Counter Or Indicator Patents (Class 453/58)
  • Patent number: 9028305
    Abstract: A coin changer including a coin changer housing comprising a coin storage cassette. The coin storage cassette comprises a plurality of coin stores. A light source is located within the housing that directs light onto the coin stores with the light source providing sufficient light to allow a user to substantially view the coin stores in the absence of another light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Coin Acceptors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Nogin, Richard H. Sorgea, Ian F. Murphy, Thomas S. Paczkowski
  • Publication number: 20150065022
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a coin counting machine contains: a base including a plate member, an orifice, an adjusting hole, and a positioning hole. The plate member has the orifice screwing with a screw rod of an elastic fitting set, the adjusting hole, and the positioning hole. The adjusting hole has an adjusting post engaging with an elongated aperture of an adjustment piece, the positioning hole has a fixing post engaging with a fix aperture. An adjustment piece includes a tab, an extension, an arcuate sliding aperture, the elongated aperture, and the fix aperture. The elastic fitting set includes the screw rod, a resilient element, and a driving block, wherein the screw rod is screwed with the orifice via the arcuate sliding aperture and has the resilient element, and the driving block is fitted between the resilient element and the tab and is screwed with the screw rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Chiu-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8684159
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for optimizing a usable volume of a coin receptacle associated with a coin-processing device includes receiving a plurality of coins in a coin input area of the coin-processing device, obtaining data for each coin from at least one sensor, associating the data for each coin with a denomination, depositing all of the received plurality of coins with an associated denomination into the coin receptacle of the coin-processing device, the coin receptacle being configured to accept, but not dispense, deposited coins until a maximum number of coins occupy the coin receptacle and to securely store the coins in the coin receptacle until removal of the coin receptacle from the coin-processing device and adjusting, responsive to the data, an upper limit of the maximum number of coins which may be deposited into the coin receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventor: John R. Blake
  • Patent number: 8602200
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for optimizing a usable volume of a coin receptacle associated with a coin-processing device is provided. This method includes the steps of obtaining data from at least one sensor and adjusting, responsive to such data, an upper limit of coins which may be input into the receptacle or an available number of coins which may be input into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventor: John R. Blake
  • Patent number: 8597090
    Abstract: A coin apparatus (100) includes a central housing (102) with a coin holding interior (104). An upper funnel/distributor section (114) facilitates removal of excess coins when said interior is being filled with a predetermined number of coins. The coin apparatus (100) also includes coinage selectors (121), each having an allocation slot (122). Extending inwardly towards the center of the allocation slot (122) is a resilient arm (124) having a button (126) at the end thereof. Each button (126) has an inner edge (127) which is capable of securely abutting edges (128) of one or more of the coins (126) when forces are exerted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20130203330
    Abstract: An information reporting system for a coin-operated device includes a sensing device, an embedded system, and a communication module. The sensing device generates a sensing value according to a coin feeding status. The embedded system reads the sensing value and generates a data packet. The communication module sends the data packet according to a contact information to report the coin feeding status of the coin-operated device to a system user. The information reporting system for a coin-operated device reports the coin feeding status of the coin-operated device to the system user in real time and allows the system user to know the coin feeding status with a remote device and determine the best time to fetch coins from the coin-operated device, thereby cutting commuting costs incurred by the system user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Tze-Tsai SHEN
  • Publication number: 20130189914
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating unique audio and/or video arrangements from coins counted by a coin counting machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the coin counting machine can receive coins and detect one or more properties of each coin. The properties of each coin may be associated with a musical note, graphic, and/or other media component. The media components can be combined to create a media arrangement that can be presented via a speaker, video display, or other media output on the coin counting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas A. Martin, Daniel D. Everhart, Lawrence D. Azzano, Alexander S. Templeton, Michael A. Stoy
  • Patent number: 8430729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin handling machine the handling efficiency of which can be improved. On an operation unit 14, either a normal counting mode or a continuous counting mode is selected. Coins are counted by a count processing unit. A count abnormality in the count processing unit is detected by an abnormality detecting unit 68. In a case where a count abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit 68 during count processing, when the normal counting mode is selected, a coin count value is cleared and a quantity error is prevented. In the case where a count abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit 68 during count processing, when the continuous counting mode is selected, the coin count value is held, so that continuous processing is performed even if a count error occurs, so that the handling efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Nakamoto, Tomoyuki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20130065497
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for separating debris from coins and the like from customer-operated kiosks and other machines. A debris diverter including a motor, a rotating bobbin, and at least one vane is positioned over a coin track with the vane spaced apart from the coin track by a predetermined distance to permit objects smaller than the predetermined distance to pass by the debris diverter and to contact objects larger than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Publication number: 20130052926
    Abstract: A coin depositing and dispensing apparatus comprises a coin selecting unit configured to select the type of the coin by kind according to the shape of the deposited coin, a plurality of coin type accepting storehouses configured to accept the coin selected by the coin selecting unit according to the type of coin, an accepting number detecting unit configured to detect the number of the coin accepted in each coin type accepting storehouse and a balance counting unit configured to count the balance according to the detecting result by the accepting number detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Taniike
  • Patent number: 8127914
    Abstract: The change replenishment management system includes a coin roll storage (1), a coin change dispenser (3), and a POS register (5). A control unit (16) of the storage (1) detects the presence and the denomination of a coin roll in a storage section of each drawer (11, 12, 13) in accordance with an output signal generated from a detection system (18), and transmits the result of detection to the coin change dispenser (3). When loose coins obtained by unpacking removed coin rolls, which are removed from the storage (1), are introduced into an inlet (30), a control unit (36 or 50) of the change dispenser (3) or register (5) compares the denomination and the number of the loose coins, which are detected by identification unit (31), with the denomination and the number of the removed coin roll determined on the basis of the detection result transmitted from the storage (1), and judging the correspondence therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Tabata, Hiroshi Tone, Yoshiro Oie, Takahiro Washizu, Mikito Imai, Yumiko Imai, legal representative, Koichi Nishida, Tsutomu Iwata, Kazuyuki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110105002
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 7896149
    Abstract: The change replenishment management system includes a coin roll storage (1), a coin change dispenser (3), and a POS register (5). A control unit (16) of the storage (1) detects the presence and the denomination of a coin roll in a storage section of each drawer (11, 12, 13) in accordance with an output signal generated from a detection system (18), and transmits the result of detection to the coin change dispenser (3). When loose coins obtained by unpacking removed coin rolls, which are removed from the storage (1), are introduced into an inlet (30), a control unit (36 or 50) of the change dispenser (3) or register (5) compares the denomination and the number of the loose coins, which are detected by identification unit (31), with the denomination and the number of the removed coin roll determined on the basis of the detection result transmitted from the storage (1), and judging the correspondence therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Tabata, Hiroshi Tone, Yoshiro Oie, Takahiro Washizu, Mikito Imai, Yumiko Imai, legal representative, Koichi Nishida, Tsutomu Iwata, Kazuyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7882942
    Abstract: A coin bar storage of the invention includes: a casing; a coin bar tray that is provided in the casing so as to be drawn out from and stored into the casing, and that has a plurality of set sections in which set coin types are respectively pre-set to assign a coin type to each of the set sections; a set coin type presence confirmation section that is provided in all of the set sections of the coin bar tray, that respectively confirms whether or not coin bars of the set coin types is set, and that outputs a confirmation result; and a management section that manages a present amount of coin bars in the coin bar tray based on the confirmation result from the set coin type presence confirmation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Laurel Precision Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Sakai, Eiko Hibari
  • Publication number: 20110021126
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin handling machine the handling efficiency of which can be improved. On an operation unit 14, either a normal counting mode or a continuous counting mode is selected. Coins are counted by a count processing unit. A count abnormality in the count processing unit is detected by an abnormality detecting unit 68. In a case where a count abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit 68 during count processing, when the normal counting mode is selected, a coin count value is cleared and a quantity error is prevented. In the case where a count abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit 68 during count processing, when the continuous counting mode is selected, the coin count value is held, so that continuous processing is performed even if a count error occurs, so that the handling efficiency is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Tasuku Nakamoto, Tomoyuki Kubo
  • Patent number: 7870942
    Abstract: A coin-roll storage 1 comprises a storage body 1a and a coin-roll drawer 11 (12, 13) having a plurality of coin-roll storage portions 14 provided therein, each coin-roll storage portion 14 being adapted for storing one coin roll therein. Each coin-roll storage portion 14 of the coin-roll drawer 11 (12, 13) is adapted for storing therein the coin roll of any denomination. A determination unit 16 is adapted for determining the denomination of each coin roll by detecting an outer diameter, an axial length and material of the coin roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikito Imai, Yumiko Imai, legal representative, Hiroshi Tone, Ryuichi Tabata, Koichi Nishida, Kazuyuki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100312377
    Abstract: This invention provides a change refill and management system, which can substantially reduce the initial cost for a coin-roll management apparatus, even in the case in which a plurality of register units are provided in the system. The change refill and management system related to this invention includes: a coin-roll management apparatus (20) capable of storing therein coin rolls of a plurality of denominations; and a plurality of register units (10), each register unit (10) including at least a change machine (14) or drawer, more than one register unit (10) being provided to the one coin-roll management apparatus (20) in the vicinity of this coin-roll management apparatus (20). The coin-roll management apparatus (20) includes a coin-roll-total-amount detection unit (22a) for detecting the total amount of money of the coin rolls stored in each coin-roll drawer (23, 24, 25) provided to this coin-roll management apparatus (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwata, Kazuyuki Shimizu, Koichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7789212
    Abstract: A change complement and control system according to the present invention comprises a coin-roll storage 1, a money handling machine 3 and a control unit 5. This system is adapted for calculating the number of coin rolls of each denomination newly stored in each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, in a period of time after a first indication is sent and before a second indication is sent by an operator from user indication portions 50a, 50b of the control unit 5. An instruction portion 52 is adapted for providing an instruction, such that money equivalent to the newly stored coin rolls, among the money stored in a money storage portion (i.e., a coin storage portion 106 or banknote storage portion 206), is released from a money releasing portion (i.e., a coin disbursing slot 116 or banknote disbursing slot 216), when the second indication is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Oie, Kazuyuki Shimizu, Hiroshi Tone, Takahiro Washizu, Ryuichi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7753764
    Abstract: A coin counter includes a support bracket, a limit plate secured on the support bracket, a slide rod slidably mounted on the support bracket, a coin outlet port located between the limit plate and the slide rod, and a rotation disk rotatably mounted on the support bracket and having a plurality of receiving grooves to receive a plurality of coins. Thus, each of the coins directly passes between the limit plate and the slide rod into the coin outlet port, so that each of the coins is introduced into the coin outlet port smoothly to prevent the coins from being choked at the coin outlet port. In addition, the limit plate is provided with an adjusting slot to change and adjust the distance between the limit plate and the slide rod to allow passage of coins of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Chiu-Fang Li
  • Publication number: 20100144259
    Abstract: A coin exchange machine (10) and method in which a coin counting mechanism (25, 23) receives a plurality of coins from a customer and counts the coins to determine a total, a dispensing mechanism (20) dispenses a receipt (17a) in exchange for the coins, and wherein before accepting coins for totaling and before dispensing the receipt, the machine (10) causes a display of a notice (21, 22) with a request for the customer to indicate acceptance through a user interface; wherein the machine (10) receives the customer's acceptance of the notice (21, 22) through the user interface; and wherein only after the customer's acceptance, the machine (10) then proceeds to receive and count coins deposited by the customer and to dispense the receipt (17a) to the customer for redemption. The machine (10) keeps a record of the transactions for performing a reconciliation routine to identify unredeemed receipts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robert A. Allexon, William M. Paist
  • Publication number: 20100062700
