Abstract: A self-service change redemption machine (10) has an intake area (18) for receiving batches of mixed coinage and conveying the coins to a coin sorter (22) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of coin chutes (26). From there, the coins are routed to coin receptacles such as bags (60). Multiple bags are provided for certain denominations. To fill multiple bags for a given denomination, repositionable diverter mechanisms (30) are provided between the chutes (26) and pluralities of bags for the respective denominations. The bags are held by bag holders (34) which extend downward from a substantially rigid one-piece chassis (40), which also supports the diverter mechanisms (30). The machine (10) has buttons (80) responsive to inputs from a user to turn on the machine, to process coins that are input through the intake area (18) and to issue the voucher or other form of credit. Instructions for using the machine (10) and other information are displayed on a screen display (15).

Abstract: A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track (63) over which coins (14) pass in a single file, an illumination source (92) for illuminating at least portions of the coins (14) as the coins move along the coin track (63), an optical detector (95) spaced from the coin track (63) for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens (94) positioned between the optical detector (95) and the coin track (63), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector (95) is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens (94) as each coin moves along the coin track (63). The optical sensor and detector (90) can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (95).

Abstract: A cash recycling machine (10) has an input hopper (19) for feeding batches of mixed coinage to a coin sorter (21) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34). From there, the coins are fed into a plurality of smaller dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) equipped with sensors (88) for counting the coinage as it is dispensed. A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) to dispense an amount of sorted coinage into one of several receptacles including a cash drawer (15) or coin bags (40). A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a second operating cycle of the machine to receive, sort and count a batch of coins that is loaded into the input hopper (19) and stored in the bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34).

Abstract: A wireless networked cash management system includes a coin handling device (13, 14, 17) for performing at least one of the operations of coin counting, coin sorting, coin dispensing and cash redemption, a currency handling device (15, 16, 17) for performing at least one of the operations of note counting, note dispensing, note sorting and cash redemption, and a control unit (12) for performing at least one of the operations of monitoring cash handling, accounting for cash dispensing, providing for cash settlement, monitoring maintenance information and providing commands for controlling operation one of the cash handling devices (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) and a wireless communication network operating in a range of frequencies made available for locally distributed wireless networks for allowing communication of data between the control unit (12) and the cash handling devices (13, 14, 15, 16, 17).

Abstract: A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track (63) over which coins (14) pass in a single file, an illumination source (92) for illuminating at least portions of the coins (14) as the coins move along the coin track (63), an optical detector (95) spaced from the coin track (63) for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens (94) positioned between the optical detector (95) and the coin track (63), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector (95) is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens (94) as each coin moves along the coin track (63). The optical sensor and detector (90) can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (95).

Abstract: A cash recycling machine (11) is connected in a network with a computer (10) and other recycling equipment (12), the cash recycling machine (11) having an input device (18) for receiving cash, a sorter (31) for sorting the cash into a plurality of hopper assemblies (26–29), a controller (21) responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the hopper assemblies (26–29) to dispense an amount of sorted cash to a cash drawer and to store the amount of dispensed cash in memory in association with a user account number, the controller (21) being responsive to input of a batch of cash and the user account number in a second cycle to count the cash received, and to compare the amount of cash received with the amount of cash dispensed to determine a net amount of cash associated with the user.

Abstract: A cash recycling machine (10) has an input hopper (19) for feeding batches of mixed coinage to a coin sorter (21) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34). From there, the coins are fed into a plurality of smaller dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) equipped with sensors (88) for counting the coinage as it is dispensed. A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) to dispense an amount of sorted coinage into one of several receptacles including a cash drawer (15) or coin bags (40). A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a second operating cycle of the machine to receive, sort and count a batch of coins that is loaded into the input hopper (19) and stored in the bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34).

Abstract: A cash recycling machine (11) is connected in a network with a computer (10) and other recycling equipment (12), the cash recycling machine (11) having an input device (18) for receiving cash, a sorter (31) for sorting the cash into a plurality of hopper assemblies (26-29), a controller (21) responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the hopper assemblies (26-29) to dispense an amount of sorted cash to a cash drawer and to store the amount of dispensed cash in memory in association with a user account number, the controller (21) being responsive to input of a batch of cash and the user account number in a second cycle to count the cash received, and to compare the amount of cash received with the amount of cash dispensed to determine a net amount of cash associated with the user.

