CA1076258A - Simplified multi-price vend control circuit - Google Patents
Simplified multi-price vend control circuitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076258A CA1076258A CA257,252A CA257252A CA1076258A CA 1076258 A CA1076258 A CA 1076258A CA 257252 A CA257252 A CA 257252A CA 1076258 A CA1076258 A CA 1076258A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vend
- price
- accumulator
- circuit
- motor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
- G07F5/20—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for registering coins as credit, e.g. mechanically actuated
- G07F5/22—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for registering coins as credit, e.g. mechanically actuated electrically actuated
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/06—Electricity, gas or water supply
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vend and price selection control circuit including means actuatable by a customer to produce any of a plurality of possible vends at different vend prices, all of which are controlled by the same control and logic circuitry and circuit elements to enter pricing information, to apply power to a selected vend operator member and to perform other vend and refund functions. The present control circuit includes means for making rapid entry of pricing and other information, rapid means to initiate and effect a vend and other functions, and it has the capacity of a wide range of vend price and product selection capability.
A vend and price selection control circuit including means actuatable by a customer to produce any of a plurality of possible vends at different vend prices, all of which are controlled by the same control and logic circuitry and circuit elements to enter pricing information, to apply power to a selected vend operator member and to perform other vend and refund functions. The present control circuit includes means for making rapid entry of pricing and other information, rapid means to initiate and effect a vend and other functions, and it has the capacity of a wide range of vend price and product selection capability.
Description
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The present invention relates to a vend control circuit capable of producing any of a plurality of vends at different vend prices all under control of the same control and logic circuitry.
Ther~ are many multi-price vend control circuits sometimes called changers which control the product delivery : and also make change or refund~. Some of the known device~
: also have some price ~electivity and other capabilities such a~ providing escrow, product selection, refunding and so forthO There are al50 known control circuits which make compari30ns between amounts deposited or otherwi~a entered and a vend price. Typical of the prior art devices are the devices di~closed in the following listed patents.~
U.S. Patent No. 3 687 255 dated August 29 1972 UOS~ Patent ~o, 3,820,642 dated ~une 28, 1974 U.S. Patent No. 3,841,456 dated October 15, 1974 U.S. Patent No. 3,894,220 dated July 8,` 1975 U.S. Patent No. 4,008,792 dated February 22, 1977 So far as knownl there is no vend control circuit which is able to provide almost unlimited price and product ~election and at the ~ame time control the produck delivery a~d other control ~unctions using the same circuit or circuit element and whlch i~ as ~imple structurally and operationally as the present circuit. I~i~ fact makes it possible to increase ; or decrease the number of price~ and vend pos~ibilities without limit and without effecting the main circuitry of the device.
If the present circuit i9 constructed to ~e operated by a sixty cycle power source then when a vend selection is made pricing in*ormation is transmit~ed for entry in the logic circuitry at least at a rate as fast as the time required for .
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one cycle of the power sou~ce to accur, which in the case of a sixty cycle power source is one sixtieth of a second.
Also, the time required for one cycle of the power source is sufficient ti~e for the subjec~ circuit to make a price entry and to m~ke a decision to vend or not to vend. In the pre~ent circuit the pricing entry is made by binary price code and is to be distinguished from previous selection methods such as selection methods that use column codes and other codes that must be converted to price codes to be used. The pre~ent device therefore offers an inexpensive, yet extremely versatile method of controlling a vending or like machine and provides means for producing a wide range of price and product selectivity, and it does so by means which require relatively lit~le equipment or circuitry.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to teach the construction and operation of a relatively simple vend control circuit which ma~es use of ; the same basic control circuitry to control all machine functions and yet lends itself to al~ost unlimited price and product selectivity.
Another objec~ is ~o provide vend control mean~ ~ :
which are capable of responding extremely rapidl~ to price and othex entry functions to control the on and off states of a vend control circuit.
Another object i5 to provide a vend control circuit which ha6 ~he capability o~ providing substantially unlimited numbers of possiblc ~end and vend price selections.
Another object is to provide selection switch control mean~ which control the application of strobe power to a price entry circuit which enters pricing information for ,',,'
The present invention relates to a vend control circuit capable of producing any of a plurality of vends at different vend prices all under control of the same control and logic circuitry.
Ther~ are many multi-price vend control circuits sometimes called changers which control the product delivery : and also make change or refund~. Some of the known device~
: also have some price ~electivity and other capabilities such a~ providing escrow, product selection, refunding and so forthO There are al50 known control circuits which make compari30ns between amounts deposited or otherwi~a entered and a vend price. Typical of the prior art devices are the devices di~closed in the following listed patents.~
U.S. Patent No. 3 687 255 dated August 29 1972 UOS~ Patent ~o, 3,820,642 dated ~une 28, 1974 U.S. Patent No. 3,841,456 dated October 15, 1974 U.S. Patent No. 3,894,220 dated July 8,` 1975 U.S. Patent No. 4,008,792 dated February 22, 1977 So far as knownl there is no vend control circuit which is able to provide almost unlimited price and product ~election and at the ~ame time control the produck delivery a~d other control ~unctions using the same circuit or circuit element and whlch i~ as ~imple structurally and operationally as the present circuit. I~i~ fact makes it possible to increase ; or decrease the number of price~ and vend pos~ibilities without limit and without effecting the main circuitry of the device.
If the present circuit i9 constructed to ~e operated by a sixty cycle power source then when a vend selection is made pricing in*ormation is transmit~ed for entry in the logic circuitry at least at a rate as fast as the time required for .
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one cycle of the power sou~ce to accur, which in the case of a sixty cycle power source is one sixtieth of a second.
Also, the time required for one cycle of the power source is sufficient ti~e for the subjec~ circuit to make a price entry and to m~ke a decision to vend or not to vend. In the pre~ent circuit the pricing entry is made by binary price code and is to be distinguished from previous selection methods such as selection methods that use column codes and other codes that must be converted to price codes to be used. The pre~ent device therefore offers an inexpensive, yet extremely versatile method of controlling a vending or like machine and provides means for producing a wide range of price and product selectivity, and it does so by means which require relatively lit~le equipment or circuitry.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to teach the construction and operation of a relatively simple vend control circuit which ma~es use of ; the same basic control circuitry to control all machine functions and yet lends itself to al~ost unlimited price and product selectivity.
Another objec~ is ~o provide vend control mean~ ~ :
which are capable of responding extremely rapidl~ to price and othex entry functions to control the on and off states of a vend control circuit.
Another object i5 to provide a vend control circuit which ha6 ~he capability o~ providing substantially unlimited numbers of possiblc ~end and vend price selections.
Another object is to provide selection switch control mean~ which control the application of strobe power to a price entry circuit which enters pricing information for ,',,'
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comparison with information as to an amount of a deposit to control the application o~ power to a vend producing device to cause a vend to be initiated.
Another objec-t is to substantially increase the utility, flexibility and versatility of vend control circuits.
Another object is to substantially simplify the circuitry required to provide multi-price, multi-vend capability to a vending machine.
Another.object is to substantially simpli~y the circuitry required to provide multi-price, multi-vend capability . to a vending machine. .:
Another object is to substantially reduce the number of parts and the complexity of vend control circuits having multi-price and multi-selection capability while at the same ..
time increasing circuit reliabili;ty, makir.g vend control cir-cuits more trouble ~ree and reducing thé cost of manufacture.
Another object is to simpli~y the time and equipment ............ ..
. required to establish a vend price in a vending machine.
.
1 In accordance with the invention, there is provided 20 a vend and price selection circuit includlng means actuatable . by a customer to produce any of a plurality of possible vends ; at d1fferent selectable ven~ prices, a si.ng.Le logic circuit operatively connected to the means actuatable by the custo~er, said logic circuit including circuit means for controlling the circuit operation regardless of the vend selected by the customer, vend producin~ means and refund producing means operatively con- ¦
;; nected to the logic circuit, and means includins a pricing ~ matrix associated with each different selectable vend for estab-: lishing a:vend price, said pricing matrix devices havin~ an operable¦connection to the means actuatable by the customer and including . a source o pulses and means for selectively applying pulses :~
from said source to means for establishing a selectable vend .
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From a different aspect, the invention relates to, in a vend control circuit havlng credit entry means for entering th~rein amounts that repr~sent amounts deposited, a first accumulator including means to enter therein credit amounts from the credit entry means, a price accumulator including input con- .
nection means thereto at which signals are produced to enter : therein the price of a selected vend, means for comparing a credit amount entered into the first accumulator with a price entered in the price accumulator, said comparator means having output means at which signals are produced to initiate a vend operation whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the price entered in the price accumulator, the ; improvement comprislng a plurality of series connected vend select switches individually actuatable by a customer, a price matrix device and an associated vend motor associated.with each of said select switches, each of said matrix devices having a plurality of input and output connections arranged in pairs~
means connecting at least one of the input connections of each of the matrix devices to the corresponding output connection of said pair to enable electric signals to pass therebetween, means operatively connecting respective ones of the output connection~s of each of said matrix devices to corresponding inputs of the price accumulator for enabling entry therein ln blnary form of information representing a selected vend price~ the price entered by each o~ said matrix devices when the associated selection switch is actuated depending on which input and output connection ~ of the matrix devices have connections that enable electric 1, signals to pass, a source of input pulses for connection to the ~
selection switches whereby actuation of a selected on~ of the . .
selection switches will enable pulses ~rom said source to be applied to and through the respective pricing matrix device to - 3a ~ :
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the inputs o~ the price accumulator, said source of input pulses being insufficiellt to effectively energize the respective vend motor associated with the actuated selection switch to cause a vend to take place, and means responsive to a signal produced in the output means of the compa~ator means to establish a cir-cuit to energize the associated vend motor when the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the price accumulator, each of said vend motors in-cluding means associated therewith to establish a hold circuit to maintain the vend motor energized to complete a vend cycle, said last named means including means to deenergize the vend motor at the conclusion of a vend cycle. :
From a still different aspec-t, the invention relates to a vend control circuit for controlling the functions o-f a vending machine including the~vending, pricin~,..re~undiny r deposit entry and product selection functions comprising a coin unit for receiving deposits of coins of at least two different denominations, first accumulator means having an ..
input operatively connected to the coin3unit for having accumulated therein the sum of coins deposited during each vend operation, second accumulator means having a plurality of input. connection~ repre~e~tin~ differe/lt ~espective binary amounts, means opera-tively connected to the input of the second accumulator or entering therein a vend price1 said last named means including at least two di~ferent customer actuatable vend selection switches independently actuatable by a customer depending on a desired vend, means connecting said switches in series circuit, a source o~ timed pulses operatively connected to said series connected vend selection switches 9 respective-price establishing means, and vend motor , means operatively connected to each of said vend selectlon ~ :
switches, each o~ said respective price establishing means .
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inclu~ing circuit me~ns having a plurality of inputs connected electrically to the respective vend selection switches and through the respective switch when activated by a customer to the source of timed pulses, each of said price establishing means also having a plurality of ou-tpu-ts operatively connected to respective ones of the plurality of input connections to the second accumulator~ means connecting selected ones of said plurallty of inputs of the respective price establishing means to corresponding ones of the outputs thereof depending on the vend price to be established therehy for entry into the second accumulator, means for comparing the vend price entered in the second accumulator with the amount entered in the first accumulator that represents amounts deposited, said comparing means incl.uding means to establish a circuit to energize the re~pective vend motor means whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the second accumulator, said lask named circuit establishing means including the respective vend selection switch.
.~ These and other objects and ~vantages of the present control means will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification which discloses a preferred embodi.ment of the present control circu:it in conjunct.ior.~ith the accompanying drawing which is a block diagram of a circuit constructed according to and embodying the teachings of the present invention~ . ¦
Referring to the drawing more particularly by .:.~
reference numbers, number 10 refers to a control. circuit for :.
a vending machine constructed according to the teachings . :
of the presen~ invention. The circuit 10 has many features ~ :
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which may be similar to featuxes of existing vending control circuits including having a coin unit with coin switches or some other types o~ credit entry unit 12, a payback switch circuit 14, a pulse generator circuit 16, and a comparator circuit 18. The comparator circuit 18 includes a first or A
accumulator portion 20 in which are accumulated amounts representing deposits made during each vending operation, and a second or B accumulator portion 22 which is the pricing portion in which is entered the vend price of a selected i~em or service. The accumulator 22 also has entered in it amounts equal to the ~alue of each coin refunded during a payback operation as will be de~cribed.
The comparator circuit. 18 also has a comparator portion 24 which makes cGmparisons between credit amounts entered in the A accumulator 20 and the vend prices entered in the B accumulator 22, with and without amounts entered in the B accumulator due to a payback or ref~nding operation. The comparator circuit 18 produces outputs depending on the difference between the amounts entered in the acc~mulator portions 20 and 22. The circuit 18 is shown having a first output 26 which i~ connected to several places lncluding to a vend payback sequence control circuit 28 and an escrow control circuit 30. The comparator circuit 18 also has other outputs including output 32 labeled greater than or equal to one. When an output signal is on the output 32 it means that there is at least one of the smallest acceptable coin unit difference between the amounts entered in the accumulator poxtions 20 and 22. Another output 34 labeled greater than or equal to two has a signal on it when there is at least two units : :
difference between the amounts entered in the A and B accumu~ators ' .. . . . . .
20 and 22, and a third output 36 labeled greater than or equal to five has a signal on it where there is at least ive units difference between the amounts entered in the accumulators 20 and 22. The outputs 32, 34 and 36 are connected as inputs ~o the vend payback sequence controller circuit 28 and are used to control the payback or refunding of amounts that are deposited in excess of the price of the vend selected by the customer. In a typical nickel, dime, quarter control circui~, the control outputs on leads 32, 34 and 36 are used to control the paying back or refunding respectively of nickels, dimes and ~uarters. For example, if there is a greatex than or equal to five units difference between the amount entered into the accumulator portions 20 and 22, the vend payback sequence controller 28 will be programmed to payback a quarter. If the difference is less than five but equal to or greater than two units, the circuit 28 will be proyrammed to payback dimes, and if the diference is less than two but greater than zero, circuit 2g will be programmed to payback nickels.
The payback operations will take place in sequence with priority being given to the paying back of the highest possible denomination 20 colns first so as to make paybacks in the least possible number of coins. Circuits having these basic characteris~ics are disclosed in the above identified cases.
Each payback operation will not only return a coin but wi.ll also increase ~he amount entered in the B accumulator 22, and this will continue until the amount entered in the B ~;
accumulator 22 is equal to the amount in the A accumulator 20 , whereupon the payback operation is completed and the accumulators ~; are reset. This process occurs because each time a coin is paid , ack the payback motor switch 14 will be actuated to cause the ~ ~ 30 pulse generator 16 to feed an appropriate number of impulses to ,'.: '~' . .
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j7GZ58 the B accumulator 22 correspond..ing to the value of the coin paid back. The circuitry required to produce pay backs as de~cribed may be of well known construction such as disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No~. 3,687,255, 3 820,642 3,894,220
~37~
comparison with information as to an amount of a deposit to control the application o~ power to a vend producing device to cause a vend to be initiated.
Another objec-t is to substantially increase the utility, flexibility and versatility of vend control circuits.
Another object is to substantially simplify the circuitry required to provide multi-price, multi-vend capability to a vending machine.
Another.object is to substantially simpli~y the circuitry required to provide multi-price, multi-vend capability . to a vending machine. .:
Another object is to substantially reduce the number of parts and the complexity of vend control circuits having multi-price and multi-selection capability while at the same ..
time increasing circuit reliabili;ty, makir.g vend control cir-cuits more trouble ~ree and reducing thé cost of manufacture.
Another object is to simpli~y the time and equipment ............ ..
. required to establish a vend price in a vending machine.
.
1 In accordance with the invention, there is provided 20 a vend and price selection circuit includlng means actuatable . by a customer to produce any of a plurality of possible vends ; at d1fferent selectable ven~ prices, a si.ng.Le logic circuit operatively connected to the means actuatable by the custo~er, said logic circuit including circuit means for controlling the circuit operation regardless of the vend selected by the customer, vend producin~ means and refund producing means operatively con- ¦
;; nected to the logic circuit, and means includins a pricing ~ matrix associated with each different selectable vend for estab-: lishing a:vend price, said pricing matrix devices havin~ an operable¦connection to the means actuatable by the customer and including . a source o pulses and means for selectively applying pulses :~
from said source to means for establishing a selectable vend .
.
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price~
From a different aspect, the invention relates to, in a vend control circuit havlng credit entry means for entering th~rein amounts that repr~sent amounts deposited, a first accumulator including means to enter therein credit amounts from the credit entry means, a price accumulator including input con- .
nection means thereto at which signals are produced to enter : therein the price of a selected vend, means for comparing a credit amount entered into the first accumulator with a price entered in the price accumulator, said comparator means having output means at which signals are produced to initiate a vend operation whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the price entered in the price accumulator, the ; improvement comprislng a plurality of series connected vend select switches individually actuatable by a customer, a price matrix device and an associated vend motor associated.with each of said select switches, each of said matrix devices having a plurality of input and output connections arranged in pairs~
means connecting at least one of the input connections of each of the matrix devices to the corresponding output connection of said pair to enable electric signals to pass therebetween, means operatively connecting respective ones of the output connection~s of each of said matrix devices to corresponding inputs of the price accumulator for enabling entry therein ln blnary form of information representing a selected vend price~ the price entered by each o~ said matrix devices when the associated selection switch is actuated depending on which input and output connection ~ of the matrix devices have connections that enable electric 1, signals to pass, a source of input pulses for connection to the ~
selection switches whereby actuation of a selected on~ of the . .
selection switches will enable pulses ~rom said source to be applied to and through the respective pricing matrix device to - 3a ~ :
... .., . ,.~ .. , .. ,..,,. , ,. ' . ~.~ . , - . .
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the inputs o~ the price accumulator, said source of input pulses being insufficiellt to effectively energize the respective vend motor associated with the actuated selection switch to cause a vend to take place, and means responsive to a signal produced in the output means of the compa~ator means to establish a cir-cuit to energize the associated vend motor when the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the price accumulator, each of said vend motors in-cluding means associated therewith to establish a hold circuit to maintain the vend motor energized to complete a vend cycle, said last named means including means to deenergize the vend motor at the conclusion of a vend cycle. :
From a still different aspec-t, the invention relates to a vend control circuit for controlling the functions o-f a vending machine including the~vending, pricin~,..re~undiny r deposit entry and product selection functions comprising a coin unit for receiving deposits of coins of at least two different denominations, first accumulator means having an ..
input operatively connected to the coin3unit for having accumulated therein the sum of coins deposited during each vend operation, second accumulator means having a plurality of input. connection~ repre~e~tin~ differe/lt ~espective binary amounts, means opera-tively connected to the input of the second accumulator or entering therein a vend price1 said last named means including at least two di~ferent customer actuatable vend selection switches independently actuatable by a customer depending on a desired vend, means connecting said switches in series circuit, a source o~ timed pulses operatively connected to said series connected vend selection switches 9 respective-price establishing means, and vend motor , means operatively connected to each of said vend selectlon ~ :
switches, each o~ said respective price establishing means .
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inclu~ing circuit me~ns having a plurality of inputs connected electrically to the respective vend selection switches and through the respective switch when activated by a customer to the source of timed pulses, each of said price establishing means also having a plurality of ou-tpu-ts operatively connected to respective ones of the plurality of input connections to the second accumulator~ means connecting selected ones of said plurallty of inputs of the respective price establishing means to corresponding ones of the outputs thereof depending on the vend price to be established therehy for entry into the second accumulator, means for comparing the vend price entered in the second accumulator with the amount entered in the first accumulator that represents amounts deposited, said comparing means incl.uding means to establish a circuit to energize the re~pective vend motor means whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the second accumulator, said lask named circuit establishing means including the respective vend selection switch.
.~ These and other objects and ~vantages of the present control means will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification which discloses a preferred embodi.ment of the present control circu:it in conjunct.ior.~ith the accompanying drawing which is a block diagram of a circuit constructed according to and embodying the teachings of the present invention~ . ¦
Referring to the drawing more particularly by .:.~
reference numbers, number 10 refers to a control. circuit for :.
a vending machine constructed according to the teachings . :
of the presen~ invention. The circuit 10 has many features ~ :
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.:
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which may be similar to featuxes of existing vending control circuits including having a coin unit with coin switches or some other types o~ credit entry unit 12, a payback switch circuit 14, a pulse generator circuit 16, and a comparator circuit 18. The comparator circuit 18 includes a first or A
accumulator portion 20 in which are accumulated amounts representing deposits made during each vending operation, and a second or B accumulator portion 22 which is the pricing portion in which is entered the vend price of a selected i~em or service. The accumulator 22 also has entered in it amounts equal to the ~alue of each coin refunded during a payback operation as will be de~cribed.
The comparator circuit. 18 also has a comparator portion 24 which makes cGmparisons between credit amounts entered in the A accumulator 20 and the vend prices entered in the B accumulator 22, with and without amounts entered in the B accumulator due to a payback or ref~nding operation. The comparator circuit 18 produces outputs depending on the difference between the amounts entered in the acc~mulator portions 20 and 22. The circuit 18 is shown having a first output 26 which i~ connected to several places lncluding to a vend payback sequence control circuit 28 and an escrow control circuit 30. The comparator circuit 18 also has other outputs including output 32 labeled greater than or equal to one. When an output signal is on the output 32 it means that there is at least one of the smallest acceptable coin unit difference between the amounts entered in the accumulator poxtions 20 and 22. Another output 34 labeled greater than or equal to two has a signal on it when there is at least two units : :
difference between the amounts entered in the A and B accumu~ators ' .. . . . . .
20 and 22, and a third output 36 labeled greater than or equal to five has a signal on it where there is at least ive units difference between the amounts entered in the accumulators 20 and 22. The outputs 32, 34 and 36 are connected as inputs ~o the vend payback sequence controller circuit 28 and are used to control the payback or refunding of amounts that are deposited in excess of the price of the vend selected by the customer. In a typical nickel, dime, quarter control circui~, the control outputs on leads 32, 34 and 36 are used to control the paying back or refunding respectively of nickels, dimes and ~uarters. For example, if there is a greatex than or equal to five units difference between the amount entered into the accumulator portions 20 and 22, the vend payback sequence controller 28 will be programmed to payback a quarter. If the difference is less than five but equal to or greater than two units, the circuit 28 will be proyrammed to payback dimes, and if the diference is less than two but greater than zero, circuit 2g will be programmed to payback nickels.
The payback operations will take place in sequence with priority being given to the paying back of the highest possible denomination 20 colns first so as to make paybacks in the least possible number of coins. Circuits having these basic characteris~ics are disclosed in the above identified cases.
Each payback operation will not only return a coin but wi.ll also increase ~he amount entered in the B accumulator 22, and this will continue until the amount entered in the B ~;
accumulator 22 is equal to the amount in the A accumulator 20 , whereupon the payback operation is completed and the accumulators ~; are reset. This process occurs because each time a coin is paid , ack the payback motor switch 14 will be actuated to cause the ~ ~ 30 pulse generator 16 to feed an appropriate number of impulses to ,'.: '~' . .
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j7GZ58 the B accumulator 22 correspond..ing to the value of the coin paid back. The circuitry required to produce pay backs as de~cribed may be of well known construction such as disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No~. 3,687,255, 3 820,642 3,894,220
3 841 456 and 4 008 792 all of which are assigned to Applicant IB a~signee. In the circuit as shown the nickel pay backs are controlled by outputs of the circuit 28 on lead 38 and control the nickel payback control means 40, dime payback ~ignals appear on lead 42 and control the dim~ payback control circuit 44, and quarter payback control signals appear on lead 46,~ and control the quarter payback control circuit 48.
The vend payback sequence control circuit 28 ha~
an~ther output 50 which is connected to vend control circuit 52. When an output appears on this lead it provides a condition which enables a vend operation to be initiated. The vend control circuit 52 has a normally non-conducting transiskor 54 connected in series with the light emitting portion 56 of a light emitting diode 58. The other or controlled portion 60 of the LED is -~; in a power supply control circuit 62 which includes a full wave ..
~0 rectif~er 64 connected to A.C. line lead 66. The opposite ` corner of the full wave rectifier 64 is connected by lead 68 to movable ~election switch contact 70. The other opposed corners of the full wave rectifier 64 are connected acros~
power ~upply control circuit 62 which includes the controlle~
portion 60 cf the light emitting diode in circuit with an .:
electronic switch device shown as being SCR 72. The circuit G2 al~o includes unnumbered resistors and a capacitor connected .~-as shown. When an output signal appears on the lead 50 it cause~ the transistor $4 to go to a conducting condition and - , .
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in so doing also causes Gonduction through the light producing portion 56 of the LED 58. This in tuxn causes conduction of the LED portion 60 which turns on the SCR 72 to establish ~ull power circuit continuity from the input power lead 66 to the movable contact 7~ of the selection switch 74 (or any other selection switch that happens to be actiYat2d). Since the actuated selection switch is at this time making contact with its normally open contact such as with contact 76, a circuit is estahlished from the power source to energize vend motor 78.
Simultaneously with the actuation of the selection switch 74 and even slightly prior to energizing of the vend ~: motor 78, a circuit is established from a data strobe source 80 to a price matrix device to be described later. The signals from the data strobe circuit 80 are relatively weak signals which are suitable to enter the vend price in the price accumulator 22 to perform various circuit functions including : :
initiating vend and payback operations but are not strong enough .
by themselves to 0nergize the vend-motor 78. The energizin~ of the ve~d motor.must:therefore await the occurrence of a signal:.
on lead 50 which occurs almost simul~aneously but slightly after the signal from the data strobe circuit 80 enters the i price. ;.
The normally closed side of the selection switch 74 is connected in series with the normally closed sides by .: .:
any desired number of ~ther similar selection switches depending . ~.
on the number of possible vends and/or vend prices that are :
de~ired. This feature is important to the present circuit fo.r -.
reasons which will become apparent. The data strobe circuit 80 .-as indicated produces a continuous supply of output pulses at :-30 a given frequency suc~ as the line of frequency of sixty cycles, -: :
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and this means that information such as vend price information can be ~ntered into the price accumulator 22 every sixtieth o~
a second. The selection switch 74 has its noxmally closed contact 84 connected by lead 86 to the movable contact 88 of a similar selection switch 90 and so on down the line. Each of the selection switches 74, 90 and so on as requirea, also has a normally open contact ~uch as the contacts 76 and 92, and these contacts are connected to several diffarent pla~es in the circuit including to respective vend motors such as motors 78 and 94. Any number of such switches and motor~ can be ; provided as required.
When the selection switch 74 is actuated by a customer, its movable contact 70 moves out cf engagement with the normally closed stationary contact 84 and into engagement with the normally open stationary contact 76.
This immediately causes a circuit to be established to the vend motor 78 and it also establishes a circuit on lead 97 which is connected to the input side of pricing matrix circuit device 96. The pricing matrix 96 in the construction shown has five input and five outpu~ te~minals, any correspo~ding ones of which can be used to establish a vend price, as will be explained~ The input terminal6 of the device 96 are terminals 98, 100, 10~, 104 and 106 and the output terminals are termina1s 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116. In the pxicing matrix card 96 the input terminal 98 is connected to the corresponding output terminal 108 through a diode 118, and the input terminal 100 is connected to th~ output terminal 110 thxough another diode 120, None o~ the other input terminals is connected and therefore they are not u~ed in the matrix card 95.
Whenever an output signal suoh as a signal from the ~7i~25i~3 data strobe 80 is present on the output terminal 108 and on lead 122 which is connected thereto, a si.gnal which represents a vend price of eiyhty cents is applied to the corresponding input lead 123 of the pxice accumulator 22. This can be easily represented for entry in binary form. In like manner, whenever an output signal is present on the output terminal 110 ~ of the matrix card 96 and on lead 124 connected thereto it : represents and is used to enter a vend price of forty cents, also in binary form for entry on lead 126 in the price accumulator 22. If signals are present simultaneously on the : :
leads 122 and 124, the combined output from the matrix 96 will represent a total vend price entry of $1.20 which is the sum of the individual entries. In like manner, if an output signal were to appear on the output terminal 112 of the matrix card 9Ç and on lead 128 ~t represen~s a vend price amount o~
twenty centq, a signal on output terminal 114 and lead 130 '. :
represents a ten cent price entry amount, and an output on .~ terminal 116 and on lead 132 represents a vend price entry amount of ~ive cenks. Any combination represented by signals appearing on the output terminals 108-116 can be obtained for entry in the price accumulator 22. This is done by connecting .; diodes such a~s diode~ 118 and 120 between other corresponding pairs of terminals in the pricing matrix device 96. Thus with the cir~uit connected as shown in the drawing, actuation by the customer of the selector switch 74 immediately operates to apply a signal to the input lead 97 of the matrix circuit 96 for entry of the appropriate vend price in the B accumulator 22.
~he signal from the data strobe 80 is sufficiently strong to ma~e the price entry. The same signal is also applied to the vend motor 78 but is not strong enough to energize the vend _g_ ~6ZS~
motor and this must wait until later when the output of the vend control circuit 52 indicates that there has been sufficient deposit to e~ual the selected vend price at which time power will be supplied to the vend motor 78 from the main power source. This will be described later.
The second selection switch 90 can be operated in the same manner as the selection switch 74, and when this is done a signal is fed from the data strobe circuit 80 to a second price matrix 136 on lead 138. This signal appears on matrix input terminals 140) 142, 144, 146 and 148 which correspond respectively to the input terminals 98-106 of the matrix 96.
However, in the case of the matrix 136 diodes 150 and 152 are connected respectively between the input terminals 142 and 144 which are the positions that correspond to the forty cents and twenty cents positions~ respectively, and to output terminals 154 and 156. The output terminals of the matrix device 136 are connected to the corresponding respective output leads 122-132 of the matrix card 96 and also the corresponding input to the vend price accumulator 22. This means that when the switch 90 is actuated a forty cent and a twenty cent o~tput will be entered into the pricing accumulator 22 to es~ablish a vend price of sixty cents rather than a vend price o~ a $1.20 as in the case of the selection swi~ch 74. Any number of similar selection switches, vend motors and price matrix circuit devices can be connected into the subject circuit and each such ~ircuit can be set to establish the same or a different vend price depending on the number and locations where the diodes are connected. With the circuit as shown it is possible to est blish any vend price from a low of five cents to a high of $1~55. An even greater price range can be established by , ., - ' ~L~76;~S~
adding additional input and output terminals to the matrix circuits although this may also require adaitional circuits in the input to the price accumulator 22.
After a price has been entered in the B accumulator 22 and a deposit at le~st equal to the price is entered in the A accumulator 20, the comparator circuit 18 will produce the required outputs. One of these outputs is on the lead 50 and is fed to the vend control circuit 52 which operates to apply input energy sufficient to energize the selected 10 vend motor such as the vend motor 78. The application of full motor power is supplied ~hrough the same select switch such as the switch 74 to the motor and is available almost simu7taneously with the actuation of the select switch assuming the deposit is sufficient. The only delay will be in the time it takes for the circuitry to determine that the deposit at least equals the vend price. As soon as the vend motor 78 is -energized and commences to operate it will mechanically transfer ~-a motor hold or carry switch contact such as the contact 158.
The movable contact of the hold switch 158 is connected directly to one'side o~ the main energy source so that when it closes it establishes a circuit which holds the motor 78 energized ~mtil a vend cycle is completed. This is under control of cam or like means (not shown) which eventually releasb the motor hold switch 158 so that it can return to its inoperative condition.
The hold circuit is needed to assure that a complete vend cycles takes place, and prevents the possibility that a customex might be able to actuate a select switch for too shor~ a time for a vend cycle to take place. A similar motor hold swit¢h is provided for each of the vend motors, and these switches are shown ~onnected in series circuit ~nd to one side . .
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of the input power supply at the terminal 66 by lead 159.
The power supply circuit 160 for the subject device is shown in the lower left of the drawing and is connected through a transformer 162 to an input energy source such as to a 115 volt A.C. source by leads 164 and 166. The lead 166 is also connected to normally closed switch 168 labeled Exact Change. ~hen this switch is actuated the vending machine cannot make change so the customer should only deposit the exact amount for the vend he desires. The opposite side of the ~10 switch 168 is connected by lead 170 and is used only when it is desired or required that the machine operates only when the exact change is deposited. This can occur when there is insufficient coinage in the coin refund or change making tubes to make change and when the machine cannot make change a , light or other means may be energized to inform the customer.
Various means can be used to couple the outputs of the matrix circuits to the input to the price or B accumulator - 22. One such means is to use light emitting diodes such as - that used in the ~end control circuits $2 and 62 described above. Light emitting diodes have the advantage of providing isolation between the inputs. This is advantageous especially when a plurality of matrix circuits are used and programmed to enter different pxlces into the same price accumulator. The blocks shown in the leads 122-132 are intended to indicate the use of ~EDs or like devices for this purpose.
Other means of a kn~wn ¢onstruction such as disclosed in the prior art noted above can be usea to xeset the A and B accumulators 20 and 22. Similar reset circuit means can also be used to reset other circuit portions~as needed. The reset and refund means employed in the present circuit are not .
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at the heart of the p~esent invention and are included to make the disclosure more complete.
Thus it can be seen that when a customer makes a deposit in a vending machine equipped with the present control circuit and depresses one of the selection switches a price will immediately be entered in the B accumulator 22 for comparison with the amount depo~ited which is entered in the A accumulator 20. If the amount entered in the A accumulator 20 equals or exceeds the vend price entered in the B accumulator 22, the circuit 28 will receive an input from the comparator 24 and prvduce a vend output on lead 50. This ~utput will cause power to ~e applied almost instantaneously to the corresponding vend motor. As soon as the motor is energixed it will close its vend hold switch as described to assure completion of the vend cycle even if the customer takes his finger off the vend switch as soon as possible.
; Many of the components of the present control circuit may be of known construction as stated, and some of the circuit c~mponents can be similar to corresponding components in other 20 cases including those identified abo~e. ~his lncludes the coin and re~und circuits 12 and 14, the pulse generator 16, the comparator circuit 18, including the accumulator portions 20 and 22 thereof, the sequencing circuit 28 and the escrow circuit 30. The data strobe cixcuit 80 which is a pulse producing circuit, however, is believed new as employed in the present ; circuit as are the selection means including the selection switches, the use of matrix circuit devices and the way they are connected to enter different vend prices, and the manner in which the vend motors are energized and h~ld energizsd. Of special importance to the present constxuction is the fact that .. ., ~
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the present circuit can be made to accommodate any desired number of possible vend prices and vend selections and regardless of the number the same basic control circuitry can be used for all of them. This represents a considerable advancement in the vend control art and one which greatly expands the vending possibilities without unduly complicating the basic control circuitry.
Thus there has been shown and described novel multi-pxice, multi-vend control circuit means which fu~fill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications and other uses and applications of the present circuit means are possible and are contemplated.
~11 such changes, variakions, modifications and other uses and applications which do not depart from the intent and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the in~ention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
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The vend payback sequence control circuit 28 ha~
an~ther output 50 which is connected to vend control circuit 52. When an output appears on this lead it provides a condition which enables a vend operation to be initiated. The vend control circuit 52 has a normally non-conducting transiskor 54 connected in series with the light emitting portion 56 of a light emitting diode 58. The other or controlled portion 60 of the LED is -~; in a power supply control circuit 62 which includes a full wave ..
~0 rectif~er 64 connected to A.C. line lead 66. The opposite ` corner of the full wave rectifier 64 is connected by lead 68 to movable ~election switch contact 70. The other opposed corners of the full wave rectifier 64 are connected acros~
power ~upply control circuit 62 which includes the controlle~
portion 60 cf the light emitting diode in circuit with an .:
electronic switch device shown as being SCR 72. The circuit G2 al~o includes unnumbered resistors and a capacitor connected .~-as shown. When an output signal appears on the lead 50 it cause~ the transistor $4 to go to a conducting condition and - , .
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107~6~5~
in so doing also causes Gonduction through the light producing portion 56 of the LED 58. This in tuxn causes conduction of the LED portion 60 which turns on the SCR 72 to establish ~ull power circuit continuity from the input power lead 66 to the movable contact 7~ of the selection switch 74 (or any other selection switch that happens to be actiYat2d). Since the actuated selection switch is at this time making contact with its normally open contact such as with contact 76, a circuit is estahlished from the power source to energize vend motor 78.
Simultaneously with the actuation of the selection switch 74 and even slightly prior to energizing of the vend ~: motor 78, a circuit is established from a data strobe source 80 to a price matrix device to be described later. The signals from the data strobe circuit 80 are relatively weak signals which are suitable to enter the vend price in the price accumulator 22 to perform various circuit functions including : :
initiating vend and payback operations but are not strong enough .
by themselves to 0nergize the vend-motor 78. The energizin~ of the ve~d motor.must:therefore await the occurrence of a signal:.
on lead 50 which occurs almost simul~aneously but slightly after the signal from the data strobe circuit 80 enters the i price. ;.
The normally closed side of the selection switch 74 is connected in series with the normally closed sides by .: .:
any desired number of ~ther similar selection switches depending . ~.
on the number of possible vends and/or vend prices that are :
de~ired. This feature is important to the present circuit fo.r -.
reasons which will become apparent. The data strobe circuit 80 .-as indicated produces a continuous supply of output pulses at :-30 a given frequency suc~ as the line of frequency of sixty cycles, -: :
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and this means that information such as vend price information can be ~ntered into the price accumulator 22 every sixtieth o~
a second. The selection switch 74 has its noxmally closed contact 84 connected by lead 86 to the movable contact 88 of a similar selection switch 90 and so on down the line. Each of the selection switches 74, 90 and so on as requirea, also has a normally open contact ~uch as the contacts 76 and 92, and these contacts are connected to several diffarent pla~es in the circuit including to respective vend motors such as motors 78 and 94. Any number of such switches and motor~ can be ; provided as required.
When the selection switch 74 is actuated by a customer, its movable contact 70 moves out cf engagement with the normally closed stationary contact 84 and into engagement with the normally open stationary contact 76.
This immediately causes a circuit to be established to the vend motor 78 and it also establishes a circuit on lead 97 which is connected to the input side of pricing matrix circuit device 96. The pricing matrix 96 in the construction shown has five input and five outpu~ te~minals, any correspo~ding ones of which can be used to establish a vend price, as will be explained~ The input terminal6 of the device 96 are terminals 98, 100, 10~, 104 and 106 and the output terminals are termina1s 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116. In the pxicing matrix card 96 the input terminal 98 is connected to the corresponding output terminal 108 through a diode 118, and the input terminal 100 is connected to th~ output terminal 110 thxough another diode 120, None o~ the other input terminals is connected and therefore they are not u~ed in the matrix card 95.
Whenever an output signal suoh as a signal from the ~7i~25i~3 data strobe 80 is present on the output terminal 108 and on lead 122 which is connected thereto, a si.gnal which represents a vend price of eiyhty cents is applied to the corresponding input lead 123 of the pxice accumulator 22. This can be easily represented for entry in binary form. In like manner, whenever an output signal is present on the output terminal 110 ~ of the matrix card 96 and on lead 124 connected thereto it : represents and is used to enter a vend price of forty cents, also in binary form for entry on lead 126 in the price accumulator 22. If signals are present simultaneously on the : :
leads 122 and 124, the combined output from the matrix 96 will represent a total vend price entry of $1.20 which is the sum of the individual entries. In like manner, if an output signal were to appear on the output terminal 112 of the matrix card 9Ç and on lead 128 ~t represen~s a vend price amount o~
twenty centq, a signal on output terminal 114 and lead 130 '. :
represents a ten cent price entry amount, and an output on .~ terminal 116 and on lead 132 represents a vend price entry amount of ~ive cenks. Any combination represented by signals appearing on the output terminals 108-116 can be obtained for entry in the price accumulator 22. This is done by connecting .; diodes such a~s diode~ 118 and 120 between other corresponding pairs of terminals in the pricing matrix device 96. Thus with the cir~uit connected as shown in the drawing, actuation by the customer of the selector switch 74 immediately operates to apply a signal to the input lead 97 of the matrix circuit 96 for entry of the appropriate vend price in the B accumulator 22.
~he signal from the data strobe 80 is sufficiently strong to ma~e the price entry. The same signal is also applied to the vend motor 78 but is not strong enough to energize the vend _g_ ~6ZS~
motor and this must wait until later when the output of the vend control circuit 52 indicates that there has been sufficient deposit to e~ual the selected vend price at which time power will be supplied to the vend motor 78 from the main power source. This will be described later.
The second selection switch 90 can be operated in the same manner as the selection switch 74, and when this is done a signal is fed from the data strobe circuit 80 to a second price matrix 136 on lead 138. This signal appears on matrix input terminals 140) 142, 144, 146 and 148 which correspond respectively to the input terminals 98-106 of the matrix 96.
However, in the case of the matrix 136 diodes 150 and 152 are connected respectively between the input terminals 142 and 144 which are the positions that correspond to the forty cents and twenty cents positions~ respectively, and to output terminals 154 and 156. The output terminals of the matrix device 136 are connected to the corresponding respective output leads 122-132 of the matrix card 96 and also the corresponding input to the vend price accumulator 22. This means that when the switch 90 is actuated a forty cent and a twenty cent o~tput will be entered into the pricing accumulator 22 to es~ablish a vend price of sixty cents rather than a vend price o~ a $1.20 as in the case of the selection swi~ch 74. Any number of similar selection switches, vend motors and price matrix circuit devices can be connected into the subject circuit and each such ~ircuit can be set to establish the same or a different vend price depending on the number and locations where the diodes are connected. With the circuit as shown it is possible to est blish any vend price from a low of five cents to a high of $1~55. An even greater price range can be established by , ., - ' ~L~76;~S~
adding additional input and output terminals to the matrix circuits although this may also require adaitional circuits in the input to the price accumulator 22.
After a price has been entered in the B accumulator 22 and a deposit at le~st equal to the price is entered in the A accumulator 20, the comparator circuit 18 will produce the required outputs. One of these outputs is on the lead 50 and is fed to the vend control circuit 52 which operates to apply input energy sufficient to energize the selected 10 vend motor such as the vend motor 78. The application of full motor power is supplied ~hrough the same select switch such as the switch 74 to the motor and is available almost simu7taneously with the actuation of the select switch assuming the deposit is sufficient. The only delay will be in the time it takes for the circuitry to determine that the deposit at least equals the vend price. As soon as the vend motor 78 is -energized and commences to operate it will mechanically transfer ~-a motor hold or carry switch contact such as the contact 158.
The movable contact of the hold switch 158 is connected directly to one'side o~ the main energy source so that when it closes it establishes a circuit which holds the motor 78 energized ~mtil a vend cycle is completed. This is under control of cam or like means (not shown) which eventually releasb the motor hold switch 158 so that it can return to its inoperative condition.
The hold circuit is needed to assure that a complete vend cycles takes place, and prevents the possibility that a customex might be able to actuate a select switch for too shor~ a time for a vend cycle to take place. A similar motor hold swit¢h is provided for each of the vend motors, and these switches are shown ~onnected in series circuit ~nd to one side . .
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of the input power supply at the terminal 66 by lead 159.
The power supply circuit 160 for the subject device is shown in the lower left of the drawing and is connected through a transformer 162 to an input energy source such as to a 115 volt A.C. source by leads 164 and 166. The lead 166 is also connected to normally closed switch 168 labeled Exact Change. ~hen this switch is actuated the vending machine cannot make change so the customer should only deposit the exact amount for the vend he desires. The opposite side of the ~10 switch 168 is connected by lead 170 and is used only when it is desired or required that the machine operates only when the exact change is deposited. This can occur when there is insufficient coinage in the coin refund or change making tubes to make change and when the machine cannot make change a , light or other means may be energized to inform the customer.
Various means can be used to couple the outputs of the matrix circuits to the input to the price or B accumulator - 22. One such means is to use light emitting diodes such as - that used in the ~end control circuits $2 and 62 described above. Light emitting diodes have the advantage of providing isolation between the inputs. This is advantageous especially when a plurality of matrix circuits are used and programmed to enter different pxlces into the same price accumulator. The blocks shown in the leads 122-132 are intended to indicate the use of ~EDs or like devices for this purpose.
Other means of a kn~wn ¢onstruction such as disclosed in the prior art noted above can be usea to xeset the A and B accumulators 20 and 22. Similar reset circuit means can also be used to reset other circuit portions~as needed. The reset and refund means employed in the present circuit are not .
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at the heart of the p~esent invention and are included to make the disclosure more complete.
Thus it can be seen that when a customer makes a deposit in a vending machine equipped with the present control circuit and depresses one of the selection switches a price will immediately be entered in the B accumulator 22 for comparison with the amount depo~ited which is entered in the A accumulator 20. If the amount entered in the A accumulator 20 equals or exceeds the vend price entered in the B accumulator 22, the circuit 28 will receive an input from the comparator 24 and prvduce a vend output on lead 50. This ~utput will cause power to ~e applied almost instantaneously to the corresponding vend motor. As soon as the motor is energixed it will close its vend hold switch as described to assure completion of the vend cycle even if the customer takes his finger off the vend switch as soon as possible.
; Many of the components of the present control circuit may be of known construction as stated, and some of the circuit c~mponents can be similar to corresponding components in other 20 cases including those identified abo~e. ~his lncludes the coin and re~und circuits 12 and 14, the pulse generator 16, the comparator circuit 18, including the accumulator portions 20 and 22 thereof, the sequencing circuit 28 and the escrow circuit 30. The data strobe cixcuit 80 which is a pulse producing circuit, however, is believed new as employed in the present ; circuit as are the selection means including the selection switches, the use of matrix circuit devices and the way they are connected to enter different vend prices, and the manner in which the vend motors are energized and h~ld energizsd. Of special importance to the present constxuction is the fact that .. ., ~
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~7~
the present circuit can be made to accommodate any desired number of possible vend prices and vend selections and regardless of the number the same basic control circuitry can be used for all of them. This represents a considerable advancement in the vend control art and one which greatly expands the vending possibilities without unduly complicating the basic control circuitry.
Thus there has been shown and described novel multi-pxice, multi-vend control circuit means which fu~fill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications and other uses and applications of the present circuit means are possible and are contemplated.
~11 such changes, variakions, modifications and other uses and applications which do not depart from the intent and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the in~ention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
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Claims (19)
1. In a vend control circuit having credit entry means for entering therein amounts that represent amounts deposited, a first accumulator including means to enter therein credit amounts from the credit entry means, a price accumulator includ-ing input connection means thereto at which signals are produced to enter therein the price of a selected vend, means for comparing a credit amount entered into the first accumulator with a price entered in the price accumulator, said comparator means having output means at which signals are produced to initiate a vend operation whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the price entered in the price accumulator, the improvement comprising a plurality of series connected vend select switches individually actuatable by a customer, a price matrix device and an associated vend motor associated with each of said select switches, each of said matrix devices having a plurality of input and output connections arranged in pairs, means connecting at least one of the input connections of each of the matrix devices to the corresponding output connection of said pair to enable electric signals to pass therebetween, means operatively connecting respective ones of the output connections of each of said matrix devices to corresponding input of the price accumulator for enabling entry therein in binary form of information representing a selected vend price, the price entered by each of said matrix devices when the associated selection switch is actuated depending on which input and output connection of the matrix devices have connections that enable electric signals to pass, a source of input pulses for connection to the selection switches whereby actuation of a selected one of the selection switches will enable pulses from said source to be applied to and through the respective pricing matrix device to the inputs of the price accumulator, said source of input pulses being insufficient to effectively energize the respective vend motor associated with the actuated selection switch to cause a vend to take place, and means responsive to a signal produced in the output means of the comparator means to establish a circuit to energize the associated vend motor when the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the price accumulator, each of said vend motors including means associated therewith to establish a hold circuit to maintain the vend motor energized to complete a vend cycle, said last named means including means to deenergize the vend motor at the conclusion of a vend cycle.
2. In the vend control circuit defined in claim 1 the further improvement of refund means operatively connected to the comparator circuit, said refund means including means to return amounts deposited in excess of the selected vend price, said last named means including means to enter into the price accumulator an amount equal to the value of each refund, and means to reset the first and the price accumulator when the same amount is accumulated in both.
3. In the control circuit defined in claim 1 the further improvement of a pulse generator connected in circuit between the credit entry means and the first accumulator, said pulse generator including means to excite the first accumulator by a number of pulses corresponding to each credit amount entered in the credit entry means.
4. In the vending control circuit defined in claim 1 each pair of input and output terminals on each of the matrix devices represents a different binary price quantity, the means connecting at least one of said input connections to the corresponding output including a diode, the sum of the binary amounts represented by the diode connections in each matrix device establishing the vend price that will be entered in the price accumulator when the corresponding vend select switch is actuated.
5. In the vend control circuit defined in claim 1 said means to deenergize the vend motor includes means to initiate refunds of amounts deposited in excess of a selected vend price.
6. A vend control circuit for controlling the functions of a vending machine including the vending, pricing, refunding, deposit entry and product selection functions comprising a coin unit for receiving deposits of coins of at least two different denominations, first accumulator means having an input operatively connected to the coin unit for having accumulated therein the sum of coins deposited during each vend operation, second accumulator means having a plurality of input connections representing different respective binary amounts, means operatively connected to the input of the second accumulator for entering therein a vend price, said last named means including at least two different customer actuatable vend selection switches independently actutable by a customer depending on a desired vend, means connecting said switches in series circuit, a source of timed pulses operatively connected to said series connected vend selection switches, respective price establishing means, and vend motor means operatively connected to each of said vend selection switches, each of said respective price establishing means including circuit means having a plurality of inputs con-nected electrically to the respective vend selection switches and through the respective switch when activated by a customer to the source of timed pulses, each of said price establishing means also having a plurality of outputs operatively connected to respective ones of the plurality of input connections to the second accumulator, means connecting selected ones of said plurality of inputs of the respective price establishing means to corresponding ones of the outputs thereof depending on the vend price to be established thereby for entry into the second accumulator, means for comparing the vend price entered in the second accumulator with the amount entered in the first accumulator that represents amounts deposited, said comparing means including means to establish a circuit to energize the respective vend motor means whenever the amount entered in the first accumulator at least equals the vend price entered in the second accumulator, said last named circuit establishing means including the respective vend selection switch.
7. The vend control circuit of claim 6 wherein the comparing circuit for establishing a circuit to energize a selected one of the vend motor means includes a source of potential sufficient to energize a vend motor, means operatively connecting said source to the circuit of the series connected selection switches, and means to enable power to be supplied from said source of potential to the selected vend motor, said last named means in-cluding means responsive to the output of the comparing means
8. The vend control circuit of claim 6 including means responsive to energizing of a selected vend motor to establish a hold circuit to maintain the motor energized to complete the selected vend operation.
9. The vend control circuit of claim 7 wherein the means to enable power to be supplied from said source to the selected vend motor includes a light emitting diode having a light emitting portion operatively connected in the output circuit of the comparing means and a portion responsive to light emitted by the light emitting portion for establishing a power supply connection between the source of potential and the selected vend motor means.
10. The vend control circuit of claim 6 wherein each of the price establishing means includes a circuit element in which the plurality of inputs and outputs are arranged in pairs, each pair representing in binary form a different price amount, the plurality of input connections to the second accumulator corresponding to and having an operative connection to each of said pairs of inputs and outputs.
11. The vend control circuit of claim 10 including a light emitting diode associated with each of said pairs of inputs and outputs; said diodes having a light emitting portion operatively connected to corresponding output positions of each of said pairs and a portion responsive to light emitted by the respective light emitting portions operatively connected to each corresponding input connection to the second accumulator.
12. The vend control circuit of claim 6 including vend payback sequencer means operatively connected to the output of the comparing means, said sequencer means having output terminals at which payback signals are produced depending on the difference between the amounts entered in the first and second accumulators, means operatively connected to the respective output terminals to control paying back of coins of denominations corresponding in value to said output terminal which has a signal thereon, circuit means associated with each of said payback control means including means to increase the amount accumulated in the second accumulator by an amount representing the value of each coin paid back, and means to reset the first and second accumulator means after a vend operation when the amount entered in the second accumulator which represents the selected vend price plus the amounts refunded equals the amount entered in the first accumulator which represents the amount deposited.
13. A vend control circuit comprising a coin unit for accepting coins of at least two different denominations, accumulator means operatively connected to the coin unit including means for entering into the accumulator means amounts representing the value of each different denomination coin deposited during a vend operation, a price accumulator having a plurality of input connections for the entry therein of a selected vend price, said last named means including a plurality of serially connected vend selection switches any one of which can be actuated by a customer depending on the vend he chooses, a vend price establishing device associated respectively with each of the vend selection switches, each of said vend price establishing means having a corresponding number of input and output connections, means operatively connecting the output connections respectively to the input connections of the price accumulator, means establishing continuity between selected ones of the input and output connections of the price establishing means depending on the price to be established thereby for entry into the price accumulator, a source of pulses connected in circuit with the series connected selection switches, operation of a selected one of said selection switches establishing a circuit connection between the pulse source and selected inputs to the price accumulator through the associated vend price establishing device, and means for producing a vend signal to initiate a vend operation whenever the amount entered in the accumulator means at least equals the amount entered in the price accumulator.
14. The vend control circuit defined in claim 13 including a vend motor associated with each of the vend selection switches, and means including the associated vend selection switch for energizing the respective vend motor to produce a vend operation when a vend signal is produced, said last named means including a source of vend motor potential and means including the operated vend selection switch and the vend signal to establish a circuit connection between the vend motor portential source and the selected vend motor.
15. The vend control circuit defined in claim 14 wherein the means for energizing the respective vend motor includes a light emitting control element having a first portion responsive to the production of a vend signal and a second portion responsive to the first portion and operatively connected into the source of vend motor potential.
16. The vend control circuit defined in claim 13 including a light emitting device operatively connected in circuit between each corresponding output of each of the vend price establishing devices and the corresponding inputs to the price accumulator.
17. The vend control circuit defined in claim 13 including means associated with each vend motor to establish a hold circuit connection to the vend motor potential source after the selected motor is energized to maintain the selected vend motor energized for sufficient time to complete a vend operation.
18. The vend control circuit defined in claim 13 wherein said means for producing a vend signal include means to produce other outputs depending on the amount of difference between the amount entered in the accumulator means and in the price accumulator, said last named means including means to produce a refund operation when the amount in the accumulator means exceeds the amount entered in the price accumulator.
19. A vend and price selection control circuit including means actuatable by a customer to produce any of a plurality of possible vends at different selectable vend prices, a single logic circuit operatively connected to the means actuatable by the customer, said logic circuit including circuit means for controlling the circuit operation regardless of the vend selected by the customer, vend producing means and refund pro-ducing means operatively connected to the logic circuit, and means including a pricing matrix associated with each different selectable vend for establishing a vend price, said pricing matrix devices having an operable connection to the means actuatable by the customer and including a source of pulses and means for selectively applying pulses from said source to means for establishing a selectable vend price.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/631,721 US4034839A (en) | 1975-11-13 | 1975-11-13 | Simplified multi-price vend control circuit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076258A true CA1076258A (en) | 1980-04-22 |
Family
ID=24532457
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA257,252A Expired CA1076258A (en) | 1975-11-13 | 1976-07-19 | Simplified multi-price vend control circuit |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4034839A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5260698A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7607123A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1076258A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2636613C3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2331842A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1556491A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1068779B (en) |
Families Citing this family (33)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4192972A (en) * | 1976-04-27 | 1980-03-11 | Cselt-Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni S.p.A | Pay-telephone station with deferred collection |
| US4234070A (en) * | 1977-10-18 | 1980-11-18 | Mars, Inc. | Vending control apparatus |
| US4188961A (en) * | 1977-10-18 | 1980-02-19 | Mars, Inc. | Coin mechanism exact change indicator apparatus |
| US4225056A (en) * | 1978-09-28 | 1980-09-30 | Artag Plastics Corporation | Computerized vending machine |
| US4267915A (en) * | 1978-10-03 | 1981-05-19 | Mars, Inc. | Vending apparatus price interface |
| US4233660A (en) * | 1978-10-12 | 1980-11-11 | Artag Plastics Corporation | Vending machine control system |
| US4301909A (en) * | 1979-07-25 | 1981-11-24 | Snavely John D | Vending apparatus |
| US4359147A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1982-11-16 | H. R. Electronics Company | Means to control vending functions |
| US4316532A (en) * | 1979-09-13 | 1982-02-23 | H. R. Electronics Company | Versatile pricing means |
| US4284184A (en) * | 1979-12-03 | 1981-08-18 | Rowe International, Inc. | Coin mechanism to merchandising machine interface |
| US4354613A (en) * | 1980-05-15 | 1982-10-19 | Trafalgar Industries, Inc. | Microprocessor based vending apparatus |
| US4372464A (en) * | 1980-06-16 | 1983-02-08 | Pepsico Inc. | Vending machine control circuit |
| US4466528A (en) * | 1981-08-13 | 1984-08-21 | Rowe International, Inc. | Apparatus for preventing circuit burn-out in multi-price merchandisers |
| JPS5887692A (en) * | 1981-11-20 | 1983-05-25 | オムロン株式会社 | Transaction processor |
| NZ202555A (en) * | 1981-11-24 | 1985-07-12 | N G Cooper | Lift for personnel or goods raised and lowered by cable & pulley mounted on hydraulic cylinder & piston arrangement |
| US4587984A (en) * | 1983-06-01 | 1986-05-13 | H. R. Electronics Company | Coin tube monitor means |
| US4712049A (en) * | 1986-08-22 | 1987-12-08 | Coin Acceptors, Inc. | Operation completion detection means |
| US5561604A (en) * | 1988-12-08 | 1996-10-01 | Hallmark Cards, Incorporated | Computer controlled system for vending personalized products |
| US5036472A (en) * | 1988-12-08 | 1991-07-30 | Hallmark Cards, Inc. | Computer controlled machine for vending personalized products or the like |
| US5993048A (en) * | 1988-12-08 | 1999-11-30 | Hallmark Cards, Incorporated | Personalized greeting card system |
| US5029099A (en) * | 1988-12-13 | 1991-07-02 | Postal Buddy Corporation | Method and apparatus for vending customized documents |
| US5559714A (en) * | 1990-10-22 | 1996-09-24 | Hallmark Cards, Incorporated | Method and apparatus for display sequencing personalized social occasion products |
| US5546316A (en) * | 1990-10-22 | 1996-08-13 | Hallmark Cards, Incorporated | Computer controlled system for vending personalized products |
| US5726898A (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1998-03-10 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving and delivering product data based on embedded expert judgements |
| US5550746A (en) * | 1994-12-05 | 1996-08-27 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving product data by correlating customer selection criteria with optimum product designs based on embedded expert judgments |
| US5768142A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1998-06-16 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving product data based on embedded expert suitability ratings |
| US5875110A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1999-02-23 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and system for vending products |
| US5873069A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1999-02-16 | American Tv & Appliance Of Madison, Inc. | System and method for automatic updating and display of retail prices |
| US6059142A (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2000-05-09 | Inland Finance Company | Apparatus and method for vending multiple products |
| US6304854B1 (en) | 1999-09-09 | 2001-10-16 | Dunhill Holdings, Corp. | System and method for providing a comparable branded product based on a current branded product for non-comparison shopped products |
| US8041453B2 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2011-10-18 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for defining and utilizing product location in a vending machine |
| US8897923B2 (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2014-11-25 | Aclara Technologies Llc | Achieving energy demand response using price signals and a load control transponder |
| CN102411805B (en) * | 2011-12-08 | 2013-06-26 | 广州广电运通金融电子股份有限公司 | Cash type detecting device and method |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3486029A (en) * | 1965-12-29 | 1969-12-23 | Gen Electric | Radiative interconnection arrangement |
| US3344898A (en) * | 1966-01-03 | 1967-10-03 | Burroughs Corp | Coin-operated dispensing system |
| JPS4827157A (en) * | 1971-08-09 | 1973-04-10 | ||
| JPS5043999A (en) * | 1973-08-22 | 1975-04-21 | ||
| US3841456A (en) * | 1973-07-23 | 1974-10-15 | H R Electronics Co | Control circuit for vending and other coin controlled devices |
| US3894220A (en) * | 1974-04-25 | 1975-07-08 | H R Electronics Co | Vending control system |
-
1975
- 1975-11-13 US US05/631,721 patent/US4034839A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1976
- 1976-07-19 CA CA257,252A patent/CA1076258A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-08-13 DE DE2636613A patent/DE2636613C3/en not_active Expired
- 1976-08-19 GB GB34519/76A patent/GB1556491A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-09-16 JP JP51111280A patent/JPS5260698A/en active Pending
- 1976-10-11 FR FR7630473A patent/FR2331842A1/en active Granted
- 1976-10-12 IT IT28232/76A patent/IT1068779B/en active
- 1976-10-25 BR BR7607123A patent/BR7607123A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2331842A1 (en) | 1977-06-10 |
| FR2331842B1 (en) | 1981-10-30 |
| DE2636613A1 (en) | 1977-05-26 |
| DE2636613C3 (en) | 1980-07-03 |
| GB1556491A (en) | 1979-11-28 |
| DE2636613B2 (en) | 1979-10-04 |
| BR7607123A (en) | 1977-09-13 |
| US4034839A (en) | 1977-07-12 |
| JPS5260698A (en) | 1977-05-19 |
| AU1711976A (en) | 1977-11-10 |
| IT1068779B (en) | 1985-03-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |