Automatic validating farebox system and method

• US 6,039,164 A
• Filed: 04/13/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agent Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Agent Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Maldanis, Algert J., Waters, Brian G., Stoltz, Gregory E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JAKETIC, BRYAN J
• Application Number:
  US09/059,274
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 194/350, 194/217, 194/200, 194/206, 194/207, 271/180, 271/181, 271/177
• US Class Current: 194/206
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/06 Coin boxes

Abstract

A system and method for providing automatic validation of fares collected is disclosed. An automatic validating farebox, being adapted for mobile use, such as in the cabin of a bus, and to provide convenient access to both patrons and an operator, includes validation mechanisms and circuitry to accept patron payment in both coin and note. All tendered payment is automatically validated as to acceptable tender as well as its value being electronically registered. Accordingly, the operator is freed from validating payment of a fare and may simply confirm that the registered value is the proper amount for the type of fare purchased. The automatic validating farebox also includes mechanisms adapted both to store accepted currency in an efficient manner as well as to present the collected currency in a manner readily acceptable for handling and counting.

Claims

1. A payment validation and accounting system to provide validation of both tendered coins and notes, the system comprising:

means for accepting coins tendered by a patron, the coin accepting means including;

means for receiving a plurality of coins, wherein the plurality of coins received may include coins of different values;

means for singulating the plurality of coins; and

means operable without operator input for determining the validity and value of the received plurality of coins as legal tender, wherein ones of the received plurality of coins determined not to be legal tender are rejected;

means for accepting notes tendered by a patron, the note accepting means including;

means for receiving a plurality of different value notes; and

means operable without operator input for determining the validity and value of the received notes; and

means for controlling the system including;

means for accepting input from an operator associated with the tender by the patron of the valid received plurality of coins and the valid received notes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controlling means further includes:

means operative in conjunction with the coin accepting means and the note accepting means for tallying the values of the valid received plurality of coins and the valid received notes; and

means for displaying the tallied values to the operator.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for interfacing with a component external to the system, wherein information associated with the tender of the valid coins and notes is also accepted from the interfaced component.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for interfacing with a component external to the system, wherein information associated with the tender of the valid coins and notes is delivered to the interfaced component.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for displaying information including the tallied values to the patron.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the information displayed to a patron includes instructional prompts.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the information displayed to a patron includes advertisements.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for securely storing the valid received plurality of coins and the valid received notes.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the operator may access the coin accepting means and the note accepting means to remove coins and notes prior to their passing to the secure storing means.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the coin singulating means includes means for passing coins to be validated no faster than a predetermined maximum rate regardless of the value of particular coins of the received plurality of coins.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the note accepting means further comprises:

means for validating proprietary vouchers.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the displaying means displays information regarding the valid proprietary vouchers.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the note accepting means further comprises:

means for stacking the valid received notes.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the note accepting means further comprises:

means for rejecting notes not received in a proper orientation, wherein the note stacking means operates to stack the valid received notes in a predetermined orientation for automatic counting upon removal from the system.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the operator input accepting means comprises:

means for programming keys for preselected functions of the system.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for communicating information regarding the valid received plurality of coins, the valid received notes, and the operator input associated with the tender of the valid received plurality of coins and the valid received notes to an external processor based system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the communicating means comprises an infrared data link.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the communicating means comprises a radio frequency link.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the radio frequency link comprises a communications radio used for voice communication.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed in a case for mounting in a conveyance.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the conveyance is selected from the group consisting of:

a bus;

a train;

a van; and

a plane.

22. A method for payment validation and accounting to provide validation of both tendered coins and notes, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of individual payments, wherein ones of the individual payments comprise coins and ones of the individual payments comprise notes, wherein the receiving step includes the steps of;

accepting coins tendered including the steps of;

receiving a plurality of coins, wherein the plurality of coins received can include coins of different values;

singulating the coins;

automatically determining the validity of the received coins as legal tender and the value of the valid received coins;

storing the valid received coins in a restricted access vault substantially immediately after the coin validity and value determining step; and

automatically rejecting ones of the received coins determined not to be legal tender; and

accepting notes tendered including the steps of;

receiving a plurality of different value notes;

automatically determining the validity of the received notes as legal tender and the value of the valid received notes;

storing the valid received notes in a restricted access vault substantially immediately after the note validity and value determining step; and

automatically rejecting ones of the received notes determined not to be legal tender.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

displaying a tally of each of the individual payments to an operator separate from a person tendering payment, wherein the displayed tally is a function of the coin value determining step and the note value determining step.

