Apparatuses and methods for dispensing magnetic cards, integrated circuit cards, and other similar items

• US 20030155370A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Winters, Gregory P., Martin, Douglas A., Dean, Scott A., Waechter, Mark L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/123
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/06 for separation from bottom of pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/28 compartmented to receive piles side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/42322 from bottom of the pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2403/46 worm gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/3311 for storing articles horizontally or slightly inclined
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1914 Cards, e.g. telephone, credit and identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 3/24 by pushers engaging the edges of the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 3/44 Simultaneously, alternately, or selectively separating articles from two or more piles
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/103 using mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/045 for sheet shaped or pliable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.

Claims

1. A card dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first card hopper configured to hold a first plurality of cards;

at least a second card hopper configured to hold a second plurality of cards; and

a card carriage selectively movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and at least a second position proximate to the second card hopper, wherein the card carriage is configured to receive at least a first card from the first card hopper when the card carriage is in the first position, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to receive at least a second card from the second card hopper when the card carriage is in the second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a card outlet passage in communication with a card outlet, wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer at least one of the first and second cards to the card outlet passage for transfer to the card outlet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the card carriage is selectively movable to a third position offset from the first and second positions, wherein the apparatus further comprises a card outlet passage in communication with a card outlet, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer at least one of the first and second cards to the card outlet passage for transfer to the card outlet when the card carriage is in the third position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a card outlet passage in communication with a card outlet; and

a card escrow passage in communication with a card escrow bin, wherein the card carriage is configured to optionally transfer at least one of the first and second cards to either the card outlet passage or the card escrow passage.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the card outlet is at least generally accessible to a user of a vending machine when the first and second card hoppers are enclosed within the vending machine, and wherein the card escrow bin is at least generally inaccessible to the user of the vending machine when the first and second card hoppers are enclosed within the vending machine.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a card reader positionable proximate to the card carriage, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from at least one of the first and second cards.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the card reader is configured to read information from a magnetic stripe formed on the at least one of the first and second cards.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a card reader associated with the card carriage, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from at least the first card; and

a card outlet, wherein the card carriage is configured to transfer the first card to the card outlet when the card reader has sufficiently read the information from the first card, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer the first card to a card holding bin when the card reader has insufficiently read the information from the first card.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a card writer associated with the card carriage, wherein the card writer is configured to write information to at least the first card; and

a card outlet, wherein the card carriage is configured to transfer the first card to the card outlet when the card writer has sufficiently written the information to the first card, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer the first card to a card holding bin when the card writer has insufficiently written the information to the first card.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the card carriage includes a carriage body and a card selector movably supported by the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to remove at least the first card from the first card hopper when the card carriage is in the first position, and wherein the card selector is further configured to remove at least the second card from the second card hopper when the card carriage is in the second position.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the card carriage includes:

a carriage body;

a card selector movably supported by the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to remove at least the first card from the first card hopper when the card carriage is in the first position, and wherein the card selector is further configured to remove at least the second card from the second card hopper when the card carriage is in the second position; and

a card ejector positioned toward a distal end of the carriage body, wherein the card ejector is configured to receive the first and second cards from the card selector and eject the first and second cards from the card carriage.

12. An apparatus for dispensing cards, the apparatus comprising:

a first card hopper configured to hold a first plurality of cards;

at least a second card hopper configured to hold a second plurality of cards, the second card hopper being positioned adjacent to the first card hopper;

a card carriage selectively movable parallel to a first axis between a first position and at least a second position, wherein the card carriage is positioned at least generally beneath the first card hopper when the card carriage is in the first position, and wherein the card carriage is positioned at least generally beneath the second card hopper when the card carriage is in the second position, further wherein the card carriage includes a carriage body and a card selector movably supported by the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to remove at least a first card from the first card hopper by moving parallel to a second axis different than the first axis when the card carriage is in the first position, the card selector being further configured to remove at least a second card from the second card hopper by moving parallel to the second axis when the card carriage is in the second position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the card carriage is further movable along the first axis to a third position different than the first and second positions, and wherein the card carriage is configured to dispense the first and second cards when the card carriage is in the third position.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a third card hopper configured to hold a third plurality of cards, the first, second, and third card hoppers being at least generally aligned parallel to the first axis, wherein the card carriage is further movable along the first axis to a third position, wherein the card carriage is positioned at least generally beneath the third card hopper when the card carriage is in the third position, and wherein the card selector is further configured to remove at least a third card from the third card hopper by moving along the second axis when the card carriage is in the third position.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a third card hopper configured to hold a third plurality of cards, the first, second, and third card hoppers being at least generally aligned parallel to the first axis, wherein the card carriage is further movable along the first axis to a third position, wherein the card carriage is positioned at least generally beneath the third card hopper when the card carriage is in the third position, and wherein the card selector is further configured to remove at least a third card from the third card hopper by moving along the second axis when the card carriage is in the third position; and

a card outlet passage in communication with a card outlet, wherein the card carriage is still further movable along the first axis to a fourth position different than the first, second, and third positions, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer the first, second, and third cards to the card outlet passage when the card carriage is in the fourth position.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a card reader associated with the card carriage, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from the first card as the first card is being removed from the first card hopper, and wherein the card reader is further configured to read information from the second card as the second card is being removed from the second card hopper.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a card reader associated with the card carriage, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from at least the first card as the first card is being removed from the first card hopper; and

a card exit sensor attached to a distal end of the card carriage and operably connected to the card selector, the card exit sensor configured to sense the presence of at least the first card on the distal end of the card carriage after the first card has been read by the card reader, the card exit sensor being further configured to transmit an associated signal to the card selector at least temporarily stopping the card selector from advancing the first card on the card carriage.

18. An apparatus for dispensing cards, the apparatus comprising:

at least a first card hopper configured to hold a first plurality of cards; and

a card carriage selectively movable parallel to a first axis between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and at least a second position offset from the first card hopper, wherein the card carriage includes a carriage body and a card selector movably supported by the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to remove at least a first card from the first card hopper by moving parallel to a second axis different than the first axis when the card carriage is in the first position, and wherein the card carriage is configured to dispense the first card when the card carriage is in the second position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first axis is at least generally perpendicular to the second axis.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the card carriage is further movable along the first axis to a third position different than the first and second positions, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a card outlet; and

a card escrow bin, wherein the card carriage is configured to transfer the first card to the card outlet when the card carriage is in the second position, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to transfer the first card to the card escrow bin when the card carriage is in the third position.

21. A carriage assembly for use with a card dispensing apparatus, the card dispensing apparatus having a card hopper configured to hold at least one card, the carriage assembly comprising:

a carriage track extending parallel to a first axis; and

a card carriage movably mounted to the carriage track and configured to move back and forth along the carriage track parallel to the first axis, the card carriage including;

a carriage body; and

a card selector movably supported by the carriage body and configured to remove the least one card from the card hopper by moving the card parallel to a second axis different than the first axis.

22. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the first axis is at least generally perpendicular to the second axis.

23. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the card selector includes a card engagement feature configured to engage an edge of the at least one card to move the card parallel to the second axis and remove the card from the card hopper.

24. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the card selector includes a raised lip configured to engage an edge of the at least one card to move the card parallel to the second axis and remove the card from the card hopper.

25. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the carriage track includes a lead screw positioned in parallel with the first axis, wherein the lead screw threadably engages the card carriage and rotates to move the card carriage parallel to the first axis.

26. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the carriage track includes a first lead screw positioned in parallel with the first axis, wherein the first lead screw threadably engages the card carriage and rotates to move the card carriage parallel to the first axis, wherein the card carriage further includes a second lead screw positioned in parallel with the second axis, wherein the second lead screw threadably engages the card selector and rotates to move the card selector parallel to the second axis.

27. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the card carriage further comprises a card reader carried by the carriage body and configured to read information from a magnetic stripe formed on the at least one card as the card selector moves the at least one card parallel to the second axis.

28. The carriage assembly of claim 21 wherein the card carriage further comprises a card ejector pivotally mounted at least proximate to a distal end of the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to push the at least one card onto the card ejector prior to the card ejector pivoting upwardly to dispense the at least one card from the card carriage.

29. A card dispensing machine comprising:

an enclosure having a card outlet;

a first card hopper positioned within the enclosure, the first card hopper configured to hold a first plurality of cards;

at least a second card hopper positioned within the enclosure, the second card hopper configured to hold a second plurality of cards; and

a card carriage positioned within the enclosure, the card carriage being selectively movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and at least a second position proximate to the second card hopper, wherein the card carriage is configured to receive at least a first card from the first card hopper when the card carriage is in the first position, wherein the card carriage is further configured to receive at least a second card from the second card hopper when the card carriage is in the second position, and wherein the card carriage is still further configured to dispense at least the first card to the card outlet.

