Photoelectric Patents (Class 453/4)
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Patent number: 11462312Abstract: A medication inventory system may include a medication tray that includes compartments for storing respective medications with each medication having a respective medication identifier associated therewith. The medication tray may have a tray identifier associated therewith. The medication inventory system may also include a mobile wireless communications device configured to obtain images of the medication tray and generate a current medication stocking list of the medication tray from the images. The medication inventory system may also be configured to determine a desired medication stocking list for the medication tray based upon the tray identifier and determine at least one missing medication based upon the current medication stocking list and the desired medication stocking list.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: INMAR RX SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Brian S. Rogers, James W. McCracken, Jr., Seth Maxwell, Michael A. Snellenburg, Marko Milojevic, Patrick S. Connelly, Justin A. Krull, Jared O. Santibanez, Greg J. Brendel
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Patent number: 9090410Abstract: A conveyor device for coins, having a mechanism for moving at least one coin in a predetermined movement direction which differs from the effective direction of gravity, under a force uninfluenced by a moved mechanical component, the conveyor device being coupled to a detection device which identifies the presence of the coin, in order to accelerate the coins in the predetermined movement direction in accordance with requirements.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: NOVOMATIC AGInventors: Thomas Faul, Michael Rudolph Luft
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Patent number: 9064362Abstract: A disk sorting device includes a housing defining a disk transport path for conveying disks from a disk transferring device. A disk identifying device is located adjacent the disk transport path for identifying the type of disk passing along the transport path. A disk diverting mechanism in the disk transport path downstream of the disk identifying device is operable to divert disks in accordance with the type of the disk determined by the disk identifying device into a selected one of at least a return path in which a disk returns to the disk transferring device and a dispense path in which a disk is directed towards a dispense outlet. The disk transport path is oriented with a vertical component whereby disks pass along the path and the diverting mechanism under gravity.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: ASAHI SEIKO CO., LTD.Inventor: Marcus John Willis
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Publication number: 20150011145Abstract: A coin processing device includes a rotating member that has an annular rib provided annularly along a circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion, which transports a coin upon a transport path using a cutout portion formed upon a lower portion of the annular rib. An open position intersects the annular rib. An opening and closing member, when positioned at the open position, is positioned adjacent to the annular rib in a radial direction of the rotating member so as to allow rotation of the rotating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Kazuo Suetomi, Tatsuya Yano
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Publication number: 20140302762Abstract: Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
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Publication number: 20140187134Abstract: A coin sorter machine including an encoder and a sensor assembly more accurately determines the position of coins in a coin sorting path to facilitate coin sorting. The coin sorter uses a coin size attribute to more accurately calculate the timing of interactions between coins on the coin sorting path and one or more components of the coin sorter. One such component is a diverter configured to perform an offsorting operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventors: Jon Stieber, Myron Spoehr, Robert Gunst, Zachery Erb
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Patent number: 8545295Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for processing coins are presented herein. A coin processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving a batch of coins, a controller with a communication interface operatively attached to the housing, and a coin processing unit for counting, discriminating, and/or valuing coins received from the coin input area. The coin processing system also includes a mobile coin receptacle removably disposed within the housing and configured to receive coins from the coin processing unit. The mobile coin receptacle is configured to wirelessly communicate information to the communication interface of the controller. The mobile coin receptacle can include one or more electrical contacts that mate with one or more electrical contacts on the housing to wirelessly communicate the information.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell, Marianne Krbec, William J. Jones, Thomas P. Adams
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Publication number: 20130059515Abstract: A coin processing machine for processing coins of various diameters includes an elongate guide surface that guides coins moving along a coin path extending beside and along the guide surface, and sets of first and second coin sensors spaced along the path. Each first and second coin sensor is associated with a respective coin diameter. The coin sensor signals are transmitted to a controller that recognizes the value of a coin associated with a pair of first and second sensors only when both sensors signal the presence of a coin. If only the first sensor signals the presence of a coin, the controller may generate an output signal indicating the presence of a misaligned coin moving along the coin path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Gregory F. String
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Publication number: 20120156976Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for processing coins are presented herein. A coin processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving a batch of coins, a controller with a communication interface operatively attached to the housing, and a coin processing unit for counting, discriminating, and/or valuing coins received from the coin input area. The coin processing system also includes a mobile coin receptacle removably disposed within the housing and configured to receive coins from the coin processing unit. The mobile coin receptacle is configured to wirelessly communicate information to the communication interface of the controller. The mobile coin receptacle can include one or more electrical contacts that mate with one or more electrical contacts on the housing to wirelessly communicate the information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell, Marianne Krbec, William J. Jones, Thomas P. Adams
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Publication number: 20100273409Abstract: An apparatus for individualising and examining coins includes: a casing with a collecting box, which can accommodate a plurality of different coins in an unsorted condition, a rotor, disposed in the casing and rotatingly drivable in an inclined plane and having at least one coin accommodation, wherein the rotor passes through the collecting box with its at least one coin accommodation in a rotation, so that coins that are present in the collecting box are individually received by the at least one coin accommodation and are guided along a circular orbit, and a sensor device examining at least one characteristic property of the coins, on which coins received by the at least one coin accommodation are guided along by the rotation of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Klaus Meyer-Steffens, Anatolii Akulinin, Boris Golkov, Oleksandr Derkach
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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: 7599516Abstract: A machine-vision-based counter includes an image acquisition component (imager), wherein light provides discrimination between a background field and imageable units located away from the imager. The imager outputs data representing the field and units; an image processor receiving imager data finds countable units therein. An operator interface accepts command inputs and presents count output. A controller manages image acquisition, processor, and operator interface functions. A counting method includes configuring an imager to detect light, directing light from a source to units positioned to be detected by the imager, and directing the light to the imager.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Limer, David A. Lang, Christopher S. Burt, Philip R. Gouin, Nelson D. Tarr, Randall D. Dischinger
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Publication number: 20090215372Abstract: A downstream side of a chute (140) associated with at least one sorting hole (5c) is branched into a first chute (141) and a second chute (142), through which coins ejected from the sorting hole (5c) are guided into first and second temporary storages, respectively. A route-switching mechanism (9) is also provided that switches, between the two chutes, a route of the coins ejected from the sorting hole (5c). The following control is conducted for the coins of a denomination to be ejected from the sorting hole (5c): (i) switching the route of the coins ejected from the sorting hole from the first chute (141) to the second chute (142) in appropriate timing to ensure that the last coin (CN) to be received into the first temporary storage enters the first chute (141), and (ii) controlling an ejection mechanism (6a) to eject, among coins following the last coin (CN), all coins (CN+1, CN+2) that has been reached the ejection mechanism (6a) earlier than the above route-switching operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Yushi Hino, Shungo Yoshino, Yoshikatsu Oota, Tatsuya Oonishi
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Patent number: 7516830Abstract: The invention relates to a coin distributor, containing a deflection unit comprising a displaceable deflection member for sorting coins into different coin slots. The distributor is provided with at least one device for detecting the passage of a coin through a coin shaft, said device comprising at least one emitter and a beam switcher, in addition to a beam receiver. The beam switcher is fixed to the displaceable deflection member.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Walter Hanke Mechanische Werkstatten GmbH & Co., KGInventors: Roland Griese, Dietmar Trenner
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Patent number: 7252952Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions utilizing inteins to generate libraries of cyclic peptides in vivo. The prevent invention also relates to methods for inhibiting protein-protein interaction.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: James B. Lorens, Todd M. Kinsella, Todd Pray, Mark K. Bennett
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Patent number: 6640956Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: De La Rue Cash Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Zwieg, Robert F. Fredrick, John P. Grajewski, John A. Kressin, Thomas S. Murphy, Jon R. Stieber
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Patent number: 6484863Abstract: A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray angled downward from the horizontal. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel over a peak structure, through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. The coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of manufacturer coupons.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Coinstar Inc.Inventor: Jens H. Molbak
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Patent number: 6379239Abstract: Unassorted tokens of different types are supplied into a coin inlet portion 16 of an upper casing 3, so that the numbers of respective types or total amount of discharged tokens are calculated and displayed. A rotary disk 5 and a disk follower 6 are arranged at an upper surface of a main case 2, with a belt 12 extending around their circumferences, so that they are rotated by a handle 14. An upper casing 3 is attached to the main case 2 in a manner enabling opening and closing movement. A lower surface of the upper casing 3 is formed with a guide passage 19. The upper casing 3 is provided with detection holes 23 above which a coin sensor is provided that is capable of calculating the diameters and transit number of tokens. The main case 2 is provided with a light source from which light is emitted for irradiating the coin sensor. The supplied tokens are shifted from the outer edge of the rotating rotary disk 5 onto the belt 12 in the guide passage 19.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignees: Sugai General Industries Ltd., Wing Design Co., PREV.Inventors: Katsumi Sugai, Nobuyuki Nakatani, Masanari Nakamura
