Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus includes a coin dispenser configured to dispense coins to a receiving tray, a sensor configured to detect one or more coins in the receiving tray, an output device, and a processor configured to control the output device to output a warning when the sensor detects no coins in the receiving tray after the processor instructs the coin dispenser to dispense a group of coins as change and the coin dispenser has dispensed at least one of the coins in the group but before the coin dispenser has dispensed all of the coins in the group.

Abstract: To enhance the functionality of an automated cash transaction machine. An automated cash transaction machine 1 is disposed with a currency bill deposit/withdrawal unit 16 that accepts currency bills from outside, a discriminating unit 18 that discriminates the authenticity of the currency bills and also reads their serial numbers, and a receipt issuing slot 8 and an operation display unit 6 that present, to a customer for each deposit transaction, the serial number of a currency bill judged to be a fake bill by the discriminating unit 18.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel. In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recycling items of media. The apparatus includes at least a pair of co-operable feed belt members that receive a depositable item of media at a first location and locate the depositable item at a stack position in a storage container. The apparatus also includes at least a pair of co-operable dispense belt members that selectively pivot between an operational and non-operational position. In the operational position, at least one of the dispense belt members is disposed to remove an item from the stack position and provide the removed item to the feed belt members. The feed belt members are arranged to locate an item of media received from the dispense belt members at said first location.

Abstract: A paper currency handling apparatus associated with the present invention has a paper currency storage unit which receives paper currencies, a feeder port which enters or dispenses paper currencies by opening or closing an inner shutter and an outer shutter, a transport path which transports the paper currencies between the feeder port and the paper currency storage unit, open/close control unit which controls open/close operations of the inner shutter and the outer shutter independently, and paper currency posture modification unit which modifies the posture of paper currencies present between the outer shutter and the inner shutter.

Abstract: A coin sensing unit having a rotary sweeping arm is used to determine characteristics of the coins so that the coins can be deposited in a correct one of the hoppers.

Abstract: Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel. In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a coin processing apparatus, comprising: a storing section, a coin dispensing unit, a storage unit, a sensor and a drive unit. The storing section configured to house coins. The coin dispensing unit configured to dispense the coins housed in the storing section. The storage unit configured to store the coins dispensed from the coin dispensing unit. The sensor configured to detect coins in the storage unit. The drive unit configured to start driving the sensor if the coin dispensing unit starts to dispense coins, and stop driving the sensor if no dispensed coins are detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123) having a money item acceptor (10, 124) and a hopper arrangement (23, 126). The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1) having sorting means (15, 16, 17) operable to selectively direct a money item (12) to one of a first money item store (27) and a second money item store (142), to money item dispensing apparatus (139) having two hopper arrangements (23, 150), to a money item acceptor (10) having a self-clearing mechanism (37, 38), to a money item conveyor (160), to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123, 139) having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180) and filling apparatus (170) for filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180).

Abstract: Provided is a financial device, which comprises a medium entrance, a medium processing apparatus, and a control unit. A medium is deposited or withdrawn through the medium entrance. The medium processing apparatus processes the medium. The control unit controls the medium processing apparatus. The medium processing apparatus comprises a front guider, a rear guider behind the front guider, a pushing member pushing a medium disposed in a medium processing space, and a supporting guider supporting the medium in the medium processing space. The control unit controls an operation of the medium processing apparatus such that states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to deposit the medium are the same as states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to withdraw or return the medium.

Abstract: In a money handling machine (10), at least a recycling money storing and feeding unit (27, 34) is managed under first management authority and a money storing unit (40) is managed under second management authority different from the first management authority. When a command for performing a collecting process for allowing the money to be collected from the money storing unit (40) is inputted to a control unit (15), the control unit (15) controls money recycling units (20, 30) and the money storing unit (40), so as to perform a delivery process for delivering the money stored in the recycling money storing and feeding unit (27, 34) to the money storing unit (40), and then perform the collecting process.

Abstract: A money handling apparatus is arranged to receive items of currency and classify each into at least one class. Each class of currency items is stored and managed by the money handling apparatus in order to be able to extract the received items. In some implementations, the money handling apparatus is arranged to receive items of currency, store items of currency, receive at least one service media, and transport at least one stored currency item to a removable storage unit in a specified sequence or order.

Abstract: A device for recognizing coins and conveyed material similar to coins includes: at least one divergent light source; at least one light detector; and a conveyor configured to transport the conveyed material in a conveyor direction, the conveyor running in a recognition area between the at least one divergent light source and the at least one light detector, the conveyor including a centering unit for the centric orientation of the conveyed material relative to the linear detection area. The at least one light detector has a linear detection area parallel to the conveyor direction. The diameter of the conveyed material is illuminated in the conveyor direction using the at least one divergent light source and projected onto the at least one light detector. The illuminated diameter is repeatedly measured and determined by subsequent mean value calculation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present invention are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for transporting objects. A transporter includes a chamber and a carrier in the chamber. The chamber has an inlet, an outlet and an interior cross-section. The carrier substantially fills the cross-section of the chamber and is operable to move between first and second positions within the chamber. The carrier causes a plurality of objects that are inserted through the inlet when the carrier is in the first position to exit via the outlet as it moves from the first position to the second position. A delivery port may be coupled to the outlet of the chamber, such that objects exiting the chamber via the outlet enter the delivery port. A dispensing mechanism may inserts objects into the chamber via the inlet.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123) having a money item acceptor (10, 124) and a hopper arrangement (23, 126). The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1) having sorting means (15, 16, 17) operable to selectively direct a money item (12) to one of a first money item store (27) and a second money item store (142), to money item dispensing apparatus (139) having two hopper arrangements (23, 150), to a money item acceptor (10) having a self-clearing mechanism (37, 38), to a money item conveyor (160), to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123, 139) having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180) and filling apparatus (170) for filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180).

Abstract: A resilient pad for a disc-type coin processing machine is provided with a first portion with a property having a first value and a second portion with the property having a second value, wherein the first value of the property is different than the second value of the property. The property may include, for example, stiffness or coefficient of friction.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a bill handling device, the control of the entire device of which is simplified. The bill handling device comprises: a bill validator including a bill sensor for discriminating the validity of a bill inserted into a bill insertion slot and further including a bill conveyor for conveying the bill to a predetermined position and sending the bill, which has been discriminated to be invalid by the bill sensor, back to the bill insertion slot; and a bill accommodating unit including a bill accommodating section for accommodating a bill, further including a bill detector for detecting the bill which has been sent out, furthermore including a conveyance roller for conveying the bill to the bill accommodating section side independently from the bill conveyor by a conveyance force weaker than the conveyance force of conveying the bill by the bill conveyor while the bill detector is detecting the bill.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bill recycle machine including a push plate exerting pressure on bills, which can apply separation pressure required for separating bills and also can be elevated upward and downward so as to prevent the push plate from being interfered with by a pickup roller when untaken bills is collected again.

Abstract: A coin handling machine (10) has a coin sorting member (12) with a plurality of sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) by which respective denominations of coins (14) are sorted, having a coin driving member (21) with webs (22) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), having a motor (60) coupled to the coin driving member (21), and having a brake (65) for stopping the motor (60), the coin handling machine (10). A coin imaging sensor (40) optically images at least a portion of a coin (14) and for transmitting dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller (120) receives said dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller (120) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor (60) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination.

Abstract: A coin-operated vending machine for dispensing lollipops and other irregularly shaped items having several semi-cylindrical vertical chutes of U-shaped cross section, each with a diameter slightly larger than the item. The lollipop stick extends out of a slot extending along one side of the chute. The lollipops exit the bottom of the chutes and rest atop a cradle having a vertical slot therein. A deposited coin is advanced by a plunger through the slot to displace and dispense the lollipop.

Abstract: A mechanical vending machine utilizing the coin as part of the dispensing mechanism. A coin is inserted into the vending machine and directed to engage the desired product in a manner to release the product from a stored position in the vending machine. The coin after releasing the product is collected in a coin box.

Abstract: A low power coin discriminator detects and identifies the denomination of a coin to activate a parking meter, telephone, or vending machine device. Initially the device is in a low power, dormant state. Insertion of a coin into the discrimator trips a switch which produces a wake-up pulse which turns on a microprocessor. The coin falls upon a piezoelectric element, a signal from which causes the microprocessor to activate a photoelectric sensor. The coin moves through the photoelectric sensor which determines the net cross-sectional area of the coin. The microprocessor samples the output of the photoelectric sensor to detect the minimum light incident upon the sensor at the point of maximum eclipse of the light beam. The microprocessor also samples the output of an integrator which integrates the output of the piezoelectric element to produce a numerical value proportional to the mass of the coin.