US3873019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlling and recording fuel dispensing
Assignee: CH ELECTRONICS Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-15
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A self-service dispensing system for vending discrete products and variable quantities of fungible commodities is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of vending units, some adapted to dispense the discrete items, such as candy and cigarettes, and others adapted to dispense desired quantities of commodities such as gasoline. Customers are provided with a tally key module, which, when inserted into a vending unit, activates the vending unit to dispense the desired product and record on its face the value of the product dispensed. If further products are desired, the tally key may be used repetitively, recording on its face the total value of products vended. The tally key module also activates an electronic security lock system in the machine. In the case of a vending unit which dispenses selected discrete items, selection of a product produces in the vending unit circuitry a binary coded word assigned to the product which is sent to a plurality of data selectors which are programmed with price information. The outputs of the data selectors are used to reset a binary down counting circuit with a number representing the price. A clock is then activated and sends pulses to the binary down counting circuit and the tally key module, causing the tally key module to tally the price on a mechanical register and the counting circuit to count down to the number that it was initially set to. As soon as the price is set in the counting circuit, a solenoid is activated which inserts a pin into the module, preventing it from being released until the counting is completed. When the counter has counted down to its original set position, the clock is disabled and the pin is removed from the module which now has the price of the product purchased registered on its face. Selecting another product will repeat the process, advancing the mechanical register and thus causing the register to display the total. In the case of a vending unit which dispenses variable quantities of a fungible item, activation of the unit results in the unit''s generating a series of timed pulses whose total number is representative of the quantity and price of the produce vended. These pulses are also sent to the tally key module, causing it to advance and record the value of the product furnished.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel C Holcomb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:03
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G07F9/00; G07F9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
In a machine for dispensing discrete products in response to the activation of product selection means, the improvement comprising: a. means for generating a binary word identifying a dispensed product in response to the activation of its associated selection means; b. a counter; c. clock means responsive to said generating means to deliver a series of electrical pulses; d. storing means for storing preset price information related to each of said selectable products; e. data selector means for setting related price information into said counter as a digital number in response to said binary word; f. means for gating said series of pulses from said clock into said counter whereby the digital number stored in said counter is varied in response to said pulses until said counter reaches a predetermined number; g. means for disabling said clock means in response to the presence of said predetermined number in said counter; h. tally module means insertable into the machine and when inserted enabling said selection means, and said module means including register means coupled to said clock means to receive said series of pulses and tally a number proportional to the price of the products, and said module means further including programmable security means comprising a preset electrical network; i. said machine further including means cooperative with said security means and comprising amplifier means cooperative with said electrical network for detecting a properly programmed module means and operative to deliver an enabling signal to activate the machine and allow it to dispense products while a properly programmed module is inserted, whereby unauthorized operation of the said machine is prevented when the module means is withdrawn; and j. lock means operative in response to the selection of a product to prevent withdrawal of the inserted module means until the complete series of pulses has been tallied in the module means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
In a machine for dispensing discrete products in response to the activation of product selection means, the improvement comprising: a. means for generating a binary word identifying a dispensed product in response to the activation of its associated selection means; b. a counter; c. clock means responsive to said generating means to deliver a series of electrical pulses; d. storing means for storing preset price information related to each of said selectable products; e. data selector means for setting related price information into said counter as a digital number in response to said binary word; f. means for gating said series of pulses from said clock into said counter whereby the digital number stored in said counter is varied in response to said pulses until said counter reaches a predetermined number; g. means for disabling said clock means in response to the presence of said predetermined number in said counter; h. tally module means insertable into the machine and when inserted enabling said selection means, and said module means including register means coupled to said clock means to receive said series of pulses and tally a number proportional to the price of the products, and said module means further including programmable security means comprising a preset electrical network; i. said machine further including means cooperative with said security means and comprising amplifier means cooperative with said electrical network for detecting a properly programmed module means and operative to deliver an enabling signal to activate the machine and allow it to dispense products while a properly programmed module is inserted, whereby unauthorized operation of the said machine is prevented when the module means is withdrawn; and j. lock means operative in response to the selection of a product to prevent withdrawal of the inserted module means until the complete series of pulses has been tallied in the module means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
245 words
In a machine for dispensing discrete products in response to the activation of product selection means, the improvement comprising: a. means for generating a binary word identifying a dispensed product in response to the activation of its associated selection means; b. a counter; c. clock means responsive to said generating means to deliver a series of electrical pulses; d. storing means for storing preset price information related to each of said selectable products; e. data selector means for setting related price information into said counter as a digital number in response to said binary word; f. means for gating said series of pulses from said clock into said counter whereby the digital number stored in said counter is varied in response to said pulses until said counter reaches a predetermined number; g. means for disabling said clock means in response to the presence of said predetermined number in said counter; h. tally module means insertable into the machine and when inserted enabling said selection means, and said module means including register means coupled to said clock means to receive said series of pulses and tally a number proportional to the price of the products; i. lock means operative in response to the selection of a product to prevent withdrawal of the inserted module means until the complete series of pulses has been tallied in the module means; and j. means for preventing the activation of said selection means until said clock has ceased producing pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
245 words
In a machine for dispensing discrete products in response to the activation of product selection means, the improvement comprising: a. means for generating a binary word identifying a dispensed product in response to the activation of its associated selection means; b. a counter; c. clock means responsive to said generating means to deliver a series of electrical pulses; d. storing means for storing preset price information related to each of said selectable products; e. data selector means for setting related price information into said counter as a digital number in response to said binary word; f. means for gating said series of pulses from said clock into said counter whereby the digital number stored in said counter is varied in response to said pulses until said counter reaches a predetermined number; g. means for disabling said clock means in response to the presence of said predetermined number in said counter; h. tally module means insertable into the machine and when inserted enabling said selection means, and said module means including register means coupled to said clock means to receive said series of pulses and tally a number proportional to the price of the products; i. lock means operative in response to the selection of a product to prevent withdrawal of the inserted module means until the complete series of pulses has been tallied in the module means; and j. means for preventing the activation of said selection means until said clock has ceased producing pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a machine which dispenses desired quantities of fungible product in response to the activation of a mechanical member and which produces periodic signals in response to the dispensing of said fungible product, the number of said periodic signals being proportional in amount to the amount of the product dispensed, the improvement comprising means for detecting said periodic signals, means for detecting the operation of the machine, means for producing a series of pulses in response to said periodic signals and continuing as long as operation of the machine is detected, and tally module means removably insertable into the machine and including register means responsive to said pulses for recording a number proportional to the number of pulses, said module means further comprising pre-programable security means including a preset electrical network, and the machine further comprising amplifier means cooperative with said electrical network and operative when a module means is inserted for detecting a properly programmed module means and delivering an enabling signal to activate said machine allowing it to dispense said fungible product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a machine which dispenses desired quantities of fungible product in response to the activation of a mechanical member and which produces periodic signals in response to the dispensing of said fungible product, the number of said periodic signals being proportional in amount to the amount of the product dispensed, the improvement comprising means for detecting said periodic signals, means for detecting the operation of the machine, means for producing a series of pulses in response to said periodic signals and continuing as long as operation of the machine is detected, and tally module means removably insertable into the machine and including register means responsive to said pulses for recording a number proportional to the number of pulses, said module means further comprising pre-programable security means including a preset electrical network, and the machine further comprising amplifier means cooperative with said electrical network and operative when a module means is inserted for detecting a properly programmed module means and delivering an enabling signal to activate said machine allowing it to dispense said fungible product.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |