Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CURRENCY PROCESSING MACHINE
WITH MULTIPLE INTERNAL COIN RECEPTACLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to currency processing machines, and,
in
particular, to a currency redemption machine which accepts bulk coins and
selectively
distributes the coins into one of a plurality of coin receptacles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currency processing machines generally have the ability to receive bulk coin
and/or bank notes from a user of the machine. The currency processing machine
may be a
redemption type of machine wherein, after the deposited coins and/or bank
notes are
counted, funds are returned to the user in a pre-selected manner determined by
the user,
or to a card which stores electronic money, such as a smartcard.
Alternatively, the
machine may be a simple deposit type of machine where funds which have been
deposited
by the user are credited to his or her account.
In these currency processing machines, the bulk coins that are received from
users
are typically sorted into individual denominations and deposited into
containers
corresponding to each respective denomination as sorted. When these containers
have
reached their capacity, the operator of the currency processing machine must
then
physically remove the full container and replace it with an empty container so
that the
machine can be returned to its operational state. However, in many
environments, the
coins deposited by the user into the currency processing machine are removed
from the
currency processing machine and recirculated into other types of coin
discharging
machines.
For example, in casinos, gaming machines must be filled by a bag commonly
referred to as a "hopper fill bag" which contains a known amount of
tokens/coins so that
the gaming machine can discharge payouts to users who have won a jackpot. In
some
existing currency processing machines, the tokens/coins are held in a coin
container and
subsequently discharged from the machine through an exterior spout. When the
machine
is full of tokens/coins or when a gaming machine requires a fill of
tokens/coins, a casino
employee (e.g. the machine operator) manually places a hopper fill bag over
the exterior
spout and instructs the machine to fill it. The casino employee then
transports the hopper
fill bag to a gaming machine requiring additional tokens/coins.
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One disadvantage associated with prior art currency processing machines is the
large amount of time required for an operator (e.g. a casino employee) to
unload the
processed coins from the machine. Such a large amount is required because some
machines utilize a single convey track to move coins from internal coin
containers to an
exterior spout to dispense the coins to the operator. An associated
disadvantage, is that
many of these prior art machines are unable to transact with a user while the
operator is
unloading the processed coins from the currency processing machines. Another
associated disadvantage is that some prior art machines recirculate coins
received from a
user and then use those same coins when discharging coins to another user.
These
machine take a significant amount of times to obtain the appropriate coins
from within the
machine and then to dispense the coins to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A currency processing machine for processing currency including coins of mixed
denominations that are input by a user comprises a coin counter for
determining the
aggregate value of the coins of mixed denonunations, a coin bin for holding
the counted
coins discharged from the coin counter, and a coin sorter for storing coins
discharged
from the coin bin.
More specifically, the present invention provides a currency processing
machine
in which a user deposits funds including coins of a plurality of
denominations, the
machine comprising a coin input hopper adapted to receive coins of a plurality
of
denominations, a first coin processing unit adapted to receive coins from the
coin input
hopper, the first coin processing unit being adapted to detennine the
aggregate value of
the coins received from the input hopper, an intermediate coin receptacle
adapted to
receive coins from the first coin processing unit and to hold the coins
received from the
first coin processing unit, the intermediate coin receptacle being adapted to
selectively
discharge coins held therein from an outlet, a second coin processing unit
adapted to sort
the coins discharged from the intermediate coin receptacle and to discharge
the sorted
coins out of a plurality of coin exit channels, each of the plurality of coin
exit channels
corresponding to a predetermined coin denomination to be processed, and a coin
transport mechanism adapted to transport coins from the outlet of the
intermediate coin
receptacle to the second coin processing unit.
The present invention also provides a currency processing machine in which a
user deposits funds including coins of a plurality of denominations, the
machine
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comprising a first coin processing unit adapted to determine the aggregate
value of a
plurality of coins of at least one denomination input to the currency
processing machine
by the user, second coin processing unit adapted to sort the coins and to
discharge the
coins out of a plurality of coin exit channels, each of the plurality of coin
exit channels
corresponding to a predetermined coin denomination to be processed, an
intermediate
coin receptacle adapted to receive coins from the first coin processing unit,
to hold coins
received from the first coin processing unit, and to selectively discharge
coins to the
second coin processing unit, and a controller adapted to suspend the
discharging of coins
from the intermediate coin receptacle and to suspend operation of the second
coin
processing unit in response to a predetermined number of coins being
discharged from
one of the plurality of exit channels of the second coin processing unit, the
controller
being adapted to cause the intermediate coin receptacle to hold the coins
received from
the first coin processing unit when the discharging of coins from the
intermediate coin
receptacle to the second coin processing unit is suspended.
The present invention also provides a method of processing currency including
coins of a plurality of denominations with a currency processing machine, the
method
comprising receiving a plurality of coins of at least one denomination from a
user of the
currency processing machine, determining the aggregate value of the plurality
of coins
received from the user with a first coin processing unit, holding the
plurality of coins
received from the user in a holding area, selectively discharging a plurality
of coins from
the holding area, sorting the coins discharged from the holding area into
individual
denominations with a second coin processing unit, and suspending the
discharging and
sorting of coins after a predetermined number of coins of one of the plurality
of
denominations have been sorted.
The present invention also provides a currency processing machine for
processing
currency including coins of mixed denominations that are input by a user, the
machine
comprising a coin counter for determining the aggregate value of the coins of
mixed
denominations, a coin bin for holding the counted coins discharged from the
coin
counter, and a coin sorter for sorting coins discharged from the coin bin.
The present invention also provides a method of operating a currency
processing
machine, comprising receiving currency including coins of mixed denominations
from a
first user of the currency processing machine, evaluating an amount of the
currency
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received from the first user, retaining the coins in a coin bin, retunning to
the first user
one of the group consisting of a credit slip, currency of a value equal to the
amount of
currency received from the first user, and a combination of currency and
tokens having a
total value equal to the amount received from the first user, discharging the
coins from
the coin bin after the coin bin has reached a predetermined capacity, sorting
the coins
discharged from the coin bin into a plurality of output receptacles
corresponding to a
plurality of coin denominations, suspending the discharging and sorting after
a
predetermined number of coins of one of the plurality of coin denominations
have been
sorted, and receiving and evaluating, at a later time, currency including
coins of mixed
denominations from a second user while an operator of the currency handling
machine
simultaneously removes the sorted coins from at least one of the plurality of
output
receptacles.
The present invention also provides a method of operating a currency
processing
machine, comprising receiving currency including coins of mixed denominations
from a
first user of the currency processing machine, evaluating an amount of the
currency
received from the first user, directing the coins into a coin bin, discharging
the coins from
the coin bin, returning to the first user one of the group consisting of a
credit slip,
currency of a value equal to the amount of currency received from the first
user, and a
combination of currency and tokens having a total value equal to the amount
received
from the first user, sorting the coins discharged from the coin bin into a
plurality of
output receptacles corresponding to a plurality of coin denominations,
suspending the
discharging and sorting after a predetermined number of coins of one of the
plurality of
coin denominations have been sorted, and receiving and evaluating, at a later
time,
currency including coins of mixed denominations from a second user while an
operator
of the currency handling machine simultaneously removes the sorted coins from
at least
one of the plurality of output receptacles.
The present invention also provides a method of operating a currency
processing
machine, comprising receiving currency including coins of mixed denominations
from a
first user, evaluating an amount of the currency, sorting the coins of mixed
denominations, retaining the sorted coins in receptacles, returning to the
first user one of
the group consisting of a credit slip, currency of a value equal to the amount
of currency
received from the first user, and a combination of currency and tokens having
a total
value equal to the amount received from the first user, and receiving and
evaluating, at a
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later time, currency including coins of mixed denominations from a second user
while
simultaneously removing the sorted coins from the first user from the
receptacles.
The present invention also provides a currency processing machine for
processing
currency including coins of mixed denominations that are input by a user, the
machine
comprising a coin counter adapted to detemune the aggregate value of the coins
of mixed
denoniinations, a coin bin adapted to hold the counted coins discharged from
the coin counter
resulting in a first supply of coins, a coin sorter adapted to sort coins from
the first supply of coins
and to discharge sorted coins out of a plurality of coin exit channels
corresponding to a plurality
of coin denominations, and a coin dispenser adapted to dispense coins received
from a second
supply of coins to a user of the currency processing machine, the second
supply of coins provided
independent of the first supply of coins.
The present invention also provides a method of processing coins with a
cuirency
processing machine, the method comprising receiving coins of mixed
denominations with a
hopper, determining the aggregate value of the coins received by the hopper
with a first coin
processing unit, directing the coins to an intermediate coin receptacle after
the step of deternnining
the aggravate value, selectively operating a second coin processing unit to
discharge coins from
the intermediate coin receptacle out of a plurality of exit channels.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each
embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention_ Additional features and
benefits of
the present invention will become apparent from the detail description,
figures, and claim
set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI1M DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading
the following detail description in conjunction with the drawing in which:
FIG. I is a perspective view of the currency processing machine of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the currency processing machine of FIG. I which
schematically illustrates the various modules present in the currency
processing machine;
FIG. 3 illustrates a coin receptacle station of the currency processing
machine
which relies on a plurality of diverters to divert coins between specific coin
receptacles;
FIG. 4 illustrates a coin container that is useful in the currency processing
machine;
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FIG. 5 illustrates one type of coin cartridge which is useful as a coin
receptacle for
the currency processing machine;
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative coin distribution mechanism for a coin
receptacle
station which employs a moving carousel to move the coin receptacles below a
coin
distribution;
FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative coin distribution mechanism which employs a
movable coin distribution tube to direct coins to coin receptacles;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the currency processing machine in FIG. 1
which
includes security doors for each denomination;
FIGS. 9a-9c illustrate one type of bag sealing device which is useful in the
currency processing machine;
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment to the currency processing
machine
which schematically illustrates the use of a coin wrapping module in
connection with the
coin receptacle stations;
FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a network of currency processing machines
connected to a host system;
FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a network of currency processing machines in
communication with a casino gaming machine network;
FIG. 13a is a front perspective view of a currency processing machine
according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13b is a rear perspective view of a currency processing machine according
to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13c is a back-side view of a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14a is a top view of a rotating coin distribution manifold for a currency
processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 14b is an exploded view of a rotating coin distribution manifold for a
currency processing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 15 is a side view of a linear coin distribution manifold for a currency
processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a linear coin
distribution manifold for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a linear
coin
distribution manifold for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a linear
coin
distribution manifold for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 19 is perspective view of a section of an alternative embodiment of a
column
of coin receptacles for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 20 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of a coin
distribution
network for a currency processing machine according to an embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 21 is rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a coin
distribution network for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 22a is rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a coin
distribution network for a currency processing machine according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 22b is side view of another alternative embodiment of a coin distribution
network for a currency processing machine according to an embodiment of the
present
invention.
FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the first coin processing unit disposed
within
the frame of a currency processing machine according to one embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the second coin processing unit disposed
within the frame of a currency processing machine according to one embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of a currency processing machine according
to
one embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the housing of a currency processing
machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of the housing of a currency processing
machine
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
5 FIG. 28 is a coin bag transportation and storage system according to an
alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a shelving system according to an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention; and
FIG. 30 is a shelving system according to an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to FIG. 1, the currency processing machine 10 includes a touch
screen 12 to provide inputs from a machine user and also to display outputs to
be viewed
by the user. While the touch screen 12 is the preferred mode to enter data
from the user,
the currency processing machine 10 may also include a mechanical keyboard to
receive
such inputs.
The currency processing machine 10 includes a coin receptacle 14 which
receives
coins of a single denomination or of a mixed denomination from a user.
Additionally, a
bank note receptacle 16 is included within the currency processing machine 10.
The bank
note receptacle 16 is illustrated in its open position in FIG. 1 and is
retracted by the
currency processing machine 10 once the bulk currency has been placed therein
by the
user. These input devices 14 and 16 allow the user of the currency processing
machine 10
to input his or her funds which will ultimately be converted to some other
sort of fund
source that is available to the user. In addition to banknotes, the bank note
receptacle 16
of the currency processing machine 10 can also accommodate casino scrip, paper
tokens,
or bar coded tickets.
The currency processing machine 10 includes a bank note dispenser 20 and a
dispensed coin receptacle 22 for dispensing to the user the desired amount of
funds in
both bank notes and coins. A bank note return slot 18 may also be included
within the
currency processing machine to return notes to the user which cannot be
authenticated.
Coins which cannot be authenticated may be returned to the user via the
dispensed coin
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receptacle 22. The currency processing machine 10 further includes a paper
dispensing
slot 23 for providing a user with a receipt of the transaction that he or she
has performed.
In its simplest form, the currency processing machine 10 receives funds via
the
coin input receptacle 14 and the bank note receptacle 16, and after these
deposited funds
have been authenticated and counted, the currency processing machine 10
returns to the
user an amount equal to the deposited funds but in a different variation of
bank notes and
coins. For example, the user of the currency processing machine 10 may input
$102.99 in
various small bank notes and pennies and in turn receive a $100 bank note, two
$1 bank
notes, three quarters, two dimes, and four pennies. Alternatively, the
currency processing
machine 10 may simply return a receipt of the transaction through the paper
dispensing
slot 23 which the user can redeem for funds by an attendant of the currency
processing
machine 10. Alternatively, the currency processing machine 10 can credit a
user's
account.
The currency processing machine 10 may also include a media reader slot 24
into
which the user inserts his or her identification card so that the currency
processing
machine 10 can identify the user. In other embodiments, the media reader 24
can accepts
and read bar coded receipts. The touch screen 12 typically provides the user
with a menu
of options which prompts the user to carry out a series of actions for
identifying the user
by displaying certain commands and requesting that the user depress touch keys
on the
touch screen 12 (e.g. a user PIN). The currency processing machine 10 has a
media
reader device which is capable of reading from or writing to one or more types
of media.
This media may include various types of memory storage technology such as
magnetic
storage, solid state memory devices, and optical devices.
FIG. 2 illustrates the currency processing machine in a side view illustrating
the
various modules. The bank note processing module 30 receives bank notes from
the bank
note receptacle 16 for processing. The inward movement of the bank note
receptacle 16
positions a stack of bills at the feed station of the bank note scanning and
counting device
which automatically feeds, counts, scans, authenticates, and sorts the bank
notes, one at a
time at a high rate of speed (e.g. at least 350 bills per minute). In place of
or in addition
to the bank note receptacle 16, the currency processing machine 10 may include
a single
bank note receptacle which receives and processes one bank note at a time. The
bank
notes that are recognized by the bank note processing module 30 are delivered
to a
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currency canister of a type. When a bank note cannot be recognized by the bank
note
processing module 30, it is returned to the customer through the bank note
return slot 18.
Exemplary machines which scan, sort, count, and authenticate bills as required
by the
bank note processing module are described in U. S. Patent Nos_ 5,295,196,
5,870,487,
5,875,259.
In place of or in addition to the bank note receptacle 16, the currency
processing
machine 10 may include a single bank note receptacle which receives and
processes one
bank note at a time. Such a single bank note receptacle would be placed at the
front of
the currency processing machine 10.
The currency processing machine 10 also includes a coin processing module 32.
The coin processing module 32 sorts, counts and authenticates the mixed coins
which are
deposited in the coin input receptacle 14 which leads directly into the coin
processing
module 32. The coins are sorted in the coin processing module 32 in a variety
of ways
but the preferred method is a sorting based on the diameter of the coins. When
a non-
authenticated coin is determined by the coin processing module 32, it is
directed through
a coin reject tube 33 which leads to the dispensed coin receptacle 22. Thus,
the user who
has entered such a non-authenticated coin can retrieve the coin by accessing
the dispensed
coin receptacle 22. Coin sorting and authenticating devices which can perform
the
function of the coin processing module 32 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,299,977,
5,453,047, 5,507379, 5,542,880, 5,865,673, 5,997,395, , Alternatively, other
coins sorters such as a rail sorted can be used to perform the function of the
coin
processing module 32.
The currency processing machine 10 further includes a bank note dispensing
module 34 which is connected via transport mechanism 35 to the bank note
dispenser 20
that is accessible by the user. The bank note dispensing module 34 typically
dispenses
loose bills in response to a request of the user for such bank notes. Also,
the bank note
dispensing module 34 may be configured to dispense strapped notes into the
bank note
dispenser 20 if that is desired. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the user may
select the denomination of the loose or strapped bills dispensed to the user.
The currency processing machine 10 also includes a coin dispensing module 36
which dispenses loose coins to the user via the dispensed coin receptacle 22.
The coin
dispensing module 36 is connected to the dispensed coin receptacle 22 via a
coin tube 37.
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Thus, the user of the currency processing machine 10 has the ability to select
the desired
coin denominations that he or she will receive in response to a transaction.
The coins which have been sorted into their denomination by the coin
processing
module 32 are sent to coin tubes 38 which correspond to each specific
denomination.
The coin tubes 38 lead to a coin receptacle station 40 for each of the
denominations that
are to be sorted and authenticated by the coin processing module 32.
The currency processing machine 10 includes a controller 39 which is coupled
to
each module within the currency processing machine 10 and controls the
interaction
between each module. For example, the controller 39 may review the input
totals from
the funds processing modules 30 and 32 and direct an appropriate funds output
via the
funds dispensing modules 34 and 36. The controller 39 also directs the
operation of the
coin receptacle stations 40 as described below. While not shown, the
controller 39 is also
coupled to the media reader associated with the media reader slot 24 and also
to the
printer at the receipt dispenser 23, if these devices are present on the coin
processing
mechanism 10.
FIG. 3 illustrates one type of coin receptacle station 40 which includes a
coin
distribution device 42 having a primary diverter 44 and two secondary
diverters 46.
Essentially, the coin distribution device 42 has a double-Y configuration such
that coins
which flow from coin tube 38 for a particular denomination can be placed into
four
different coin receptacles 50. The coin receptacles 50 can be of a variety of
types of
common coin receptacles such as a coin bag 52 (either cloth or plastic), a
coin container
54 (which is usually rigid), or a rigid coin cartridge 56 which is useful for
storing stacked
coins. Each of these coin receptacles 50 are attached to the coin distribution
device 42
through a receptacle mounting mechanism 58. These coin receptacle mounting
mechanisms 58 can be of a variety of devices including a pivotal clamp, a
sliding clamp, or
a quick release fastener among others. The purpose of these receptacle
mounting
mechanism 58 is to physically attach the coin receptacles 50 to the coin
distribution device
42 and hold the coin receptacles 50 in place while they are being filled with
coins.
A controller (not shown) for the coin receptacle station 40 moves the
diverters 44,
46a and 46b in response to receiving a communication from the controller 39 of
the
currency processing machine 10 indicating that a switch of the coin flow
between the coin
receptacles 50 is necessary. The controller for the coin receptacle station 40
actuates
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motors or solenoids which moves the primary diverter 44 and or the secondary
diverters
46a and 46b. Accordingly, the motors or solenoids, in conjunction with the
primary
diverter 44 and secondary diverters 46a and 46b, can be used to selectively
distribute the
coins to the appropriate coin receptacles 50. While the coin receptacle
station 40 may
have its own controller as stated, the controller 39 of the currency
processing machine 10
may directly operate the solenoids or motors.
When the currency processing machine 10 is used in a casino environment, the
coin bag 52 which is chosen for an installation within the coin receptacle
stations 40 is of
the type which is commonly referred to as a "hopper fill bag." The hopper fill
bag
contains a known amount of tokens which is used to replenish a slot machine or
other
gaming machine that dispenses some sort of jackpot payout. Accordingly, the
currency
processing machine 10 becomes the source for filled hopper fill bags that are
available to
be deposited in various gaming machines located throughout the casino.
It should also be noted that the number of coin receptacles 50 per coin
station 40
can vary. While four are shown, the number of receptacles 50 can be less than
or more
than four. Further, there may be a need for simply one receptacle 50 at one or
all of the
stations 40. For example, the receptacle 50 may be the hopper fill bag
described above
such that the authorized casino employee simply exchanges the one hopper fill
bag with
an empty hopper fill bag. Also, in casino environments where the use of a
particular
token/coin denomination is more prevalent than other denominations (e.g. $1
tokens), the
coin receptacle station 40 for such a denomination preferably has more coin
receptacles
50 than the other denominations since these receptacles 50 may become filled
at a higher
frequency.
Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the coin processing module 32 only
counts the coins and does not sort them. Or, it may tabulate the value of the
coins that
are processed without sorting them. In either of these situations, the coins
are sent from
the coin processing module 32 to the coin receptacle station 40 as mixed
coins. Because
the coins are not being sorted into denomination, the currency processing
machine 10 only
requires one receptacle station 40 which collects all of the mixed coins.
Thus, the flow of
the mixed coins into a plurality of receptacles 50 at the one coin receptacle
station 40 can
be controlled by the currency processing machine 10 and, as discussed below,
by an
external host system.
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FIG. 4 illustrates in more detail the type of coin receptacle 50 which has
been
referred to as the rigid container 54. The rigid container 54 includes a
housing 60 made
typically of a hard polymeric material or a metal. The housing 60 includes an
opening 62
which is aligned with one of the output apertures of the coin distribution
device 42 shown
5 in FIG. 3. The opening 62 can be closed via a sliding door 64 which moves
along a pair
of guide structures 65 on the sides of the opening 62. The door 64 includes a
locking
structure 66a which mates with a corresponding locking structure on 66b on the
housing
60 to provide security to the rigid coin container 54.
Additionally, the rigid coin container 54 includes a structure which allows it
to be
10 mounted to one of the receptacle mounting mechanisms 58. As shown, the
rigid
container 54 includes a plurality of hook mounts 67 which would mate with
projecting
fingers present on the receptacle mounting mechanism 58 to hold the rigid
container 54 in
place. However, several other mounting mechanisms are available and can be
used on the
rigid container 54. The rigid container 54 preferably includes a handle 68
such that the
operator of the currency processing machine can easily grasp the rigid
container 54 when
manually transporting it.
