U.S. patent number 3,589,492 [Application Number 04/811,802] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-29 for magnetic control means for vending machines and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to H. R. Electronics Company. Invention is credited to John R. Shirley.
United States Patent |
3,589,492 |
Shirley |
June 29, 1971 |
MAGNETIC CONTROL MEANS FOR VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE
Abstract
Magnetic and electronic control means for vending machines and
other coin control devices which accept different denomination
coins, make vends at selectable prices and perform other functions
including making change, said control means including counting and
memory means and means under the control thereof for producing the
vending, change making and other functions. The subject means are
preferably constructed using solid state and magnetic core
components.
Inventors: |
Shirley; John R. (Crestwood,
MO) |
Assignee: |
H. R. Electronics Company (High
Ridge, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
25207626 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/811,802 |
Filed: |
April 1, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
194/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
5/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
5/22 (20060101); G07F 5/20 (20060101); G07f
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;194/1,9,10,6,13,15,16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Coleman; Samuel F.
Claims
I claim:
1. Control means for a vending machine having coin-receiving means
including means for receiving coins of more than one denomination
and means for producing pairs of output signals representing at
least part of the value of each coin deposited therein, means when
excited for performing a vend operation, means for selecting a vend
price, said coin-receiving means including means to produce a
special control output signal whenever the value of a single
deposited coin at least equals the selected vend price, means for
refunding amounts deposited in the coin-receiving means in excess
of the vend price, and means comprising accumulator means having
counting stages of changeable states therein connected operatively
to the coin-receiving means and energizeable by said pairs of
output signals therefrom produced when coins are deposited to
accumulate the value of said deposits, said accumulator means
having input means connected to the coin-receiving means and output
means for producing an output signal to excite the means for
producing a vend whenever the accumulated amount at least equals
the vend price, other means connected between the coin-receiving
means and the means for performing a vend operation, said other
means including means responsive to the said special control
outputs of the coin-receiving means to excite said vend performing
means more directly whenever the deposit of a single coin at least
equals the vend price, refund counter means for energizing the
refund means to refund amounts deposited in the coin-receiving
means in excess of the vend price as determined by the setting of
the vend price selection means, said refund counter means having
counting stages of changeable states therein, and means under
control of said vend performing means to return the counting stages
of the accumulator means and at least one counting stage of the
refund counter means to preset initial states whenever the vend
performing means are excited.
2. The control means defined in claim 1 including means under
control of said refund means to return the counting stages of the
accumulator means and the counting stages of the refund counter
means to preset initial states whenever the refund means are
energized.
3. The control means defined in claim 1 wherein each of said
counting stages of said accumulator means includes at least one
magnetic core.
4. The control means defined in claim 1 wherein said refund counter
means include gate means which are normally in a closed condition,
said gate being opened in response to signals produced by the means
that return the accumulator means and at least one stage of the
refund counter means to preset initial states, said gate means in
an open condition allowing a preselected output signal from said
coin-receiving means to pass therethrough to the refund counter
means to energize the refund means.
5. The control means defined in claim 4 wherein said gate means
include delay means to maintain the open condition of the gate
means for a predetermined time period.
6. The control means defined in claim 1 wherein said output means
for producing an output signal to excite the means for producing a
vend are connected to the coin-receiving means and controlled by
outputs therefrom to deenergize the means for producing a vend.
7. A control circuit for vending machines and the like comprising
counting means including a plurality of serially connected stages
each including a counting element capable of being in one of two
distinct stable states and arranged in order to be changed from one
stable state to the other stable state sequentially in response to
the receipt of impulses produced when coins of selected
denominations are deposited in the vending machines for
accumulating the value of the coinage so deposited, each of said
counting elements producing at least one output whenever it changes
to a selected one of its two states, said elements being connected
so that the output from one of said elements produces a change in
the state of the element in the next succeeding stage, means
including multiposition price switch means connected to receive
outputs from selected ones of said counting elements, the setting
of said price switch means determining the vend price, vend means
connected to receive selected outputs of the counting means through
said price switch means, said vend means also being connected to
receive selected impulses produced when coins are deposited in the
vending machine, said vend means initiating a vend operation
whenever said selected outputs and impulses are both present at the
vend means simultaneously, means for returning the counting
elements to preestablished initial states in response to the
occurrence of a vend operation, and refund means including refund
counting means connected to respond to amounts deposited in the
vending machine in excess of the selected vend price as determined
by the setting of the price switch means.
8. The control circuit defined in claim 7 wherein at least one of
said counting elements is a magnetic core element.
9. The control circuit defined in claim 7 including means to
energize said vend means more directly, bypassing the said counting
means whenever the value of a single coin deposited in the vending
machine at least equals the vend price, said more direct means also
including means to deenergize said vend means once the single coin
has ceased to produce impulses.
10. The control circuit defined in claim 7 wherein said plurality
of serially connected states include 1, 2, ... n stages, where n is
an odd integer at least equal to 3, the deposit of each coin
producing at least one pair of input impulses, the first impulse of
each of said pair of impulses producing a change in the state of
the counting element of at least stage 2 and the second impulse of
said pair producing a change in the state of the counting elements
of at least stages 1, 2 and 3.
11. The control circuit defined in claim 7 wherein said refund
means include refund motor means and means to control the
energizing of said motor means, and wherein said refund counting
means include at least one counting element capable of being in one
of two distinct stable states, said counting element producing at
least one output impulse whenever it changes to a selected one of
its two states, said refund motor control means being connected to
the refund motor means to energize said refund motor means upon
receipt of at least one output impulse from said refund counting
means, said refund motor means including motor switch means
connected to said refund counting means and to said counting means
to return said refund counting means and said counting means to
preestablished initial conditions each time a refund takes
place.
12. The control circuit defined in claim 11 wherein said refund
counting means include at least one controllable magnetic core
element.
13. The control circuit defined in claim 7 wherein said refund
means include refund motor means and means to control the
energizing of said motor means, said refund motor means having
associated switch means connected to said refund motor control
means to momentarily incapacitate said refund motor control means
to at least momentarily terminate energization of said refund motor
means.
