Abstract: A bill validator is provided which comprises a rotator with a slit and being rotatably attached to the bill validator, the slit being capable of aligning with a passageway when the rotator is in an initial position; a driving device for rotating the rotator; and a validator control circuit for judging authenticity of the bill by outputs of detective sensors and for controlling the driving device. The validator control circuit produces outputs to operate the driving device and thereby to rotate the rotator so as to wind some pulling string connected to the bill around the rotator after the bill passes the slit of the rotator, and the circuit evaluates the rotation rate of the rotator, and detects the unauthorized pulling string.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.

Abstract: A system to effect coin discrimination and rejection comprises an arcuate control element pivotably disposed in a coin race with respect to a rejection body. The downstream end of the element is biased across the coin race. A coin passing through the race engages the downstream end of the element, thereby pivoting the element so as to prevent the passage of additional coins down the coin race.

Abstract: A shutter unit 17 of a bill validator comprises a blocking member 18 movable between an interceptive position for closing the through hole 74 of the shutter unit 17 and a release position away from the through hole 74 for allowing passage of the bill through the through hole 74 into a slot 13 of the validating unit 20; a control unit 48 movable between an inactive position for barring movement of the blocking member 18 to the release position and an operative position for allowing movement of the blocking member 18 to the release position; and an actuator 50 for shifting the control unit 48 between the inactive and operative positions. When the blocking member 18 is forcibly moved to the release position in an unauthorized manner, the control unit 48 in the inactive position effectively inhibits and resists movement of the blocking member 18 to the release position.

Abstract: If the number of returned bills is two or more, the returned bills are identified as abnormally returned bills by an abnormally returned bill detecter, and predetermined abnormal-state processing is accomplished by performing control operations using an abnormality processor. If a bill has jammed in the bill conveying channel, information concerning the direction in which the bill has jammed is stored in the bill jamming direction memory unit of the control unit, and, as a result of control operations performed by the bill reverse-direction conveyance control unit of the control unit, the bill is conveyed in the direction opposite to the bill jamming direction stored in the bill jamming direction memory unit when the bill jammed in the bill conveying channel is to be removed.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for a vender includes a blocking member biased to a rest position retracted from the coin slot, and pivotable between the rest position and a blocking position in which the blocking member substantially covers the coin slot. The blocking member cooperates with a rotatable member which forces the blocking member into the blocking position upon rotation of the handle.

Abstract: A selector device for selecting objects (1) inserted by way of payment into a dispenser of goods or services via an insertion orifice (10), the device comprising a transport member (100) provided with a housing (110) designed to receive the objects singly and suitable for bringing an object (1) placed in said housing (110) into a measurement zone (ZM) where sensors (301, 302, 303) are disposed for verifying conformity of the object (1). According to the invention, the selector device also comprises drive mechanisms (200, 210) suitable for imparting a non-reversible continuous movement to said transport member (100) along a path during which the housing (110) passes from an initial position (P1) of communication with the insertion orifice (10) to a final or waiting position (P2), while passing through the measurement zone (ZM) in continuous manner, the sensors (301, 302, 303) for verifying conformity receiving sampling signals sampling the movement of the transport member (100).

Abstract: An automatic vending machine having a bill input inlet disposed at a predetermined position of a front cabinet, a bill discriminating apparatus embedded inside of the front cabinet at an identical height level to the bill input inlet for discriminating the authenticity of a bill induced through the bill input inlet and for storing the bill, wherein the bill input inlet is constructed of an opening and closing structure, the inlet comprising: a door inducing member installed between upper side of the bill input inlet and the bill discriminating apparatus being connected to the front; a bill input inlet door disposed to slide toward the door inducing member; and a door control unit for opening the bill input inlet door by being hitched and stopped with the stopping pin for a predetermined time duration after the door is pushed up open and released and for closing the door as it falls down by its weight with the stopping pin being raised, thereby conveniently inserting a bill only by using one hand of a customer

Abstract: A card reading system comprises a card insertion portion, a shutter for preventing foreign matter insertion and the like, a driving path for direction of an inserted card and a main card reading device. The system includes, as an improvement, a detection device for determining a condition of the shutter during a card reading operation and for providing an output signal of the determination and a device responsive to the output signal for indicating that the shutter is in an improper condition when foreign matter is inserted in the driving path.

