The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 11, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 22, 2008
Michael Doran, Bothell, WA (US);
Douglas A. Martin, Woodinville, WA (US);
Scott A. Dean, Issaquah, WA (US);
Jessaca Jacobson, Newcastle, WA (US);
Kim P. Hanson, Woodinville, WA (US);
Kerry Smith, Bellevue, WA (US);
Michael Doran, Bothell, WA (US);
Douglas A. Martin, Woodinville, WA (US);
Scott A. Dean, Issaquah, WA (US);
Jessaca Jacobson, Newcastle, WA (US);
Kim P. Hanson, Woodinville, WA (US);
Kerry Smith, Bellevue, WA (US);
Coinstar, Inc., Bellevue, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.