초록 ▼

A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided in which an oscillating electromagnetic field is generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed on one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions a

A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided in which an oscillating electromagnetic field is generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed on one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phase-locked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters or special geometric shaping of the sensing core. In one embodiment, a sensor having a core, preferably ferrite, which is curved, such as in a U-shape or in the shape of a section of a torus, and defining a gap, is provided with a wire winding for excitation and/or detection. The sensor can be used for simultaneously obtaining data relating to two or more parameters of a coin or other object, such as size and conductivity of the object. Two or more frequencies can be used to sense core and/or cladding properties.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method usable for discriminating among coins, comprising the steps of:providing at least a first sensor having a first magnetic core which is non-linear over at least a portion thereof, said first core defining a first gap to define magnetic flux lines in the vicinity o

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method usable for discriminating among coins, comprising the steps of:providing at least a first sensor having a first magnetic core which is non-linear over at least a portion thereof, said first core defining a first gap to define magnetic flux lines in the vicinity of said first gap;coupling said sensor in an oscillator circuit;detecting the change in the inductance of said sensor as said coins move past said first gap for deriving sizes of said coins; anddetecting the change in Q of the inductance of said sensor as said coins move past said first gap for deriving conductivity of said coins.