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

accepting information associated with the individual payments from the operator; and

storing information regarding the individual payments and the associated information accepted from the operator in a memory for reconciliation of the received valid coins and received valid notes.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the individual payment receiving step further comprises the step of:

accepting proprietary vouchers including the steps of;

receiving a plurality of different proprietary vouchers;

automatically determining the validity of the received vouchers;

automatically determining an individual payment represented by the valid proprietary voucher; and

rejecting ones of the received proprietary vouchers determined not to be valid.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the note storing step comprises the step of:

stacking the valid received notes.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the note accepting step further comprises:

rejecting notes not received in a proper orientation, wherein the note stacking step stacks the valid received notes in a predetermined orientation for automatic counting.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

programming keys for preselected functions of the system.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

communicating information regarding the individual payments including information regarding valid received plurality of coins, the valid received notes, and the operator input associated with individual payments to a system for reconciliation of the received valid coins and received valid notes.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

automatically releasing a secure panel upon successful communication of the information.

31. An automatic validating farebox system comprising:

electronic controller circuitry;

a note acceptor coupled to the electronic controller circuitry, wherein the note acceptor is adapted to receive a plurality of different value notes, and wherein the note acceptor automatically validates the received notes and determines the value of each validated received note, wherein the value of each validated received note is communicated to the electronic controller circuitry;

a note stacker adapted to receive the accepted notes from the note acceptor and output the accepted notes into a tightly compressed note stack;

a farebox housing incarcerating said electronic controller circuitry, said note acceptor, and said note stacker, wherein said farebox housing is adapted for deployment in a vehicle and presents patron access to a portion of said note acceptor while simultaneously presenting operator access to another portion of said note acceptor.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

a coin acceptor coupled to the electronic controller circuitry, wherein the coin acceptor is adapted to receive a plurality of different value coins, and wherein the coin acceptor automatically validates the received coins and determines the value of each validated received coin, wherein the value of each validated received coin is communicated to the electronic controller circuitry.

33. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a coin singulator adapted to receive a plurality of different value coins and to singulate the received coins for provision to the coin acceptor at a predetermined rate.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the electronic controller circuitry comprises:

a general purpose processor-based system.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the note acceptor is also adapted to receive vouchers, wherein the note acceptor automatically validates the received vouchers.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the note stacker comprises:

a note feed mechanism to transmit accepted notes from the note acceptor to a position in juxtaposition with the tightly compressed note stack; and

a plunger mechanism to compress the transported note into the tightly compressed note stack.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the plunger mechanism includes a note transfer surface adapted to provide mechanical control over the transported note when transitioning from the feed mechanism to the tightly compressed note stack.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein operation of the plunger mechanism is controlled as a function of time from the received accepted note passing a sensor in the feed mechanism.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the feed mechanism includes a sensor operable with the electronic controller circuitry to detect a note feed jam.

40. The system of claim 31, wherein the electronic controller circuitry includes circuitry and an instruction set for communicating information to a data collection device external to the automatic validating farebox system.

41. An automatic validating farebox system comprising:

electronic controller circuitry;

a coin acceptor coupled to the electronic controller circuitry, wherein the coin acceptor is adapted to receive a plurality of different value coins, and wherein the coin acceptor automatically validates the received coins and determines the value of each validated received coin, wherein the value of each validated received coin is communicated to the electronic controller circuitry;

a note acceptor coupled to the electronic controller circuitry, wherein the note acceptor is adapted to receive a plurality of different value notes, and wherein the note acceptor automatically validates the received notes and determines the value of each validated received note, wherein the value of each validated received note is communicated to the electronic controller circuitry; and

a note stacker adapted to receive the accepted notes from the note acceptor and output the accepted notes into a tightly compressed note stack,

a farebox housing incarcerating said electronic controller circuitry, said coin acceptor, said note acceptor, and said note stacker, wherein said farebox housing is adapted for deployment in a vehicle and presents patron access to a portion of said coin acceptor and a portion of said note acceptor while simultaneously presenting operator access to another portion of said coin acceptor and said note acceptor.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the electronic controller circuitry comprises:

a general purpose processor-based system.

43. The system of claim 41, further comprising:

a coin singulator adapted to receive a plurality of different value coins and to singulate the received coins for provision to the coin acceptor at a predetermined rate.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising:

a housing incarcerating the electronic controller circuitry, the coin acceptor, the coin singulator, the note acceptor, and the note stacker, wherein the housing provides secure storage of the accepted received coins and the accepted received notes, and wherein the housing includes an operator access panel to provide field access to the coin singulator and the note acceptor to provide operator access to received coins and received notes prior to their validation by the coin acceptor and note acceptor.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the operator access panel is adapted to allow an operator to clear a jam in the coin singulator and the note acceptor.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the operator access panel includes a sensor coupled to the electronic controller circuitry to communicate information with respect to operator access of the operator access panel.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein the housing comprises:

a note receiving surface to facilitate reception of notes by the note acceptor.

48. The system of claim 41, further comprising:

an operator control unit coupled to the electronic controller circuitry having an operator display and an operator input device, wherein the operator input device includes at least one key which is programmable by the electronic controller circuitry.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein at least one programmable key is programmed to provide selection of a function from the group consisting of:

entry of a type of fare;

entry of a service condition; and

entry of a desired farebox operation.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the operator display displays the value of received accepted coins and received accepted notes.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the note acceptor is also adapted to receive vouchers, wherein the note acceptor automatically validates the received vouchers.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein the electronic controller circuitry includes circuitry and an instruction set for communicating information to a data collection device external to the automatic validating farebox system.

53. An automatic validating farebox for providing automatic validation of coins and notes tendered in payment of a fare without the aid of an operator, the farebox comprising:

a coin system adapted to receive different value coins, wherein the coin system includes a singulator to receive a plurality of coins substantially simultaneously and provide the coins serially for validation, wherein the coin singulator is operator accessible to allow an operator to remove received coins, and wherein the coin system includes a coin validator rejecting invalid coins and determining the value of valid coins, wherein the coin validator is not operator accessible, and wherein the coin system allows valid coins to proceed within the farebox for substantially immediate secure storage without operator input;

a note system adapted to receive different value notes, wherein the note system includes a note validator rejecting invalid notes and determining the value of valid notes, wherein the note validator is accessible to an operator to allow an operator to remove received notes prior to their successful validation, wherein the note system allows valid notes to proceed within the farebox for substantially immediate secure storage without operator input;

a vault coupled to the coin system and to the note system, wherein the vault provides the secure storage of the valid coins and valid notes;

a note stacker coupling the note system with the vault, wherein the note stacker receives valid notes from the note system and causes their tight stacking in the vault; and

an electronic controller coupled to the coin system and the note system, wherein the processor communicates with the coin system and the note system to receive and store information with respect to the value of valid coins and valid notes.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the note validator also rejects notes not having a predetermined orientation and allows only notes having the predetermined orientation to pass in order to allow the note stacker to create a tight stack of notes configured for automated sorting and counting.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the farebox includes a case adapted for disposal in a bus, wherein a receiving chute associated with the coin system and a receiving surface associated with the note system is presented to a bus patron while an access panel allowing the operator access of the coin singulator and the note validator are presented to a bus operator.

56. The system of claim 55, further comprising:

an operator control unit coupled to the electronic controller to allow input regarding the fare, wherein the operator control unit includes keys programmable with selected functions of the farebox.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the operator control unit is mounted on the case.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein the operator control unit is mounted in the bus other than on the case.

59. An automatic validating farebox for providing automatic validation of coins and notes tendered in payment of a fare without the aid of an operator, the farebox comprising:

a coin system adapted to receive different value coins, wherein the coin system includes a coin validator rejecting invalid coins and determining the value of valid coins, wherein the coin validator is not operator accessible, and wherein the coin system allows valid coins to proceed within the farebox for secure storage, and wherein the coin system includes a singulator to receive a plurality of coins substantially simultaneously and provide the coins serially for validation, wherein the coin singulator comprises;

a rotating surface disposed to receive a plurality of coins substantially simultaneously, the rotating surface providing a friction sufficiently great to provide movement of the received coins in the direction of rotation of the rotating surface, wherein the friction is sufficiently small to allow the received coins to travel radially outward across the rotating surface;

a frame disposed above the rotating surface, the frame providing an incarcerating wall surface in combination with the rotating surface defining a coin reception area, wherein the incarcerating wall limits the radially outward travel of the received coins across the rotating surface, and wherein the incarcerating wall provides a substantially smooth surface where the received coins come into contact with the incarcerating wall, and wherein the frame includes bearings disposed thereon rotatably engaging the rotating surface;

a first cylinder having a first diameter disposed to engage coins near the incarcerating wall, wherein a longitudinal surface of the first cylinder is substantially parallel to the rotating surface and is disposed a predetermined distance from the rotating surface, and wherein the first cylinder rotates in a direction opposing the movement of the received coins provided by the rotating surface;

a second cylinder having a second diameter disposed to engage coins near the incarcerating wall, wherein a longitudinal surface of the second cylinder is substantially parallel to the rotating surface and is movably mounted to allow the longitudinal surface of the second cylinder to travel a predetermined range of distances from the rotating surface, and wherein the longitudinal surface of the second cylinder is in mechanical communication with the longitudinal surface of the first cylinder thereby causing the second cylinder to rotate in a direction opposite that of the first cylinder; and

a biasing spring assembly coupled to the second cylinder and providing a first force component to maintain the mechanical communication of the longitudinal surface of the first cylinder and the longitudinal surface of the second cylinder, wherein the biasing spring assembly also provides a second force component encouraging the second cylinder to maintain the longitudinal surface of the second cylinder a minimum possible distance from the rotating surface;

a note system adapted to receive different value notes, wherein the note system includes a note validator rejecting invalid notes and determining the value of valid notes, wherein the note validator is accessible to an operator to allow an operator to remove received notes prior to their successful validation, wherein the note system allows valid notes to proceed within the farebox for secure storage;

a configurable vault coupled to the coin system and to the note system, wherein the vault provides the secure storage of the valid coins and valid notes, wherein the configurable vault comprises;

a case for storing bills and coins, wherein the case includes a bill opening disposed to accept an unfolded planar face of a bill, wherein the case also includes a coin opening;

a bill storage insert having a bill storage opening disposed to accept an unfolded planar face of a bill, a bill receiving surface disposed to receive an unfolded planar face of a bill, a bill retainer disposed at the bill storage opening of the bill storage insert adapted to allow passage of a planar face of a bill when received into the bill storage insert and to retain the bill thereafter, and a biasing mechanism coupled to the bill receiving surface to tightly compress received bills between the bill receiving surface and the bill retainer, wherein the bill storage insert is adapted for insertion into the case and having means for mounting to hold the bill storage opening of the bill storage insert in juxtaposition with the bill opening of the case; and

a bill shutter to close the bill opening of the case, wherein the bill shutter includes a tambour door disposed in a track on the case to allow retraction to open the bill opening of the case and expose the bill storage opening of the bill insert, and a locking mechanism disposed at an end of the tambour door to provide locking of the tambour door when in a closed position;

a note stacker coupling the note system with the configurable vault, wherein the note stacker receives valid notes from the note system and causes their tight stacking in the configurable vault;

an electronic controller coupled to the coin system and the note system, wherein the processor communicates with the coin system and the note system to receive and store information with respect to the value of valid coins and valid notes; and

an operator control unit coupled to the electronic controller to allow input regarding the fare, wherein the operator control unit includes keys programmable with selected functions of the farebox.