    Abstract: A coin depositing and dispensing machine prevents a foreign object mixed together with coins put in a coin receiving port from causing a malfunction, facilitates distinguishing coins of a depositing and transporting system from coins of a dispensing and transporting system, and facilitates removal of a coin jam. Coins received from a coin receiving port are fed separately by a feeding unit to a depositing and transporting unit. A rotary disc rotated at a position tilted at a predetermined angle is used for the feeding unit. By using the rotary disc, only coins are fed to the depositing and transporting unit, and foreign objects are eliminated. The depositing and transporting unit and a dispensing and transporting unit are arranged opposite to each other in a machine body, and the depositing and transporting unit is tilted together with the rotary disc. Coins in each unit are thereby easily distinguished from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Nakazumi, Eisei Nishida, Takushi Ohno, Masashi Ito
  • Publication number: 20100048117
    Abstract: A coin counter includes a base frame including a support board, a rotation unit including a rotation disk, a connecting unit including a mounting bracket, and a receiving unit including a receiving seat and a protective plate. Thus, the protective plate is located above the rotation disk of the rotation unit to protect the rotation disk of the rotation unit so as to prevent the coins in the receiving seat from directly contacting and hitting the rotation disk of the rotation unit. In addition, the protective plate of the receiving unit has two opposite sides each supported by the side edge of the receiving seat so that the protective plate of the receiving unit is supported by the receiving seat to bear the heavy load of the coins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Chiu-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20100041326
    Abstract: A coin counter includes a support bracket, a limit plate secured on the support bracket, a slide rod slidably mounted on the support bracket, a coin outlet port located between the limit plate and the slide rod, and a rotation disk rotatably mounted on the support bracket and having a plurality of receiving grooves to receive a plurality of coins. Thus, each of the coins directly passes between the limit plate and the slide rod into the coin outlet port, so that each of the coins is introduced into the coin outlet port smoothly to prevent the coins from being choked at the coin outlet port. In addition, the limit plate is provided with an adjusting slot to change and adjust the distance between the limit plate and the slide rod to allow passage of coins of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Chiu-Fang Li
  • Publication number: 20090242626
    Abstract: A self-service apparatus for exchanging value for coins including a coin input region configured to receive a batch of coins from a user, a coin processing device configured to determine a total value for the batch of coins, a value card storage device operatively coupled to a value card dispensing device configured to dispense, to a card receptacle or card slot, a value card from the value card storage device, the dispensed value card being associated with a value relating to the total value and a currency storage device operatively coupled to a currency dispensing device. The user is permitted an option to receive a value relating to the total value in the form of currency, a value card, or a combination of currency and a value card and the self-service apparatus is configured to charge a first transaction fee for dispensing value cards and is configured to charge a second transaction fee for dispensing currency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: CUMMINS-ALLISON CORP.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell
  • Patent number: 7591361
    Abstract: A coin dispensing system comprises a drawer including a bottom wall connected to opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of spaced dividers between the opposite sidewalls defining a plurality of columns for supporting vertical tubes of currency. A plurality of dispensers, one for each column, are provided each for withdrawing tubes of currency from an associated column. A plurality of sensors, one for each column, are provided each for sensing quantity of tubes in the associated column. A control system is operatively associated with the sensors for determining quantity of currency in the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Corporate Safe Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. McGunn, James Ivey, III, Eduardo DeCastro Barcellos, Warren Bittencourt Oliveira
  • Patent number: 7503841
    Abstract: Provided is a parallelogram counter for counting pills swiftly and conveniently in a drugstore. The parallelogram counter includes: a parallelogram counting plate on which a transverse flange, a first longitudinal flange, and a second longitudinal flange are protrudingly formed; a slidable transverse flange which is formed in parallel with the transverse flange, and movably fixed up and down; a reference point; a reference line which is formed by connecting the reference point with the outer side of a last pill among a reference number of pills which are arranged along the side surface of the first longitudinal flange; and a recollector outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Eun-Rae Rho
  • Publication number: 20090017740
    Abstract: A change complement and control system according to the present invention comprises a coin-roll storage 1, a money handling machine 3 and a control unit 5. This system is adapted for calculating the number of coin rolls of each denomination newly stored in each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, in a period of time after a first indication is sent and before a second indication is sent by an operator from user indication portions 50a, 50b of the control unit 5. An instruction portion 52 is adapted for providing an instruction, such that money equivalent to the newly stored coin rolls, among the money stored in a money storage portion (i.e., a coin storage portion 106 or banknote storage portion 206), is released from a money releasing portion (i.e., a coin disbursing slot 116 or banknote disbursing slot 216), when the second indication is sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Oie, Kazuyuki Shimizu, Hiroshi Tone, Takahiro Washizu, Ryuichi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20080014848
