the coin driving member ( ), and having a brake ( ) for stopping the motor ( ), the coin handling machine ( ). A coin imaging sensor ( ) optically images at least a portion of a coin ( ) and for transmitting dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller ( ) receives said dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller ( ) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor ( ) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination. Detectors ( and ) are provided adjacent the sorting openings ( ) for detecting a last coin as it is sorted and moved into a bag.

Method of coin detection and bag stopping for a coin sorter

A coin sorting machine ( ) has a motor output shaft ( ) driving a coin queueing disk ( ) and also has a coin sorting assembly ( ) having a coin pushing member ( ). A power transmission device ( ) transmits power from the motor output shaft ( ) to a second shaft ( ) driving the coin pushing member ( ). A coin sensor ( ) senses each coin in a respective denomination as it is sorted into a respective receptacle ( ) during a sorting operation. A controller ( ) receives signals from the coin sensor ( ) determines a last coin in a bag count limit and generates a braking signal to a braking assembly ( ) to stop rotation of the second shaft ( ) without directly mechanically braking the motor output shaft ( ) or the motor ( ).

Method and apparatus for bag stopping in a small coin sorter

A coin sorter has a circular sorting track with an upstanding rim. A diverter mechanism is located at the rim and may be actuated to move a selected coin away from the rim to an off-sort depression inwardly of the rim and then to an off-sort opening at the end of the depression. The diverter mechanism is actuated by a coin recognition system that includes an induction coil located beneath the track in advance of the diverter mechanism. Signals from the induction coil are read at spaced positions of a coin passing over the coil and compared with stored ranges of acceptable signals for coins of various denominations. The diverter mechanism is actuated to divert a coin to the off-sort opening when the signals for that coin do not fall within a range of acceptable values. The ranges of acceptable values can be established by calibrating the coin recognition system by processing a plurality of known acceptable coins of a denomination. The acceptable ranges can be automatically adjusted based upon the history of signals from acceptable coins processed after calibration.

Coin recognition and off-sorting in a coin sorter

Digital values representing trial bias voltages that are to be applied to the control grid of an x-ray tube are stored at respective locations in a battery energized RAM. The addresses of the locations correspond to the nominal x-ray tube currents that relate to the bias voltages. A model of the actual bias voltages for selected tube currents is made and supplants the trial voltages. A trial digital bias value is converted to an analog signal used to control the output level of a generator that applies the bias voltage to the grid. An x-ray exposure is made. The x-ray dosage in terms of actual milliampere-seconds (mAS) is measured and compared with a reference desired mAS value. A computer calculates to a first approximation the bias voltage that should have been applied to obtain the desired mAS and returns the new digital bias voltage value to the same location. The process is repeated for each of a range of tube currents until actual and desired mAS agree at which time the corrected bias voltages are stored. When later the x-ray system is used for patient exposures, operator selection of tube mA level brings about automatic application of the proper bias voltage for the particular tube.

X-ray tube emission current controller

An X-ray table base, an intermediate support mounted on the base for moving bidirectionally, and a carriage with a patient cradle on it mounted for moving bidirectionally on the support. There are individual servomotors for driving the support and cradle, respectively. Each servomotor drives an analog tachometer. The tachometer signals are compared with ramp signals. When, for example, the intermediate support nears the limit of its forward travel, its servo amplifier receives a decreasing ramp signal and the servo amplifier for the cradle motor receives a concurrent increasing ramp signal such that the support decelerates to zero velocity at a predetermined rate and the cradle accelerates to the previous constant velocity of the support at a rate that results in the cradle moving at a constant rate relative to the base.

Growing community of inventors

Palmyra, WI, United States of America

John P Grajewski