Coin discrimination apparatus and method

A method of counting coins, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins in a coin input region of a coin counting machine;
• moving the coins from the coin input region through a pap in a coin sensor, wherein the coin sensor includes a magnetic core having substantially opposing end portions defining the gap through which the coins move;
• discriminating the coins with the coin sensor to differentiate acceptable coins from unacceptable coins;
• and
• sending information related to the coin data to a central computer located remotely from the coin counting machine,
• wherein moving the coins through a gap in a coin sensor includes moving the coins past a coin sensor having a low frequency winding coupled to the magnetic core and a high frequency winding coupled to the magnetic core, wherein the high frequency winding is closer to at least one of the end portions than the low frequency winding.

A method of counting coins, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins;
• moving the coins past a coin sensor to discriminate acceptable coins from unacceptable coins, the coin sensor including a magnetic core having first and second legs extending upwardly from an annular lower portion, wherein each of the first and second legs defines, respectively, first and second generally opposed and spaced-apart faces, and wherein the first and second spaced-apart faces extend for over half the overall length of the magnetic core defining a gap through which a portion of the coins move, and wherein each of the first and second legs includes an outer portion that transitions inwardly from this annular lower portion toward the end of the respective leg so that the magnetic core has a first overall width at the annular lower portion that is greater than a second overall width at the opposing ends of the first and second legs;
• receiving coin data from the coin sensor;
• determining a value based at least in part on the coin data;
• and
• dispensing a voucher from the coin counting machine, wherein the voucher is redeemable for the value.

A method of counting coins, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins;
• moving the coins past a coin sensor to discriminate acceptable coins from unacceptable coins, the coin sensor including a magnetic core having substantially opposing end portions defining a gap through which a portion of the coins move;
• receiving coin data from the coin sensor;
• determining a value based at least in part on the coin data;
• and
• dispensing a voucher from the coin counting machine, wherein the voucher is redeemable for the value,
• wherein moving the coins past a coin sensor includes moving the coins past a coin sensor having a low frequency winding coupled to the core and a high frequency winding coupled to the core, wherein the high frequency winding is closer to at least one of the end portions than the low frequency winding.

A system for counting coins, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins;
• means for moving the coins through a gap in a coin sensor, wherein the coin sensor includes a magnetic core having first and second legs extending upwardly from an lower portion, wherein each of the first and second legs defines, respectively, first and second generally opposed and elongated spaced-apart faces defining the gap through which the coins move, and wherein each of the first and second legs includes an outer portion that transitions inwardly from the annular lower portion toward the end of the respective leg so that the magnetic core has a first overall width at the annular lower portion that is greater than a second overall width at the opposing ends of the first and second legs;
• means for discriminating the coins with the coin sensor to differentiate acceptable coins from unacceptable coins;
• and
• means for sending information related to the coin data to a central computer located remotely from the coin counting machine.

A system for counting coins, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins;
• means for moving the coins through a gap in a coin sensor, wherein the coin sensor includes a magnetic core having substantially opposing end portions defining the gap through which the coins move;
• means for discriminating the coins with the coin sensor to differentiate acceptable coins from unacceptable coins;
• and
• means for sending information related to the coin data to a central computer located remotely from the coin counting machine,
• wherein the means for moving the coins through a gap in a coin sensor include means for moving the coins past a coin sensor having a low frequency winding coupled to the magnetic core and a high frequency winding coupled to the magnetic core, wherein the high frequency winding is closer to at least one of the end portions than the low frequency winding.