    Abstract: A method of operating a coin changer comprising the steps of activating a visual display to show recommended operating levels for a plurality of coin stores and manually positioning level indicators associated with each of the plurality of coin stores to suggested operating levels displayed on the visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: COIN ACCEPTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Levasseur, Mark Leibu
  • Publication number: 20070224927
    Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus is provided. The coin sorting apparatus includes a main body, a coin sorting unit, a transport unit, a casing tube, a coin tube, and a pressing unit. The coin sorting unit is disposed in an upper portion of the main body. The transport unit is disposed in a lower portion of the main body. The casing tube is transported by the transport unit. The coin tube is made of transparent plastic and placed within the casing tube. The pressing unit is disposed in a front portion of the main body. The present invention makes it possible to improve a functionality and usability of the coin sorting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: MIRTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20070212997
    Abstract: A remaining coin amount detecting apparatus is provided for a coin hopper, disposed on a lower portion of a cylindrical storing bowl. The coin hopper dispenses coins one by one using a rotary disk fixed on a rotary shaft rotated by a driving apparatus. At least a part of a surface of the rotary disk includes a conductor, and the conductor is electrically connected to a detecting terminal disposed inside the storing bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Motoharu KUROSAWA
  • Patent number: 7244175
    Abstract: A coin recycling machine (10) for receiving, sorting and dispensing coins, comprising a coin dispenser having a rotatable coin magazine (23) for holding respective denominations of coins and having an electronic control (100, 107), said electronic control (100, 107) being operable in response to a commanded total to control position of said coin magazine (23) to selectively dispense coins to provide the commanded total, a queuing device (52) for receiving the coins and arranging the coins in a queue, the queuing device (52) having an exit (66) directed towards said coin magazine (23) and having associated sensors (65, 72) for identifying a denomination of a next coin to pass through the exit (66) and the electronic control being responsive to the sensors (65, 72) associated with the queuing device for positioning the coin magazine such that coins are sorted into the coin magazine (23) by denomination as the coins exit the queuing device (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: De La Rue Cash Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Robert L. Zwieg
  • Patent number: 7175016
    Abstract: A device for accurately adjusting the position of a sensor unit relative to a driving member. The driving member is moved by a coin dispensed by a coin dispenser. The sensor unit is mounted on a movable base plate that is positioned on a fixed base plate attached to the coin dispenser. The relative position of the sensor unit to the driving member is adjusted by a screw unit that can adjust the position of the movable base plate relative to the fixed base plate. A fixing unit secures the movable base plate from moving relative to the fixed base plate once the desired sensor unit position is selected using the screw unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Donald Lee Seagle, Stanley John Kopala
  • Patent number: 7149274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an addressing type coin-dropping detector circuit, in which as any coin dropping and passing through the photo detector, impulses are produced from the detecting points of the external photo detector and then sent to the addressing type coin-dropping detector circuit. Followed by the enumerations performed by the addressing type coin-dropping detector circuit, an impulse-length value is derived and transmitted to the external circuit through addressing mechanism, which increases overall integrated level of the circuit with a more efficient design in terms of memory and circuit utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Di Tang
  • Patent number: 7113929
    Abstract: The present invention allows verification of a voucher or token prior to redemption. The voucher or token has a code associated therewith so that a value of the voucher or token may be stored in a database. Later when the voucher or token is presented to a cashier for redemption, the code is submitted to the database in order to retrieve the value associated with that voucher or token. In this way, the voucher or token is verified before redemption. In one embodiment, a verification system includes a voucher or token database, a recognition subsystem and two transceivers. The database knows the code and value associated with the voucher or token. A recognition subsystem reads the code from the voucher or token. The transceivers couple together the database and the recognition subsystem in such a way that the a query can be made by the recognition system to determine the value associated with the code or otherwise verify the validity of the voucher or token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Beach, Christopher A. Pesch
  • Patent number: 6896177
    Abstract: A revenue balancing method and computer program that more quickly, accurately, and easily reconciles or balances revenue contained in cash drawers at the end of cashiers' shifts or breaks while at the same time building or constructing new cash drawers for new shifts. The method permits cash drawers to be constructed and/or replenished with coins from a perpetual inventory of loose coins rather than requiring the use of rolls of coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Balance Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Odie Kenneth Carter
  • Patent number: 6827647
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a central processing unit and a local microcontroller. The CPU operates a gaming machine in response to a wager. The local microcontroller is distinct from and coupled to the central processing unit. The local microcontroller performs the low-level coin handling operations independent from the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, William A. Gwiasda
  • Patent number: 6772870
    Abstract: A token count/sort apparatus includes a rotary disc (10) for supporting tokens (11) and is manually rotatable, an arcuate transfer track (23) extending along the periphery of the disc and formed with one token transfer inlet (24). A plurality of sorting holes are formed in the transfer track for successively sorting and dropping the tokens in the order of increasing diameters as the tokens are transferred upstream toward downstream in the transfer direction. An endless transfer belt (30) rotates in synchronism with the rotary disc (10) by intermediate gears (40), (41) and (42), thereby transferring the tokens (11) in a pressed condition. A token discerner (31) is provided between the token transfer inlet (24) and the sorting hole located at the most upstream position in the transfer direction for counting the tokens and determining the diameters of the tokens. In a batch processing mode, the token discerner determines whether the preset value for the token count or sum is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignees: Sugai General Industries Ltd., Wing Design Co., Prev.
    Inventors: Katsumi Sugai, Nobuyuki Nakatani, Masanari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6652381
    Abstract: An adjustable coin acceptor gate for use in accepting coins or tokens of all sizes from the United States coin or equivalent to the large gaming token or chip in use today in the gaming industry. The adjustable coin acceptor gate can be manually adjusted or electronically adjusted to accept the size or denomination or the coin or token in use for the particular game or vending machine in use and left open for multiple coin and token wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Curran Ungaro
  • Patent number: 6640956
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 6626750
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a technique is provided to count tokens on a gaming table. A sensor senses a characteristic of each token in a plurality of tokens in a token holder on the gaming table. The characteristic represents a valuation of each token. A token processing unit coupled to the sensor to process the sensed characteristic to determine a count of the plurality of tokens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Blash Momemy
  • Patent number: 6601686
    Abstract: A vending machine capable of preventing fraudulent use of false coins of a plurality of kinds. The number of slotted coins acceptable in one vending operation is preset in setting unit (112). The coins slotted into a coin slotting unit (101) are counted based on the sensing output from a counting sensor (104). When a refund operation is carried out while the number of coins slotted into the coin slotting unit(101) is equal to or larger than the preset acceptable number of coins set in the setting unit (112), the coin return in response to the refund instruction is inhibited as a fraudulent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Tsunehiro Aso
  • Patent number: 6527271
    Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring playing and wagering of a game includes a chip tray reader that automatically images the contents of a chip tray, to periodically determine the number and value of chips in the chip tray, and to compare the change in contents of the chip tray to the outcome of game play for verifying that the proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor may be positioned in the chip tray to automatically image the activity occurring at a gaming table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: MindPlay LLC
    Inventors: Richard Soltys, Richard Huizinga
  • Publication number: 20030024790
    Abstract: A device for dispensing coins is described which is constructed with a sensor for generating a signal when a coin is dislodged from the coin canister. Through a system of sensors, the travel of the coin to the user can be tracked and confirmed. A method is described which times the sequence of coin travel and compiles the information for use by the microprocessor of the dispenser or host device for accounting, coin inventory and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Victor A. Quattrini, Robert J. Pitman, Paul O. Stump, David E. Pheifer
  • Patent number: 6504890
