IP Library Granted Patent US 7,428,985
Granted Patent B1
US 7,428,985 · App. 11/762,305 · Granted Sep 30, 2008

Computerized drop safe and control software

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,428,985
App. No.
11/762,305
Granted
Sep 30, 2008
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computerized drop safe running control and security software on a central processing unit controlling (CPU) operating features on and access to the drop safe. A user hierarchy has different access policies for making different transactions into the safe. Vault door access is controlled by the CPU to allow user access according to enabled policies. Transactions into and out of the safe vaults, motovend tube dispenser, and currency recyclers are recorded by the amounts and the user making the transaction into a memory coupled to the CPU. This data is also reported to a point of sale control interface at another location using a modem or Ethernet connection. The CPU can also receive data and control inputs by the modem and Ethernet, permitting centralized accounting and vending control options. A back office at the store can also easily access the safe for data retrieval or control inputs into the CPU using an Ethernet local area network computer system.

Claims (22)

1. A central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe comprising:

data inputs and control outputs for at least one vault door;

data inputs and control outputs for at least one motovend;

data inputs and control outputs for at least two bill acceptors;

data inputs to and data outputs from a touch sensitive display, said display data outputs controlling at least one vault door, at least one motovend, and at least two bill acceptors;

data and control inputs to the central processing unit from a modem or an Ethernet interface and data outputs from the central processing unit to the modem or Ethernet interface;

data outputs formatted using a report script generating program operating on the central processing unit that permits users to write customized reporting format program instructions;

a language subroutine operating on the central processing unit allowing localization of text to display a specific language or dialect and alter time, date, or currency display formats in reports and on the touch sensitive display; and

wherein the central processing unit controls access to all vaults doors and records access to vaults into a non-volatile memory.

2. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein a user inputs data into the central processing unit such as a personal identification number on the touch sensitive display screen.

3. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number into the central processing unit accesses at least one vault door to make a currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the value, the currency type, the user, and the vault into the memory.

4. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number accesses the motovend to make a vend tube or deposit tube currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the vend or deposit value, and the user into the memory.

5. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number into the central processing unit can access the bill acceptor to make a currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the value, the user, and bill denomination into the memory.

6. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor includes an integrated denomination sensor providing denomination data on currency fed into the acceptor to the central processing unit.

7. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor includes an integrated bill recycler and denomination sensor providing denomination data on currency fed into and out of the recycler to the central processing unit.

8. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor is controlled to provide alternating deposit cycling of both acceptors to cycle deposits faster than 1.5 seconds.

9. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor can be controlled by the modem or Ethernet interface.

10. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein secure access to the vault doors can be controlled using the modem or Ethernet interface.

11. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein data recorded by the central processing unit can be accessed using the modem or Ethernet interface.

12. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein generated reports can be accessed using the modem or Ethernet interface.

13. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein software operating on the central processing unit can be modified using the modem or Ethernet interface.

14. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe for claim 1 wherein the central processing unit controls a video recorder.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 30, 2023
From: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.; CRISIS24, INC. (F/K/A WORLDAWARE, INC.)
To: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS U.S. NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 062542/0768 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 15, 2022
From: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 060386/0667 →
PATENT RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2022
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
To: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
Reel/Frame 058959/0213 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2017
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION)
To: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
Reel/Frame 041455/0903 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2017
From: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 041423/0545 →
ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 25, 2015
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
Reel/Frame 036688/0420 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2015
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
Reel/Frame 035066/0004 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2015
From: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 035038/0671 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2011
From: SENTINEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 027196/0232 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2007
From: MORELAND, FLYNT M.; HOFFMASTER, JAMES; DILLEN, TODD
To: TIDEL ENGINEERING, L.P.
Reel/Frame 019422/0935 →