Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including specific check passageway
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-08
2001-09-04
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including specific check passageway
C194S350000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283268
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a bezel having at least one aperture to receive two or more forms of money, wherein the face of the bezel fits through an industry-standard size opening in the front panel of an automatic transaction machine. The opening formerly has been reserved for accommodating a bill validator only. For example, a bezel according to the invention may have one or more apertures to accept banknotes and coins, or banknotes and credit cards, or some other combination. Consequently, a bill validator and a coin validator, or a bill validator and a card reader, or some other combination of money acceptance means connect to the rear of the bezel.
Prior art candy vending machines typically accepted only coins as payment for a vend item. In contrast, modern day vending machines and other automatic transaction systems may contain a coin slot for depositing coins, a bill entryway for inserting paper currency, and a card reader opening for inserting a debit or credit card. The new payment modes have been added to vending machines over time as vending items became more expensive, and as the technology for reliable bill validators and card readers developed.
Customarily, a bezel for each form of payment having an insertion slot or opening has been attached to the front panel of a vending machine. For example, payment acceptance devices for coins, bills, tokens and cards each are connected to a bezel, and the three bezels are located on the right side of the front panel. This area is usually referred to as the control panel. However, as new forms of payment acceptance devices have been retrofit to existing machines, it has become more difficult to attach them to the control panel because the amount of space available is finite, and because of internal component space restrictions. Thus, some vending machines have bezels with money insertion slots located in areas other than the control panel. Consequently, one type of vending machine may differ from another by having bezels connected in different designated areas for payment, by accepting different forms of payment, and further may be marked in an entirely different manner. Since no standard configuration exists for accepting payment, consumers are often confused when it comes to the method and types of acceptable payments to enable a vend. Such non-uniformity may frustrate a customer, resulting in lost profits by the automatic transaction machine owners. Consequently, a need exists for a standard size bezel that can accommodate two or more money acceptance means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention concerns a bezel for attachment to the front panel of an automatic transaction machine having at least two apertures for accepting different forms of payment. In particular, the face of a bezel fits through an industry-standard size bill entryway opening in the front panel, and has two or more apertures for accepting money. A base plate connected to the face has connection means for attachment to the front panel or frame of a vending machine. A bill validator, a coin validator and/or a card reader may attach to the base plate of the bezel. In addition, the bezel may also contain a coin reject button. Consequently, a bezel according to the invention advantageously permits a consumer to quickly determine exactly what types of payment are acceptable to procure a vend item.
Another embodiment of the invention pertains to a bezel for an automatic transaction machine, such as a gaming machine, vending machine, pay telephone or the like, that has a face with one aperture for accepting at least two forms of payment. In particular, the face of the bezel fits through an industry-standard size opening in a panel of the automatic transaction machine. A bill validator, a coin validator, a card reader or other payment acceptance means may attach to the rear of the bezel, depending on transaction machine requirements. A base plate may be connected to the face for attachment to the front panel.
The bezel permits the utilization of a single liquid diverting tray anti-fraud component because the apertures are clustered in one area, and in the case of the second embodiment there is only one aperture. The liquid diverting tray may be attached to the base plate, and functions to limit the damage that may occur from the introduction of fluids through the aperture or apertures.
In addition, one or more connectors may be attached to the base plate on the rear of the bezel, for guiding the wires from the money acceptance means. Alternately, a universal connector may be used to facilitate the connections of the money acceptance components.
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Fletcher Paul R.
Mars Frank
Bartuska F. J.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Mars Incorporated
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