Abstract:
An apparatus for receiving tokens and dispensing cash. A recognition device recognizes a denomination of a token and a source of a token, wherein the token is not government-issued legal tender. A controller device is coupled to the recognition device. The controller device comprises a calculating device that calculates the monetary value of the token. A dispensing device is coupled to the recognition device. The dispensing device dispenses cash equal in value to the monetary value of the token.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of coin or token operated machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to machines that receive tokens or chips and dispense cash in exchange. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Machines currently exist that allow a user to insert bills and receive coins in exchange. In addition, Coinstar, Inc. of Bellevue, Wash. makes a machine that allows users to convert large amounts of coins to bills without going to a bank. The Coinstar machine receives change and dispenses vouchers that users may take to a cashier and exchange for bills and change. A user of the Coinstar machine is charged a percentage of the transaction total for the service of converting the coins to bills. 
     Machines also exist that receive money in the form of coins or bills and dispense a product such a food item or postage stamps. 
     Other machines read a magnetic strip on a plastic card and perform some function upon recognizing the proper information from the magnetic strip. A well known example of such a machine is an automatic teller machine (“ATM”). A user of an ATM has a card encoded with information unique to the user. The information allows the ATM to recognize the user and prompt the user for entry of a secret code. Once the user enters the code on a keypad of the machine, the ATM checks the entered code against the code that is associated with the card. If the information matches, the user can proceed by responding to prompts from the ATM until the transaction is complete. Some possible ATM transactions are withdrawing money from an account, depositing money into an account, or making a payment owed to an account. 
     In casino gambling, patrons use chips in many of the games instead of money. During play, a user accumulates gambling chips. Gambling chips are not legal tender and are typically negotiable only inside a particular casino. Chips from different casinos sometimes appear to be somewhat similar. For example, chips from different casinos may be of similar materials, sizes and colors, yet not be interchangeable. Currently, gambling patrons cash in their winnings in the form of chips by going to a human cashier. The human cashier counts the chips and returns money to the patron. 
     Disadvantages are associated with using human cashiers. There is a possibility that a human cashier will make an error in counting the chips and returning cash. A human cashier could also attempt to steal from a patron or an employer in the course of a transaction. It is necessary for a casino to hire enough cashiers to serve the number of patrons who wish to cash in their chips, significantly adding to overhead. Finally, patrons dislike waiting in cashier lines when there are not enough cashiers to service all the patrons promptly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatically exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash that is less prone to error than a human cashier. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for exchanging tokens or gambling chips for cash that provides a record of each transaction. 
     An apparatus for receiving tokens and dispensing cash is described. The apparatus comprises a recognition device that recognizes a denomination of a token and a source of a token wherein the token is not government issued legal tender. A controller device is coupled to the recognition device. The controller device comprises a calculating device that calculates the monetary value of the token. A dispensing device is coupled to the recognition device that dispenses cash equal in value to the monetary value of the token. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 a  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1 b  is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an input bin and first physical separator of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram of an arrangement that retains a token while it is being identified; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment using a closed circuit television camera to identify a token; 
     FIG. 5 a  illustrates an embodiment using a closed circuit television camera to identify a token; 
     FIG. 5 b  is a diagram of a token used with the embodiment of FIG. 5 a;    
     FIG. 6 is a diagram of a token reservoir according to one embodiment; and 
     FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus and method is described that allows automatic exchange of tokens or gambling chips for cash and keeps a record of each transaction and user. For one embodiment, a token or gambling chip is recognized by identifying a radio frequency (RF) transmission. For another embodiment, a token or gambling chip is recognized by comparing a closed circuit television (CCTV) image of the token or gambling chip with a database of images. Alternative embodiments allow for the printing and dispensing of a receipt bearing a record of a transaction. Alternative embodiments also allow tokens to be retrieved after a transaction and associated with a patron that conducted the transaction. 
     FIG. 1 a  is a front view of an embodiment  100  of an automatic cashier machine of the present invention. Tokens or gambling chips are input into input bin  102 . Bills are dispensed through bill dispenser slot  110 . Tokens or gambling chips that are not acceptable are returned in return bin  112 . “Okay” button  106  and “cancel” button  108  allow a user to approve a transaction or cancel a transaction, respectively. Current total transaction value in appropriate units, such as dollars, is displayed on display  104 . If a user does not approve of a transaction total, he or she may press cancel button  108  and receive all input tokens or gambling chips for that transaction in return bin  112 . At the completion of a transaction, the user receives a printed record of the transaction through receipt printer output  114 . For each individual transaction, CCTV camera  116  takes a picture of the user. 
     FIG. 1 b  is a cutaway side view of embodiment  100 . Items are inserted into input bin  102  by a user. Items can be separated by size into acceptable items and unacceptable items because unacceptable items are known to have a certain size range. After items are inserted into input bin  102  they proceed to funnel  118  and on to first physical separator  120 . 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of first physical separator  120  and funnel  118 . Referring to FIG. 2, first physical separator  120  separates out items that are oversize, i.e., items larger than the largest acceptable item. Chute  138  includes slot  123  opening into chute  122 . Slot  123  is sized such that items that are not larger than the largest acceptable item will fall through slot  123 . Items that are too large to fall through slot  123  fall through to chute  138 , and proceed through return chute  126  to return bin  112 . Items continuing to chute  122  proceed to second physical separator  124 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 1 b , second physical separator  124  includes opening  125  to return chute  126 . Opening  125  is sized such that any item that is too small to be acceptable will fall from second physical separator  124  through return chute  126  to return bin  112 . Items that are not too small to be acceptable proceed to chute  128  and then to identification area  136 . In identification area  136 , items are scrutinized to determine source and denomination. For one embodiment, items having as a source a particular casino are considered acceptable. If an item is not recognized as having a proper source, the item proceeds to return chute  126  through chute  132  and finally to return bin  112 . If an item is recognized as having a proper source, its denomination is recorded by controller  140  and the item proceeds to token reservoir  134 . Computer controller  140  is electronically connected to identification area  136 , and in one embodiment, contains hardware and software designed to cooperate with a recognition device of identification area  136  (as explained more fully below) to recognize particular items as being acceptable. Computer controller  140  also includes a memory device (not shown) for storing information regarding operation of embodiment  100  and regarding particular transactions and for storing computer programs executed by the computer controller  140  in operating the automatic cashier machine, 
     Display  104  displays a current transaction total. When the user wishes to complete the transaction, the user may accept the transaction by pressing okay button  106 . If okay button  106  is pressed, bill dispenser  110  dispenses bills having a total value that equals the current transaction value last displayed on display  104 . For one embodiment, a printed receipt bearing a record of the transaction is dispensed through receipt printer output  114 . If the user presses cancel button  108  to cancel the transaction, all items inserted during the transaction are returned to return bin  112 . 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram of an arrangement that retains a token while it is being identified. The arrangement resides in identification area  136  and includes a frame  310  that holds token  302 , a solenoid finger  304  and a solenoid  306  that is connected to computer controller  140  through wire  308 . Token  301  is shown to illustrate how tokens enter frame  310  from chute  128 . While held in frame  310 , token  302  is identified according to one of several methods. Two methods of identification are discussed below. If token  302  is identified as acceptable, it is kicked by solenoid finger  304  into chute  130 , which leads to token reservoir  134 . If token  302  is not recognized as acceptable, it is kicked by solenoid finger  304  into chute  132 , which leads to return bin  112 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a token identification device according to one embodiment. Frame  310  is shown in side view enclosing token  302 . Solenoid finger  304  and solenoid  306  are also shown. CCTV camera  402 , in this embodiment, resides in identification area  136  and is connected to computer controller  140  through wire  309 . Wire  309  is connected, for example, to a video capture input card of computer controller  140 . When a token is held in frame  310 , CCTV camera  402  transmits an image of the token to computer controller  140  for comparison with images in a database. If the image of the token is not recognized through comparison as the image of an acceptable token, the token is sent to return bin  112  as previously described. If the image of the token is recognized as the image of an acceptable token, the denomination of the token is stored by computer controller  140  and added to a total mount of any previous tokens of the same transaction that were recognized as acceptable. 
