Money handling apparatus and method

MONEY HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus and methods for handling money. It will be described primarily in the context of coin handling, but the techniques of the invention can also be applied to handling other forms of currency, and in particular banknotes.

[0002] Many conventional machines for vending products or providing services incorporate at least one controller which operates the product-vending or service-providing part of the apparatus, and at least one further controller within a money handling unit such as a coin validator. The controller in the coin validator communicates with the vend controller in order to perform a number of functions, including transmitting to the vend controller indications of the values of coins validated by the coin validator and receiving from the controller instructions which are used to control the dispensing of change. The division of the functions between these controllers can vary from machine to machine. For example, in some machines, the vend controller is able to calculate the distribution of coins to be dispensed as change, and to provide appropriate instructions to the coin validator. In other arrangements, the vend controller simply sends to the coin validator an indication of the total amount of change to be dispensed (or the price of a product being dispensed), and the coin validator is then capable of calculating an appropriate coin distribution for dispensing.

[0003] Monetary values may be transmitted between the controllers in arbitrary units. However, it is necessary that each controller stores information specifying the units being used by the other controller for the information to be meaningful. In practice, both the vend controller and the coin validator controller store a representation of the units, often referred to as the scaling factor. Both controllers transmit value in units determined by this scaling factor. In some cases, this scaling factor has to be individually stored within each device as a manual operation. In other arrangements, the coin validator is capable of performing an initialisation operation (which may for example take place on power-up of the machine, or in response to instructions from a service engineer), by means of which a scaling factor stored in the coin validator is transmitted to the vend controller for storage therein.

[0004] The choice of scaling factor depends upon a number of considerations. This includes the number of different denominations which can be handled by the coin validator, and the number of different denominations which the vend controller can recognise (which may be different). As coin validators and vending machines become more sophisticated, and able to handle greater numbers of coins and in some cases different currencies, the selection of an appropriate scaling factor becomes more difficult. Furthermore, each time the configuration of the coin validator is changed, for example to allow the validator to accept and/or dispense a different set of coins, the scaling factor potentially becomes inappropriate and needs to be changed.

[0005] Aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying claims.

[0006] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a money validator is operable to determine, taking into account the values associated with the denominations it is intended to accept and/or dispense, an appropriate scaling

factor, and to transmit this scaling factor to a controller of a vending machine. The term "vending machine" is used herein to cover any machine which is intended for the provision of products (including money) or services in response to value received. Thus, in this aspect, the money validator can automatically take into account various parameters, including the coin set with which it is intended to be used, and possibly also for example the denominations it is arranged to dispense, in order to calculate an appropriate scaling factor which can then be used both by the money validator and the vending machine controller. This mitigates the problems associated with changing scaling factors in the event of a reconfiguration of the coin validator.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a money validator is operable to inhibit acceptance of currency units in response to a supplied scaling factor. Thus, in those circumstances where the vending machine has a predetermined scaling factor, or where a scaling factor cannot be automatically altered by the money validator, it is possible to specify a scaling factor and reconfigure the money validator automatically so as to avoid the use of currency units which are inappropriate for that scaling factor. This is particularly valuable also when the money validator is capable of handling more denominations than the vending machine controller can handle; this aspect of the invention enables automatic selection of the best combination of currency units.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the invention, a money validator is automatically operable to inhibit acceptance of a sub-set of coins selected from a coin set which is nominally capable of being handled by the money validator, the selection taking into account parameters including the currency units which can be dispensed by the money validator. Preferably, the money validator also takes into account a supplied scaling factor in selecting the sub-set, or alternatively calculates a scaling factor from the determined sub-set.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, a money validator is operable selectively in either of two modes, the money validator being operable in the first mode to respond to a supplied scaling factor for selectively inhibiting acceptance of one or more denominations, and being operable in the second mode for calculating a scaling factor on the basis of the values of denominations which the money validator is capable of accepting. This enables the same validator to be used to advantage in circumstances where the scaling factor has to be pre-set to match that of a vending machine controller and where the scaling factor can be varied to best suit the coin set which the validator is intended to handle.

[0010] The present invention is particularly suitable for use in coin validators in accordance with WO-A-99/01847, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In such arrangements, it is desirable for the validator to store a table listing not only the currency units which can be handled by the validator, but also an indication of the currency to which they belong. This therefore allows the validator to be switched easily between different modes, in which different currencies are handled in different ways. For example, the validator can be switched between a first mode, in which only money of a first currency is received and dispensed, a second mode in which money of first and second currencies is validated but only money of the first currency is dispensed, a third mode in which money of the first and second currencies is accepted but only money of the second currency is dispensed, and a fourth mode in which only money of the second currency is validated and dispensed. In practice, the validator may be arranged only to be switchable between a sub-set of these modes. In any event, the techniques of the present invention facilitate the reconfiguration of the validator during changes between these modes.

[0011] The term currency is used in respect of denominations of coins which are legal tender in a given country and issued by a given authority. When two sets of denominations of coins are legal tender in a given country, as will be the case for the single European currency and the relevant national currency, they are deemed to be different currencies if they are issued by different authorities.

[0012] The invention also extends to a method of reconfiguring a money validator in accordance with the invention, and to a vending machine incorporating such a money validator.

[0013] Arrangements embodying the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical vending machine which can operate according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away side view of the front panel of the vending machine of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a coin mechanism of the vending machine of FIG. 2; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of part of the operation of a coin validator in the vending machine.

[0018] The money acceptance apparatus and method of the present invention may be used for the dispensing of items including the vending of products, such as drinks, snacks, cigarettes, toiletries or tickets, currency exchange and the providing of services, such as in pay telephones or turnstiles. An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to a product vending machine, but this is not meant to be a limitation on the application of this invention.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a vending machine 1 which contains a variety of products 10 to be dispensed which are stored in an area inaccessible to customers, such as behind a glass panel. Each product 10 is retained by a product delivery apparatus 20 which is selectively actuable to dispense the product into a delivery area 30 that is accessible to the customer. Suitable product delivery apparatus 20 include vend motors and solenoids as well as others well known in the art. Examples of such apparatus include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,187 and 4,785,927, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0020] A control panel 40 of the vending machine 1 contains a coin slot 50 and a banknote or bill insert slot 60 which accept currency to initiate a vend operation. The control panel 40 further contains a card acceptor 70 to enable customers to initiate a transaction with a credit or debit card. In addition, an electronic purse device in the form of a card may be inserted into the card acceptor 70 to initiate a

transaction. The term "electronic purse device" is used herein to denote a token or card possessing an electronic circuit, a magnetic strip or other data storing medium or circuitry, for retaining a credit value. An electronic purse device may be in one of a variety of shapes, including a key or coin, as well as the card. Such devices may be used as currency in a variety of conventional automatic transaction systems.

[0021] A coin return button 75, a coin return recess 80, a bill payout recess 85 and an item selector such as a keypad 90 are also provided in the control panel 40. A display 95 on the control panel 40 provides instructions and information to the customer. Suitable displays 95 include dot-matrix displays, selectively activatable message lights, an electronic scrolling message, or other displays capable of operating in the environmental conditions to which automatic transaction systems are typically exposed.

[0022] A customer may initiate a transaction by depositing coins or bills of particular denominations in the slots 50 or 60,respectively. The customer may also insert an electronic purse device, or a debit or credit card in the card acceptor 70 to initiate a transaction. Once sufficient payment has been deposited in the automatic transaction system 1, the customer may select a product 10 to be dispensed using the keypad 90. The corresponding product delivery apparatus 20 will then dispense the selected product 10 to the product delivery area 30 where it may be retrieved by the customer. Any resulting change from the transaction may be paid out through the coin return recess 80, the bill payout recess 85 or credited to an inserted electronic purse device. Before instructing a vend, a customer can press coin return button 75 to obtain a refund of coins in the amount of any coins he has inserted.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway side view, not drawn to scale, of the vending machine 1 of FIG. 1 showing a typical component layout along the control panel 40. Referring to FIG. 2, money acceptors, such as a bill validator 100 and a coin mechanism 110, are attached to the rear of the control panel 40 adjacent the bill insert and coin slots 60 and 50, respectively. The coin mechanism 110 is connected to the coin return recess 80 and to a coin passageway 117 leading to the coin slot 50. The bill validator 100 is connected to a bill stacker 105. The coin mechanism 110 and bill validator 100 are capable of discriminating coins and bills.

[0024] A bill escrow and payout unit 115 is positioned adjacent the bill payout recess 85 and is connected to the bill validator 100. The bill escrow and payout unit 115 is capable of dispensing bills as change through the bill payout recess 85. The bill validator 100 may divert deposited acceptable bills to the bill escrow and payout unit 115 to replenish its supply of bills for change. Suitable bill escrow and payout units 115 include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,076, 441, as well as others well-known in the art. A cash box 120 is also included in the vending machine 1.

[0025] The bill validator 100, coin mechanism 110, bill escrow and payout unit 115, card acceptor 70, keypad 90 and display 95 are connected to a vend controller 130 by communication lines 140. The controller 130 is further connected to data input/output devices 135, such as DIP switches 150, a keypad 160, an input/output port 170 and a display 180 to facilitate entering and updating of operating data and servicing of the vending machine 1. The components disposed behind the control panel 40 are not accessible to customers of the vending machine 1 and may only be accessed by service personnel.

[0026] The controller 130 may be of a well known type, and may be arranged to receive various items of information from the bill validator 100 and coin mechanism 110 via the communication lines 140. In particular, each time an acceptable unit of money is validated by either the bill validator 100 or the coin mechanism 110, a signal is sent to the vend controller indicating the value of the received unit. For coins, this information is transmitted as a one-byte code, representing the denomination of the money unit according to a predetermined scaling factor SF, which scaling factor is stored within the controller 130. Values may be transmitted in a similar fashion by the bill validator 100, although in this case a separate scaling factor may be used.

[0027] The coin mechanism 110 is also provided with data input/output devices 300, including a keypad 302, display 304, DIP switches 306 and a communications port 308.

[0028] Further details of the coin mechanism 110 are illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, coin mechanism 110 comprises a coin validator 200, a coin separator 205 and a coin storage region 207. The coin validator 200 receives inserted coins 210 through an opening 215 which is connected to the coin passageway 117 of FIG. 2. The coin 210 travels along ramp 220 in the coin validator 200 past sensors such as those shown at 225.

[0029] The sensors 225 generate electrical signals which are provided to a coin mechanism processor 230 such as a microprocessor or microcontroller. Suitable arrangements for sensors 225 include those described in GB 1 397 083, GB 1 443 934, GB 2 254 948 and GB 2 094 008 which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0030] The processor 230 is connected to the data input/ output devices 300, the coin return button 75 of FIG. 1 and also to the vend controller 130 via communications lines 140, shown in FIG. 2.

[0031] The electrical signals generated by the sensors 225 contain information corresponding to the measured characteristics of the coin, such as a coin's diameter, thickness, metal content and electromagnetic properties. Based on these electrical signals, the processor 230 is able to discriminate whether the coin is acceptable, and if so, the denomination of the coin 210. The coin mechanism processor 230 provides information concerning the denomination of accepted coins to the controller 130 over the communication lines 140 of FIG. 2. For this purpose, the coin mechanism processor 230 also stores the scaling factor mentioned above, and transmits the value of the accepted coin denomination in units according to this scaling factor.

[0032] If the coin 210 is unacceptable, the processor 230 controls a gate 235 to direct the unacceptable coin 210 to a reject chute 240. The reject chute 240 is connected to the coin return recess 80 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the alternative, acceptable coins 210 are directed to the coin separator 205 by the gate 235. The coin separator 205 may have a number of gates 245, 247, 249, 251 arranged along a ramp 253 and also controlled by signals from the processor 230, for diverting the coin 210 from the ramp 253.The coin 210 may be diverted into respective containers 262,264,266 and 268,

or the coin 210 may be allowed to proceed along ramp 253 to a path 258 leading to the cash box 120 shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] Each of the containers 262, 264, 266 and 268 is in

the form of a coin tube arranged to store a vertical stack of coins of a particular denomination. Although only four containers are shown, any number may be provided.

[0034] The coin tubes are arranged within a removable cassette 269; such removable cassettes are well known in the art. As an example, a removable cassette is described in GB 2 246 897 A, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The removable cassette is marked with a code, which indicates the denominations that are accommodated by the tubes within the cassette. The code is input using the keypad 302 on the coin mechanism 110 to inform the mechanism which cassette and tubes have been installed. Alternatively, the design may be such that the mechanism automatically recognises the type of cassette when it is inserted, or else the information could be provided remotely, or on a card.

[0035] The coin mechanism 110 may alternatively use passive routing techniques, such as those well known in the vending machine art, instead of the gates 245-251 for diverting the coin 210 from the ramp 253. Examples of suitable alternative configurations for the coin separator 205 are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,844,297 and 4,106,610, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0036] A dispenser 270 associated with the coin tubes 262-268 is operable to dispense coins from the containers when change is to be given to a customer by the coin mechanism 110. The dispensed coins are delivered to the coin return recess 80 for collection. Suitable dispensers 270 include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,814,115 and 4,367,760, which are hereby incorporated by reference. An alternative configuration may use a coin mechanism 110 that does not payout change. In such a configuration, a separate pre-loaded coin payout device, such as those well known in the gaming machine art, may be used to payout change.

[0037] Any bill validator that is capable of discriminating unique characteristics of bill denominations may be used as the bill validator 100 of FIG. 2. Suitable bill validators 100 include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,628,194 and 5,222,584, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0038] The apparatus described so far corresponds to known apparatus. The vend controller 130 may be of any of a number of different types. A first class of vend controller would allow the stored scaling factor to be changed manually using the data input/output devices 135, for example the DIP switches 150. A corresponding scaling factor would be caused to be stored in the coin mechanism processor 230 by a set-up procedure. This procedure would be carried out using the data input/output devices 300 of the coin mechanism, for example by operating the keypad 302, or by transmitting data to the processor 230 using a communications link coupled to the port 308. Either operation could be performed by a suitably-authorised service engineer. If the vending machine is of a second class, then upon initialisation of the vending machine 1 (which may occur on powerup of the vending machine), the vend controller 130 is arranged to receive a scaling factor transmitted over the communications lines 140 by the coin mechanism processor 230.

identifying the coin and a parameter VALUE representing the value of the coin in units corresponding to the stored scaling factor SF. There are also stored an indication CURRENCY of the currency of the coin, a "remainder" value REMAINDER, an indication TUBE? of whether the coin is supposed to be stored in one of the tubes 262 to 268 and an "inhibit" flag INHIBIT. The inhibit flag is intended to indicate whether the validator should accept or disregard coins of this type.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the validator is intended to handle coins of a plurality of different currencies, for example Euros and British sterling. The values of money units of one currency are not integral multiples of the values of money units in the other currency. It would be possible to select a scaling factor representing a small value, and then to represent the values of the currency units accurately in the "VALUE" column of the table. However, this would mean that the number stored in the "VALUE" column would be large, therefore requiring potentially more than one byte for transmission. It would also not be very useful because normally the prices of the products or services provided by the vending machine would be in a single currency, and the coins which could be dispensed as change would also be in a single currency, so it would not be possible to deal effectively with fractions of units of this currency.

[0042] In the present embodiment, accordingly, the numbers used for the VALUE parameters of denominations in at least one currency are rounded, so that a larger scaling factor can be used to represent the different values for the respective currencies. However, an accumulation of rounding approximations could lead to a significant loss or gain of value. Various techniques are available for dealing with this. See for example WO-A-96/08795. In the present embodiment, the processor 230 stores the REMAINDER value. This represents any currency conversion inaccuracies resulting from the rounding used to obtain the VALUE parameter. Each time a coin is validated, the associated REMAINDER quantity is added to a remainder store. The processor deter

mines when the amount accumulated in the remainder store is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, this value corresponding to the lowest denomination monetary unit which is capable of being dispensed by the validator. When this event occurs, the processor 230 transmits to the vending controller 130 an indication that a unit of this denomination has been received. This avoids the possibility of significant losses or gains due to rounding errors. The processor 230 also transmits to the vending controller 130 an indication that the unit was directed to the cashbox 120, so that the vending controller will not assume that the unit is available for dispensing. The remainder stored is cleared, or at least reduced by the amount corresponding to the lowest denomination monetary unit. The remainder store is also cleared at the end of each transaction. Various modifications will be apparent. The predetermined value could correspond to the lowest acceptable denomination, rather than the lowest dispensable denomination. Instead of taking account of the REMAINDER value as the customer is inserting coins, this could be taken into account after a vend selection is made, for determining whether sufficient credit has been inserted and/or for determining how much change should be dispensed.

[0043] Preferably, the REMAINDER value is stored in units which are smaller than that of the scaling factor, to increase accuracy.

[0044] The coin mechanism 110 of the present embodiment is designed to operate with vending machines of either of the two classes mentioned above. It is assumed in the following that the coin mechanism performs, during a set-up procedure, a communication operation with the vending machine controller 130 which informs the coin mechanism processor 230 of the particular type of vending machine controller with which it is communicating. However, instead, this information can be supplied to the coin mechanism processor 230 directly by a service engineer using the data input/output devices 300.

[0045] The set-up procedure for the coin mechanism 110 may be initiated on power-up of the coin mechanism and/or in response to a specific instruction from a service engineer, issued using the data input/output devices 300. FIG. 4 shows the set-up procedure insofar as it is relevant to the present invention.

[0046] The procedure starts at step 400. At step 402, the set-up procedure carries out standard configuration or reconfiguration processes which will not be described in detail here, but which may involve processing information supplied by a service engineer using the data input/output devices 300. This information may include a scaling factor if the vend controller 130 is of a type which does not accept scaling factors provided to it over the communication lines 140. The supplied information may also result in altering the INHIBIT flags in table 1 to inhibit acceptance of particular coins which are not of interest in the region where the vending machine 1 is located. The set-up procedure may also involve changing the TUBE? flags identifying the denominations of coins stored in the coin tubes 262 to 268, if the coin mechanism is intended to dispense different types of coins (which might require replacement of the cassette 269 containing the coin tubes 262 to 268). These operations may be performed in order to change the mode of the apparatus such that it accepts and/or dispenses a different combination of currencies.