US5746299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coin counter dejamming method and apparatus
Assignee: Coinstar LLC
•
Filing: 1995-04-27
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2015-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An automatic response to a detected jam or other slowing or stoppage in a coin handler, such as a coin counter and/or sorter, is provided. Such automatic dejamming is particularly useful for unattended operation of coin handlers. Preferably the response is substantially flexible, such as by providing different responses depending on the type of jam and/or the history of jamming. In one embodiment, potential responses include initiating a wait period, providing mechanical energy (such as causing vibration by controllably activating transducers, preferably addressable transducers which perform a second function in the apparatus), and/or impact. When the coin handler uses a rail mechanism, reliable, reduced-jam operation is enhanced by a ribbed rail structure that reduces or minimized the amount of surface area in contact with the coin face, consistent with providing the support desired for assuring accurate counting. Preferably the ribs are relatively deep, and have a rounded profile.
Inventors
- 👤 Jens H. Molbak
- 👤 Dan Gerrity
- 👤 Scott Scherer
- 👤 Aaron R. Finch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F1/00; G07F1/04; G07F1/046; G07D; G07D3/00; G07D3/14; G07D3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for coin counting using a gravity-fed mechanism comprising: means for receiving a plurality of coins in a first location; means for identifying a plurality of coin denomination; gravity-fed means for conveying at least some of said plurality of coins from said means for receiving to said means for identifying; means, coupled to said means for identifying, for detecting an abnormal condition of coin movement or position while coins are being conveyed by said gravity-fed means; and means, coupled to said gravity-fed means, for automatically correcting said abnormal condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for coin counting using a gravity-fed mechanism comprising: means for receiving a plurality of coins in a first location; means for identifying a plurality of coin denomination; gravity-fed means for conveying at least some of said plurality of coins from said means for receiving to said means for identifying; means, coupled to said means for identifying, for detecting an abnormal condition of coin movement or position while coins are being conveyed by said gravity-fed means; and means, coupled to said gravity-fed means, for automatically correcting said abnormal condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for correcting comprises at least a first transducer for controllably providing mechanical energy to said apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for correcting comprises means for initiating a predetermined wait period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes at least a first rail, further comprising: a first region of said first rail for contacting an edge of said coins; a second region of said first rail for supporting a face of said coins and defining a coin face contact device, said coin face contact device having a rounded profile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said coin face contact device comprises at least a first rib for contacting a face of a coin to define a contact ratio such that the length of the rail in contact with the face of the coin is less than about two thirds the diameter of the coin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first rib is substantially adjacent an edge of said coin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second region of said rail comprises a non-metallic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second region of said rail comprises a plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second region of said rail comprises a substantially moisture-beading material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said rail is adjacent at least a portion of said means for identifying.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rib has a depth of greater than about 0.005 inches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rib has a substantially rounded profile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gravity-fed means comprises: means for linearly conveying at least some of said first plurality of coins in a substantially linear motion from said means for receiving to said means for identifying.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a coin handling apparatus, a dejamming method comprising: detecting a jam in said coin handling apparatus: and automatically initiating a dejamming measure, said dejamming measure including activating a transducer to cause said transducer to vibrate so as to provide mechanical energy to said coin handling apparatus wherein said transducer which is activated to cause said transducer to vibrate is also used for another purpose, wherein said another purpose is a purpose of knocking a coin off said rail.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a coin handling apparatus, a dejamming method comprising: detecting a jam in said coin handling apparatus: and automatically initiating a dejamming measure, said dejamming measure including activating a transducer to cause said transducer to vibrate so as to provide mechanical energy to said coin handling apparatus wherein said transducer which is activated to cause said transducer to vibrate is also used for another purpose, wherein said another purpose is a purpose of knocking a coin off said rail.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: evaluating the type of jam; and automatically selecting at least one of a plurality of dejamming measures in response to said step of evaluating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14, further comprising; evaluating results of previous dejamming measures; and automatically determining whether to perform subsequent dejamming measures in response to said evaluating of results or previous dejamming measures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for coin counting comprising: means for receiving a plurality of coins in a first location; means for identifying a plurality of coin denominations; means for conveying at least some of said first plurality of coins from said means for receiving to said means for identifying, defining a direction of conveyance; means, coupled to said means for identifying, for detecting an abnormal condition of coin movement or position; and means, for automatically correcting said abnormal condition, in the absence of reversing said direction of conveyance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for coin counting comprising: means for receiving a plurality of coins in a first location; means for identifying a plurality of coin denominations; means for conveying at least some of said first plurality of coins from said means for receiving to said means for identifying, defining a direction of conveyance; means, coupled to said means for identifying, for detecting an abnormal condition of coin movement or position; and means, for automatically correcting said abnormal condition, in the absence of reversing said direction of conveyance.
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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) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |