公开(公告)号：US20170039559A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-09

申请号：US14887502

申请日：2015-10-20

申请人： OUTERWALL INC.

发明人： Cord Frieden

IPC分类号： G06Q20/40 ,  G06Q20/38

CPC分类号： G06Q20/40 ,  G06Q20/382

摘要： The present disclosure is directed toward methods, systems, and apparatuses for payment fulfillment. The disclosed embodiments include a payment server that receives a request from an entity (e.g., a business or organization) that wants to make a payment to a consumer. In some embodiments, a consumer can initiate a request for payment from an entity. In one embodiment, the payment server sends a notification to a consumer regarding the payment, and the consumer can respond with preferences for delivery. Based on information received from the consumer's computing device (e.g., mobile phone or computer), the payment server can send fulfillment instructions to a kiosk located within a network of kiosks. The consumer can receive payment in the form of a redeemable voucher at the kiosk after the consumer has verified his or her identity and/or input security information.

摘要翻译： 本公开涉及用于支付履行的方法，系统和装置。 所公开的实施例包括从想要向消费者付款的实体（例如，企业或组织）接收请求的支付服务器。 在一些实施例中，消费者可以从实体发起支付请求。 在一个实施例中，支付服务器向消费者发送关于支付的通知，并且消费者可以以偏好来进行交付。 基于从消费者的计算设备（例如，移动电话或计算机）接收的信息，支付服务器可以将发送指令发送到位于信息亭网络内的信息亭。 在消费者验证其身份和/或输入安全信息之后，消费者可以在信息亭处以可兑换凭证的形式接收付款。

公开(公告)号：US09230381B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-05

申请号：US14550761

申请日：2014-11-21

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Douglas A. Martin

IPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D3/06 ,  G07D9/00

CPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D3/06 ,  G07D9/008

摘要： Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations.

公开(公告)号：US20150278801A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-01

申请号：US14312393

申请日：2014-06-23

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Jason Friedlander

IPC分类号： G06Q20/34 ,  G06Q20/18

CPC分类号： G06Q20/342 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q20/387 ,  G06Q30/0207 ,  G07F17/42

摘要： The present disclosure is directed to gift card exchange kiosks, servers, and other systems, and associated methods of use. Particular portions of the present disclosure are directed to preventing misuse of gift card exchanges by consumers at kiosks. In some embodiments, for example, a first gift card is received from a consumer at a kiosk. A cash voucher is dispensed to the consumer in exchange for the first gift card. An exchange server drains the face value from the first gift card to prevent future use by the consumer and uses the face value to purchase a second gift card. The second gift card can then be sold by the kiosk and/or kiosk operator for value.

摘要翻译： 本公开涉及礼品卡交换亭，服务器和其他系统以及相关联的使用方法。 本公开的特定部分旨在防止消费者在信息亭中误用礼品卡交换。 在一些实施例中，例如，在消息亭从消费者接收第一礼品卡。 现金券被发放给消费者以换取第一张礼品卡。 交换服务器从第一个礼品卡排出面值，以防止消费者将来使用，并使用面值购买第二个礼品卡。 第二张礼品卡可以由信息亭和/或信息亭操作员出售。

公开(公告)号：US20140289111A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-25

申请号：US14258591

申请日：2014-04-22

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Michael Doran ,  Douglas A. Martin ,  Scott A. Dean ,  Jessaca Jacobson ,  Kim P. Hanson ,  Kerry Smith

IPC分类号： G06Q20/28 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q20/36

CPC分类号： G06Q20/28 ,  G06Q20/10 ,  G06Q20/108 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q20/342 ,  G06Q20/354 ,  G06Q20/36 ,  G06Q20/381 ,  G06Q20/40 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G07F11/002 ,  G07F17/42 ,  G07F19/20

摘要： Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

公开(公告)号：US20140272049A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13842368

申请日：2013-03-15

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Lawrence David Azzano ,  Daniel Phillips ,  Doug Edward Coppenbarger ,  Kenneth J. Redding ,  James Michael Craig ,  Manolito Adan

IPC分类号： A47J31/44

CPC分类号： A47J31/4403

摘要： Systems and methods for brewing coffee and producing other hot beverages are disclosed herein. An automated coffee vending kiosk configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a coffee brewing unit for brewing coffee and a cup dispensing portion. The cup dispensing portion can include a motor and a door operably coupled to the motor. The door can be moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide access to a cup storage area having a plurality of cups. A coffee dispensing portion can be positioned to dispense the coffee into an individual cup.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了用于酿造咖啡和生产其它热饮料的系统和方法。 根据本公开的一个实施例配置的自动咖啡自动售货机包括用于冲泡咖啡的咖啡冲泡单元和杯子分配部分。 杯分配部分可以包括马达和可操作地联接到马达的门。 门可以在关闭位置和打开位置之间移动，以提供进入具有多个杯子的杯子存储区域。 可以定位咖啡分配部分以将咖啡分配到单独的杯中。

公开(公告)号：US09443367B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-13

申请号：US14158514

申请日：2014-01-17

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Steven Baltazor

IPC分类号： G06K9/00 ,  G07D5/00 ,  G07D5/02

CPC分类号： G07D5/005 ,  G06K9/4671 ,  G06K2209/01 ,  G07D5/02

摘要： Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. Disclosed methods for discriminating coins include recognizing strings of alphanumerical characters of the coin using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The methods can include recognizing colors and/or reflectivity of the coin using, for example, pixel thresholding algorithms. The methods can further include adding a line to an image of the coin, and measuring angles between the line and the edges on the coin. The methods can also include generating a rectangular image of the coin using, for example, a log-polar transform, generating a series of, for example, Fourier transforms from the rectangular image, and identifying spectral peak locations and intensities in the Fourier transform results. The results of the OCR, color/reflectivity recognition, angle measurement, spectral peak location, spectral peak intensity of the coin and/or other features or aspects of coins can then be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coins.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了用于硬币鉴别的系统和相关方法。 用于识别硬币的公开方法包括使用光学字符识别（OCR）识别硬币的字母数字字符串。 该方法可以包括使用例如像素阈值算法识别硬币的颜色和/或反射率。 所述方法还可以包括向硬币的图像添加线，以及测量线与硬币边缘之间的角度。 该方法还可以包括使用例如对数极化变换产生硬币的矩形图像，从矩形图像生成一系列例如傅里叶变换，以及识别傅里叶变换结果中的频谱峰位置和强度 。 然后可以将OCR的结果，颜色/反射率识别，角度测量，光谱峰值位置，硬币的光谱峰值强度和/或硬币的其它特征或方面与不同硬币的已知值进行比较，以区分硬币。

公开(公告)号：US09235945B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-12

申请号：US14177213

申请日：2014-02-10

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Douglas A. Martin

IPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D3/12 ,  G07D9/00 ,  G07D11/00 ,  G07D3/00

CPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D3/00 ,  G07D3/128 ,  G07D9/008 ,  G07D11/0018

摘要： Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了与消费者硬币计数机和/或其他硬币处理机一起使用的自动硬币输入装置。 在一个实施例中，硬币碗结构包括可旋转的盘，其被配置为支撑沉积在其上的多个随机取向的硬币。 在操作中，盘沿第一方向的旋转可以通过第一硬币通道自动地将沉积在其上的硬币的第一部分驱出碗形结构，并且盘沿与第一方向相反的第二方向的旋转可以自动驱动 通过与第一硬币通道不同的第二硬币通道，从碗结构中沉积的硬币的第二部分。

公开(公告)号：US20150262445A1

公开(公告)日：2015-09-17

申请号：US14675816

申请日：2015-04-01

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Douglas A. Martin

IPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D9/00 ,  G07D3/06

CPC分类号： G07D3/16 ,  G07D3/00 ,  G07D3/06 ,  G07D3/14 ,  G07D9/008

摘要： Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.

摘要翻译： 本文描述了用于计数和/或分类硬币的消费者或商业硬币处理装置的硬币处理装置。 这些设备可以包括具有连接在一起以形成链条的多个单独硬币架的硬币输送机。 在一些实施例中，每个硬币托架包括相应的口袋，其构造成在承载链在其循环期间通过硬币漏斗时从硬币漏斗接收硬币。 硬币托架可携带硬币通过一个或多个传感器，用于识别或“辨别”硬币面额。 鉴别之后，硬币可以从承载袋中敲入并且进入例如所选择的硬币滑槽以转移到收集箱。

公开(公告)号：US20140201012A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-17

申请号：US14145140

申请日：2013-12-31

申请人： OUTERWALL INC.

发明人： Michael Doran ,  Douglas A. Martin ,  Scott A. Dean ,  Jessaca Jacobson ,  Kim P. Hanson ,  Kerry Smith

IPC分类号： G06Q20/34 ,  G06Q20/18

CPC分类号： G06Q20/28 ,  G06Q20/10 ,  G06Q20/108 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q20/342 ,  G06Q20/354 ,  G06Q20/36 ,  G06Q20/381 ,  G06Q20/40 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G07F11/002 ,  G07F17/42 ,  G07F19/20

摘要： Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

摘要翻译： 用于交换各种形式价值的方法和系统，包括硬币，货币，信用卡，借记卡和/或银行帐户资金，用于预付现金卡，信用卡，电话卡等。 在一个实施例中，价值交换机包括硬币输入区域，硬币分类/计数装置，读卡器和被配置为与远程计算机网络进行通信的通信设备。 在另一个实施例中，价值交换系统包括经由通信链路连接到一个或多个远程计算机的价值交换机中的一个或多个。 希望购买例如预付现金卡的用户可以访问价值交换机之一，选择所需的交易，并用硬币，货币，信用卡，借记卡和/或银行账户支付卡 资金。 确认付款后，价值交换机将卡分配给用户。

公开(公告)号：US20140151183A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US14161020

申请日：2014-01-22

申请人： Outerwall Inc.

发明人： Daniel D. Everhart

IPC分类号： G07D5/00 ,  G07D9/00

CPC分类号： G07D5/00 ,  G07D5/005 ,  G07D5/08 ,  G07D9/00

摘要： Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了用于硬币鉴别的系统和相关方法。 在一个实施例中，用于识别硬币的方法包括获得硬币的电磁传感器信号，通过数字化传感器信号产生轮廓信号，通过消除接近零的轮廓信号的段来识别轮廓信号中的有效间隔 并且从活动间隔中的轮廓信号中检测硬币方法，枢轴和出发点（硬币特征）。 可以将硬币特征与不同硬币的已知值进行比较以区分硬币。