Abstract: A system useful for recording and monitoring the number of gaming tokens (chips) in a single row of a container (chip tray), in each of the rows of a container, in all of the rows of a container, and/or in each or all rows of all of the containers of a gaming establishment (casino), has a number of measuring infrared sensors removably attached to the container, the measuring sensors and microprocessor determining the number of gaming tokens or sum monetary value of gaming tokens and communicating the number of gaming tokens or their monetary value to a display screen for monitoring by casino personnel.

Abstract: A device, system and method for display for a craps table. In one example, a display may include a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to a current die pair rolled by a shooter; and a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to previous die pairs rolled. In one example, the representation of the data relating to the current die pair includes a graphic representation of the face of each die of the current die pair. A display may also include a display portion operable to display an indicator of a current point value of the craps game. Other features and embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for charging all or a portion of the credit card discount fee or debit card discount fee (or other type of card, e.g., smart card, discount fee) to the consumer, customer, end user, credit card owner, or debit card owner, thereby reducing or eliminating the cost of the discount fee to the merchant upon a transaction initiated at the merchant location, are disclosed herein. With the cost of the discount fee to the merchant reduced or eliminated, embodiments disclosed herein allow the merchant to choose to optionally provide benefits, incentives, prizes, discounts (e.g., on services or goods), and/or a game of chance where the consumer, customer, end user, credit card owner, or debit card owner is capable of winning prizes, benefits, incentives, and/or discounts for the consumer, customer, end user, credit card owner, or debit card owner with any portion or all of the discount rate amount saved by the merchant.

Abstract: Embodiments include a device, system and method for display for a craps table. In one example, a display may include a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to a current die pair rolled by a shooter; and a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to previous die pairs rolled. In one example, the representation of the data relating to the current die pair includes a graphic representation of the face of each die of the current die pair. A display may also include a display portion operable to display an indicator of a current point value of the craps game. Other features and embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A machine for vending snacks, product samples, customer appreciation prizes, or time-metered services which offers a patron a game of chance. A patron receives a free fractional vend with a previously purchased product for use in a vending machine having products produced by the same manufacturer, wherein the token activates a game of chance used to determine the value of the token toward the purchase of one of the products. Alternatively, a patron receives a free token within, as part of, or attached to the package of a manufacturer's product to activate a game of chance in a sample vending machine sponsored by the product's manufacturer to determine which free product sample, or other higher value prize, the patron may vend from the machine. As another alternative, a patron uses a purchase receipt having barcoded information summarizing the transaction at a customer appreciation vending machine to activate a game of chance to determine which of a plurality of prizes a patron may vend from the machine.

Abstract: A vending machine having promotional features, wherein a secured token is associated with a subset of all the items that can be vended, and validation of the token limits the items offered to the patron for his selection to only that subset of items. A first vending machine promotes a new product by the manufacturer of the new product distributing secure promotional tokens good for a free vend or a discount on the price of the new product. In a second vending machine, products from multiple manufacturers are separately promoted using distinct secure promotional tokens for each brand. In a third vending machine providing a plurality of time-metered services, a secure promotional token provides only a limited economy subset of services for the patron's selection from among the plurality of services.

Abstract: A machine for vending snacks, product samples, customer appreciation prizes, or time-metered services which offers a patron a game of chance. A patron receives a free fractional vend with a previously purchased product for use in a vending machine having products produced by the same manufacturer, wherein the token activates a game of chance used to determine the value of the token toward the purchase of one of the products. Alternatively, a patron receives a free token within, as part of, or attached to the package of a manufacturer's product to activate a game of chance in a sample vending machine sponsored by the product's manufacturer to determine which free product sample, or other higher value prize, the patron may vend from the machine. As another alternative, a patron uses a purchase receipt having barcoded information summarizing the transaction at a customer appreciation vending machine to activate a game of chance to determine which of a plurality of prizes a patron may vend from the machine.

Abstract: A vending apparatus of the type having drop shelves, wherein the shelves are retained in an upright position by a solenoid, and wherein, when so positioned, the solenoid forms a series electrical circuit with the shelf, such that the position of the shelf can be tested by testing the integrity of this series electrical circuit. The vending apparatus can be equipped with an acoustic input, such that upon receiving a particular acoustic input signal, the machine will automatically test the position of the shelves by testing the shelf/solenoid circuit, and in this way, an inventory of the contents of the vending machine can be performed.

Abstract: A vending apparatus of the type having drop shelves, wherein the shelves are retained in an upright position by a solenoid, and wherein, when so positioned, the solenoid forms a series electrical circuit with the shelf, such that the position of the shelf can be tested by testing the integrity of this series electrical circuit. The vending apparatus can be equipped with an acoustic input, such that upon receiving a particular acoustic input signal, the machine will automatically test the position of the shelves by testing the shelf/solenoid circuit, and in this way, an inventory of the contents of the vending machine can be performed.

Abstract: A vending device (10) that can respond to selection of various vending commodities during the vending process by recalculating an amount of time that yet remains in the vending process as a function of proration of an original amount of compensation and new calculation parameters that are associated with the newly chosen commodity selections. This newly calculated amount of time can then be displayed.

Abstract: A car wash system includes a pair of car washing areas to either side of an upstanding wall, a pair of coin/token boxes within the upstanding wall with each having a front face opening toward an associated car was area, a coin/token vault within the upstanding wall below the pair of coin/token boxes, and a pair of tubes leading from the coin/token box to the coin/token vault whereby coins/tokens deposited in the coin/token boxes are guided into the coin/token vault.

Abstract: A car wash system includes a pair of car washing areas to either side of an upstanding wall, a pair of coin/token boxes within the upstanding wall with each having a front face opening toward an associated car was area, a coin/taken vault within the upstanding wall below the pair of coin/token boxes, and a pair of tubes leading from the coin/token box to the coin/token vault whereby coins/tokens deposited in the coin/token boxes are guided into the coin/token vault.

Abstract: A meter box defines an interior chamber and is closed by a door which fits the contour of front periphery of the meter box. The door carries hooks having open throats which are slidably received upon pivot pins or bosses welded to side walls of the meter box. This allows the door to be rapidly assembled to the meter box and disassembled therefrom.

Abstract: A token having predetermined optical characteristics can be tested by a token validation device that subjects the token to optical testing to determine the presence or absence of the predetermined optical characteristics. A single token can include a plurality of different predetermined optical characteristics to increase its coding content.

Abstract: A meter box including a cabinet housing components, such as a coin/token acceptor, which must be accessed for replacement or repair, the cabinet including a body having an interior chamber accessed by a door pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis for pivoting movement between a first vertically disposed closed position and a second generally horizontally disposed open position, the replaceable/repairable components being housed within the interior chamber and/or upon the door, and a surface portion of the door in the horizontal open position thereof defining a work surface to facilitate intricate manipulative repairs of components thereupon.

Abstract: A coin counter security circuit for use in vending machines having a counter for counting the number of vending transactions. The circuit functions to detect indicia of proper counter operation (and hence that the counter has not been improperly disconnected) and serves to enable the vend transaction when proper counter operation has been so detected. The indicia of proper counter operation can be the detection of a flyback signal normally generated by an inductive element associated with the counter.