WO2003034355A1 - Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer - Google Patents
Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003034355A1 WO2003034355A1 PCT/US2002/032294 US0232294W WO03034355A1 WO 2003034355 A1 WO2003034355 A1 WO 2003034355A1 US 0232294 W US0232294 W US 0232294W WO 03034355 A1 WO03034355 A1 WO 03034355A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- coupon
- currency
- coupons
- tray
- printer
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
- G07F17/3248—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/42—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for ticket printing or like apparatus, e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/04—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by paper currency
Definitions
- the invention herein resides in the art of currency and coupon acceptors, as particularly adapted for implementation with gaming machines and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a combination currency and coupon acceptor having a coupon printer in the same housing.
- Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer in which the single housing maintaining such device is no larger than the housing typically employed for a currency validator.
- Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, in which the acceptors for both currency and coupons employ the same transport and validation paths.
- Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, wherein the same sensors are employed to verify both the coupons received and those printed and dispensed thereby.
- Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, in which invalidated coupons are not dispensed to the customer or user, but are instead "spoiled” or otherwise obliterated and placed within the associated stacker.
- Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, in which a single stacker is employed to receive both coupons and currency.
- Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, in which a "smart" chip is employed in association with the coupon tray.
- Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, in which the currency acceptor and coupon acceptor are mutually exclusively operative.
- Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer, including a splitting device to facilitate the separation of single coupons from a web of fan folded coupons received and dispensed from a tray cassette.
- Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer in which the coupon printer is a part of the coupon tray which may be slid as a unit from the mechanism housing.
- a currency and coupon acceptor comprising: a housing; a validator received within said housing for determining the authenticity and associated value of paper items tendered thereto; a stacker received within said housing for receiving and maintaining tendered paper items determined to be authentic; a printer in association with said tray of blank coupons for printing data upon coupons dispensed from said tray; and a note path interconnecting said validator, tray of blank coupons, stacker and printer for transporting said paper items.
- a currency and coupon acceptor with a coupon printer in which a single housing, no larger than a typical housing for a currency validator, receives both a currency acceptor and a coupon acceptor along with a coupon printer, and in which both acceptors employ the same transport and validation paths and the same stacker.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer made in accordance with the invention
- Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the structure of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is an operative illustration of the structure of Fig. 1, showing the coupon tray and printer assembly withdrawn from the housing;
- Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the transport path, showing a protrusion to facilitate separation of coupons;
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing the coupon tray and printer above the currency validator;
- Fig. 6 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 5 showing the coupon tray partially removed in a receiving track
- Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 5;
- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, wherein the coupon printer and tray are pivotally maintained behind the stacker of the system;
- Fig. 9 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 8, showing the stacker removed and with the coupon tray and printer pivoted downwardly from its back position and with the tray extended;
- Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 8, showing the coupon tray pivotally maintained at the bottom thereof and having a printer head at the top thereof in communication with the transport path;
- Fig. 11 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the invention, having the coupon tray and printer behind the stacker and employing a rotating chassis for the acceptor/printer assembly;
- Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 11, showing the chassis rotated from its housing;
- Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 11, showing the coupon tray and printer in communication with the transport path.
- an acceptor and printer made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10.
- the acceptor and printer assembly 10 is capable of receiving and authenticating both currency and printed coupons, and is further capable of printing and dispensing such coupons. It will be understood that the acceptor and printer assembly 10 is contemplated for implementation with gaming machines and, in that regard, communicates with the gaming machine to authorize play, debit charges, and credit wins through the printing and dispensing of coupons.
- the coupon may include a coded cash value thereon, such as in the form of a bar code as is presently known.
- the coupons may receive standard alpha-numeric characters indicating the cash value of the coupon.
- the invention contemplates either, the bar code version being known from the prior art, and the alpha-numeric character version constituting a novel feature of the instant invention. Accordingly, the invention contemplates the employment of either or both bar code printers and readers or alpha-numeric printers and readers, the latter employing standard character recognition techniques.