FIG. 5 illustrates one type of coin cartridge 56 which is useful for storing
stacks of
coins of a particular denomination. The coin cartridge 56 includes an entry
end 70 and a
discharge end 71. The entry end 70 receives coins from the distribution device
42 (FIG.
3) after they have been sent from the coin processing module 32 through the
coin tube 38.
The discharge end 71 is useful when the coin cartridge 56 is removed from the
currency
processing machine 10 and placed in a different machine where the discharge of
coins is
required. For example, after being filled by the currency processing machine
10, the coin
cartridge 56 can then be placed into a common change machine where a bank note
is
deposited and coins of a particular denomination are discharged in response to
the receipt
of the bank note. The discharge end 71 includes a discharge slot 72 through
which coins
are dispensed from the cartridge 56 by moving a plunger type device through
access
region 73.
Preferably, the coin cartridge 56 includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical
coin
recesses 74 which are spaced from each other by a separating structure 76.
This allows
for several stacks of coins of a particular denomination to be held within one
coin
cartridge 56. The coin cartridge 56 may include a cover not shown which is
placed
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adjacent to but spaced from the main body shown in FIG. 5 such that when the
cartridge
56 is full, it can be entirely closed by the cover for transportation.
Alternatively, the
separating structures 76 may be positioned around more than 180 of the coin
stacks so
that the coins are retained therein and only the edges of the coins in the
stacks are visible.
The coin cartridge 56 receives coins from a coin distributor 77 near the entry
end
70. The coin distributor 77 includes a plurality of diverters 78 including a
primary
diverter 78a, two secondary diverters 78b, and four tertiary diverters 78c.
The coin
distributor 77 may also include a stacking mechanism 79 which can be a coin
stacking
shutter/platform as used in a coin wrapping machine to hold coins in a stack
before
wrapping. This ensures that the coins lie within a stack that will fit into
the cylindrical
coin recess 74. Alternatively, the stacking mechanism 79 may simply include a
funnel
device which assists in the coins lying flat as they enter the cylindrical
coin recesses 74.
In a preferred embodiment, the coin cartridge 56 that is filled by the coin
receptacle stations 40 for each denomination is the same type of coin
cartridge that is
used by the coin dispensing module 36 (FIG. 2). When the controller 39 of the
currency
processing machine 10 detects that the coin dispensing module 36 is low in
coins of a
particular denomination, the cartridge 56 from the coin receptacle station 40
within that
currency processing machine 10 can be used to replenish the coin cartridge
within the coin
dispensing module 36. Thus, by providing a coin cartridge 56 that is
compatible with
both the coin dispensing module 36 and the coin receptacle station 40, the
currency
processing machine 10 can recycle coins which are deposited by users.
Further, if the design of the coin cartridge 56 is chosen to be compatible
with the
standard coin cartridges present in various coin-dispensing machines
throughout a casino,
the coin cartridges 56 that are filled within each coin receptacle station 40
can be used for
replenishing an empty coin cartridge in those machines (e.g. a slot machine or
a change
machine). In other words, the currency processing machine 10 would be the
source for
filled coin cartridges to be placed in various machines throughout the casino
that dispense
coins via coin cartridges.
Alternatively, the coin receptacle station 40 may have a coin conveyor that is
positioned in place of one of the coin receptacles 50 that are filled at a
coin receptacle
station 40. The coin conveyor would receive coins from the coin processing
module 32
and directly transport coins of a particular denomination from a coin
receptacle station 40
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to the coin dispensing modules 36 so that coins can be continuously
recirculated between
the coin receptacle station 40 and the coin dispensing modules 36.
Furthermore, each of the coin receptacle stations 40 may include, instead of
one of
the coin receptacles 50, a conveyor system which securely transports coins
from the back
of the currency processing machine 10 to, for example, a casino money room or
bank
vault. Thus, coins may be directly removed from the currency processing
machine 10 as
opposed to being received in the coin receptacles 50. If the currency
processing machine
is used in a casino environment, the conveyor which is coupled to the coin
receptacle
stations 40 may lead directly to an adjacent gaming machine such that the
currency
10 processing machine 10 is used for recycling coins or tokens to that
adjacent gaming
machine.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative coin receptacle station 40 which includes a
carousel 80 having a plurality of apertures 82. Below each aperture 82 is a
coin
receptacle mounting mechanism 83 for mounting a coin receptacle 50. As shown,
the
number of apertures 82 is four for feeding coins into four different coin
receptacles 50. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the four coin receptacles being used are three
coin bags
52 and one rigid coin container 54.
The carousel 80 is mounted to a shaft 84 which is driven by a motor 86. A
bearing support 88 opposes the motor 86 and supports the shaft 84. The center
point of
the carousel 80, where the shaft 84 intersects the carousel 80, is at a fixed
position
relative to the coin tube 38 which is discharging coins of one coin
denomination from the
coin processing module 32. The apertures 82 are positioned on a radius from
the central
point of the carousel 80 that is equal to the distance separating the coin
tube 38 from the
center point of the carousel 80. Thus, as the carousel 80 rotates via the
motor 86, each of
the apertures 82 can be moved directly under the coin tube 38.
The motor 86 is controlled by the controller of the coin receptacle station
40. In
response to the controller for the coin receptacle station 40 receiving a
signal from the
controller 39 for the currency processing machine 10 indicating that the coins
should be
deposited into a different coin receptacle 50, the motor 86 is actuated and
rotates the
carousel 80 so that the desired aperture 82 (and coin receptacle) is placed
under the coin
tube 38. The controller 39 for the currency processing machine 10 sends this
instruction
in response to a preselected number of coins entering a certain coin
receptacle 50, as
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counted by the coin processing module 32, or in response to a demand to fill a
specific
type of coin receptacle 50 (e.g. a need for coin hopper fill bags in a
casino). Alternatively,
the motor 86 can be directly controlled by the controller 39 for the coin
processing
machine 10.
Referring now to FIG. 7, another alternative coin receptacle station 40 is
illustrated which includes a rotatable distribution tube 100 which is attached
to the coin
tube 38 that is coupled to the coin processing module 32. A platform 102 has a
plurality
of apertures 104 through which the coins pass after leaving the rotatable
distribution tube
100. Below each of the apertures 104 is a receptacle mounting structure 106
allowing for
the attachment of the coin receptacles 50, which as shown in FIG. 7, are a
coin bag 52, a
rigid coin container 54, and a coin cartridge 56.
To allow the rotatable distribution tube 100 to rotate around the coin tube
38, a
bearing element 108 is present at the interface of these two tubes. A belt 110
which is
coupled to a rotational driver 112 is also attached to the rotatable
distribution tube 100.
The driver 112 is coupled to a motor 114 which is controlled by the controller
for the coin
receptacle station 40. Alternatively, the motor 114 can be directly controlled
by the
controller 39 of the currency processing machine 10.
The coin tube 3 8 is generally centered over the central point of the platform
102.
The rotatable distribution tube 100 has a radius defined between its entrance
portion
adjacent to the coin tube 38 and its exit portion through which the coins are
discharged.
This radius corresponds substantially to the radius at which each of the
apertures 104 is
placed relative to the central point of the platform 102. Thus, rotation of
the rotatable
distribution tube 100 causes its exit portion to be moved between apertures
104 in
response to the controller 39 of the currency processing machine directing the
coin
receptacle station 40 to change the flow of coins to a particular coin
receptacle 50.
While the invention has been described thus far with three alternative coin
distribution mechanisms within the coin receptacle station 40, other possible
configurations exist as well. For example, the coins may be distributed from a
coin tube
to one receptacle 50 which, after being filled or in response to a demand for
a different
receptacle that must be filled, is physically moved away from the coin tube
and
automatically replaced by the alternate receptacle. Such a configuration can
be
accomplished, for example, by moving the receptacles 50 on a chain and gear
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arrangement. Further, the receptacles 50, once filled, can be transported to a
secondary
transport system which moves the filled receptacles to a desired location
within the
currency processing machine 10 or removes the filled receptacles from the
currency
processing machine 10. Such a secondary transport mechanism may be, for
example, a
conveyer system.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the currency processing machine 10 shown is similar
to
the currency processing machine in FIG. 1 but includes a primary security door
120
leading to a plurality of denominational specific doors 122a-d. The primary
security door
120 includes the primary lock 124a and 124b located on the door and the
housing,
respectively, of the currency processing machine 10. Each of the
denominational specific
security doors 122 also includes a handle 126 and also a lock 128. The
dispensed coin
receptacle 22 which is shown in FIG. 1 as being located in the front of the
coin processing
machine 10 has been moved to the side of the machine as coin receptacle 22' in
FIG. 8.
Alternatively, this dispensed coin receptacle 22 could be placed on the front
of the coin
processing machine 10 as a recess which is adjacent to the coin input
receptacle 14 or the
bank note dispenser 20.
The denomination specific security doors 122 allow for access to a single coin
denomination having coin receptacles 50 which must be exchanged or otherwise
accessed.
Thus, authorized personnel will not have access to the coin receptacles 50 of
the other
denominations while performing functions relative to the coin denomination
requiring
attention.
This security process can be further enhanced by utilization of the media
reader
slot 24 on the currency processing machine 10. Here, the authorized personnel
would
first insert a card to the media reader slot 24 which identifies him or her as
a particular
authorized person. The locks 128 for each denominational specific security
door are
electronically connected to the controller 39 of the currency processing
machine 10.
Thus, after the authorized person has entered his or her card into the media
reader slot 24
and opens a particular denominational specific security door 122, this action
is logged into
the memory of the currency processing machine 10. Accordingly, the currency
processing
machine 10 keeps track of which of the authorized personnel had access to
which
denominational specific security door 122. In a further alternative to this
security system,
each of the coin receptacle mounting structures (e.g. mounting structure 106
in FIG. 7)
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can be electronically connected to the controller 39 for the currency
processing machine
10 such that the activities with respect to each specific coin receptacle 50
within each coin
receptacle stations 40 are monitored.
Referring now to FIGS. 9a-9c, a bag sealing device 140 is illustrated which
5 includes a right crimp arm 142 and a left crimp arm 144. The arms 142 and
144 are
connected at their ends by a hinge 146. As shown best in FIG. 9b, each of the
crimp arms
142 and 144 includes a seal guide surface 148 which is recessed from the
innermost
surface of the respective arms 142 and 144.
Near the hinge 146, the right crimp arm 142 and left crimp arm 144 include
10 apertures 150 and 152, respectively. The aperture 150 provides an entrance
for the
sealing media 162 (e.g. a wire, a tape which includes an internal metal
structure, or tape
with adhesive) into the crimp arms 142 and 144 after the crimp arms 142 and
144 have
been clamped around the coin bag 52 as shown in FIG. 9c. In their clamping
position, the
end of the left crimp arm 144 fits within the guide surface 148 of the right
crimp arm 142.
15 The sealing media 162 moves along the sealing guide surface 148 of the two
arms before
eventually returning to the aperture 152 where it exits from the arms 142 and
144.
The bag sealing device 140 includes a feed mechanism 160 for moving the seal
media 162 through the apertures 152 when the crimp arms 142 and 144 are in
their
crimping position as shown in FIG. 9c. After the leading end of the seal media
162 has
been wrapped around the circumference of the bag 52, the leading and trailing
ends of the
seal media 162 are attached by clamping mechanism 1641ocated adjacent to the
apertures
150 and 152.
