Patent · US Expired

Coin sizing means and method

US4646904A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
3References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 5, 1985
Grant dateMar 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 5, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07D5/02
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A coin sizing circuit and method of operation therefor for use with a coin-operated vending system for distinguishing between various deposited coins as they travel along a predefined path, comprising first and second spaced sensors positioned to detect the movement of a deposited coin thereby, the sensors being responsive to movement of the deposited coin to produce an initial sensing status signal and two further sensing status signals as the coin moves along the predefined path by the sensors and reaches particular positions relative thereto, a memory having predetermined coin sizing data stored therein, and processing circuitry, preferably a programmed microprocessor, operatively connected to the sensors to receive the sensing status signals produced thereby and also operatively connected to the memory to permit the retrieval therefrom of the data stored therein. The processing circuitry is responsive to production of the initial sensing status signal and the first occurring of the two further sensing status signals to establish a time window interval, and is subsequently responsive to production within the time window interval of the second occurring of the two further sensing…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.