A controlled coin inlet or portal is described that allows for improved alignment of a coin with the coin entry slot of a coin acceptor mechanism. A coin entry slot having at least an upper or lower edge is dimensioned to allow entry of a coin of a desired maximum width in a substantially on-edge orientation. The coin portal may include at least one outwardly extending coin guide slot of substantially corresponding maximum width as the coin entry slot and positioned adjacent to the upper or lower edge of the coin entry slot.

An article supply apparatus comprises a main body, an accommodation unit, which is configured to be attached to the main body and to store a first article, a supply unit, which is configured to supply the first article stored in the accommodation unit, an acquisition unit, which is configured to acquire information related to at least one of second articles provided separately from the main body, wherein the supply unit is configured to supply the first article on a first condition that the information related to the at least one of the second articles is acquired by the acquisition unit.

A mobile communication device connected currency, receiving, accepting, capturing, verifying, and rejecting apparatus, and, more particularly, to a mobile communication device connected currency apparatus comprising a monetary storage area therein, a currency denomination discriminator interfacing the monetary storage area, comprising at least one sensor for sensing at least one physical characteristic of currency passing therethrough for discriminating monetary denominations of currency. A device controller interfaces a mobile communication device interface and the denomination discriminator. In use, the device controller is configured for establishing communication with the mobile communication device, detecting a denomination using at least one physical characteristic of currency and transmitting the denomination to the mobile communication device.

A mobile communication device connected currency, receiving, accepting, capturing, verifying, and rejecting apparatus, and, more particularly, to a mobile communication device connected currency apparatus comprising a monetary storage area therein, a currency denomination discriminator interfacing the monetary storage area, comprising at least one sensor for sensing at least one physical characteristic of currency passing therethrough for discriminating monetary denominations of currency. A device controller interfaces a mobile communication device interface and the denomination discriminator. In use, the device controller is configured for establishing communication with the mobile communication device, detecting a denomination using at least one physical characteristic of currency and transmitting the denomination to the mobile communication device.

Provided is a coin processing apparatus including: a hopper that stores a coin; a taking-in unit that takes in the coin supplied from the hopper; and a hopper moving mechanism that moves the hopper, while maintaining the hopper in a horizontal state, from a position at which the hopper covers the taking-in unit to a position so that the taking-in unit is exposed.

Provided is a coin processing apparatus including: a hopper that stores a coin; a taking-in unit that takes in the coin supplied from the hopper; and a hopper moving mechanism that moves the hopper, while maintaining the hopper in a horizontal state, from a position at which the hopper covers the taking-in unit to a position so that the taking-in unit is exposed.