Patents by Inventor David J. Wendell
David J. Wendell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10964148Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin chute for receiving coins exiting from a coin sorting system comprising a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins, and a reject slot, wherein coins exiting the reject slot travel in a first generally horizontal direction is provided. The coin chute comprises a lower tapered surface having a generally funnel shape having a larger perimeter at its top than near its bottom; and an upper generally vertical wall having an angled portion at an angle from the first horizontal direction coins exit the reject slot, the portion being positioned such that coins exiting the reject slot contact the angled portion and are directed in a generally horizontal second direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
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Publication number: 20190139348Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin chute for receiving coins exiting from a coin sorting system comprising a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins, and a reject slot, wherein coins exiting the reject slot travel in a first generally horizontal direction is provided. The coin chute comprises a lower tapered surface having a generally funnel shape having a larger perimeter at its top than near its bottom; and an upper generally vertical wall having an angled portion at an angle from the first horizontal direction coins exit the reject slot, the portion being positioned such that coins exiting the reject slot contact the angled portion and are directed in a generally horizontal second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
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Patent number: 10181234Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins, comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient pad coupled thereto for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, the resilient pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The system further comprises a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins and a coin reject region for discharging coins. The reject region comprises a diverter pin. A coin to be rejected coin travels toward the diverter pin in a radial outward downward tilted manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
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Patent number: 10089812Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting coins with disk-type sorters are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with an input area for receiving coins and receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit is coupled to the coin input area and coin receptacles. The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins, and a sorting head adjacent the rotatable disk with shaped regions for guiding moving coins to exit channels which sort and discharge coins through exit stations to the coin receptacles. The sorting head includes a plurality of localized inserts that are fabricated from a material or materials which is/are distinct from the material of the sorting head. Each localized insert has a distinct shape and is readily removably attached at a distinct one of various predetermined locations on the sorting head.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John R. Blake, Douglas U. Mennie, David J. Wendell, Ricky Newsom, James M. Rasmussen, Marianne L. Krbec
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Patent number: 7963382Abstract: An method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: David J. Wendell, John R. Blake, Joseph J. Geib, John C. Peklo, Richard A. Mazur, David J. Mecklenburg
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Publication number: 20100261421Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: David J. Wendell, John R. Blake, Joseph J. Geib, John C. Peklo, Richard A. Mazur, David J. Mecklenburg
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Patent number: 7743902Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: David J. Wendell, John R. Blake, Joseph J. Geib, John C. Peklo, Richard A. Mazur, David J. Mecklenburg
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Patent number: 7427230Abstract: A resilient pad for a disc-type coin processing machine is provided with a first portion with a property having a first value and a second portion with the property having a second value, wherein the first value of the property is different than the second value of the property. The property may include, for example, stiffness or coefficient of friction.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
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Patent number: 7188720Abstract: A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova, David J. Mecklenburg, Eric J. Strauts
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Patent number: 6988606Abstract: A coin discrimination sensor having an excitation coil and two detector coils arranged to detect eddy currents in a passing coin. The excitation coil is provided a composite waveform formed by adding a low frequency signal (30 KHz) with a high frequency signal (480 KHz). The two detector coils are arranged at different distances from the passing coin, and are calibrated to eliminate the common-mode voltage when no coin is present. As a coin passes by the sensor, eddy currents are induced in the coin which result in phase and amplitude shifts in the low and high frequency components of the detector signal. The low and high frequency components are separated from the detector signal, and their respective phases and amplitudes are ascertained and compared against values stored in a lookup table. These values represent the composition, thickness, and diameter characteristics of known coins, and if the signature of the processed coin does not appear in the lookup table, it can be flagged as an invalid coin.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova, David J. Mecklenburg, Eric J. Strauts
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Patent number: 6892871Abstract: A coin discrimination sensor having an excitation coil and two detector coils arranged to detect eddy currents in a passing coin. The excitation coil is provided a composite waveform formed by adding a low frequency signal (30 KHz) with a high frequency signal (480 KHz). The two detector coils are arranged at different distances from the passing coin, and are calibrated to eliminate the common-mode voltage when no coin is present. As a coin passes by the sensor, eddy currents are induced in the coin which result in phase and amplitude shifts in the low and high frequency components of the detector signal. The low and high frequency components are separated from the detector signal, and their respective phases and amplitudes are ascertained and compared against values stored in a lookup table. These values represent the composition, thickness, and diameter characteristics of known coins, and if the signature of the processed coin does not appear in the lookup table, it can be flagged as an invalid coin.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Eric J. Strauts, David J. Mecklenburg, Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova
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Publication number: 20040200691Abstract: A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova, David J. Mecklenburg, Eric J. Strauts
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Patent number: 6755730Abstract: A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova, David J. Mecklenburg, Eric J. Strauts
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Publication number: 20030168310Abstract: A coin discrimination sensor having an excitation coil and two detector coils arranged to detect eddy currents in a passing coin. The excitation coil is provided a composite waveform formed by adding a low frequency signal (30 KHz) with a high frequency signal (480 KHz). The two detector coils are arranged at different distances from the passing coin, and are calibrated to eliminate the common-mode voltage when no coin is present. As a coin passes by the sensor, eddy currents are induced in the coin which result in phase and amplitude shifts in the low and high frequency components of the detector signal. The low and high frequency components are separated from the detector signal, and their respective phases and amplitudes are ascertained and compared against values stored in a lookup table. These values represent the composition, thickness, and diameter characteristics of known coins, and if the signature of the processed coin does not appear in the lookup table, it can be flagged as an invalid coin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Eric J. Strauts, David J. Mecklenburg, Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova
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Publication number: 20030168309Abstract: A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Joseph J. Geib, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell, Scott D. Casanova, David J. Mecklenburg, Eric J. Strauts
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Patent number: RE44689Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: David J. Wendell, John R. Blake, Joseph J. Geib, John C. Peklo, Richard A. Mazur, David J. Mecklenburg