Patents Assigned to MEI, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20160005045
    Abstract: A system comprising a classification module and a scoring module is described herein. The classification module is configured to configured to classify at least one item of value into at least one class in response to a user activity; and the scoring module configured to determine an acceptance score based at least on transactional data and associate an action with the user activity corresponding to the acceptance score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil YOUNG, Gaston BAUDAT
  • Patent number: 9214501
    Abstract: An in-cell OLED touch display panel structure includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an OLED layer configured between the upper and lower substrates, and a black matrix layer. The black matrix layer is disposed at one surface of the upper substrate that faces the OLED layer, and the black matrix layer is composed of a plurality of opaque conductor lines. The plurality of opaque conductor lines is divided into a first group of opaque conductor lines, a second group of opaque conductor lines, and a third group of opaque conductor lines. The second group of opaque conductor lines is formed with N mesh-like polygonal regions. The opaque conductor lines in any one of the polygonal regions are electrically connected together, while any two polygonal regions are not connected, so as to form a single-layered touch sensing pattern on the black matrix layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MEI, INC.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 9033338
    Abstract: A stacking mechanism for a cassette to store documents, a document cassette assembly comprising a stacking mechanism, and a method of stacking a document into a document cassette are described. The stacking mechanism can include a pusher plate that is adapted to push documents into the cassette. At least two shutter members of the stacking mechanism can be arranged to define a gap between each other. The shutter members can be movable. During a stacking operation, the shutter members can be moved so that the gap between the shutter members is enlarged. The documents can be pushed into the cassette through the enlarged gap by the pusher plate. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MEI, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Wuthrich, Sebastien Menot, Didier Szniaruk, Alexandre Voeuk
  • Publication number: 20150122885
    Abstract: A multi media payment device includes a banknote acceptor and a RF card reader, and also may include a magnetic card reader. A bezel assembly for connection to the bill acceptor preferably includes a reader unit to read magnetic swipe cards and contactless chip cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: MEI, INC.
    Inventors: Evan J. Cost, Peter Bullard, Robert Martin
  • Patent number: 8949643
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device and a method for validating documents of value, especially a low power validator for validating documents of value is described comprising: a processing unit for controlling operation of the validator; an inlet for receiving a document of value from a user; and a power management system for transitioning the validator between a power conserving mode and a normal operating mode, wherein the power management system comprises a wake up unit arranged to monitor the inlet for the presence of a document of value and to monitor the voltage provided from a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Varuni Mishra
  • Patent number: 8932118
    Abstract: Replenishing coins in a coin store associated with a coin handling device includes feeding a batch of coins from a bulk coin store to a receptacle near the coin handling device, delivering coins from the receptacle to the coin handling device and routing at least some of those coins from the coin handling device to the coin store associated with the coin handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Shuren, Neil M. Young, Andrew M. Yellop, David Michael Furneaux, Karen Aurelius
  • Patent number: 8875994
    Abstract: A payment interface apparatus, system and method is disclosed. In particular, a payment interface apparatus for use in vending machines, gaming machines, or other, typically unattended machines that accept payments via a variety of payment methods is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system and method for determining and processing a transaction as a particular transaction type based upon the type of media used on a standardized financial transaction card. The interface apparatus includes a plurality of sensors to read one or a plurality of media on a single standardized financial transaction card in a single presentation of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Theobald
  • Patent number: 8864126
    Abstract: A document storage assembly for storing documents such as banknotes in a stacked configuration includes a support plate assembly for biasing the stack of documents toward an opening in the housing of the document storage assembly. The housing can include an assist mechanism to facilitate displacement of the stack of documents during the stacking of a newly received document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Snider, Karen Marvin, Chris Carmine, Kenneth B. Wood, Alfred F. Bergeron, Robert Clauser
  • Patent number: 8851373
    Abstract: Tracking information in a note handling facility, such as an amusement gaming facility, involves, in some implementations, communications between components of the system to facilitate tracking the location and movement of note acceptors and cassettes for storing notes. Such components can include host machines, note acceptors, cassettes for storing notes, databases, and/or note counting machines. RF tag chips can be embedded in or mounted to some of the components to facilitate the communications. RF tag readers can be provided at appropriate locations within the facility to facilitate reading information from and writing information to the RF tag chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob MacKenzie, Thomas E. Shuren, Neil M. Young
  • Patent number: 8836926
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a banknote validator or other document acceptor using optical transmissive measurements includes at least one light source located on a first side of a document path and arranged to transmit light around the document path to a second side of the document path, the second side being opposite the first side. Optical detectors are located on the first side of the document path and arranged to receive light sent from the light source and passing through the document transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Zoladz, Jr., John D. Snider
  • Patent number: 8820507
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to modeling the structure of an item of currency and to predicting the behavior of a currency sensing system as related to the structure of a tested item of currency. For a specified set of parameters of an item of currency, the response of the currency sensing system can be predicted. A particular construction of an item of currency can be determined based on theoretical responses from the item of currency being tested with a theoretical currency sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaston Baudat
  • Publication number: 20140231214
    Abstract: A sensing system is described herein. The sensing system includes a sampling module configured to define a sampling interval. The sensing system also includes a plurality of sensors to sample an inserted item based at least on the sampling interval. The sensing system includes a tracking module configured to obtain start sensor data from the sensors, determine if start sensor data is absent, increment an absence count based at least on the determination, compare the absence count with a threshold absence count, and reject the inserted item based at least on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: MEI, INC.
    Inventor: Garry M. Knudson
  • Patent number: 8770370
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil M. Young
  • Patent number: 8739954
    Abstract: Characterizing an item of currency employs a validation apparatus that includes at least three specified light sources for illuminating the item of currency. Each of the specified light sources has an emission spectrum similar to an approximating function for reconstructing a predetermined set of spectrum. At least one receiver receives light emitting from the at least three specified light sources. A transportation unit transports the item of currency within the validation apparatus. The light received by the receiver is at least one of light reflected by or light transmitted through the item of currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatiha Anouar, Gaston Baudat, Philippe S. Jard
  • Patent number: 8720664
    Abstract: In one aspect, a validation apparatus comprises a light source capable of emitting a broadband spectrum of light for illuminating an item of currency. The validation apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive light emitted from the light source. In another aspect, the validation apparatus also includes a transportation unit configured to transport the item of currency within the validation apparatus. In a further aspect, the validation apparatus also includes a processor configured to reconstruct a spectral response of the item of current. In this design, the light received by the receiver comprises at least a portion of light reflected by or transmitted through the item of currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatiha Anouar, Gaston Baudat
  • Patent number: 8706669
    Abstract: A method of deriving a classifier for classifying items using a plurality of variables for characteristics of the items, the method comprising determining a representative subset of the variables for use in said classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatiha Anouar, Gaston Baudat
  • Patent number: 8695977
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for handling items of currency using a triple gate diverter are provided. An apparatus is provided that comprises first, second and third diverter members (100, 200, 300) that are adapted for rotational/pivotal movement with respect to another. Each of the diverter members (100, 200, 300) is coupled to a longitudinal shaft (400), itself defining a central longitudinal axis of the triple gate diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Nunn, Karen Marvin
  • Patent number: 8695778
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing unauthorized removal of currency items from a currency handling apparatus is provided. A removable security gate mechanism (500) is provided that comprises a housing (501), a rotatable gate (510), a drive wheel and a positioning member. The positioning member is selectively engageable with the drive wheel for positioning the rotatable gate (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Clauser, Michael D. Nunn, Karen Marvin
  • Patent number: 8662490
    Abstract: A bulk document feeder module is adapted for connection to a document acceptor and is operable, when attached to the document acceptor, to feed one document at a time, from a bundle of documents, to the document acceptor. The bulk document feeder module can include a document transport mechanism, a portion of which includes a removable cartridge, to facilitate removal of a jammed object from the feeder module. The document acceptor can form part of a bill or other document validator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Clauser, John D. Snider, Kenneth B. Wood, Edward M. Zoladz, Jr., Carl Alexander Phillips
  • Patent number: RE44944
    Abstract: A money handling mechanism 110 has a first port P1 for connection to a machine controller 130 and a second port P2 to which further money handling mechanisms can be connected. Different types of mechanism, such as a card acceptor 70 or a bill validator 100, can be connected to the second port P2 over a bus B. The first port P1 may be connected to one of several interface adapters 410 to 416, and the communications protocol used is selected accordingly. If the first port P1 uses the same protocol as the second port P2, signals are passed transparently between the first port P1 and the second port P2. Signals from the additional mechanism may be modified to be recognisable by the controller 130. The money handling mechanism 110 may convert between the denominations of currencies represented in the protocols over the first and second ports P1 and P2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Billington, Andrew Simon Pope