Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software changes into a processor-based coin sorting machine. In one embodiment, a flash card having a memory remotely programmed with a second software code is adapted to be removably electrically coupled to the system controller of the coin sorting machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the initial code in the resident memory of the machine to become erased and replaced with the second software code. The flash card may thereafter be removed from the machine and used to load software changes into other machines. In an alternative embodiment, the flash card may remain electrically coupled to the coin sorting machine. In this embodiment, insertion of the flash card causes the machine to execute the second software code, but the initial code is not erased or replaced. Upon removal of the flash card, the machine does not retain the second software code but will revert to execution of the initial code.

Abstract: A disc ejector including a hopper for storing a multiplicity of deposited metal discs; a rotary disc for trapping these discs one by one and transporting them towards an exit; structure for forcing the discs out of the rotary disc one by one at the exit;a rotary sweeper for removing the discs from the rotary disc;structure for receiving the removed discs and guiding them to a predetermined reference point;a check device provided near the reference point for determining if the disc is genuine; anda gate for selecting true discs from false disks, wherein true and false discs are accordingly ejected from separate outlets.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A check out stand (20) having a telescoping take-away conveyor (26) extending between a front module (22) and a rear module (24). Retraction of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) allows an area located beneath the leading end of the conveyor to be exposed. The exposed area can support a single bag (85) for bagging groceries and other items. If the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) is retracted only a limited amount, the single bag (85) may be inserted between the leading end of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) and the trailing end of the scanner (32). The telescoping take-away conveyor (26) utilizes a friction roller (66) that permits the powered roller (60) for the telescoping take-away conveyor (26).

Abstract: A coin counting and sorting machine has a coin lifting device with an open bowl for receiving and forwarding an unsorted mass of coins, a sorting device for sorting coins being supplied thereto, and a coin transferring device for transferring the coins from the coin lifting device to the coin sorting device while establishing an order among the coins suitable for sorting and counting. The coin transferring device is provided with a first and a second element between which a transportation channel for the coins is disposed, wherein the first element is movable with respect to the second element so as to effect the transferring of the coins, and with a resilient device arranged with the transportation channel for pressing the coins against the first, movable element with a locally increased coin transferring speed as a result.

Abstract: A coin-sending device wherein coins can be lined up and discriminated at the same place, limitation of inner spaces of game machines or the like in which the coin-sending device is incorporated can be mitigated, and enlargement and complexity of their structures can be prevented, the coin-sending device comprising a coin-selection part 4 on a forcible-transfer passage 20 where a transfer force of a rotary disc 3 acts on coins sent from the rotary disc, coins are sent sequentially one by one to a second-side passage 2 following drive of the rotary disc 3, false coins IM at the coin-selection part 4 are removed through a removal opening 40 and only true coins are picked up at the coin-selection part 4, whereby coins are lined up and discriminated at the same place where the rotary disc 3 is provided, so that difference of height between an inlet of lump-insertion for coins and an outlet 202 of coins after discriminated can be made smaller, limitation of inner spaces of game machines or the like for mounting the

Abstract: A cart management apparatus and method for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining device for selective retaining at least one of the carts; a cart identification sensor for uniquely identifying carts retained by the retaining device; a control device for controlling the vending and returning of carts, wherein the control device maintains a queue of carts identified by a cart identification sensor and retained by the retaining device; a reward device for dispensing a reward when a cart is returned to the retaining device; and a counter for counting a number of times that an identification of the cart is missed from the queue of carts so as to prevent the reward device from dispensing a reward when the number of times exceeds a predetermined value of the counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation in a relatively narrow wavelength band within radiation having a wide range of wavelengths. The method comprises detecting radiation in a first wavelength band including the narrow wavelength band and other wavelengths; detecting radiation in a second wavelength band which comprises substantially only the other wavelengths; and comparing the levels of detected radiation to determine the presence of radiation in the narrow wavelength band.

Abstract: An anti-fraud string cutter for a coin telephone instrument having a serpentine coin path. The string cutter is fabricated as a stack of notched, slit, sheet metal plates having alternately off-set flat and wavy teeth which are adapted to snag and cut, between adjacent ones of the plates, any string threaded through said coin path by a fraudulent user. String cutters are advantageously to be mounted adjacent to one of the cusps of the serpentine path and above the coin return hopper.

Abstract: A coin selecting apparatus which can change for coin sizes simply. The coin selecting apparatus includes a plate which has a vertical length opening for throwing a coin thereinto, a diameter gage slidably disposed on this plate and having a guide portion to partially seal the length of the opening, and a thickness gage slidably disposed on said plate to partially seal the width of the opening. The coin selecting apparatus has a front part, which is made of a plastic formed product having a rectangular plate form, base part which made of a plastic formed product having an approximately rectangular plate form, a chute cover part made of a plastic formed product having an approximately tail-fin-shaped form and a door part made of a plastic formed product having a slightly small rectangular plate form.

Abstract: A funds discrimination and sorting system comprises an acceptor for accepting mixed currency from a customer. A sorter and discriminator sorts and discriminates the funds by denomination, the sorter and discriminator are coupled to the acceptor. An interface is coupled to the sorter and discriminator for accepting instructions from a customer, the instructions causing the actuation of the system; and an attendant control panel allows an attendant to operate the system in a plurality of modes, the attendant control panel is positioned opposite and is inaccessible from said customer interface.

Abstract: A temperature sensor 51 is provided in the bill validator according to the present invention to produce a detection signal when a temperature in the case 11 is lowered below a predetermined level. Upon occurrence of the detection signal of the temperature sensor 51, a first timer starts counting a confirmative period of time. When the first timer counts up the confirmative period of time, a second timer produces a drive signal to activate the conveyer motor 38 for a predetermined warming-up period of time. As the conveyer motor 38 is rotated for warming-up, the belt 23 runs in the case 11 to revive its flexibility and generate heat due to dynamic friction of the mechanic parts including the conveyer motor 38, pulleys 21, 22 and belt 23 during rotation of the conveyer motor 38.

Abstract: A coin sorter wherein there area plurality of side-by-side V-shaped, elongated tracks. These tracks are on a slope and are fed from a common coin feeder and the tracks are terminated at lower ends by coin diverters varied in configuration to progressively divert, and thus sort coins in a descending order of diameter.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of spaced series connected elongated, planar coils driven by an oscillator. Maximum frequency and amplitude values of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a coin between the pair of coils are compared with prestored frequency and amplitude values of acceptable coins. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude values, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a position discharging coins into a storage receptacle and simultaneously causing a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit vending of an article from the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A currency handling system adapted to accommodate currencies of any denomination or type without having been pre-programmed with data representative of the denominations or types. The currency handling system is capable of generating such data internally, by scanning a set of master currency bills to obtain master information representative of the master bills which may be used to authenticate subsequent test bills according to selected or default sensitivity levels. The master information may comprise numerical and/or non-numerical data. The determination of authenticity of the test bills is based on a comparison of either pre-stored or self-generated master information with scanned data values associated with the test bills. In one embodiment, a note counter is provided which authenticates and counts a stack of same denomination bills after independently determining the denomination of the bills and selecting appropriate threshold levels corresponding to the denomination of the bills.

Abstract: A gaming device is provided with detectors configured to substantially reduce the potential for unauthorized manipulation of a coin output system. A pair of detectors can be used to output an error signal when the sequence or timing of detector blockages departs from that which would be expected from normal coin movement. A second optical detector is configured to provide a signal used to output an error signal when the second detector detects radiation or light during a time that a first detector is also detecting light from a paired radiation source. An error signal is preferably output when an optical detector is blocked for a period of time which exceeds a maximum blockage threshold, and preferably the threshold may be dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: Present invention is a coin operable computer, having compiler memory compiled in both soft and hardware programs, with all supporting elements, an interfaced handshaking memory storage unit and modem card, arranged to run a sequential logic order of operations, in selectively dispensing a variety of products, from a coin operable vending machine after currency protocols have been satisfied, fetch data transactions, store to memory, and when called by a personal computer, transmit the stored data to owners personal computers or other peripheral operated devices, the present computer controlled vending machine provides owners a means of utilizing the art of computer science and modem technology to enhance monetary controls, and enhance profits, while providing consumers a variety of options in purchasing a product utilizing vending machines, as present computerized vending machine incorporates a multiple network of coin accepting units and a plurality of change back return paths, deleting the problem of one co

Abstract: A coin handling mechanism includes a counter for counting coins incoming and outgoing to and from a cassette-type coin storage tube. In response to detection of temporary detachment of the cassette during collection of the stored coins from the tube, the counted value of the counter is initially set to a predetermined value. Then, in response to activation of a predetermined switch during next collection of the stored coins from the tube, a determination is made as to whether the current value of the counter is greater than the initially-set predetermined value. If so, a specific number of the coins corresponding to a difference between the current value and the initially-set predetermined value are automatically paid out from the tube, but if not, the cassette is temporarily detached for manual supply of a necessary number of additional coins to the tube without the stored coins being paid out from the tube.

Abstract: A self-service checkout apparatus for processing items selected by a customer for purchase includes a customer operated device, such as a scanner/scale, for identifying each item selected for purchase. The apparatus also includes a self-service terminal which includes a card or cash payment accepting device, a cash dispensing device for providing a customer with cash by way of change or cashback, and an electronic controller connected to the customer operated device and arranged to determine the price of each item identified by the customer operated device. The terminal displays the total amount payable on a screen. A customer exit is normally closed by a security gate which is arranged to be opened in response to the customer making payment for the total amount. The terminal can be used to provide ATM services independently of a checkout transaction.

Abstract: A method of classifying a test article as one of a plurality of acceptable denominations of articles of currency, comprising applying a statistical classification process which employs discriminant surfaces derived from previous test articles known to be valid or invalid and is arranged to distinguish therebetween, characterized by applying also an acceptance boundary test which limits the acceptance volume for each denomination so as to exclude forgeries for which the discriminant surfaces were not derived.