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:
Oct. 29, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1994
Stephen J Hayes, Swansea, GB;
Patrick R Gorman, Lakeland, FL (US);
Protel, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Abstract
An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal. The frequency, amplitude, and amplitude-time characteristics of the scaled altered signal for the first set of inductor coils and the second inductor coil are combined with prestored statistical variables corresponding to frequency, amplitude, and amplitude-time characteristic values of a sample of valid coins. The combined results are then compared to determine if the deposited coin is valid. If the coin is valid, the combined results are compared with the prestored statistical variables to determine the coin's type.