US5907141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of security coupons in connection with locking mechanisms for vending and gaming machines
Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations Inc
•
Filing: 1996-07-19
•
Granted: 1999-05-25
•
Expires: 2016-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for using electronic security coupons in connection with locking mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to or removal of internal components of vending and gaming machines. A security coupon is received in the bill validator section of the machine, the security coupon is recognized, and the locking mechanism is unlocked. The security coupon optionally can be stored in a currency cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 David Deaville
- 👤 Patrick J. McGarry
- 👤 Robert D. Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:56
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F9/00; G07F9/06; G07D; G07D11/00; G07D11/20; G07D11/24; G07D11/245; G07F7/00; G07F7/04; G07C; G07C2209/00; G07C2209/08; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of using a security coupon in connection with a vending machine having a bill validator section and a lock to prevent unauthorized access to internal components of the vending machine, the method comprising: receiving a security coupon in the bill validator section of the vending machine; recognizing the security coupon in the bill validator section; and unlocking the lock in response to recognizing the security coupon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of using a security coupon in connection with a vending machine having a bill validator section and a lock to prevent unauthorized access to internal components of the vending machine, the method comprising: receiving a security coupon in the bill validator section of the vending machine; recognizing the security coupon in the bill validator section; and unlocking the lock in response to recognizing the security coupon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 comprising unlocking a front panel of the vending machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vending machine comprises a currency cassette, the method further comprising storing the security coupon in the currency cassette.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 comprising unlocking the currency cassette after storing the security coupon to permit removal of the currency cassette from the vending machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 comprising recognizing a code imprinted on the security coupon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 comprising recognizing a magnetic code on the security coupon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 comprising recognizing a bar code on the security coupon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 comprising requesting authorization from a central network controller to accept the security coupon as valid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 comprising receiving authorization from a central network controller to accept the security coupon as valid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether the security coupon is valid.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of using a security coupon in connection with a bill validator-stacker unit having a bill validator section and a currency cassette locked to the unit, the method comprising: receiving a security coupon in the bill validator section of the unit; recognizing the security coupon; storing the security coupon in the currency cassette; and unlocking the currency cassette from the unit after storing the security coupon to permit removal of the currency cassette from the unit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of using a security coupon in connection with a bill validator-stacker unit having a bill validator section and a currency cassette locked to the unit, the method comprising: receiving a security coupon in the bill validator section of the unit; recognizing the security coupon; storing the security coupon in the currency cassette; and unlocking the currency cassette from the unit after storing the security coupon to permit removal of the currency cassette from the unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 comprising recognizing a unique code on the security coupon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 comprising recognizing a watermark on the security coupon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 comprising recognizing a magnetic code on the security coupon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 comprising recognizing a bar code on the security coupon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 comprising requesting authorization from a central network controller to accept the security coupon as valid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 comprising receiving authorization from a central network controller to accept the security coupon as valid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving a signal limiting the time during which the security coupon is to be considered valid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein unlocking the cassette comprises controlling the position of a locking member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein controlling the position comprises controlling energy provided to a solenoid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein controlling energy comprises energizing the solenoid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein unlocking the currency cassette comprises unlocking an electronically controlled locking mechanism.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising controlling the position of an indicator flag to indicate whether the currency cassette is locked to the unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein unlocking the currency cassette comprises unlocking the currency cassette from the validator section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
A currency validator-stacker unit comprising: a validator section for determining whether inserted banknotes and security coupons are genuine; a removable currency cassette connected to the validator section; a transport path for transporting genuine banknotes from the validator section to the currency cassette; a locking mechanism for locking the currency cassette to the currency validator-stacker unit, wherein the currency cassette can be removed from the currency validator-stacker unit only when the locking mechanism is unlocked; and a control unit for unlocking the locking mechanism when a security coupon received in the validator section is recognized as genuine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
96 words
A currency validator-stacker unit comprising: a validator section for determining whether inserted banknotes and security coupons are genuine; a removable currency cassette connected to the validator section; a transport path for transporting genuine banknotes from the validator section to the currency cassette; a locking mechanism for locking the currency cassette to the currency validator-stacker unit, wherein the currency cassette can be removed from the currency validator-stacker unit only when the locking mechanism is unlocked; and a control unit for unlocking the locking mechanism when a security coupon received in the validator section is recognized as genuine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the transport path transports the received security coupon to the currency cassette, and the control unit unlocks the locking mechanism after the security coupon is stored in the currency cassette.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the locking mechanism locks the currency cassette to the validator section.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the locking mechanism comprises an electronically controlled lock.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a rod, and the currency cassette comprises an opening through which the rod can be extended to lock the currency cassette to the currency validator and stacker unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 29 wherein the control unit comprises a solenoid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 30 wherein the rod is spring and gravity loaded.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the control unit comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 further comprising a microswitch for sensing when the currency cassette is removed from the currency validator-stacker unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the received security coupon comprises an imprinted code.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 34 wherein the imprinted code comprises a bar code.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 25 wherein the received security coupon comprises a magnetic code.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The currency validator-stacker unit of claim 36 wherein the magnetic code is formed of magnetic ink.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
99 words
A vending machine comprising: a front panel; an entryway in the front panel for receiving banknotes and security coupons; a validator section connected to the entryway for determining whether inserted banknotes and security coupons are genuine; a removable currency cassette connected to the validator section; a transport path for transporting genuine banknotes from the validator section to the currency cassette; one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to internal components of the vending machine; and a control unit for unlocking the one or more locks when a security coupon received in the validator section is recognized as genuine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
99 words
A vending machine comprising: a front panel; an entryway in the front panel for receiving banknotes and security coupons; a validator section connected to the entryway for determining whether inserted banknotes and security coupons are genuine; a removable currency cassette connected to the validator section; a transport path for transporting genuine banknotes from the validator section to the currency cassette; one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to internal components of the vending machine; and a control unit for unlocking the one or more locks when a security coupon received in the validator section is recognized as genuine.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vending machine of claim 38 wherein at least one of the locks must be unlocked to open the front panel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vending machine of claim 38 wherein at least one of the locks must be unlocked to remove the currency cassette.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vending machine of claim 38 further comprising a cable for sending and receiving security coupon information to and from a central network controller.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vending machine of claim 38 wherein the received security coupon comprises an imprinted code.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vending machine of claim 39 wherein the imprinted code comprises a bar code.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vending machine of claim 38 wherein the received security coupon comprises a magnetic code.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vending machine of claim 44 wherein the magnetic code is formed of magnetic ink.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vending machine of claim 38 wherein the transport path transports the received security coupon to the currency cassette, and the control unit unlocks the one or more locks after the security coupon is stored in the currency cassette.
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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) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |