Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method

• US 5,564,546 A
• Filed: 06/06/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coinstar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Molbak, Jens H., Sun, Vae E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/255,539
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 194/346, 194/347, 194/348, 194/216, 186/52, 453/3, 453/8, 453/17, 235/381, 235/383
• US Class Current: 194/216
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 1/04 dispensing change equal to a sum deposited
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/16 in combination with coin-counting
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers'"'"' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. After sorting, the coins fall into a temporary holding area. At this point the transaction can either be canceled or accepted. If the transaction is canceled, the coins are returned. If the transaction is accepted, the coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of store coupons. Manufacturers'"'"' coupons are dispensed regardless of whether or not the transaction is accepted.

Claims

1. A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of:

providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations

receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denominations;

performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means, after said steps of performing a first step of cleaning and performing a second step of cleaning;

determining a total amount of said coins; and

dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said steps of receiving and determining.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of performing a second step of cleaning comprises the steps of:

blowing any light materials from the coins; and

removing any fluids accompanying the coins after said step of moving.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of performing a second step of cleaning comprises the steps of:

vacuuming any light materials from the coins; and

removing any fluids accompanying the coins after said step of moving.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said coins include currency, tokens, slugs, and damaged and/or irregular coins.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

counting a number of coins within each denomination; and

displaying the value of said coins within each denomination.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of coins deposited.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of the coins deposited less a fee.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of the coins deposited plus a bonus.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

allowing the user to choose to donate to charity in whole or in part the value of said coins;

allowing the user to choose between different charity organizations;

maintaining a record of the value to be donated;

maintaining a record of the charity organization chosen;

dispensing a receipt for the value donated to charity; and

dispensing a cash voucher for the difference between said value related to said total amount and the value of said donation.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

exchanging said voucher for cash or merchandise having a value related to said total amount.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising printing out pertinent transactional information, in addition to said voucher.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing pertinent transactional information, using a computer.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising providing a coin storage area for storing said coins after sorting.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising outputting a notification when said coin storage area is close to capacity.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said value related to said total amount is a value at least equal to said total amount.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein said value can be any monetary value.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising outputting apparatus maintenance reports.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step of maintaining a record of the value to be donated comprises using a computer to record the amount donated.

19. A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of:

providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;

receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;

performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means;

dispensing discount coupons;

determining a total amount of said coins; and

dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher, different from said discount coupons, redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said coupon dispensing step comprises dispensing coupons based on the value of the coins deposited.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said coupon dispensing step comprises dispensing coupons based on the number of coins deposited.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said coupon dispensing step comprises dispensing coupons regardless of the number or value of coins deposited.

23. A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of:

providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;

receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;

performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means;

determining a total amount of said coins;

displaying, in said kiosk, the total amount of said coins;

dispensing, from said kiosk, manufacturers'"'"' coupons;

holding the coins in an intermediate holding area;

returning the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount;

depositing the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount; and

dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount in response to a user input accepting the total amount.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

pivoting the intermediate holding area to return the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount; and

pivoting the intermediate holding area to deposit the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount.

25. An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;

means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user;

means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

means for moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

means, coupled to said second location, for determining a total amount of said coins; and

means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said means for determining has determined said total amount.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for performing said second step of cleaning comprises:

means for blowing any light materials from the coins; and

means, coupled to said means for blowing, for removing any fluids accompanying the coins.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for performing said second step of cleaning comprises:

means for vacuuming any light materials from the coins; and

means, coupled to said means for vacuuming, for removing any fluids accompanying the coins.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said coins include currency, tokens, slugs, and damaged and/or irregular coins.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising:

means for counting a number of coins within each denomination; and

means, coupled to said means for counting, for displaying the value of said coins within each denomination.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of coins deposited.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of the coins deposited less a fee.

32. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said value of said voucher is equal to the value of the coins deposited plus a bonus.

33. An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;

means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user;

means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

means, in said kiosk, for dispensing manufacturers'"'"' coupons;

means, coupled to said means for receiving, for determining a total amount of said coins; and

means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said coupon dispensing means comprises dispensing coupons based on the value of the coins deposited.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said coupon dispensing means comprises dispensing coupons based on the number of coins deposited.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said coupon dispensing means comprises dispensing coupons regardless of the number or value of coins deposited.

37. The apparatus of claim 33 further compromising:

means, coupled to said means for determining, for allowing the user to donate to charity in whole or in part the value of said coins;

means, coupled to said means for allowing the user to donate to charity, for allowing the user to choose between different charity organizations;

means, coupled to said means for allowing the user to choose between different charity organizations, for maintaining a record of the value to be donated;

means, coupled to said means for maintaining a record of the value donated, for maintaining a record of the charity organization chosen;

means, coupled to said means for maintaining a record, for dispensing a receipt for the value donated to charity; and

means, coupled to said means for dispensing a receipt, for dispensing a voucher for the difference between said value related to said total amount and the value of said donation.

38. An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;

means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;

means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;

means for moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;

means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;

means, in said kiosk, for dispensing manufacturers'"'"' coupons;

means, coupled to said means for receiving, for sorting said coins into groups, with each group being one of said denominations;

means, coupled to said means for sorting, for determining a total amount of said coins;

means, coupled to said means for determining, for displaying the total amount of said coins;

means, coupled to said means for sorting, for holding the coins in an intermediate holding area;

means, coupled to said means for holding, for returning the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount;

means, coupled to said means for holding, for depositing the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount; and

means, coupled to said means for discriminating, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising:

means for pivoting the intermediate holding area to return the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount; and

means for pivoting the intermediate holding area to deposit the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount.

40. An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;

a tray, in said kiosk, for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said tray having openings in its bottom for allowing waste to fall through, said tray being movable to move said coins to an output end thereof, such that some waste is separated from said coins through said openings as said coins move to said output end as said tray is moved by said untrained user;

means, separate from and coupled to said tray, for removing additional waste included among said coins;

means, coupled to said means for discriminating, for determining a total amount of said coins;

means, coupled to said means for determining, for displaying the total amount of said coins; and

means for dispensing a voucher from said kiosk redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

41. An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

a tray for receiving;

a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said tray having openings in its bottom for allowing waste to fall through, said tray being moveable to move said coins to an output end thereof such that some waste is separated from said coins through said openings as said coins move to said output end as said tray is moved;

means, separate from said tray, for removing additional waste included among said coins;

means, coupled to said means from removing for determining a total amount of said coins; and

means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.