Mars, Incorporated

Mei, Inc.

Gregory John Billington

Andrew Simon Pope

Paul Robert Fletcher

Gaston Baudat

Didier Rossel

Bob MacKenzie

Carl Alexander Phillips

Craig A Lewis

Paul Franklin Steel

Andrew Mark Smith

Christian Jon Fleuty

A money handling mechanismhas a first port Pfor connection to a machine controllerand a second port Pto which further money handling mechanisms can be connected. Different types of mechanism, such as a card acceptoror a bill validatorcan be connected to the second port Pover a bus B. The first port Pmay be connected to one of several interface adapterstoand the communications protocol used is selected accordingly. If the first port Puses the same protocol as the second port Psignals are passed transparently between the first port Pand the second port PSignals from the additional mechanism may be modified to be recognisable by the controllerThe money handling mechanismmay convert between the denominations of currencies represented in the protocols over the first and second ports Pand P

Money handling mechanism with peripheral port

A coin mechanism has one or more coin tubes for storing, respectively, coins of one or more denominations, a dispenser for controlling the dispensing of coins from the coin tubes, and a coin mechanism controller suitable for connection to a controller in an automatic transaction system so as to receive change dispense signals from the automatic transaction system controller indicating the form of dispensing change to a customer. The coin mechanism controller, when connected to the automatic transaction system controller, serves as an interface between the automatic transaction system controller and the dispenser, and is programmed to re-determine the form of paying out the change, for example, by taking into account the distribution and denominations of the coins in the coin tubes. The arrangement of coin tubes in a coin tube cassette for use with the coin mechanism can be identified by entering a code on a keypad associated with the coin mechanism.

Adaptable coin mechanism

A vending machine provides a warning indication that insufficient change may be available if the total amount of available change is less than the value of the highest-denomination monetary unit which is not refundable. An insufficient change indication is also provided in response to inserting a coin or instructing a vending operation which would result in the amount of refundable change being less than the correct amount by a value which is greater than a predetermined, alterable overpay amount.

Money acceptance method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for securing communications in a currency-handling machine. The method includes generating an encrypted transaction message based on a bill acceptor transaction event, communicating the encrypted transaction message to a transaction controller, decrypting the encrypted transaction message and enabling the bill acceptor to accept bills.

Secure communications for a currency handling machine

Cash handling apparatus comprising a power input and a money transport system for moving items of money in a normal operating mode, with a power control system for detecting a probable reduced supply power level and, in dependence thereon, for selecting a reduced power mode in which the money transport system continues to function for future transactions, whilst the apparatus draws a lower power from the power input.

Currency handing apparatus

A money handling mechanism has a first port P for connection to a machine controller and a second port P to which further money handling mechanisms can be connected. Different types of mechanism, such as a card acceptor or a bill validator can be connected to the second port P over a bus B. The first port P may be connected to one of several interface adapters to and the communications protocol used is selected accordingly. If the first port P uses the same protocol as the second port P signals are passed transparently between the first port P and the second port P Signals from the additional mechanism may be modified to be recognisable by the controller The money handling mechanism may convert between the denominations of currencies represented in the protocols over the first and second ports P and P

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Reading, United Kingdom

Gregory John Billington