    Abstract: A cash counting apparatus for cashbox comprises a case arranged within the cashbox, a sliding block movably arranged at an upper side of the case, a swing arm pivotally arranged in the case, and a circuit board with a plurality of contacts. The swing arm has one end pivotally driven by the sliding block and a probe on another end. The sliding block is moved laterally by an inserted coin, and the probe is swung due to the lever action of the swing arm. The probe is selectively in contact with one of the contacts according to the sizes of the inserted coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jer-Ming Cheng
  • Publication number: 20010015310
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the delivery, holding, storing, and dispensing of coins and the like from coin-operated machine, such as a gaming machine into which coins are deposited and, when an award is indicated, coins are dispensed as all or part of an award or prize is disclosed. After depositing coins in the coin slot of the gaming machine, the coins are deposited into one or more coin hoppers located in the front or the rear, or the top or bottom, or to the left or right of the coin counting and moving mechanism in the slot machine. Once deposited into the coin hoppers, the coins can then be dispensed as awards to the gaming machine customer, or, alternatively, further deposited into a coin drop consisting of one or more containers, such as coin bags, mounted beneath the coin hoppers on a motorized carousel thereby improving security and minimizing customer play interruption on payout and coin service intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph W. Cole
  • Publication number: 20010011006
    Abstract: A coin counting device which comprises: a coin temporary reserve member (3) for temporarily reserving coins therein in a standing condition, the coin temporary reserve member (3) being able to move reciprocally and laterally between a temporary reserve position and a transfer position; and an engaging member (32) which inhibits the coin temporary reserve member (3) to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved in the temporary reserve member is smaller than a predetermined number, and which permits the temporary reserve member to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved therein is equal to the predetermined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Akira Tomioka
  • Patent number: 5755618
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing coins or coin-like articles, such as for example gaming chips, tokens or the like, wherein the coins or coin-like articles to be stored are arranged against one another or above one another in at least one column, with this apparatus having a mechanism for determining the number of coins or coin-like articles present in the apparatus. The mechanism for determining the number of coins or coin-like articles present in the apparatus is formed by a plurality of transmitter/receiver pairs such as, for example, ultrasonic transmitters/receivers, light transmitters/receivers or the like arranged in rowssubstantially parallel to the column(s) of coins or coin-like articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Grips Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Ewald Mothwurf
  • Patent number: 5530730
    Abstract: A medal counting apparatus installed in a game parlor for counting medals which a game player has won, is disclosed. The medal counting apparatus comprises a counter for counting the medals, a medal supplying mechanism for receiving the medals to be dumped and for supplying them sequentially to the counter, a dump restraining unit for restraining the medals from being dumped into the medal supplying mechanism and a control unit for controlling operations of the medal supplying mechanism and the dump restraining unit. The medal supply control means puts the medal supplying mechanism into a stopped state when the dump restraining unit restrains the medals from being dumped and into an operation state when the dump restraining unit permits dumping of the medals. The control unit also instructs the dump restraining unit to close the receiving hopper when a medal dump restraining signal is input from the outside or the counter has not been used for a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Koichi Tsubota, Masao Minagawa, Moriyuki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 5021027
    Abstract: A coin counter comprises a longitudinal tubular member or a cylinder of a semicircular cross section and has a large longitudinal slot directed from the top opening to a closed bottom surface. The cylindrical member has graduations on the side thereof indicative of the height of various stacks of coins. One uses the member to scoop up similar coins and to capture the same inside the confines of the member whereby the graduations on the surface of the member define the exact height of a stack of coins and therefore the exact amount of a stack of coins. The device can further be used to assist in wrapping coins of the same denominations after being gathered by the coin counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: John D. Bremer
  • Patent number: 4966570
    Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus receives coins through an opening in a guide plate onto the resilient surface of a rotating disc. The surface of the guide plate is contoured and includes portions positioned sufficiently close to the surface of the disc to press coins traveling therebetween into the resilient surface of the disc. As the coins are circulated circumferentially between the discs, the contours in the guide plate guide the coins into a single file along a first prescribed path. Coins of at least one selected denomination are displaced to follow a second prescribed path. The coins are discharged along each prescribed path at exit locations at the periphery of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt