Patent Publication Number: US-6213277-B1

Title: Coin operated machine including a coin box having a memory device

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 09/259,207, filed Mar. 1, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a coin receiving box associated with operation of a host coin accepting machine. The coin collection box is removable from the machine, and is interchangeably inserted selectively into any one of several similar machines. The coin box contains memory for establishing both temporary and permanent electronic records, and has electrical contact surfaces enabling communication with its host machine. The coin box has guiding structure for assuring that it is correctly inserted into its host machine. Both the guiding structure and the electrical contacts enable reversible insertion into the host machine. 
     The invention is further directed to a mobile inventorying apparatus and method for receiving moneys such as coins and tokens collected from a slot machine in a secure manner. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Certain activities, such as vending and gaming, are available to the public in commercial premises dedicated to these activities. These premises contain gaming machines which operate automatically when a patron inserts coins or tokens into the machine. Gaming machines tend to amass coins or tokens rapidly, and must periodically be emptied. Since machine operation is equally feasible with coins and tokens, discussion from this point forward will refer to coins, it being understood that tokens may be substituted to similar effect. 
     In particular, gaming machines are available in large numbers in casinos. Large numbers of people enjoy using these machines, which may all be in use despite the number of machines available. To enable rapid reestablishment of operability after retrieval of coins, gaming machines are provided with interchangeable, removable coin collection boxes. Service personnel employed by the casino come to a gaming machine with an empty coin collection box, remove the full box, and insert the new box. The full box is then brought to a counting facility for accounting and verification of its contents. 
     Many boxes may be present simultaneously at the counting facility. Various schemes have been employed to enable the casino to know which box is associated with which gaming machine. These schemes use printed numbers on small pieces of paper, or serial numbers printed on the side of coin boxes. Both methods are prone to human error and mistake. 
     The casino may easily fail to recover all coins which theoretically are present in the coin box. Such loss may stem from either of two possibilities. One is that the bin was misaligned within its host gaming machine, so that some coins could fail to enter the box. In this case, the coins could lodge within recesses in the machine, or be retrieved and pocketed during removal of the box by dishonest personnel servicing the machine. These personnel may also remove coins from the interior of the box, even when the coins have properly entered the box. 
     Although casinos have automated systems utilizing the master computer for calculating a total sum which theoretically has been amassed by the machines, the system falls short of being able to pinpoint specific causes of loss. This is because large numbers of coin or token bins are received at the counting facilities, and it is not possible to identify which box was short of its calculated receipts. It is merely possible to calculate that the sum of the coins actually collected falls short of theoretical receipts. Thus the operator of the premises cannot identify poorly installed bins and dishonest employees. 
     A coin receiving machine having a removable coin collection box and electronic memory devices contained within both machine and box is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,643, issued to Bernd Kirberg on Oct. 15, 1991. Kirberg&#39;s device is a vending machine rather than a gaming machine, and lacks the arrangement of guiding structure assuring appropriate and reversible mating of the coin collection box within the host machine and electrical contacts found in the present invention. 
     Mechanical disconnection of an electronic memory device within a coin receiving machine upon removal of a coin collecting receptacle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,285, issued to Jerome Remien on Oct. 17, 1995. Remien&#39;s machine is not a gaming machine, and lacks the arrangement of guiding structure assuring appropriate and reversible mating of the coin collection box within the host machine and electrical contacts found in the present invention. 
     Keyed insertion of a coin collecting receptacle into a host machine is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,371,114, issued to Walter Von Stoeser on Mar. 6, 1945. Stoeser&#39;s arrangement does not allow for reversible insertion of the receptacle, as provided in the present invention. Also, Stoeser&#39;s machine is not a gaming machine, and lacks electronic memory and electrical contacts enabling communication to electronic memory, as found in the present invention. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides structural cooperation between a coin collecting box and its host machine so that the box is reversibly insertable into the host machine and so that accurate positioning of the box within the host machine is assured. The coin box and the cavity of the host machine are each provided with complementary grooves or projections assuring appropriate alignment of the box. 
     A preferred configuration of guiding members includes a low upwardly oriented projection disposed upon the flat floor of the cavity of the host machine. The coin box has a flat floor including short depending walls which partially surround and closely cooperate with the projection when the coin box is fully inserted and lowered into position. Both the projection of the host machine and the walls of the coin box are inclined, so that lowering the coin box also centers the coin box over the projection. The coin box is configured to avoid cracks and crevices into which coins may lodge, be concealed, or otherwise be lost. 
     The host machine and the coin box are each provided with electronic memory devices for storing information relating to the identity of each and with circuitry enabling communication between the two memory devices. Each memory device receives information relating at a minimum to the identity of its partner memory device. Therefore, when the coin box is returned to the mounting facility, the operators of the casino may ascertain which coin box has been associated with which gaming machine. Other memory devices may receive information relating to coin count as well. Therefore, any shortage of coins will be attributable to the correct source of the loss, and remedial steps may then be taken. At the same time, counting and verification of other machines and coin boxes may proceed independently of a short count relating to any one particular coin box. 
     To enable communication between box and host machine, electrical contacts are provided in each such that they will be operable regardless of direction of insertion of the coin box into the host machine. The communication circuits completed by mating of these contacts are separable, or broken when the coin box is removed. Contact is preferably sliding in nature rather than depending upon interfering abutment. Effective contact may then ensue without requiring the extreme precision required for abutting contact. 
     The arrangement of the contacts reduces requirements for precision when mating. Unlike connection devices such as multipin connectors, which must be carefully aligned prior to mutual engagement, the electrical contacts act automatically, requiring no attention from the installing personnel whatsoever. Physical alignment of the coin box within the cavity of the host machine is the only requirement. Cooperation between the depending walls of the coin box and the projection of the host machine assures that it is nearly impossible to misalign the two. 
     The electrical contacts are disposed upon the flat upper surface of the projection of the host machine and upon the flat floor of the coin box. In an alternative to actual contact, communicable engagement may be accomplished by induction. Coils embedded within the box and the host machine on the flat surfaces will cause signals to be transferred inductively without resorting to actual contact. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a mobile inventorying and collection apparatus provides for immediate inventorying of moneys collected in the coin box at an area adjacent to the host machine, and transfer of the inventoried monies to a secured receptacle on-board the mobile apparatus, preferably for later transfer to a secured coin repository. Host machines may be gaming machines, vending machines, change machines or other machines in which monies are collected, without limitation. The mobile apparatus may be a transportable cart or other conveyance for supporting the system components described below in greater detail. 
     The system preferably includes the coin box which is interchangeably received by both the host machine for initial collection and the mobile cart for measurement, including weighing collected moneys on a scale provided on the mobile apparatus. Information identifying the coin box and inventory information specific to the coins and tokens received and collected from the host machine is transmitted to either a CPU provided on-board the mobile cart for later downloading to a remote data management system, or directly to the remote data management system. Such data transmission may be concurrent with collection processing, or batch downloaded after collection of moneys from a plurality of host machines. After the coin box has been inventoried, its contents are then transferred to a secure receptacle provided onboard the mobile cart, and the coin box is returned to its designated host machine for subsequent coin collection, thereby immediately placing the host machine, such as a gaming machine, back in service using the original coin box. 
     The coins/tokens may be segregated by numerical denomination in the mobile inventorying system, for separate secured retention in corresponding receptacles provided in the mobile cart. Paper money or scrip may be collected and accounted for by the apparatus of the invention. The mobile cart is then preferably advanced to a subsequent host machine as necessary to inventory all host machines in a particular location and efficiently and securely collect monies in the manner previously described. The mobile cart may be retrofittable to existing cart systems, configured to hand or vehicle transfer systems, or self-propelled in an automatic delivery system to deliver inventoried moneys to a remote count room or other receiving facility. According to another embodiment of the invention, the mobile apparatus includes a self-propelled tow vehicle provided with inventorying and collection apparatus and one or more coin collection carts, each having one or more secure receptacles, to be towed by the tow vehicle adjacent to the host machines to be inventoried. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, environmental, diagrammatic view of the coin collection system of the invention, showing slot machine coin collection application in a casino. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational, diagrammatic view of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective detail view of components seen at the bottom of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is an exploded perspective detail view of components seen at the bottom of FIG.  2 . having an alternative electrodes arrangement. 