- the instant invention further contemplates that a combination currency acceptor and coupon acceptor/printer may be incorporated within the same housing and "footprint" previously provided for currency validators or acceptors alone. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the overall dimensions of the acceptor and printer assembly 10 will have a major height of less than 12 inches (30.5 cm), a major width of less than 4.6 inches (11.1 cm), and a major depth of less than 10.4 inches (26.4 cm). As a consequence, the acceptor and printer of the instant invention can be adapted for receipt in an assembly package presently receiving and maintaining only a currency validator or acceptor alone. With continued reference to Figs. 1-3, it can be seen that the acceptor and printer 10 includes a housing 12 receiving therein a validator 14 for both currency and coupon validation.
- the instant invention contemplates that a single validator 14 maybe employed for "reading" bills and coupons that are tendered by users, as well as coupons that are printed by the assembly 10 for dispensing. This latter reading is for purposes of verifying the coupon has been accurately printed.
- the validator 14 is provided with appropriate sensors, which may include magnetic heads, bar code readers, character recognition readers, color sensors, pattern recognition sensors, and the like.
- a coupon tray dispenser 16 is maintained within the housing 12 and, in one preferred embodiment, is positioned beneath the validator 14.
- the coupon tray dispenser may have a thermal printer 24 at one end thereof for purposes of printing upon the coupon blanks received within the tray dispenser 16. It is contemplated that the coupons may be maintained within the tray 16 in a fan fold manner, although the invention also contemplates single separated coupons as well.
- a handle 20 allows for ease of removal and replacement of the stacker 18, while a latch 22 serves to secure the stacker within the housing 12.
- a suitable stacker would typically include a "punch” and spring-loaded platen to secure the currency and coupons received within the stack.
- an appropriate printer such as a thermal printer 24, is maintained within the housing 12 and, in a preferred embodiment, is positioned at an end of the tray 16 and provides means for printing coupons from coupon blanks maintained within the tray 16.
- the thermal printer 24 may print either bar code indicia and/or alpha-numeric characters.
- the printer 24 may be either integral with the tray 16, or secured to the housing 12. In the latter event, it is most desirable that the printer 24 be readily accessible for cleaning.
- a slot 26 is maintained at a top area of the validator 14 and communicates with a transport path 28 to receive and transport currency and coupons into and out of the acceptor 14.
- drive wheels 30 are provided in association with a first horizontal portion of the path 28 to receive and transport currency and coupons through a validation area of the validator 14.
- various sensors, heads, and “readers” are positioned therealong for purposes of authenticating the tendered bill or coupon.
- the drive wheels 30 are reversible, adapted to reject a coupon or currency tendered as valid, but which fails the tests undertaken along the path 28. If determined to be valid, the currency and coupon is transported along the horizontal and then vertical portions of the path 28 and into the stacker 18. If determined to be invalid, the wheels or rollers 30 are reversed and the note or currency is returned out of the slot 26.
- a drive wheel 32 is provided in association with the tray 16 to feed individual coupons or a web of coupons from the tray 16 and into the transport path 28. Such action is taken when a coupon is to be printed and dispensed. As shown, the print head 24 is in juxtaposition to the drive wheel 32 such that the coupon can be printed at the printer 24 and introduced into the note path 28 by the wheel 32.
- the tray 16 may include a processor chip or "smart" chip 34 in association therewith.
- the "smart” chip 34 may be provided to receive data respecting the printing and dispensing of coupons from the tray 16 and print head 24. Accordingly, when the tray 16 is removed and replaced with a subsequent tray of blank coupons, the data maintained within the chip 34 may be downloaded or read for purposes of accounting and the like.
- the transport path 28 is provided with a means for allowing for ease of separation of individual coupons from the fan- folded web of coupons maintained within the tray 16.
- a protrusion or button 36 is provided along the bottom of the path 28 and traversing the path at a point such that the leading edge of the coupon and the horizontal portion of the path 28 has not yet been exposed at the slot 26.
- the drive wheels 30, 32 are controlled such that the web of coupons is stopped with the perforations of the leading coupon being positioned over the protrusion or button 36, providing stress at these perforations.
- the wheels 30 are driven in a direction to expel the coupon from the slot 26, while the roller or wheel 32 is reversed to retract the web of fan- folded coupons.
- the length of each coupon is such that the wheel 32 is in engagement with the next subsequent coupon such that only a single line of perforations is between the oppositely driven wheels 30, 32.
- the reversing of the wheels causes the perforations to separate, allowing for release of the leading printed coupon and its distribution to the user through the slot 26.
- the roller 32 then retracts the subsequent coupon back into the tray 16 and out of the note path 28.
- the single transport path 28 is adapted to receive and accommodate both currency and coupons. For that purpose, when a coupon is to be printed and dispensed, the system inhibits the receipt at the slot 26 of any tendered coupons or bills. Similarly, if a coupon or bill is entered, the system inhibits the operation of the print and dispensing mechanism. As a consequence, the printing and dispensing operations operate mutually exclusively of the receiving and validating operations.
- the invention also contemplates the verification of a coupon after it is printed to ensure that no improperly printed coupons are dispensed.
- a "read after print” process is employed. After the printer 24 prints a coupon in accordance with data received from the gaming machine, the drive wheel 32 causes the coupon to continue its transport along the path 28 where the validation sensors "read” the coupon to determine that the coupon contains the value intended. In other words, the value printed on the coupon, either by bar code or alpha-numeric characters, is verified against the intended value received from the associated gaming machine. If the values do not match, the coupon is not dispensed, but the drive wheels 30 are reversed and the coupon is placed into the stacker 18.
- the same sensors and transport path employed for receiving and validating coupons tendered by a user are also used to validate a coupon printed by the printer 24.
- the improperly printed coupon may be obliterated or otherwise "spoiled" before it is deposited in the stacker 18.
- the coupon may be reversed across the printing head 24 where obliterations are printed thereon and subsequently the obliterated coupon is retracted and passed along the path 28 into the stacker 18.
- the invention further contemplates the cassette nature of both the stacker 18 and the tray 16, such that a full stacker 18 maybe removed and replaced with an empty one, and an empty tray 16 may be removed and replaced with a full one. It is contemplated that the tray 16 operate as a drawer, sliding upon rails or appropriate ways.
- the stacker 18 may be of conventional nature, also having a "smart" chip, and being maintained upon tracks, rails or ways.
- Figs. 1 -4 present one preferred embodiment of the invention. However the invention also is contemplated in various other forms, while still satisfying the general objects of the invention.
- FIGs. 5-7 wherein an acceptor and printer 40 is presented showing the coupon printer 42 maintained above the acceptor 44 and stacker 46 portions of the structure.
- Figs. 8-10 show an acceptor and printer 50 in which the coupon tray and printer 52 is maintained behind the stacker 54, which is beneath the acceptor 56.
- the printer tray 52 is pivotally mounted to the assembly housing as at 58 for ultimate drawer-like extraction when the stacker 54 is removed.
