Fare collection apparatus having improved security

Claim 2

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising a first digital circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second digital circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored therein, one of said first and second circuit means mounted in said housing and the other mounted in said box, and electrical contact means for connecting said one to said other when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said blocking means to said motor, said lock means comprising means for engaging the coupling means to prevent movement of the blocking means by said motor, and control means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for operating same motor wherein said blocking means is moved from said blocking position to permit access to said entry means whereby currency is receivable by said box.

Claim 3

The farebox according to claim 1 further comprising a circuit initiating means which automatically causes said first digital circuit means to generate said first digital code in response to said box being received within said recess.

Claim 4

The farebox according to claim 1 further comprising a switch means, in circuit with said second digital circuit means, for preventing said first digital code from being sensed by said second digital means until said box is received within said recess, said switch means being separate from said electrical contact means.

Claim 5

The farebox according to claim 1 further comprising means mounted to said housing for receiving a card having a code disposed thereon and for sensing if said code on said card is the same as a predetermined code stored therein, and means, responsive to said card receiving means sensing said code of the card and said predetermined code are the same, for operating said motor wherein said blocking means is moved from a position permitting access to said entry means to said blocking position whereby said box is secured against access.

Claim 6

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising a first digital circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second digital circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored therein, one of said first and second circuit means mounted in said housing and the other mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for contacting said one to said other when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said second blocking means to said motor, said coupling means comprises a rotatable shaft mounted within said box, a gear means coupled to said shaft and coupled to said blocking means for controlling the movement of the latter, a collar means mounted to said shaft externally of said box, and a collar engaging means coupled to said motor for engaging said collar means when said box is received within said recess, and control means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for operating said motor, said lock means comprises means for engaging said shaft to prevent the rotation of said shaft, and a solenoid operatively connected to said engaging means, said solenoid, when activated, causing said engaging means to release said shaft allowing the latter to be rotated.

Claim 7

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising a first digital circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second digital circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored therein, one of said first and second circuit means mounted in said housing and the other mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for contacting said one to said other when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said second blocking means to said motor, said coupling means comprises a rotatable shaft mounted within said box, a gear means coupled to said shaft and coupled to said blocking means for controlling the movement of the latter, a collar means mounted to said shaft externally of said box, and a collar engaging means coupled to said motor for engaging said collar means when said box is received within said recess, and control means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for operating said motor, said lock means comprises means for engaging said shaft to prevent the rotation of said shaft, and a solenoid operatively connected to said engaging means, said solenoid, when activated, causing said engaging means to release said shaft allowing the latter to be rotated.

Claim 8

The farebox according to claim 5 further comprising means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for controlling the activation of said solenoid.

Claim 9

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising a first digital circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second digital circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored therein, one of said first and second circuit means mounted in said housing and the other mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for connecting said one to said other when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said second blocking means to said motor, and control means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for operating said motor, a switch means, in circuit with said second digital circuit means, for preventing said first digital code from being sensed by said second digital means until said box is received within said recess, said switch means being separate from said electrical contact means, said switch means comprises at least one magnetically operable switch mounted to said housing, and a magnet mounted to said box such that said magnet will be in magnetic communication with said at least one magnetic switch when said box is received within said recess.

Claim 10

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising a first digital circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second digital circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored therein, one of said first and second circuit means mounted in said housing and the other mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for connecting said one to said other when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said second blocking means to said motor, and control means, responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes are the same, for operating said motor, a switch means, in circuit with said second digital circuit means, for preventing said first digital code from being sensed by said second digital means until said box is received within said recess, said switch means being separate from said electrical contact means, said switch means comprises at least one magnetically operable switch mounted to said housing, and a magnet mounted to said box such that said magnet will be in magnetic communication with said at least one magnetic switch when said box is received within said recess.

Claim 11

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising an electronic security system including a first circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored in said second circuit means, a third circuit means for generating a third digital code, and a fourth circuit means for sensing if said third code is the same as a fourth code stored in said fourth circuit means, one of said first and second circuit means and one of said third and fourth circuit means being mounted in said housing and the other of said first and second circuit means and the other of said third and fourth circuit means being mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for connecting said ones to said others when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said blocking means to said motor, said lock operating means being responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes being the same, and control means, responsive to said fourth circuit means sensing said third and fourth codes are the same, for operating said motor wherein said blocking means is moved from said blocking position to permit access to said entry means whereby currency is receivable by said box.

Claim 12

In a farebox for receiving currency including a housing having a deposit section, a box for holding the currency, a recess in the housing for removably receiving the box, entry means defined by the box for receiving the currency, blocking means for closing said entry means, lock means holding the blocking means in blocking position to prevent access to said box, and lock operating means for unlocking said lock means to enable movement of said blocking means from the blocking position when the box is positioned within said recess, the improvement comprising an electronic security system including a first circuit means for generating a first digital code, a second circuit means for sensing if said first code is the same as a second code stored in said second circuit means, a third circuit means for generating a third digital code, and a fourth circuit means for sensing if said third code is the same as a fourth code stored in said fourth circuit means, one of said first and second circuit means and one of said third and fourth circuit means being mounted in said housing and the other of said first and second circuit means and the other of said third and fourth circuit means being mounted in said box, an electrical contact means for connecting said ones to said others when the box is received in said recess, a motor mounted in said housing, means for coupling said blocking means to said motor, said lock operating means being responsive to said second circuit means sensing said first and second codes being the same, and control means, responsive to said fourth circuit means sensing said third and fourth codes are the same, for operating said motor wherein said blocking means is moved from said blocking position to permit access to said entry means whereby currency is receivable by said box.