Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method

A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of:

• providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;
• performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;
• moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;
• performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;
• discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means;
• dispensing discount coupons;
• determining a total amount of said coins;
• and
• dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher, different from said discount coupons, redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of:

• providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;
• performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;
• moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;
• performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;
• discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means;
• determining a total amount of said coins;
• displaying, in said kiosk, the total amount of said coins;
• dispensing, from said kiosk, manufacturers' coupons;
• holding the coins in an intermediate holding area;
• returning the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount;
• depositing the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount;
• and
• dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount in response to a user input accepting the total amount.

An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

• a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user;
• means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;
• means for moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;
• means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;
• means, coupled to said second location, for determining a total amount of said coins;
• and
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said means for determining has determined said total amount.

An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

• a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user;
• means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;
• moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;
• performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;
• means, in said kiosk, for dispensing manufacturers' coupons;
• means, coupled to said means for receiving, for determining a total amount of said coins;
• and
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

• a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination;
• means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in said first location by providing an opening in said first location through which debris may pass;
• means for moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk;
• means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location;
• means, in said kiosk, for dispensing manufacturers' coupons;
• means, coupled to said means for receiving, for sorting said coins into groups, with each group being one of said denominations;
• means, coupled to said means for sorting, for determining a total amount of said coins;
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for displaying the total amount of said coins;
• means, coupled to said means for sorting, for holding the coins in an intermediate holding area;
• means, coupled to said means for holding, for returning the coins to the user in response to a user input rejecting the total amount;
• means, coupled to said means for holding, for depositing the coins into a storage area in response to a user input accepting the total amount;
• and
• means, coupled to said means for discriminating, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

• a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations;
• a tray, in said kiosk, for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said tray having openings in its bottom for allowing waste to fall through, said tray being movable to move said coins to an output end thereof, such that some waste is separated from said coins through said openings as said coins move to said output end as said tray is moved by said untrained user;
• means, separate from and coupled to said tray, for removing additional waste included among said coins;
• means, coupled to said means for discriminating, for determining a total amount of said coins;
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for displaying the total amount of said coins;
• and
• means for dispensing a voucher from said kiosk redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.

An apparatus for allowing an untrained user to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:

• a tray for receiving;
• a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said tray having openings in its bottom for allowing waste to fall through, said tray being moveable to move said coins to an output end thereof such that some waste is separated from said coins through said openings as said coins move to said output end as said tray is moved;
• means, separate from said tray, for removing additional waste included among said coins;
• means, coupled to said means from removing for determining a total amount of said coins;
• and
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.