Patents Examined by Jeffrey A. Shapiro
  • Coin sensor
    Patent number: 8622190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lavanchy, Gaston Baudat
  • Slat for enhancing coin distribution in coin bin and security grate incorporating same
    Patent number: 8616359
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Bochonok, Mark C. Munro, John R. Blake
  • Coin redemption machine having gravity feed coin input tray and foreign object detection system
    Patent number: 8607957
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a coin processing system includes a coin input area that receives coins from a user, a coin processing module that counts the received coins, and a foreign object detection system that detects a foreign object within the coin processing module subsequent to counting substantially all the received coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Douglas U. Mennie, Samuel F. Collura, John S. Lykowski, Arthur J. Long
  • Game machine with tamper resistance function
    Patent number: 8608171
    Abstract: A game machine includes a cabinet, a shutter, a sensor and a drive mechanism. The cabinet has a chute for guiding items therein to a hatch accessible to a user. The shutter is normally disposed in a closed position in the cabinet to cover the chute in order to prevent the item from entering the hatch. The sensor is provided for detecting whether an item is deposited on the shutter, and if yes, sending out a signal. Upon reception of the signal, the drive mechanism is activated to cause the shutter to move to an opening position uncovering the chute to allow entry of the detected item into the hatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Youal-Jifh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chieh Wang
  • Method and apparatus for varying coin-processing machine receptacle limits
    Patent number: 8602200
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for optimizing a usable volume of a coin receptacle associated with a coin-processing device is provided. This method includes the steps of obtaining data from at least one sensor and adjusting, responsive to such data, an upper limit of coins which may be input into the receptacle or an available number of coins which may be input into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventor: John R. Blake
  • Coin counter and distributor
    Patent number: 8597090
    Abstract: A coin apparatus (100) includes a central housing (102) with a coin holding interior (104). An upper funnel/distributor section (114) facilitates removal of excess coins when said interior is being filled with a predetermined number of coins. The coin apparatus (100) also includes coinage selectors (121), each having an allocation slot (122). Extending inwardly towards the center of the allocation slot (122) is a resilient arm (124) having a button (126) at the end thereof. Each button (126) has an inner edge (127) which is capable of securely abutting edges (128) of one or more of the coins (126) when forces are exerted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Moving body, method of controlling the same, and program
    Patent number: 8577577
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a support member and at least one wheel attached to the support member. The support member is capable of oscillating in a front-back direction of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a torque control unit applying torque to the wheel, and a control loop controlling the torque control unit to adjust the torque applied to the wheel to allow the vehicle to travel while keeping an inverted state of the support member. The control loop controls the torque control unit to apply normal torque and additional torque to the wheel, the normal torque determined according to a deviation between a target value and a controlled variable including at least one of an inclination angular velocity and an inclination angle of the support member in the front-back direction, the additional torque determined according to a power of a velocity parameter of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Oikawa, Yusuke Kosaka
  • Touch point calibration method for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8577570
    Abstract: A touch point calibration method for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps for determining if the touch point can be calibrated. The method also includes steps for determining the touch point when the system can be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Ellis
  • Coin sensor
    Patent number: 8561777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaston Baudat, David Michael Furneaux
  • Auto-positioning sensors for coin counting devices
    Patent number: 8550227
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically positioning a coin sensor are disclosed herein. An auto-positioning coin sensor configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a coin sensor for determining a physical characteristic of an object and a moving device operably coupled to the coin sensor. The moving device can be configured to adjust the position of the coin sensor to determine the physical characteristic. Auto-positioning coin sensors in accordance with the present technology can include coin sensors that can be positioned based on a measurement of a dimension of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Lock-up clutch control device for automatic transmission and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8548704
    Abstract: This invention is a lock-up clutch control device for an automatic transmission, comprising lock-up clutch control means for controlling a slip amount of the lock-up clutch to a target slip amount. When a variation rate in a required load of an engine reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the target slip amount is increased at a predetermined increase rate, whereupon the target slip amount, having been increased by target slip amount increasing means, is reduced at a predetermined reduction rate. At this time, the predetermined reduction rate is set to decrease as an operating condition when the variation rate of the required load reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold approaches an operating condition in which an increase rate of a rotation speed on the automatic transmission side of a torque converter relative to an increase in the required load is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoko Oue, Morimasa Yamawaki, Kouichi Sawano
  • Method and apparatus to determine clutch slippage in an electro-mechanical transmission
    Patent number: 8548703
    Abstract: A method to determine excessive clutch slippage in a transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output member through selective application of torque-transfer clutches includes monitoring rotational velocities of the electric machine, engine and output member, monitoring a transmission operating range state, determining a clutch slip based upon monitored rotational velocities for one of the torque-transfer clutches intended to be synchronized based upon the transmission operating range state, and indicating a runaway slip event if the clutch slip is in excess of a threshold slip level through a threshold slip duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Feed unit for filling a coin module with coins
    Patent number: 8535125
    Abstract: A feed unit for filling a coin module with coins improved in such a way that a plurality of coin modules can be filled or loaded with just one feed unit. The coin feed unit is a coin drum which is rotatable inside a shell. A coin stock compartment is provided into which coins can be filled via a charge aperture. A dispensing compartment is provided inside the coin drum from which coins can be taken out via the discharge aperture. A passage is arranged in such a way that coins get from the stock compartment into the dispensing compartment as the coin drum rotates around a pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Starke, Thorsten Neumann, Axel Grimm, Stig Goepel, Wilfried Meyer
  • Control for torque converter having multiple selectively engageable converter couplers
    Patent number: 8527169
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling a torque transmitting apparatus having multiple selectively engageable couplers is provided. The multiple couplers may be selectively engaged and disengaged to provide a mechanical, friction or fluid coupling between portions of the torque transmitting apparatus and other components of a vehicle powertrain during various operational stages. The control apparatus includes a fluid pressure control device and a fluid flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, David C. Ames
  • Debris diverter for coin counting machine and associated method of manufacture and operation
    Patent number: 8522950
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for separating debris from coins and the like from customer-operated kiosks and other machines. A debris diverter including a motor, a rotating bobbin, and at least one vane is positioned over a coin track with the vane spaced apart from the coin track by a predetermined distance to permit objects smaller than the predetermined distance to pass by the debris diverter and to contact objects larger than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Coin handling system for validation, sorting, and dispensing coins
    Patent number: 8517163
    Abstract: A system for handling coins employs a front end coin acceptor and validator that feeds a sorter mechanism. The sorter mechanism utilizes a substantially horizontal track module to load coins by denomination into an arrangement of bins. The coins are ejected by means of a solenoid onto the track module that provides a path according to the denomination of the coin into the proper bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Telequip Corporation
    Inventors: Victor A. Quattrini, Robert Pitman, Paul Stump, Jack J. Bisson, Jeff Janway, Hamlin Peterke, Don Stanley
  • Currency discrimination and evaluation
    Patent number: 8517161
    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: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaston Baudat
  • Method and apparatus for securing a movable item to a structure
    Patent number: 8517162
    Abstract: An electronic lock is provided for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating member, each mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting member together when engaged in the lockable position, wherein the securing assembly comprises inter alia a position detecting means, an electronic control means, an actuator, a locking aperture and a movable locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Societe de Velo en Libre-Service
    Inventors: Charles Ibrahim Khairallah, Michel Dallaire
  • Orientation sensing apparatus and method for a bill validator
    Patent number: 8505708
    Abstract: A bill validating apparatus includes a housing having an elongated opening therein. At one end of the elongated opening there is an article receiving slot. A first sensor is on one long side of the elongated slot and a second sensor is on the other long side. The bill validating system includes a transport mechanism for moving the article of tender past the sensors. The bill validating apparatus also includes an orientation determination device communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. In response to a determined orientation of the bill validating apparatus, the orientation determination device enables one of the first sensor or the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jamison Frady, Christopher D. Carlisle
  • Foreign object detector
    Patent number: 8499917
    Abstract: A foreign object detector for a note validator, the detector includes means defining a note path and gate means in the note path operable between an open position for allowing a note to pass the gate means and a fully closed position for preventing a note from passing the gate means. The gate means is biased towards the fully closed position. The foreign object detector also includes sensing means for detecting when the gate means is in the fully closed position. In the fully closed position, a leading edge of the gate means extends outside the note path and is received within a recess in the means defining the note path, whereby a foreign object in the note path obstructing the recess prevents the gate means from reaching the fully closed position, the sensing means thereby detecting the presence of the foreign object in the note path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Astrosys International Ltd
    Inventor: Peter Ronald Smith