Coin validating apparatus and method

Apparatus for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination comprising:

• first means for generating a first signal parameter which is a function of a first magnetic field when the coin is located within the first magnetic field;
• second means for generating a second signal parameter which is a function of a second magnetic field when the coin is located within the second magnetic field;
• third means for generating a third signal parameter which is a function of a third magnetic field when the coin is located within the third magnetic field;
• means for determining an arithmetic relationship between at least two of the first, second and third signal parameters;
• means for comparing the arithmetic relationship to a predetermined range;
• and
• means, responsive to the comparing means, for indicating the acceptability and denomination of the coin when the arithmetic relationship between at least two of the first, second and third signal parameters is within the predetermined range.

Apparatus for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination comprising:

• a first oscillator circuit generating a first oscillating signal;
• a first coil energized by first oscillating signal to produce a first magnetic field, the first oscillating signal having a first parameter which is a function of disturbances in the first magnetic field when the coin is located within the first magnetic field;
• a second oscillator circuit generating a second oscillating signal;
• a second coil energized by second oscillating signal to produce a second magnetic field, the second oscillating signal having a second parameter which is a function of disturbances in the second magnetic field when the coin is located within the second magnetic field;
• means for determining an arithmetic relationship of the first and second parameters;
• means for comparing the arithmetic relationship to an acceptable range;
• and
• means, responsive to the comparing means, for indicating the acceptability and denomination of the coin when the arithmetic relationship of the first and second parameters is within the acceptable range.

Method for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination comprising the steps of:

• generating a first signal parameter which is a function of a first magnetic field when the coin is located within the first magnetic field;
• generating a second signal parameter which is a function of a second magnetic field when the coin is located within the second magnetic field;
• determining an arithmetic relationship between the first and second signal parameters;
• comparing the arithmetic relationship to a predetermined range;
• and
• indicating the acceptability and denomination of the coin when the arithmetic relationship between the first and second signal parameters is within the predetermined range.

Method for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination comprising the steps of:

• generating a first signal parameter which is a function of a first magnetic field when the coin is located within the first magnetic field;
• generating a second signal parameter which is a function of a second magnetic field when the coin is located within the second magnetic field;
• determining an arithmetic relationship between at least two of the first, second and third signal parameters;
• comparing the arithmetic relationship to a predetermined range;
• and
• indicating the acceptability and denomination of the coin when the arithmetic relationship between at least two of the first, second and third signal parameters is within the predetermined range.

Apparatus for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination comprising:

• means for generating a magnetic field through which the coin passes;
• means for detecting the amplitude of the magnetic field when the coin is located within the magnetic field;
• means for detecting the phase of the magnetic field when the coin is located within the magnetic field;
• means for determining an arithmetic relationship between the amplitude and the phase;
• means for comparing the arithmetic relationship to a predetermined range;
• and
• means, responsive to the comparing means, for indicating the acceptability and denomination of the coin when the arithmetic relationship between the amplitude and the phase is within the predetermined range.