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

• US 7,028,827 B1
• Filed: 08/12/1996
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coinstar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Molbak, Jens H., Sun, Vae E.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US08/689,826
• Time in Patent Office: 3,536 Days
• Field of Search: 194/216, 194/346, 194/347, 194/348, 186/52, 453/3, 453/8, 453/17, 235/381, 235/383
• US Class Current: 194/346
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 1/04 Coin chutes
• 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 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted

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

a kiosk;

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

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

means for outputting from said kiosk a voucher for a value related to said total amount, wherein said means for outputting is coupled to said means for determining, and wherein said value is determined only after said means for determining has determined said total amount.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for blowing light material free from the coins and out of the machine.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk is positioned in a grocery store.

4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voucher is redeemable at said non-bank retail location.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voucher is redeemable at a cashier of said non-bank retail location.

6. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voucher is redeemable for a value equal to said total amount less a fee.

7. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voucher is redeemable for cash.

8. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voucher is redeemable for credit towards purchases.

9. A machine for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins, the machine comprising:

a tray for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user;

a coin discriminator configured to receive at least some of said plurality of coins from said tray, said coin discriminator outputting a value related to a total amount of said coins; and

a printer coupled to said coin discriminator, wherein said printer is controlled, in response to said output, to print a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for said value, and wherein said voucher is redeemable in a non-bank retail location in which the machine is located.

10. A machine, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said value is determined only after said discriminator has determined said total amount.

11. A machine, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said machine is located in a grocery store.

12. A machine, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said voucher is redeemable at a cashier of said non-bank retail location.

13. A machine, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said voucher is redeemable for an amount equal to said total amount less a fee.

14. A machine, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said voucher is redeemable for credit towards purchases.

15. 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;

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.

16. 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;

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; and

providing a coin storage area for storing said coins after discriminating.

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

placing a kiosk in a non-bank retail location;

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

automatically determining, in said kiosk, a total amount of said coins; and

outputting, from said kiosk, a voucher for a value related to said total amount.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said value is determined only after said steps of receiving and determining.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

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

20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein said step of exchanging comprises exchanging at said non-bank retail location.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 17, wherein said voucher is redeemable at said non-bank retail location.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising redeeming said voucher at a cashier of said non-bank retail location.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

exchanging said voucher for cash or merchandise having a value equal to said total amount less a fee.

24. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising redeeming said voucher for cash.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising redeeming said voucher for cash at a cashier of said non-bank retail location.

26. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising redeeming said voucher for credit towards purchases.

27. A method, as claimed in claim 17, wherein said step of placing includes placing said kiosk in a grocery store.

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

placing a kiosk in a non-bank retail location, said kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;

receiving from said untrained user in a tray of said kiosk a plurality of randomly oriented coins of arbitrary denomination;

removing, in said kiosk, waste included among said coins;

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

determining a total amount of said coins;

displaying the total amount of said coins; and

outputting from said kiosk, a voucher for a value related to said total amount.

29. A method, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising:

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

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

placing a kiosk in a non-bank retail location;

receiving in a tray a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination and other items from said untrained user, wherein said other items may include paper items;

removing at least some of said other items, including paper items, when paper items are included among said coins received in said tray;

automatically determining a total amount of said coins; and

outputting a voucher from said kiosk for a value related to said total amount.

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

placing a kiosk in a non-bank retail location, said kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;

receiving, in said kiosk, a plurality of randomly oriented coins of arbitrary denominations from said untrained user;

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

determining a total amount of said coins;

outputting a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said steps of receiving and determining;

providing a coin storage area for storing said coins after discriminating; and

automatically outputting a notification when said coin storage area is close to capacity.