US20080108272A1

US20080108272A1 - Electronic coin bank

Info

Publication number: US20080108272A1
Application number: US11/555,767
Authority: US
Inventors: Po-Chi Lin
Original assignee: I-KIDDO Inc
Current assignee: I-KIDDO Inc
Priority date: 2006-11-02
Filing date: 2006-11-02
Publication date: 2008-05-08

Abstract

An electronic coin bank comprises a coin bank, a coin-throwing device and a circuit structure, which changed the single function of saving money of a conventional coin bank into an electronic coin bank, wherein a coin-throwing device is provided for setting the values of the coins and throwing the coins, a circuit structure is provided for setting the stored values, the preparedly stored values, the saving progress, the rewarding music, time and alarm clock, and a transmission connector is connected to a computer. Since the diversifying of the functions and by using the finance-managing software installed in the computer, the children will form a good habit of saving.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coin bank, and more particularly to an electronic coin bank which changed the single function of saving money of a conventional coin bank into an electronic coin bank, wherein a coin-throwing device is provided for setting the values of the coins and throwing the coins, a circuit structure is provided for setting the stored values, the preparedly stored values, the saving progress, the rewarding music, time and alarm clock, and a transmission connector is connected to a computer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional coin bank is hollow-shaped, a suitable position of the coin bank is formed with a coin-entering hole, and another suitable position of the coin bank is formed with a coin-taking hole so as to store the coins in the coin bank and form a good habit of saving. However, for a long time, the manufacturers mainly focus on the shape of the coin bank, which has some disadvantages described as follows:
Firstly, the conventional coin bank is unable to know the total of the stored coins at any time.
Secondly, if you want to know the total of the stored coins in the coin bank, you must take out all the coins in the coin bank and count artificially, so every time the user have to repeat such action.
Thirdly, since the kinds of the coins are different and the numbers of the coins are too many, the accuracy of counting will be reduced, and the process of counting will cost a lot of time.
Fourthly, the pure changing of the shape of the coin bank is unable to produce user's interests, and after a long time, the user will throw the coin bank away.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic coin bank, wherein a coin-throwing device is provided for distinguishing the values of the coins and throwing the coins, a circuit structure is provided for setting the kinds of the coins, the numbers of the coins, the stored values, the preparedly stored values, the saving progress, the rewarding music, time and alarm clock, and a transmission connector is connected to a computer.
The second primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic coin bank, wherein the transmission connector of the circuit structure is connected to the computer, so that the user can program and manage the coins stored in the coin bank and show the value of each coin by the finance-managing software installed in the computer and compatible with the circuit structure of the coin bank.
The third primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic coin bank, wherein the user can know the total of the coins stored in the coin bank, the number of each coin and the saving progress at any time without counting artificially. Thereby the present invention can save manpower and time.
The further primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic coin bank which can set the saving goal according to the capability of the user, and implement the saving progress according to the saving goal set by the user. Once reaching a saving progress, the system will provide the rewarding music to the user, in addition to increase the saving interests of the user, the present invention has the effects of rewarding and entertainment.
The present invention is characterized in that: the electronic coin bank comprises a coin bank, a coin-throwing device and a circuit structure. The coin bank is provided for collecting the coins, and the coin-throwing device is mounted in the coin bank that is located correspondingly to a hole, such that the circuit structure can receive the signals of the coin-throwing device. A displaying panel and a plurality of setting buttons are disposed adjacent to the hole of the coin bank so as to show the set functions and the operation of the set functions of the circuit structure. The bottom of the coin bank is formed with another hole having a cover, a battery container and a transmission hole, such that the power and part of the functions of the circuit structure will return to zero. Since the transmission connector of the circuit structure is connected to the transmission hole, the user can communicate with the computer by means of substantial transmission lines or wireless transmission. The circuit structure is provided for setting the kinds of the coins, the numbers of the coins, the stored values, saving goal (the preparedly stored values), the saving progress, the rewarding music, time and alarm clock, and the transmission connector is connected to the computer.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic coin bank in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic coin bank in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of the electronic coin bank in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electronic coin bank in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a circuit structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a displaying panel and setting buttons of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic coin bank in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a coin bank 10, a coin-throwing device 20 (not shown) and a circuit structure 30 (not shown). The coin bank 10 is provided for collecting coins 40 (not shown), an upper surface of the coin bank 10 is defined with a hole 11, a displaying panel 12 and a plurality of setting buttons 13 are disposed adjacent to the hole 11, and the bottom of the coin bank 10 is formed with a hole 141 (not shown) having a cover 14, a battery container 15 and a transmission hole 16. The coin-throwing device 20 (not shown) and the circuit structure 30 (not shown) are mounted in the coin bank 10 that are located correspondingly to the hole 11, and the coin-throwing device 20 is electrically connected to the circuit structure 30, such that the circuit structure 30 can receive the signals of the coin-throwing device 20. The displaying panel 12 and the setting buttons 13 of the coin bank 10 are electrically connected to the circuit structure 30 so as to show the set functions and the operation of the set functions of the circuit structure 30, and the battery container 15 is provided for supplying power to the circuit structure 30. The cover 14 is electrically connected to the circuit structure 30, so that when the user opens the cover 14 to take the coins 40 of the coin bank 10 out of the hole 141, part of the functions will return to zero (described in detail later). The transmission hole 16 of the coin bank 10 is electrically connected to a transmission connector 34 provided by the circuit structure 30, such that the user can communicate with the computer by means of substantial transmission lines or wireless transmission (such as infrared ray, wireless electric wave and bluetooth). By such arrangements, the user can program and manage the coins stored in the coin bank 10 and show the value of each coin 40 by the finance-managing software installed in the computer and compatible with the circuit structure 30 of the coin bank 10.
With reference to FIG. 3, one side of the coin-throwing device 20 is repeatedly disposed with a circuit structure 30 and is provided for measuring and throwing the coin 40 (not shown), and the coin-throwing device 20 includes a front and a rear plates 21, a left and a right sliding blocks 22, a sensing assembly 23 and an elastic element 24. The front and rear plates 21 are combined to form a coin-entering hole 211 located correspondingly to the hole 11 of the coin bank 10, and both sides of the plate 21 are disposed with a sliding block 22 that can moved outward. Between the front and the rear plates 21 is formed two protruded points 221 that are located correspondingly to each other, and the distance between the protruded points 221 is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest coin 40. At least one outer side of the plate 21 is disposed with one elastic element 24, and since both ends of the elastic element 24 are combined to the sides of the sliding blocks 22, the sliding blocks 22 can be repositioned after being moved outward which is equal to one surface of the elastic element 24. The bottom of the sliding block 22 is disposed with the sensing assembly 23 having an electronic brush connecting foot 231 and a brush piece 232, the electronic brush connecting foot 231 is combined to one sliding block 22, and the brush piece 232 is combined to another sliding block 22. The electronic brush connecting foot 231 and the brush piece 232 are made of metal and are electrically connected to the circuit structure 30, thus forming the structure of the coin-throwing device 20.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the coin-throwing device 20 is in a normal condition, the distance between the protruded points of the sliding blocks 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest coin 40 (as shown in FIG. 4). When the coin 40 is thrown into the hole 11 of the coin bank 10 and via the coin-entering hole 211 of the coin-throwing device 20, the sliding blocks 22 will be moved outward by the biggest outer diameter of the coin 40. When the distance between the protruded points 221 of the sliding blocks 22 is the same as the biggest outer diameter of the coin 40, it is the biggest moving distance of the sliding blocks 22. The sliding blocks 22 are not moved equally, with respect to the change of the reinforcing point when throwing the coin 40, so the total distance of the moving distance of the sliding blocks 22 and the distance between the sliding blocks 22 in the normal condition is the moving distance of the sliding blocks 22. At that time, by the connecting method of the electronic brush connecting foot 231 and the brush piece 232, and according to the actual moving distance of the sliding blocks 22, the circuit structure 30 will receive a signal. When the coin 40 is thrown into the coin bank 10 via the coin-throwing device 20, by the function of repositioning simultaneously of the sliding blocks 22 and the sensing assembly 23 by the elastic element 24, the coin can be thrown and measured to fix the value of the coin 40.
With reference to FIG. 6, an electronic coin bank in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein one side of the coin-throwing device 20 is disposed with the circuit structure 30, and the position and the shape of the sensing assembly 23 of the coin-throwing device 20 of FIG. 6 is different from that of FIGS. 4 and 5. The sensing assembly 23 is disposed at the side of the bottom of the sliding blocks 22 relative to the surface of the circuit structure 30, and having two electronic brush connecting feet 231 and a brush piece 232, the electronic brush connecting feet 231 are combined to the sliding blocks 22 respectively, and the brush piece 232 is combined to the surface of the circuit structure 30. The electronic brush connecting feet 231 and the brush piece 232 are made of metal and are electrically connected to the circuit structure 30, thus forming the structure of the coin-throwing device 20.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an electronic coin bank in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, when the coin-throwing device 20 is in a normal condition, the distance between the protruded points of the sliding blocks 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest coin 40 (as shown in FIG. 7). When the coin 40 is thrown into the hole 11 of the coin bank 10 and via the coin-entering hole 211 of the coin-throwing device 20, the sliding blocks 22 will be moved outward by the biggest outer diameter of the coin 4. The sliding blocks 22 are not moved equally, with respect to the change of the reinforcing point when throwing the coin 40, so the total distance of the moving distance of the sliding blocks 22 and the distance between the sliding blocks 22 in the normal condition is the actual moving distance of the sliding blocks 22. At that time, by the connecting method of the electronic brush connecting foot 231 and the brush piece 232, and according to the moving distance of the sliding blocks 22, the circuit structure 30 will receive a signal.
Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic coin bank in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein one side of the coin-throwing device 20 is disposed with the circuit structure 30, and the position and the shape of the sensing assembly 23 of the coin-throwing device 20 of FIG. 9 is different from that of FIGS. 4-8. The sensing assembly 23 is disposed at the bottom of the sliding blocks 22 correspondingly to a lower portion of the plate 21 and the relative surface of the circuit structure 30, and having a raster plate 231′ and infrared rays 232′ that combined to the surface of the circuit structure 30. The infrared rays 232′ are electrically connected to the circuit structure 30, thus forming the structure of the coin-throwing device 20.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an electronic coin bank in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown, when the coin-throwing device 20 is in a normal condition, the distance between the protruded points of the sliding blocks 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest coin 40 (as shown in FIG. 7). When the coin 40 is thrown into the hole 11 of the coin bank 10 and via the coin-entering hole 211 of the coin-throwing device 20, the sliding blocks 22 will be moved outward by the biggest outer diameter of the coin 4. The sliding blocks 22 are not moved equally, with respect to the change of the reinforcing point when throwing the coin 40, so the total distance of the moving distance of the sliding blocks 22 and the distance between the sliding blocks 22 in the normal condition is the actual moving distance of the sliding blocks 22. At that time, by the raster plate 231′ and the infrared rays 232′ combined to the circuit structure 30 to form the pulse of the infrared rays 232′ by the simultaneous moving of the sliding blocks 22, and according to the pulse times to obtain the diameter of the coin 40, and transmit a signal to the circuit structure 30.
Referring further to FIGS. 2, 12 and 13, wherein a memory 31 of the circuit structure 30 is stored with plural values correspondingly to the diameters of the coins and the forms of sound effects (for example, 19.05 mm=one cent/21.21 mm=five cents/17.91 mm=one dime/24.26 mm=quarter dollar/30.61 mm=half dollar/26.50 mm=one dollar). If there is no setting, the diameters of the coins are unable to distinguish. The displaying panel 12 is provided for showing the saving values or amounts 121, the saving progress 122, value displaying lights 123 and time 124 via a microprocessor 32. The setting buttons 13 includes goal setting 131, goal adjusting 132, saving content 133, time setting 134, hour setting 135 and minute setting 136. When the circuit structure 30 is operated, there are five conditions: saving counting (normal mode), saving goal setting, time setting, alarm clock setting and saving content inquiry.
With regard to the condition of saving goal setting, when the user presses the goal setting 131 of the setting button 13, the lights 123 of the system will be lighted from the second light from upper to lower, and the number of the saving values or the amounts 121 will be glittered. When the user presses the button of the goal adjusting 132, the microprocessor 32 will receive the signals from the goal setting 131 and the goal adjusting 132, and the progression of a suitable value (such as 1000 or 2000) serves as a saving goal and shows on the column of the saving values or the amounts 121 of the displaying panel 12. When reaching the required value, the user presses the button of the goal setting 131 again to send a signal to the microprocessor 32, and one saving goal will be stored in the memory 31 when the number of the column of the saving values or the amounts 121 are not glittered.
The biggest value of the saving goal is USD500, and then returned to zero. When entering the condition of saving goal setting, if there has no input information and exceeded the suitable time, the system will return to the condition of saving counting (normal mode).