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Patent number: 5950796Abstract: An apparatus is provided including at-least a fixed member for guiding a pushed-out disk body and a movable member which moves in a direction opposing the fixed member and becomes free in the contact with the pushed-out disk body. An elasticity member is provided for drawing this movable member to the direction of the fixed member, and detection device is for detecting the movement of the movable member. A signal handling device is provided for processing a signal from the detection device and for measuring the diameter of the disk body. A rotating body is provided for pushing out a disk body. An angle of rotation detection device may also be provided for detecting the rotation angle of the rotating body.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yushiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5551542Abstract: In order to identify coins, the coins are separated by a separating device which is designed as a rotatable perforated disc. Subsequently, an identification measurement is carried out as long as the coins are still located in the perforations of the perforated disc. In order to carry out the measurement, use may be made, for example, of a light barrier or an inductive or capacitive sensing device. By way of a positioning device, which has an accelerating or decelerating effect on the coins located in the perforations, the coins are held in a specific, precisely defined position during the measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Inventor: Rudolf Stockli
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Patent number: 5542520Abstract: A testing apparatus is provided for round discs, for example coins, in which the discs move along a supporting guide past at least one gauge. The round discs are fed onto an inclined chute surface from which they slide down and onto a collecting track, of which there is at least one, that is inclined with respect to the horizontal and that collects the discs and guides them away along a supporting guide. Thereafter, the discs are sent to an optoelectronic device for measurement of their diameters and/or thicknesses. This apparatus makes possible throughputs that are significantly higher than those of the previously known testing apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignees: Grabener Pressensysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Hans-Michael Schwarz, Bodo MorgensternInventors: Weinfried Beisel, Hans-Michael Schwarz, Bodo Morgenstern
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Patent number: 5496212Abstract: A coin sorting device which sorts a plurality of coins as the coins pass through a coin chute. The coin sorter includes a coin flap located in the coin chute. A solenoid moves the coin flap between a first and second position. A power supply provides power to the solenoid. An emitter passes a beam of light through the coin chute across a path of the coin and through the coin flap. A detector detects the light emitted by the emitter after the light has passed through the coin chute and through the coin flap and produces an output signal as a function of the detected light. The output signal corresponds to the passage of the coin along the path and through the beam of light. A control circuit inhibits the power supply from providing power to the solenoid as a function of the output signal. Other coin flap and light barrier combinations are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: National Rejectors, Inc. GmbhInventors: Heinz-Werner Meyer-Weingartner, Heinz Rehfinger
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Patent number: 5230653Abstract: A currency sorting apparatus including a detector provided in a currency passage for detecting information necessary for discriminating the genuineness and the denominations of pieces of currency and outputting detection signals, a plurality of currency accommodating boxes provided downstream of the detector, the number of which is greater than the number of denominations of the pieces of currency to be sorted, each of the currency accommodating boxes being adapted for accommodating genuine pieces of currency in accordance with their denominations, a controller adapted for selectively feeding pieces of currency into the currency accommodating boxes in accordance with the detection signals input from the detector and a sorting mode selector for selecting a sorting mode which determines what currency accommodating boxes accommodates what denomination of pieces of currency and outputs a corresponding sorting mode signal when the sorting mode is selected.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1992Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Shinozaki, Hiroshi Tachikawa
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Patent number: 5084613Abstract: A circuit operated in response to deposit of a coin through a trigger switch to selectively operate one of a plurality of signal generators. When coins are deposited through said coin trigger switch, blocking light from a light source to a light detection means, an associated signal driver activates a selected tone signal generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1991Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: Quadrum Telecommunications, Inc.Inventor: Gary Grantland
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Patent number: 4988860Abstract: A trigger switch for use in coin operated devices and particularly in telephone paystations consisting of a plurality of parallel channels each including one or more openings through which a light beam passes. Deposit of coins in the appropriate channels blocks one or more light beams passing through the openings causing detection of the light blockage by associated light detectors to operate to give an indication of the quantity and value of coins deposited through the coin channels. A common trigger mechanism is also included and operates in response to deposit of any coins through the trigger switch, to provide operation of an associated coin relay.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1990Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Palco Telecom Inc.Inventors: William M. Wollet, Gary Grantland
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Patent number: 4881918Abstract: A high speed coin sorter of the belt type has an elongate plate (8') along which coins (12) to be sorted are carried in single file by a belt (1) which is driven by a pulley (2). A series of coin deflecting recesses (15 to 18) of hockey stick shape are formed in the upper surface (8) of the plate (8'), and in dependence upon the denomination of a coin, as determined by a coin discriminator (10, 11) positioned in advance of the recesses, the coins are selectively deflected from their straight line paths along the surface (8) by respective solenoid-actuated pins (19 to 22), such that a coin is pressed by the belt into the appropriate deflection recess corresponding to that coin denomination. A shaft encoder (4, 6) is associated with the belt drive pulley (2), and the signals from the encoder are used to track the progress of the coins along the surface (8) from the discriminator to provide a timing signal for projecting the appropriate deflection pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignee: Scan Coin ABInventors: David Goh, Anthony M. Moran-Iturralde, Geoffrey Howells