Coin Detection Device Using Optical and Inductive Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin detection devices struggle to accurately validate coins made of multiple materials with symmetrical or non-symmetrical holes, apertures, or transparent rings, as they fail to generate consistent waveforms due to light passing through or dissimilar metals.
Innovation Solution
A coin detection device employing a combination of optical and inductive sensors positioned along a coin track, with a processing circuit analyzing output signals to determine coin size and aperture dimensions, allowing for accurate authentication of coins with unique material configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect coins with holes or transparent portions, then light passes through the coin causing inconsistent detection, but using only magnetic sensors fails to generate consistent waveforms for coins with dissimilar metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical sensors and magnetic sensors into a unified detection system. The optical sensors detect coin features like holes and transparent portions by measuring light transmission, while magnetic sensors detect metallic content and generate waveforms. The processing circuit integrates both signal types to achieve reliable coin validation that overcomes the limitations of either sensor type alone.
2Measurement precision
If a single optical sensor is used to detect coin size, then coins with apertures allow light to pass through causing detection failure, but multiple sensors increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task among multiple optical sensors positioned at different locations along the coin track. Each sensor detects specific portions of the coin, and the processing circuit combines these segmented measurements to determine overall coin size and aperture characteristics. This segmentation approach enables accurate detection of coins with various aperture configurations without requiring an overly complex single-sensor solution.
3Reliability
If coins with dissimilar metals are detected using magnetic sensors, then the dissimilar materials cause the magnetic sensors to fail to generate consistent waveforms, but adding more sensor types increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent analyzes changes in magnetic sensor waveform parameters (amplitude, frequency, shape) as coins with dissimilar metals pass by. The processing circuit identifies specific parameter patterns that correspond to different metal compositions and configurations. By focusing on parameter analysis rather than requiring additional sensor types, the system achieves reliable detection of multi-material coins while controlling device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively authenticates coins by analyzing waveforms from optical and magnetic sensors, enabling precise validation of coins with complex geometries and material compositions, improving the accuracy of denomination and validity determination.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical sensor array positioned along the coin track, each of the sensors providing an output signal to the processing circuit and the processing circuit determining a size of the coin and a size of at least one aperture hole in the coin
Implementation Method 2
a first inductive sensor array positioned along the coin track, each of the sensors providing an output signal to the processing circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for sensing predetermined characteristics of an object such as a coin or a token in order to determine its validity or genuineness and in some cases its denomination, the device including a combination of optical and electromagnetic sensors which operate together along a coin path and capable to analyze the coin or token in different positions so that if there are multiple holes or rings of transparent material they can be sensed and used to determine the coin or token's validity and denomination.