     FIG. 5 a  illustrates a token identification device according to another embodiment. FIG. 5 b  illustrates a particular type of token that is required in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5 a , frame  310 , solenoid finger  304 , and solenoid  306  are shown. Radio frequency (RF) transceiver  508  is shown in identification area  136 . RF transceiver  508  is coupled to computer controller  140  through wire  509 , which is connected, for example, to a serial port of computer controller  140 . 
     For this embodiment, the token of FIG. 5 b  must be used. Referring to FIG. 5 b , token  502  is shown in top cutaway view. Embedded in token  502  are semiconductor chip  504  and RF fiber  506 . When token  502  is held in frame  310  in the embodiment of FIG. 5 a , transceiver  508  emits RF radiation in the direction of token  502 . The RF radiation induces a current in fiber  506  which is then used by semiconductor chip  504  as a source of power to transmit its own RF radiation. The RF radiation from token  502  is encoded with an identifier including source and denomination information. The RF radiation from token  502  is received by transceiver  508  which passes the encoded information to computer controller  140 . Computer controller  140  includes a database of all acceptable codes and their significances. If the encoded information is recognized, the token is recognized as an acceptable token, and the denomination of the token is stored by computer controller  140  and added to a total amount of any previous tokens of the same transaction that were recognized as acceptable. 
     Tokens or gambling chips such as token  502  are manufactured and sold by ChipCo International of Windham, Me. Semiconductors such as semiconductor  504 , which can be embedded in token  503 , are manufactured and sold by Micron Technologies of Boise Id. Transceivers such as transceiver  508  are manufactured and sold by Product Enhancement Products (PEP) of Laguna Hills Calif. 
     In other embodiments, technologies other than RF transmission can be used to identify a token held in frame  310 , for example, magnetic ultrasound identification. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagram of an alternative reservoir  152  according to one embodiment. Alternative reservoir  152  in this embodiment, takes the place of token reservoir  134  of FIG. 1 b . The use of alternative reservoir  152  allows particular tokens associated with a patron and a transaction to be segregated for later retrieval. This is useful, for example, in the case of a particular patron inserting counterfeit tokens into the machine. In this embodiment, all of the tokens inserted by a particular patron can be retrieved along with a photograph of the patron. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, alternative reservoir  152  includes token cylinders about its perimeter, such as example token cylinder  158 . Token cylinder  158  is shown empty, but in operation holds tokens of various sizes. Tokens are retained in token cylinder  158  by retractable retaining lip  156 . One of the token cylinders about the perimeter of alternative reservoir  152  is positioned below chute  130  at any given time. Acceptable tokens that are deposited by a patron during a transaction eventually fall into the token cylinder. For one embodiment using alternative reservoir  152 , as tokens are identified in identification area  136 , each acceptable token is counted by computer controller  140 . When a maximum number of tokens have been deposited in a given token cylinder, spindle  157  and consequently, alternative reservoir  152  are rotated to place a different token cylinder under chute  130 . The sensor and counting device indicate when alternative reservoir  152  is completely full by displaying a message on display  104 . When alternative reservoir  152  is completely full, the automatic cashier machine will refuse further tokens, for example by closing a door to input bin  102 . A patron wishing to continue must end the transaction, receive cash for the deposited tokens and then initiate a new transaction to complete the exchange of tokens for cash. 
     Alternative reservoir  152  includes cylinder identification marks corresponding to each token cylinder, such as identification mark  159 . Identification mark  159 , for one embodiment, is a bar code. Sensing device  155  for this embodiment is a bar code reading device . Sensing device  155  communicates with computer controller  140 . Each identification mark identifies a token cylinder that is beneath chute  130  at the time the identification mark is read. The particular token cylinder is identified to computer controller  140  through sensing device  155 . Computer controller  140  stores the identification of the cylinder and associates it with identification of a patron conducting a current transaction. For example, the photograph of the patron that is taken by CCTV  116  will be associated with the transaction by computer controller  140 . At a later time tokens generated by a particular transaction with a particular patron can be retrieved through chute  131  and examined. 
     Alternative reservoir  152  is but one example of a mechanism used to segregate tokens involved in a particular transaction. Other types of mechanisms could be used in place of alternative reservoir  152 . 
