US3797307A
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US
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Coin discriminator
Assignee: Arthur D Little Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-20
•
Granted: 1974-03-19
•
Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for discriminating between coins with respect to denomination and authenticity, employing means for performing two or more coin tests, means for storing a value dependent upon the results of the first coin test, and means for evaluating the results of the second coin test in a manner dependent upon the results of the first coin test.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:39
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D5/00; G07D5/08; G07D5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 99
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising the steps of examining a first characteristic of a coin and producing a first value which is a quantitative function of said first characteristic, examining a second characteristic of the coin and producing a second value which is a quantitative function of said second characteristic, comparing the first value with the second value, and producing an output signal indicating whether the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising the steps of examining a first characteristic of a coin and producing a first value which is a quantitative function of said first characteristic, examining a second characteristic of the coin and producing a second value which is a quantitative function of said second characteristic, comparing the first value with the second value, and producing an output signal indicating whether the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein first and second values are each represented by a first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the second signal as a function of the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting the pulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the second signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 3 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a predetermined number, counting the pulses from a pluse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 7 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during one period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermined number which is dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal in the second counter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulsEs comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of discriminating among coins with respect to denomination and authenticity comprising the steps of causing a coin to move at a velocity dependent upon the interaction of the coin with a relatively moving magnetic field, producing at least two values derived from at least two signals, each signal being representative of a time necessary for the coin to move a distance, at least one of the distances being dependent upon the diameter of the coin being examiner, comparing the values with each other, and producing an output signal if the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of discriminating among coins with respect to denomination and authenticity comprising the steps of causing a coin to move at a velocity dependent upon the interaction of the coin with a relatively moving magnetic field, producing at least two values derived from at least two signals, each signal being representative of a time necessary for the coin to move a distance, at least one of the distances being dependent upon the diameter of the coin being examiner, comparing the values with each other, and producing an output signal if the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein first and second values are each represented by first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the second signal as a function of the total count of the first signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 13 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting the pulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 13 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the second signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 13 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a prdetermined number, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 17 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during one period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermined number which is dependent upon the total count of the first signal in the second counter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulses comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 11 which includes the steps of producing a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by a single sensor, and producing another signal representing the duration of concurrent coin presence sensing by at least two sensors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The methodof claim 21 wherein first and second values are each represented by a first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the second pulse signal as a function of the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 23 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting the pulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the second pulse signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 23 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a predetermined number, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 27 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during one period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermined number which is dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal by the second counter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 22 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulses comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 11 which includes the steps of producing one signal representing the duration of a period following the sensing of coin presence by one sensor, during which neither that sensor or a second sensor senses the presense of a coin and producing another signal representing the duration of sensing of coin presence by a single sensor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 wherein first and second values are each represented by a first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the the pulses pulse signal as a function of the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 33 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting the pulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 33 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range of values.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the second pulse signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 33 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a predetermined number, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 37 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during one period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermiNed number which is dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal in the second counter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 32 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulses comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising means for examining a first characteristic of a coin, and means for producing a first value which is a function of said first characteristic, means for examining a second characteristic of the coin, and means for producing a second value which is a function of said second characteristic, a comparator connected to the means for producing the first value and the means for producing the second value, which compares the first value with the second value and produces an output signal indicating whether the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising means for examining a first characteristic of a coin, and means for producing a first value which is a function of said first characteristic, means for examining a second characteristic of the coin, and means for producing a second value which is a function of said second characteristic, a comparator connected to the means for producing the first value and the means for producing the second value, which compares the first value with the second value and produces an output signal indicating whether the difference between the compared values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising a pulse generator, first means for examining a characteristic of a coin, a first gate having inputs connected to receive signals from the pulse generator and the first examining means, second means for examining another characteristic of the coin, a second gate having inputs connected to receive signals from the pulse generator and the second examining means, a first pulse counter connected to receive signals from the first gate, a second pulse counter connected to receive signals from the second gate, means for comparing the outputs of the first and second counters.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising a pulse generator, first means for examining a characteristic of a coin, a first gate having inputs connected to receive signals from the pulse generator and the first examining means, second means for examining another characteristic of the coin, a second gate having inputs connected to receive signals from the pulse generator and the second examining means, a first pulse counter connected to receive signals from the first gate, a second pulse counter connected to receive signals from the second gate, means for comparing the outputs of the first and second counters.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 42 wherein a single updown counter comprises the first and second counters and the remainder is compared with a predetermined tolerable range.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 43 further comprising a logic circuit connecting the inputs of two or more stages of the up-down counter are each connected to an output of the third counter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 42 further comprising a third counter interposed between one of the gates and the counter receiving signals from that gate.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 43 further comprising a third counter interposed between one of the gates and the up-down counter.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 46 further comprising a logic circuit connecting the output of the third counter to an input of the up-down counter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 45 further comprising a logic circuit connecting an output of the third counter to an input of another counter.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 42 further comprising a logic circuit connecting two or more inputs of the second counter are each connected to an output of the third counter.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising a coin passageway along which coins can pass, a magnetic field generator producing a magnetic field in a region of the passageway, at least two coin presence sensors responsive to the passage of coins in the passageway, a pulse generator, a logic circuit connected to two sensors and the pulse generator, and means for comparing two values produced by the logic circuit with each other comprising two pulse counters each connected to receive signals from an output of the logic circuit.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for discriminating among coins with respect to denomination, authenticity and the like comprising a coin passageway along which coins can pass, a magnetic field generator producing a magnetic field in a region of the passageway, at least two coin presence sensors responsive to the passage of coins in the passageway, a pulse generator, a logic circuit connected to two sensors and the pulse generator, and means for comparing two values produced by the logic circuit with each other comprising two pulse counters each connected to receive signals from an output of the logic circuit.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the two counters comprise a single up-down counter and the value comparing means further comprise a comparator for comparing the remainder in the up-down counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 50 further comprising a further counter interposed between the logic circuit and a counter.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 52 further comprising a furthE logic circuit connecting an output of the further counter to an input of the counter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 52 wherein the inputs of two or more stages of the counter are each connected to the output of the further counter.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the logic circuit comprises a first subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by a single sensor, and a second subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the concurrent coin presence sensing by at least two sensors.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 55 wherein the two counters comprise a single up-down counter and further comprising a comparator for comparing the remainder in the up-down counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 55 further comprising a further counter interposed between the logic circuit and a counter.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 57 further comprising a further logic circuit connecting an output of the further counter to an input of the counter.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 57 wherein the inputs of two or more stages of the counter are each connected to the output of the further counter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the logic circuit comprises a first subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the duration of a period in which neither of two sensors senses the presence of a coin following the sensing of the presence of a coin by one of the sensors; and a second subcircuit arranged to produce another signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by a sensor.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 60 wherein the two counters comprise a single up-down counter and further comprising a comparator for comparing the remainder in the up-down counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 60 further comprising a further counter interposed between the logic circuit and a counter.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 62 further comprising a further logic circuit connecting an output of the further counter to an input of the counter.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 62 wherein the inputs of two or more stages of the counter are each connected to the output of the further counter.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 11 which includes the steps of producing a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by a single sensor, and producing another signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by at least one sensor while another sensor is not sensing the presence of a coin.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 65 wherein first and second values are each represented by a first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 66 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the second pulse signal as a function of the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 67 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting the pulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 67 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 67 wherein the second pulse signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 67 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a predetermined number, counting the pulses from a pulse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
89 words
The methodof claim 71 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during onE period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermined number which is dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal by the second counter.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 66 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulses comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 73 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the logic circuit comprises a first subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by a single sensor, and a second subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by one sensor while another sensor does not sense the presence of a coin.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 75 wherein the two counters comprise a single up-down counter and further comprising a comparator for comparing the remainder in the up-down counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 75 further comprising a further counter interposed between the logic circuit and a counter.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 77 further comprising a further logic circuit connecting an output of the further counter to an input of the counter.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 77 wherein the inputs of two or more stages of the counter are each connected to the output of the further counter.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 11 which includes the steps of producing a signal representing the duration of concurrent coin presence sensing by at least two sensors, and producing another signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by at least one sensor while another sensor is not sensing the presence of a coin.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 80 wherein first and second values are each represented by a first and a second electrical pulse signal, respectively.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 81 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and establishing the pulse rate of the second pulse signal as a function of the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 82 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of one pulse signal in a first counter, counting thepulses of another pulse signal in a second counter, and comparing totals of the counters.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 82 which includes the steps of counting the pulses of the first pulse signal in one direction into an up-down counter, counting the pulses of the second pulse signal in the opposite direction into that counter, and comparing the remainder in the counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 82 wherein the second pulse signal is produced by the steps of presetting a counter, and producing a pulse each time the counter reaches a predetermined number.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 82 which includes the steps of preloading a first counter to a predetermined number, counting the pulses from a pluse source into the first counter, producing an output pulse from the first counter each time it is filled, and counting the output pulses of the first counter with a further counter.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 86 in which a first counter produces pulses comprising the first pulse signal during one period of time and pulses comprising the second pulse signal during another period of time, and in which the first counter is preloaded during counting of the pulses of the first pulse signal with a first predetermined number and preloaded during counting of the pulses of the second pulse signal with a second predetermined number which is dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal by the second counter.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 81 which includes the steps of counting the pulses comprising the first pulse signal and counting the pulses comprising the second pulse signal in accordance with a weight dependent upon the total count of the first pulse signal.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 88 wherein the weights accorded the pulses in counting are each powers of two.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the logic circuit comprises a first subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the concurrent coin presence sensing by at least two sensors, and a second subcircuit arranged to produce a signal representing the duration of coin presence sensing by one sensor while another sensor does not sense the presence of a coin.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 90 wherein the two counters comprise a single up-down counter and further comprising a comparator for comparing the remainder in the up-down counter with a predetermined range.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 90 further comprising a further counter interposed between the logic circuit and a counter.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 92 further comprising a further logic circuit connecting an output of the further counter to an input of the counter.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 92 wherein the inputs of two or more stages of the counter are each connected to the output of the further counter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |