Patent US3820642A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3820642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vend control circuit with improved deposit refund and accumulation means
Assignee: ELECTRONICS CO H
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Filing: 1972-06-29
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1992-06-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved control circuit for vending and other coin controlled machines with improved escrow means that do not require that the machine hold and return only the particular coins deposited but rather is able to make refunds of all of a deposit up until the vend price is deposited and from the regular machine coin changer means. The accumulator means in the present control circuit are also novel in that once the amount of a deposit equals or exceeds a vend price the vend price is deducted from the amount accumulated so that thereafter only the excess deposited over the vend price need be accumulated and used to control the refunding operation. The present circuit is also versatile enough to be able to accommodate the coinage of any of the world''s coinage systems with little or no modification, it includes means to overcome the problems inherent in existing control circuits wherein the deposited coins themselves must actuate one or more switches or sensors to control circuit functions, it obviates the problems that occur when more than one coin is simultaneously being detected, and the subject control circuit includes means to prevent malfunction due to the presence of undesirable electronic noise and transient conditions that may be accidentally or intentionally induced into the circuit. The present circuit also includes novel means to convert single pulses to one or more pulses when accumulating and when returning change because of an over-deposit and also when the total amount of a deposit is to be refunded as in what is sometimes referred to as an escrow situation. This latter provision is especially important and advantageous in coinage systems where the lowest denomination coin used for making change in a coinage system may have more than one different combinational relationship with the other acceptable coin denominations. Also, being able to refund or escrow the total amount of a deposit regardless of its relation to the vend price, is unique to the vending art and eliminates the costly and expensive practice often used in vending centers and elsewhere of having to keep records of amounts due to customers who claim to have been cheated by the machines. This feature also prevents loss to the customer where the customer changes his mind after making a deposit or partial deposit or where he discovers that he does not have enough change to complete a desired purchase, or for some other reason wants his money refunded.
Inventors
- 👤 J Levasseur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:13
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/20; G07F5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
389 words
A coin controlled circuit comprising a coin unit including means for accepting at least two different denominations of coins, one of which denominations is n times larger than the other where n is a whole number, said coin unit producing a first output for the deposit of each coin of one denomination and a second output for the deposit of each coin of the other denomination, a pulse generator having separate inputs connected to receive the first and second outputs of the coin unit, said pulse generator producing a different number of output pulses upon receipt of the first and second inputs, the number of pulse generator outputs corresponding to the relative values of the coins deposited, a multi-stage accumulator having a first input connected to receive the outputs produced by the pulse generator, each stage of said accumulator having two possible operating states and the combination of the states of all of the stages representing the amount accumulated, means for changing the operating mode of the accumulator between an add mode and a subtract mode including an accumulator mode control input and bistable circuit means connected to said mode control input, the state of said bi-stable circuit determining the mode of the accumulator, accumulator output means including at least one output connected to each stage of the accumulator, a first gate circuit having inputs operatively connected to selected ones of the accumulator outputs, said first gate circuit producing an output whenever the accumulator stages are in states which represents an established vend price, means for initiating a vend operating in response to the output of said first gate circuit, reset means operatively connected to the accumulator output means including other gate circuit means and an accumulator reset input, said other gate circuit means including means to initiate an accumulator reset operation substantially simultaneously with the initiation of a vend operation when the amount accumulated equals the vend price whereby any further input pulses received and entered into the accumulator from the pulse generator represent amounts deposited in excess of the vend price, and means to refund said excess amounts deposited including means to change the accumulator operating mode from an adding to a subtracting mode during refunding and means to terminate the refund operation when the amounts subtracted during refunding have restored the accumulator to its reset condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
389 words
A coin controlled circuit comprising a coin unit including means for accepting at least two different denominations of coins, one of which denominations is n times larger than the other where n is a whole number, said coin unit producing a first output for the deposit of each coin of one denomination and a second output for the deposit of each coin of the other denomination, a pulse generator having separate inputs connected to receive the first and second outputs of the coin unit, said pulse generator producing a different number of output pulses upon receipt of the first and second inputs, the number of pulse generator outputs corresponding to the relative values of the coins deposited, a multi-stage accumulator having a first input connected to receive the outputs produced by the pulse generator, each stage of said accumulator having two possible operating states and the combination of the states of all of the stages representing the amount accumulated, means for changing the operating mode of the accumulator between an add mode and a subtract mode including an accumulator mode control input and bistable circuit means connected to said mode control input, the state of said bi-stable circuit determining the mode of the accumulator, accumulator output means including at least one output connected to each stage of the accumulator, a first gate circuit having inputs operatively connected to selected ones of the accumulator outputs, said first gate circuit producing an output whenever the accumulator stages are in states which represents an established vend price, means for initiating a vend operating in response to the output of said first gate circuit, reset means operatively connected to the accumulator output means including other gate circuit means and an accumulator reset input, said other gate circuit means including means to initiate an accumulator reset operation substantially simultaneously with the initiation of a vend operation when the amount accumulated equals the vend price whereby any further input pulses received and entered into the accumulator from the pulse generator represent amounts deposited in excess of the vend price, and means to refund said excess amounts deposited including means to change the accumulator operating mode from an adding to a subtracting mode during refunding and means to terminate the refund operation when the amounts subtracted during refunding have restored the accumulator to its reset condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The coin controlled circuit defined in claim 1 including means to delay the duration of a vend operation after initiation thereof and after reset to the accumulator to allow time for the accumulator to receive any additional inputs from the pulse generator as a result of coin deposits, said additional inputs representing amounts deposited in excess of the amount necessary to initiate the vend operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coin controlled circuit defined in claim 1 including means to reduce the amount accumulated in the accumulator by an amount that represents the value of each coin refunded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coin controlled circuit defined in claim 3 including means under control of the refund means which determine the number of pulses to be subtracted from the amount entered in the accumulator for each coin that is refunded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The coin controlled circuit defined in claim 4 including escrow means, said escrow means including a customer actuatable deposit refund switch and means under control of said deposit refund switch to simultaneously inhibit initiation of a vend operation, change the operating mode of the accumulator to the subtract mode, and operate the refund means to control the inputs fed by the pulse generator to the accumulator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coin controlled circuit defined in claim 5 including means responsive to the accumulator reaching its reset condition to terminate the escrow refund operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
297 words
Control means for vending machines capable of vending articles at a selectable price comprising electronic accumulator means capable of being in an add or subtract mode and including a plurality of serially connected bi-stable stages, said accumulator having a first input connected to receive a number of input signals representative of the value of each coin deposited, a second accumulator input connected to receive control signals to change the accumulator operating mode between the add and the subtract modes, accumulator reset inputs connected to receive input reset signals to reset the stages of the accumulator to a predetermined reset condition, and said accumulator having at least one output connection to each of its stages to represent the condition thereof, gate circuit means having inputs connected to preselected ones of the accumulator output connections, said gate circuit means producing vend and reset output signals to initiate a vend operation and to reset the accumulator stages whenever the accumulator has an amount accumulated therein that equals the selectable price, means to prolong a vend operation to provide time for the accumulator to receive all input signals at its first input that represent coins deposited to accumulate amounts deposited in excess of the selectable price, means including said second accumulator input and the control signals applied thereto for changing the operating mode of the accumulator means from the add mode to the subtract mode when the vend operation is initiated, means for generating refund signals for applying to the first accumulator input when the accumulator means are in the subtract mode to control the accumulator means to produce refund output signals, and means under control of said refund output signals operable to refund amounts deposited in excess of the selectable price and until the accumulator again reaches its reset condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
297 words
Control means for vending machines capable of vending articles at a selectable price comprising electronic accumulator means capable of being in an add or subtract mode and including a plurality of serially connected bi-stable stages, said accumulator having a first input connected to receive a number of input signals representative of the value of each coin deposited, a second accumulator input connected to receive control signals to change the accumulator operating mode between the add and the subtract modes, accumulator reset inputs connected to receive input reset signals to reset the stages of the accumulator to a predetermined reset condition, and said accumulator having at least one output connection to each of its stages to represent the condition thereof, gate circuit means having inputs connected to preselected ones of the accumulator output connections, said gate circuit means producing vend and reset output signals to initiate a vend operation and to reset the accumulator stages whenever the accumulator has an amount accumulated therein that equals the selectable price, means to prolong a vend operation to provide time for the accumulator to receive all input signals at its first input that represent coins deposited to accumulate amounts deposited in excess of the selectable price, means including said second accumulator input and the control signals applied thereto for changing the operating mode of the accumulator means from the add mode to the subtract mode when the vend operation is initiated, means for generating refund signals for applying to the first accumulator input when the accumulator means are in the subtract mode to control the accumulator means to produce refund output signals, and means under control of said refund output signals operable to refund amounts deposited in excess of the selectable price and until the accumulator again reaches its reset condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The control means defined in claim 7 including other means actuatable by the customer any time a deposit has been made to return the amount of the deposit to the customer, said other means including said means under control of the refund output signals for refunding the amount of the deposit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The control means defined in claim 7 including a pulse generator connected to the first accumulator input, and means under control of the deposit of each different denomination of coin deposited in the machine to energize the pulse generator means to generate outputs for feeding to the first accumulator input, said pulse generator producing a different distinct number of outputs corresponding to the value of each different denomination coin deposited.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The control means defined in claim 7 including a pulse generator having an output connected to the first input of the accumulator, said pulse generator receiving said refund output signals whenever the amounts accumulated in the accumulator means represents an excess over the selectable price and the control means are in a refunding cycle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control means defined in claim 7 including means to enable refunds to be made in more than one denomination of coin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control means defined in claim 7 wherein the pulse generator produces outputs for the deposit of different denomination coins in a ratio of n-to-one, where n is any whole integer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
The control means defined in claim 7 including a pulse generator having an output connected to the first input of the accumulator, a coin unit having means to receive at least two different denominations of coins, one of which coin denomination value is equal to a plurality of the other coin denomination value, said coin unit having an output connected to the pulse generator, coins of each of the acceptable denominations producing a corresponding output to cause the pulse generator to produce a different distinct number of outputs for applying to the first accumulator input.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control means defined in claim 13 wherein the pulse generator produces outputs for appLying to the first accumulator input which are in a ratio of two-to-one for the different denomination coins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control means defined in claim 13 wherein the pulse generator produces outputs for the deposit of different denomination coins in a ratio of five-to-one.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control means defined in claim 13 wherein the pulse generator produces outputs for the deposit of different denomination coins in a ratio of ten-to-one.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
389 words
A vending control circuit operable with a coin unit capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations comprising a multiple stage accumulator in which the stages are serially coupled and each stage is able to be in one of two distinct operating states, alternate inputs received at each stage producing a change in the state of the next succeeding higher order stage, an input to the first stage of the accumulator, means for feeding a different distinct number of input pulses to said first stage input for each different denomination coin deposited, a mode control input to the accumulator and means for applying one of two different kinds of input signals thereto, means in the accumulator responsive to the kind of said signal for controlling whether the accumulator is in an adding or a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input and a pair of accumulator outputs to each stage of the accumulator, the state of each stage of the accumulator changing each time an input signal is fed thereto so that the combined states of all the stages represents the total accumulation, a two position switch associated with the outputs of each accumulator stage, the combined settings of said switches establishing a vend price, a gate circuit having a plurality of inputs connected to the respective ones of said two-position switches and to associated ones of the accumulator outputs, said gate circuit producing an output whenever the accumulator has the vend price accumulated therein, and means under control of the gate circuit output for initiating a vend and an accumulator reset operation, other means to prolong the duration of the vend operation for a predetermined time to enable the accumulator to reset and to thereafter have accumulated therein any amount deposited in excess of the vend price, means operable simultaneously with the commencement of the vend operation to change the kind of signal at the accumulator mode control input to change the operating mode of the accumulator from the add to the subtract mode, and means for refunding the amount of any excess accumulation in the accumulator, said refund means including other gate circuit means connected to selected outputs of the accumulator, and means under control of said other gate circuit means to produce gate circuit outputs that control the value of each coin to be refunded.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
389 words
A vending control circuit operable with a coin unit capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations comprising a multiple stage accumulator in which the stages are serially coupled and each stage is able to be in one of two distinct operating states, alternate inputs received at each stage producing a change in the state of the next succeeding higher order stage, an input to the first stage of the accumulator, means for feeding a different distinct number of input pulses to said first stage input for each different denomination coin deposited, a mode control input to the accumulator and means for applying one of two different kinds of input signals thereto, means in the accumulator responsive to the kind of said signal for controlling whether the accumulator is in an adding or a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input and a pair of accumulator outputs to each stage of the accumulator, the state of each stage of the accumulator changing each time an input signal is fed thereto so that the combined states of all the stages represents the total accumulation, a two position switch associated with the outputs of each accumulator stage, the combined settings of said switches establishing a vend price, a gate circuit having a plurality of inputs connected to the respective ones of said two-position switches and to associated ones of the accumulator outputs, said gate circuit producing an output whenever the accumulator has the vend price accumulated therein, and means under control of the gate circuit output for initiating a vend and an accumulator reset operation, other means to prolong the duration of the vend operation for a predetermined time to enable the accumulator to reset and to thereafter have accumulated therein any amount deposited in excess of the vend price, means operable simultaneously with the commencement of the vend operation to change the kind of signal at the accumulator mode control input to change the operating mode of the accumulator from the add to the subtract mode, and means for refunding the amount of any excess accumulation in the accumulator, said refund means including other gate circuit means connected to selected outputs of the accumulator, and means under control of said other gate circuit means to produce gate circuit outputs that control the value of each coin to be refunded.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
The vending control circuit of claim 17 including escrow means including an escrow switch operable by the customer, and escrow circuit means under control of said escrow switch including means to change the kind of signal applied to the second input of the accumulator to change the accumulator to its subtract mode, said other gate circuit means operating to control the feeding of inputs to the first accumulator input according to the value of each coin to be refunded.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
The vending control circuit defined in claim 17 including separate coin tubes for each denomination of coin to be refunded, tube switch means associated with the highest denomination coin tube and actuatable when the associated coin tube is empty of coins, and circuit means under control of the said tube switch means when actuated to cause subsequent coin refunds to be made from a lower denomination coin tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vending control circuit defined in claim 17 wherein said other gate circuit means include means to ascertain if the remaining amount accumulated in the accumulator is sufficient to enable a refund to be made of the highest denomination coin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
223 words
A coin controlled circuit for vending machines having coin units capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations, said coin unit producing a distinctive output for each different acceptable coin denomination, a pulse generator connected to receive said distinctive outputs of the coin unit and to produce a corresponding distinctive number of outputs to represent the value of each coin deposited, an accumulator having a first input connected to the output of the pulse generator to accumulate the value of coins deposited, a second accumulator input including means connected thereto for switching the accumulator between an adding and a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input, and refund means under control of the accumulator when operating in the subtract mode for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in excess of an established vend price, said refund means including means for separately storing some of each different acceptable denomination coin, the improvement comprising deposit refund means including an operator actuatable switch and means under control of said switch for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in any amount up to the vend price, said deposit refund means including means for switching the accumulator to its subtract mode so that the accumulator can control the refund means to refund coins from the coin storage means equal to the amount of a deposit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
223 words
A coin controlled circuit for vending machines having coin units capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations, said coin unit producing a distinctive output for each different acceptable coin denomination, a pulse generator connected to receive said distinctive outputs of the coin unit and to produce a corresponding distinctive number of outputs to represent the value of each coin deposited, an accumulator having a first input connected to the output of the pulse generator to accumulate the value of coins deposited, a second accumulator input including means connected thereto for switching the accumulator between an adding and a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input, and refund means under control of the accumulator when operating in the subtract mode for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in excess of an established vend price, said refund means including means for separately storing some of each different acceptable denomination coin, the improvement comprising deposit refund means including an operator actuatable switch and means under control of said switch for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in any amount up to the vend price, said deposit refund means including means for switching the accumulator to its subtract mode so that the accumulator can control the refund means to refund coins from the coin storage means equal to the amount of a deposit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
203 words
A coin controlled circuit for vending machines having coin units capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations, said coin unit producing a distinctive output for each different acceptable coin denomination, a pulse generator connected to receive said distinctive outputs of the coin unit and to produce a corresponding distinctive number of outputs to represent the value of each coin deposited, an accumulator having a first input connected to the output of the pulse generator to accumulate the value of coins deposited, a second accumulator input including means connected thereto for switching the accumulator between an adding and a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input, and refund means under control of the accumulator when operating in the subtract mode for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in excess of an established vend price, said refund means including means for separately storing some of each different acceptable denomination coin, the improvement comprising switch means associated with at least one of said separate coin storage means actuatable when said one coin storage means are empty, and means under control of said switch means when actuated to cause subsequent coin refunds to be made from the other of said separate coin storage means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
203 words
A coin controlled circuit for vending machines having coin units capable of accepting coins of at least two different denominations, said coin unit producing a distinctive output for each different acceptable coin denomination, a pulse generator connected to receive said distinctive outputs of the coin unit and to produce a corresponding distinctive number of outputs to represent the value of each coin deposited, an accumulator having a first input connected to the output of the pulse generator to accumulate the value of coins deposited, a second accumulator input including means connected thereto for switching the accumulator between an adding and a subtracting mode, an accumulator reset input, and refund means under control of the accumulator when operating in the subtract mode for refunding amounts deposited in the coin unit in excess of an established vend price, said refund means including means for separately storing some of each different acceptable denomination coin, the improvement comprising switch means associated with at least one of said separate coin storage means actuatable when said one coin storage means are empty, and means under control of said switch means when actuated to cause subsequent coin refunds to be made from the other of said separate coin storage means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |