Coin discriminating device and method, and a coin handling machine including such a device and method
US7490709B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07D5/08
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coin discriminating device has a sensor electrode and an oscillator. The oscillator is coupled to the sensor electrode. The oscillator generates an output signal with a frequency which is capacitively controllable. A frequency detector detects a frequency deviation in the oscillator output signal, caused by a variation in capacitance at the sensor electrode when a coin is positioned in the vicinity of the sensor electrode. A processing device determines the thickness of the coin from the frequency deviation. The coin discriminating device is arranged such that the variation in capacitance occurs between the sensor electrode and a surface of the coin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.