With regard to the condition of saving counting, when the user throws the coins of one cent, five cents, one dime, quarter dollar, half dollar or one dollar via the coin-throwing device 20, the coin-throwing device 20 will send a signal to the microprocessor 32, and the microprocessor 32 will show the value of the coin by the diameter of the coin obtained from the signal corresponded to that of the memory 31 on the column of the time 124 of the displaying panel 12. Furthermore, the microprocessor 32 will add up the present values and show on the fields of the saving values or the amounts 121 of the displaying panel 12, store the accumulation of several values in the memory 31, and broadcast the music via a loudspeaker 33 by intercepting the corresponding form of the sound effects in the memory 31. At the same time, the displaying panel 12 will produce glittering effects. When the saving value reaches one-fifth of the set saving goal, the microprocessor 32 will send a signal to the displaying panel 12 and a first light of the column of the saving progress 122 of the displaying panel 12 will glitter, and will broadcast the music via the loudspeaker 33 by intercepting the corresponding form of the sound effects in the memory 31. At the same time, the displaying panel 12 will produce glittering effects, and a second light and a third light will glitter and broadcast the corresponding music orderly in turns.
Referring to the condition of saving counting, the displaying panel 12 will show the time on the column of the time 124 (the value of the coin will be showed only when the user throws the coin), the fields of the saving values or the amounts 121 will show the accumulated total of the present savings, and the saving progress 122 will show the reached condition of the saving goal.
Referring to saving content inquiry, when the user presses the button of the saving content 133 of the setting buttons 13, the lights 123 of the system will be lighted from the first light from upper to lower, and the microprocessor 32 will receive a signal. At the same time, the column of the saving values and the amounts 121 of the displaying panel 12 will show the amount of the copper coin of one cent, and the field of the time 124 of the displaying panel 12 will show 00:01. When the user presses the button of the saving content 133 of the setting buttons 13 again, the column of the saving values and the amounts 121 will show the amount of the copper coin of five cents, and the field of the time 124 of the displaying panel 12 will show 00:05. After a suitable time, if the system didn't implement those functions, the system will return to the normal mode of the saving counting.
Referring to the condition of time setting, when the user presses the button of the time setting 134 of the setting buttons 13, the lights 123 of the system will be lighted from the third light from upper to lower, and choose the button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136. At that time, the microprocessor 32 will receive a signal, and the number of the chosen button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136 will be showed on the fields of the time 124 of the displaying panel 12. Then presses the button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136 to adjust the time, and then presses the button of the time setting 134 again, the microprocessor 32 will receive the set signal.
Referring to the condition of alarm clock setting, after the condition of time setting, the system will enter the condition of alarm clock setting automatically, and the lights 123 of the system will be lighted from the fourth light from upper to lower. And chooses the button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136, at that time, the microprocessor 32 will receive a signal, and the number of the chosen button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136 will be showed on the fields of the time 124 of the displaying panel 12. Then presses the button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136 again to adjust the time, and then presses the button of the time setting 134 again, the microprocessor 32 will receive the set signal and enter the condition of setting the music of the alarm clock. At that time, the microprocessor 32 will intercept and broadcast the stored form of the sound effects in the memory 31, and adjust the music by the button of the hour setting 135 or minute setting 136. Then presses the button of the time setting again, the microprocessor 32 will receive the signal and return to the normal mode of the condition of saving counting.
When the voltage is insufficient, the microprocessor 32 will send a warning information, namely, the columns of the saving values, the amounts 121 and the saving progress 122 will be glittered continuously, and when changing the battery, the microprocessor 32 will store all the data in the memory 31.
When the user opens the cover 14 of the coin bank 10, the microprocessor 32 will receive a signal, namely, all the data except the time setting will return to zero, and the thrown coins must be set again.
When the transmission hole 16 of the coin bank 10 is electrically connected to the transmission connector 34 of the circuit structure 30, the user can communicate with the computer by means of substantial transmission lines or wireless transmission (such as infrared ray, wireless electric wave and bluetooth). By such arrangements, the user can program and manage the coins stored in the coin bank 10 and show the value of each coin 40 by the finance-managing software installed in the computer and compatible with the circuit structure 30 of the coin bank 10.
In addition, the above-mentioned form of sound effects of the circuit structure 30 can be stored by music IC35, and the music will be broadcasted by the loudspeaker 33 via the music return route by the microprocessor 32.
One of the sliding blocks 22 of the coin-throwing device 20 can be fixed to one side of the front and rear plates 21, and the other sliding block 22 can be moved outward, and the moving distance of the other sliding block 22 plus the distance formed in the normal condition is the actual moving distance of the other sliding block 22.
While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic coin bank, comprising:

a coin bank, an upper surface of the coin bank being defined with a hole, a displaying panel and a plurality of setting buttons being disposed adjacent to the hole, the bottom of the coin bank being formed with another hole having a cover, a battery container and a transmission hole, the displaying panel and the setting buttons being electrically connected to a circuit structure so as to show the set functions and the operation of the set functions of the circuit structure, the battery container serves as a power of the circuit structure, the cover being electrically connected to the circuit structure, and the transmission hole being electrically connected to a transmission connector of the circuit structure;

a coin-throwing device, the coin-throwing device and a circuit structure being repeatedly disposed in the coin bank that are located correspondingly to the hole defined in the upper surface of the coin bank, a sensing assembly of the coin-throwing device being electrically connected to the circuit structure and being provided a signal to the circuit structure, one side of the coin-throwing device being repeatedly disposed with a circuit structure and being provided for measuring and throwing coins, the coin-throwing device includes a front and a rear plates, a left and a right sliding blocks, a sensing assembly and an elastic element, the front and rear plates being combined to form a coin-entering hole, both sides of the plate being disposed with a sliding block, between the front and the rear plates being formed two protruded points that are located correspondingly to each other, at least one outer side of the plate being disposed with one elastic element, since both ends of the elastic element being combined to the sides of the sliding blocks, which is equal to one surface of the elastic element, and the bottom of the respective sliding block being disposed with the sensing assembly; and

a circuit structure, including a microprocessor, a loudspeaker, a memory and a transmission connector which being electrically connected to the sensing assembly, the setting buttons and the displaying panel of the coin-throwing device.

2. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission hole of the coin bank is electrically connected to the transmission connector of the circuit structure, and is communicated with the computer by means of substantial transmission lines or wireless transmission (such as infrared ray, wireless electric wave and bluetooth).

3. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly having an electronic brush connecting foot combined to one sliding block and a brush piece combined to another sliding block, the electronic brush connecting foot and the brush piece are made of metal and are electrically connected to the circuit structure.

4. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly having two electronic brush connecting feet combined to the sliding blocks and a brush piece combined to a surface of the circuit structure, the electronic brush connecting feet and the brush piece are made of metal and are electrically connected to the circuit structure.

5. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly is disposed at the bottom of the sliding blocks correspondingly to a lower portion of the plate and the relative surface of the circuit structure, and having a raster plate and infrared rays that are combined to the surface of the circuit structure, and the infrared rays are electrically connected to the circuit structure.

6. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory of the circuit structure is stored with plural values correspondingly to the diameters of the coins and the forms of sound effects.

7. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displaying panel is provided for showing saving values or amounts, saving progress, value displaying lights and time.

8. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting buttons includes goal setting, goal adjusting, saving content, time setting, hour setting and minute setting.

9. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the form of sound effects of the circuit structure can be stored by music IC35, and the music is broadcast by the loudspeaker via the music return route by the microprocessor.

10. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 8, wherein the settings of time, hour and minute are able to set alarm clock and choose the music of the alarm clock.

11. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the sliding blocks of the coin-throwing device can be fixed to one side of the front and rear plates, and the other sliding block can be moved outward and repositioned.

12. The electronic coin bank as claimed in claim 1, wherein both sides of the plate are disposed with two sliding blocks that can be moved outward and repositioned.