Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including value accumulator for plural checks – Having solid state circuitry
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-11-20
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 2167)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including value accumulator for plural checks
Having solid state circuitry
C194S347000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318536
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to coin machines, and more particularly, to coin counting machines with multi-transactional capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Convenience transactional machines operable directly by end users exist in a variety of forms. There are, for example, ATMs (automatic or automated teller machines) which dispense money, thereby avoiding the lines common in banks, and also providing access to funds in a multitude of locations and after normal banking hours.
Coin counting machines are also commonplace. Many of these machines require an experienced operator and are not geared for use by the end user. Those machines operable by the end user generally provide the user with a voucher redeemable for cash or merchandise. The end user must then wait in line, and perhaps even travel to a different location, to redeem the voucher for cash or merchandise.
Telephone operated machines which sell movie or event tickets with credit card payments and remote ticket pick up are also known. There are a variety of machines which, by way of example, dispense stamps, tickets, coupons, money orders, bank transactions or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,967 by Smith discloses an exemplary money order dispensing machine. Although it offers convenience with a quick and efficient method for dispensing money orders, this machine is meant to be operated by a system operator, not the end user or customer, and therefore does not require the capability to receive money. The '967 device is intended for clerks, not end users; it is merely dispensing money orders, and not actually transacting the sale. (The sale is a separate transaction, where the clerk receives the money from a customer.)
Similarly, there are machines that dispense lottery tickets, but again, they are meant to be operated by a system operator, not a customer, and therefore do not require the capability to receive money.
Although the conventional transactional machines all provide a limited level of convenience, they do not provide an integrated array of services directly to the end user. In addition to being single function machines, those machines presently available generally require an attendant to receive money and operate the machine, and are not independently operable by the end user. Coin machines presently do not offer financial transactions in exchange for coins. Convenience machines currently available generally do not offer the convenience of multiple transactions, do not offer the convenience of multiple payment sources, and do not offer the convenience of self service by the user. Bill paying services generally available are through a subscription, or an automatic withdrawal from a bank account. Further, it is well recognized and appreciated that there is a shortage of personnel necessary to provide a full complement of retail service employees.
Therefore, what is needed is a self-contained user-operable coin machine with multi-transactional capability. Preferably, such a coin counting machine would not be limited to coin transactions, but rather would be capable of accepting currency, debit cards, credit cards, smart cards, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an integrated financial transaction terminal that satisfies this need by allowing the user to perform a variety of transactions, from paying bills to making purchases, utilizing a variety of payment means, including coins, currency, credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, and the like.
There is, therefore, provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a coin machine that includes a coin hopper with a container for coins, and a feed for feeding the coins in the container to a coin discriminator sensor. A controller calculates the monetary value of the coins in response to the coin discriminator sensor. Preferably, a transport device is provided for transporting the coins from a user to the container at a controlled flow rate, the flow rate being a function of the quantity of coins in the container. An exemplary transport device is a conveyer belt. It is also desirable that the controller cause the container to dispense debris after all the coins have been extracted from the container by the feed. In a preferred embodiment, the feed includes a moveable backplate bias toward the container and a circular disc rotatably mounted to the moveable backplate. In this embodiment, the controller causes the container to dispense the debris by moving the moveable backplate away from the container.
Multi-transactional capability with a coin machine is achieved with a coin counter for receiving coins from a user, and a coin discriminator for discriminating denominations of the coins. A user interface is provided for selecting one of a number of transactions. A controller determines the monetary value of the coins as a function of the discriminated denominations and generates instructions for a remote terminal, the instructions comprising a command to apply the determined monetary value of the coins to the selected transaction. The coin machine may also be capable of receiving currency, credit cards, debit cards and smart cards. Preferably, the coin machine interfaces with a remote service provider either directly or through a host terminal.
The multi-transaction coin machine offers a significant improvement, offering the user a variety of payment options. The user may elect to receive a receipt for cash or credit towards purchases at the store, but may also, among other transactions: pay bills, buy lottery tickets, buy catalog merchandise, buy event tickets, buy movie tickets, buy airline tickets, or deposit the money in a bank account. Further, if the amount of the coins deposited is insufficient to effect the desired transaction, the user may cover the difference with currency, a credit card, a debit card or a smart card. Moreover, by providing automated electronic transactions, at any time of day, the number of transactions that must be carried out by employees can be drastically reduced.
An attractive feature of preferred embodiments of the present invention is the ability to provide the general public access to electronic financial transactions, rather than restricting electronic transactions only to those with credit cards. Using only coins and cash, a user could complete a variety of other transactions electronically. For example, purchase of airline tickets could now be accomplished without the use of a credit card.
It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only embodiments of the invention by way of illustration of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5350906 (1994-09-01), Brody et al.
patent: 5365046 (1994-11-01), Haymann
patent: 5457305 (1995-10-01), Akel et al.
patent: 5531640 (1996-07-01), Inoue
patent: 5555497 (1996-09-01), Helbling
patent: 5564546 (1996-10-01), Molbak et al.
patent: 5665952 (1997-09-01), Ziarno
patent: 5746299 (1998-05-01), Molbak et al.
patent: 5799767 (1998-09-01), Molbak
patent: 2188467A (1987-09-01), None
patent: 3-63795 (1991-03-01), None
Japanese Patent Abstract, Publication No. JP03-063795, Publication Date Mar. 19, 1991.
International Search Report, Dated Jan. 26, 1999.
Golds August
Korman Bruce R.
Bartuska F. J.
Cash Technologies, Inc.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
LandOfFree
Multi-transaction coin machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multi-transaction coin machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-transaction coin machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2611944