     FIG. 4 is a front cross sectional view of the components of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but illustrating a first alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating a second alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective detail view of a coin collection box having contacts on the side thereof and a corresponding projection. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded top plan view of the coin collection box of FIG.  7  and the inside wall of a gaming machine having contacts thereon. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a coin collection box having guiding structure including contacts in the side thereof. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the coin collection box of FIG. 9 inserted into a gaming machine. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective, diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the mobile cart of the present invention, showing a plurality of individual coin/token receiving bins, scale and a CPU mounted on-board the mobile cart. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a coin collection box receiving platform to be mounted to the mobile cart of the present invention for receiving and weighing a coin box according to the invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method of receiving and inventorying coins/tokens collected from a host machine, and transmission of equipment- and inventory-specific information and data to on-board and remote CPUs. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective, diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the inventorying and collection apparatus of the present invention, showing a self-propelled propelled tow vehicle for pulling a train of money collection carts, each cart including at least one secure coin/token receiving bin. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows the present invention as it would be employed in a casino (not shown in its entirety). The invention comprises a coin operated machine  10  having a removably insertable coin collection box  12  for receiving and storing coins  14  inserted into machine  10 . It will be understood that the coin collection box  12  may be used to collect paper money and scripp according to the invention, for use with machines  10  that require paper money or scripp for operation. Coin box  12  is periodically removed for counting and retrieving coins  14 . A similar coin box (not shown) is inserted into a cavity  16  serving as a receptacle for containing coin box  12  when machine  10  is in use. Coin box  12  is designed to be reversibly inserted into cavity  16  in the interests of efficiently replacing coin boxes and expeditiously returning machine  10  to active service. 
     In a typical casino, coin box  12  is carried on a cart (not shown) together with other coin boxes (not shown) to a counting facility  18  for retrieval of coins and reconciling of accounts. Counting facility  18  has a computer monitor  20  and a keyboard  22 . Machine  10  has a memory device (see FIG. 2) which is employed in tracking receipts and disbursements made by machine  10 . This information is communicated to a central computer  24 , which includes another memory device, by any suitable method, such as by cable  26 . Monitor  20  and keyboard  22  communicate with computer  24  by cable  28 . Information contained in the two memories further includes data identifying which coin box has served machine  10  during a specified time period. The operator of the casino may thus account for shortages in the count of retrieved coins, and may pinpoint the source of any loss as accruing from pilferage or from mechanical failure. Identities of the personnel removing and returning coin box  12  may also be tracked in the memories. 
     FIG. 2 shows typical components of machine  10 . A coin accepting apparatus  30  receives coins, verifies authenticity and value of coins, and sends a signal to a microprocessor  32  enabling activities to proceed if sufficient value has been received. Microprocessor  32  has an associated memory device, such as RAM  34 . A function controller  36  is enabled by a signal from microprocessor  32  to accept commands from the patron of machine  10  responsive to acceptance of a coin by coin accepting apparatus  30  and determination of sufficient value for the requested function. 
     In gaming machines, the function will relate to gaming or gambling. In this case, the function will be performing a calculation of a random chance result, and dispensing a return based upon the chance result. The return, made by a dispenser  38 , may be a payoff if the chance result favors the patron, and will result in retention of inserted money by machine  10  if the chance result does not favor the patron. 
     The present invention is equally applicable to machines performing functions other than gaming. For example, the machine may be a vending machine (not shown). If this were the case, then dispenser  38  would comprise well known apparatus for selecting and dispensing merchandise, and optionally for making change. 
     Coin box  12  is diagrammatically shown in a predetermined, operative position within machine  10 . This signifies that coin box  12  is correctly positioned to successfully receive coins delivered thereinto by machine  10 , thereby defeating a potential source of loss, i.e., spillage past the coin box  12 . If the function being performed results in a determination that an inserted coin should be retained by machine  10 , then that coin is routed to coin box  12 . This is indicated diagrammatically by chute  40 . Alignment of chute  40  with coin guide  42 , which leads to a coin storage receptacle  43 , represents the operative position of coin box  12  within machine  10 . 
     Of course, machine  10  may retain coins for potential return to the patron. Apparatus for accomplishing this is well known and may be incorporated for the successful operation of machine  10  if desired. 
     The operative position further signifies that coin box  12  is properly aligned to assure completion or connection of communications circuitry. It being recalled that coin box  12  has a memory device  44 , circuitry  46  is provided to transmit signals to memory device  44 . Circuitry  46  is connected to complementary circuitry  48 , which complementary circuitry  48  is in turn connected to memory device  34 . Final connections are made by electrodes  50 ,  52  of circuitry  46  and electrodes  54 ,  46  of circuitry  48 . Cable  26  may be regarded as a further component of circuitry  48 , and performs the function of transmitting communication signals between microprocessor  32  and its associated memory device  34  and external computer  24  and its associated memory device (not shown apart from computer  24 ). 
     An operator may utilize keyboard  22  to query microprocessor  32  of machine  10 , in order to receive information from machine  10  prior to receiving coin box  12 . The same information available from microprocessor  32  may be entered into memory device  44  of coin box  12 . Alternatively, some information may be restricted from memory device  34  or from memory device  44 , so that there may be a difference in entered data between these components. Many algorithms or programs may be utilized in controlling and communicating between computer  24  and memory devices  34  and  44 , depending upon the exact functions to be performed. These algorithms are well known or may be created especially for the application by those of skill in the art. 
     Information gathered by the memory device  34  can include host machine  10  identification, time and date information, and data transferred from a coin meter  125  (FIG. 3) in the host machine. It will be understood that the data other than coin meter data can be monitored by meters within the host machine  10 , which are preferably associated with the memory device  34 . The electronic monitoring system of the host machine  10  (which is associated with memory device  34 ) can monitor any electrical signal generated by the host machine  10 . For example, door open signals, signals generated by the coin acceptor mechanism and signals generated by the bill acceptor mechanism can be monitored. These signals can be counted or analyzed to generate additional information that can be stored in the data chip in the base of the coin collection box  12  for later transfer to the central computer  24 . Door open signals can be generated by, for example, an electric switch whose contacts are opened and closed when the door is pressed against the switch. The electronic monitoring system monitors the voltage going through the switch to determine the state of the door (opened or closed). Any mechanical movement within the machine can be monitored by the electronic monitoring system by attaching an electronic position sensor to the mechanical device to be monitored. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the host machine  10  includes electrical ouptuts that correspond to certain events that are monitored by the electronic monitoring system. The outputs may be lights, bells, buzzers, whistles, relays or the like. For example, if the host machine  10  includes a switch for monitoring the status of the door (opened or closed) a corresponding light may be included in the host machine  10 . Therefore, when the door is ajar, the light is lit, thereby alerting the operator that the door is ajar. Other signals/outputs, such as bucket in position (on or off contacts), illegal bucket in position, bucket full, data tampering detected, and the like, are within the scope of the present invention. 
     Interfitting cooperation between coin box  12  and cavity  16  (see FIG. 1) is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cavity  16  has receiving structure for removably receiving and locating coin box  12 , comprising a floor  58  and a projection  60  projecting upwardly from floor  58 . Projection  60  has an inclined lateral wall  62  which gives projection  60  a tapered configuration wherein the top is smaller than the bottom. Coin box  12  has guiding structure including a bottom panel  64  and a wall  66  depending from bottom panel  64 . Wall  66  has an inclined surface  68  complementing and closely cooperating with tapered projection  60 . 
     When coin box  12  is inserted into cavity  16  and released, coin box  12  will be urged by gravity to attain the predetermined position, shown representatively in FIG. 2, beneath chute  40  (see FIG. 2) or equivalent structure for depositing coins into receptacle  43 . 
