Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a donation box and particularly to a smart donation box.
Description of Related Art
[002] Traditional cash handling methods primarily rely on manual counting and sorting of bills and coins. While these methods have been widely used, they are time-consuming and susceptible to errors. In response to these challenges, automated cash management systems have been developed to streamline and improve the efficiency of handling cash. However, these systems often present barriers due to their complexity, high cost, and limited accessibility for small businesses and individuals.
[003] Automated cash management systems offer various advantages over manual methods. They can accurately count and sort cash, reducing the likelihood of errors that can occur during manual counting. These systems can also improve efficiency by automating the reconciliation process, thereby saving time for businesses and organizations. Furthermore, automated systems often come equipped with features like counterfeit detection, enhancing security and reliability in cash handling.
[004] Despite these benefits, the widespread adoption of automated cash management systems remains a challenge, particularly for small businesses and charitable establishments like temples. The high cost associated with implementing and maintaining these systems can deter smaller entities with limited financial resources from investing in them. Additionally, the complexity of these systems can pose a learning curve for operators, further limiting their accessibility and usability.
[005] In the context of charitable places, such as temples, where donations and charity form a significant part of their income, accountability and transparency are of utmost importance. To ensure proper accountability, manpower is often employed for the manual counting and recording of donations. However, this approach is labor-intensive and can still be prone to errors, especially when dealing with a high volume of cash transactions.
[006] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced smart donation box that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a smart donation box. The donation box comprising: an input slot adapted to receive money, wherein the money received from the input slot is stored in the donation box; a sensor arranged at the input slot, and adapted to sense a face value of the money received in the input slot; a control unit connected to the sensor, and adapted to calculate a summation of all the face value of the money sensed by the sensor; and a memory unit connected to the control unit, and adapted to store the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart donation box.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart donation box that is secure and reliable for counting and accountability of donated money.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart donation box, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for storing and counting money using the smart donation box, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0018] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart donation box 100 (hereinafter referred to as the donation box 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the donation box 100 may be adapted to safeguard donations and charity money. In an embodiment of the present invention, the donation box 100 may be adapted to receive coins and notes.
[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, the donation box 100 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a metallic material, a wooden material, a ceramic material, a plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for construction of the donation box 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the donation box 100 may be installed in locations such as, but not limited to, a hospital, an orphanage, an old age home, a shop, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the donation box 100 may be installed in a religious place such as, but not limited to a temple. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for installation of the donation box 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0022] According to embodiments of the present invention, the donation box 100 may comprise an input slot 102, a sensor 104, a control unit 106, a memory unit 108, a button 110, a sound unit 112, a display unit 114, and a battery 116.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the input slot 102 may be adapted to receive the money. The money received from the input slot 102 may be stored in the donation box 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the input slot 102 may be located at a top surface of the donation box 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the input slot 102 may be located on a front surface of the donation box 100.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 104 may be arranged at the input slot 102. The sensor 104 may be adapted to sense a face value of the money received in the input slot 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensor may be, but not limited to, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a weight sensor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 104 may be a touch sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensor, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be connected to the sensor 104. The control unit 106 may be adapted to calculate a summation of all the face value of the money sensed by the sensor 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 106 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the donation box 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 108 may be connected to the control unit 106. The memory unit 108 may be adapted to store the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 108 may be a non-transitory storage medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of the memory unit 108 may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling memory cards, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory unit 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the button 110 may be adapted to power on and power off the donation box 100. The button 110 may be in approachable range of fingers of a user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the button 110 may be an electronic button such as, but not limited to, a push button, a selector button, a limit button, a proximity button, a pressure button, a speed button, a temperature button, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the electronic button that may be used as the button 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 112 may be adapted to actuate upon receipt of unauthorized articles in the input slot 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the unauthorized articles may be, but not limited to, a fake currency, a piece of paper, a food portion, any random object, a fluid substance, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any unauthorized articles that may be received by the input slot 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The sound unit 112 may be arranged inside of the donation box 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sound unit 112 may be, but not limited to, a buzzer, an alarm, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 112 may be a speaker. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound unit 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 114 may be adapted to display the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit 106. The display unit 114 may be arranged in a visual proximity of the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 114 maybe, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Further, the display unit 114 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 116 may be connected to the control unit 106. The battery 116 may supply operational power to the control unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the operational power may be supplied from a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment of the present invention, the operational power may be supplied from a non-rechargeable battery. According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery 116 for operational power supply may be of any composition such as, but not limited to, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, a Zinc-Carbon battery, a Lithium-Ion battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any composition of the battery 116 for operational power supply, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for storing and counting the money using the smart donation box 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] At step 202, the donation box 100 may enable the user to donate money in the donation box 100 through the input slot 102.
[0033] At step 204, the donation box 100 may enable the sensor 104 to sense the face value of the money received in the input slot,
[0034] At step 206, the donation box 100 may enable the control unit 106 to calculate the summation of all the face value of the money sensed by the sensor 104.
[0035] At step 208, the donation box 100 may enable the memory unit 108 to store the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit 106.
[0036] At step 210, the donation box 100 may enable the display unit 114 to display the summation of all the face value of the money stored in the memory unit 108.
[0037] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0038] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A smart donation box (100), the donation box (100) comprising:
an input slot (102) adapted to receive money, wherein the money received from the input slot (102) is stored in the donation box (100);
a sensor (104) arranged at the input slot (102), and adapted to sense a face value of the money received in the input slot (102);
a control unit (106) connected to the sensor (104), and adapted to calculate a summation of all the face value of the money sensed by the sensor (104); and
a memory unit (108) connected to the control unit (106), and adapted to store the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit (106).
2. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a button (110) adapted to power on and/or power off the donation box (100).
3. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a sound unit (112), wherein the sound unit (112) is adapted to actuate upon receipt of unauthorized articles in the input slot (102).
4. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the unauthorized articles are selected from a fake currency, a piece of paper, a food portion, any random object, a fluid substance, or a combination thereof.
5. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a display unit (114), wherein the display unit (114) is adapted to display the summation of all the face value of the money calculated by the control unit (106).
6. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a battery (116), wherein the battery (116) is adapted to supply operational power to the control unit (106).
7. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the donation box (100) is constructed of a metallic material.
8. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the donation box (100) is adapted to receive coins, notes, or a combination thereof.
9. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (104) is a touch sensor.
10. The donation box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the donation box (100) is adapted to be installed in a temple.

Date: October 30, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant