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System, method and apparatus for repurposing currency

  • US 9,934,640 B2
  • Filed: 06/26/2015
  • Issued: 04/03/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A self-service machine comprising:

  • a controller;

    a coin processing module configured to sort coins and to discharge the sorted coins to a selected output destination including being configured to selectively discharge coins of mixed denominations to a mixed coin bin;

    the mixed coin bin configured to receive and hold mixed coins received from the coin processing module and to selectively discharge mixed coins held thereby, the mixed coin bin comprising a discharge actuator, controlled by the controller, configured to selectively discharge mixed coins from the coin bin;

    at least one secure repurposed coin retrieval area;

    a coin repurposing module configured to package coins received from the coin processing module into a deliverable coin package and to output the deliverable coin package to a designated one of the at least one secure repurposed coin retrieval area; and

    a conveyor system configured to receive mixed coins discharged from the mixed coin bin and securely convey the mixed coins to the coin processing module for reprocessing;

    wherein the controller, responsive to an order for a deliverable coin package received through one or more user-interfaces, causes the mixed coin bin discharge actuator to selectively discharge mixed coins from the coin bin to the conveyor system, causes the conveyor system to securely convey the mixed coins received from the mixed coin bin to the coin processing module, causes the coin processing module to sort the mixed coins, outputting coins corresponding to the order for a deliverable coin package to the coin repurposing module and outputting coins not corresponding to the order for the deliverable coin package back to the mixed coin bin, and continuing these acts until the coin processing module outputs to the coin repurposing module coins corresponding to the order for a deliverable coin package, at which point any remaining coins conveyed by the conveyor system and processed by the coin processing module are directed to be output to the mixed coin bin and the coin repurposing module is caused to prepare the deliverable coin package and to output the deliverable coin package to the designated one of the at least one secure repurposed coin retrieval area.

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