FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of coin or token operated machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to machines that receive tokens or chips and dispense cash in exchange.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines currently exist that allow a user to insert bills and receive coins in exchange. In addition, Coinstar, Inc. of Bellevue, Wash. makes a machine that allows users to convert large amounts of coins to bills without going to a bank. The Coinstar machine receives change and dispenses vouchers that users may take to a cashier and exchange for bills and change. A user of the Coinstar machine is charged a percentage of the transaction total for the service of converting the coins to bills.

Machines also exist that receive money in the form of coins or bills and dispense a product such a food item or postage stamps.

Other machines read a magnetic strip on a plastic card and perform some function upon recognizing the proper information from the magnetic strip. A well known example of such a machine is an automatic teller machine (“ATM”). A user of an ATM has a card encoded with information unique to the user. The information allows the ATM to recognize the user and prompt the user for entry of a secret code. Once the user enters the code on a keypad of the machine, the ATM checks the entered code against the code that is associated with the card. If the information matches, the user can proceed by responding to prompts from the ATM until the transaction is complete. Some possible ATM transactions are withdrawing money from an account, depositing money into an account, or making a payment owed to an account.

In casino gambling, patrons use chips in many of the games instead of money. During play, a user accumulates gambling chips. Gambling chips are not legal tender and are typically negotiable only inside a particular casino. Chips from different casinos sometimes appear to be somewhat similar. For example, chips from different casinos may be of similar materials, sizes and colors, yet not be interchangeable. Currently, gambling patrons cash in their winnings in the form of chips by going to a human cashier. The human cashier counts the chips and returns money to the patron.

Disadvantages are associated with using human cashiers. There is a possibility that a human cashier will make an error in counting the chips and returning cash. A human cashier could also attempt to steal from a patron or an employer in the course of a transaction. It is necessary for a casino to hire enough cashiers to serve the number of patrons who wish to cash in their chips, significantly adding to overhead. Finally, patrons dislike waiting in cashier lines when there are not enough cashiers to service all the patrons promptly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatically exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash that is less prone to error than a human cashier.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash that provides a record of each transaction.

An apparatus for receiving tokens and dispensing cash is described. The apparatus comprises a recognition device that recognizes a denomination of a token and a source of a token wherein the token is not government issued legal tender. A controller device is coupled to the recognition device. The controller device comprises a calculating device that calculates the monetary value of the token. A dispensing device is coupled to the recognition device that dispenses cash equal in value to the monetary value of the token.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1

a

is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1

b

is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2

illustrates an input bin and first physical separator of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3

is a diagram of an arrangement that retains a token while it is being identified;

FIG. 4

illustrates an embodiment using a closed circuit television camera to identify a token;

FIG. 5

a

illustrates an embodiment using a closed circuit television camera to identify a token;

FIG. 5

b

is a diagram of a token used with the embodiment of

FIG. 5

a;

FIG. 6

is a diagram of a token reservoir according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 7

is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus and method is described that allows automatic exchange of tokens or gambling chips for cash and keeps a record of each transaction and user. For one embodiment, a token or gambling chip is recognized by identifying a radio frequency (RF) transmission. For another embodiment, a token or gambling chip is recognized by comparing a closed circuit television (CCTV) image of the token or gambling chip with a database of images. Alternative embodiments allow for the printing and dispensing of a receipt bearing a record of a transaction. Alternative embodiments also allow tokens to be retrieved after a transaction and associated with a patron that conducted the transaction.

FIG. 1

a

is a front view of an embodiment

100

of an automatic cashier machine of the present invention. Tokens or gambling chips are input into input bin

102

. Bills are dispensed through bill dispenser slot

110

. Tokens or gambling chips that are not acceptable are returned in return bin

112

. “Okay” button

106

and “cancel” button

108

allow a user to approve a transaction or cancel a transaction, respectively. Current total transaction value in appropriate units, such as dollars, is displayed on display

104

. If a user does not approve of a transaction total, he or she may press cancel button

108

and receive all input tokens or gambling chips for that transaction in return bin

112

. At the completion of a transaction, the user receives a printed record of the transaction through receipt printer output

114

. For each individual transaction, CCTV camera

116

takes a picture of the user.

FIG. 1

b

is a cutaway side view of embodiment

100

. Items are inserted into input bin

102

by a user. Items can be separated by size into acceptable items and unacceptable items because unacceptable items are known to have a certain size range. After items are inserted into input bin

102

they proceed to funnel

118

and on to first physical separator

120

.

FIG. 2

is an illustration of first physical separator

120

and funnel

118

. Referring to

FIG. 2

, first physical separator

120

separates out items that are oversize, i.e., items larger than the largest acceptable item. Chute

138

includes slot

123

opening into chute

122

. Slot

123

is sized such that items that are not larger than the largest acceptable item will fall through slot

123

. Items that are too large to fall through slot

123

fall through to chute

138

, and proceed through return chute

126

to return bin

112

. Items continuing to chute

122

proceed to second physical separator

124

.

Referring again to

FIG. 1

b

, second physical separator

124

includes opening

125

to return chute

126

. Opening

125

is sized such that any item that is too small to be acceptable will fall from second physical separator

124

through return chute

126

to return bin

112

. Items that are not too small to be acceptable proceed to chute

128

and then to identification area

136

. In identification area

136

, items are scrutinized to determine source and denomination. For one embodiment, items having as a source a particular casino are considered acceptable. If an item is not recognized as having a proper source, the item proceeds to return chute

126

through chute

132

and finally to return bin

112

. If an item is recognized as having a proper source, its denomination is recorded by controller

140

and the item proceeds to token reservoir

134

. Computer controller

140

is electronically connected to identification area

136

, and in one embodiment, contains hardware and software designed to cooperate with a recognition device of identification area

136

(as explained more fully below) to recognize particular items as being acceptable. Computer controller

140

also includes a memory device (not shown) for storing information regarding operation of embodiment

100

and regarding particular transactions and for storing computer programs executed by the computer controller

140

in operating the automatic cashier machine,

Display

104

displays a current transaction total. When the user wishes to complete the transaction, the user may accept the transaction by pressing okay button

106

. If okay button

106

is pressed, bill dispenser

110

dispenses bills having a total value that equals the current transaction value last displayed on display

104

. For one embodiment, a printed receipt bearing a record of the transaction is dispensed through receipt printer output

114

. If the user presses cancel button

108

to cancel the transaction, all items inserted during the transaction are returned to return bin

112

.

FIG. 3

is a diagram of an arrangement that retains a token while it is being identified. The arrangement resides in identification area

136

and includes a frame

310

that holds token

302

, a solenoid finger

304

and a solenoid

306

that is connected to computer controller

140

through wire

308

. Token

301

is shown to illustrate how tokens enter frame

310

from chute

128

. While held in frame

310

, token

302

is identified according to one of several methods. Two methods of identification are discussed below. If token

302

is identified as acceptable, it is kicked by solenoid finger

304

into chute

130

, which leads to token reservoir

134

. If token

302

is not recognized as acceptable, it is kicked by solenoid finger

304

into chute

132

, which leads to return bin

112

.

FIG. 4

illustrates a token identification device according to one embodiment. Frame

310

is shown in side view enclosing token

302

. Solenoid finger

304

and solenoid

306

are also shown. CCTV camera

402

, in this embodiment, resides in identification area

136

and is connected to computer controller

140

through wire

309

. Wire

309

is connected, for example, to a video capture input card of computer controller

140

. When a token is held in frame

310

, CCTV camera

402

transmits an image of the token to computer controller

140

for comparison with images in a database. If the image of the token is not recognized through comparison as the image of an acceptable token, the token is sent to return bin

112

as previously described. If the image of the token is recognized as the image of an acceptable token, the denomination of the token is stored by computer controller

140

and added to a total mount of any previous tokens of the same transaction that were recognized as acceptable.

FIG. 5

a

illustrates a token identification device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5

b

illustrates a particular type of token that is required in this embodiment. Referring to

FIG. 5

a

, frame

310

, solenoid finger

304

, and solenoid

306

are shown. Radio frequency (RF) transceiver

508

is shown in identification area

136

. RF transceiver

508

is coupled to computer controller

140

through wire

509

, which is connected, for example, to a serial port of computer controller

140

.

For this embodiment, the token of

FIG. 5

b

must be used. Referring to

FIG. 5

b

, token

502

is shown in top cutaway view. Embedded in token

502

are semiconductor chip

504

and RF fiber

506

. When token

502

is held in frame

310

in the embodiment of

FIG. 5

a

, transceiver

508

emits RF radiation in the direction of token

502

. The RF radiation induces a current in fiber

506

which is then used by semiconductor chip

504

as a source of power to transmit its own RF radiation. The RF radiation from token

502

is encoded with an identifier including source and denomination information. The RF radiation from token

502

is received by transceiver

508

which passes the encoded information to computer controller

140

. Computer controller

140

includes a database of all acceptable codes and their significances. If the encoded information is recognized, the token is recognized as an acceptable token, and the denomination of the token is stored by computer controller

140

and added to a total amount of any previous tokens of the same transaction that were recognized as acceptable.

Tokens or gambling chips such as token

502

are manufactured and sold by ChipCo International of Windham, Me. Semiconductors such as semiconductor

504

, which can be embedded in token

503

, are manufactured and sold by Micron Technologies of Boise Id. Transceivers such as transceiver

508

are manufactured and sold by Product Enhancement Products (PEP) of Laguna Hills Calif.

In other embodiments, technologies other than RF transmission can be used to identify a token held in frame

310

, for example, magnetic ultrasound identification.

FIG. 6

is a diagram of an alternative reservoir

152

according to one embodiment. Alternative reservoir

152

in this embodiment, takes the place of token reservoir

134

of

FIG. 1

b

. The use of alternative reservoir

152

allows particular tokens associated with a patron and a transaction to be segregated for later retrieval. This is useful, for example, in the case of a particular patron inserting counterfeit tokens into the machine. In this embodiment, all of the tokens inserted by a particular patron can be retrieved along with a photograph of the patron.

Referring to

FIG. 6

, alternative reservoir

152

includes token cylinders about its perimeter, such as example token cylinder

158

. Token cylinder

158

is shown empty, but in operation holds tokens of various sizes. Tokens are retained in token cylinder

158

by retractable retaining lip

156

. One of the token cylinders about the perimeter of alternative reservoir

152

is positioned below chute

130

at any given time. Acceptable tokens that are deposited by a patron during a transaction eventually fall into the token cylinder. For one embodiment using alternative reservoir

152

, as tokens are identified in identification area

136

, each acceptable token is counted by computer controller

140

. When a maximum number of tokens have been deposited in a given token cylinder, spindle

157

and consequently, alternative reservoir

152

are rotated to place a different token cylinder under chute

130

. The sensor and counting device indicate when alternative reservoir

152

is completely full by displaying a message on display

104

. When alternative reservoir

152

is completely full, the automatic cashier machine will refuse further tokens, for example by closing a door to input bin

102

. A patron wishing to continue must end the transaction, receive cash for the deposited tokens and then initiate a new transaction to complete the exchange of tokens for cash.

Alternative reservoir

152

includes cylinder identification marks corresponding to each token cylinder, such as identification mark

159

. Identification mark

159

, for one embodiment, is a bar code. Sensing device

155

for this embodiment is a bar code reading device . Sensing device

155

communicates with computer controller

140

. Each identification mark identifies a token cylinder that is beneath chute

130

at the time the identification mark is read. The particular token cylinder is identified to computer controller

140

through sensing device

155

. Computer controller

140

stores the identification of the cylinder and associates it with identification of a patron conducting a current transaction. For example, the photograph of the patron that is taken by CCTV

116

will be associated with the transaction by computer controller

140

. At a later time tokens generated by a particular transaction with a particular patron can be retrieved through chute

131

and examined.

Alternative reservoir

152

is but one example of a mechanism used to segregate tokens involved in a particular transaction. Other types of mechanisms could be used in place of alternative reservoir

152

.