Abstract: An automatic product dispensing device including a coin mechanism for the insertion of at least one coin, tokens or the like and a mechanism for discharging extraneous items. A mechanism is provided for checking correct operation acting upon a mechanism for controlling the discharge. The discharge mechanism is formed by a chute having a body formed by at least one portion including two flaps of which one is articulated. At least one electromagnet acts upon the articulated flap.

Abstract: A coin return mechanism for public telephones has a coin box 1 with an access door 13 and a cam 15. The access door 13 and cam 15 are mounted on a shaft 14 that turns when door 13 is pushed, and return to the their resting position when the door is no longer pushed. A pusher 3 includes a square section rod 35 having an angular deformation of 70.degree. at one end, and having a recess for housing a wheel 33 that rotates atop cam 15. The other end of the square section rod 35 has a drilled hole for receiving a shaft that supports a forked prismatic part 34 that turns about the shaft. The two arms of the forked part 34 and the rod 35 have drilled holes through which the shaft passes. A spring 36 situated on the shaft is fastened to the an end of the forked prismatic part 34 and to the rod 35. When the access door 13 is opened, cam 15 moves and causes pusher 3 to move upward and cause a cylindrical pin 67 in a coin inserting mechanism 4 to block a coin insertion slot 46.

Abstract: A tamper resistant coin race is provided which establishes a non-linear coin race or path for the coin to traverse. The structure defining the coin race provides communication from the coin race to the exterior to prevent the locking of the coin race by the insertion of foreign matter. Structures are also provided to further limit the insertion of probes into the coin race.

Abstract: A combined currency acceptor and magnetic card reader for receiving and validating currency and for receiving and reading a magnetic card comprises an acceptor main body including a mounting plate for attaching the combined currency acceptor and magnetic card reader to a gaming machine. The main body has a gate housing attached to the mounting plate and a currency gate is movable by a solenoid and mounted in the gate housing. A display housing is attached the gate housing and including a currency opening, a magnetic card opening and a light emitting diode display to display to the user of the operating condition of the device. A motor and belt drive assembly is provided for driving the currency into the main body and a solenoid in the currency gate is activated to close the magnetic card opening when currency is being inserted.

Abstract: An envelope dispenser (50) for use in an automated teller machine includes a lockable access door (14). The door includes a slot (20), integral with its first face (16). The door is locked by the engagement of a first member (36) in a first notch portion (24) of the slot. The door is unlocked by an actuator (46) which upon the receipt of an electrical signal moves the first member into a central portion (28) of the slot. In this position the door may be manually moved to a fully open position by a user. In the open position the actuator urges the first member into a second notch portion (26), which releasably holds the door in the open position. In the open position envelopes stored in the machine may be accessed. From the open position the door can either be manually closed or automatically closed by the cessation of the electrical signal which enables a spring (44) to move the first member to the central portion of the slot.

Abstract: A banknote selector comprises an aperture obstructed by a balance rotary shutter, the angular position of which is insensitive to the vibrations of the selector.

Abstract: The gaming machine consists of a cabinet supporting a game display and pay out trough. Located to one side of the game display is a dollar bill validator and stacker supported on a pivoting door such that when the door is opened the bill validator is pivoted out of the game cabinet to access a large coin receptacle. To resupply coins, the game operator simply opens the door and pours the coins into the top of the machine. Located below the receptacle is a coin hopper and escalator assembly for delivering coins from the hopper to the pay out trough. The coin hopper and escalator are mounted to one another and are supported on a sled removably supported on an inclined ramp. To service the coin escalator or hopper, the operator opens a door on the game cabinet and the sled supporting the coin hopper and escalator is rolled off of the ramp and out of the cabinet.

Abstract: The type of denomination of a coin inserted through a coin slot is discriminated by a coin discriminating section while the coin is being conveyed substantially horizontally by a mechanism for horizontally conveying coins, and the discriminated coin is distributed by coin distributing levers for selectively executing a first distributing operation for distributing coins to a relevant coin accumulating section and a second distributing operation for introducing the coins to an ensuing coin distributing section.

Abstract: A coin selector includes a horizontal coin conveying unit for forcibly conveying a coin inserted through a coin insert slit in the horizontal direction while the coin is held between an opposing pair of endless belts. The horizontal coin conveying unit is slidably arranged in a housing of the coin selector, and moreover, the space defined by the opposing pair of endless belts is enlarged by turnably opening the opposing pair of endless belt about their one end. The upstream side of the horizontal coin conveying unit is covered with a cover, and a liquid collecting portion is attached to the cover so as to allow a liquid received through the coin insert slit to be quickly discharged outside of the coin selector.

Abstract: The invention is a coin receiving mechanism having a foreign object release device for use with a coin receiving machine having a coin acceptor/counter device. The invention has a pair of hinged coin chute walls with planar sections arranged in a zigzag manner which define the coin path. The coin chute walls also have a section angled from the zigzagged sections. A cam member is connected by linking arms to the coin chute walls. A coin return lever on the outline of the machine is connected to a drive arm inside the machine. When turned, the coin return lever turns the cam member and causes the coin chute walls to flip open and eject any foreign objects contained therebetween. The drive arm is connected to the coin return lever through a clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A paper currency acceptor is provided having an antifraud device comprising a linear actuator having an armature selectively moveable between two positions along its longitudinal axis, the actuator being mounted so that the longitudinal axis of the armature is oriented perpendicularly to the planar surface of the currency passageway. An elongated stop comb is mounted directly to the end of the armature nearest the passageway, the stop comb having a plurality of elongated parallel tines extending therefrom perpendicularly toward the planar surface of the passageway. The tines of the comb are arranged in at least one row along the longitudinal axis of the comb, and the longitudinal axis of the comb is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the passageway. The planar members defining the passageway each have an aperture aligned with the longitudinal axis of each tine.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency validation is disclosed in which a belt-pulley arrangement is provided in a housing to transport a bill along a passageway for identification of the bill by sensing the optical or magnetic characteristics of the bill. A lever with notches is mounted for rotation between a protective position protruded within the passageway and a release position retracted from the passageway. When a thin tool is inserted into the passageway, it is engaged with the notches of the lever to prevent movement of the lever from the protective to the release position.

Abstract: A coin selector includes a single coin passage and a single coin rolling-down passage. The coin passage is equipped with a coin discriminating mechanism so as to discriminate whether a coin inserted through a coin insert slit is a true coin or a false coin, and moreover, discriminate the kind of the coin which has been recognized as a true coin. On the other hand, the coin rolling-down passage is equipped with a coin distributing mechanism so as to selectively distribute the true coin conveyed from the coin passage depending on the kind of each coin. Conculsively, the coin selector is contructed in a very compact configuration.

Abstract: A liquid diverting device for a currency receiver having an entrance slot for receipt of currency includes structure for diverting liquid from the entrance slot of the currency receiver. The structure includes a top wall, a bottom wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls. The device is disposed adjacent to the entrance slot of the currency receiver. The first side wall includes an inlet slot for receipt of currency. The second side wall includes an outlet slot for passing currency to the entrance slot of the currency receiver. The outlet slot is aligned with the entrance slot of the currency receiver. The diverting structure includes a channel interconnecting the inlet slot and the outlet slot. The channel extends between the top and bottom walls and the side walls for providing a passageway for currency through the diverting structure. The bottom wall includes a plurality of apertures for the removal from the channel of liquid.

