Patents Examined by Mark Beauchaine
  • Patent number: 9355513
    Abstract: An apparatus (30) for separating a single coin from a plurality of coins comprising a rotatable coin disk (31) including at least one coin-retaining aperture, said rotatable coin disk configured to transport coins along a dispensing path interconnecting a coin source and a coin outlet aperture, said coin outlet aperture closed by a double outlet gate (32); characterized in that said double outlet gate (32) comprises adjacent first and second gate members (33, 34), wherein the first gate member (33) is a biased moveable coin stripping element and the second gate member (34) is a fixed barrier including an aperture section (37) configured to allow the unhindered passage therethrough of a separated coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Limited
    Inventor: John Robinson
  • Patent number: 9342069
    Abstract: An article processing apparatus having a movable member for processing an article, includes an information processor configured to generate a transition order of states of the movable member. The information processor is configured to respectively set a plurality of clusters each including, as a plurality of nodes, a plurality of states that the movable member may take, with respect to a plurality of regions of the article, respectively set a plurality of costs with respect to a plurality of combinations of two nodes respectively belonging to two clusters different from each other of the plurality of clusters, and generate the transition order by obtaining, based on the plurality of clusters and the plurality of costs, as a solution of a traveling salesman problem, an order of traveling a plurality of nodes obtained by selecting one node from each of the plurality of clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yuki
  • Patent number: 9342941
    Abstract: A device for the acceptance of coins which allows the acceptance of individual coins as well as the acceptance of various coins for further processing of the coins, whereby the device includes a laterally moveable holding fixture. The holding fixture has both a side with a coin insertion slot, and a receptacle area for the reception of a plurality of coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Novomatic AG
    Inventors: Marco Zander, Roland Mührenberg, Danis Shageev
  • Patent number: 9339931
    Abstract: A method ascertains a tolerance location which differs from a target location for a pickup point for an object which is at rest in an installation and which is intended to be picked up by a means of transport. An identification mark is put onto the object in a known relative position in relation to the pickup point. A computation device uses a locating apparatus arranged in the installation to ascertain a physical location of the identification mark in the installation. The computation device ascertains the tolerance location from the physical location and the relative position. A corresponding apparatus contains a corresponding identification mark and a corresponding computation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brett, Eric Bürkle
  • Patent number: 9342940
    Abstract: A cashbox and a money validator using the same, wherein the cashbox includes a box body, a partition for separating an inner space of the box body into a storage space and a temporary storage space that are horizontally arranged, a supporting plate assembly located inside the storage space, and a currency pressing assembly for pressing a paper currency in the temporary storage space into the storage space; further includes a sliding plate assembly located inside the storage space for supporting the paper currency, wherein the sliding plate assembly includes a sliding plate, and a plurality of rolling bodies located between the sliding plate and a bottom wall of the box body; wherein the sliding plate contacts with an end face of the paper currency, and can move back and forth along a stacking direction of the paper currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SHANDONG NEW BEIYANG INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fang Xu, Jing Li, Jigang Zhang, Yong Yuan
  • Patent number: 9336641
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of an item comprising a film substrate responsive to detection that a portion of said item located in a measuring region of said apparatus has a predetermined birefringence characteristic, said apparatus comprising: an item detection arrangement operative to determine if at least a portion of an item is located in a measuring region of said authentication apparatus; and an optically-based birefringence measuring apparatus, wherein said authentication apparatus is operative to compare a measured birefringence characteristic with a predetermined birefringence characteristic and to produce an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said item based upon said comparison, said apparatus further comprising a control means operative to control output of said authenticity signal from said apparatus responsive to determination, by said item detection arrangement, of presence or otherwise of said at least a portion of said item in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stewart
  • Patent number: 9330516
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SHUFFLE MASTER GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfgang DeRaedt, Ludo DeMeutter
  • Patent number: 9330515
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting batches of coins are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins, and one or more coin receptacles stowed inside the housing. A disk-type coin processing unit is operatively coupled to the coin input area and the coin receptacle(s). The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins received from the coin input area, and a sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk. The lower surface forms a plurality of shaped regions for guiding the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit stations through which the coins are discharged to the coin receptacle(s). The sorting head and the rotatable disk are obliquely angled with respect to the support surface upon which the housing rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Marianne Krbec, John R. Blake
  • Patent number: 9311764
    Abstract: A coin counting apparatus includes a mounting unit with a base plate, and a guiding unit connected to the mounting unit. The guiding unit includes a guiding member connected to the base plate, a cover member cooperating with the base plate to define a guiding space, an adjusting plate connected to the base plate, a positioning bolt connected to a pivotable swing arm and slidable in a guidance sliding groove of the cover member and a base sliding groove of the base plate, and two fastener members fastening the adjusting plate to the base plate. The adjusting plate is movable relative to the base plate to cover a portion of the base sliding groove so that a range of the sliding movement of the positioning bolt is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SYMOTOR SEIKO LTD.
    Inventor: Tai-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 9303372
    Abstract: A synchronous control integrated system for bridge lifting, comprising a monitor mechanism; an oil pressure control mechanism, connected to the monitor mechanism; a plurality of jacks, each connected to the oil pressure mechanism, respectively; and a sensor mechanism, connected to the monitor mechanism. As such, a shift variance generated by girders of a bridge may form a signal by using a sensor mechanism and jacks together transmitted on line to a monitor mechanism as a control parameter, so that the monitor mechanism may have an accurate adjustment and monitoring on an oil pressure control mechanism and the jacks, whereby completing the synchronous control operation for the bridge lifting course. Furthermore, the bridge lifting construction may have its improved accuracy and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: CHINA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC., CHENG SHIU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ching-Lung Liao, Min Chao, Chung-Yue Wang, Jin-Chung Ma, Wu-Peng Peng
  • Patent number: 9296561
    Abstract: A device for providing items for more than one order from a warehouse according to each particular order comprises at least one temporary storage device linked with the warehouse for temporarily storing items of at least one order, at least one collection zone linked with the at least one temporary storage device for collecting the items of the at least one completed order, and a separation zone having a number of delivery lines for providing the items of the at least one completed order according to the respective order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DÜRKOPP FÖRDERTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Wend, Dirk Zajonc, Sigurd Völker, Dirk Sieksmeier
  • Patent number: 9277833
    Abstract: A checkout stand includes a first extendable conveyor extending in a first direction for delivering one or more articles to a first bagging station. A second conveyor is provided for conveying one or more articles from the first conveyor to at least a second bagging station. A scanner may be provided for scanning the articles, such as during delivery by an infeed conveyor upstream of the first conveyor. A controller may control the first conveyor to selectively divert articles between the first and second bagging stations. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PAN OSTON HOLDING COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Vance, Chad A. Eilers, Richard J. Blankenship, Gordon T. Gravelle, Andrew B. Ritter, Jerrod P. Arterburn, Kyle Thomas Hampton
  • Patent number: 9266011
    Abstract: A card-handling device reads a suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card-handling device. Reading of the cards is effected after the cards have been received into a card holding area and before the cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the card-handling device for use. The read suit and rank are then sent to a processor, wherein the processor identifies whether any card is a card that should be rejected from the card-handling device and the card-handling device then rejecting that card from the card-handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9251636
    Abstract: A document validating/stacking device is provided that has a validator 1 provided with a swingable rocker 10 formed with a head 16 and a stacker 2 detachably attached to validator 1. Stacker 2 comprises an X-linkage 20 having a driver arm 41 that is separably pushed by head 16 in the same rotational direction as head 16 swings to expand X-linkage 20, to thereby move pusher plate 18 from the initial position to the extended position and to stow the document within interim chamber 24 into storage 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN CASH MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9251635
    Abstract: A document rack is provided to comprises a front wall 4 formed with at least one opening 7, a back wall 5 formed with at least one notch 5a, and a bottom wall 6 for connecting lower ends of front and back walls 4, 5 to structurally constitute a housing 3. A front portion 2 of a document validator 1 may be arranged in inner chamber 10 through notch 5a of back wall 5 so that users can easily take out documents in a lump from a pocket 13 of the document rack for reuse of documents because pocket 13 may receive and retain documents dispensed from document validator 1 to prevent scatter and contamination of the discharged documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN CASH MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Karasawa, Tomonori Kitano
  • Patent number: 9242810
    Abstract: Self-service parcel terminal for storing parcels of different sizes high up in the terminal comprises means for loading postal parcels, loading parcels of varying sizes to the door, measuring and weighing parcels, inserting parcels, storing and delivering parcels. The self-service parcel terminal is also suitable for using as a vending machine, mailbox, storage locker, for delivering goods from e-stores, etc. Gripping mechanism and lift system are used for moving parcels in the terminal, which allows to move parcels in groups or as single items between the shelves and the slot for inserting/delivering parcels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cleveron Ltd
    Inventors: Remi Lõssov, Mart Roht, Lauri Hirvesaar
  • Patent number: 9245401
    Abstract: Provided is a technique for improving banknote manageability in a banknote handling device. This banknote handling device is provided with multiple banknote storage compartments where banknotes are stored, and a banknote loading compartment where banknotes are stored that are to be loaded in each of the banknote storage compartments. This banknote handling device is provided with a banknote determination unit which obtains the serial numbers of banknotes in conveyance between the banknote storage compartments and the banknote loading compartment, and a conveyance path which conveys banknotes from the banknote loading compartment to the banknote storage compartments via the banknote determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI-OMRON TERMINAL SOLUTIONS, CORP.
    Inventors: Akira Nishino, Yukihiro Mabuchi, Takeshi Kanagawa, Riichi Katou
  • Patent number: 9245423
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Kristy M. Crist, Terrelle Carswell, Eric McConnell, Rahul Puri, Devin D. Rhodes, James D. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9235945
    Abstract: Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Patent number: 9230385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the fraudulent receipt of credit for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device is disclosed. A coin acceptor with an anti-fraud feature comprises a coin-accept channel comprising a lip to block the introduction of a non-coin object to a coin sensor and a coin-guiding surface to guide a coin downstream the lip to the coin sensor. The coin-accept channel may further comprise a blocking area, a deflection surface, and a protrusion to prevent the upstream movement of a tethered coin-like object, thereby preventing a single tethered coin-like object from receiving multiple credits for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Imonex Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philemon L Bruner, Kurt D. Regenbrecht