Electric Patents (Class 453/20)
  • Patent number: 11854330
    Abstract: Provided is a coin handling apparatus including: a storage unit; a drawer attachment unit to which a drawer is attached; a cassette attachment unit to which a coin transport cassette including an opening to be opened when the coin transport cassette is attached to a specific apparatus and giving or receiving a coin to or from the specific apparatus via the opening is attached; a first route forming portion forming a first route that guides the coin fed out of the storage unit to the drawer attached to the drawer attachment unit; a second route forming portion forming a second route that guides the coin fed out of the storage unit to the coin transport cassette attached to the cassette attachment unit; and a switching unit that switches a guide destination of the coin fed out of the storage unit to the first route or the second route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Kibihara, Kazuma Sugahara
  • Patent number: 10706656
    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: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfgang DeRaedt, Ludo DeMeutter
  • Publication number: 20140148084
    Abstract: A money handling apparatus 100 configured to handle money includes: a selection unit 150 capable of selecting at least an error reset experience mode; and an output unit 152 configured to output information informing that a malfunction has occurred, when the error reset experience mode has been selected by the selection unit 150.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Oie, Tadashi Urimoto
  • Publication number: 20080293347
    Abstract: A method for operating a coin dispensing device, the coin dispensing device having a plurality of coin dispensing modules, wherein at least one coin tube for holding coins of a predetermined nominal value is assigned to each dispensing module, each dispensing module being adapted to dispense a coin held in the coin tube assigned to the dispensing module in a dispensing cycle and in response to a control signal, wherein at least two coin tubes assigned to different dispensing modules contain coins of the same nominal value and in one dispensing cycle, a plurality of coin dispensing modules are being activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: National Rejectors, Inc. GmbH.
    Inventors: Stig Gopel, Thorsten Schneider
  • Patent number: 7014554
    Abstract: A coin mechanism has one or more coin tubes for storing, respectively, coins of one or more denominations, a dispenser for controlling the dispensing of coins from the coin tubes, and a coin mechanism controller suitable for connection to a controller in an automatic transaction system so as to receive change dispense signals from the automatic transaction system controller indicating the form of dispensing change to a customer. The coin mechanism controller, when connected to the automatic transaction system controller, serves as an interface between the automatic transaction system controller and the dispenser, and is programmed to re-determine the form of paying out the change, for example, by taking into account the distribution and denominations of the coins in the coin tubes. The arrangement of coin tubes in a coin tube cassette for use with the coin mechanism can be identified by entering a code on a keypad associated with the coin mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul R. Fletcher, Craig A. Lewis, Gregory J. Billington
  • Patent number: 5997396
    Abstract: A coin handling mechanism includes a counter for counting coins incoming and outgoing to and from a cassette-type coin storage tube. In response to detection of temporary detachment of the cassette during collection of the stored coins from the tube, the counted value of the counter is initially set to a predetermined value. Then, in response to activation of a predetermined switch during next collection of the stored coins from the tube, a determination is made as to whether the current value of the counter is greater than the initially-set predetermined value. If so, a specific number of the coins corresponding to a difference between the current value and the initially-set predetermined value are automatically paid out from the tube, but if not, the cassette is temporarily detached for manual supply of a necessary number of additional coins to the tube without the stored coins being paid out from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Conlux Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Itako
  • Patent number: 5885151
    Abstract: A method of determining a combination of coins to be dispensed as change comprises determining a plurality of different possible combinations and selecting the most favorable one. For combinations which in sum are equal to the same amount, the most favorable combination is the one determined to leave the greatest number of coins available for change according to a predetermined criterion which takes into account the number of currently-available coins of at least one denomination. If two combinations are evaluated to be the same so far as change availability is concerned, the combination which comprises the least number of coins is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: John Anthony Weston, Nigel Winstanley, Jacqueline Marshall
  • Patent number: 5821511
    Abstract: A vending machine/display unit (10) includes a plurality of articles (14) arranged on a plurality of dispensing paths (20 or 22). A counting mechanism is associated with each dispensing path, and includes an encoder bar (32) positioned adjacent the dispensing path, and encoder head (34) positioned to incrementally advance along the dispensing path. The encoder head (34) includes a plurality of contact members (42a-d) which interact with a plurality of active site contact members (40) disposed on the encoder bar (32) in a pattern which uniquely identifies each incremental position in the dispensing path. The inventory of articles (14) remaining in a dispensing path or the accounting of articles (14) dispensed from the dispensing path is determined from the relative position of the encoder head (34) to the encoder bar (32), and this position is detected from the active contact site points (40) on the electrical information lines (36) on the encoder bar (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Forrest Williams, Nader Hajian
