# US 12,183,149 B2 · Drop cart with cashbox data reader array and autonomous drop cart processing system for automated casino accounting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,149 B2 - Document ID: US12183149B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/601,937 - Filed: 2024-03-11 - Published: 2024-06-27 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-10 - Assignees: JCM American Corporation - Applicants: JCM American Corporation - Inventors: Paul Pechinko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183149B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3216: {Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects} - G07F 17/3223: {Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication} - G07F 17/3227: {Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters} - G07F 17/3239: {Tracking of individual players} - G07F 17/3241: {Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance (computer security G06F21/00)} - H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light - H05B 47/105: in response to determined parameters - H05B 47/155: Coordinated control of two or more light sources - H05B 47/16: by timing means - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - G07F 17/3255: {Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements} - H04B 5/70: specially adapted for specific purposes - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract An autonomous drop cart processing system is described. The system is configured to communicably couple with a drop cart that includes an array of cashbox data readers configured to interface with cashbox data transmitters associated with cashboxes inserted into compartments of the drop cart. As a result of this construction, the autonomous drop cart processing system can remove contents of each cashbox on the drop cart without needing to remove the cashbox from the drop cart in order to read the data from the cashbox data transmitter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automated system, comprising: a first automation mechanism supported by a frame, said first automation mechanism configured to translate in linear and vertical directions, said first automation mechanism further configured to manipulate and reposition a key extension to unlock and open each cashbox on one side of a drop cart proximate thereto; and a second automation mechanism including a movable mechanical arm configured to position a grasping attachment coupled to said movable mechanical arm to extract a stack of documents from each unlocked cashbox with an open door. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automated system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to instruct an electronic gaming machine cashbox to clear data from a storage medium after said stack of documents is removed from said electronic gaming machine cashbox. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The automated system of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to obtain said data upon insertion of the electronic gaming machine cashbox into a drop cart compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The automated system of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to provide an alert that said processor is unable to obtain the data. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The automated system of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to provide an alert that said stack of documents was not removed from said electronic gaming machine cashbox. ### Claim 6 An automated system, comprising: a drop cart including a housing frame defining a plurality of cashbox compartments; a first automation mechanism supported by a frame, said first automation mechanism configured to translate in linear and vertical directions, said first automation mechanism further configured to manipulate and reposition a key extension to unlock and open each cashbox on one side of said drop cart when proximate thereto; and a second automation mechanism including a movable mechanical arm configured to position a grasping attachment coupled to said movable mechanical arm to extract a stack of documents from each unlocked cashbox with an open door. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The automated system of claim 6 further comprising a cashbox data receiver on said drop cart and configured to communicably couple with a cashbox data receivers of electronic gaming machine cashboxes positioned in said plurality of compartments. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The automated system of claim 7 further comprising a communication component and processor configured to: obtain data, from said cashbox data receiver, corresponding to a stack of documents contained by said electronic gaming machine cashbox; and provide the data to an electronic device via the communication component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The automated system of claim 8, wherein said processor is configured to provide said data upon insertion of an electronic gaming machine cashbox into one of said plurality of compartments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The automated system of claim 8, wherein said processor provides said data to a casino accounting system. ### Claim 11 An automated system, comprising: a first automation mechanism supported by a frame, said first automation mechanism configured to translate in linear and vertical directions, said first automation mechanism further configured to manipulate and reposition a key extension to unlock and open each cashbox on one side of a drop cart proximate thereto; a second automation mechanism including a movable mechanical arm configured to position a grasping attachment coupled to said movable mechanical arm to extract a stack of documents from each unlocked cashbox with an open door; and a collection station for receiving said stack of documents from each unlocked cashbox. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The automated system of claim 11 wherein said collection station includes one or more of a currency counter, a currency bundler or binder and a document sorter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The automated system of claim 11 further comprising a drop cart. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The automated system of claim 13, wherein said drop box comprises: a housing frame that defines a compartment; a cashbox data receiver configured to communicably couple with a cashbox data receiver of an electronic gaming machine cashbox positioned in said compartment in order to obtain data corresponding to said stack of documents contained by said electronic gaming machine cashbox; and a movement mechanism that allows movement of the housing frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The automated system of claim 14, wherein said movement mechanism is powered. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The automated system of claim 14 wherein said drop cart includes a locking mechanism operable to secure an electronic gaming machine cashbox to said housing frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The automated system of claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism comprises an electromechanical locking mechanism. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The automated system of claim 16, further comprising a drop cart power source wherein said locking mechanism is operable while said power source is disconnected. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The automated system of claim 16, further comprising a drop cart processor operable to determine an error condition regarding said electronic gaming machine cashbox. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The automated system of claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism comprises at least one of: a push-push mechanism; a latch mechanism; or a detent mechanism.