The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1993
Filed:
Apr. 01, 1992
Takehiko Nara, Aichi, JP;
Toru Ueki, Gifu, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a coin discriminating apparatus and method for discriminating genuine coins from counterfeit coins, and determining their denominations. And more particularly, the present invention purports to detect genuine coins based on the inherent difference in degree of peripheral thickening or convex configuration between genuine coins and counterfeit coins so as to provide a coin discriminating apparatus and method capable of preventing counterfeit coins from being used in an unauthorized or unfair way. In one specific example, there is provided a thickness detecting sensor 8 adjacent to a coin passage, and a coin face contour detecting apparatus 11 measures a time during which an output of the thickness sensor 8 exceeds a threshold value 22, thereby detecting degree of peripheral thickening or convex configuration of coins to discriminate genuine coins from counterfeit.