  • Patent number: 5733186
    Abstract: A four coin tube/four coin denomination coin changer is configured for installation and operation within existing vending machines, which existing vending machines have vending machine controllers configured to recognize and operate with coin changers having only three coin tubes and which vending machine controllers are operable to effect payout of coins from such three coin tube coin changers by signals produced on three coin tube interface lines. The four coin tube coin changer includes a processor which, when installed, is operatively connected to the three coin tube interface lines of the vending machine. The processor of the four coin tube coin changer is programmed to interpret signals received from the coin tube interface lines as particular monetary values, and the processor buffers or stores such values thereby accumulating a change payout amount. The processor is operable in various modes to effect payout of the accumulated change payout amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Coin Acceptors, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark H. Leibu
  • Patent number: 5697483
    Abstract: A coin mech controller (70), when receiving a coin payment set command from a main controller (10), judges the presence or absence of a coin within an acceptor (100). In the absence of a coin within the acceptor (100), the coin mech controller (70) controls to immediately pay out coins corresponding to a coin payment amount calculated by the main controller (10). In the presence of a coin within the acceptor (100), the coin mech controller (70) controls to pay out coins corresponding to the coin payment amount calculated by the main controller (10) after the coin within the acceptor (100) has passed through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Kenji Koyama, Iwao Kanasashi, Jun Yamada, Genzo Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 5542519
    Abstract: A method of calculating a combination of coins to be dispensed as change comprises evaluating different possible combinations and selecting the most favorable one. One combination is determined according to priority, giving higher priority to higher-denomination coins. In other combinations, the number of coins of one or more denominations is one less than would be determined by priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Weston, Anthony D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5499944
    Abstract: A coin handling apparatus can operate in either one of two modes. In a first mode, coins are delivered to containers unless a predetermined maximum level T has been reached. When a serviceman services the machine, each container is automatically emptied to a predetermined, alterable float level FD. The emptied coins and the coins in the cashbox are then removed by the serviceman. In a second mode, coins are delivered to containers until the numbers stored in the containers correspond to predetermined, alterable upper levels FU. The containers are replenished to these levels when a serviceman services the machine. Each of the levels FU and FD can be periodically altered on the basis of a calculated likelihood that coins will be required for change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Weston, John W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5411436
    Abstract: A currency dispenser which is installed in an automotive vehicle and which includes a plurality of switches that may be optionally set to dispense different amounts of coins. Each switch is associated with a different toll and the driver simply pushes the proper switch when he approaches the toll. Optionally, dispensing of the currency may be activated by the driver's hand being placed beneath the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Jeffrey I. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5380242
    Abstract: A coin processor is described in which coins deposited in a vending machine classified according to value in coin storage cylinders and wherein a coin recovery system includes a controller for controlling the discharge mechanisms operative with the respective coin storage cylinders to enable, when desired, the recovery of coins from the storage cylinder according to a predetermined sequence by actuation of a prescribed switch or, alternatively, recovery of coins from any particular storage cylinder by actuation of a switch associated therewith. The controller is capable of overriding the sequenced discharge of coins from the respective cylinders upon subsequent actuation of a required switch. The described processor employs a preset counter and a change detection sensor associated with each respective coin storage cylinder for terminating the coin discharge operation from each respective storage cylinder upon the discharge of a predetermined counted number of coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Matsumoto, Hiroaki Mannen
  • Patent number: 5056645
    Abstract: A coin operated telephone payment device is provided for use in public telephones. The device includes a provisional receptacle (7) for the coins (12) inserted, formed by a cylindrical body provided with a series of open radial compartments (11) blocked at the bottom by a body (9) provided with an inclination towards the outside. The body is capable of turning slightly so as to allow the coins located in the compartments to pass to the return box (8). The compartments have an operable payment door (6) so that the coin to be paid goes to the definitive coin box (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Jofemar, S.A.
    Inventor: Felix G. Vidondo
  • Patent number: 4946418
    Abstract: A rotating drum magazine for storing and managing coins having a rotating drum formed with a plurality of compartments for receiving coins and a hinged bottom and which rotates in a radial direction between an open and closed position is provided. A driving arm rotatable in two directions selectively opens a hinged bottom. The angle of rotation of the driving arm is coded through coded discs associated with the rotating drum and is controlled by a logic control unit which causes the driving arm to selectively open and close the compartments for dispensing of the coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: I.P.M. Industria Politecnica Medidionale S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo De Feo