GB2200489A

GB2200489A - Token collection

Info

Publication number: GB2200489A
Application number: GB08701904A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Kay Tagima
Original assignee: MECCA LEISURE Ltd
Current assignee: MECCA LEISURE Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-28
Filing date: 1987-01-28
Publication date: 1988-08-03
Also published as: GB8701904D0

Abstract

In order to minimise the coins or other tokens held in token released machines such as vending or amusement with prize machines 10, 11, a system is provided in which tokens which are surplus to requirements of the machines are immediately returned to a common secure outlet 30 by transport means 23. The transport means may be a network of chutes transporting coins under gravity or a driven conveyor system. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TOKEN COLLECTION The present invention relates to automated token collection for token operated machines, for instance vending machines1 laundry machines1 gaming machines, or "amusement with prizes" machines. Such machines are normally operated by face value tokens or coins of various denominations by means of a "coin" or release mechanism, but can be operated by bank notes by means of bank note validators. The term "token" as used herein is defined to mean a coin, face value token1 bank note, or any other similar means capable of operating a release mechanism of any type.

Conventional gaming or amusement with prizes machines1 generally known as fruit machines1 require coins or tokens of various denominations to be inserted in order to release the machine for playing. Further, winning events require coins or tokens to be dispensed.

Thus, a conventional fruit machine has within its construction two separate components for handling the coins or tokens, namely payout tubes or hoppers and a cash box.

On commissioning a machine for play, the payout tubes or hoppers are manually filled to a predetermined level and, during subsequent playing of the machine, coins inserted for play are automatically fed into the payout tubes or hoppers. Whenever the tubes or hoppers are filled, the coins are diverted into the cash box, where they remain until such time as they are removed manually from the machine for banking purposes.

At any time during operation of a fruit machine; its cash box contains a quantity of money which is inactive until such time as it is removed and placed in circulation again. This money can also be vulnerable to vandalism of the machine and theft from the cash box, particularly where several fruit machines are located in a leisure arcade which may stay open late at night. In such circumstances, manual collection of the cash can involve some danger to personnel from attack and theft.

According to the invention, there is provided an automated token collection system comprising: a plurality of token operated machines, each of which comprises receiving means for receiving a token and release means operated by receipt of at least one token by the receiving means a secure token outlet for immediately returning tokens; and transport means for immediately transporting at least some of the tokens received by the receiving means of each token operated machine directly to the token outlet.

The transport means may be passive, for instance a network of chutes for transporting tokens under gravity to the token outlet. Alternatively, the transport means may be active or driven, such as a conveyor system.

Such active transport means may operate continuously or may be actuated upon receipt of a token for transportation.

The transport means will normally be secure, for instance hidden from view by strong partitioning. and the secure token outlet may be located in a secure area, such as a cash booth within an amusement arcade1 shop, or public laundry. In the case of amusement with prizes machines or the like, tokens received by the receiving means are used to fill hoppers of prize dispensing means actuated by the release means. When the hoppers are full, all further. received tokens are supplied to the transport means. In the case of vending machines and the like, all received tokens are normally supplied to the transport means. Thus, the token operated machines contain either the minimum value of tokens necessary for correct operation or no tokens. Inactive money can therefore be minimised, thus improving efficiency.

Also, the machines are less likely to be tampered with or robbed and, even if they are, the possible losses are reduced. Further, because the machines do not have to be emptied manually, the risks of attacks on and injury to personnel are reduced.

Each release means may comprise means for supplying or dispensing goods or for supplying a service. The release means may alternatively comprise an amusement with prizes or gaming mechanism.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic diagram of an automated token collection system constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Tbe system shown in the drawing comprises a plurality of fruit machines 10, 11, only two being shown. Each of the fruit machines 10, 11 comprises a coin mechanism 12 with inlet chutes 13, 14, and 15 which supply 1, 50p, and lop coins from one or more slots in a front panel of the machine to the mechanism 12. Upon receiving a predetermined amount of money, the coin mechanism 12 supplies a release signal to a gaming mechanism 16 for instance of the conventional fruit machine type.

Coins from the mechanism 12 pass through a chute 17 into a sorter 18 where they are sorted into denominations and supplied to hoppers or payout tubes 19. 20, and 21. Alternatively, three chutes of the type shown at 17 may be provided so as to keep separate the coins of three denominations. In either case, the sorter 18 is also arranged to divert coins to a coin transporting system 23 when a hopper is full.

The gaming mechanism 16 supplies a win signal to a coin dispenser 24 which dispenses a prize of the appropriate value by passing coins from the hoppers 19.

20. and 21 via a chute 25 to an outlet 26.

The coin transporting system 23 transports "excess" coins from each of the fruit machines 10, 11 to a secure coin outlet 30 located remotely from the machines1 for instance in a cash booth of an arcade. The system 23 may comprise a network of chutes which direct coins by means of gravity to the outlet 30, or a conveyor belt, vacuum tube network. or any other suitable means for transporting coins. The machines 10, 11 are located against walls or partitions, behind which the system 23 is located to provide a secure and hidden location.

In order to commission the apparatus, the hoppers 19 to 21 are provided with a predetermined quantity of coins of the appropriate denominations.

Each fruit machine is released by inserting coins to a predetermined value, which coins are used to keep the hoppers 19 to 21 filled. From time to time, the gaming mechanism 16 will signal a win to the coin dispenser 24 so that coins from the hoppers 19 to 21 are dispensed to the outlet 26 as a prize. However, the nature of the gaming mechanism 16 is such that the value of coins received exceeds the value of coins paid out as prizes, so that the hoppers 19 to 21 become filled and additional coins are diverted by the sorter 18 to the system 23.

The coins received by the system 23 are transported directly to the outlet 30 for immediate recovery.

The amount of inactive money is thus substantially reduced and the fruit machines 10, 11 do not require cash boxes. Coins not required to fill the hoppers 19-21 are returned directly and immediately to "circulation" via the system 23 and the outlet 30 so that the machines 10, 11 contain the minimum number of coins necessary for correct operation. The machines 10, 11 are thus less attractive as targets for theft.

The secure and hidden removal of coins from the machines reduces the exposure of personnel to the risks of attack and robbery by avoiding the need for the handling of money from the machines.

Claims

1. An automated token collection system comprising: a plurality of token actuated machines, each of which comprises receiving means for receiving a token, release means actuated by receipt of at least one token by the receiving means, a token outlet, and means for passing immediately to the token outlet all tokens which are received by the receiving means and which are not required by the token actuated machine for functioning thereof; a secure token outlet for immediately returning tokens; and transport means for immediately transporting tokens from the token outlet of each token actuated machine to the secure token outlet.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the transport means comprises a network of chutes arranged to transport tokens under gravity to the secure token outlet.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the transport means comprises a conveyor system.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, in which the conveyor system is arranged to be driven continuously.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 3, in which the conveyor system is arranged to be driven by receipt of a token from any one of the token outlets of the machines.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the token actuated machines is an amusement with prize machine and further comprises prize dispensing means actuated by the release means and containing at least one token hopper, the token passing means being arranged to pass tokens received by the receiving means to the hopper when the hopper contains less than a predetermined number of tokens.

7. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which each of the token actuated machines is arranged to dispense goods or supply a service and the toekn passing means is arranged to pass all tokens received by the receiving means immediately to the token outlet.

8. An automated token collection system substantiaily as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.