Abstract:
A coin dispenser includes a coin canister that automatically locks into the dispenser. A remotely operated mechanism may unlock the canister from the dispenser. The dispenser may serve as a loading stand for the canister. The canister may be adapted for manual loading of coins into the canister without removing the canister from the dispenser. The canister may include a receptacle for coins and an aperture adapted to facilitate loading coins into the receptacle and to retain coins in the receptacle. The canister may include a repositionable handle that covers an aperture of the canister in one position and serves as a carrying handle in another position. A system for dispensing coins includes a controller electrically connected to a coin dispenser. The dispenser includes a coin canister and a latch that locks the canister to the dispenser. The controller can send an electrical signal that unlocks the canister.

Description:
The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/719,538, filed Sep. 22, 2005, entitled “LOAD IN PLACE COIN DISPENSER”. U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/719,538 is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully set forth herein. The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/719,538. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed, in general, to coin dispensers and, more specifically, to coin dispensers with automatically latching coin canisters. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Coin dispensers may employ a canister for holding a supply of coins in various denominations. The coins may be held in stacks in tubular receptacles within the canister. Each stack may be made up of a different denomination of coin and each denomination may have a different diameter. A canister may be filled manually in advance of its deployment and the canister may be periodically replenished as its supply of coins is depleted. When the supply of one or more denominations of coins ill a canister is depleted, the canister is typically removed from the coin dispenser and transported to a remote location where it may be refilled with a full coin inventory. 
   A canister is generally locked in place in a coin dispenser to prevent its unauthorized removal. Typically, a conventional lock requiring physical actuation with a key is used for this purpose. In such dispensers the key is required both to unlock the canister from and lock the canister into the coin dispenser. As a result, in a typical point of sale environment, a cashier must call for management intervention to unlock a canister to enable its replacement and removal for replenishment. Once the canister has been replenished, the cashier must then call for managerial intervention a second time to lock the canister back into place. Alternatively, the cashier may operate the coin dispenser with the coin canister in an unlocked condition, in order to avoid the inconvenience of further managerial intervention. However, such operation may compromise the security of coin dispenser operation 
   As such, removal of a canister is an event that typically requires managerial supervision both to unlock and relock the canister in a coin dispenser. In some applications, however, it may be desirable to allow partial or complete replenishment of the coin supply in a canister at the coin dispenser, in order both to prolong a period of time between refills of the coin canister and to reduce down time of the coin dispenser when early depletion of the coin canister occurs. 
   Furthermore, a coin canister typically has a small horizontal cross-section, or ‘footprint’, in relation to its height. As such, a stand is typically required to support the canister during loading or replenishment of the coin supply. 
   Typically, a coin canister is constructed with a cover that operates to close an open top of a coin receptacle and assist in retaining inserted coins. Such a cover also provides security for the coin supply by preventing unauthorized removal of coins from the coin canister. Although the cover may be removed for complete refilling of a canister, it typically prevents interim replenishment of the coin canister at the point of use. Some covers may allow a cashier to deposit coins into the canister one at a time. 
   Furthermore, even with the cover removed, replenishment of the coin supply in a canister through the open tops of the coin receptacles is typically awkward. A complete roll of coins, that is, a tall stack of coins, may often not be inserted without dropping some of the coins. As a result, users will often insert partial rolls, or shorter stacks, to avoid this occurrence. This may cause the replenishment process to take longer than it otherwise would. 
   In some coin canisters, long openings in a front face of the canister near the top of a tubular receptacle may be provided, to allow stacks of coins to be inserted into the receptacle. However, such openings typically leave only the back half of the receptacle. As a result, coins in the opening may fall forward out of the canister if the canister is in a vertical position or is carried without a protective cover in place to retain the coins in the opening. 
   There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved flexibility of coin canister insertion and removal into coin dispensers and improved methods of loading coins into a coin canister. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is an object of this invention to provide a coin canister for a coin dispenser that allows for convenient partial or complete replenishment of its coin supply without removing the canister from the vicinity of the coin dispenser. It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin canister that may be positioned securely and conveniently for replenishment of its coin supply. It is also an object of this invention to provide a coin canister for a coin dispenser that requires less managerial involvement in removal and replacement of the coin canister in the coin dispenser. It is a further object of this invention to provide openings in a coin canister that facilitate manual insertion of coins into receptacles of the canister, while retaining inserted coins in the receptacles. It is also an object of this invention to provide a cover for a coin canister that does not hinder replenishment of the coin supply in the coin canister. 
   Aspects of the present invention may be found in a coin dispenser that includes a coin canister and a latch that is operable to automatically lock the canister to the dispenser. A remotely operated mechanism may unlock the canister from the dispenser. The dispenser may serve as a loading stand for the canister. The canister may be adapted for manual loading of coins into the canister without removing the canister from the dispenser. The canister may include a receptacle and an opening that facilitates manual insertion of coins into the receptacle and retains coins inserted in the receptacle. The canister may include a repositionable handle that covers an aperture of the canister in one position and serves as a carrying handle in another position. 
   Other aspects of the present invention may be found in a coin canister that includes a feature that is operable to couple with a latch of a coin dispenser to automatically lock the canister to the dispenser. The canister may be adapted for manual loading of coins into the canister without removing the canister from the dispenser. The canister may include a receptacle and an opening that facilitates manual insertion of coins into the receptacle and retains coins inserted in the receptacle. The canister may include a repositionable handle that covers an aperture of the canister in one position and serves as a carrying handle in another position. 
   Still other aspects of the invention may be found in a method for use with a coin dispenser that includes a coin canister. The method includes automatically locking the coin canister to the coin dispenser. The method may include remotely operating a mechanism to unlock the coin canister from the coin dispenser. The method may include using the coin dispenser as a loading stand for the coin canister. The method may include manually loading coins into the coin canister without removing the canister from the dispenser. The method may include providing an opening in the canister that facilitates manual insertion of coins into the receptacle and retains coins inserted in the receptacle. The method may include providing a repositionable handle that covers an aperture of the canister in one position and serves as a carrying handle in another position. 
   Other aspects of the invention may be found in a coin dispenser that includes a coin canister that can couple with the dispenser in a first position for loading coins into the canister and in a second position for dispensing a coin from the dispenser. The coin dispenser may also include a latch that locks the canister to the dispenser and a remotely operated mechanism that unlocks the canister from the dispenser. The coin canister may be adapted for manually loading coins into the canister with out removing the canister from the dispenser. The canister may include a receptacle and an opening that facilitates manual insertion of coins into the receptacle and retains coins inserted in the receptacle. The coin canister may include a repositionable handle that covers an aperture of the canister in one position and serves as a carrying handle in another position. 
   Still other aspects of the invention may be found in a system for dispensing coins that includes a controller and a coin dispenser electrically connected to the controller. The dispenser includes a coin canister and a latch that locks the canister to the dispenser. The controller can send an electrical signal that unlocks the canister from the dispenser. The controller may be either a point-of-sale (POS) terminal or a POS host system. Where the controller is a POS host system, the coin dispenser may include a plurality of coin dispensers. 
   The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
   Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, whether such a device is implemented in hardware or in firmware or software executing on hardware. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view of a coin dispenser according to the invention with a coin canister in a dispensing position; 
       FIG. 2  is an orthogonal view of the coin dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the coin canister in a replenishment position; 
       FIG. 3  is an orthogonal view of the coin canister of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of an inner chassis of the coin dispenser of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a close up view of the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the canister/chassis interface of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  depicts a block diagram of a system for dispensing coins according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 8  presents a block diagram of another system for dispensing coins according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 through 8 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged device. 
   Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, enhancements, nuances, gradations, lesser forms, alterations, revisions, improvements and knock-offs of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     FIG. 1  shows a coin dispenser  1 , including a coin canister  2  that may hold a supply of coins of various denominations. The coins may be held in stacks within tubular receptacles  3  constructed in the coin canister  2 . Each stack may be a different denomination of coin and each of the tubular receptacles  3  may have a different diameter. The coin dispenser  1  may have an outer enclosure  4  with an opening  5  into which the coin canister  2  may be inserted. A coin cup  6  may be positioned at an outlet of the coin dispenser  1  for the coins dispensed from the coin canister  2 . 
   The coin canister  2  may include a carrying handle  7 , which may be placed in a first position to act as a cover for the coin canister  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The carrying handle  7  may include elongated slots  25 , which may be captured by associated pivot pins (not shown) in the coin canister  2 . In this way, the carrying handle  7  may be raised into a second position and used as a handle to withdraw the coin canister  2  from the coin dispenser  1  and to conveniently transport the coin canister  2  to another location. The carrying handle  7  may also be folded back, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , during full or partial replenishment of the coin canister  2 . 
   The coin canister  2  may be removed from the dispensing position shown in  FIG. 1  and placed into a replenishment position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the replenishment position, the coin canister may rest on a first edge  14  of the opening  5  and lean back at a convenient angle so that a back  15  of the coin canister  2  rests against a second edge  16  of the opening  5 . In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 , the coin canister  2  is at an angle of about 30 degrees from the vertical. In this way, the coin dispenser  1  may serve as a loading stand for replenishing the coin supply of the coin canister  2 . 
   A feature such as a groove  13  may be formed in a base or foot  11  of the coin canister  2  to engage the edge  14  of the opening  5 , in order to secure the coin canister  2  and prevent it from sliding out of the replenishment position shown in  FIG. 2 . The groove  13  is visible in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 . 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the edge  14  of the opening  5  may be formed with a feature such as a U-shaped channel that is sized to receive the foot  11  of the coin canister  2 . Such a channel of the coin dispenser  1  may act to retain the coin canister  2  in the replenishment position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The coin canister  2  may include an outer cover  8  which may be removed to permit full replenishment of coins in the coin canister  2 . Removing the outer cover  8  and moving the carrying handle  7  to the position shown in  FIG. 2  may uncover relieved areas  17  in the tubular receptacles  3  of the coin canister  2 . The enlarged access provided by the relieved areas  17  may enable more rapid replenishment of the coin canister  2  by facilitating insertion of larger stacks, or entire rolls, of coins than would otherwise be possible. Furthermore, despite the presence of relieved areas  17 , tubular receptacles  3  extends more than 180 degrees around the periphery of coins inserted therein. In this way, coins are retained in the tubular receptacles  3  in the relieved regions  17 , as in the remainder of the tubular receptacles  3 . 
   When the coin canister  2  is in the dispensing position shown in  FIG. 1 , its coin supply may also be replenished. The carrying handle  7  may be moved to the position shown in  FIG. 3 , which may reveal openings  9  in the canister cover  8 . The openings  9  may allow a cashier to transfer small stacks of coins (for example, 5-10 coins) from a cash drawer into the tubular receptacles  3  of the coin canister  2 . In this way, replenishment of the coin supply in the coin canister  2  may be performed by the cashier, as needed, without removing the coin canister  2  from the coin dispenser  1 . As such, managerial intervention to unlock the coin canister  2  from the coin dispenser  1  to perform replenishment in a remote location or on site, as described with reference to  FIG. 2 , may be delayed or eliminated altogether. 
   A coin canister is typically locked into a coin dispenser with a lock cylinder actuated by a key. As may be seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , a coin dispenser according to the present invention may also be provided with a keyed mechanism to unlock the coin canister  2  from the coin dispenser  1 . However, the coin dispenser  1  may also or alternatively be provided with a solenoid-actuated locking mechanism  18 , to allow the coin canister  2  to be unlocked without the use of a key. Where the coin dispenser  1  is provided with a locking mechanism actuated by either a key or a solenoid, the key may be used to unlock the coin canister  2  when the solenoid or its control circuitry malfunctions or when power is lost or switched off. 
   When the coin canister  2  is inserted into the opening  5  of the coin dispenser  1 , the foot  11  may rest on an internal chassis  12  at an interface  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . The coin canister  2  may be locked into the coin dispenser  1  according to the invention by a latch  20  extending through an opening in the internal chassis  12  to engage a feature of the coin canister  2  such as a slot  21 . The latch  20  may be attached to a lever  24  that is mounted for rotation about a pivot point  23 . A solenoid  19  may be coupled to the lever  24  by a solenoid plunger  22  so that activation of the solenoid  19  causes the latch  20  to move in the direction indicated by arrow  32 , into and out of the slot  21 , thereby respectively locking and unlocking the coin canister  2 . A conventional key lock  28  may also be coupled to the lever  24  to enable manual operation of the locking mechanism  18 . 
   The lever  24  may be biased by a spring  26  to hold the latch  20  in a position to engage the slot  21  in the coin canister  2 . In this way, the coin canister  2  is preferably locked into the coin dispenser  1 , absent actuation of the solenoid  19  or the key lock  28 . 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, a coin canister may be provided with a feature such as a tab that slides into a slot of a coin dispenser. While the coin canister is being inserted into the coin dispenser, the tab may push aside a spring-loaded latch of the coin dispenser that springs back when the coin canister is in its dispensing position and locks the coin canister into the coin dispenser. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a spring-loaded tab may protrude from or be enclosed in a notch or slot of a coin canister. Such a feature may interact with a retractable latch of a coin dispenser that is firmly held in one of two positions to lock the coin canister into place or allow its removal, respectively. 
   As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , the latch  20  may be provided with an angled upper surface  30 . As the coin canister  2  is inserted into the opening  5  of the coin dispenser  1 , the foot  11  of the coin canister  2  may act on the surface  30  to push the latch  20  back through the opening in the internal chassis  12 . Once the coin canister is fully seated on the interface  10 , the spring  26  may act to cause the latch  20  to engage the slot  21  and lock the coin canister  2  into the coin dispenser  1 . In this way, the coin canister  2  may be reinserted into the coin dispenser and locked into place without requiring activation of either the solenoid  19  or the key lock  28 . 
   The solenoid  19  may be electrically connected for actuation by a signal generated from a remote source. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a point of sale (POS) terminal  34  may be associated with the coin dispenser  1  according to the present invention. The POS terminal  34  may be electrically connected to the coin dispenser  1  by a link  36 . A cashier or manager may enter a command or combination of key strikes at the POS terminal  34  may cause an electrical signal to be sent over the link  36  to actuate the solenoid  19  in the coin dispenser  1  and unlock the coin canister  2 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIG. 8 , a central POS host system  38  may be electrically connected to POS terminals  40   a ,  40   b  and  40   c  by links  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c , respectively, to allow coin canisters to be unlocked from a central location. A command issued by the POS host system  38  to the POS terminal  40   a , for example, may cause the POS terminal  40   a  to send an electrical signal to the coin dispenser  1   a  to unlock its associated coin canister. In another embodiment of the invention, a POS host system may be individually connected to one or more POS terminals and associated coin dispensers. In such an embodiment, the POS host system may send an electrical signal directly to one of the coin dispensers to unlock its coin canister. 
   In either of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , identity and date-stamp information may be collected when a coin canister is unlocked, for record-keeping purposes and to provide administrative flexibility. 
   It should be understood that the above description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall with the scope of the appended claims.