Importance

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Abstract

Increased power to operate a paystation coin relay is derived from the tip/ring pair by means of a power boost circuit, which is controllably coupled to the tip/ring pair when the coin relay is to be fired. To fire the coin relay, a line coupling relay circuit is energized, so as to apply the tip/ring line voltage to a D.C.-to-D.C. converter, the output of which is coupled to current storage (capacitor) circuit. The output of the current storage circuit is coupled to a first switch circuit and monitored by a comparator. The first switch circuit has an output coupled in circuit with the coin relay. In response to the comparator detecting that the current storage circuit has accumulated sufficient electrical energy to fire the coin relay, the comparator enables the first switch circuit, so that the output of the current storage circuit is applied to the coin relay, thereby firing the coin relay, to either collect accumulated coins or return the coins to the paystation user, depending upon a controllably established coin relay current flow path to the coin relay winding. The output of the comparator is further coupled through a delay circuit to a second transistor switch circuit which is coupled to the line coupling relay. The second switch circuit is operative to apply a de-energizing potential to the line relay a prescribed period of time subsequent to the firing of the coin relay, thereby returning the line relay to its normal state.

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First Claim