Patent ID: 7014554
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A coin mechanism comprising: at least one coin tube, each of which stores coins of a respective denomination; a dispenser for controlling the dispensing of coins from the at least one coin tube; and a coin mechanism controller suitable for connection to a controller in an automatic transaction system so as to receive change dispense signals from the automatic transaction system controller indicating the form of dispensing change to a customer, wherein the coin mechanism controller, when connected to the automatic transaction system controller, serves as an interface between the automatic transaction system controller and the dispenser, wherein the coin mechanism controller is programmed to monitor the change dispense signals from the automatic transaction system controller, to accumulate values corresponding to the monitored signals, to re-determine coin denominations in which the change is to be dispensed by taking into account the distribution and denominations of coins in the at least one coin tube, and to control the dispenser to dispense change from the at least one coin tube only after no further change dispense signal is received for at least a specified duration following the previous change dispense signal.