Coin counter and voucher dispensing machine and method

• US 7,874,478 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US12/412,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20090178897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/385, 235/383, 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/379
• 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 9/00 Counting coins in combination with coin-sorting G07D3/16; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk
• 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 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 5/24 with change-giving
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• 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 angled downward from the horizontal. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel over a peak structure, 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. The coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of manufacturer coupons.

Claims

1. A coin exchange system comprising:

a first coin counting apparatus positioned in a first publicly accessible area, wherein the first coin counting apparatus includes;

a first coin counting mechanism that receives and counts a first plurality of coins;

a first voucher dispenser that dispenses a first redeemable voucher in exchange for at least a portion of the first plurality of coins;

a first coin receptacle that holds a first quantity of coins including the first plurality of coins; and

a first communication device;

at least a second coin counting apparatus positioned in a second publicly accessible area different than the first publicly accessible area, wherein the second coin counting apparatus includes;

a second coin counting mechanism that receives and counts a second plurality of coins;

a second voucher dispenser that dispenses a second redeemable voucher in exchange for at least a portion of the second plurality of coins;

a second coin receptacle that holds a second quantity of coins including the second plurality of coins; and

a second communication device; and

a central computer operably connectable to the first and second communication devices and located remotely from the first and second coin counting apparatuses, the central computer having a communications facility configured to exchange information with the first communication device relating to the first quantity of coins and with the second communication device relating to the second quantity of coins.

2. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the first publicly accessible area is a first retail location and the second publicly accessible area is a second retail location, wherein the first redeemable voucher is redeemable for at least one of merchandize and service in the first retail location, and the second redeemable voucher is redeemable for at least one of merchandize and service in the second retail location, and wherein the central computer is located remotely from the first and second retail locations.

3. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit information relating to the first quantity of coins held in the first coin receptacle to the communications facility, and wherein the second communication device is configured to transmit information relating to the second quantity of coins held in the second coin receptacle to the communications facility.

4. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit information to the communications facility relating to coins removed from the first coin counting apparatus, and wherein the second communication device is configured to transmit information to the communications facility relating to coins removed from the second coin counting apparatus.

5. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the communications facility is configured to transmit a first request for information relating to the first quantity of coins to the first communication device, and a second request for information relating to the second quantity of coins to the second communication device, and wherein the first communication device is configured to automatically respond to the first request for information and the second communication device is configured to automatically respond to the second request for information.

6. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the central computer is a first remote computer associated with an operator of the first and second coin counting apparatuses, wherein the communications facility is a first communication facility, and wherein the coin exchange system further comprises a second remote computer associated with a coin collection service, wherein the second remote computer includes a second communication facility operably connectable to the first communication facility, and wherein the first communication facility is configured to transmit information to the second communication facility relating to the first and second coin counting apparatuses.

7. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the central computer is a first remote computer associated with an operator of the first and second coin counting apparatuses, wherein the communications facility is a first communication facility, and wherein the coin exchange system further comprises a second remote computer associated with a coin collection service, wherein the second remote computer includes a second communication facility operably connectable to the first communication facility, and wherein the first communication facility is configured to transmit information to the second communication facility relating to the first and second coin counting apparatuses, and wherein the coin collection service responds to the information from the first communication facility by dispatching personnel to the first and second coin counting apparatuses to remove the coins from the first and second coin receptacles.

8. The coin exchange system of claim 1 wherein the central computer is a first remote computer associated with an operator of the first and second coin counting apparatuses, wherein the communications facility is a first communication facility, and wherein the coin exchange system further comprises a second remote computer associated with a coin collection service, wherein the second remote computer includes a second communication facility operably connectable to the first and second communication devices, wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit information to the second communication facility relating to the first coin counting apparatus, wherein the second communication device is configured to transmit information to the second communication facility relating to the second coin counting apparatus, and wherein the coin collection service responds to the information from the first and second communication devices by dispatching personnel to the first and second coin counting apparatuses to remove the coins from the first and second coin receptacles.

9. A coin exchange system comprising:

a first coin counting apparatus positioned in a first publicly accessible area, wherein the first coin counting apparatus includes;

a first coin counting mechanism that receives and counts coins;

a first card reader; and

a first communication device;

at least a second coin counting apparatus positioned in a second publicly accessible area different than the first publicly accessible area, wherein the second coin counting apparatus includes;

a second coin counting mechanism that receives and counts coins;

a second card reader; and

a second communication device; and

a central computer operably connectable to the first and second communication devices and located remotely from the first and second coin counting apparatuses, the central computer having a communications facility configured to receive first card account information from the first communication device and second card account information from the second communication device, wherein the first card account information relates to a first plurality of coins counted by the first coin counting mechanism and a first card read by the first card reader, and wherein the second card account information relates to a second plurality of coins counted by the second coin counting mechanism and a second card read by the second card reader.

10. The coin exchange system of claim 9 wherein the first card reader is configured to read magnetically encoded information associated with the first card account from the first card, and wherein the second card reader is configured to read magnetically encoded information associated with the second card account from the second card.

11. The coin exchange system of claim 9 wherein the first card reader is configured to read magnetically encoded information associated with the first card account from the first card, and wherein the second card reader is configured to read magnetically encoded information associated with the second card account from the second card, and wherein the first card account information includes a first monetary amount to be added to the first card account, and wherein the second card account information includes a second monetary amount to be added to the second card account.

12. The coin exchange system of claim 9 wherein the first coin counting apparatus further includes a first voucher dispenser that dispenses a first redeemable voucher in exchange for a first plurality of coins, and the second coin counting apparatus further includes a second voucher dispenser that dispenses a second redeemable voucher in exchange for a second plurality of coins, wherein the first publicly accessible area is a first retail location and the second publicly accessible area is a second retail location, wherein the first redeemable voucher is redeemable for at least one of merchandize and service in the first retail location, and the second redeemable voucher is redeemable for at least one of merchandize and service in the second retail location.

13. A method of operating a coin counting machine, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of coins of multiple denominations from a consumer, wherein the coin counting machine is positioned in a publicly accessible area;

automatically counting the plurality of coins;

dispensing a redeemable voucher to the user in exchange for at least a portion of the plurality of coins; and

transmitting information from the coin counting machine to a central computer located remotely from the publicly accessible area.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein dispensing a voucher includes dispensing a voucher that is redeemable for at least one of cash and merchandise at a point of sale in the publicly accessible area.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting information from the coin counting machine to a central computer includes transmitting information relating to access to the coin counting machine.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting information from the coin counting machine to a central computer includes transmitting information relating to service of the coin counting machine.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting information from the coin counting machine to a central computer includes transmitting information relating to personnel who accessed the coin counting machine.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving a request for information from a central computer includes receiving a request for information relating to an armored car.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting information from the coin counting machine to a central computer includes transmitting information relating to coins removed from the coin counting machine.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting information from the coin counting machine to the central computer includes transmitting information relating to a money transfer.