For one embodiment of the automatic cashier machine, the machine could be located anywhere in the gambling establishment where patrons can gamble. For this embodiment, the machine is placed against a wall or against the back of another machine of the same or a different type and includes an access door at the side which is normally locked. Patrons use the machine to cash in tokens and casino personnel open the access door to replenish and empty or service the machine.

For another embodiment, the automatic cashier machine is placed parallel to human cashier windows such that patrons may access the front of the machine to cash in tokens and casino personnel may access the machine internally through an access door in the back of the machine inside the cashier area.

For yet another embodiment, the automatic cashier machine is located inside a cashier area of a casino and is not accessible to patrons at all. Cashiers use the machine to generate cash from patrons' tokens, thereby creating a record of each transaction and reducing employee fraud and error. For this embodiment, cashier personnel may be supplied with identification cards for accessing the machine, for example, cards with magnetic strips, or they may be supplied with identification codes to be entered into the machine so that the cashier can be associated with a transaction conducted by him or her.

FIG. 7

is a flow diagram showing the method of the present invention according to the embodiment of

FIG. 1

b

. At start

602

, the automatic cashier machine is at an idle and ready state. For the automatic cashier machine to be at an idle and ready state the bill dispenser must have an adequate supply of bills, there must be space available to accommodate input tokens or gambling chips, and the machine must not be malfunctioning in any element.

At block

604

a user inputs tokens or chips into input bin

102

. At physical check

606

, the automatic cashier machine physically checks input items for acceptable size in first physical separator

120

and second physical separator

124

. If the item size is acceptable, the token or chip is transmitted for identification to identification area

136

at block

608

. If the item is not of an acceptable size it is returned to the user in return bin

112

at block

610

. From block

610

the process proceeds to decision block

616

where it is determined whether there are any tokens or gambling chips left in the transaction.

Returning now to block

608

, if the physical size is acceptable, the chip is then identified using one of the described methods. If the item is recognized it is moved to reservoir

134

at block

612

. At block

614

, the value of the item is added to the total transaction value displayed on display

104

. Next, in block

616

, it is determined whether there are any chips left in the transaction. At this point the user can insert another item causing the automatic cashier machine to return to block

606

for physical check of the item. At block

618

, the user may press okay button

106

or cancel button

108

. If the user presses cancel button

108

, display

104

is cleared to display “$0.00” at block

620

. Next, all items in the canceled transaction are returned to the user in return bin

112

at block

622

, and finally the automatic cashier machine is reset and made ready for the next transaction at block

624

.

If the user presses okay button

106

at block

618

, then, at block

628

, CCTV camera

116

takes a picture of the user for storage by computer controller

140

. The picture of the user is associated with the transaction so that definitive transaction verification can later be made. At block

630

, all bills associated with the transaction are output to the user through bill dispenser

110

and the transaction is recorded. At block

632

a printed receipt containing a complete record of the transaction is output to the user at receipt printer output

114

. Finally, at block

634

the automatic cashier machine is reset and readied for the next transaction.

The present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, for example as an automatic cashier machine used by a patron of a gambling establishment who is identified with a transaction by a photograph. In other embodiments, patrons access the automatic cashier machine by means of a card containing identification and tracking information regarding the patron. In such embodiments a slot is provided for inserting the card to be read by the machine. The card contains, for example, information regarding the betting history of the player in the gambling establishment. The betting history from such cards is used to accrue “points” toward rewards or incentives, such as free drinks, meals, or hotel stays. It is desirable for a gambling establishment to obtains betting histories. Patrons can be motivated to use the automatic cashier machine with their card when they receive points for doing so.

Another advantage of having a patron use an automatic cashier machine is that, even when the patron uses an identification and tracking card, it may not be possible to obtain a very accurate indication of how many tokens are cashed in before the patron leaves and how many tokens the patron leaves the establishment with. For example, when the patron plays a card game involving a dealer, personnel at the card table must attempt to manually track the flow of money and tokens. This can be difficult to do accurately, in part because there is too much activity for personnel to monitor. Also, a patron may pocket a number of tokens so that they are not visible for counting. When the patron cashes in tokens using the machine with a card, an accurate record is made.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.