Check-actuated control mechanisms – Control mechanism actuated by check – other than coin – which... – Having means to read magnetically encoded check
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-07-17
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Control mechanism actuated by check, other than coin , which...
Having means to read magnetically encoded check
C194S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260686
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic devices for identification and storing of credit values, to be used in stations and/or machines for automatic distribution of goods and/or services, video games, etc., with particular reference to devices for identification of predetermined coins or transponders.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Different types of stations and/or machines for automatic distribution of goods and/or services have heretofore been provided, as featuring a suitable device for identification of coins or for storing a credit value.
A device of this type, e.g. an electronic slot machine, identifies, according to known techniques, the kind of coin introduced therein by the user; if the coin corresponds to one of the models for which the slot machine is used, it is collected, otherwise it is given back to the user.
When the value of the introduced and collected coins reaches the value of a corresponding good and/or service, the electronic slot machine operates the distributor to deliver the article.
It is obvious that the user must have a big number of coins, in relation to the importance of the required service or to the quantity and value of the required goods.
Obviously, this necessity is very inconvenient for the user, who must always be sure to have a big number of coins, which are not always easy to find and which are also heavy and cumbersome.
The electronic slot machines of the stations and/or machines for automatic distribution of goods and/or services can be substituted or integrated by another device which is situated on the machine outer surface for introduction and identification of only electronic means for storing credit values.
The encoded electronic means for credit values storing, e.g. a transponder, are distinguished by an identification code and can be charged up to the credit value desired by the user, upon paying a suitable sum of money.
In this case, after the identification, a suitable device interacts with the transponder, so as to make a credit transition and operate the distributor to deliver the desired article.
However, the application of an additional device for identification of transponders changes the aesthetic look of the outer surface of the stations and/or machines for automatic distribution of goods and/or services, video games stations, etc.
Moreover, the possibility to set up an area on the outer surface of the distributors and beside the slot machines for application of the transponder identification device, must be taken into consideration during the machine design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention was evolved with the general object of providing a device suited to introduction and identification of either predetermined coins or the electronic means of credit value storing.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a device which can be used with the already existing slot machines for identification of coins only by adapting them for the introduction and identification, as well as interaction with transponders.
A further object of the present invention is to propose a device for identification of coins and/or transponders which does not change in any way the aesthetic look of the distributors of goods and/or services, video games stations, etc.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose a device which prevents a user, previously provided with a suitably transponder, from useless waste of time for looking for big number of coins.
Yet further object of the present invention is to propose a device for identification and subsequent encoded storing of credit, which is easy to use for anyone and rapid, reducing the time necessary for obtaining required goods and/or services.
Still a further object of the present invention is to propose a device which not only identifies and interacts with transponders, but also charges them in a rapid and simple way.
The proposed device is obtained by a simple, extremely reliable technical solution, which is also functional and cheap.
The above mentioned objects are obtained, in accordance with the contents of the claims, by means of a device for identification of predetermined coins and/or transponders, the device including:
a case featuring, on its outer surface, a first rectangular slot for introduction of coins and a second rectangular slot for ejection of coins;
a sliding channel and a discharge channel, which are situated in series inside said case and extends downwards from said first slot to said second slot; a control unit;
first detecting means formed by coils and situated on a lateral walls of said sliding channel under the first slot for detecting the passage of predetermined coins, said first detecting means being connected to said control unit;
a baffle, also connected to said control unit, operating in a way to join said sliding channel either with a connecting channel for coins collection or with said discharge channel for coins returning;
said device also including:
second detecting means, connected to said control unit for identifying a code of circular transponders introduced into said first slot and passing through said sliding channel;
means for stopping said transponders, controlled by the control unit, after identification of the transponder code;
means for reading/writing a credit value remaining in the transponder, this reading/writing means being connected to said control unit for operation of said baffle, so as to join said sliding channel with said discharge channel for returning said transponders, or to join said sliding channel with said connecting channel for collecting transponders out of credit.
In accordance to a second embodiment, the stopping means are not mounted and reading/writing operation are performed when the transponder passes close to the reading/writing means.
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Coleman Sudol Sapone P.C.
Ellis Christopher P.
O.T.R. S.r.l.
Sapone William J.
Tran Thuy V.
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