초록 ▼

An apparatus and method are provided for deterring gaming machine theft and fraud by weighing the number of coins accumulated in a gaming machine hopper assembly (9). In one preferred embodiment, a coin weighing apparatus (12) consisting of a load cell (13) and internal strain gauge (18) is construc

An apparatus and method are provided for deterring gaming machine theft and fraud by weighing the number of coins accumulated in a gaming machine hopper assembly (9). In one preferred embodiment, a coin weighing apparatus (12) consisting of a load cell (13) and internal strain gauge (18) is constructed integrally with the coin hopper assembly and fits between the coin hopper (10) and its base plate (14). In other preferred embodiments, the coin weighing apparatus (22, 43, 50) is constructed separately from the coin hopper assembly. In these other preferred embodiments, the weighing apparatus includes upper (24, 46, 52) and lower plates (26, 48, 60) which are separated by one or more load cell weighing instruments (28, 45, 56). In operation, the lower plate of this stand-alone weighing apparatus is typically placed against the bottom (8) of the slot machine and the hopper is then simply placed on top of the weighing apparatus' upper plate. The present invention also provides a method of detecting fraud or theft using the weighing apparatus of the present invention to take periodic readings of the number of coins residing in the hopper and communicating those reading as appropriate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [38.] A weighing apparatus for a coin receptacle in a gaming, amusement or vending machine comprising:an upper plate to support said coin receptacle;a lower plate; anda load cell, incorporating a strain gauge, interposed between and attached to both said upper plate and said l

[ What is claimed is:] [38.] A weighing apparatus for a coin receptacle in a gaming, amusement or vending machine comprising:an upper plate to support said coin receptacle;a lower plate; anda load cell, incorporating a strain gauge, interposed between and attached to both said upper plate and said lower plate;wherein said gaming, amusement or vending machine is a slot machine.