Patents Assigned to MEI, Inc.
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Patent number: 8622190Abstract: A coin tester includes a coin sensor which outputs a measurement signal which is influenced by the presence of a coin. A memory device stores an impedence model of the coin sensor and the model representing an expected influence of a coin configuration model on the measurement signal. A processor computes and applies acceptance criteria to determine whether the coin falls within a predetermined coin configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: David Lavanchy, Gaston Baudat
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Patent number: 8616360Abstract: A lockable, removable cassette is described. In an implementation, the cassette includes a plastic shell and a currency access door. The cassette may also include a flexible handle and/or an integrated grip. In addition, the cassette may include at least one of an aperture and a transparent window positioned to reveal the contents of the cassette. In an implementation, the cassette includes a stacking mechanism which may include a drive means having non-circular drive gears.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: Alfred F. Bergeron, Robert Clauser, Christopher L. Crawford, David C. Deaville, Michael D. Nunn, Jeffrey T. Thawley, Kenneth B. Wood, Stephen R. Watrous
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Publication number: 20130341154Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: MEI, INC.Inventor: Gaston Baudat
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Publication number: 20130299574Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: MEI, INC.Inventor: Paul Theobald
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Patent number: 8573490Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: Evan J. Cost, Peter Bullard, Robert Martin
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Patent number: 8561777Abstract: A coin sensor performs time-domain eddy-current testing using an inductance in one arm of a Maxwell bridge which is driven by a bipolar square wave having randomly-selected intervals between transitions, the output of the bridge being sampled at a high frequency. A processor stores a model which receives the drive signal and adjusts coefficients of the model so that the output matches the sampled measurements. Acceptance criteria are applied to the adjusted coefficients for coin classification purposes.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: Gaston Baudat, David Michael Furneaux
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Patent number: 8550453Abstract: An assembly includes a currency cassette, a pressure plate, and a plurality of gears rotatably connected to at least two opposite edges of the pressure plate. In an implementation, a plurality of substantially parallel racks are configured to engage a plurality of the gears.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Evan J. Cost
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Publication number: 20130240322Abstract: A coin tester includes a coin sensor which outputs a measurement signal which is influenced by the presence of a coin. A memory device stores an impedence model of the coin sensor and the model representing an expected influence of a coin configuration model on the measurement signal. A processor computes and applies acceptance criteria to determine whether the coin falls within a predetermined coin configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: MEI, Inc.Inventors: David Lavanchy, Gaston Baudat
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Publication number: 20130245820Abstract: A vending machine audit system includes a vending machine including a vending machine controller configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the vending machine. At least one peripheral device is operatively coupled to the vending machine and is configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the peripheral device. An audit module includes a data storage component and is operatively coupled to the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device. The audit module is configured to receive device data from each of the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device and to perform a merging operation to generate a single merged audit data record representative of the operations of the vending machine and the at least one peripheral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: MEI, Inc.Inventors: William M. Osborne, Carlos Jimenez, Garry M. Knudson
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Patent number: 8517161Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Gaston Baudat
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Publication number: 20130199889Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: MEI, INC.Inventor: MEI, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130181397Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: MEI, INC.Inventor: MEI, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130180821Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: MEI, INC.Inventor: MEI, Inc.
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Patent number: 8474592Abstract: A reference data set used for classifying items of currency is established by obtaining at least one measured response from at least one known item of currency, projecting the measured response data from the known item of currency from a first space to a second space, and applying a reduction technique to the second space thereby reducing the complexity of the second space. The reference data set, which can be used for classifying items of currency, is thus represented by a subset of all measured responses obtained from the known item of currency.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Fatiha Anouar
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Publication number: 20130134011Abstract: An indicator, such as an alarm or warning, is generated to indicate that a document storage cassette attached to a document handling device (e.g., a currency validator) has reached a particular capacity or is approaching its full capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: MEI, Inc.Inventors: Bob Mackenzie, Stephen Marsh, Mark H. Greenawalt, Bill Nichols, Phil Pascarella, Rick Lopez, Peter Camilleri
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Patent number: 8448939Abstract: An apparatus for use with a store for storing value sheets in a stack having at least one variable dimension. In one aspect, the apparatus can include a plate that is adapted to engage the stack for movement therewith in the direction of the variable dimension. The apparatus can also include an indicator that is disposable between a first, operational position and a second, rest position. The plate engages the indicator such that the indicator alternates between the rest position and the operational position in response to crossing of a predetermined position by the plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: André Gerlier, Roberto Polidoro, Guillermo Garcia, Christian Voser
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Patent number: 8419011Abstract: A value sheet store from which value sheets may be dispensed. The value sheet store includes a housing having an aperture from which value sheets are dispensed, and a shutter operable to block the aperture. The aperture may be at least partially defined by at least one roller. The shutter may be formed to interleave with the aperture to block the aperture. The shutter may also be formed to interleave with the roller. The value sheet store may be adapted to be removably engageable with a value sheet transporter for transporting sheets to or away from the store. The value sheet store may be configured so that the shutter blocks the aperture when the value sheet store blocks the aperture when the value sheet store and the transporter are not engaged and unblock the shutter when the value sheet store and the transporter are engaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventors: André Gerlier, Roberto Polidoro, Guillermo Garcia, Christian Voser
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Patent number: 8393612Abstract: A removable currency storage device is arranged to monitor and record access to the contents of the storage device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Nunn
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Patent number: D689555Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Paul Theobald
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Patent number: D694334Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: MEI, Inc.Inventor: Paul Theobald