Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper-leaves discriminating apparatus (sensor mounting construction) which is capable of detecting a characteristic quantity at a point conforming to a discriminating way while easily coping with a change of the way. Thus, in the paper-leaves discriminating apparatus according to this invention, a sensor is made up of a plurality of characteristic quantity detecting heads, and a plurality of head mounting holes are made in a frame installed along a conveyance plane of paper leaves for mounting the plurality of characteristic quantity detecting heads on the frame so that the plurality of characteristic quantity detecting heads face the conveyance plane, and further, each of the characteristic quantity detecting heads is detachably fitted in the head mounting hole, of the plurality of head mounting holes, corresponding to a position at which the characteristic quantity remarkably develops.

Abstract: A coin singulator for outputting coins in single file in a known orientation for effecting payout from a gaming terminal is provided. A rotatable disk is positioned spaced-apart from a backplate to define a substantially cylindrical region therebetween in conjunction with a rim region. Vanes on the front surface of the rotating disk convey coins picked up from a randomly-oriented mass of coins to a central opening of the disk for conveyance through the central opening into the space between the disk and the backplate. The distance between the disk and the backplate is such that only a single layer or thickness of coins is accommodated. Preferably the backplate is inclined such that the coins are positioned in face-to-face contact with the backplate. A plurality of vanes on the back surface of the disk moves the coin along the rim to an exit opening in the rim with the back surface vanes preferably shaped to output no more than a single coin as each rim passes the opening.

Abstract: A coin discrimination device which provides for positive transport of coins past a sensor is provided. In one embodiment, a rotating disk, slightly inclined to the vertical, includes a plurality of pockets for receiving coins from a hopper bowl. The disk and bowl are configured to efficiently load the pockets with no more than one coin per pocket. As the disk rotates, the coins, which are thus registered in a desired location in the pockets, are transported by the rotating disk past a sensor. When, based on the sensor data, the item in a pocket is recognized as an acceptable coin, a controllable ramp is lowered to divert the coin out of the pocket and into a path to place the coin in an acceptance bin or bag.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus includes a coin hopper (24) having a coin exit aperture (30) and a ramp (32) located adjacent thereto. The ramp (32) includes an upper end (34) and slopes downward to a lower end (36). A plurality of apertures (38a-38d) are formed through the ramp (32). The apertures (38a-38d) are sized and arranged such that coins of differing diameters sliding down the ramp (32) pass through one of the apertures (38a-38d). A coin container assembly (50) located below the ramp (32) includes first and second sets (54,56) of coin containers (52). Each set (54,56) includes a plurality of coin containers (54a-d,56a-d), respectively. The containers (56a-d) of the second set (56) are positioned adjacent the containers (54a-d) of the first set (54). When one of the containers (54a-d) of the first set (54) is filled with coins, additional coins slide into a corresponding container (56a-d) of the second set (56). A coin separator mechanism (90) dispenses coins from the coin hopper (24) onto the ramp (32).

Abstract: A bill processor having pivotally supported parts for easy maintenance. The bill processor includes a machine body, a bill conveyer disposed in the body for conveying a bill along a bill passage, and a front mask having a bill insertion port and disposed on the front of the body. The bill processor also has a bill identification device disposed on the bill passage for determining the genuineness of the inserted bills, as well as a bill stacker. In one bill processor, the conveyer is supported via a shaft to be freely pivotable toward the front of the machine body, and a front mask is supported to be freely pivotable with respect to the machine body. In another bill processor, a support structure is provided for supporting the machine body including the conveyer and the bill stacker so the machine body is freely pivotably supported with respect to the front mask and freely detachably engaged to the front mask.

Abstract: A construction for checkout counters useful with security and payment equipment which permits a customer to conduct price scans and enter payment without the assistance of a cashier includes intake, security and packaging modules, with the security module having an internal recess adapted to support required security equipment. Access to the internal recess is facilitated with sidewall ports covered by access panels which can be removed without access to the internal recess. A facile two-part transfer plate assembly is provided at the intake end of the security module, and a rigid slotted construction for lateral cross braces is also employed.

Abstract: A track (2) for storing divider bars (24) used on a checkout counter (12) having a conveyor (14). The track (2) can be fitted over or replace a previously-installed track (10), and can store display/divider bars of much greater width than those presently in use. The wider surfaces of the new track also provide areas on which advertising can be displayed. The new tracks can be secured in place temporarily for ease of replacement by tracks displaying or holding updated advertising information.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of series connected coils driven by an oscillator. Frequency and/or amplitude characteristics of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a distinct token between the pair of coils are compared with prestored characteristics of acceptable tokens. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude characteristics, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a coin return position discharging the token to the user, simultaneously causes a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit access to the interior of the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted and selects a new total vend value from memory associated with a detected token.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the authenticity of coins, tokens or other flat metal articles includes a coin passage with a lower and an upper side wall. A coin moves in a condition of bearing against the lower side wall along the coin passage past at least one inductive measuring element having a coil (S). The coil (S) can be fed with a first current (I.sub.1) from a first current of voltage source (19) and a second current (I.sub.2) from a second current or voltage source (21). A capacitive element (C.sub.1) is connected between the coil (S) and the first current or voltage source (19) so that the coil(S) and the capacitive element (C.sub.1) form an impedance (Z.sub.1). The phase shift (.phi..sub.1) between the first current (I.sub.1) and the voltage across the impedance (Z.sub.1) serves as a criterion for acceptance or rejection of the coin.

Abstract: A substrate transferring apparatus comprising support members for supporting a substrate, and a drive mechanism for moving the support members to transfer the substrate, wherein the support members each have a pair of outer support segments for supporting an outer periphery of the substrate and a pair of inner support segment provided between the outer support segments.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying system includes a conveying path for circulating a plurality of containers each having food and drink, and a plurality of tables arranged along the conveying path. The food and drink conveying system also includes a conveying container which holds one of the containers and which is placed on the conveying path, and noticing devices for letting an orderer know an arrival of his/her order proximate the orderer's table, so that the order can reliably be received by the customer, without any fear of the order being taken away on the way to the order's table by another person.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal having a weight scale associated therewith includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a user enters a first item for purchase with a code entry device. The method also includes the step of monitoring output from the weight scale in response to generation of the item-entered control signal and generating an entered-item-detected control signal if the weight scale detects that the user placed the first item for purchase in a shopping container. In addition, the method includes the step of operating the self-service checkout terminal so as to allow the user to enter subsequent items for purchase in response to generation of the entered-item-detected control signal.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.

Abstract: A cash box assembly particularly suited for a slant-top slot machine is described. The slant-top slot machine has an angled console, incorporating the display area and the user interface. The present invention allows an attendant to easily remove a cash box from the console area of a slant-top gaming machine while the attendant stands upright in a comfortable position. The cash box is accessed through a door in the console. The cash box is located at the rear of an arcuate chute so that, when the attendant grasps the handle and pulls the cash box forward, the cash box slides upward along the arcuate path. At the point where the cash box is exiting the arcuate chute, the front of the cash box is approximately parallel to the slanted plane of the console. This is an optimal angle for removing or inserting the cash box. The arcuate path not only reduces the necessary size of the console opening to gain access to the cash box assembly, but provides a more ergonomic cash box removal and insertion technique.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the over-tilt of a gripper assembly in a cassette loading device is described. The apparatus provides an additional sensor arm system rigidly mounted to the gripper assembly such that the additional sensor arm not only provides a method for it to reach an over-tilt position, but also provides a mechanical stop to manually stop the gripper assembly from making further motion beyond the maximum downward-tilt position of the arm. The apparatus may further be provided with a warning system and a manual override device such that a machine operator may be alerted of the over-tilt condition and further, may manually override the sensor system by temporarily restoring power to the gripper assembly and returning it to a safe position.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting counterfeit currency are disclosed wherein a currency bill encoded with security data is scanned by a currency scanning terminal placed at a currency exchange location such as a store or a bank. The security data can include the currency bill's serial number and a corresponding code number, and is preferably magnetically encoded on a magnetic medium affixed to or embedded in the bill. The currency scanning terminal reads the security data and transmits it via a communications link to a programmable security computer. The security computer responds to receipt of the security data by comparing the transmitted security data with previously stored security data and generating a comparison result. If the comparison result is true, the security computer calculates an updated security code, stores the updated security code in the data store, and transmits the updated security code to the currency scanning terminal.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return slot positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects a coin slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.

Abstract: A sheet discriminating apparatus includes a light source for emitting light toward a sheet, a spectrophotometer for receiving light emitted from the light source and reflected by a non-printed surface portion of the sheet and generating spectral data, a memory for storing reference data, and a discriminator for discriminating genuineness of the sheet based on the spectral data generated by the spectrophotometer and the reference data stored in the memory. According to the thus constituted sheet discriminating apparatus, it is possible to accurately discriminate the genuineness of a sheet, particularly a bill or security certificate.

Abstract: A coin bank which sorts coins and deposits them in containers is disclosed. A coin or a group of coins is dropped into a coin receiver. Each coin is removed one at a time from the coin receiver and dropped into a helical coin path by a motorized separator mechanism. The coins roll on edge along the coin path where they encounter apertures of varying sizes. When a coin encounters an aperture larger than its diameter, it falls out of the path to a container. A mechanical coin sensor mechanism is provided to start the separator when a coin is sensed in the coin receiver. The sensor mechanism also delays the shut-off of the motor when coins are no longer sensed in the coin receiver. The housing and most parts of the bank are transparent to permit viewing of the sensor mechanism and the coin path.