US5033602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for indentifying coins
Assignee: INTER MARKETING TIETAJANTIE 10-12 02130 ESPOO FINLAND Oy
•
Filing: 1988-03-30
•
Granted: 1991-07-23
•
Expires: 2008-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for electronically identifying coins, or the like, is described in which coins fed along a feed path are illuminated by light passed from a light source essentially perpendicularly to the feed path. A photosensitive sensor receives the light which passes the coin and converts it to an electric signal representative of the coin diameter. The device utilizes a column-like light source and a lens assembly intermediate the coin and the sensor whereby the size requirements of the sensor are reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Tapani Saarinen
- 👤 Jaakko A. Rasanen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:26
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D5/00; G07D5/02; G07D2205/00; G07D2205/001; G07D2205/0012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for the identification of coins on the basis of the diameter of the coins, comprising: a coin path (2) for feeding coins (1); a column-like light source (3) comprising two superposed columkn elements (3a3b), equal in size, for illumianting a coin (1) on the coin path (2) in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the coin path (2); a photosensitive sensors (4) that measures the amount of light sent by the column-like light source (3) that passes the coin (1) to convert this light into an electric signal dependent on the diameter of the coin; and a lens assembly (5) arranged in front of the photosensitive sensor (4) and behind the coin path (2) for projecting an image of the light from the column-like light source (3) that passes a coin (1) onto the photosensitive sensor (4); wherein the amounts of light from the column elements (3a, 3b) of the column-like light source (3) are separately adjustable to permit calibration of the readings given by the photosensitive sensor (4) measuring the amount of light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for the identification of coins on the basis of the diameter of the coins, comprising: a coin path (2) for feeding coins (1); a column-like light source (3) comprising two superposed columkn elements (3a3b), equal in size, for illumianting a coin (1) on the coin path (2) in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the coin path (2); a photosensitive sensors (4) that measures the amount of light sent by the column-like light source (3) that passes the coin (1) to convert this light into an electric signal dependent on the diameter of the coin; and a lens assembly (5) arranged in front of the photosensitive sensor (4) and behind the coin path (2) for projecting an image of the light from the column-like light source (3) that passes a coin (1) onto the photosensitive sensor (4); wherein the amounts of light from the column elements (3a, 3b) of the column-like light source (3) are separately adjustable to permit calibration of the readings given by the photosensitive sensor (4) measuring the amount of light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3682286A
Cited
GB1379473A
Cited
SE397420B
Cited
DE2724868A1
Cited
US4249648A
Cited
US4217491A
Cited
GB2054233A
Cited
SU974386A1
Cited
US4371071A
Cited
GB2115547A
Cited
US4531625A
Cited
DE3304395A1
Cited
US4585936A
Cited
US4509633A
Cited
GB2173624A
Cited
GB2176038A
Cited
US4676358A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |