Importance

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Abstract

An electronic coin acceptor is described which generally comprises a synthesizer for generating a driving signal having a selectively variable characteristic, a computer for controlling the selectively variable characteristic of the driving signal such that at least one predetermined testing characteristic for each coin denomination to be tested for acceptability is selected for the driving signal in a predetermined sequence, an inductive filter for creating an electromagnetic field in response to the driving signal and for producing an alternating signal which is responsive to an electrically conductive object in the presence of the electromagnetic field, a comparator for detecting when the alternating signal crosses a predetermined threshold level and for producing a level detect signal indicative of the threshold crossing, and the computer including a counter for determining whether a conductive object in the presence of the electromagnetic field is an acceptable coin from the level detect signal. Preferably, the selectively variable characteristic of the driving signal is the frequency of the driving signal. A method of dynamically testing the acceptability of a coin is also described.

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First Claim