IP Library Granted Patent US 8,065,236
Granted Patent B2
US 8,065,236 · App. 10/120,073 · Granted Nov 22, 2011

Coin currency conversion systems and methods

Assignee: The Western Union Company
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,065,236
App. No.
10/120,073
Granted
Nov 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for converting coined money to another type of value proceeds by receiving a plurality of coins into a coin processing machine. The coins are processed with the coin processing machine to determine a value of the coins. An electronic record of the determined value is produced using the coin processing machine. Further, the record of the determined value is electronically transmitted from the coin processing machine to a remote storage location.

Claims (30)

1. A method for processing coined money using a stored value account, the method comprising:

receiving from a user a plurality of coins into a coin processing machine;

processing the coins with the coin processing machine to determine a value of the coins, wherein processing the coins with the coin processing machine to determine the value of the coins comprises converting the value of the coins from one country's currency to another country's currency;

receiving a name of a payee, wherein the user and payee are different persons;

transmitting a money transfer request, wherein:

at least a first portion of the determined value is distributed to the payee; and

the first portion of the determined value is greater than zero;

creating an electronic record of a second portion of the determined value with the coin processing machine, wherein the second portion of the determined value is greater than zero;

associating the electronic record of the second portion of the determined value with a stored value account, wherein the stored value account is associated with a payment identifier;

electronically transmitting the electronic record of the second portion of the determined value associated with the stored value account from the coin processing machine to a stored value network; and

adjusting the value of the stored value account based on the electronic record.

2. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising reading stored value account information from a card including the payment identifier using a reader that is in communication with the coin processing machine and associating the stored value account with the electronic record prior to electronically transmitting the record to the stored value network.

3. A method as in claim 2 , further comprising reading the stored value account information from the card with a reading device that is in communication with the remote storage location stored value network.

4. A method as in claim 3 , wherein the stored value network comprises a storage medium on a card.

5. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising entering into the coin processing machine stored value account information and associating the account information with the electronic record.

6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the cash dispensing machine comprises an Automated Teller Machine.

7. A system for processing coined money using a stored value account, the system comprising:

a coin processing machine that is configured to receive a plurality of coins and process the coins to determine a value of the coins, wherein processing the coins with the coin processing machine to determine the value of the coins comprises converting the value of the coins from one country's currency to another country's currency;

a user input device, wherein the user input device is configured to receive a name of a payee, wherein the user and payee are different persons;

a communications interface coupled to the coin processing machine, wherein the communications interface is in communication with a stored value network; wherein

the coin processing machine is further configured to create an electronic record of the determined value of the plurality of coins,

to associate a first portion of the determined value with a stored value account, wherein the first portion of the determined value is greater than zero,

to transmit the electronic record to a stored value network so as to adjust the value of the stored value account based on the electronic record, and

to transmit a money transfer request, wherein at least a second portion of the determined value is distributed to the payee and the second portion of the determined value is greater than zero;

a printer in communication with the coin processing machine, wherein the printer is configured to print a receipt having a payment identifier for a user; and

a cash dispensing machine configured to:

receive the payment identifier from the user; and

dispense at least some portion of the determined value from the cash dispensing machine;

wherein the stored value network is configured to adjust the value of the stored value account based on an amount dispensed from the cash dispensing machine.

8. A system as in claim 7 , further comprising a card reader in communication with the coin processing machine, wherein the card reader is configured to read stored value account information including the payment identifier from a stored value card and to transmit the to the coin processing machine for association with the determined value.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2008
From: FIRST DATA CORPORATION
To: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
Reel/Frame 020862/0665 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2006
From: FIRST DATA CORPORATION
To: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY; FIRST DATA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018648/0909 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2002
From: THOMPSON, MARK; ALGIENE, KENNETH; BLAIR, PAUL A.
To: FIRST DATA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013087/0973 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20030191722A1 · Oct 9, 2003