Abstract: A return coin discharge unit mountable in the box cabinet of a coin operable telephone apparatus has an entry opening into which return coins from the apparatus will drop and it includes a ramp in a passage down which ramp the dropped coins will slide and issue through a horizontal slot at a front end of the unit. An open ended trough having a curved inner bottom surface located on the ramp below the entry opening serves to cause dropped coins moving over its curved surface to obtain horizontal positions for sliding down the ramp. And, a flap gate pivoted in the passage and inclined forwardly with its bottom edge resting upon the ramp functions to allow one coin at a time to pass beneath it to the exit slot. Explosives and blocking material are prevented by the narrow horizontal slot against entry into the unit; and the gate curbs the extent to which damaging wires may be inserted through the slot into the unit.

Abstract: A bank having a coin slot and a repository for deposited coins is provided. The bank can detect coins deposited. A coin is returned upon deposit of a predetermined amount of money to return interest such as a nickel in interests for depositing twenty-five cents.

Abstract: A coin chute includes a coin entrance, clear-out apparatus, coin processing apparatus, a return chute and a coin ejector. The clear-out apparatus is positioned between the coin entrance and the coin processing apparatus. It comprises a cavity for trapping unwanted material stuffed into the coin entrance and a pair of sidewalls (inner and outer) that move in response to the operation of the coin ejector. A deflector plate, positioned within the cavity, assists in trapping the unwanted material. The outer sidewall permits trapped material to fall into the return chute while the inner sidewall pushes this material into the return chute. The coin ejector includes an actuator that is operatively connected to the sidewalls of the clear-out apparatus by a helical spring whose restorative force is sufficient to urge material trapped within the cavity into the return chute, but not sufficient to damage the coin ejector when excessive force is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a retrofit coin measuring apparatus installed in a newspaper vending rack, and more particularly a retrofit structure which is electronically actuated. It incorporates a switch which is operated by insertion of a coin into the coin chute, switching on electrical power which is otherwise switched off to preserve battery life. The coin measuring apparatus has a removable retrofit structure which is attached by a lock bar. Inside the coin measuring apparatus, there is a switch which initiates operation of the electronic circuitry to test for bogus coins, to measure the value of the coin, and sum the total value of coins inserted until a price has been paid and to thereafter operate a door mounted on a paper receiving cabinet. The door is provided with a door hook cooperative with a door hook closure device to close and latch after the sale of a paper. After each sale, the electronic circuitry is switched off and is in a dormant state until the next transaction.

Abstract: An improved coin drop construction suitable for replacing the coin slide elements of a coin collector box forming part of a coin operated appliance comprising a front mounting plate adapted to overlie an opening in the appliance, and a coin guide element carried by an inner surface of the mounting plate and serving to guide inserted coins to the collection box; the guide element including first and second plates interconnected in spaced parallel relation to define an elongated coin channel therebetween, the mounting plate having a coin receiving opening communicating with the channel; a first coin blocking member pivotally mounted between the plates at a first end thereof, the member including a first end located in the area of the coin receiving opening, and having an upper longiutudinal edge surface forming a path for conducting a coin therealong; an elongated track member in fixed relation between said plates and having an upper surface forming a continuation of the upper edge of the first coin blocking me

Abstract: A vending machine has a carousel containing several rotatable trays stacked one above another. The trays carry and present for vending selected items, such as food and merchandise. The carousel is contained in a housing or canister and is part of an integrated assembly with a coin container. The carousel is filled at a central depot rather than at the site where the machine is installed for use by customers. The customer locations have the cabinet of the machine. Fixed in the cabinet is a drive mechanism for the carousel and locating and guide members which enable integrated assemblies to be removed from the cabinet and fresh assemblies, with the carousel trays loaded at the central depot, to be installed in place of the removed assemblies. The coin box when empty is equipped with a mechanism which is set to enable coins to drop into the container and is automatically reset so as to close the opening when the assembly is removed from the cabinet.

Abstract: Jam reducing apparatus for use in coin operated machines, such as telephones, acts to prevent the insertion of coins when the entryway is obstructed by foreign matter, assists in dislodging jammed coins and discourages vandals. The apparatus comprises a coin entryway which includes an inclined surface as part of a flared end of a lid. An entry slot in an entrance blocker, which is an integral part of the lid, as in substantial alignment with the coin insert slot of the front panel of the machine in normal operation. The lid is connected to a torsion spring and is associated with a coin reject lever. The inclined surface of the entryway lies opposite the blocker slot and is angled toward an exit of the coin entryway, which directs a coin into the machine. In normal use, inserted coins pass through the entryway and are directed into a coin mechanism for coin testing. Foreign matter inserted into the machine hits the inclined surface and exerts a camming force on the lid, rotating the lid about a torsion spring.

Abstract: A coin recognizing selector (3) is followed by a buffer coin box (5) serving as a temporary store for newly inserted coins. The buffer has a stepping motor-indexable, bottomless and topless, circular loading magazine with P+2 radial cells bounded by radial walls, within a stationary cartridge. The cartridge has a bottom opening two magazine cells wide, equipped with a bolt (36) operable to either close off the opening completely or close off either its right or left side. N identical coin stores (6 to 11) are arranged coaxially one below the other to make change, are supplied from the buffer (5) and feed either a coin collection box (12) or a coin return tray (4) arranged in parallel beneath the storage decks. The bolts (36) are controlled to release coins from the stores to the coin box (12) or return tray (4), or from the buffer (5) to one of the stores (6 to 11), each store being assigned coins of a specific denomination.

Abstract: A savings bank having a plurality of coin slots opening through its front wall for admitting coins to its coin storage chamber. A coin barrier is located at each coin slot. An activator is provided for moving each barrier between a first position in which it is arranged to close its associated slot and a second position in which its associated slot is open. A control system is provided which communicate with the activators for controlling the movement of each barrier between its first and second positions. The control system being accessible to a user to permit the user to determine which of the coin slots is to be opened to admit a coin in use.

Abstract: A coin feed opening (16) formed in the lid (1) of the coin collection box is associated with a closure with a closing slide (17) displaceble by means of a moving mechanism (49, 45, 46) operable on the outside of the coin collection box. An escapement (29-32) designed as a jump mechanism makes possible, after every closing of a lock (6) securing the lid (1) against unauthorized opening, only a one-time opening and subsequent closing of the closure. Once the coin collection box is in the automat in its predetermined position, a catch (57, 59) blocking the closure in the opening direction (28) is released by a bolt (53) fixedly connected to the automat. At the same time, the bolt (53) is locked by means of a latch (58) in the coin collection box when the closing slide (17) is in the open position.

Abstract: The coins roll along track surfaces (1, 2, 3) merely supporting the bottoms of the coins, these track surfaces each being associated with respectively one steep guide surface supporting the coins along one side. The guide surfaces are formed on plates (11, 19, 24) that can be spread apart by pivoting. Beside the end of a first track surface (1) oriented toward a baffle surface (8), a second track surface (2) begins that extends in the opposite direction, on which the coins roll into a steadying chamber (15) having a V-shaped bottom cross section (35, 36), from which emanates a third track surface (3) on which the previously steadied coins pass through a coin checking station (20) at a velocity independent of the speed with which the coins have reached the steadying chamber (15).

Abstract: A special door is added to the coin receiving mechanism of a pay telephone or other vending machine to discourage the practice of stuffing the mechanism with paper or other foreign matter to trap deposited coins. A slot in the door is normally aligned with the regular slot for coin deposit. If stuffing occurs, the door slides over, misaligning the two slots and preventing deposit of any further coins.

Abstract: A coin sorting device is designed to inhibit tampering with a coin operated machine by means of a wire, metal tape or the like, and to further prevent non-acceptable coins from being accepted by the coin-operated machine.