30. The card dispensing machine of claim 29 wherein the card carriage is selectively movable parallel to a first axis between the first position and the second position, and wherein the card carriage includes a carriage body and a card selector movably supported by the carriage body, wherein the card selector is configured to remove the first card from the first card hopper by moving parallel to a second axis different than the first axis when the card carriage is in the first position, the card selector being further configured to remove the second card from the second card hopper by moving parallel to the second axis when the card carriage is in the second position.

31. The card dispensing machine of claim 29 wherein the first axis is at least generally perpendicular to the second axis.

32. The card dispensing machine of claim 29 wherein the enclosure further includes a coin-input portion and a user interface, wherein the coin-input portion is configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins from a user, and wherein the user interface includes at least one selector whereby the user can select at least one card from at least one of the first and second card hoppers.

33. The card dispensing machine of claim 29 wherein the card outlet includes a slot formed in an exterior surface of the enclosure at least partially adjacent to the card carriage.

34. The card dispensing machine of claim 29, further comprising a card outlet passage in communication with the card outlet, wherein the card carriage is further configured to dispense at least the first card to the card outlet passage for transfer to the card outlet.

35. The card dispensing machine of claim 29 wherein the card carriage is selectively movable to a third position offset from the first and second positions, wherein the apparatus further comprises a card outlet passage in communication with the card outlet, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to dispense at least the first card to the card outlet passage for transfer to the card outlet when the card carriage is in the third position.

36. The card dispensing machine of claim 29, further comprising:

a card outlet passage in communication with the card outlet; and

a card escrow passage in communication with a card escrow bin positioned within the enclosure, wherein the card carriage is configured to optionally dispense at least the second card to either the card outlet passage or the card escrow passage.

37. The card dispensing machine of claim 29, further comprising a card reader associated with the card carriage, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from at least the first card as the first card is being removed from the first card hopper.

38. A system for dispensing cards, the system comprising:

means for holding a first plurality of cards at a first location;

means for holding a second plurality of cards at a second location different than the first location;

means for receiving at least first and second cards, the first card being received from the first plurality of cards at the first location, the second card being received from the second plurality of cards at the second location; and

means for moving the means for receiving between at least a first position proximate to the first location and a second position proximate to the second location.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for transferring at least the first card to a card outlet.

40. A method for dispensing at least first and second card types from an enclosure, the method comprising:

placing a first plurality of cards of the first type at a first location within the enclosure;

placing a second plurality of cards of the second type at a second location within the enclosure;

providing an accessible card outlet in the enclosure;

providing a movable card carriage within the enclosure;

in response to a first request for a card of the first type;

positioning the card carriage at least proximate to the first location;

receiving a first card from the first location with the card carriage; and

transferring the first card to the card outlet with the card carriage; and

in response to a second request for a card of the second type;

positioning the card carriage at least proximate to the second location;

receiving a second card from the second location with the card carriage; and

transferring the second card to the card outlet with the card carriage.

41. A card dispensing machine comprising:

an enclosure having a card outlet;

a card selector associated with the enclosure and configured to receive a card selection from a user;

a first card hopper positioned within the enclosure, the first card hopper configured to hold a first plurality of cards;

at least a second card hopper positioned within the enclosure, the second card hopper configured to hold a second plurality of cards; and

a movable card carriage positioned within the enclosure, wherein the card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper and transfer the first card to the card outlet when the user selects the first card with the card selector, and wherein the card carriage is further configured to receive a second card from the second card hopper and transfer the second card to the card outlet when the user selects the second card with the card selector.

42. The card dispensing machine of claim 41, further comprising a coin-input region associated with the enclosure and configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins from the user, wherein the plurality of coins is used to at least partially pay for the first card when the user selects the first card with the card selector, and wherein the plurality of coins is used to at least partially pay for the second card when the user selects the second card with the card selector.

43. The card dispensing machine of claim 41, further comprising a card reader associated with the enclosure and configured to read information from a card submitted by the user, wherein the information identifies an account of the user, and wherein funds from the account are used to at least partially pay for the first card when the user selects the first card with the card selector, and wherein the funds from the account are used to at least partially pay for the second card when the user selects the second card with the card selector.