Voucher coding for self-service coin discriminator
AssigneeCoinstar, Inc.
InventorsKirk Beach, Daniel A. Gerrity
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.
Claims26
Apparatus for providing a voucher comprising:
- a coin discriminator which receives randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place, and discriminates different denominations of said acceptable coins, said coin discriminator including a computer which outputs an indication of a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- and
- an output unit which provides at least first output which includes an encrypted version of said first value.
Apparatus for providing a voucher comprising:
- a coin discriminator which receives randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place, and discriminates different denominations of said acceptable coins, said coin discriminator including a computer which outputs an indication of a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- and
- a printer, controlled by said computer to print a voucher for said first value, including printing of an encrypted version of first information, said first information including said first value.
A process for exchanging coins for paper currency comprising:
- a) automatically counting a plurality of coins to determine a first value related to the value of said plurality of coins;
- b) printing a voucher which includes a human readable indication of said first value and an encrypted version of said first value;
- c) presenting said voucher to a cashier for redemption;
- d) decrypting said encrypted version to obtain an decrypted value and redeeming said voucher for an amount equal to said decrypted value.
A process for providing a voucher comprising:
- receiving, in a coin discriminator, randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place
- discriminating different denominations of said acceptable coins to provide a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- and
- outputting an encrypted version of said first value.
Apparatus for providing a voucher comprising:
- means for receiving randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place, discriminating different denominations of said acceptable coins and outputting an indication of a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- and
- means for calculating and outputting an encrypted version of said first value.
A computer-implemented process for encrypting a coin-counting voucher comprising:
- receiving, in a coin discriminator, randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place
- discriminating different denominations of said acceptable coins to provide a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- permuting the digit order of a number which includes at least one of:
- said first value;
- and
- transaction identifying information to provide a first permuted number;
- and
- adding a selected number to said first permuted number.
A computer-implemented process for encrypting a coin-counting voucher comprising:
- receiving, in a coin discriminator, randomly oriented coins including a plurality of acceptable coins, all in one place
- discriminating different denominations of said acceptable coins to provide a first value related to the value of said acceptable coins;
- concatenating a binary representation of said first value with at least a second binary value to form a concatenated binary value;
- performing a binary-to-digital conversion on said concatenated binary representation and outputting the resultant digital value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.