Title (en)

COIN VALIDATORS

Publication

EP 0308997 A3 19890517 (EN)

Application

EP 88117268 A 19841105

Priority

• GB 8329533 A 19831104
• GB 8405721 A 19840305

Abstract (en)

[origin: WO8502047A1] A coin validator comprises a microprocessor (4) which is periodically activated to check the output of an arrival sensing circuit (6) to determine whether a coin has arrived. The circuit (6) includes a printed circuit inductance (10) and produces an output signal the frequency of which alters when a coin arrives and is used to indicate coin diameter. The circuit (6) is designed so that output amplitude variations are minimised. Arrival of a coin causes powering-up of a material/thickness sensing circuit (8). In one embodiment both the frequency and amplitude of the output signal from this circuit are used to determine the denomination of the inserted coin. The amplitude profile may be used to determine when to measure frequency, and which of a plurality of succesive amplitude measurements are to be combined to provide an averaged amplitude value. A counter (24) is used for frequency and amplitude measurement, and for periodically activating the microprocessor (4). Coins are rejected if they travel too quickly through a testing station of the validator. The validator is operable in a test mode to indicate, in response to an inserted coin, how the sensing circuits (6, 8) should be adjusted to provide optimum operation.

IPC 1-7

G07F 3/02; G07D 5/08

IPC 8 full level

G06F 1/00 (2006.01); G07D 5/08 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

G07D 5/02 (2013.01); G07D 5/08 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

• [X] US 3682286 A 19720808 - PRUMM GEORG
• [A] US 3498437 A 19700303 - UKON TADAO, et al
• [A] FR 1465636 A 19670113 - SIGNAUX ENTR ELECTRIQUES
• [A] EP 0059511 A2 19820908 - MARS INC [US]

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

WO 8502047 A1 19850509; DE 3485866 D1 19920917; DE 3485866 T2 19921210; DE 3486213 D1 19931028; DE 3486213 T2 19940113; EP 0146251 A1 19850626; EP 0146251 B1 19920812; EP 0308996 A2 19890329; EP 0308996 A3 19890517; EP 0308997 A2 19890329; EP 0308997 A3 19890517; EP 0308997 B1 19930922; GB 2151062 A 19850710; GB 2151062 B 19880629; GB 8427935 D0 19841212; HK 74297 A 19970613; SG 32491 G 19910621

DOCDB simple family (application)

GB 8400381 W 19841105; DE 3485866 T 19841105; DE 3486213 T 19841105; EP 84307619 A 19841105; EP 88117267 A 19841105; EP 88117268 A 19841105; GB 8427935 A 19841105; HK 74297 A 19970605; SG 32491 A 19910502