System, method and apparatus for automatically filling a coin cassette

• US 20060054455A1
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Blake, John R., Long, Arthur J., Knoll, Jeffrey G., Kuykendall, Julie L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,523,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 194/217
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted

Abstract

An automated coin tray refilling system includes a plurality of coin reservoirs and a plurality of coin dispensers for regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs. A collector point distribution member is adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin dispensers at one portion thereof and to output the coins at another portion thereof. An interface module having an input end is disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output and includes an output end for dispensing coins. A coin interface tray is adapted to receive at least one coin tray and at least one processor is provided. The interface module and/or coin interface tray includes a drive system configured to move interface module and/or coin interface tray relative to one another.

Claims

1. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

a plurality of coin reservoirs;

a plurality of coin dispensers for regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs;

a collector point distribution member adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin dispensers at one portion thereof and to output the coins at another portion thereof;

an interface module having an input end disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output and having an output end for dispensing coins;

a coin interface tray adapted to receive at least one coin tray; and

at least one processor;

wherein at least one of the interface module and coin interface tray comprises a drive system configured to move a respective one of the interface module and coin interface tray relative to the other one of the interface module and coin interface tray.

2. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 1, wherein each of the interface module and coin interface tray comprises a drive system.

3. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 1, wherein the coin interface tray drive system is configured to move the coin interface tray along a plurality of axes.

4. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 1, wherein the coin interface tray drive system is configured to rotate the coin interface tray.

5. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 1, wherein the interface module comprises a funnel.

6. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

a plurality of coin reservoirs, each coin reservoir adapted to receive a coin of a predetermined denomination;

a plurality of coin dispensers, each coin dispenser regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs;

a collector point distribution member adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin dispensers at one portion thereof and to output the coins at another portion thereof;

an interface module having an input end disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output and having an output end for dispensing coins;

a coin tray disposed adjacent the output end of the interface module, the coin tray having a plurality of coin channels, each coin channel configured to receive a coin of a predetermined denomination; and

a coin reading sensor for sensing the degree to which each of the coin tray coin channels are filled and outputting a signal related thereto;

a processor controller configured to receive said signal output from the coin reading sensor and configured to output a signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs.

7. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 6,

wherein the controller outputs a first signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in an amount that is less than required to fill the coin tray coin channel;

wherein the controller reads the signal output from the coin reading sensor following the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in response to the first signal;

wherein the controller outputs a second signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in an amount sufficient to fill the coin tray coin channel.

8. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal output from the coin reading sensor and output a signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs to fill a coin tray coin channel having a denomination corresponding to that of the associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs.

9. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 6, wherein the interface module comprises a funnel.

10. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

a plurality of coin reservoirs, each coin reservoir adapted to receive a coin of a predetermined denomination;

a plurality of coin dispensers, each coin dispenser regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs;

a collector point distribution member adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin reservoirs at a proximal or intermediate portion thereof and to output the coins at an output end thereof;

an interface module having an input end disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output end and having an output end for dispensing coins;

a coin tray disposed adjacent the output end of the interface module, the coin tray having a plurality of coin channels, each coin channel configured to receive a coin of a predetermined denomination; and

a controller configured output a signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense a predetermined number of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs to fill a coin channel of the coin tray.

11. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured sequentially output a signal to each of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense a predetermined number of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs to sequentially fill a plurality of coin channels of the coin tray.

12. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 10, wherein the interface module comprises a funnel.

13. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

a coin reservoir adapted to receive a coin of a predetermined denomination;

a coin dispenser to regulate dispensing of coins from the coin reservoir;

a collector point distribution member adapted to receive coins from the coin reservoir at a proximal or intermediate portion thereof and to output the coins at an output end thereof;

an interface module having an input end disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output end and having an output end for dispensing coins;

a coin tray disposed adjacent the output end of the interface module, the coin tray having at least one coin channel configured to receive a coin of the predetermined denomination; and

a coin reading sensor for sensing the degree to which the at least one coin tray coin channel is filled and outputting a signal related thereto;

a controller configured to receive said signal output from the coin reading sensor and configured to output a signal to the coin dispenser to cause the coin dispenser to dispense a number of coins from the coin reservoir sufficient to fill the at least one coin tray coin channel.

14. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 13,

wherein the coin tray comprises a plurality of coin channels configured to receive a coin of the predetermined denomination, and

wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal output from the coin reading sensor and is configured to sequentially output signals to the coin dispenser to cause the coin dispenser to dispense a number of coins from the coin reservoir sufficient to sequentially fill a plurality of coin tray coin channels.

15. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

a coin reservoir;

a coin dispenser including a dispensing mechanism to regulate the dispensing of coins from the coin reservoir;

a collector point distribution member adapted to receive coins from the coin dispenser at one portion and to output the coins another portion thereof;

an interface module having an input end disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output end and having an output end for dispensing coins;

a coin tray disposed adjacent the output end of the interface module;

a coin reading sensor configured to sense the level of coins in the coin tray and output a signal related thereto;

a controller configured to receive said signal output from the coin reading sensor and configured to output a signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs.

16. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 15,

wherein the controller outputs a first signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in an amount that is less than required to fill the coin tray coin channel;

wherein the controller reads the signal output from the coin reading sensor following the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in response to the first signal;

wherein the controller outputs a second signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs in an amount sufficient to fill the coin tray coin channel.

17. An automated coin tray refilling system according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal output from the coin reading sensor and output a signal to a respective one of the plurality of coin dispensers to cause that coin dispenser to dispense coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs to fill a coin tray coin channel having a denomination corresponding to that of the associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs.

18. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

an interface module having an input end adapted to receive coins from a coin source and a variably configurable output end, the variably configurable output end including at least one movable member to adjust a configuration of the output end, for dispensing coins; and

a coin interface tray adapted to receive at least one coin tray of a predetermined plurality of coin trays;

wherein the interface module movable member is adjustable to facilitate coin placement within any one of said predetermined plurality of coin trays.

19. An automated coin tray refilling system comprising:

an interface module having an input end adapted to receive coins from a coin source and an output end for dispensing coins; and

a coin interface tray adapted to receive at least one coin tray;

at least one processor;

wherein at least one of the interface module and coin interface tray comprises a drive system operatively associated with the processor and configured to move a respective one of the interface module and coin interface tray relative to the other one of the interface module and coin interface tray.

20. A method for automatic filling of a coin receptacle comprising the steps of:

providing an automated coin dispenser comprising a coin source and an outlet;

providing a coin receptacle adjacent the automated coin dispenser outlet;

activating the automated coin dispenser.

21. A method for automatic filling of a coin receptacle comprising the steps of:

providing an automated coin dispenser comprising an interface module having an input end adapted to receive coins from a coin source and an output end for dispensing coins, a coin receiving area adapted to receive at least one coin receptacle, and at least one processor, wherein at least one of the interface module and receiving area comprises a drive system operatively associated with the processor and configured to move a respective one of the interface module and coin receiving area relative to the other one of the interface module and coin receiving area;

disposing a coin receptacle in the coin receiving area;

activating the automated coin dispenser.