US5516293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming machine coin hopper coin sensor
Assignee: LNW Gaming Inc
•
Filing: 1994-04-07
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Granted: 1996-05-14
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Expires: 2014-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A coin hopper having an optical-electrical coin sensor with a light source and a light detector is provided. The coin hopper includes a coin transport disc, a coin trough, and a coin payout chute. The coin sensor is secured to the hopper and is proximally located to the coin payout chute. The sensor is configured such that the light detector is substantially adjacent the coin transport disc and the light source is spaced apart from the coin transport disc. The sensor is operatively connected to the coin hopper control circuitry which shuts down the hopper after the appropriate number of coins is dispensed. The hopper may also include circuitry which, in conjunction with the light source, provides a pulsed or intermittent beam of light.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Heidel
- 👤 Albert J. Hanis
- 👤 Thomas N. Taxon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:56
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D1/00; G07D9/00; G07D9/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for controlling the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, comprising: storage means for Storing the coins within the hopper; dispensing means for dispensing coins from the storage means; an optical-electrical coin sensor secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector; means for determining whether the detected light originated from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for controlling the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, comprising: storage means for Storing the coins within the hopper; dispensing means for dispensing coins from the storage means; an optical-electrical coin sensor secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector; means for determining whether the detected light originated from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising an indicator which is activated by said error signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said error signal acts to disable the coin hopper so that no additional coins may be dispensed so long as there is an error signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
In combination with a device for dispensing coins of the type wherein a coin hopper controls the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, including storage means for storing the coins within the hopper, dispensing means for dispensing coins from the hopper, transporting means for transporting the coins from said storage means to said dispensing means, control means for controlling said transporting means, and an optical-electrical coin sensor operatively connected to said control means, secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector, the improvement which comprises: means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
In combination with a device for dispensing coins of the type wherein a coin hopper controls the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, including storage means for storing the coins within the hopper, dispensing means for dispensing coins from the hopper, transporting means for transporting the coins from said storage means to said dispensing means, control means for controlling said transporting means, and an optical-electrical coin sensor operatively connected to said control means, secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector, the improvement which comprises: means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device in claim 4 wherein said means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light comprises a light source which emits a pulsed, intermittent beam of light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device in claim 5 wherein said light detector is substantially adjacent said transporting means and said light source is spaced apart from said transporting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the device includes an indicator which is activated by said error signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the activation of said indicator signals that maintenance of the device is needed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said error signal acts to disable the coin hopper so that no additional coins may be dispensed so long as there is an error signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said error signal is transmitted to a remote location to alert security.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for controlling the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, comprising: storage means for storing the coins within the hopper; dispensing means for dispensing coins from the hopper; transporting means for transporting the coins from said storage means to said dispensing means; control means for controlling said transporting means; an optical-electrical coin sensor operatively connected to said control means, secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector; means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for controlling the number of coins dispensed from a coin hopper, comprising: storage means for storing the coins within the hopper; dispensing means for dispensing coins from the hopper; transporting means for transporting the coins from said storage means to said dispensing means; control means for controlling said transporting means; an optical-electrical coin sensor operatively connected to said control means, secured to the hopper and proximally located to said dispensing means, said optical-electrical coin sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light detector for detecting light incident on said detector; means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light; and means for generating an error signal whenever said light detector is illuminated by spurious light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device in claim 11 wherein said light detector is substantially adjacent said transporting means and said light source is spaced apart from said transporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the activation of said indicator signals that maintenance of the device is needed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said means for determining whether the detected light originates from the same source as the emitted light comprises a light source which emits a pulsed, intermittent beam of light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 11 further comprising an indicator which is activated by said error signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said error signal acts to disable the coin hopper so that no additional coins may be dispensed so long as there is an error signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said error signal is transmitted to a remote location to alert security.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-11-13 | 2000-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-14 | 2003-11-13 | 2004-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-14 | 2007-11-13 | 2008-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |