Coin checking apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus with low average power consumption for checking the validity of coins, comprising: a coin entry through which coins are inserted into the apparatus; a coin passageway for receiving coins from the coin entry and for directing coins through the apparatus, said coin passageway having a first portion comprising a coin impact surface which is hit by substantially all coins inserted into the apparatus as they begin to travel along the coin passageway; electrically powered coin checking circuitry adapted to check the validity of coins as they pass along said coin passageway, said circuitry having a quiescent state and a coin validity checking state; a vibration transmission means for establishing a vibration transmission path; a coin arrival sensing means comprising a piezoelectric element for generating an electrical signal in response to vibration, said piezoelectric element mounted in a position isolated from the direct impact of coins, both the piezoelectric element and the coin impact surface being firmly mounted to the vibration transmission means so that when a coin hits the coin impact surface, vibrations resulting from the coin hitting the coin impact surface are transmitted through the vibration transmission means to the piezoelectric element which then produces an electrical signal; and switching means operable by said electrical signal to power up the electrically powered coin checking circuitry from the quiescent state to the coin validity checking state.