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

• US 6,494,776 B1
• Filed: 11/29/1999
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• 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): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/450,824
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 453/3, 453/4, 453/6, 453/10, 453/32, 194/216, 194/217, 194/218, 377/7, 235/379
• US Class Current: 453/32
• 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 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk
• 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 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 method for automatic counting of coins utilizing remote locations which can be coupled to a central location, the method comprising:

providing a central computer facility;

providing at least first and second automatic coin-counting devices, each including a communications facility which can electronically communicate with the central computer facility;

performing a first transaction including receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins together in a first receiving area and counting at least some of the plurality of coins in each of the automatic coin-counting devices to obtain, in each of the automatic coin-counting devices, at least a first total;

receiving at least a first user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the first user input including an acceptance of the first total in the absence of a selection of a product;

performing a second transaction including receiving and counting a plurality of randomly oriented coins in each of the automatic coin-counting devices to obtain, in each of the automatic coin-counting devices, at least a second total;

transmitting information relating to each of the first and second transactions, from each of the automatic coin-counting devices, to the central computer facility, using the communications facilities, without the need to first transmit the information from one of the automatic coin-counting devices to another automatic coin-counting device; and

outputting at least a first voucher, at each of the automatic coin-counting devices, the voucher for an amount related to an amount of coins counted.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1 wherein the voucher includes an identifier number identifying a transaction.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, further comprising transmitting at least one voucher identifier number to the central computing facility, using the communications facility.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user input is received in the absence of a selection of a first product, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the second user input including an acceptance of the second total in the absence of a selection of a second product.

5. A method for automatic counting of coins utilizing remote locations which can be coupled to a central location, the method comprising:

providing a central computer facility;

providing at least first and second automatic coin-counting devices, each coin-counting device including a communications facility which can electronically communicate with the central computer facility;

performing a first transaction in each of the automatic coin-counting devices which includes receiving and counting coins to obtain at least a first total of at least some of the coins;

receiving a first user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the first user input including an acceptance of the first total in the absence of a selection of a product;

performing a second transaction in each of the plurality of automatic coin-counting devices which includes receiving and counting coins to obtain a second total;

communicating information, including information relating to each of the first and second transactions, to the central computer facility from the automatic coin-counting devices, without the need to first communicate the information from one of the automatic coin-counting devices to another automatic coin-counting device,

wherein information related to the first and second totals is accumulated at each coin-counting device and the accumulated information is then communicated to the central computer from each coin-counting device; and

outputting at least a first voucher, at each of the automatic coin-counting devices, the voucher for an amount related to an amount of coins counted.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information further includes information selected from the group consisting of

data,

changes in types or values of coupons,

information regarding the location of products within a store,

programming,

commands,

statistical information,

accounting information,

information relating to amounts of bank deposits,

information indicating an amount of coins retrieved by a monetary transfer service,

the numbers or value of coins which have been counted,

information relating to armored car transactions,

maintenance information,

information indicating whether a coin receptacle is nearly fill,

notification of maintenance needs,

information regarding status of items to be loaded,

diagnostic information,

times and natures of jams or other malfunctions, and

information relating to accesses to the interior of the coin counting apparatus.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of communicating comprises uploading information from at least one of the automatic coin-counting devices to the central computer facility.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of communicating comprises downloading information from the central computer facility to at least one of the automatic coin-counting devices.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information includes changes in types or values of coupons.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information includes information regarding the location of products within a store.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information includes statistical information.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information includes information relating to amounts of bank deposits.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information includes times and natures of jams of other malfimctions.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein the first user input is received in the absence of a selection of a first product, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the second user input including an acceptance of the second total in the absence of a selection of a second product.

15. A method for automatic counting of coins, the method comprising:

providing at least first and second automatic coin-counting devices, each including a communications facility which can electronically communicate with a data processor;

performing a first transaction in each of the automatic coin-counting devices, including receiving and counting coins, to obtain at least a first total of at least some of the coins;

receiving a first user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the first user input including an acceptance of the first total in the absence of a selection of a product;

performing a second transaction in each of the automatic coin-counting devices, including receiving and counting coins, to obtain a second total;

communicating information, including information relating to each of the first and second transactions, from the automatic coin-counting devices to the data processor, without the need to first communicate the information from one of the automatic coin-counting devices to another automatic coin-counting device,

wherein information related to the first and second totals is accumulated at each coin-counting device and the accumulated information is then communicated to the data processor from each coin-counting device; and

outputting at least a first voucher, at each of the automatic coin-counting devices, the voucher for an amount related to an amount of coins counted.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the communications facility includes a modem.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the communications facility includes a non-modem communications line.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the communications facility includes a serial communications line.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the data processor is a portable computer.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the data processor is a laptop computer.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the first user input is received in the absence of a selection of a first product, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second user input in each of the first and second automatic coin-counting devices, the second user input including an acceptance of the second total in the absence of a selection of a second product.