     In the present example, corresponding inclination of wall  62  and surface  68  urges coin box  12  to become centered over projection  60 . Of course, inclination of wall  62  an d surface  68  could be reversed to the same effect. In other embodiments, it would be possible that corresponding receiving structure of a coin operated machine and guiding structure of the coin box be differently configured. For example, the coin box could be urged to the left, right, or to the rear, or to an intermediate position having combined characteristics of these directions. 
     Electrodes  50 ,  52  and  54 ,  56  and their respective alignment are also shown in FIG.  3 . Electrodes  50  and  52  are exposed from below panel  64 , and will make physical contact with electrodes  54 ,  56 , which are exposed from above projection  60  when coin box  12  is lowered into the predetermined position. 
     Preferably, contact is sliding contact, rather than requiring penetration and consequent careful alignment of the respective male and female electrodes (not shown). In addition to sliding contact, electrodes  50 ,  52  and  54 ,  56  are arranged serially with respect to the direction of insertion of said coin box into said coin operated machine, so that coin box  12  need be moved in a straight line, and not necessarily moved in a complex manner to assure mating of the contacts  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The relative large size of one of the two sets of electrodes  50 ,  52  or  54 ,  56  assures contact even if coin box  12  is slightly misaligned relative to projection  60 . 
     An additional electrode  70  is disposed upon projection  60  and connected in common with electrode  54 . This arrangement assures that coin box  12 , which is of symmetrical construction, may be inserted into cavity  16  with end wall  72  facing either to the rear of machine  10  or to the front thereof. Thus, machine  10  and coin box  12  are arranged to accept reversible insertion of the latter into the former. Simultaneously, electrodes  50 ,  52 , and their corresponding electrodes  54 ,  56  of projection  60  are linearly alignable regardless of directional orientation of coin box  12  within machine  10 , and will come into operative proximity when coin box  12  attains its predetermined position within operated machine  10 . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 a , electrodes  50 ,  52  can be arranged in a side by side arrangement, such that they are normal to the direction of insertion the coin box  12 . In this embodiment, electrode  50  is placed in the center of the coin box  12 , relative to end walls  72 ,  72   a  and electrode  52  is offset therefrom. Electrodes  54 ,  56 ,  70  are affixed to projection  60  such that electrode  56  is in the center thereof, and the electrodes  54  and  56  are on either side of electrode  56 . Therefore, the coin box  12  can be reversibly inserted into cavity  16  without regard to the orientation of coin box  12 . It will be understood that a non-symmetrical coin box  12  is within the scope of the present invention. In such a case electrode  70  can be omitted and directional orientation of coin box  12  is not reversible. 
     FIG. 4 shows a preferred configuration of coin box  12  wherein upwardly projecting lateral walls of receptacle  43  are inclined such that the top of receptacle  43  is wider than the bottom thereof, and all internal surfaces are continuous and lack cracks and crevices which could otherwise trap or conceal coins. This view also shows the close cooperation between projection  60  and surface  68 , and the arrangement of memory device  44  and contact  50  within panel  64 . 
     The arrangement of contacting electrode  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may be replaced by electrodes featuring non-contacting communication. As shown in FIG. 5, coin box  12  may be provided with an induction coil  74  embedded within panel  64  and connected to memory device  44 . Machine  10  has a corresponding induction coil  76  embedded within projection  60 , which coil  76  communicates with memory device  34  (see FIG.  2 ) through circuitry  48 . Even though physical contact is absent, operative proximity enables coils  74  and  76  to transmit signals to one another. 
     Obviously, one of coils  74  or  76  may be replaced by a metal structure the form of which is not critical, in order to react appropriately with the electromagnetic field, depending upon the desired direction of communication. Where a coil  74  or  76  is provided, it will be understood to include a suitable power supply (not shown). The use of inductive coils for communicating signals is conventional, and these coils are shown only in representative capacity in FIG.  5 . 
     Another form of electrodes providing non-contact communication is shown in FIG.  6 . Coin box  12  has a radio frequency transmitter and receiver  78  and an associated antenna  80 . Of course, transmitter and receiver  78  is connected to memory device  44 , although not shown in FIG.  6 . Machine  10  has a corresponding radio frequency transmitter and receiver  82  having a respective associated antenna  84 . The respective devices indicated as  78  and  82  may, of course, comprise only a transmitter or only a receiver, depending upon the desired scheme of communication. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, signal strength will be predetermined so that communication is established only when a predetermined proximity between the communicating elements is attained. 
     FIGS. 7-8 show an embodiment of a coin collection box  12  that includes contacting electrodes  50 ,  52  on end wall  72 . Contacting electrodes  50 ,  52  are shown in FIGS. 7-8 in a horizontal orientation, however it will be understood that contacts  50 ,  52  can be arranged in any orientation, such as vertical or diagonal. One of the inside walls  16   a  that defines cavity  16  (see FIG. 1) includes electrodes  54 ,  56 . When coin collection box  12  is inserted into cavity  16 , and the guiding structure (via gravity) locates the box  12  in its predetermined position, the contacting electrodes  50  and  52  will make physical contact with electrodes  54 ,  56 . 
     Preferably, electrodes  54 ,  56  are located on the wall  16   a  opposite the opening into which the coin collection box  12  is inserted into cavity  16 . It will be understood that contacting electrodes  50  and  52  can be located on end wall  72  and opposite end wall  72   a  (as shown in FIG. 8) so that the box  12  can be inserted into cavity  16  with end wall  72  facing either to the rear of machine  10  or to the front thereof. Thus, machine  10  and coin box  12  are arranged to accept reversible insertion of the latter into the former. It will be understood that contacting electrodes may be located on any of the end or side walls of coin collection box  12 . 
     FIGS. 9-10 show another embodiment of a coin collection box  12  that includes contacting electrodes  50 ,  52  on end wall  72 . In this embodiment, cavity  16  has receiving structure for removably receiving and locating coin box  12 . However, the guiding structure is omitted from the bottom of coin collection box  12  and is included on end wall  72 . The receiving structure includes a wall  16   a  and a projection  202  projecting outwardly from wall  16   a . Projection  202  has an inclined lateral wall  204  which gives projection  202  a tapered configuration. Coin box  12  has guiding structure including a side panel  206  and end wall  72  depending from side panel  206 . End wall  72  has an inclined surface  208  complementing and closely cooperating with tapered projection  202 . 
     When coin box  12  is inserted into cavity  16 , coin box  12  will attain the predetermined position beneath chute  40  (see FIG. 2) or equivalent structure for depositing coins into receptacle  43  as a result of the guiding structure. In a preferred embodiment, contact electrodes  50 ,  52  are held in contact relationship with electrodes  54 ,  56  by door  16   b . As shown in FIG. 10, when door  16   b  is closed it contacts end wall  72   a , thereby urging contact electrodes  50 ,  52  into contact relationship with electrodes  54 ,  56 . 
     Of course, inclination of wall  204  and surface  208  could be reversed to the same effect. Further, the entire guiding structure could be included on another side or end wall of the coin box  12 . 
     Variations and modifications to the invention may be introduced by those of skill in the art. For example, coin box  12  may be modified so that the front and rear sections of wall  66  enable sliding of coin box  12  on projection  60 . Other structure (not shown) may be provided for supporting coin box  12  as it is slid into and out of its operative position within machine  10 . Although electronic data handling has been described, optical and other systems may be substituted in whole or in part to similar effect. A handle may be located on the front of the coin box  12  to aid a technician in removing and inserting the coin box  12 . End wall  72   a  may include a press surface, such as an elastomeric material, for door  16   b  to contact to aid in urging coin box  12  toward wall  16   a.    
     As a further improvement, and with reference now to FIGS. 11-13, a mobile inventorying system  100  includes a mobile cart  102  provided with inventorying apparatus  104  for immediate inventorying of moneys such as coins or tokens collected in the coin box  12  (FIG. 1) at an area adjacent to the host machine  10 , thereby eliminating the requirement to return the coin box  12  to a remotely-located counting facility to inventory coins/tokens received by the host machine  10 . This system is also applicable to the efficient and accurate collection of paper money or scrip, utilizing the apparatus of the present invention to read and transfer the counts of paper money or scrip to the computer system. The system of the present invention is applicable to gaming machines, vending machines, change machines or other machines in which monies are collected, without limitation. 
     Inventorying apparatus  104  can include an on-board data collection unit CPU  106 , an on-board calibrated scale  108 , and at least one secure coin/token receiving container  110 . The system preferably includes the coin box  12  for receiving and inventorying coins and tokens received from the host machine  10 , and transmitting this data as well as identification data of the coin box  12  to either the on-board CPU  106  provided on-board the mobile cart  102  for later downloading to a remote data management system  120  (and/or central computer  24 ), or directly to the remote data collection system  120 . The coins/tokens may be segregated by denomination in the mobile inventorying system  100 . It will be understood that the identification data of coin box  12  can include, without limitation, and combination of host machine identification, coin count information and/or time/date information. 
     Processing then continues to additional host machines  10  as necessary to inventory all host machines in a particular location of, for example, a casino, and efficiently and immediately update gaming or other money receipts for those coins/tokens received in coin box  12  provided therein in the manner previously described. After each coin box  12  has been inventoried and its contents transferred to the secure coin/token receiving container  110 , the coin box  12  is reinstalled in the designated cavity  16  provided in its designated host machine  10 . The system components may be installed on a mobile cart  102 , or alternatively may be provided on a support structure retrofittably affixable to existing portable wheeled cart systems for operation along tracked or untracked pathways, configured for manual or machine-propelled transfer systems by tow handle  111 , or self-propelled under automatic robotic delivery system control to deliver inventoried moneys to a remote count room or other receiving facility. 
     Specifically, the inventorying apparatus  104  includes a receiving system in which the coin box  12  is removably received on a receiving platform  114  provided with electrically or inductively coupled contacts and circuitry configured for achieving a desired electrical connection of electrodes  50 ,  52 ,  70  of the coin box  12  in the manner previously described. An additional set of complementary contacts  116 ,  118  and electrode  120  (corresponding to contacts  54 ,  56  and electrode  70  shown in FIG. 3) are symmetrically arranged on the receiving platform or in cavity  114  to accept reversible insertion of the coin box  12 , and provide positive operative contact with electrodes  50 ,  52 ,  70  installed on the underside of the coin box  12 . A lid  115  is hingedly affixed to the mobile cart  102  to protect, in the down and closed position, components of the inventorying apparatus  104  provided in a cavity  1   17  of the mobile cart  102  during periods of non-use. 
     The coin box  12  is received in the manner previously described and weighed by calibrated scale  108  mounted to the mobile cart  102 . The calibrated scale  108  may be any scale useful for determining a weight differential of single coins/tokens passed through the scale apparatus. In connection with coin collection box identifying data, including tare weight of the coin box  12  and designated coinage to be received therein, the net weight and aggregate value of the contents collected in the coin box  12  is transferred to the on-board CPU  106  for on-board storage of this data, to be downloaded to a remote CPU  122 . It will be understood that data downloading may occur concurrently with an inventorying operation, or subsequently thereto either on an individual host-machine basis or on a batch basis. 
     Information gathered by memory device  44  of the coin collection box  12  can include host machine  10  identification, time and date information, and data transferred from a coin meter  125  (FIG. 3) in the host machine and stored in the coin collection box  12  for use in comparing count and weight and alerting the appropriate personnel to a measured difference between readings obtained from the calibrated scale  108  and coin meter  125  data. 
     The mobile cart  102  according to the present invention includes a unitary body  120  containing one or more hoppers  122 ,  124 ,  126  each designated by placards  128 ,  130 ,  132 , respectively, for receiving the designated denomination of coins/tokens after measurement. Coins/tokens may be transferred to a bucket  123  to be received within a selected hopper  122 , 124 ,  126 . After transfer of coins/tokens to the mobile cart  102 , each hopper  122 , 124 , 126  is closed with a hinged lid  134 ,  136 ,  138 , respectively, to be secured in a closed and locked position during transport or non-use of the apparatus  104  or the coins are placed in the hopper through an articulated chute which disallows entry of a retrieving device or human hand to remove the coins/tokens. According to the invention, a mixed aggregation of coins/tokens may be separated by denomination by a coin separator (not shown) into separate hoppers. Also, apparatus may be provided within the hoppers to receive, separate, and stack designated denominations of coins/tokens for reuse in pre-sized, pre-valued stacks. 
     With reference to FIG. 13, the mobile cart system  100  is preferably operated as follows. The mobile cart  102  is transported adjacent to a host machine  10  designated for coin/token collection. The mobile cart operator extracts the coin box  12  from the host machine  10  and places the coin box  12  on the receiving platform  114  of the mobile cart  102  in the manner previously described with respect to installation within a host machine  10  to achieve full electrical contact between respective sets of electrodes. Aggregate coin/token weight is measured by the calibrated scale  108  after adjusting for coin box tare weight, and this information is transmitted to the on-board CPU  106  via data link  107 . Also inputted to the on-board CPU  106  is collection time and date information, mobile cart operator identification, coin box identification and other accounting information gathered from the host machine. According to the invention, and to overcome the prior art problem of lost or unaccounted coins, coin/token data transferred to the on-board CPU  106  from the coin meter  125  is compared with corrected data recorded in the on-board CPU  106  obtained from the calibrated scale  108 . a significant discrepancy calculated between the calibrated scale  108  and coin meter  125  causes an alert to be sounded to the mobile cart operator and/or casino operator. The measured discrepancy is further recorded to the remote data collection system  122  for analysis. a paper bill counter (not shown) can be used instead of the coin meter  125  during collection of paper money or scrip. After weighing and accounting of collected moneys information, the contents of the coin box  12  are transferred to the appropriate hopper  122 ,  124 ,  126  for secure retention prior to return transport of the mobile cart to a coin/token collection facility during which time data collected in the on-board CPU  106  is preferably downloaded to the remote data collection system  122  for subsequent analysis, reporting, and storage. 
     With reference to FIG. 14, the present invention further includes mobile apparatus  200  having a self-propelled tow vehicle  202  for towing one or more serially-linked wheeled coin collection carts  204 ,  206 ,  208 . Alternatively, the mobile apparatus may be configured for operation along tracked or untracked pathways, configured for manual transport by tow handle  209 , or self-propelled under automatic robotic delivery system control to deliver inventoried moneys to a remote count room or other receiving facility. 
     The tow vehicle  202  includes inventorying apparatus  210  for receiving a coin collection box  12  from the host machine  10  in structural and electrical connection with a receiving platform  212  of the tow vehicle  202  in the manner previously described with respect to the mobile cart  102 . Aggregate coin/token weight is measured by a calibrated scale (not shown) in the manner previously described, and this information is transmitted to the on-board CPU  214  by wired or modem connection. After inventorying of moneys collected in coin collection box  12 , moneys segregated by denomination are transferred to secure receptacles  216 ,  218 ,  220  provided in coin collection carts  204 ,  206 ,  208 , respectively, for secure retention prior to return transport of the mobile apparatus  200 , or individual coin collection carts  204 ,  206 ,  208 , to a coin/token collection facility. 
     The coin box  12  is reinstalled in the host machine  12 , and reinitialized for subsequent use after transfer of moneys to the secured containers provided in the mobile cart  102  or mobile apparatus  200  of the invention. Thus, according to the invention, only a single coin box  12  is required for each host machine  10 , eliminating the need to provide a replacement coin box which was previously required when one coin box was removed to a coin/token collection facility. Furthermore, secure collection and accounting of collected coins/tokens is achieved without requiring transport of collected coins/tokens to a remote location for counting. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.