Coin value determining apparatus and system

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in determining the denominational values of differently-sized coins in transit therethrough at random speeds comprising first sensor means generating signals varying in accordance with sensed coin size and second sensor means so positioned with respect to said first sensor means as to sense a coin then in transit concurrently with said first sensor means and to generate a signal of predetermined characteristics at a time at which said first output signals exhibit variation in accordance with sensed coin size indicative of the denominational value of said coin then in transit.

Claim 3

Apparatus for use in determining the denominational values of differently-sized coins in transit therethrough at random speeds, including first sensor means generating first output signals exhibiting changing characteristics indicative of coin sizes sensed during the time period in which a coin in transit is in the field of sensitivity thereof, and second sensor means generating second output signals positioned with respect to said first sensor means such that said cOin in transit enters the field of sensitivity thereof during each said time period and such that a second output signal exhibiting changing characteristics is generated at a time during each said time period at which the coin size indication of said first output signals is definitive of the denominational value of said coin in transit.

Claim 4

Apparatus for use in determining the denominational values of differently-sized coins in transit therethrough at random speeds, including first sensor means generating first output signals exhibiting changing characteristics indicative of coin sizes sensed during the time period in which a coin in transit is in the field of sensitivity thereof, and second sensor means generating second output signals positioned with respect to said first sensor means such that said cOin in transit enters the field of sensitivity thereof during each said time period and such that a second output signal exhibiting changing characteristics is generated at a time during each said time period at which the coin size indication of said first output signals is definitive of the denominational value of said coin in transit.

Claim 5

The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said coins are of n different sizes and wherein said first sensing means provides first output signals exhibiting changing characteristics indicative of the varying sizes exhibited only by individual coins in transit of n-1 of said n different sizes.

Claim 6

The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said first sensor means comprises a group of n-1 sensors each providing one of said first output signals.

Claim 7

The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said first sensor group and second sensor means include radiant energy sensors normally receiving excitation and thereby generating said first and second output signals, said characteristics thereof changing upon interruption of said excitation by coins in transit.

Claim 8

The apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said n-1 radiant energy sensors of said first sensor group are disposed in a common plane transverse to the direction of coin transit.

Claim 9

The apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said second sensor means comprises radiant energy sensors disposed in a common plane parallel to the direction of coin transit.

Claim 10

A system providing denominational value indicating signals comprising the apparatus claimed in claim 2 and circuit means including gating circuits providing said denominational value indicating signals, each gating circuit receiving said second output signal and another signal having a characteristic exhibiting change in accordance with one of said first output signals.

Claim 11

The system claimed in claim 8 wherein n said gating circuits are included, each gating circuit providing a diverse denominational value indicating signal.

Claim 12

The system claimed in claim 9 wherein said first sensor means comprises a group of n-1 sensors each providing one of said first output signals.

Claim 13

A system providing denominational value indicating signals comprising the apparatus claimed in claim 2 and circuit means including gating circuits providing said denominational value indicating signals, each gating circuit receiving said second output signal and another signal having a characteristic exhibiting change in accordance with one of said first output signals or a combination thereof.

Claim 14

The system claimed in claim 11 wherein said denominational value indicating signals are indicative of units or tens denominational value.

Claim 15

A system providing first and second count signals for respective excitation of units and tens denominational value counters for totalization of the values of differently-sized coins in transit, comprising the system claimed in claim 10 and first and second pulse generators receiving said denominational value indicating signals and respectively providing said first and second count signals.

Claim 16

The system claimed in claim 13 wherein said denominational value indicating signals are indicative of units or tens denominational value and wherein said first pulse generator receives said units value signals and said second pulse generator receives said tens value signals.

Claim 17

The system claimed in claim 14 wherein said pulse generators each comprise a serial chain of bistable elements, each bistable element receiving one of the denominational value signals received by said pulse generators.

Claim 18

The system claimed in claim 15 wherein said denominational value indicating value signals have characteristics adapted to change the states of said bistable elements both to provide said first and second count signals and to return all said bistable elements to a common state after provision of said count pulses.