     For one embodiment of the automatic cashier machine, the machine could be located anywhere in the gambling establishment where patrons can gamble. For this embodiment, the machine is placed against a wall or against the back of another machine of the same or a different type and includes an access door at the side which is normally locked. Patrons use the machine to cash in tokens and casino personnel open the access door to replenish and empty or service the machine. 
     For another embodiment, the automatic cashier machine is placed parallel to human cashier windows such that patrons may access the front of the machine to cash in tokens and casino personnel may access the machine internally through an access door in the back of the machine inside the cashier area. 
     For yet another embodiment, the automatic cashier machine is located inside a cashier area of a casino and is not accessible to patrons at all. Cashiers use the machine to generate cash from patrons&#39; tokens, thereby creating a record of each transaction and reducing employee fraud and error. For this embodiment, cashier personnel may be supplied with identification cards for accessing the machine, for example, cards with magnetic strips, or they may be supplied with identification codes to be entered into the machine so that the cashier can be associated with a transaction conducted by him or her. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the method of the present invention according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 b . At start  602 , the automatic cashier machine is at an idle and ready state. For the automatic cashier machine to be at an idle and ready state the bill dispenser must have an adequate supply of bills, there must be space available to accommodate input tokens or gambling chips, and the machine must not be malfunctioning in any element. 
     At block  604  a user inputs tokens or chips into input bin  102 . At physical check  606 , the automatic cashier machine physically checks input items for acceptable size in first physical separator  120  and second physical separator  124 . If the item size is acceptable, the token or chip is transmitted for identification to identification area  136  at block  608 . If the item is not of an acceptable size it is returned to the user in return bin  112  at block  610 . From block  610  the process proceeds to decision block  616  where it is determined whether there are any tokens or gambling chips left in the transaction. 
     Returning now to block  608 , if the physical size is acceptable, the chip is then identified using one of the described methods. If the item is recognized it is moved to reservoir  134  at block  612 . At block  614 , the value of the item is added to the total transaction value displayed on display  104 . Next, in block  616 , it is determined whether there are any chips left in the transaction. At this point the user can insert another item causing the automatic cashier machine to return to block  606  for physical check of the item. At block  618 , the user may press okay button  106  or cancel button  108 . If the user presses cancel button  108 , display  104  is cleared to display “$0.00” at block  620 . Next, all items in the canceled transaction are returned to the user in return bin  112  at block  622 , and finally the automatic cashier machine is reset and made ready for the next transaction at block  624 . 
     If the user presses okay button  106  at block  618 , then, at block  628 , CCTV camera  116  takes a picture of the user for storage by computer controller  140 . The picture of the user is associated with the transaction so that definitive transaction verification can later be made. At block  630 , all bills associated with the transaction are output to the user through bill dispenser  110  and the transaction is recorded. At block  632  a printed receipt containing a complete record of the transaction is output to the user at receipt printer output  114 . Finally, at block  634  the automatic cashier machine is reset and readied for the next transaction. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, for example as an automatic cashier machine used by a patron of a gambling establishment who is identified with a transaction by a photograph. In other embodiments, patrons access the automatic cashier machine by means of a card containing identification and tracking information regarding the patron. In such embodiments a slot is provided for inserting the card to be read by the machine. The card contains, for example, information regarding the betting history of the player in the gambling establishment. The betting history from such cards is used to accrue “points” toward rewards or incentives, such as free drinks, meals, or hotel stays. It is desirable for a gambling establishment to obtains betting histories. Patrons can be motivated to use the automatic cashier machine with their card when they receive points for doing so. 
     Another advantage of having a patron use an automatic cashier machine is that, even when the patron uses an identification and tracking card, it may not be possible to obtain a very accurate indication of how many tokens are cashed in before the patron leaves and how many tokens the patron leaves the establishment with. For example, when the patron plays a card game involving a dealer, personnel at the card table must attempt to manually track the flow of money and tokens. This can be difficult to do accurately, in part because there is too much activity for personnel to monitor. Also, a patron may pocket a number of tokens so that they are not visible for counting. When the patron cashes in tokens using the machine with a card, an accurate record is made. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.