Patent ID: 6522946
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G07D,G07G

Abstract:
An automatic token dispensing system for dispensing a calculated or predetermined number of tokens in a Point-Of-Sale (â€œPOSâ€ ) transaction conducted at a POS terminal electrically connected to the automatic token dispensing system, the dispensing system comprising:a) a controller adapted to receive a token dispensing command from a point of sale device, the command including a variable quantity of tokens to be dispensed, wherein the controller is further adapted to activate the dispenser to dispense the variable number of tokens; and b) a token dispenser in electrical communication with the controller for dispensing tokens to customers at the POS, the token dispenser comprising: a token hopper for holding a plurality of tokens to be dispensed to customers; a token exit from which tokens are ejected whereby the customers can receive the tokens; a token dispensing path between the token hopper and the token exit; and a token sensor adjacent to the token exit, the token sensor operable to sense the passage of a token through the token exit and to output a signal indicating such passage to the controller whereby the controller is operable to command the token dispenser to cease dispensing of tokens once the controller has received enough transitions of the output signal of the token sensor.