Claims
- 1. A coin redemption system in which a user deposits a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denominations, the system comprising:
a coin input area for receiving a batch of mixed coins from a user of the coin redemption system; a coin processing unit coupled to the coin input area for determining the aggregate value of the coins received from the user; a controller for assigning a transaction number corresponding to the batch of received coins; a first printer for printing a receipt indicative of the determined value and the assigned transaction number; and an output device disposed in a redemption area for displaying the assigned transaction number and the determined value.
- 2. The coin processing system of claim 1 wherein the output device is a printer.
- 3. The coin processing system of claim 1 wherein the output device is a display.
- 4. A method for redeeming coins for currency bills with a coin redemption system, the method comprising:
receiving a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denominations in a coin receiving area of the coin redemption system; determining the aggregate value of the received coins with a coin processing unit of the coin redemption system; assigning a transaction number corresponding to the batch of received coins; printing a first receipt indicative of the determined aggregate value and the assigned transaction number with a first printer of the coin redemption system; displaying the determined aggregate value and the assigned transaction number separate from printing the first receipt; comparing the printed receipt to the displayed determined aggregate value and assigned transaction number; and redeeming the receipt for currency bills and coins when the printed receipt favorably compares to the displayed determined aggregate value and assigned transaction number.
- 5. The method of claim 4 where redeeming further comprises redeeming the receipt for currency bills and coins in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value.
- 6. The method of claim 4 where redeeming further comprises redeeming the receipt for currency bills and coins in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value less a commission.
- 7. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying further comprises printing a second receipt indicative of the determined aggregate value and the assigned transaction number with a second printer at a second location where redemption is to occur.
- 8. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying further comprises displaying on a screen at a second location where redemption is to occur.
- 9. A coin redemption system for receiving a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denominations from a user and securely providing the user with a receipt that is redeemable for cash, the system comprising:
at least one coin redemption machine comprising,
a first user interface for receiving a security code from a user of the coin redemption system, a coin input area for receiving the batch of mixed coins, a controller for assigning a transaction number corresponding to the batch of received coins, a coin processing unit coupled to the coin input area for determining the aggregate value of the received coins, and a printer for printing a receipt indicative of the determined aggregate value and the assigned transaction number; and at least one redemption station communicatively linked to the at least one coin redemption machine comprising,
a second user interface adapted to receive input from the user including input indicative of the security code and the assigned transaction number, the second user interface being adapted to display the determined aggregate value upon receipt of the security code and the assigned transaction number, wherein the controller is adapted to verify that the received security code favorably compares to the received transaction number, and means for providing the user with currency bills and coins when the received security code favorably compares to the received transaction number.
- 10. The coin redemption system of claim 9 wherein the currency bills and coins are provided to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value.
- 11. The coin redemption system of claim 9 wherein the currency bills and coins are provided to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value less a commission.
- 12. A method for securely redeeming coins for currency bills comprising:
receiving, on a first occasion, input from a user indicative of a security code; receiving a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denomination in a coin receiving area; determining the aggregate value of the received batch of coins; assigning a transaction number corresponding to the received batch of coins; issuing a receipt indicative of the determined aggregate value and the assigned batch number; receiving, on a second occasion, input from the user indicative of the security code and the assigned transaction number; comparing the input received on the first occasion with the input received on the second occasion; dispensing currency bills and coins to the user when the input received on the first occasion favorably compares with the input received on the second occasion.
- 13. The method of claim 12 where dispensing further comprises dispensing currency bills and coins to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value.
- 14. The method of claim 12 where dispensing further comprises dispensing currency bills and coins to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value less a commission.
- 15. A coin processing system for receiving a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denominations from a user and securely providing the user with a receipt that is redeemable for cash, the system comprising:
at least one coin redemption machine comprising
a media reader adapted to read information from a media card of a user of the coin processing system, a coin input area for receiving a batch of coins from the user, a controller for assigning a transaction number corresponding to the received batch of coins, a coin processing unit coupled to the coin input area for determining the aggregate value of the received coins, and a printer for printing a receipt indicative of the determined aggregate value and the assigned transaction number; and at least one redemption station communicatively linked to the at least one coin redemption machine comprising
a user terminal including a media reader adapted to read information from the media card of the user and a user interface being adapted to receive input from the user indicative of the assigned transaction number, the user terminal being adapted to display the determined aggregate value upon reading the media card and receipt of the assigned transaction number, wherein the controller is adapted to verify that information read from the media card favorably compares to the received transaction number, means for providing the user with currency bills and coins when the information read from the media card favorably compares to the received transaction number.
- 16. The coin processing system of claim 15 wherein the currency bills and coins are provided to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value.
- 17. The coin processing system of claim 9 wherein the currency bills and coins are provided to the user in an amount equal to the determined aggregate value less a commission.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/347,476 and 60/364,628, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/347,476, titled “Coin Redemption System,” was filed on Jan. 10, 2002. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/364,628, titled “Coin Redemption System,” was filed on Mar. 15, 2002.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60347476 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
|
60364628 |
Mar 2002 |
US |