- Figs. 11-13 present yet another acceptor and printer 60 according to the invention, wherein the entire acceptor 62, stacker 64 and printer assembly 66 is maintained on a rotatable chassis within an appropriate housing 68.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002432336A CA2432336A1 (en) | 2001-10-18 | 2002-10-16 | Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer |
JP2003537009A JP2005506621A (en) | 2001-10-18 | 2002-10-16 | Banknote and coupon acceptor with coupon printer |
GB0313806A GB2385189B (en) | 2001-10-18 | 2002-10-16 | Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer |
US10/450,754 US20040079614A1 (en) | 2002-10-16 | 2002-10-16 | Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US33034801P | 2001-10-18 | 2001-10-18 | |
US60/330,348 | 2001-10-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003034355A1 true WO2003034355A1 (en) | 2003-04-24 |
Family
ID=23289364
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/032294 WO2003034355A1 (en) | 2001-10-18 | 2002-10-16 | Currency and coupon acceptor with coupon printer |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (1) | JP2005506621A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1491407A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2432336A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2385189B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003034355A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2005055123A1 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2005-06-16 | Money Controls Limited | Bar code scanner and method of manufacturing a bar code scanner |
US7014189B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2006-03-21 | Valtech International, Llc | Alignment disk for document validator |
US7222712B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2007-05-29 | Valtech International, Llc | Document validator with locking cassette |
CN105654606A (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-08 | 创新技术有限公司 | Cash checker |
CN114093096A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2022-02-25 | 天使集团股份有限公司 | Management system for game coins |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN100456330C (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2009-01-28 | 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 | Waste tickets treating apparatus and method and bill sales terminal equipment |
GB0712374D0 (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2007-08-01 | Innovative Technology Ltd | Bills and/or card validator and storage apparatus |
CN109741515A (en) * | 2019-01-11 | 2019-05-10 | 上海古鳌电子科技股份有限公司 | A kind of system and its working method that bill is checked and stored |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5907141A (en) * | 1996-07-19 | 1999-05-25 | Mars Incorporated | Use of security coupons in connection with locking mechanisms for vending and gaming machines |
US6044952A (en) * | 1998-05-18 | 2000-04-04 | Mars, Incorporated | Multi-function optical sensor for a document acceptor |
US6119936A (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 2000-09-19 | Coin Acceptors, Inc. | Bill validator having a magnetic read head with pressurizing device |
US6325242B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2001-12-04 | Japan Cash Machine Co. Ltd. | Note holding and dispensing device with cassette |
-
2002
- 2002-10-16 CN CNA028051394A patent/CN1491407A/en active Pending
- 2002-10-16 JP JP2003537009A patent/JP2005506621A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-10-16 CA CA002432336A patent/CA2432336A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-10-16 GB GB0313806A patent/GB2385189B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-10-16 WO PCT/US2002/032294 patent/WO2003034355A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5907141A (en) * | 1996-07-19 | 1999-05-25 | Mars Incorporated | Use of security coupons in connection with locking mechanisms for vending and gaming machines |
US6325242B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2001-12-04 | Japan Cash Machine Co. Ltd. | Note holding and dispensing device with cassette |
US6044952A (en) * | 1998-05-18 | 2000-04-04 | Mars, Incorporated | Multi-function optical sensor for a document acceptor |
US6119936A (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 2000-09-19 | Coin Acceptors, Inc. | Bill validator having a magnetic read head with pressurizing device |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7014189B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2006-03-21 | Valtech International, Llc | Alignment disk for document validator |
US7222712B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2007-05-29 | Valtech International, Llc | Document validator with locking cassette |
WO2005055123A1 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2005-06-16 | Money Controls Limited | Bar code scanner and method of manufacturing a bar code scanner |
CN100530215C (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2009-08-19 | 货币控制有限公司 | Bar code scanner and method of manufacturing a bar code scanner |
CN105654606A (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-08 | 创新技术有限公司 | Cash checker |
CN114093096A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2022-02-25 | 天使集团股份有限公司 | Management system for game coins |
US11948430B2 (en) | 2018-09-06 | 2024-04-02 | Angel Group Co., Ltd. | Management system for substitute currency for gaming |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005506621A (en) | 2005-03-03 |
GB0313806D0 (en) | 2003-07-23 |
CA2432336A1 (en) | 2003-04-24 |
GB2385189B (en) | 2004-09-29 |
GB2385189A (en) | 2003-08-13 |
CN1491407A (en) | 2004-04-21 |
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