Coin counter and voucher dispensing machine and method
First Claim
1. A method of exchanging coins, the method comprising:
- positioning a coin counting kiosk in a publicly accessible area of a supermarket;
receiving, at the coin counting kiosk, a plurality of coins of multiple denominations;
counting the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the coins;
dispensing a voucher from the coin counting kiosk, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a point of sale in the supermarket for an amount equal to the total value of the coins less a fee; and
communicating status information from the coin counting kiosk to a central computer located outside of the supermarket.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for exchanging coins are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of exchanging coins includes positioning a coin counting kiosk in a publicly-accessible area of a supermarket, and receiving a plurality of coins of multiple denominations at the coin counting kiosk. The method of this embodiment further includes counting the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the coins, and dispensing a voucher from the coin counting kiosk. The voucher can be redeemed at a point of sale in the supermarket for an amount related to the total value of the coins. The method of this embodiment additionally includes communicating status information from the coin counting kiosk to a central computer located outside of the supermarket.
301 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A method of exchanging coins, the method comprising:
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positioning a coin counting kiosk in a publicly accessible area of a supermarket; receiving, at the coin counting kiosk, a plurality of coins of multiple denominations; counting the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the coins; dispensing a voucher from the coin counting kiosk, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a point of sale in the supermarket for an amount equal to the total value of the coins less a fee; and communicating status information from the coin counting kiosk to a central computer located outside of the supermarket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of exchanging coins for cash, the method comprising:
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positioning a first coin counting kiosk in a publicly accessible area of a first supermarket; positioning a second coin counting kiosk in a publicly accessible area of a second supermarket; communicatively coupling the first and second coin counting kiosks to a central computer located remotely from the first and second supermarkets; receiving, at the first coin counting kiosk, a plurality of coins of multiple denominations; counting the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the coins; dispensing a voucher from the first coin counting kiosk, wherein the voucher is redeemable for an amount equal to or less than the total value of the coins; and communicating status information from the first coin counting kiosk to the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A coin exchange system comprising:
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a central computer; and a coin counting apparatus positioned in a publicly accessible area of a retail store, wherein the retail store is located remotely from the central computer, and wherein the coin counting apparatus includes; a coin transfer tray; a coin counting mechanism that receives coins from the coin transfer tray and counts the coins to determine a total; a voucher dispenser that dispenses a voucher in exchange for the coins, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a cashier location in the retail store for an amount equal to or less than the total of the coins; and a communications facility operably coupled to the central computer, wherein the communications facility communicates status information from the coin counting apparatus to the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A method of exchanging coins, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a coin counting kiosk operated by a first company, a plurality of coins of multiple denominations, wherein the coin counting kiosk is positioned in a publicly accessible area of a supermarket operated by a second company, and wherein the coin counting kiosk is communicatively coupled to a central computer located remotely from the supermarket; counting the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the coins; dispensing a voucher from the coin counting kiosk, wherein the voucher is redeemable in the supermarket for a cash amount equal to the total value of the coins less a fee; and communicating status information from the coin counting kiosk to the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
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62. A coin exchange system comprising:
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a central computer; and a coin counting apparatus positioned in a publicly accessible area of a retail store, wherein the coin counting apparatus is owned by a coin exchange system operating company and the retail store is owned by a different company, wherein the central computer is located remotely from the retail store, and wherein the coin counting apparatus includes; a coin transfer tray; a coin counting mechanism that receives coins from the coin transfer tray and counts the coins to determine a total; a voucher dispenser that dispenses a voucher in exchange for the coins, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a cashier location in the retail store for an amount equal to the total of the coins less a fee; and a communications facility operably coupled to the central computer, wherein the communications facility communicates status information from the coin counting apparatus to the central computer.
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Specification