Abstract: A coin dispenser (20) has a base (25) for supporting an integrally formed coin magazine (23) with coin channels (24) rotating along a coin path (49). A coin ejector (80) is located at a single coin ejection location and proximate to said coin path (49) to eject coins from the bottom of the coin channels (24) into a change cup (28). Electronic sensors (45, 46) are provided for anticipating the approach of the coin channels to the coin ejector (80) and to a low coin sensing station (50). An electronic control (90) is responsive to position signals from the position monitors (45, 46) for coordinating operation of the coin ejector (80) and the low coin sensor (51). A coin exit sensor (48) is positioned in a coin exit channel (27) just before the change cup (28) to send a signal to the electronic control (90) to confirm the ejection of each coin.

Abstract: A coin handling machine (10) has a coin sorting member (12) with a plurality of sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) by which respective denominations of coins (14) are sorted, having a coin driving member (21) with webs (22) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), having a motor (60) coupled to the coin driving member (21), and having a brake (65) for stopping the motor (60), the coin handling machine (10). A coin imaging sensor (40) optically images at least a portion of a coin (14) and for transmitting dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller (120) receives said dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller (120) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor (60) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination.

Abstract: A coin dispenser (20) has a base (25) for supporting an integrally formed coin magazine (23) with coin channels (24) rotating along a coin path (49). A coin ejector (80) is located at a single coin ejection location and proximate to said coin path (49) to eject coins from the bottom of the coin channels (24) into a change cup (28). Electronic sensors (45, 46) are provided for anticipating the approach of the coin channels to the coin ejector (80) and to a low coin sensing station (50). An electronic control (90) is responsive to position signals from the position monitors (45, 46) for coordinating operation of the coin ejector (80) and the low coin sensor (51). A coin exit sensor (48) is positioned in a coin exit channel (27) just before the change cup (28) to send a signal to the electronic control (90) to confirm the ejection of each coin.

Abstract: A wireless networked cash management system includes a coin handling device (13, 14, 17) for performing at least one of the operations of coin counting, coin sorting, coin dispensing and cash redemption, a currency handling device (15, 16, 17) for performing at least one of the operations of note counting, note dispensing, note sorting and cash redemption, and a control unit (12) for performing at least one of the operations of monitoring cash handling, accounting for cash dispensing, providing for cash settlement, monitoring maintenance information and providing commands for controlling operation one of the cash handling devices (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) and a wireless communication network operating in a range of frequencies made available for locally distributed wireless networks for allowing communication of data between the control unit (12) and the cash handling devices (13, 14, 15, 16, 17).

Abstract: An electronically controlled cash handling device (12) has a CPU (21), a program memory (23), a cash handling functions I/O portion (25), a radio transceiver (24) operating according to the Bluetooth specification and an antenna (26). The device (12) can communicate through wireless communication to a peripheral cash handling device (13) which supplements the cash handling functions of the base machine (12). The cash handling device (12) can also communicate through the wireless network with computer peripheral I/O devices (14), such as a printer (18), batch display (20) and scanner (22) to enhance the capabilities of the system.

Abstract: A coin sorter has a circular sorting track with an upstanding rim. A diverter mechanism is located at the rim and may be actuated to move a selected coin away from the rim to an off-sort depression inwardly of the rim and then to an off-sort opening at the end of the depression. The diverter mechanism is actuated by a coin recognition system that includes an induction coil located beneath the track in advance of the diverter mechanism. Signals from the induction coil are read at spaced positions of a coin passing over the coil and compared with stored ranges of acceptable signals for coins of various denominations. The diverter mechanism is actuated to divert a coin to the off-sort opening when the signals for that coin do not fall within a range of acceptable values. The ranges of acceptable values can be established by calibrating the coin recognition system by processing a plurality of known acceptable coins of a denomination.