Patent US5176380A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5176380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in promotions
Assignee: Creative Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1991-06-18
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2011-06-18
Abstract
Abstract In a preferred embodiment, method and apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion which includes a machine in which one of such tokens is placed. An eddy current sensor in the machine determines the composition of the alloy of which the token is made and identifies it as a "winner" or a "loser." If the token is a winner, the machine may hold the token for manual release and verification. In one aspect of the invention, a coupon is or other object is dispensed when the token is a winner.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde J. Evans
- 👤 William H. Schule, Jr.
- 👤 George H. Monahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:48
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07D; G07D5/00; G07D5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) diverting means responsive to said control means to separate said losing tokens from said winning tokens.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) diverting means responsive to said control means to separate said losing tokens from said winning tokens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, further comprising: retaining means responsive to said control means to retain said winning tokens until manually released.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, further comprising: dispensing means responsive to said control means to dispense a redeemable merchandise or service coupon when one of said winning tokens is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said winning tokens are of a first composition and said losing tokens are of a second composition and said detector means comprises an eddy current sensor to detect whether one of said tokens is of said first composition or of said second composition.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) retaining means responsive to said control means to retain said winning tokens until manually released.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) retaining means responsive to said control means to retain said winning tokens until manually released.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 5, further comprising: dispensing means responsive to said control means to dispense a redeemable merchandise or service coupon when one of said winning tokens is detected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 5, wherein said winning tokens are of a first composition and said losing tokens are of a second composition and said detector means comprises an eddy current sensor to detect whether one of said tokens is of said first composition or of said second composition.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) where said winning tokens are of a first composition and said losing tokens are of a second composition and said detector means comprises an eddy current sensor to detect whether one of said tokens is of said first composition or of said second composition.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion, comprising: (a) a housing into which one of said tokens may be inserted; (b) detector means disposed within said housing to detect whether said one of said tokens is a winning token or a losing token; (c) control means responsive to said detector means; (d) indicator means responsive to said control means to provide an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (e) where said winning tokens are of a first composition and said losing tokens are of a second composition and said detector means comprises an eddy current sensor to detect whether one of said tokens is of said first composition or of said second composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as defined in claim 8, further comprising: dispensing means responsive to said control means to dispense a redeemable merchandise or service coupon when one of said winning tokens is detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
A promotion method, comprising: (a) distributing to a plurality of persons a plurality of tokens, some of said tokens being losing tokens and at least one of said tokens being a winning token; (b) inserting one of said plurality of tokens into detector apparatus to detect whether said one of said plurality of tokens is a winning token or a losing token; and (c) providing an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (d) retaining said winning token until manual release thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
A promotion method, comprising: (a) distributing to a plurality of persons a plurality of tokens, some of said tokens being losing tokens and at least one of said tokens being a winning token; (b) inserting one of said plurality of tokens into detector apparatus to detect whether said one of said plurality of tokens is a winning token or a losing token; and (c) providing an external audible or visual alarm signal if said one of said tokens is a winning token; and (d) retaining said winning token until manual release thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |