GB2447929A

GB2447929A - A double-sided feed chute mechanism for a note acceptor

Info

Publication number: GB2447929A
Application number: GB0705968A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Stenson
Original assignee: Coincheck Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Coincheck Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-28
Filing date: 2007-03-28
Publication date: 2008-10-01
Also published as: GB0705968D0

Abstract

A note acceptor for use by a number of users has a body (4) which houses hardware and software components for receiving, scanning, validating and crediting the value of a note. The notes are input to the hardware and software components via a slot (10). A double-sided feed chute mechanism (11) has two feed chutes (12, 13) facing in opposite directions. A note may be fed through either of the two feed chutes and a selector mechanism (14) positioned between the two feed chutes (12, 13) is operable to selectively block one or other of the feed chutes (12, 13).

Description

) 2447929

DESCRIPTION

"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO NOTE ACCEPTORS" The present invention relates to improvements in a currency or note acceptor which is to be incorporated into an electronic gaming machine, vending machine, point of sale device or other host machine.

Note acceptors are now in widespread use in host machines such as electronic gaming machines, vending machines, point of sale devices and the like. Note acceptors receive paper currency or notes and, using a validator having both hardware and software components, the received currency or note is scanned with a variety of sensors. The * ** * * . sensor information is analysed to determine the authenticity and denomination of the **** currency or note. If the note is determined to be authentic it is transported to a cash box :. within the note acceptor or the host machine for storage. Further, based upon the * ** denomination of the accepted currency or note a signal is sent from the validator to the * * * * ** * *..: 15 host machines controller or processor to cause the host machine to credit or accumulate * a corresponding amount within the host machine's credit meter, representing the cash value available to the user for purchasing products or for wagering.

In most host machines the note acceptor is predominantly hidden within the host machine, only a small portion of the note acceptor, a protruding section feature a slot where the currency or note is to be inserted, is visible to users. The location of this rectangular slot may be readily identified by a feed chute or bezel which projects from the bill acceptor below the feed slot. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement the

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note acceptor is normally fitted in a vertical surface of the host machine in such a way that the feed chute for inserting the note faces the user.

Conventional note acceptors are designed for use by a single user. However, their cost makes this approach very expensive. In casinos and bingo clubs each playing position may be provided with its own note acceptor to pay for games. This represents a substantial investment to the club.

It is known to provide a note acceptor which can be shared by more than one player, with the credit being allocated to the player who actually inserted the note. This known note acceptor is used in bingo clubs. With two or four players seated at a table this known note acceptor is mounted in a console positioned centrally in the table * ** S * between the players. Each player position is provided with a button and the player who wants to insert a note presses the button at their position prior to inserting a note. An electronic interface associated with the note acceptor ensures that the corresponding * ** playing position is credited with the value of the note. However, there remains a * * * * S. * 15 problem with this known note acceptor. The chute for inserting a note has to be positioned in such a way as to be accessible to all players. Thus far, the only viable method has been to mount the note acceptor in a horizontal surface with the feed chute facing upwards. This makes it possible for a player in every playing position to reach the chute, but leads to other problems. In particular, an open, upwardly facing chute is susceptible to having liquids and foreign bodies dropped into it, which can lead to malfunction of the note acceptor. Furthermore, because the note acceptor has to be mounted in a consul which is in turn positioned centrally on the table, the feed chute may be awkward to reach for a player sat at their playing position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a note acceptor which can be shared by more than one player which obviates or at least substantially mitigates the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art referred to hereinbefore.

According to the present invention there is provided a note acceptor for use between a number of users, the note acceptor comprising a body housing hardware and software components for receiving, scanning, validating and crediting the value of a note, a slot in the body through which a note is input to said hardware and software components, and a double sided feed chute mechanism positioned opposite the slot, wherein the double sided feed chute mechanism comprises two feed chutes facing in opposite directions and through each of which a note may reach the said slot, and a selector mechanism positioned between the two feed chutes and operable to selectively S...

block one or other of the feed chutes.

* .. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the body of the note acceptor * S S * ** * : *.: 15 is mounted vertically with the slot in the top thereof and each of the two feed chutes extends in a horizontal plane to each side of the slot. In use, the note acceptor may be mounted in a consul with each of the two feed chutes opening on opposite sides thereof.

