Data-storing tokens and apparatus for handling data-storing tokens and coins

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if said signal indicates the receipt of an acceptable coin, said control means causes said separating means to direct said acceptable coin to said first exit path.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third exit path, wherein said discriminating means provides a signal of a first type at said output means if a coin received from said entry path is of a first denomination, and a signal of a second type if a coin received from said entry path is of a second denomination, said separating means selectively directing items to said first, said second, or said third exit path, and wherein said control means causes said separating means to direct a coin to said first exit path if said signal is of the first type and to said third exit path if said signal is of the second type.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said gate means is an escrow gate, and means are provided to operate said escrow gate following a transaction.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for writing data onto a token at said token station, whereby said token may be updated before being delivered via said return path to the user.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said initiating signal is operable to cause the powering-up of said token reading means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for powering-down said validator while said token reading means is powered.

Claim 12

A combination of an apparatus for handling coins and tokens, and a data-storing token, said apparatus comprising; a coin validator, said coin validator having an entry path for receiving items such as acceptable coins, data-storing tokens and non-acceptable items, said coin validator further including discriminating means for discriminating between said items, said discriminating means comprising sensing means, storage means for storing coin and token parameters, checking means coupled to said sensing means and said storage means for comparing signals from said sensing means with said stored parameters, and output means responsive to said checking means for providing a different signal dependent upon whether said item received from said entry path is an acceptable coin, a data-storing token or a non-acceptable item; separating means for receiving items from said coin validator; first and second exit paths, said separating means being able to selectively direct items to said first exit path or said second exit path based on said signal from said output means; control means responsive to said signal at said output means for controlling said separator means, said control means causing said separating means to direct an item to said first exit path if said signal indicates that said item is a data-storing token, and to said second exit path if said signal indicates that said item is a non-acceptable item; a token station positioned along said first exit path for receiving said data-storing token to enable data to be read from said token; token reading means at said token station for reading said data-storing token; and said data-storing token having physical properties such that when said token is in proximity with said sensing means, said sensing means provides signals corresponding to said stored token parameters.

Claim 13

A combination of an apparatus for handling coins and tokens, and a data-storing token, said apparatus comprising; a coin validator, said coin validator having an entry path for receiving items such as acceptable coins, data-storing tokens and non-acceptable items, said coin validator further including discriminating means for discriminating between said items, said discriminating means comprising sensing means, storage means for storing coin and token parameters, checking means coupled to said sensing means and said storage means for comparing signals from said sensing means with said stored parameters, and output means responsive to said checking means for providing a different signal dependent upon whether said item received from said entry path is an acceptable coin, a data-storing token or a non-acceptable item; separating means for receiving items from said coin validator; first and second exit paths, said separating means being able to selectively direct items to said first exit path or said second exit path based on said signal from said output means; control means responsive to said signal at said output means for controlling said separator means, said control means causing said separating means to direct an item to said first exit path if said signal indicates that said item is a data-storing token, and to said second exit path if said signal indicates that said item is a non-acceptable item; a token station positioned along said first exit path for receiving said data-storing token to enable data to be read from said token; token reading means at said token station for reading said data-storing token; and said data-storing token having physical properties such that when said token is in proximity with said sensing means, said sensing means provides signals corresponding to said stored token parameters.

Claim 14

A combination of an apparatus for handling coins and tokens and a data-storing token, said apparatus comprising; a coin validator having an entry path for receiving items such as acceptable coins, data storing tokens and nonacceptable items, discriminating means for discriminating between said items, said discriminating means comprising an inductive sensor, storage means for storing coin and token parameters, checking means coupled to said sensing means and said storage means for comparing signals from said sensing means with said stored parameters, and output means responsive to said checking means for providing a signal which differs in dependence upon whether an item received from said entry path is an acceptable coin, a data-storing token or a non-acceptable item; separating means for receiving items from said coin validator; first and second exit paths, said separating means being able to direct items selectively to said first exit path or said second exit path; control means responsive to said signal at said output means of said discriminating means for controlling said separator means, said control means being arranged to cause said separating means to direct an item to the first exit path if said signal indicates that the item is a data-storing token, and to said second exit path if said signal indicates that the item is a nonacceptable item; a token station positioned along said first exit path for receiving said data-storing token to enable data to be read from said data-storing token; token reading means at said token station for reading said data-storing token; and said data-storing token comprising a conductive member for being sensed by said inductive sensor, said conductive member causing said sensor to generate signals for comparison with said token parameters, which lie within a range for acceptable tokens.

Claim 15

A combination of an apparatus for handling coins and tokens and a data-storing token, said apparatus comprising; a coin validator having an entry path for receiving items such as acceptable coins, data storing tokens and nonacceptable items, discriminating means for discriminating between said items, said discriminating means comprising an inductive sensor, storage means for storing coin and token parameters, checking means coupled to said sensing means and said storage means for comparing signals from said sensing means with said stored parameters, and output means responsive to said checking means for providing a signal which differs in dependence upon whether an item received from said entry path is an acceptable coin, a data-storing token or a non-acceptable item; separating means for receiving items from said coin validator; first and second exit paths, said separating means being able to direct items selectively to said first exit path or said second exit path; control means responsive to said signal at said output means of said discriminating means for controlling said separator means, said control means being arranged to cause said separating means to direct an item to the first exit path if said signal indicates that the item is a data-storing token, and to said second exit path if said signal indicates that the item is a nonacceptable item; a token station positioned along said first exit path for receiving said data-storing token to enable data to be read from said data-storing token; token reading means at said token station for reading said data-storing token; and said data-storing token comprising a conductive member for being sensed by said inductive sensor, said conductive member causing said sensor to generate signals for comparison with said token parameters, which lie within a range for acceptable tokens.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 12, wherein said token comprises a housing having an axis, and wherein said conductive member is disposed symmetrically with respect to said axis.

Claim 17

The combination of claims 12 or 13, wherein said conductive member is a substantially cylindrical pellet.