Coin mechanism with a piezoelectric film sensor
US6138813A · kind A · utility
3Cited by
6References
31Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F1/048
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coin mechanism includes a piezoelectric film sensor in contact with a coin debounce device. When a coin is inserted into the coin mechanism, the coin strikes the coin debounce device as it travels along a coin path. Micro-movement of the coin debounce device is sensed with the piezoelectric film sensor. The coin mechanism changes from a quiescent mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to sensing the presence of the coin in the coin path. Coin recognition can then be performed. Overall power consumption of the coin mechanism can be reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.