The following disclosure relates generally to systems, apparatuses and methods for generating audio and/or video arrangements from a sequence of coins as the coins are deposited, discriminated, counted, and/or sorted by a coin counting machine.
Various vending machines are configured to dispense selected products to users in exchange for exact amounts of money. Such machines include, for example, food dispensing machines, stamp dispensing machines, ticket dispensing machines, and the like. Other machines are configured to count arbitrary numbers and denominations of coins received from users. One such coin-counting machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,079 to Molbak (“the '079 Patent to Molbak”), which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In one embodiment, the Molbak coin-counting machine can dispense a redeemable voucher to a user for an amount related to the value of coins received from the user. The voucher can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at, for example, a point-of-sale (POS) location in the retail outlet where the machine is located.
Coin machine operators are continually seeking ways to increase the number of consumers that utilize their machines, the number of coins the consumers deposit, and the frequency of future transactions in which the consumers utilize the machines. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to use information from a particular coin transaction to incentivize consumers to increase their usage of the coin counting machine and the number of coins counted per transaction.
The following disclosure describes various embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods for generating and presenting an audio and/or video arrangement (e.g. a musical arrangement) from a sequence of coins as the coins are deposited, discriminated, counted, and/or sorted by a coin counting machine.
Certain details are set forth in the following description and in
The dimensions, angles, features, and other specifications shown in the figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other dimensions, angles, features, and other specifications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
At the conclusion of the counting process, the user may be asked to either accept the stated coin value and continue the transaction, or cancel the transaction. This selection may be made, for example, by pushing one of two buttons 112. If the user continues the transaction, he or she may be issued a redeemable voucher through a voucher slot 108. In some embodiments, the kiosk 101 can dispense other types of output in return for the coins, such as gift cards, e-certificates, etc. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the kiosk 101 is but one example of a coin counting machine that can include the various audio and/or video features disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration of coin counting machine or other type of monetary processing machines. Further details describing the structures and functions of various aspects and features of the kiosk 101 can be found in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,620,079; 5,746,299; 6,047,808; 5,988,348; 6,196,371; 6,116,402; 6,349,972; 5,909,793 and 8,024,272, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
For example, the denomination of a particular coin can be associated with a musical note and/or a still image. As described in further detail below, coin-sensing event information (e.g. coin timing or spacing) can be used to map one or more coin properties to musical notes. In block 310, certain coin-sensing events can trigger the system to create a media arrangement that includes a series of media components (e.g. musical notes) assembled together. For example, the routine may discriminate a sequence of coins that totals or exceeds a predetermined accumulative value. When the routine detects that the predetermined accumulative value has been reached, the media components associated with the coins that contributed to the value can be combined to produce a media arrangement (e.g. a song, a video, and/or a slideshow of still images). Other trigger events may include a predetermined sequence of coins and/or a predetermined count of coins (e.g. a media arrangement may be presented after the system reads a one-hundredth coin). In some embodiments, the media components can be arranged in the same order as the associated coins were read by the machine, while in other embodiments the media components can be combined in other orders (e.g. sorted by associated coin denomination, size, etc.).
In block 312, the routine presents the resulting media arrangement. The presentation of the media arrangement can comprise an audio output (e.g. via a speaker or headphones) and/or a video output (e.g. via a computer screen, television, and/or mobile device screen). In some embodiments, the media arrangement can be saved as a media file, which the routine can distribute to the user through various means, such as, for example, uploading the media file to an Internet page and/or a mobile device, or sending the media file to the user via an email address or other electronic address. In block 314, after all of the coins in the transaction have been counted and/or analyzed, the routine can display the total amount of coins counted and dispense, for example, a corresponding redeemable voucher to the user, thus ending the transaction.
In decision block 408, if the routine determines that the first coin is indeed valid, then the routine determines if a trigger event has occurred. The reading of a particular coin and/or a coin sequence (which can include, for example, the detection of a particular coin denomination, accumulative value of the sequence, a certain number count of coins in the sequence, a particular string of coins in the sequence, and/or another predetermined level or event) may cause a trigger event. In block 410, when a trigger event occurs, the system maps data from all or some of the coin-sensing events to corresponding media components. As previously stated, the media components can include, for example, musical notes, visual patterns, still images, and/or a combination thereof. In block 412, the media components are combined to create, for example, a music and/or other media arrangement that can be presented or output in block 414, allowing, for example, playback by one or more users.
In decision block 416, the routine determines whether there are more coins to process after block 408 or block 414. If there are additional coins to process, the routine 400 returns to block 404 and repeats. If there are no further coins to process, the user is asked in block 418 whether the media arrangement should be saved as a media file and exported. In block 420, as discussed in further detail below with regard to
One reason an operator may implement a coin counting media creation system into a coin exchange kiosk is to incentivize the user to deposit valid coins. Similarly, the system may also be configured to incentivize the user not to deposit invalid coins, counterfeit coins, and/or foreign objects.
In block 508, if the rejected coin is indeed a coin, the routines determines whether the coin may be classified as counterfeit. In block 510, if the routine suspects the coin is counterfeit, a counterfeit coin media event can be output. In block 511, if the coin is not suspected of being counterfeit, an invalid coin media event may be output. In some embodiments, the media events associated with all rejections in blocks 506, 510 and 511 may be identical. In other embodiments, the media events may be configured to increase in severity from the invalid coin media event in block 511 to the counterfeit coin media event in block 510. For example, a coin exchange kiosk operator may consider an invalid coin detection to be considered to be relatively benign. Thus, the invalid coin media event in block 511 may comprise, for example, only an audio beep and/or a visual indicator. However, if the kiosk operator considers receiving one or more counterfeit coins to be more of a concern, the counterfeit coin media event in block 510 may comprise significantly more conspicuous audio (e.g. a loud siren, horn, klaxon, etc.) and/or visual events (e.g. flashing lights and/or images), particularly if the system detects multiple counterfeit coins in block 508. In block 512, after the system outputs the media event associated with the type of rejection, the operation ends and returns to the next coin-sensing event (e.g. block 404 of
In block 639, the routine saves the media arrangement in one or more of the user-selected formats. In block 640, the routine distributes the media file to one or more of the user-selected destinations. In block 642, the routine issues a voucher or other output for the collected coins and ends the transaction.
In the illustrated embodiment, the coins 760-765 have the coin types and denominations listed in the table above. In other embodiments, however, the coins 760-765 can be of any type or denomination. The sequence 768 corresponds to the coins 760-765 in the order they were discriminated by the system. The coin sensing data (e.g. coin denomination and/or time between coin sensing events) collected by the system for each of the coins 760-765 is associated with the media components 772-777, respectively, to create a media arrangement 778. In the illustrated embodiment, the media components 772-777 are musical notes arranged on a musical scale 770 having musical pitches associated with the denominations of the coins 760-765, respectively. A time Tn between any of the media components 772-777 can, in some embodiments, be determined by the time between coin-sensing events for an associated coin 760-765 in the sequence 768. When a trigger event occurs (e.g. reaching a preset total value), the system can present (e.g. by audibly playing the arrangement 778) and/or save the media arrangement 778.
In some embodiments, the media components 772-777 may optionally be musical notes that have been quantized. As those of ordinary skill in the art know, quantization can be performed by the system to cause musical notes that are not in sync with a given time signature (e.g. 4/4 as shown on musical scale 770) to shift in time so they occur on a beat, or some interval of a beat. Since the coin-sensing events discussed above may occur randomly without a consistent sequential spacing, the system may arrange musical notes without regard to a specific time signature. To some listeners, playback of musical notes arranged in this way may sound dissident and non-musical. To prevent this, the system can use quantization to shift the arrangement of musical components 772-777 on the musical scale 770 to the closest beat, or segment of the beat. In doing so, the musical components 772-777 may better conform to the time signature of the musical scale 770 and sound more musical to a listener.
In some embodiments, the system 880 can also output media arrangements having video information via the display 881. The video information can include a series of patterns, colors, and or shapes, as well as a video file and/or one or more still images. The video information may be created using media components associated with coin sensing data. For example, the video information can include a series of still images associated with the coins read by the system in the order they are detected by the system.
In another example, the system 880 may utilize a media arrangement with audio information to create a corresponding video presentation. The corresponding video presentation may include, for example, a video generated in response to the audio information in the media arrangement. The generated video include, for example, a presentation of a color organ and/or visual elements animated so that the elements correspondingly move on the screen 881 with the audio information contained in the media arrangement. In some embodiments, the system 880 may also include one or more light emitters 885 (identified separately as a first light emitter 885a and a second light emitter 885b). The light emitters 885 may include, for example, light bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and/or laser projectors. The light emitters 885 can emit a light output 887, which can be directed, for example, toward a user, a floor, and/or a ceiling adjacent to the system 880. The light output 887 can be light and/or a laser output having one or more colors and may be configured to be intermittently displayed (e.g. to blink and/or flash). The intermittent display of the light output 887 can be varied or modulated in accordance with, for example, a media arrangement containing audio information.
The system 880 can also save the media arrangement for future listening and/or viewing. For example, the system 880 can store the arrangement as a media file in any number of suitable file formats. If the media file contains audio information, the media file can be saved as general sound file (e.g. MP3, WAV, WMA, MIDI, etc.), a ringtone file (e.g. 3GP, AAC, PDB, etc.), or as a musical score. If the media file contains video information, the media file can be saved as a video file (e.g. AVI, MPG, MOV, etc.).
The system 880 can export the media file via any number of suitable distribution methods, including, but not limited to, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message; a text message containing a code (e.g. an alphanumeric sequence) and/or URL pointing to a website where the media file can be downloaded; a code (e.g. an alphanumeric sequence and/or a bar code) and/or a URL displayed on the screen 881 and/or on a voucher or other printed media; and/or via near-field communications (NFC), in which the mobile device 890 can be tapped against an NFC reader (not shown) on the kiosk 880 to initiate a transfer of the media file and/or a URL. The media file can also be distributed via a device interface (e.g. a USB port) configured to accept a storage device 886 (e.g. a USB thumb drive or a mobile device) capable of engaging the interface. The media file can also be distributed to any number of devices capable of audio and/or video playback, such as, for example, a personal computer 888 and/or a mobile device 890, via the Internet or other suitable distribution means (e.g. via wired and/or wireless transmission).
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the system 880 described above with reference to
One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts of the disclosure can be used in various environments other than location based or the Internet. In general, a display description may be in HTML, XML or WAP format, email format or any other format suitable for displaying information (including character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), and bitmapped formats). Also, various communication channels, such as local area networks, wide area networks, or point-to-point dial-up connections, may be used instead of the Internet. The system may be conducted within a single computer environment, rather than a client/server environment. Also, the user computers may comprise any combination of hardware or software that interacts with the server computer, such as television-based systems and various other consumer products through which commercial or noncommercial transactions can be conducted. The various aspects of the disclosure described herein can be implemented in or for any e-mail environment.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above” and “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.
The description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while functions are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform functions in a different order, or functions may be performed substantially concurrently. The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the system described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments.
All of the references cited herein are incorporated by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the above references and application to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the
Aspects of the invention described in detail above can be embodied in a special purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions explained in detail herein. While aspects of the invention, such as certain functions, are described as being performed exclusively on a single device, the invention can also be practiced in distributed environments where functions or modules are shared among disparate processing devices, which are linked through a communications network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Aspects of the invention, such as the routines described above with reference to
One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts of the invention can be used in various environments other than location based or the Internet. In general, a display description may be in HTML, XML or WAP format, email format or any other format suitable for displaying information (including character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), and bitmapped formats). Also, various communication channels, such as local area networks, wide area networks, or point-to-point dial-up connections, may be used instead of the Internet. The system may be conducted within a single computer environment, rather than a client/server environment. Also, the user computers may comprise any combination of hardware or software that interacts with the server computer, such as television-based systems and various other consumer products through which commercial or noncommercial transactions can be conducted. The various aspects of the invention described herein can be implemented in or for any e-mail environment.
References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present technology should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present technology.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.