De La Rue Cash Systems Inc.

Talaris Limited

Brandt, Inc.

De La Rue Systems Americas Corporation

Glory Ltd.

Glory Global Solutions (international) Limited

Robert L Zwieg

Thomas P Adams

Jon Stieber

Charles T Bergman

John P Grajewski

Daniel J Folger

Robert F Fredrick

Robert E Gunst

Joseph P Hanus

Richard P Uecker

Daniel Brandle

Thomas Murphy

Myron Spoehr

John A Kressin

Myron W Spoehr

William R Kirkman

Klaus Muller

Jon R Stieber

An elastic coin moving disk assembly () for moving coins across a coin sorting and coin collection member () in a coin handling machine (), in which the coin sorting and coin collection member () has openings () of varying size to receive coins () of respective denominations, the coin moving disk assembly () having an annular disk body with a groove () and an outer rim () having a cavity () in a bottom surface; and a fin ring () molded into the cavity () in the bottom surface, the fin ring () comprising planar fingers () extending downward and substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the rim () when first manufactured, and later taking on an angular 'set' after an initial break-in period, which is compensated for by a user-removable shim ().

Elastic drive disk for a coin handling machine

A self-service change redemption machine () has an intake area () for receiving batches of mixed coinage and conveying the coins to a coin sorter () for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of coin chutes (). From there, the coins are routed to coin receptacles such as bags (). Multiple bags are provided for certain denominations. To fill multiple bags for a given denomination, repositionable diverter mechanisms () are provided between the chutes () and pluralities of bags for the respective denominations. The bags are held by bag holders () which extend downward from a substantially rigid one-piece chassis (), which also supports the diverter mechanisms (). The machine () has buttons () responsive to inputs from a user to turn on the machine, to process coins that are input through the intake area () and to issue the voucher or other form of credit. Instructions for using the machine () and other information are displayed on a screen display ().

Self-service cash handling machine and method with configurable coin storage

A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track () over which coins () pass in a single file, an illumination source () for illuminating at least portions of the coins () as the coins move along the coin track (), an optical detector () spaced from the coin track () for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens () positioned between the optical detector () and the coin track (), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector () is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens () as each coin moves along the coin track (). The optical sensor and detector () can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (). The sensor assembly () also includes inductive sensors () and a Hall effect sensor () for discriminating invalid coins.

Method and sensor for sensing coins for valuation

A cash recycling machine () has an input hopper () for feeding batches of mixed coinage to a coin sorter () for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of bulk coin storage receptacles (). From there, the coins are fed into a plurality of smaller dispensing hoppers () equipped with sensors () for counting the coinage as it is dispensed. A controller () is responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the dispensing hoppers () to dispense an amount of sorted coinage into one of several receptacles including a cash drawer () or coin bags (). A controller () is responsive to inputs from a user in a second operating cycle of the machine to receive, sort and count a batch of coins that is loaded into the input hopper () and stored in the bulk coin storage receptacles (). The controller () has the ability to track input and output transactions of employees through the work shift for reconciliation at the end of the work shift and to report results to a central accounting computer. In addition, the machine () can operate in the first and second cycles simultaneously.

Machine and method for cash recycling and cash settlement

A wireless networked cash management system includes a coin handling device () for performing at least one of the operations of coin counting, coin sorting, coin dispensing and cash redemption, a currency handling device () for performing at least one of the operations of note counting, note dispensing, note sorting and cash redemption, and a control unit () for performing at least one of the operations of monitoring cash handling, accounting for cash dispensing, providing for cash settlement, monitoring maintenance information and providing commands for controlling operation one of the cash handling devices () and a wireless communication network operating in a range of frequencies made available for locally distributed wireless networks for allowing communication of data between the control unit () and the cash handling devices (). Computer peripheral I/O devices can also be added to the system for communicating over the network with the control unit ().

Wireless networked cash management system

A coin recycling machine () for receiving, sorting and dispensing coins, comprising a coin dispenser having a rotatable coin magazine () for holding respective denominations of coins and having an electronic control (), said electronic control () being operable in response to a commanded total to control position of said coin magazine () to selectively dispense coins to provide the commanded total, a queuing device () for receiving the coins and arranging the coins in a queue, the queuing device () having an exit () directed towards said coin magazine () and having associated sensors () for identifying a denomination of a next coin to pass through the exit () and the electronic control being responsive to the sensors () associated with the queuing device for positioning the coin magazine such that coins are sorted into the coin magazine () by denomination as the coins exit the queuing device ().

Coin recycling machine and method

A cash recycling machine () is connected in a network with a computer () and other recycling equipment (), the cash recycling machine () having an input device () for receiving cash, a sorter () for sorting the cash into a plurality of hopper assemblies (), a controller () responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the hopper assemblies () to dispense an amount of sorted cash to a cash drawer and to store the amount of dispensed cash in memory in association with a user account number, the controller () being responsive to input of a batch of cash and the user account number in a second cycle to count the cash received, and to compare the amount of cash received with the amount of cash dispensed to determine a net amount of cash associated with the user. The controller () has the ability to track transactions of employees through the work shift for reconciliation at the end of the work shift and to report results to a central accounting computer.

A coin sorting apparatus and method uses a light source ( ) disposed on one side of the coin path ( ); a coin moving member ( ) of light transmissive material; a coin path insert ( ) having at least a portion the is light transmissive; an optical detector ( ) disposed on an opposite side of the coin path ( ) from the light source ( ) for detecting coin size as a coin ( ) passes the coin path insert ( ); a coin core alloy composition sensor ( ); a coin surface alloy composition sensor ( ); an edge sensor ( ) disposed along a reference edge ( ) along the coin path; and a plurality of processors ( ) for receiving data developed from signals from the optical detector ( ), the coin core alloy sensor ( ), the coin surface ( ) alloy detector, and the coin edge sensor ( ), the data being for comparison with stored values for a plurality of denominations to determine the denomination of the coin ( ). A lens array ( ) helps direct light from the light source ( ) to the optical detector ( ). The coin path insert can have an upper surface of zirconia ceramic ( ) with a sapphire window ( ), or the upper surface can be an integral sapphire element ( ).

Methods and apparatus for detection of coin denomination and other parameters

A coin dispenser ( ) has a base ( ) for supporting an integrally formed coin magazine ( ) with coin channels ( ) rotating along a coin path ( ). A coin ejector ( ) is located at a single coin ejection location and proximate to said coin path ( ) to eject coins from the bottom of the coin channels ( ) into a change cup ( ). Electronic sensors ( ) are provided for anticipating the approach of the coin channels to the coin ejector ( ) and to a low coin sensing station ( ). An electronic control ( ) is responsive to position signals from the position monitors ( ) for coordinating operation of the coin ejector ( ) and the low coin sensor ( ). A coin exit sensor ( ) is positioned in a coin exit channel ( ) just before the change cup ( ) to send a signal to the electronic control ( ) to confirm the ejection of each coin.

Electronically-controlled rotary coin change dispenser

A coin handling machine ( ) has a coin sorting member ( ) with a plurality of sorting openings ( ) by which respective denominations of coins ( ) are sorted, having a coin driving member ( ) with webs ( ) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings ( ), having a motor ( ) coupled to the coin driving member ( ), and having a brake ( ) for stopping the motor ( ), the coin handling machine ( ). A coin imaging sensor ( ) optically images at least a portion of a coin ( ) and for transmitting dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller ( ) receives said dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller ( ) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor ( ) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination. Detectors ( and ) are provided adjacent the sorting openings ( ) for detecting a last coin as it is sorted and moved into a bag.

Method of coin detection and bag stopping for a coin sorter

A coin dispenser includes a rotatable magazine and a stationary actuator. The rotatable magazine rotates about a rotation axis and includes a plurality of coin receptacles extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis. Each coin receptacle holds a stack of coins therein. The stationary actuator includes a coin-ejection member that moves linearly in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable magazine. When in an extended position, the coin-ejection member will contact an edge of at least a lowermost coin in a specified one of the coin receptacles as the magazine rotates to move that coin receptacle into alignment with the coin-ejection member, thereby ejecting that coin from the coin dispenser. When the coin-ejection member is in its retracted position, the coin receptacles will travel past the coin ejection member without any engagement occurring between the coin-ejection member and the coins within the receptacles.

Coin dispenser

A coin sorter has a circular sorting track with an upstanding rim. A diverter mechanism is located at the rim and may be actuated to move a selected coin away from the rim to an off-sort depression inwardly of the rim and then to an off-sort opening at the end of the depression. The diverter mechanism is actuated by a coin recognition system that includes an induction coil located beneath the track in advance of the diverter mechanism. Signals from the induction coil are read at spaced positions of a coin passing over the coil and compared with stored ranges of acceptable signals for coins of various denominations. The diverter mechanism is actuated to divert a coin to the off-sort opening when the signals for that coin do not fall within a range of acceptable values. The ranges of acceptable values can be established by calibrating the coin recognition system by processing a plurality of known acceptable coins of a denomination. The acceptable ranges can be automatically adjusted based upon the history of signals from acceptable coins processed after calibration.

Coin recognition and off-sorting in a coin sorter

A count mechanism for a dispensing machine which delivers coins in a single file along a track has a star wheel in the path of travel of the coins. The star wheel is indexed one point for each coin which passes it. The star wheel can be locked against rotation by a latch which engages a point on the wheel and which is held disengaged by a first solenoid. A second solenoid assists in disengaging the latch from the star wheel. A spring biased pawl rides the periphery of the star wheel between points to prevent free rotation. The star wheel is provided with spaced reflective areas on its top surface and a pair of spaced optical sensors detect the presence and absence of reflective surfaces as the reflective areas pass beneath the sensors. The optical sensors generate a pair of out-of-phase pulses which are employed to count the coins. A mechanism is also provided to test for dirty conditions of the star wheel or optical sensors.

Count mechanism for coin dispensing machine

An automatic coin wrapping machine has a coin dispenser which forms coins into a single file and moves them along a track past a counting star wheel to a downwardly curved discharged chute. Coins leaving the discharge chute enter a stacking tube where they are formed into a stack. The bottom of the tube is closed by a movable gate which is vibrated to assist stacking. The formation of a proper stack is sensed by an optical sensor that checks the height of the stack. When a proper stack is formed, the gate is removed and the stack of coins is lowered on a rod to a wrapping section in which three wrapping rollers engage a web of paper and wrap the paper about the stack. Crimping hooks fold over the extending ends of the wrapper and the completed roll is discharged. The width of the track and discharge chute are adjustable for different denominations of coins. One side of the adjustable track and chute is formed on a plate which is pivotally mounted at the rear of the frame of the machine. The other side of the track and chute if formed on a plate which slides over the first plate and moves parallel to it. Adjustment is accomplished relative to a side frame so that the center of the discharge chute is always at the center of the stacking tube. If the stack sensor determines that an improper stack has been formed, the stacking tube is moved laterally and is opened to empty its contents into a reject chute.

Coin wrapping machine

There is disclosed a coin wrapper discharge assembly for use with a coin wrapping apparatus that momentarily stops a coin roll to change its direction, and senses the presence of loose coins. The assembly includes a chute disposed beneath a coin wrapping apparatus that accepts coin rolls falling downwardly after being wrapped. The chute directs a coin roll laterally from its original downward direction into a V-shaped trap. The trap is formed by an inclined floor and a swingable door. A solenoid is provided to hold the door in its normally closed position until actuated by a paper feed mechanism in the coin wrapping apparatus. When actuated, the solenoid releases the door to allow a trapped coin roll to fall onto a conveyor for removal to a packaging point. In addition, the door is electrically insulated from the floor and chute to provide a pair of electrical contacts that are bridged by loose coins to complete an electric circuit that disables the coin wrapping apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Watertown, WI, United States of America

Robert L Zwieg