To move the crimp arms 142 and 144 to their closed position, at least one
motor
154 is provided which has linkages 156 and 158 attached to the left crimp arm
144 and
right crimp arm 142, respectively. Thus, when the coin receptacle is a coin
bag 52 and a
preselected number of coins has been deposited to the coin bag 52, the coin
receptacle
station 40 has the ability to provide a tamper-proof seal around the mouth of
the bag 52.
Such a bag sealing device 140 would be mounted adjacent to the receptacle
mounting
structure which holds the bag 52.
Alternatively, the sealing device 140 may simply employ a metallic band which
can
be placed around the bag near its mouth and crimped to close the mouth. The
sealing
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device 140 would then require a component that places the band around the bag
52 and
moves the free ends of band toward each other to clamp the bag 52 shut.
Referring now to FIG_ 10, the currency processing machine 10 disclosed is
similar
to that shown in FIG. 2, but includes an additional module. A coin wrapping
module 170
is located below each of the coin receptacle stations 40 and is coupled
thereto by a coin
tube 172. To provide for the coin tube 172 in the alternative embodiments of
the coin
receptacle station 40 shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, one of the coin receptacles
50 may be
simply replaced by the coin tube 172 leading to the coin wrapping module 170.
Thus, in
addition to the currency processing machine 10 being able to select the
desired type of
coin receptacle 50 into which the flow of coins can be directed, the currency
processing
machine 10 includes the option of allowing coins to flow directly into a coin
wrapping
module 170 so that coins can be packaged by a standard wrapping machine. The
coin
wrapping module 170 can be one of many coin wrapping machines known in the art
which includes a hopper into which coins are fed, a stacking station at which
coins are
stacked, and a wrapping station at which coins are wrapped. One such coin
wrapper is
claimed in U.S. Patent No. 5,573,457,;
Referring now to FIG. 11, a host system 200 is coupled to a plurality of
currency
processing machines l0a-lOd. The host system 200 communicates with each
currency
processing machine l0a-lOd to efficiently package the coins of each
denomination in
particular receptacles for further use. For example, in response to a need for
filled coin
cartridges 56 for a particular denomination, the host system 200 sends a
signal to each of
the currency processing machines IOa-lOd to instruct them to begin filling
coin cartridges
56 instead of filling coin bags 52 or rigid containers 54. Alternatively, if a
demand for
hopper fill bags used for filling gaming machines within a casino is
experienced, the host
system 200 may instruct currency processing machines l0a-lOd to fill up their
hopper fill
bags for a particular denomination. Also, the coin processing machines l0a-lOd
send
signals to the host system 200 when coin receptacles 50 are full or when a
fault condition
is encountered.
In effect, the host system 200 provides for a coin management system that
externally controls the filling of the coin receptacles 50 (and possibly the
wrapping of
coins, see FIG. 10). In other words, while the currency processing machine 10
may rely
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on an internal signal to switch receptacles (i.e. when a filled bag is
detected), the host
system 200 controls the filling of coins receptacles 50 in response to
conditions external
to the currency processing machine 10.
Moreover, the host system 200 may link several currency processing machines 10
and provide for the efficient filling and distribution of coin receptacles 50.
This is
beneficial when, for example, after identifying the demand for one casino
hopper fill bag,
the host system 200 determines that two currency processing machines 10 are
near a half
bag level and instructs each currency processing machine 10 to fill each bag
to only the
half-bag level so that the two bags can be combined to fill the gaming machine
with
effectively one hopper fill bag. Thus, the filling of receptacles (or wrapping
of coins, or
flow of coins to a coin conveyer) may be a function of temporal limitations,
demand for a
particular type filled coin receptacle, or demand for a particular number of
coins in one
receptacle that is less than the typical coin fill level.
Moreover, the host system 200 may be connected to an accounting system which
allows the user of the currency processing machine 10 to credit his or her
account after
making a deposit.
Referring now to FIG. 12, the host system 200 in communication with a
plurality
of currency processing machines 10a, I Ob,... lOn, can be further coupled to a
casino
gaming machine network 210 to provide the host system 200 with real time
demands for
particular types of coin receptacles 50. The casino gaming machine network 210
is linked
to various types of gaming machines throughout a casino and receives signals
from each
machine indicating whether the gaming machines are in need of coins of a
particular
denomination to provide, for example, a jackpot payout. When the casino gaming
machine network 210 determines that a specific gaming machine is in need of a
refill of
coins, it sends a signal to the host system 200. Accordingly, knowing the
position of a
gaming machine in need of coins, the host system 200 directs the currency
processing
machine 10 which is nearest to that gaming machine to begin to fill its hopper
fill bags to
provide the replenishment of coins or tokens for that specific gaming machine.
Alternatively, the host system 200 may determine which of the currency
processing machines l0a- l On have such a coin bag 52 available for use to
replenish the
machine and instruct the casino gaming machine network 210 which currency
processing
machines l0a-lOn should be accessed for replenishing the gaming machine in
need of
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coins. To that end, because of the high number of gaming machines present in
the casino
and the constant need to be filling gaming machines which are low in coins,
the host
system 200 can continuously instruct the casino gaming machine network 210 as
to
availability of coin bags within the currency processing machines 10a- l On
located
throughout the casino.
Furthermore, it is possible to incorporate a printer within each currency
processing
machine 10 at each coin receptacle stations 40 to provide explicit
instructions to the
authorized personnel concerning the deployment of the filled receptacle. The
host system
200, after receiving instructions from the casino gaming machine network 210
as to which
of the gaming machines are in need of a refill of coins, then instructs a
specific currency
processing machine 10a-10n to develop a printed tag indicating the
identification number
for the gaming machine that will be replenished by the specific hopper fill
bag. Such a
printed sticker can then be placed along the side of the hopper fill bag such
that the
authorized person who is accessing the machine reads the sticker for
instructions on
which gaming machine to deposit the coin bag. In sum, knowing the relative
positions
between the currency processing machines l0a-lOn and the gaming machines
within the
casino gaming machine network 210, the host system 200 employs basic
algorithms to
determine which of the currency processing machines l0a-lOn nearest the gaming
machine in need of a refill has available hopper fill bags and prints a
sticker to be placed
on the hopper fill bag 52 instructing the authorized personnel to transport
the filled
hopper fill bag to that gaming machine in need of a refill.
The printing of such a label can also be incorporated directly on to a tamper-
proof
security seal which was described generally with reference to FIG. 9. Thus,
the coin bag
52 has a security seal which also identifies the specific gaming machine into
which it
should be placed.
FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c illustrate an embodiment of a coin distribution
network
248 for the currency processing machine 10. The coin distribution network 248
is an
alternative embodiment of the coin processing module 32 and the coin
receptacle station
40 illustrated in FIG. 2. Coins are sorted with a coin processing module 250
and
distributed into an array of coin receptacles 251 disposed below the coin
processing
module 250. The coin receptacles 251 are arranged into six columns 252a-f,
each column
containing 10 rows of coin receptacles 251. The illustrated coin processing
module 250
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contains seven coin exit channels 254a-g sorting up to seven denominations of
coins/tokens. In the illustrated embodiment, coins sorted into six of the exit
channels
254b-g are routed into the coin receptacles 251 while the seventh exit channel
254a is
used to off-sort odd-sized or unwanted coins ("undesirables"). The currency
processing
machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 13a is designed to sort the following coin
denominations:
U. S. nickels, quarters, half-dollars and the one, two, and five dollar casino
token. The
undesirable coins can be routed to a back to a user via the dispensed coin
receptacle 22
(FIG. 1) or into a coin receptacle such as one of the coin receptacles 251
illustrated in
FIG. 13a.
The coin distribution network 248 routes coins from the exit channels 254a-f
of
the coin processing module 250 exit channels 254a-f to the array of coin
receptacles 251
via a network of cooperating tubes 256, rotating coin distribution manifolds
258, and
linear coin distribution manifolds 260-265. The linear coin distribution
manifolds 260-265
channel coins into the individual coin receptacles 251 under the force of
gravity. Each
column of coin receptacles 252a-252f has at least two linear coin distribution
manifolds
disposed thereabove. For example, in the first column of coin receptacles
252a, a first
linear distribution manifold 260a is disposed above the first five rows of
coin receptacles
251 and a second linear distribution manifold 260b is disposed above the last
five rows of
coin receptacles 251. Likewise, linear coin distribution manifolds 261a,b
correspond to
column 252b, linear coin distribution manifolds 262a,b correspond to column
252c, linear
coin distribution manifolds 263a,b correspond to column 252d, linear coin
distribution
manifolds 264a,b correspond to column 252e, and linear coin distribution
manifolds
265a,b,c correspond to column 252f.
Each rotating distribution manifold 258a-d, which are best seen in FIG. 13c,
distributes coins among two different columns of coin receptacles 252a-f. Each
linear
distribution manifold 260-265 distributes coins among the individual coin
receptacles 251
in a single column 252a-f-
The coins exiting exit channels 254b-g are routed to the coin receptacles 251.
Some coin denominations are routed directly from a coin exit channel 254
directly to a
linear coin distribution manifold 260-265 while other coin denominations are
first routed
through one of the rotating coin distribution manifolds 258 and then to a
linear coin
distribution manifold 260-265. In the former instance, for example, coins
sorted via coin
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exit channel 254d are routed directly to the linear coin distribution manifold
265c. In the
later instance, for example, coins sorted via coin exit channe1254b are first
directed into
the rotating coin manifold 258a. The rotating coin manifold 258a can then
distribute the
coins into the coin receptacles 251 located in columns 252a or 252b. In an
alternative
5 embodiment, an exit channel (such as exit channel 254a, for example) can be
routed
directly to an individual coin receptacle 251. In such an embodiment, a tube
256 would
extend directly from the exit channel 254 to the coin receptacle 251. Table I
delineates
the various routes coins exiting from the coin channels 254a-g may travel to
the coin
receptacles 251 in the illustrated embodiment of the currency processing
machine 10.
10 Table 1
Exit Coin Rotating Column Linear Manifold
Channel Denomination Manifold
254a Undesirables None None None
254b U.S. Nickel 258a 252a, 252b 260a, 260b, 261a, 261b
254c U.S. Quarter 258b, 258c 252b, 252c, 261a, 261b, 262a,
252d 262b, 263a, 263b
254d U.S. Half-Dollar None 252f 265c
256e $2 casino token None 252f 265b
256f $1 casino token 258d 252d, 252e 263a, 263b, 264a, 264b
256g $5 casino token None 252f 265a
As can be seen from Table 1, the currency processing machine 10 handles coins
of
the following denominations: U.S. nickels, U.S. quarters, U.S. half-dollars,
$2 casino
tokens, $1 casino tokens, and $5 casino tokens. In alternative embodiments of
the
15 present invention, the coin processing module 250 is designed to handle
other
denominations of coins. Further, the coin exit channels 254a-g, the rotating
coin
manifolds 258a-d, the coin tubes 256, and the linear distribution manifolds
260-265 can be
arranged to route denominations of coins into as few as one coin receptacle
251 or as
many columns 252 of coin receptacles 251 as desired. The particular
arrangement is a
20 function of the nature of the operator's business and the variety of coin
denominations
that the operator encounters on a daily basis. The inventors have found that
the
illustrated embodiment is suited for large casino-type operations. In other
alternative
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embodiments, the currency handling machine 10 can accommodate other coin
denominations including coins from most internationally currencies such as,
for example
the Euro as well as other casino tokens and transit tokens.
The desired mode of operation of the coin distribution network 248 can be
dictated by the operator via an operator interface 259. Essentially, the
operator instructs
the machine 10 which coin receptacles 251 are to be dedicated to which coin
denominations or combination of coin denominations. For example, U.S. quarters
are
sorted out of exit channels 254c and into the second and the third rotating
manifolds
258b, 258c. The second and third rotating manifolds 258b, 258c are capable of
distributing coins among the third, forth, and fifth columns 252b, 252c, 252d
which
include thirty coin receptacles 251. However, the first rotating coin
distribution manifold
258a is cable of distributing nickels in the second column 252b and the forth
rotating coin
distribution manifold 252d is capable of distributing $1 casino tokens in the
fourth
columns 252d. Accordingly, a decision is made as to which of the coin
receptacles 251
within the second column 252 are to be dedicated to nickels or quarters and
which of the
coin receptacles 251 within the forth column 252d are to be dedicated to $1
casino tokens
or quarters. The operator can make this decision and instruct the currency
processing
machine 10 via the operator interface 259 appropriately. Alternatively, an
operator can
select, via the operator interface 259, one of several preprogrammed modes of
operation
which predesignate which coin receptacles 251 are dedicated to which coin
denominations. Further, the operator can designate (or choose a predetermined
designation) the number of coins directed into each individual coin
receptacles 251. The
number of coins directed into each coin receptacle 251 can correspond to a
number which
is useful to the operator such as a "hopper fill bag" number. Alternatively,
the operator
may wish to process as many coins as possible between unloadings and instruct
the
machine to direct the maximum number of coins into a coin receptacle 251 which
the
receptacle 251 can physically hold.
The columns 252a-f have rollers 167 attached thereto allowing each individual
column to easily slide out of the rear of the currency processing machine 10
allowing an
operator to empty the coin receptacles 251. In other alternative embodiments,
the each
individual column slides out of the front of the currency processing machine
10. In the
illustrated embodiment of the columns 252a-f, each of the individual coin
receptacles 251
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are designed to allow rectangular coin bins (not shown) to fit within the
individual coin
receptacles 251. Accordingly, once a column 252 has been pulled out from the
machine
by an operator, the bins can be individually removed from the coin receptacle
251 to
dump the coins therein into a larger coin receptacle. Alternatively, each of
the coin
5 receptacles 251 can be designed to hold coins. Because of the weight
associated with
bulk coins, each of the columns are separable into two sections each having
five coin
receptacles 251, thus giving an operator a more manageable weight with which
to deal.
For example, in FIG. 13b the column 252a comprises two sections 257a and 257b.
Each
of the sections 257a,b can be moved allowing an operator to dump the coins
within the
10 coin receptacles 251 into a larger coin receptacle. Alternatively, the
operator can remove
an entire column having coin receptacles 251 filled with coins and insert
columns having
empty coin receptacles 251.
FIGS. 14a and 14b describe the rotating distribution manifolds 258a-d in
greater
detail. Each rotating distribution manifold 258 contains a coin chute 270
which pivots
within a stationary housing 272. The chute 270 is essentially a large cylinder
with a
groove disposed therein. The chute 270 has an inlet area 274 for receiving
coins from an
exit channel 254 via one or more coin tubes 256. The chute 270 has an outlet
275 which
directs coins flowing down the chute 270, under the force of gravity, to one
of four
apertures 276 in the stationary housing 272. Each aperture 275 is coupled to a
linear
distribution manifold 260-265 via a tube 256. Rotation of the chute 270 among
the four
apertures 276 routes the coins to the different linear distribution manifolds
260-265. A
suitable controller (not shown) is electrically coupled to the coin chute 270
for rotating
the coin chute 270 among the four apertures 276.
Referring to FIG. 15, the linear distribution manifold 260 will be described
in
greater detail. Each of the linear distribution manifolds 260-265 contains an
inlet 280 and
a plurality of outlets 282. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear
distribution manifold
260 has five outlets 282a-e. The linear distribution manifold 260 has a
downwardly
slopping main coin passage 284 having a floor 286 with a plurality of gates
288 disposed
therein. The number of gates 288 in any of the linear coin distribution
manifolds 260-265
is one less than the total number of outlets 282. For example, the illustrated
linear coin
distribution manifold 260 has five outlets 282a-e and therefore, has four
gates 288a-d
disposed therein. Each gate 288 is hingedly coupled to the floor 286. A cam
290 is
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coupled to each of the gates 288 for moving each of the gates 288 between the
open and
the closed position. In alternative embodiments of the present invention,
individual
motors are used to actuate each of the gates 288a-d. Viewing FIG. 15 from left
to right,
the first three gates 288a-c are illustrated in the closed position while the
forth gate 288d
is illustrated in the open. Such an arrangement would cause coins flowing into
the linear
distribution manifold 260 through inlet 280 to flow through outlet 282d and
into the
corresponding coin receptacle 251 disposed below. A suitable controller (not
shown) is
coupled to the linear distribution manifold 260-265 for individually moving
each of the
gates 288 between the open and the closed positions.
FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 illustrate alternative embodiments of the linear
distribution
manifold 260. Referring now to FIG. 16, a linear distribution manifold 300
contains an
inlet 302 and a plurality of outlets 303a-e which are each disposed above
corresponding
coin receptacles 251. A cart 304 slides along a track 306 disposed in the
housing 307 of
the linear distribution manifold 300. Movement is provided to the cart 304 by
two belts
308,310 the first ends of which are coupled to the cart 304. The second end of
each of
the belts is coupled to rollers 312,314. Rotation of the rollers 312,314
causes the cart
304 to be pulled along the track 306. The cart 304 contains an aperture 316 to
allow
coins to pass through the cart 304.
In operation, the rollers 312, 314 are rotated to position the aperture 316 of
the
cart 304 over one of the outlets 303. Coins are directed to the inlet 302 by a
tube 256.
Coins pass through the inlet 302 onto one of the belts 308, 310 disposed below
the
opening. The downward slope of the belts 308, 310 causes coins to travel
toward the cart
304 and through the aperture 316 into the corresponding coin receptacles 251
disposed
below the linear distribution mechanism 300. Specifically, when the cart 304
is positioned
over the left-most outlets 303a,b, the right-most belt 310 directs coins to
the outlets
303a,b. And when the cart 304 is positioned over the right-most outlets
303d,e, the left-
most belt 308 directs coins to the outlets 303d,e.
Referring now to FIG. 17, another alternative embodiment of a linear
distribution
manifold 330 is illustrated. The linear distribution manifold 330 has an inlet
332 and a
plurality of outlets 334a-e which are disposed above corresponding coin
receptacles 251
(FIG. 13a). The manifold 300 contains a chute 336 pivotally attached to a
housing 338 of
the manifold 300 at a first end 340 disposed near the inlet 332. A second end
342 of the
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chute is disposed adjacent the outlets 334a-e. The chute pivots so that coins
entering the
chute at the first end 340 from the inlet 332 can be directed to any one of
the outlets
334a-e.
Referring now to FIG. 18, another alternative embodiment of a linear
distribution
manifold 350 is illustrated. The linear distribution manifold 350 has an inlet
352 and five
outlets 354a-e which are disposed above the coin receptacles 251 (FIG 13a).
The
manifold 350 contains a cart 356 disposed between two movable ramps 358,360
which
channel coins flowing through the inlet 352 to one of the outlets 354a-e. The
cart 356,
which has an aperture 359 disposed therein, essentially acts as a gate which
only provides
access to one of the outlets 354a-e at any given time. The cart 356 is
slidably engaged to
a track 362 which is disposed in a housing 364 of the manifold 350 allowing
the cart to be
movable in the horizontal direction within the manifold 350. Each of the ramps
358,360
have a first end 366a, 368a which is coupled to the cart 356 and a second end
366b, 368b
which is slideably engaged to tracks 370, 372, respectively, disposed within
housing 364.
The ramps 358,360 are designed to move along with the cart 356. The cart 356
has an
aperture 359 disposed therein permitting coins flowing down the ramp 358, 360
to pass
through the cart 356 and into one of the coin receptacles 251.
In the operation of the linear coin manifold 350 illustrated in FIG. 18, coins
are
directed to the inlet 352 via a coin tube 256. Coins flowing through the inlet
352 contact
ramp 360 and are directed downward towards the cart 356 disposed over outlet
354a.
Once the coin receptacle 251 disposed below outlet 354a is filled, the cart
356 is moved
and positioned over the adjacent outlet 354b, for example. Movement of the
cart 356
causes the ramps 358,360 to shift thus directing coins flowing through the
inlet 352 to the
outlet 354b over which the cart 256 is positioned. Specifically, when the cart
356 is
positioned over the left-most outlets 354a,b, the right-most ramp 360 directs
coins to the
outlets 354a,b. And when the cart 356 is positioned over the left-most outlets
354d,e, the
right-most ramp 358 directs coins to the outlets 354d,e.
Referring now to FIG. 19, an alternative embodiment of a five receptacle
section
390 of a coin receptacle column 252 is illustrated. The section 390 contains
five inlets
392a-e corresponding to the five coin collection areas 394a-e. Each coin
collection area
394 contains a bag clip 396 for holding a coin bags (not shown) in the coin
collection area
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394. The section 390 is equipped with rollers 398 allowing the unit to easily
slide into
and out of the currency handing machine 10.
One disadvantage of prior art currency processing machines is the large amount
of
downtime associated with the physical removal of coins from the machine during
which
5 the machine is essentially out of service. When the coin receptacles of a
currency
processing machine become full, an operator must physically remove the coins
from the
currency processing machine. In typical currency processing machines, the
machine is
unable to transact with a user while the operator is unloading the machine
because the
coin receptacles may not be properly positioned within the machine or the
addition of new
10 coins compromises the integrity of the count (aggregate value, number of
coins, etc.) of
the batch of coins being unloaded. The problem is further exasperated by some
prior art
machines which implement a single coin convey track to deliver coins both to
the user and
the operator of the machine. It may be necessary to route coins to a user in
certain
instances such as when the user is changing paper currency or is due change
from a
15 particular transaction. When the coin convey track is busy delivering coins
to an
operator, the machine in unable to transact with a user. The alternative
embodiments of
the coin distribution network for use in conjunction with the currency
processing machine
10 (FIG. 1) which are illustrated in FIGS. 20-22 are directed at eliminating
the
aforementioned downtime associated with some prior art currency processing
machines.
20 FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a coin
distribution
network 400 having a plurality of intermediate coin bins 402a-f which can be
used in
conjunction in the currency processing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The
plurality of
intermediate coin bins 402a-f are disposed below the coin processing module
250. Coins
counted and sorted into individual denominations are routed via tubes 256
(such as those
25 illustrated in FIG. 13a) from the exit channels of the coin processing
module 250 into one
of the plurality of intermediate coin bins 402a-f. The coin processing module
250 initially
counts the coins to determine the aggregate value of the coins deposited by an
individual
user for purposes of that particular transaction. Further, the coin processing
module 250
can keep track of the coin totals (value, number of coins, etc.) over a given
time interval
for quality control purposes. Each intermediate coin bin 402 receives and
holds a single
coin denomination. A coin counter 404 is associated with each intermediate
coin bin 402.
Each coin counter 404 is disposed below each respective intermediate coin bin
402 for
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counting each coin dispensed from the intermediate coin bin 402. The coin
distribution
network 400 has two convey paths, a user convey path 410 and a operator convey
path
412, which transport coins from the counters 404 to the user and the operator,
respectively.
The coin distribution network 400 eliminates the aforementioned downtime
associated with unloading coins from the currency processing machine 10. The
downtime
is eliminated because the intermediate coin bins 402 are able to receive coins
while
dispensing coins to the convey paths 410,412. The counters 404 only count
those coins
which are dispensed to the convey paths 410,412. Accordingly, new coins
directed into
the intermediate coins bins 402 will not affect the batch values for the coins
being
dispensed to the convey paths 410, 412. For example, while coins are being
transported
to an operator via the operator convey path 412, the counters 404 are
separately counting
the coins dispensed to the operator convey path 410 and to the user convey
path 412.
Appropriate value totals are maintained for the coins transported to the
operator.
Additionally, the coin distribution network 400 is able to dispense coins back
to a user via
the user convey path 410 while coins are also being transported to an operator
via
operator convey path 412.
In the illustrated embodiment of the coin distribution network 400, the user
convey path 410 transports coins to a user via the dispensed coin receptacle
22 (also
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Alternatively, the user covey path 410 transports
coins directly
to the coin dispensing module 36 (FIG. 2) to maintain the inventory of coins
within the
coin dispensing module. The operator convey path 412 transports coins to the
operator
via an outlet 414 such as a coin spout. The operator may collect coins flowing
through
the spout 114 with anyone of a number of coin receptacles such as rigid coin
bins or coin
bags. In various alternative embodiments, the number of coins transported to
the
operator can be varied. For example, in one embodiment, the second convey path
delivers the entire contents of an intermediate coin bin 402 to the outlet. In
another
alternative embodiment, delivery of coins to the outlet 414 by the operator
convey path
412 is suspended after a predetermined number of coins (e.g. corresponding to
a "hopper
fill bag") are delivered to the outlet 414. The operator convey path 412
resumes
operation after a momentary pause allowing the operator to switch coin
receptacles or
their switch of coin receptacles is automated. Alternatively, operation is
resumed after
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27
the machine 10 receives input from the operator. In other alternative
embodiments, the
coin counters simultaneously route coins to both the user and the operator
convey paths
410,412 allowing the currency handing machine 10 to deliver coins to a user
via the user
convey path 410 and to an operator via the operator convey path 412. The
counters 404
separately count those coins which are distributed to the user convey path 410
and the
operator convey path 412. In still another alternative embodiment of the
currency
processing machine 10, a plurality of tubes 256 coupled to each of the
counters 404
channel coins directly to a plurality of coin spouts. Each of the plurality of
coin spouts
corresponding to an individual coin denomination.
Referring now to FIG. 21, a physical embodiment of the coin distribution
network
400 (illustrated in FIG. 20) which may be implemented in the currency
processing
machine 10 is illustrated. The sorted coins are routed from the exit channels
254b-g via
tubes 256 (not shown) to the intermediate coin bins 402. The aforementioned
undesirable
coins are off-sorted via exit channel 254a to an off-sort area (not shown). In
one
embodiment of the coin distribution network, the user convey path 410 and the
operator
convey path 412 transport coins to a user and an operator, respectively. In an
alternative
embodiment of the coin distribution network 400, a network of coin tubes 256,
rotating
coin distribution manifolds 258a-d, linear coin distribution manifolds 260-
265, and coin
receptacles 251, such as illustrated in FIG. 13a, are used in conjunction with
the coin
distribution network 400 illustrated in FIG. 20. Such an embodiment would
allow the
currency machine to continuously operate with no downtime associated with
removing
coins from the currency processing machine 10 because only those coins
dispensed from
the intermediate coins bins 402 and directed into the coin receptacles 251
would be
counted by the counters 404 and included in the batch totals for those coins
unloaded
from the currency processing machine 10. The intermediate coin bins 402 are
able to
receive coins while dispensing coins.
Referring now to FIGS. 22a and 22b, an alternative embodiment of a coin
distribution
network 420 implementing a first coin processing module 250 and a second coin
processing module 422 is illustrated. This embodiment also eliminates the
aforementioned downtime associated with removing coins from the currency
processing
machine 10. Coins are first counted and sorted by the first coin processing
module 250 to
determine the value of the coins input to the currency processing machine 10
by a user.
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The exit channels 254b-254g essentially dump into a coin holding area 424
while the exit
channel 254a is reserved for undesirable coins. Coins are then routed to the
second coin
processing module 422 via an outlet 426 where the coins are sorted and
recounted. The
coins exiting the exit channels (not shown) of the second coin processing
module 422 are
then distributed into a plurality of coin receptacles 251 disposed below the
coin handing
device. In one embodiment, a combination of coin tubes 256, rotating coin
distribution
manifolds 258, and linear coin distribution manifolds 260-265 such as those
illustrated in
FIG. 13a may be used to route coins into the plurality of coin receptacles
251. The
embodiment of the coin distribution network 420 illustrated in FIGS. 22a and
22b
alleviates the aforementioned downtime associated with an operator removing
processed
coins from the currency processing machine 10. The coin holding area 424 can
hold coins
received from a user while an operator unloads the coins. In an alternative
embodiment
of the coin distribution 420 having a first and a second coin processing
modules 250, 422,
the two coin convey paths 410, 412 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 are used to route
coins to
a user and an operator. In still another alternative embodiment of the
currency processing
machine 10, a plurality of tubes 256 coupled to each of the exit channels of
the second
coin processing module 422 channel coins directly to a plurality of coin
spouts. Each of
the plurality of coin spouts corresponding to an individual coin denomination.
Referring now to FIGS. 23-27, another alternative embodiment of the currency
processing machine 500 is illustrated. Similar to the embodiment of the
currency
processing machine 420, illustrated in FIGS. 22a and 22b, the currency
processing
machine 500 includes a first coin processing unit 502 and a second coin
processing unit
504. Like the machines illustrated in FIG. 1,2,8, and 10 the currency handing
machine
500 is capable of processing a variety of types of currency and/or funds
including different
types of currency from different counties, different denominations of
currency, casino
script, casino tokens, transit tokens, etc.
Regarding paper currency, the machine 500 includes a bill acceptor 501, a bank
note processing module (not shown), a bank note dispensing module 34 which are
similar
to the bank note receptacle 16, the bank note processing module 30, and the
bank note
dispensing module 34 illustrated in FIG. 2. Additionally, regarding the
dispensing of
coins to a user of the machine 500, the machine 500 includes two coin
dispensing modules
514a and 514b similar to the coin dispensing module 36 illustrated in FIG. 2.
The coin
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dispensing modules 514a,.b hold an independent supply of coins to dispense to
a user of
the machine 500 when necessary. In one embodiment, the coin dispensing modules
514a,b dispense U. S. nickels and U.S. quarters to the user of the currency
processing
machine 500.
Coins are input to the currency handling machine 500 via a coin input hopper
520.
The input hopper 14 is sufficiently large to hold a large amount of coins
(e.g. at least
approximately 1500 U.S. quarters). From the input hopper 14, the coins are
directed to
the first coin processing unit 502 which determines the aggregate value of the
coins input
by the user. The first coin processing unit 502 determines the aggravate value
of the
coins input by the user by first sorting the coins into individual coin
denominations and
then counting the number of coins of each denomination. Alternatively, the
first coin
processing unit 502 is simply a coin counter. Additionally, the first coin
processing unit
502 off-sorts small coins and discriminates the coins input by a user
(discussed below).
The currency processing machine 500 is configured to process specific,
predetermined
coin denominations. For example, in one embodiment, the currency processing
machine
500 is configured to process U.S. nickels, U.S. quarters, U.S. half-dollars,
$2 casino
tokens, $1 casino tokens, and $5 casino tokens. Those coins not processed by
the
currency handling machine 500 are off-sorted (e.g. rejected) by the first coin
processing
unit. Rejected coins can be returned to the user or held within the currency
processing
machine 500.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first coin processing unit 502 is a
rotating coin
sorting system with seven coin exit channels. Six of the exit channels
correspond to the
six coin denominations - U.S. nickels, U.S. quarters, U.S. half-dollars, $2
casino tokens,
$1 casino tokens, and $5 casino tokens - for which the currency processing
machine 500
is configured to process. The seventh coin exit channel off-sorts small coins
(coins having
a small diameter) which the machine 500 is not configured to process such as
U.S.
pennies and U.S. dimes. The first coin processing unit 502 optionally employs
a large
coin reject exit channel to remove undesirable coins having a larger diameter
than the
largest desirable coins. The currency processing machine 500 can be configured
to
process many different coins of a variety of sizes besides those listed
including, but not
limited to, the 50 casino token, 100 casino token, 250 casino token, and 500
casino token.
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The particular configuration of the currency processing machine 500 is
dependant upon
the application of the currency processing machine 500.
In addition to rejecting smaller coins, the first coin processing unit 502
also
discriminates the coins. Discrimination includes verifying the authenticity
and the
5 "quality" of the each of the coins. Those coins determined to be non-genuine
(e.g. slugs)
are rejected along with off-sorted the smaller coins. Additionally, those
coins of
insufficient quality such as damages coins (e.g. bent coins) are also
rejected. Damaged
coins are potentially problematic as they may cause jams within the coin paths
of the
currency processing machine 500. Smaller coins are rejected via the first coin
exit channel
10 (not shown) of the first coin processing unit which has a width that is
larger than the
diameter of the undesirable small coins, but smaller than the diameter of
remaining
desirable coins. Thus, only the smaller coins are capable of being rejected
via the first
coin exit channels. The undesirable coins that are of poor quality or bent are
rejected
through the use of an internal diverter system within the sorting head (not
shown) of the
15 first coin processing unit 502, or though the use of external diverters
outside the sorting
head. In various alternative embodiments, rejected coins are directed back to
the user or
directed to a reject receptacle (not shown) contained within the currency
processing
machine 500. Exemplary coin processing systems which can be used for the first
and
second coin processing units of the illustrated embodiment of the currency
processing
20 machine are described in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Nos. 5,141,443;
5,277,651;
5,299,977; 5,453,047; 5,429,550; 5,480,348; 5,507,379; 5,542,880; and Canadian
Patent
No. 2183739. According to one embodiment of the currency processing machine
500,
the first coin processing unit 502 counts and discriminates at least about
2350 mixed
coins per minute or at least about 4280 U.S. nickels per minute, when
operating at a
25 speed of about 250 revolutions per minute. A typical casino mix of coins is
comprised of
approximately 20% U.S. nickels, 40% U.S. quarters, 10% U.S. half-dollars, 5%
$2 casino
tokens, 20% $1 casino tokens, and 5% $5 casino tokens.
Those coins not rejected by the first coin processing unit 502 flow, under the
force
30 of gravity, from the first coin processing unit 502, into the intermediate
coin bin 526_ The
intermediate coin bin 526 functions as a coin holding area. The intermediate
coin bin 526
is capable of receiving and holding a large volume of coins and then
discharging the coins
ru.r. rr. .++.n... .~. ~. .w....-......'
CA 02358234 2001-10-03
31
held therein at specified times or on the occurrence of specific events that
are discussed
below.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the second coin processing unit 504
is
disposed within the currency processing machine 500 at a greater height than
the first coin
processing unit 502. This arrangement results in a more compact currency
processing
machine 500 because the coin input hopper 14, the first coin processing unit
502, the
intermediate coin bin 526, the second coin processing unit 504, and the coin
bag holders
561-566 are not directly stacked upon one another. The currency processing
machine
500 contains a conveyor mechanism 528 for transporting coins discharged from
the
intermediate coin bin 528 to the second coin processing unit 504. The conveyor
mechanism 528 is inclined to bring the coins discharged from the intermediate
coin bin
528 to the second coin processing unit 504 that is disposed at a higher
elevation. In one
embodiment, the conveyor mechanism 528 has a plurality of paddles (not shown)
attached
thereto. The paddles enable the conveyor mechanism 528 to transport a greater
volume
of coins at a time. The conveyor mechanism 528 is configured to also hold
coins while
not transporting coins so that the operation of the conveyor mechanism 528 can
be
suspended without the coins falling form the conveyor mechanism 528.
The second coin processing unit 504 sorts the coins into individual
denominations
and discharges the coins out of a plurality of exit channels corresponding to
the particular
coin denominations the coin processing machine 500 is configured to process.
The
second coin processing unit 504 of the illustrated embodiment of the currency
processing
machine 500 contains six exit channels (not shown) which are associated with
six coin
tubes 541-546. The six exit channels correspond to U.S. nickels, U.S.
quarters, U.S. half-
dollars, $2 casino tokens, $1 casino tokens, and $5 casino tokens,
respectively. In one
embodiment of the currency processing machine 500, the second coin processing
unit 504
sorts at least about 3300 mixed coins per minute or at least about 6000 U.S.
nickels per
minute, when operated at a speed of at about 350 revolutions per minute. Each
of the six
exit channels has a coin tube 541-546 attached thereto to direct coins to coin
receptacles
(not shown) such as coin bags. Coin bag holders 561-566 are attached to the
outlets of
the coins tubes 541-546. The illustrated embodiment has dual coin bag holders
so that
the left-most coin bag holder, for example, has a first coin bag holder 561 a
and a second
coin bag holder 561b. Such an embodiment may implement a diverter associated
with
CHICAGO 1776790 47171-00277CAPT
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32
each coin tube 541-546 to direct coins into one of the two coin bags attached
to a dual
coin bag holder. Alternatively, the currency processing machine 500 can employ
only one
coin bag holder per exit channel. One exemplary coin bag holder that can be
used in
connection with the illustrated embodiment of the currency handling machine
500 is
described in conunonly-owned WO/00/48911. The inventors have found that
positioning
the bag holders 561-566 at a height of approximately thirty inches form the
ground places
the coin bags at a comfortable working height for the operator of the currency
processing
machine 500.
The operation of the currency processing machine 500, will now be described. A
user inputs a plurality of coins into the input hopper 14_ According to one
embodiment,
the user inputs to the user interface 12 the type of transaction the user
wants to perform.
For example, the user may desire to exchange the user's plurality of coins for
paper
currency. Alternatively, the user may desire to exchange for $1 casino tokens_
Or
alternatively; the user may desire to have his "house account" credited an
amount
equivalent to the aggregate value of his coins_ Once the coins are deposited
into the input
hopper 14, the coins flow, under the force of gravity, to the first coin
processing unit 502
where the aggregate value of the deposited coins is determined. The first coin
processing
unit 502 separates the coins which the machine 500 is adapted to processes
from the
"undesirable" coins. Additionally, the first coin processing unit 502
typically verifies the
authenticity of each of the coins. Those coins determined to be "undesirable"
including
those determined to be non-authentic are directed to the reject chute (not
shown) which
directs the rejected coins back to the user or, alternatively, to a reject bin
(not shown)
disposed within the machine 500.
The "desirable" coins discharged from the first coin processing unit 502 flow,
under the force of gravity, into the intermediate coin bin 526_ According to
the
operator's instructions, coins discharged into the intermediate coin bin 526
are held in the
intermediate coin bin 526 for a period of time until the intermediate coin bin
526 has a
predetermined volume, e.g. 40% full, of coins therein. At that time, either
automatically
or according to the operator's instructions, the coins are discharged from the
intermediate
coin bin 526. Alternatively, coins discharged into the intermediate coin bin
526 are
immediately discharged from the intermediate coin bin 526 to the conveying
mechanism
528. The intermediate coin bin 526 is internally sloped to cause the coins to
flow, under
CA 02358234 2001-10-03
33
the force of gravity, to an outlet (not shown) located at the bottom of the
intermediate
coin bin 526.
The operation of the conveying mechanism 528 and second coin processing unit
504 is started pursuant to a coin unloading procedure. Coins discharged from
the
intermediate coin bin 526 flow, under the force of gravity, from the
intermediate coin bin
526 onto the conveying mechanism 528. The coin conveying mechanism 526
upwardly
transports the coins to the second coin processing unit 502 where the coins
are sorted by
denomination. The sorted coins are discharged out of one of the plurality of
exit channels
and into the bags (not shown) suspended from the bag holders 561-55. The
second coin
processing unit 504 counts the number of coins discharged from each of the
coin exit
channels. After a predetermined number of coins are discharged from one of the
plurality
of coin exit channels, the operation of the second coin processing unit 504
and the
conveying mechanism 528 is suspended. Alternatively, when a dual coin bag
holders are
attached to the coin tubes 541-546, the coins are directed to the second
(empty) coin bag.
According to one embodiment, the predetermined number corresponds to the
desired
number of coins a coin bag is to hold, also called the "hopper fill bag." Once
the bag limit
is reached for any one of the denominations (or the limit is reached in both
bags
corresponding to denomination with a dual bag holder 561) and the operation of
the
second coin processing unit 504 is suspended, a signal is generated to inform
the operator
of the currency processing machine 500 that a bag(s) is full. In alternative
embodiments,
the signal takes the form of an audible signal and/or flashing light (not
shown) disposed
on the machine 500. In other embodiments, the machine 500 is part of a network
of a
plurality of currency processing machines 500 (as in FIGS. 11 or 12, for
example) and the
signal is sent to the host to inform an operator that a filled coin bag needs
replacing. In
still another alternative embodiment, a light such as a light emitting diode
("LED") is
disposed above the coin bag having reached the "hopper fill bag" limit thus
allowing an
operator to quickly identify the filled coin bag.
The currency processing machine 500 having an intermediate coin bin 526
disposed between two coin processing units 502,504 enables the currency
processing
machine to continue transacting with customers while the operator unloads the
filled coin
bags from the machine 500. Transacting with customers includes receiving funds
including coins from a user, dispensing funds including coins from the coin
dispensers
CHICAGO 177679v1 47171-00277CAPT
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514a,b, and otherwise interacting with the user. As illustrated in FIG. 27,
the currency
processing machine 500 includes an operator interface 570 to allow the
operator to
control the operation of the currency processing machine 500. Additionally,
the operator
can access information regarding the currency processing machine 500 via the
interface
570 such as the volume of coins processed including a breakdown by
denomination, the
value of coins processed and breakdowns by denomination, which coin bag is
full, the
estimated time until a coin bag of a particular denomination is filled, etc.
The intermediate
coin bin 526 is able to hold a large amount of coins received from users while
an operator
is unloading the machine 500 or waiting to unload the machine 500. According
to one
embodiment, the intermediate coin bin 526 has a coin storage volume of
approximately
7500 cubic inches which is sufficiently large to hold about 115,000 U.S.
quarters or a
typical casino mix of about 90,000 coins. According to another embodiment, the
intermediate coin bin 526 has a coin storage volume of approximately 8500 to
9000 cubic
inches which is sufficiently large to hold at least 150,000 U.S. quarters.
The illustrated embodiment of the currency processing machine 500 includes two
coin dispensing modules 514a-b which dispense coins to a user from an
independent
supply of coins. Put another way, the coins input by a user are not directly
routed to the
coin dispensing modules 514a-b. However, in alternative embodiments, a portion
of the
coins discharged from the first coin processing unit 502 are recirculated to
replenish the
coin dispensing coin module's 514a-b coin supply. Such an embodiment would
still
enable the machine 500 to continue to transact with users while an operator is
offloading
coins from the machine 500 because coins not recirculated to the dispensers
514a-b are
retained by the intermediate coin bin 526.
According to one mode of operation, the input of coins by the user (e.g. a
casino
patron) to the currency processing machine 500 automatically activates the
operation of
the currency processing machine 500. Coins flowing f'rom the first coin
processing unit
502 into the intermediate coin bin 526 are immediately discharged to the
conveying
mechanism 528 which transports the coins to the second coin processing unit
504 where
the coins are sorted by denomination and directed into the respective coin
bags. The
currency processing machine 500 continues to operate in this manner when coins
are
input to the machine by a user until one of the coin bags is filled. At that
time, the
conveyor mechanism 528 and the second coin processing unit 504 suspend
operation so
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that no further coins are directed into the coin bags. (Alternatively, coins
are directed to
the second coin bag if dual coin bag holder are employed until a predetermined
number of
coins are directed into a second coin bag.) Upon suspension of the operation
of the
conveyor mechanism 528, the discharging of coins from the intermediate coin
bin 526 is
5 suspended so that the intermediate coin bin 526 holds the coins discharged
from the first
coin processing unit 502. A signal is generated to alert the operator of the
currency
processing machine 500 that a coin bag has reached capacity. Meanwhile, the
currency
processing machine 500 continues to be available to transact with customers
despite
having a full coin bag attached thereto. Coins input to the currency
processing machine
10 500 are retained by the intermediate coin bin 526 while one of the coin
bags held by one
of the coin bag holders 561-565 is full. A second audio or visual signal is
generated for a
"bin full" condition indicating that the bin 526 is filled to a predetermined
level, thus,
alerting the operator that the intermediate coin bin 526 will soon be
necessary to service
the machine 500. Additionally, in other embodiments, an additional signal can
be
15 generated to indicate to the operator the estimated time until a bag is
full based upon the
currency rate of coin intake. For example, an average intake of approximately
50 U.S.
quarters per minute over the last ten minutes would indicate that the coin bag
corresponding to U.S. quarters will be filled to capacity in approximately 30
minutes. In
still other embodiments, other audio or visual alarms can alert the operator
to a plurality
20 of error conditions indicating that the currency acceptor is full, the
currency dispensing
module is low or empty, the presence of a coin jam in the coin hopper, the
present of a
coin jam in the first or second coin processing units, the coin dispensing
module is low or
empty, and other errors necessitating service.
The operation of the conveyor mechanism 528 and the second coin processing
25 unit 504 is resumed after the filled coin bag is removed and replaced with
an empty coin
bag (or coin bags in the case of a dual coin bag holder) by the operator.
According to
another mode of operation, coins are retained in the intermediate coin
receptacle 528 until
the coins reach a predetermined level (e.g. 40% capacity) within the
receptacle 528 at
which time the coins are discharged from the coin bin 528 to the conveyor
mechanism
30 528 and the second coin processing unit 504.
To summarize, the currency processing machine 500 uses the intermediate coin
bin 526 to enable the currency processing machine 500 to simultaneously
interact with a
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user and an operator according to at least two different modes of operation.
First, the
intermediate coin bin 528 holds coins until the intermediate coin bin 526
reaches a
predetermined level (e.g. 40% capacity). At that time, the operator is alerted
and coins
(either automatically or in response to operator input) are discharged from
the
intermediate coin receptacle 528, sorted by the second coin processing unit
504, and
discharged into the coin bags until a coin bag is filled. Alternatively, the
attendant is not
alerted until a bag reaches capacity. The operator replaces the filled bag and
monitors the
continued sorting of coins until the intermediate coin bin 528 is drained.
Meanwhile, the
currency processing machine 500 continues to be available to receive new funds
including
coins from a user and the new coins are retained by the intermediate coin bin.
Second,
the currency processing machine 500 can inunediately discharge coins from the
intermediate coin bin 526 upon receipt therein to be sorted by the second coin
processing
unit 504 and then discharged into the coin bags until a coin bag is filled.
Upon the filling
of one of the coin bags, the discharging of coins from the intermediate coin
bin 526 and
the sorting of coin by the second coin processing unit 504 is suspended and
the operator
is notified of the filled coin bag. New coins are retained by the intermediate
coin bin 526.
Alternatively, the operator is not notified upon the filling of a coin bag,
but rather when
one coin bag is filled and the amount of coins in the intermediate coin bib
526 reaches a
predetermined level.
It is necessary for an operator remove coins from the currency processing
machine
500 not only when one of the coin bags has been filled with coins but also to
obtain coins
for other parts of the casino. The removal of coins from prior art currency
processing
machines results in the shut down (e.g. the inability to transact with users)
of those
machines for significant periods of time. Also, prior art machines which
recirculate coins
to the users need to be periodically unloaded because coin deposits into the
machine most
often exceed coin dispenses, resulting in a net accumulation of coins in the
machine. The
currency handing device 500 of the present invention is able to remain in
service during
the unloading of coins from the machine 500 resulting in continuous
availability to the
user while coins are unloaded from the machine 500 by an operator.
Another advantage of the currency processing machine is the small size of the
currency processing machine 500. For example, the currency processing machine
500 is
contained within a housing 580 sixty-four (64) inches wide, fifty-eight (58)
inches high,
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and thirty-two (32) inches deep. According to another embodiment, the housing
580 is
seventy (70) inches wide, fifty-eight (58) inches high, and forty-four (44)
inches deep.
The arrangement of the first and second coin processing units 502,504 and the
intermediate coin bin 526 allows the currency processing machine to have a
relatively
small footprint. The overall height of the machine 500 is reduced because of
the vertical
positioning of the first and second coin processing units 502,504, the
intermediate coin
bin 526, and the coin bag holders 561-566, which are not directly stacked upon
one
another. Rather, the conveyor mechanism 528 upwardly transports the coins from
the
intermediate coin bin 526 to the second coin processing unit 504. The small
footprint of
the currency processing machine 500 uses less floor space in the casino or
other
institution using the machine 500. Additionally, less space floor space is
needed behind
the currency processing machine 500 to remove and replace the filled coin
bags.
One factor contributing to the overall size of the currency processing machine
500
is number of coin denominations the machine 500 is configured to process. A
related
factor is the size of the intermediate coin bin 526. As previously mentioned,
according to
one embodiment, the intermediate coin bin 526 has a coin storage volume of
approximately 7500 cubic inches which is sufficiently large to hold about
115,000 U.S.
quarters or a typical casino mix of about 90,000 coins. According to another
embodiment, the intermediate coin bin 526 has a coin storage volume of
approximately
8500 to 9000 cubic inches which is sufficiently large to hold at least 150,000
U.S.
quarters. The number of coins the machine 500 is configured to process and the
size of
the intermediate coin bin 526 can be varied depending on the particular
application. For
example, the machine 500 can be configured to process only one denomination of
coins
such as U.S. quarters. In such an application, the overall size of the machine
is reduced
because the diameters of the sorting heads of the first and second coin
processing units
502,504 can be deceased and the volume of the intermediate coin bin 526 can be
reduced.
Additionally, the anticipated length of time required to respond to filled
coin bag signal
and replace the filled coin bag influences the size of the intermediate coin
receptacle.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 26 and 27, a front view and a rear view of the
currency processing machine 500 are shown, respectively. The user related
components,
such as the user interface 12 and the coin input hopper 14 for receiving coins
from the
user, are disposed on a front side 582 of the housing 580. The operator
related
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components, such as the operator interface 570 and the coin bag holders 561-
566, are
disposed on a rear side 584 of the housing 580. Accordingly, a user's and an
operator's
interactions with the currency processing machine 500 will not interfere with
each other.
Rather, by disposing the operator related components in the rear 584 of the
machine 500
and the user related components in the front 582 of the machine 500, the user
and
operator are separated from each other.
Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, a coin bag transportation and storage system
600 is shown. In one embodiment, this system 600 can be implemented with a
currency
processing machine 602 having an automatic bag sealing device (not shown in
FIG. 24),
such as the bag sealing device 140 illustrated in FIGS. 9a-c. Once a bag 603
is filled with
the requisite number of coins, the bag is automatically sealed and released
from the coin
bag holding/sealing device of the currency processing machine 602. In one
embodiment,
an identifier such as a tag 604 is attached to the bag upon sealing. The tag
604 can have
printed thereon information concerning the filled coin bag such as (i) total
number of
coins in the bag, (ii) aggregate value of coins in the bag, (iii) the currency
processing
machine filling the bag, (iv) denomination of coins in the bag, and/or (v)
other information
concerning the filled coin bag.
Once the filled coin bags are sealed and tagged, the bags 606 are transported
from
each of the currency processing machines 602 by a transport mechanism 608 such
as a
conveyor belt. In one embodiment, each of the bags 606 are first transported
to a
verification station 610 where the bag 606 is weighed and verified against the
count of the
coins in the bag 606. If the weight of the coins properly matches the number
and value of
the coins in the bag 606 as determined by the currency processing machine 602,
the
transport mechanism 608 delivers the filled coin bag to a storage area 612. If
the weight
of the coins does not properly match the supposed number and value of the
coins as
determined by the currency processing machine 602, the bag 606 is flagged and
transported to a recollection station 614 wherein the coin count is verified.
In one
embodiment, an additional tag or other indicia of verification is attached to
the bag to
display that the number/value of the coins in the bag has been verified. Other
information,
such as the verification station 610 which verified the value/count is
optionally marked on
the additional tag.
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In one embodiment, the storage area 612 simply consists of a storage bin
capable
of holding several filled coins bags. In other alternative embodiments,
referring now to
FIG. 29, the storage area 630 consists of an automatic shelving system 614.
The shelving
system 614 includes several cells 616 each adapted to hold a filled coin bag
606.
According to one embodiment, each of the cells 616 can correspond to a
different coin
denomination. For example, one column of cells 616 may be reserved for $5
casino
tokens. In such an embodiment, a casino attendant can visually inspect the
shelving
system 614 to quickly determine the volume of $5 casino tokens available.
Alternatively,
the cells 632 are filled in an order giving no preference to the denomination
of coins in the
filled coin bag. The overall size of the shelving system 614 depends on the
particular
application requirements. For example, a large casino may benefit from a large
shelving
system having many rows and many columns of cells. A smaller operation, such
as a
smaller casino or smaller bank, may desire a shelving system 614 small enough
to fit
within a modular cart which can be easily moved to other currency processing
machines
602. The overall size of the shelving system 614 can vary with various
alternative
embodiments of the present invention.
The shelving system 614 can also be part of a larger network including many
currency processing machines 602a-c. As each of the cells 616 are filled with
filled coin
bags 606, the host computer can update a listing of the quantity of coins on
hand as well
as the cell 616 within the shelving system 614 in which each filled coin bag
606 is stored.
Therefore, the operator need only access a listing of the host computer to
determine the
quantity of coins available to the operator. Once each of the cells 616 in the
shelving
system 614 have been filled, a signal is generated and sent to the host
computer to notify
the attendant that the cells 616 of the shelving system 614 are full. Because
the
count/value of each of the bags 606 filled with coins have been verified, the
filled coin
bags 606 can be directly used throughout the casino or bank without additional
verification. As is readily apparent, the storage system as described results
in significant
time and manpower savings.
As each of the filled coins bags are transported to the shelving system 614 by
the
transport mechanism 608, a bag positioning device 615 receives the filled coin
bags 606
from the transport mechanism 608 and moves each of the filled coin bags 606 to
an
appropriate cell 616 within the shelving system 614. According to one
embodiment, the
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bag positioning device 615 moves in the horizontal direction along a rail 618
to receive a
filled coin bag 606 from the transport mechanism 608 and to move the bag to
the cell 616
in which the filled coin bag 606 is to be positioned. The bag positioning
device then
extends vertically to position a filled coin bag 606 in the intended cell 616.
5 Alternatively, referring now to FIG. 30, a gravity fed shelving system 630
is
illustrated. The shelving system 630 has a plurality of cells 632 for filled
coin bag storage.
The filled coins bags 606 are transported to the top of the shelving system
630 and then
fall though selected openings (not shown) in the transport mechanism 605
corresponding
to each of the columns of cells 638a-g. Alternatively, a plurality of
diverters (not shown)
10 can move the filled coin bags from the transport mechanisms 608 into a
column of cells
638. In still another alternative embodiment, the length of the transport
mechanism 608 is
varied to deliver the filled coin bags to the top of each column of cells 632.
Each of the
cells 632 includes a corresponding 'L' shaped shelf 634 which is hingedly
connected to
the shelving system 630. Each of the shelves 634 are spring-loaded to maintain
the
15 shelves 634 in the 'L' position as are the shelves of column 638a, as shown
in FIG. 30.
As a filled coin bag 606 falls through each of the columns, the shelves 608
downwardly
rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A. The shelves 634 disposed above
the cells
632 not having the coins bags 606 residing therein are rotated back up in a
direction
opposite the arrow A by a spring member (not shown). The shelves 608 disposed
above
20 the cells 632 having coin bags 606 residing therein are held in the
downward position (as
in column 604) by the weight of the filled coin bag 606 thus creating a
platform 635 for a
coin bag 606 directed into the upwardly adjacent cell 632.
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many
changes may be
25 made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For
example, this invention related to selectively distributing coins can be
employed on
machines which receive only coins, not bank notes, and provides the user with
redemption
for those deposited coins.
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