The feed chute selector mechanism may comprise an elongate bar positioned above the slot in the body of the of the note acceptor, the longitudinal axis of which lies in a vertical plane extending through the slot, and an actuator mechanism for selectively moving the elongate bar from one side of the slot to the other. Preferably, the elongate bar is pivotable about its longitudinal axis from one side of the slot to the other.

Preferably, the elongate bar defines two opposing guide surfaces, each of which faces the inner end of a respective feed chute. Preferably, each of the guide surfaces is concave and extends between the upper side of the inner end of the respective feed chute and the slot in the top of the body of the note acceptor. In use, the concave guide surface directs the leading edge of a note travelling in a horizontal plane through the feed chute downwardly and into the slot. Conveniently, the elongate bar is moved from one side of the said slot to the other by means of a solenoid actuator.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a general view of a game payment consul for use at a four seat bingo * ** * table comprising a note acceptor according to the present invention; *S*.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the game payment consul shown in Fig. 2; and * ** * . S S..' Fig. 3 is a schematic view of note acceptor according to the present invention.

* ** Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a game payment consul * . . * ..

*....: 15 for use at a four seat bingo table which comprises a note acceptor according to the present * invention. The game payment consul is intended, in use, to be mounted in the centre of a four seat bingo table. The game payment consul defines four coin payment stations, two in one side of the consul, as indicated by I and 2, and two in the opposite side of the counsel, not shown. Each coin payment station is associated with a respective playing position around the bingo table. Each of the four coin payment stations comprises a coin acceptor 3 which allows for the payment of games with coins and a coin return. Although not illustrated here, each of the coin payment stations may also comprise a display which shows the amount of money credited to the associated playing position, which may include the amount wagered by the player and/or money won.

The game payment consul also houses a note acceptor. The note acceptor is not shown in its entirety in Figs. 1 and 2. However, the body 4 of the note acceptor, in which notes are scanned, validated and stored, is shown extending out from beneath the consul.

The note acceptor further comprises two feed chutes, each of which is positioned in a respective side of the consul between the two coin payment stations 1 and 2 mounted therein. The feed chute is indicated by 5 in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that the feed chute 5 is accessible to each of the two players seated at the two playing positions on that side of the consul. Moreover, being positioned in the vertical side of the consul, * * * * there is little or no risk that drink or foreign objects will accidentally find their way into *.*S the feed chute 5. * * * *

* Each coin payment station also includes an operating button 6 which must be * pressed before inserting a note into the note acceptor to ensure that the value of the note * ** * * S * .* * r * * is credited to that station. Two pairs of red and green indicator lights 7 and 8 are provided about the feed chute 5. When one of the buttons 6 is pressed the green light 8 on the side of the feed chute 5 closest to it will turn on to indicate that the note acceptor is ready to receive a note, and the opposite red 7 will turn on to indicate to the opposite playing position that the note acceptor is in use.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings the note acceptor according to the present invention comprises a body 4 housing hardware and software components for receiving, scanning, validating and crediting the value of that note to a particular playing station.

These aspects of the note acceptor are already known within the prior art and do not require detailed explanation herein. A note to be processed enters the body of the note acceptor through a slot 10 in the top of the body. The note acceptor also comprises a double sided feed chute mechanism, indicated generally at 11, through which a note must pass to reach the body 4 of the note acceptor. The mechanism 11 has two feed chutes 12 and 13, facing in opposite directions and each of which opens in a respective side of the consul as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. An electro-mechanical selector 14 is provided between the two feed chutes 12 and 13 to prevent a note from being inserted through both chutes at the same time. In this regard, it will be understood that a player on one side of the consul may attempt to insert a note through the feed chute on that side at the same time * 1 * * ..

as the note acceptor is in use by a player on the opposite side of the consul. If both notes * . *S*S were allowed to reach the body of the note acceptor together this could jam the note **** * acceptor. It would also create difficult in crediting the value of the note to the correct * ** playing position. * * * * S.

* *.: 15 The electro-mechanical selector 14 comprises a guide bar 15 positioned above the slot 10 in the body 4 of the note acceptor. The guide bar 15 defines two concave guide surfaces 16 and 17, one of which 16 faces the feed chute 12 and the other one of which 17 faces the opposite feed chute 13. Each guide surface 16 and 17 extends from the upper side of the mouth of the respective feed chute 12 and 13 towards the slot 10 in the top of the body 4, where they taper to a point 30. The guide bar 15 is pivotable about its longitudinal axis 19 under the control of a pair of actuator solenoids 20 and 21. These solenoids 20 and 21 are connected to a lever arm 22 on one end of the guide bar 15 by 1* means of a push rod 23. As the guide bar 15 pivots the point 30 moves from one side of the slot 10 in the body 4 of the note acceptor to the other. Consequently, the slot 10 is open to either one feed chute or the other, but never both. When a note is inserted into the in use feed chute 12, 13 the leading edge thereof is directed by the guide surface 16, 17 thereof downwards and into the slot 10.

The electro-mechanical selector 14 is controlled by the electronic interface between the note acceptor and each of the playing stations. The electronic interface may vary in operation and design, but essentially when a player on one side of the bingo table presses the button associated with his position, the selector 14 pivots the guide bar 15 to block the feed chute opening on the other side of the table. In this way, players are * .1 1 * * I. prevented from inserting a note from both sides at the same time. * S S**

The dual feed chute note acceptor according to the present invention provides all * *S * * * *I the benefits of sharing a single note acceptor amongst several users, whilst still providing * ** a horizontally placed feed chute for ease of the use and for reduced likelihood of acceptor * * * * ** malfunction through accidental ingress of liquids and solids. )

Claims

1. A note acceptor for use between a number of users, the note acceptor comprising a body housing hardware and software components for receiving, scanning, validating and crediting the value of a note, a slot in the body through which a note is input to said hardware and software components and a double-sided feed chute mechanism positioned opposite the slot, wherein the double-sided feed chute mechanism comprises two feed chutes facing in opposite directions and through each of which a note may reach the said slot, and a selector mechanism positioned between the two feed chutes and operable to selectively block one or other of the feed chutes.

2. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the note acceptor is * as mounted substantially vertically with the slot in the top thereof and each of the feed *S.

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chutes extends in a horizontal plane to either side of the slot.

3. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the feed chute *.I selector mechanism comprises an elongate bar positioned above the slot in the body * ** * * * * of the note acceptor, the longitudinal axis of which lies in a vertical plane extending 1.*I' * I through the slot and an actuator mechanism for selectively moving the elongate bar from one side of the slot to the other.

4. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elongate bar is pivotable about its longitudinal axis from one side of the slot to the other.

5. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the elongate bar defines two opposing guide surfaces, each of which faces the inner end of a respective feed chute.

6. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the guide surfaces is concave and extends between the upper side of the inner end of the respective feed chute and the slot in the top of the body of the note acceptor.

7. A note acceptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the concave guide surface directs the leading edge of a note travelling in a substantially horizontal plane through the feed chute downwardly and into the slot.

8. A note acceptor as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a solenoid actuator adapted to move the elongate bar from one side of the slot to the other.

9. A double-sided feed chute mechanism for a note acceptor having a slot through which a note is input, comprising two feed chutes facing in opposite directions and through each of which a note may reach the said slot, and a selector * ** *1** mechanism positioned between the two feed chutes and operable to selectively block * S *5.* one or other of the feed chutes. _ ** * * S

10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the feed chutes extends *.

in a horizontal plane. * * * *

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11. A mechanism as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the feed chute **S.SI * * selector mechanism comprises an elongate bar whose longitudinal axis lies, in use, in a vertical plane and an actuator mechanism for selectively moving the elongate bar from one side to the other.

12. A mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elongate bar is pivotable about its longitudinal axis from one side to the other.

13. A mechanism as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the elongate bar defines two opposing guide surfaces, each of which faces the inner end of a respective feed chute. * 10

14. A mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the guide surfaces is concave and extends, in use, between the upper side of the inner end of the respective feed chute and the slot in the top of the body of the note acceptor.

15. A mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the concave guide surface directs the leading edge of a note travelling in a substantially horizontal plane through the feed chute downwardly.

16. A mechanism claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising a solenoid actuator adapted to move the elongate bar from one side to the other.

17. A note acceptor substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

18. A double-sided feed chute mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. * . * * I * II *ISI

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