14. Control means for vending and like machines which include
coin-receiving means capable of receiving coins deposited therein
and capable of producing output signals corresponding to the value
of each deposited coin, means on the vending machine adjustable to
establish a desired vend price, means to perform a vend operation,
and means including coin-refunding means for refunding amounts
deposited in excess of the price of a selected vend, the
improvement comprising a control circuit for controlling the
operation of the vending machine, said control circuit including
first and second counting means the first of which include a
plurality of serially connected magnetic core counting elements
wherein said magnetic core counting elements are connected in
consecutive stages one through n where n is an odd integer, the
output signals produced by the coin-receiving means when coins are
deposited therein occuring as pairs of impulses, said first
counting means including first and second input connections, the
first of which provides means for conducting the first impulse of
each pair of input impulses to the magnetic core counting elements
in the odd integer stages and the second input connection providing
means for conducting the second impulse of each pair of input
impulse to the magnetic core elements of the first and even integer
stages, said first counting means thereby accumulating the value of
coins deposited in the coin-receiving means, output means
associated with said first counting means producing an output to
initiate the operation of the vend performing means in the vending
machine whenever the magnetic core counting elements change to a
condition representing an amount that at least equals the
established vend price, and means operatively connected to the
second counting means to enter amounts therein corresponding to
amounts deposited in the coin-receiving means in excess of the
established vend price, said second counting means being connected
to the coin-refunding means and energizing the coin-refunding means
whenever amounts representing amounts deposited in excess of the
established vend price are entered therein.
15. The control means defined in claim 14 including means to
initiate the vend operation means in the vending machine more
directly, bypassing said first counting means whenever the value of
a single coin deposited in the vending machine at least equals the
vend price.
16. The control means defined in claim 15 wherein said more direct
vend initiating means include output means connected to said second
counter means, which output means conduct a signal to said second
counter means representing an excess deposited over the established
vend price.
17. The control means defined in claim 14 wherein said output means
associated with said first counting means include multiposition
switch means capable of establishing any one of a plurality of
selectable connection paths to different selected ones of the
magnetic core counting elements in the first counting circuit to
conduct selected outputs therefrom for use in initiating the vend
performing means.
18. The control means defined in claim 14 including first means for
returning said first counting means to a preestablished initial
condition each time a vend operation is initiated, and second means
for returning said first and second counting means to
preestablished initial conditions each time a coin is refunded by
the coin-refunding means.
19. The control means defined in claim 18 wherein said second means
for returning said first and second counting means back to
preestablished initial conditions include means to prevent
operation thereof for a predetermined time period after initiation
of a refund operation.
20. The control means defined in claim 14 wherein the second
counting means include means for producing an output refund impulse
to energize the coin-refunding means whenever an amount is entered
therein, and means under control of the coin-refunding means for
conducting an input signal to said second counting means during the
occurrence of each refund operation to cause said second counting
means to produce another output refund impulse to energize the
coin-refunding means again whenever the amount entered in said
second counting means represented more than the amount having been
refunded by the coin-refunding means.
21. A control circuit for vending machines and the like having
coin-receiving means capable of accepting coins of at least three
different denominations and price control means for selecting
between different vend prices, said coin-receiving means including
first, second and third coin-activated input means, each of said
first and second coin-activated input means including means for
generating first and second input impulses each time a coin moves
thereby, and said third coin-activated input means including means
for generating at least one input impulse each time a coin moves
by, counter means including a plurality of serially connected
counter elements each having two stable states, means for changing
the state of at least two of said elements each time the first
coin-activated input means generate said first input impulse and
means for changing the state of at least three of said elements
each time the first coin-activated input means generate said second
input impulse, means for changing the state of at least four of
said elements each time the second coin-activated input means
generate said first input impulse and means for changing the state
of at least five of said elements each time the second
coin-activated input means generate said second input impulse, vend
control means for initiating a vend operation whenever an amount
deposited at least equals a vend price as established by the price
control means, said vend control means being connected to receive
output signals from said counter means through said price control
means, said counter means producing a vend output signal to
initiate a vend operation whenever the amount entered therein at
least equals a selected vend price, and means under control of said
vend control means for restoring the counter elements to
predetermined states after the initiation of a vend operation.
22. The circuit defined in claim 21 including payback means for
refunding amounts deposited in the coin-receiving means in excess
of the selected vend price, said payback means including payback
counter means and payback logic means, said payback logic means
including a gate circuit having input connections to the vend
control means and the coin-receiving means and having output
connections to the payback counter means to conduct a signal to
said payback counter means from said second coin-activated input
means whenever said gate circuit is in a predetermined condition
caused by the receipt thereat of a signal from the vend control
means.
23. The circuit defined in claim 21 including payback means for
refunding amounts deposited in the coin-receiving means in excess
of the selected vend price, and means bypassing the counter means
to activate the vend control means whenever the third
coin-activated input means is activated, said payback means
refunding an amount that depends on the selected vend price and the
amount of the deposit.
24. The control circuit defined in claim 21 wherein said price
control means include means for selecting between vend prices of
15, 20 and 25.cent..
25. The circuit defined in claim 21 including payback means for
refunding amounts deposited in the coin-receiving means in excess
of the vend price, said payback means including refund counting
means, refund motor means, and refund motor control means, said
refund counting means including first and second counting elements
each having an initial and a transferred state, a gate circuit to
conduct selected input impulses from said coin-receiving means to
said first element to change said first element from its initial
state to its transferred state, and payback switch means having at
least a first and second position and controlled by said price
control means to conduct other selected input impulses from said
coin-receiving means to said first element to change said first
element from its initial state to its transferred state when the
payback switch means are in the first switch position and to
conduct the said other selected input impulses from said
coin-receiving means to both of said first and second elements to
change said elements from their initial states to their transferred
states when the payback switch means are in the second switch
position, said first element producing an output for feeding to
said refund motor control means whenever it changes from its
initial state to its transferred state and said second element
producing an output for feeding to said refund motor control means
whenever it changes from its transferred state to its initial
state, said refund motor control means energizing said refund motor
to refund one coin each time said refund motor control means
receives an output from said refund counting means, said refund
motor including means for producing outputs when a coin is being
refunded thereby for use in the refund counting means to restore
any of the elements thereof that are in a transferred state to the
initial state thereof.
Description
Many coin-operated devices are in existence including some which
perform vending, change making and other functions and combinations
thereof. For the most part, however, the known devices are limited
in their versatility, are electromechanical in nature, and are
constructed for specific limited applications, such as applications
which require the deposit of an exact amount of money for each
operation as where the vend and the amount of refund, if any, and
other functions do not vary, and are not selectable.
Electromechanical control devices such as are in wide use are
relatively complicated and expensive and they require frequent and
time-consuming maintenance and repair all of which result in
considerable expense and machine downtime. Such devices are also
relatively inflexible to change and difficult to adjust, and to
increase their versatility to enable them to handle a greater
variety of operations and functions disproportionately increases
their complexity and cost. Electromechanical devices are also
relatively bulky and cumbersome, they are difficult to install and
adjust, and they are unsuitable for many applications particularly
such as those involving self-contained vending machines where space
is limited and where it is desired to provide a variety of
selectable vends at different prices.
Electronic control means for vending machines such for example as
the control means described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,671,
dated Mar. 7, 1967 and Applicant's pending application Ser. No.
708,140, filed Feb. 26, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,636, have
solved some of the above-mentioned problems and overcome some of
the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. The means
disclosed herein represents still further improvements in such
control means.
The present invention teaches the construction and operation of a
novel, versatile and flexible electronic control circuit,
preferably utilizing magnetic core structures which circuit is
particularly well suited for use on vending machines which
accumulate amounts deposited, make change and control vending and
other functions of the vending machine. The present control circuit
is also particularly suitable for use on vending machines that are
capable of vending customer selected products costing different
amounts, accumulating varying amounts deposited in the vending
machine, deducting from the amount deposited the price of the
selected product, and returning amounts deposited in excess of the
vend price. The present invention also increases the versatility
and utility of vending machines by allowing them to be used at
locations where the supply voltage may be interrupted from time to
time, such for example as in rural areas and onboard ships without
losing track of amounts deposited or malfunctioning. This is mainly
due to the distinctive nature and characteristics of the magnetic
core structures used in the present circuit. Such devices do not,
for example, lose their memory when the power to the circuit is
interrupted either momentarily or for longer periods as when the
machine is turned off as do other types of memory devices and
electronic components including transistors, vacuum tubes and the
like. The present circuit therefore can be constructed to remain in
the same condition throughout almost any power interruption and to
resume normal operation where it left off after the power is
restored as if nothing had happened thereby preventing the loss of
a customer's deposit and saving the trouble of having to call a
service man or other person. The aggravation of a loss to a
customer may also spare the vending machine from damage caused by
the customer banging on it and shaking it.
Magnetic cores are known to be extremely reliable devices in
computer storage and memory devices as well as in logic and
computing circuits, and when used in the control circuits of
vending machines they contribute to the reliability and produce
other advantages. Magnetic cores are also relatively unaffected by
transient conditions and transient interference including
variations in the line voltage and they are also reliable over a
wide range of temperatures. Magnetic cores also have the further
advantages of having no moving parts, not being subject to
atmospheric contamination as in the case of some solid-state
devices and they are relatively small, compact, trouble free and
inexpensive.
The subject device includes a control circuit which comprises means
responsive to the deposit of coins of different denominations into
a coin-receiving unit, means for accumulating or counting the value
of coins deposited, means for controlling the selected vend
operation of the machine including determining when an amount
deposited at least equals the price of a selected article, and
means under the control of the accumulating means for causing a
vend operation and a refunding operation. The present circuit also
includes vend control, refund control and accumulator reset means
as well as circuit selection means, and the subject circuit is
preferably constructed employing magnetic core and other
solid-state components which as aforesaid minimize its size,
improve its reliability, reduce maintenance and repair requirements
and enable it to be constructed and packaged in a compact
preferably plug-in type unit which can be easily and quickly
installed and/or removed and replaced in a vending or like machine.
Being constructed insofar as possible of magnetic cores and other
solid-state components also makes the circuit relatively trouble
free and easy to handle and maintain.
A principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide
improved and more versatile means for controlling vending,
refunding and other operations of coin-controlled devices.
Another object is to provide means capable of enlarging the
functions and operations performed by vending and other like
devices.
Another object is to increase the reliability of control circuits
employed in vending machines and the like.
Another object is to provide improved means for accumulating the
value of moneys deposited in vending machines which means do not
lose an accumulation due to occurrence of a power interruption or
other transient condition.
Another object is to increase the range of climatic conditions
including the range of temperatures in which a control circuit for
a vending machine will operate reliably.
Another object is to provide improved means for determining amounts
deposited in vending machines including amounts deposited in excess
of a selectable vend price and for determining and controlling the
refunding of such excess amounts.
Another object is to provide improved electronic control means
utilizing magnetic core devices for controlling vending and like
machines which control means can be installed as original equipment
or as an improvement to an existing machine with minimum machine
modification.
Another object is to provide relatively inexpensive means for
controlling coin-operated devices that are capable of handling
transactions involving different money amounts.
Another object is to provide a packaged plug-in type control unit
for quick and easy installation in vending machines and the
like.
Another object is to minimize the time required after coins are
deposited in vending machines to make the selected vend and to
perform other functions including refunding amounts deposited in
excess of the vend price.
Another object is to minimize maintenance and downtime on vending
machines and the like.
Another object is to provide a control circuit for vending machines
and the like which is relatively unaffected by power interruption
and other transient conditions and which is also able to operate
reliably under almost any environmental conditions.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after considering the following detailed
specification which covers a preferred embodiment thereof in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit constructed
according to the present invention; and,
FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the details of a
particular embodiment of the control circuit of FIG. 1.
Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers,
number 10 refers generally to a control circuit constructed
according to the present invention. The circuit 10 is constructed
to control the various operations of vending machines and other
money or coin-controlled devices, and in particular those machines
capable of vending items at costs which can be selected by the one
servicing the machine and not ordinarily by the customer and also
those machines capable of refunding amounts deposited therein in
excess of the selected cost of a vended item. The circuit 10
operates in conjunction with and receives input signals from a coin
unit 12 on the vending machine. The input signals received are fed
to accumulator means 14 shown as magnetic core accumulation means,
which respond to these signals by accumulating therein an amount
equal to the money value of the deposits. When the amount
accumulated in the accumulator means 14 equals or exceeds the price
of the selected article the subject circuit will be conditioned to
cause several different things to happen including the energizing
of means to initiate a vend operation as will be explained. Any
amount deposited in the machine in excess of the selected vend
price will be accumulated in a payback counter circuit 16 and upon
initiation of a vend operation will set in motion means for
refunding amounts accumulated in the payback counter, means for
resetting the accumulator means 14 to some preestablished reset
condition in readiness for the next vend operation and means for
performing other control functions as will be explained.
Several different embodiments for the magnetic accumulator means 14
are disclosed and may be used without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. In the preferred form of the present device
specific types of magnetic core accumulator means are used but
other types are also possible. It is also preferred wherever
possible to construct the accumulator means as well as the rest of
the circuitry utilizing solid-state components for reliability and
dependability and to minimize the size, weight, and bulkiness and
make the device as trouble free as possible. Size and bulk
limitations are particularly important limitations in a plug-in
type of control which is to be used in machines that have
relatively little space availability.
The subject circuit 10 is designed to be used in conjunction with
the coin-receiving unit 12 of a vending machine as aforesaid, and
the unit 12 is shown in FIG. 1 in a simplified schematic form
having provision for receiving deposits of nickels, dimes, and
quarters. To this end the unit has a nickel switch 18, a dime
switch 20 and a quarter switch 22. The nickel switch 18 is
constructed and positioned in the coin unit to have its normally
opened contacts close once for the deposit of each nickel, dime or
quarter and to reclose its normally closed contacts as soon as the
coin has passed. The dime switch 20, on the other hand, is
constructed and positioned to have its normally open contacts close
once for the deposit of each dime and quarter coin and to reclose
its normally closed contacts when the coin has passed. By the same
token, the normally open contacts of the quarter switch 22 close
once for the deposit of each quarter and reopen immediately after
the quarter has passed or moved out of contact therewith. Coin
units having these general characteristics are known and available
commercially.
The movable contacts of the nickel and dime switches 18 and 20 are
shown connected between an input voltage source labeled +VDC and
the input side of the accumulator 14 so that the accumulator 14
receives an input signal whenever the normally open contacts of the
switches close and again thereafter when the normally closed switch
contacts reclose. This means that two separate input signals are
sent to the accumulator 14 for each coin that moves past either the
nickel or the dime switch 18 or 20. The quarter switch 22 is also
connected to the input voltage source but it produces only one
input impulse each time it is operated by a coin because only its
normally open contacts have an output connection. The single input
signal produced by each closing of the quarter switch 22 is used to
directly cause a vend operation to take place as will be shown and
it is not fed as an input to the accumulator circuit 14.
The accumulator 14 has three output connections labeled 15.cent.,
20.cent. and 25.cent., and in the particular embodiment shown, a
selected one of these connections is always connected to the first
input of vend control means 24 through a multiposition price
selection switch 26. The vend control means 24 also have a second
input connected directly from the normally open contacts of the
quarter switch 22. When the vend control 24 receives a signal at
either of its two inputs, either because the proper vend price as
established by price switch 26 has been accumulated in the
accumulator 14 or because of the deposit of a quarter, it produces
an output signal which is fed to the first input of a vend relay
28. The vend relay 28 also has a second input connected to the
normally open contacts of the coin switches 18, 20 and 22, and when
it receives input signals at both of its two inputs, the vend relay
28 is energized to produce a vend operation. This occurs through
mechanism in the vending machine that is associated but not part of
this invention. The vend relay 28 will thereafter be deenergized by
the removal of the input that was produced by the closing of the
normally open coin switch contacts when the actuating coin has
passed the coin switch 18, 20 or 22.
The vend relay 28 also produces an output signal which is sent to
reset means 30, which means have first and second output
connections, the first of which is connected to a reset input of
the accumulator circuit 14 and to a reset input of payback counter
16 to return them to a predetermined initial condition. The second
output of the reset means 30 is connected to the first of two
inputs of a gate circuit 32. The gate 32 has a second input
connected to receive the same signals which are sent to the vend
relay 28 due to the closing of the normally open contacts of the
coin switches 18 and 20. The gate circuit 32 produces an output
which is sent to a second input of the payback counter 16 whenever
a signal is received at the second input within a short time after
an input has been received at the first. This happens whenever a
dime is deposited in the coin unit when only 5.cent. more was
required to equal the vend price. Therefore the output of the gate
32 is connected to enter a count of "one" representing 5.cent. in
the payback counter 16 under these circumstances.
In addition to the inputs from the reset means 30 and the gate 32,
the payback counter 16 has third and fourth inputs connected
respectively to contacts of a second price multiposition selection
switch 34 labeled 15.cent. and 20.cent.. The second price selection
switch 34 is mechanically ganged to the first price selection
switch 26 and it conducts signals from the normally open contacts
of the quarter switch 22 whenever it is in either its 15 or
20.cent. position. In the device as shown, there is no need for an
input connection between the 25.cent. position of switch 34 and the
payback counter because obviously no amount need be paid back when
a quarter is deposited for a 25.cent. item. The signal conducted to
the payback counter 16 at the third or 15.cent. input is for
entering a count of "two" or 10.cent. in the payback counter
because this signal is generated only when a quarter has been
deposited for a 15.cent. vend. The means in the counter 16 for
making the entry will be described in connection with FIG. 2. Input
signals present at the second or gate input, or the fourth or
20.cent. input are connected to cause a count of "one" or 5.cent.
to be entered in the counter 16 because such input signals are
generated by the deposit of 5.cent. too much such as by the deposit
of a dime when only a nickel more is needed as aforesaid or the
deposit of a quarter for a 20.cent. vend. A signal at the reset or
first input to the payback counter 16 resets a first portion of the
payback counter 16 while the other portion is reset by other means
as will be shown.
When a count of "one" or "two" is entered into the payback counter
16 by inputs present at the gate 32 or at the switch 34, a payback
output signal is sent to the input of a payback motor control 36
which in turn causes a payback motor 38 to operate to refund a coin
of the lowest denomination acceptable in the machine which in the
circuit described is a nickel. The payback motor 38 in turn cycles
the payback reset switch means 40 to close its normally open
contacts which conduct a first reset switch signal from a positive
voltage source labeled +VDC to the counter 16 and to the
accumulator 14 to reset both as was done by the reset means 30
described above. When the switch 40 recloses at the end of the
payback cycle it sends a second input to reset the other portion of
the payback counter 16 and to cause a second refund to be made if a
count of "two" had been entered in the payback counter 16 through
the switch 34. The operation of the payback motor 38 will continue
until the payback counter 16 is returned to a "zero" count and at
that point the vend will have already been initiated, the
accumulator 14 and the payback counter 16 will have been reset to
predetermined conditions, and all amounts deposited in excess of
the selected price of the vend will have been refunded. The circuit
10 will then be in its initial or reset condition ready for the
deposit of more coins for another vend.
The circuit as shown in FIG. 1 also includes a power supply portion
42 which is constructed and connected to supply the necessary DC
operating voltages to the circuit. The power supply 42 may be of a
well-known construction and is shown connected to an AC source. The
relays and other operating components of the vending machine on
which the subject control means are installed are likewise not part
of this invention and for the most part are of known
constructions.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the details of the circuit
connections and the circuit elements employed in a particular
embodiment of the circuit 10. The particular circuit shown is based
on the block diagram of FIG. 1 and is for use in a vending machine
having a coin unit 12 capable of accepting nickels, dimes and
quarters. The circuit as shown is arbitrarily constructed to be
used to vend items costing 15, 20 or 25.cent. each. It should be
apparent, however, that with slight modification, the coin unit may
be made to accept other coin denominations including foreign and
token coinage, and the circuit can also be made to control vends
costing other amounts as well. Furthermore, the circuit as shown is
constructed to be used where the value of the largest acceptable
coin denomination is equal to the highest price vend. This can also
be modified if desired. The coins acceptable, and the selectable
vend prices are chosen to simplify the understanding and
explanation of the circuit but obviously are not limiting factors.
The elements and connections of the circuit shown in FIG. 2
wherever possible are identified by the same numbers as used in
FIG. 1.
The coin switches 18, 20 and 22 are located in the coin unit 12 as
aforesaid, and are actuated or closed by movements of coins thereby
to produce input signals for the circuit 10 that are used to
control the various operations of the subject circuit and of the
vending machine on which it is used. The accumulator circuit 14 is
shown in FIG. 2 as including nine serially interconnected magnetic
core members 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59. The magnetic
cores 51 through 59 function to accumulate the money value of coins
deposited in the coin unit 12 and produce control outputs for use
by other portions of the circuit and by the vending machine as will
be explained.
Each magnetic core including the associated input and output coils
and circuitry makes up a magnetic core stage. When a current is
passed through an input winding of a core stage, the orientation of
the magnetic flux in the core member will either change rapidly or
not at all, depending on the previous flux condition of the core,
the polarity of the current flowing in the winding, and the
direction the current passes through the winding. To make the
explanation easier and less confusing, only positive magnetizing
currents to input windings and positive currents from output
windings will be used but it should be understood that negative
currents could also be used if desired. In this connection the top
of each winding is identified in the usual manner with a dot and
the so-called bottom of each winding is not identified by any
symbol. By definition a positive magnetizing current applied to the
bottom of a winding will cause the magnetic core involved to be in
a "reset" flux condition while application of a positive
magnetizing current to the top of a winding will cause the
associated core to be in a "set" condition. If a core is "set"
initially and a positive current is applied to the bottom of its
input winding the core will change to a "reset" condition, and the
changing flux will produce a positive current in all of its
associated output windings. If a positive current is then applied
to the top of an input winding, the core "sets" and the changing
flux will attempt to produce a negative current in the output
windings. All such negative output currents are blocked by diodes
as will be shown and only positive outputs will be utilized in the
circuit to produce any further results.
When the normally open contacts of the nickel switch 18 are closed
by movement of a coin thereby, a first input is fed from a positive
potential source labeled "+" through a surge limiting resistor 62
and the normally closed contacts of the dime switch 20 to an input
circuit which includes a series connected pulse forming network
including a resistor 64 and a capacitor 66 connected in parallel.
This positive current input from switch 18 is then conducted
through a lower shift buss 67 which includes series connected input
windings on cores 51, 53, 55, 57 and 59 to ground. The input
windings in the lower shift buss 67 are all connected so that the
positive input enters the bottom of each winding, identified by its
associated core number and the suffix "a," and therefore the
positive current input on the buss 67 causes cores 51, 53, 55, 57
and 59 to be in a "reset" condition. The initial condition of the
cores due to the previous operation of the circuit as will be
explained is such that the core 51 is in a "set" condition while
all of the other cores 52 through 59 are "reset." The first input
current therefore causes core 51 to change from a "set" condition
to a "reset" condition while cores 53, 55, 57 and 59 do not change,
since they are already in their "reset" conditions. The cores 51
through 59 are serially connected by pairs of input and output
windings and diodes which are for blocking negative currents. The
serially connecting windings are identified by their associated
core numbers and the suffix "x" while the connected input windings
are identified by their associated core numbers and the suffix "b."
The input windings "b" and their associated diodes are oriented so
that only the positive output from a winding "x" can flow into the
top of the connected input winding "b" and produce a "set" of the
core on which the input winding "b" is wound. For example, when due
to the deposite of a first coin the normally open contacts of
switch 18 close to produce an input on the lower shift buss 67 and
the core 51 changes from a "set" to a "reset" condition as
aforesaid, a positive output is produced in its output winding 51x
which passes through negative current blocking diode 68 to the
input winding 52b of the core 52. This positive current passes into
the top of winding 52b and therefore causes core 52 to change from
its initial "reset" condition to a "set" condition. This change in
the condition of core 52 produces no output on winding 52x since
the connection between winding 52x and the input winding 53b of
core 53 includes a diode 70 which blocks the negative current that
would otherwise flow.
When the normally closed contacts of the nickel switch 18 reclose
as the actuating coin passes on through, another positive input
signal is conducted from the positive potential source through the
resistor 62, the switch 20 and to and through another pulse forming
network including parallel connected resistor 72 and capacitor 74
to the upper shift buss 75 which conducts the signal through other
input windings identified by the suffix "c" on cores 51, 52, 54,
56, and 58 and then to ground. The upper shift buss 75 conducts the
positive current into the top of input winding 51c and into the
bottoms of inputs windings 52c, 54c, 56c and 58c. A signal passing
through the upper shift buss 75 therefore "sets" the core 51 and
"resets" the other cores. Since cores 54, 56 and 58 are still in
their initial "reset" condition at this time, they do not change
condition and remain "reset." However, the core 51 is returned to
its "set" condition and the core 52 is returned to its "reset"
condition. When the core 52 is changed from a "set " to a "reset"
condition, it produces a positive output in its winding 52x and
through the negative current blocking diode 70 to the winding 53b
of the core 53 which causes the core 53 to change to a "set"
condition. Therefore, after a coin has passed through the switch 18
and thereby produced two input signals to the accumulator 14 the
accumulator cores will be in a condition in which the cores 51 and
53 are "set" and the rest are "reset." This is the condition
representing the deposit of one coin of lowest acceptable
denomination which in the case considered is a nickel.
If a dime or quarter was the first coin deposited or if a second
nickel is deposited in the coin unit 12, it will again first cause
an input current to be sent along the lower shift buss 67 and then
secondly cause an input current to be sent along the upper shift
buss 75 by the operation of the switch 20 or 18 respectively. Since
an input current in the lower shift buss 67 causes the cores 51,
53, 55, 57 and 59 whose input windings "a" are connected thereto to
change from a "set" condition if it exists to a "reset" condition
both the cores 51 and 53 will be so affected. Changing these cores
from "set" to "reset" conditions produces output currents on their
respective output windings 51x and 53x which currents pass through
their associated negative current blocking diodes 68 and 76 and
through the input windings 52b and 54b to change the flux condition
of the next succeeding cores 52 and 54 so that the cores 52 and 54
then change to their "set" conditions. The second signal in the
upper shift buss 75 then "sets" the core 51 and "resets" the cores
52 and 54 which thereby causes the cores 53 and 55 to change to
their "set" condition as did the core 53 due to the deposit of the
first coin. Therefore, after the deposit of two nickels or one dime
or quarter, the accumulator 14 will be in a condition wherein the
cores 51, 53 and 55 are in a "set" condition and the cores 52, 54,
56, 57 and 58 and 59 are in the "reset" condition which represents
the entry into the accumulator 14 of an amount equal to a deposit
of 10.cent.. If a dime or quarter had been deposited initially the
second pair of inputs would have been produced by the dime switch
20 instead of by nickel switch 18 first by the closing of its
normally open contacts and then by the reclosing of its normally
closed contacts. The first input of the pair of inputs so produced
is fed directly to the pulse forming network of the lower shift
buss 67 while the second is fed to the pulse forming network of the
upper shift buss 75 through the normally closed contacts of the
coin switch 18. If a quarter had been deposited additional actions
would take place as will be explained.
The deposit of another nickel or a dime when 10.cent. is already
entered in the accumulator 14 will produce another pair of inputs
from the coin switch 18 which will first cause the cores 51, 53 and
55 to change to a "reset" condition thus "setting" the cores 52, 54
and 56. If the price selector switch 26 which is similar to the
switch 26 of FIG. 1 is in its 15.cent. position, a positive current
will be generated in an output winding 55y on the core 55 when the
core 55 changes from its "set" to its "reset" condition, and this
output will be conducted to the vend control means 24 to produce a
vend operation or cycle as will be explained. Otherwise, the second
input is applied to the upper shift buss 75 as before and the cores
51, 53, 55 and 57 will change to their "set" conditions, and the
cores 52, 54 and 56 will change to their "reset" conditions. The
cores 58 and 59 will remain in their initial "reset" condition.
This condition of the cores in the accumulator 14 represents an
entry therein equal to a deposit of 15.cent..
If a dime was last deposited or if another nickel is deposited in
the machine another pair of inputs will be produced either by the
dime switch 20 or the nickel switch 18 respectively which will
first cause the cores 51, 53, 55 and 57 to change to their "reset"
conditions thereby setting the cores 52, 54, 56 and 58. If the
price selector switch 26 is in the 20.cent. position a positive
current will be generated in output winding 57y when the core 57
changes from its "set" to its "reset" condition, and this current
will be conducted to the vend control means 24 to produce a vend as
will be described. Otherwise the second input produced by the
closing of the coin switch 20 (or 18) will be applied to the upper
shift buss 75 as before and the cores 51, 53, 55, 57 and 59 will
change to a "set" condition and the cores 52, 54, 56 and 58 to a
"reset" condition. This condition of the cores in the accumulator
14 represents the deposit of 20.cent..
If another nickel or a dime is now deposited with 20.cent. in the
accumulator 14 and the price selector switch 26 in the 25.cent.
position, the coin switch 18 will produce a pair of input signals
the first on the lower shift buss 67 and the second on the upper
shift buss 75 as before which signals will result in the core 59
changing from a "set" to a "reset" condition and producing an
output on its output winding 59y which passes through the 25.cent.
position of the price selector switch 26 into the vend control
means 24 to produce a vend. After this input to the upper shift
buss 75, the cores 51, 53, 55, 57 and 59 will be in a "set"
condition and cores 52, 54, 56 and 58 will be in a "reset"
condition. If a dime had been last deposited, the second pair of
inputs caused by the switch 20 would have been switched by a gate
32 to the payback counter 16 to cause a payback of the excess
nickel as will be explained. This same action takes place any time
a dime is deposited and only a nickel more is needed to equal the
vend price regardless of whether the price switch 26 and hence the
vend price was in the 15.cent., 20.cent. or 25.cent. position.
The price switch 26 connects output signals from the accumulator 14
to the vend control means 24 through a series connected diode 78.
The diode 78 is oriented to block negative currents produced in the
outputs windings 55y, 57y and 59y when the associated cores 55, 57
and 59 change from their "reset" to their "set" conditions. The
diode 75 also isolates the "y" windings from the positive signals
sent from the quarter switch 22 to the vend control 24 by a more
direct route. The outputs that pass through the price selection
switch 26 from the cores are of very short time duration and are
too short to turn on a device such as a silicon controlled
rectifier (SCR) directly so instead they are stored in a capacitor
80 which is connected between the output side of the diode 78 and
ground. The diode 78 also prevents the charge stored on the
capacitor 80 from flowing back through the connected output "y"
windings of the cores 55, 57 or 59 to ground, and instead the
charge flows through a resistor 82 connected at one end to the
junction between the diode 78 and the capacitor 80 to the control
element of SCR 84 which is in the vend control 24. The circuit
which includes the capacitor 80 and the resistor 82 has a time
constant that is long enough to turn on the SCR 84 if there is a
voltage being applied across its anode and cathode.
The cathode of the SCR 84 is grounded as shown and its anode is
connected through the vend relay 28 and through an isolation diode
86 to the normally open contacts of the coin switches 18 and 20 and
through an isolation diode 88 to the normally open contacts of the
quarter switch 22. A positive voltage is applied to the anode of
SCR 84 whenever the normally open contacts of the coin switches 18,
20 or 22 are closed. This always happens at the same time a vend
control signal if appropriate is applied through the selector
switch 26 to the control element of the SCR 84 which causes the SCR
84 to turn on. When current flows in the SCR 84 it also flows
through the coil winding 90 of the relay 28 thereby pulling in the
vend relay contacts 92 which operate mechanisms in the vending
machine that produce a vend cycle.
The opening or return to normal of the coin switches removes the
positive voltage from the anode of the SCR 84 and this causes the
relay 28 to be deenergized. The connection between the diodes 86
and 88 and to the vend relay coil 90 is grounded through a circuit
which includes series connected resistor 98 and capacitor 100 which
together form a charge-storage network. The charge-storage network
maintains holding current on the SCR 84 in the event a switch
bounce occurs when a coin closes the normally open contacts of coin
switch 18, 20 or 22. This feature prevents improper multiple vends
as well as other improper actions from occurring. Another diode 102
is connected in parallel across the vend relay coil 90 to prevent
transient voltages from being generated when the inductive field of
the vend relay 28 collapses as it is deenergized. Series connected
resistor 104 and capacitor 106 are also connected between the anode
of the SCR 84 and ground and form another charge-storage network to
prevent voltage from being applied at too fast a rate to the SCR 84
which otherwise might cause it to turn on prematurely. A resistor
108 is also connected between the control OR gate element of the
SCR 84 and its grounded cathode to prevent the SCR 84 from turning
on prematurely at high temperatures due to leakage currents.
When an input signal is produced by the closing of the normally
open contacts of the quarter switch 22, a positive input passes not
only through diode 88 and the vend relay coil 90 to place a
positive voltage across the SCR 84 but also through a pulse forming
network made up of parallel connected resistor 110 and capacitor
112 and through an isolation diode 114 to the junction between the
diode 78 and the capacitor 80. This signal is then applied through
the resistor 82 to the control element of the SCR 84 causing it to
turn on and energize the vend relay 28. It can be seen therefore
that even though a quarter passing through the coin unit 12 will
actuate the coin switches 18 and 20 and produce a count of 10 in
the accumulator 14, it will also actuate the quarter switch 22 to
produce a vend operation directly without requiring any output from
the accumulator 14.
When the vend relay 28 is energized, the relay contacts 92 close on
their normally open sides as do other normally open relay reset
contacts 116 which are included in the reset means 30 of FIG. 1.
One side of the normally open relay reset contacts 116 are
connected through a negative current blocking diode 118 and a pulse
shaping network including parallel connected resistor 120 and
capacitor 122 to a grounded reset buss 123 which includes series
connected reset input windings identified by the suffix "r" on the
cores 52 through 59 of the accumulator 14. The reset buss 123 also
has in series therewith an input winding to the payback counter 16
which will be explained later. The reset input windings "r" in the
accumulator 14 are all oriented so that positive current available
thereto when the relay reset contacts 116 close enters the bottom
of each "r" winding and causes the associated cores 52 through 59
to be in a "reset" condition which is also their initial condition.
This, of course, means that the cores 52--59 will be placed in
their initial or "reset" condition after the initiation of each
vend operation. The other side of the reset switch 30 is connected
to the first input of the gate 32 so that when the relay reset
contacts 116 close they connect the gate 32 to the ground potential
of the reset buss 123 to open the gate 32 as will be shown.
The reset buss 123 also has a connection to the normally open
contacts of the switch 40 which is actuated by operation of the
payback motor 38. When the switch 40 moves to its normally open
position due to operation of the payback motor 38, a positive
current is fed from a positive potential source "+" through a surge
limiting resistor 124 along the reset buss 123 which also causes
the cores 52 through 59 of the accumulator counter 14 to be
"reset."
The input from the quarter switch 22 when its normally open
contacts close due to the passage of a quarter thereby is also
conducted through another pulse forming network made up of parallel
connected resistor 126 and capacitor 128 to the second
multiposition price selection switch 34 which is mechanically
ganged to operate with the first price selection switch 26. If the
price selection switch 34 is in the 25.cent. position, this input
signal is not conducted further. However, if the switch 34 is in
either its 15 or 20.cent. position this input signal is conducted
to the payback counter 16.
The payback counter 16, like the accumulator 14, can be constructed
along the lines of any suitable counting circuit but is shown
constructed utilizing two multiwinding magnetic core members 131
and 132. More or fewer magnetic core members could be used in the
payback counter 16 to increase or decrease the capacity thereof
but, in the circuit as shown wherein the most that ever need be
paid back by the payback counter is 10.cent., two cores are all
that are really needed.
The payback counter 16 receives signals for producing paybacks
either through the price switch 34 in the 15.cent. or 20.cent.
positions or through the gate 32 when it is open. The price switch
34 when in its 15.cent. condition conducts a positive input signal
from the coin switch 22 to windings on both of the cores 131 and
132 through a connection to ground through series connected input
winding 131e on the core 131 and input winding 132e on the core
132. These windings are oriented so that the positive input signal
enters at the top of the windings and places each of the cores 131
and 132 in a "set" condition. If the price selection switch 34 is
in the 20.cent. position instead of the 15.cent. position the input
signal is conducted through a single grounded input winding 131f on
the core 131. The input current enters the top of winding 131f and
in this case places only the core 131 in its "set" condition.
The other means by which the payback counter 16 can receive input
signals is from the coin switch 20 through the gate 32 to input
winding 131g on the core 131. The output of the gate 32 is a
positive current which passes into the top of grounded input
winding 131g and places the core 131 in a "set" condition. The
payback counter 16 holds a count of zero when both cores are in the
"reset" condition, a count of one when either core 131 or 132 is in
a "set" condition, and a count of two when both cores 131 and 132
are in "set" conditions.
When the core 131 "sets" from its normal "reset" condition, a
positive impulse is generated on output winding 131j which passes
through a negative current blocking diode 134 to the input of the
payback motor control circuit 36 which operates the payback motor
38. As aforesaid, when payback motor 38 operates, the motor switch
40 is moved to its normally open position and this causes a reset
impulse to be applied through the reset buss 123 including winding
131r as well as through the other reset windings 52r--59r to
ground. This changes the condition of the core 131 back to its
normal "reset" condition but produces no output on winding 131j
because of the polarity of the diode 134. When the switch 40
recloses or goes back to its normally closed position due to
operation of the motor 38, a positive impulse is conducted from the
positive potential source through the surge limiting resistor 124
to apply a positive input to the bottom of the input winding 132k
on the core 132. This signal is applied through a pulse forming
network that includes parallel connected resistor 136 and capacitor
138 and causes the core 132 to be in "reset" condition. If the core
132 has been previously changed to a "set" condition by an input
signal from the quarter switch 22 through the price selection
switch 34 when in the 15.cent. position, the core 132 will be
changed from the "set" to a "reset" condition by the reclosing of
the switch 40 thereby producing a positive output on its output
winding 132j. This signal will pass through negative current
blocking diode 140 to the input of the payback motor control
circuit 36 thereby actuating the payback motor 38 a second time. It
can therefore be seen that the payback counter 16 accepts inputs
representing money amounts deposited in excess of an established
vend price and uses this information to control the payback means
including the payback motor 38 to pay back the right amounts of
money.
The outputs from the payback counter 16 to the payback motor
control circuit 36 are temporarily stored on a grounded capacitor
142 which is provided to lengthen or stretch such inputs which may
otherwise be too short in time duration to reliably turn on OR gate
SCR 146 which is in the circuit 36. The diodes 134 and 140 in
addition to performing the function already described, also block
the charge on capacitor 142 and prevent it from flowing back
through and being dissipated through the output windings 131j and
132j of the cores 131 and 132 to ground. The charge instead is only
applied across resistor 144 which is connected on one side to the
junction between the capacitor 142 and the diodes 134 and 140 and
on the opposite side to the gate or control electrode of the SCR
146. The cathode of the SCR 146 is grounded, and a resistor 138 is
connected between the control electrode and ground to prevent the
SCR 146 from turning on prematurely at high temperatures due to
leakage currents. The anode of the SCR 146 is connected to a
payback motor control relay 150 and more specifically to one end of
relay coil 152. A diode 154 is also connected in parallel across
the relay coil 152 to prevent transient voltages from being
generated when the inductive field produced by the payback relay
coil 152 collapses. The opposite side of the relay coil 152 is
connected through an isolation diode 156, the normally closed
contacts of the payback motor switch 40 and the surge limiting
resistor 124 to the positive potential source. When the relay 150
is energized due to the turning on of the SCR 146 it completes a
power circuit from power lead L.sub.1 to power lead L.sub.2 through
the payback motor 38 and through relay contacts 158 to energize the
payback motor 38. The payback motor 38 also has means such as a cam
assembly which cause a second motor switch 160 connected between
the power source L.sub.1 and the payback motor to close for a
proper duration to assure that the payback motor will complete its
operating cycle each time it is energized to payback one coin. As
the payback motor 38 approaches the end of its cycle, other means
cause the switch 40 to briefly close on its normally open side and
thereafter return to its normally closed condition. This sends a
signal to the payback counter core reset winding 131r which causes
core 131 to be in a "reset" condition as aforesaid. This also
interrupts the holding current on the SCR 146 which current is
applied through the diode 156 and through the relay coil 152
thereby restoring the SCR 146 to its nonconducting condition and at
the same time deenergizing the relay 150. When the normally closed
contacts of the switch 40 reclose they send an impulse to the
payback counter core winding 132k which causes the core 132 to be
in a "reset" condition in readiness for the next payback cycle. A
grounded series connected resistor 162 and capacitor 164 form a
storage circuit between the diode 156 and the relay 150 to make
sure that the positive potential is not applied so quickly by the
switch 40 to the anode of the SCR 146 that it undesirably turns on
again.
The gate circuit 32 which passes nickel payback inputs to the
payback counter 16, includes a resistor 170 and a capacitor 172
connected in series between a positive potential source and ground.
Lead 174 connects the junction between the resistor 170 and the
capacitor 172 to another junction between two series connected
resistors 176 and 178. The opposite side of resistor 176 is
connected between one side of a negative current blocking diode 180
and a bypass capacitor 182, and the opposite side of the capacitor
182 is connected to the gate input winding 131g of the core 131.
The resistor 178 is connected on its opposite side from lead 174
and resistor 176 to the movable contact 116 of the reset switch 30.
When the reset switch 30 closes it provides a ground potential to
the gate 32 as aforesaid and the capacitor 172 is discharged
through the resistor 178. The resistor 170 through which the
capacitor 172 is recharged is chosen to be relatively large with
respect to the resistor 178 so the potential on lead 174 approaches
zero or near zero when the reset switch 30 is closed. This removes
the diode back biasing positive charge from the capacitor 182 which
is normally applied through the resistor 176 from the capacitor 172
for a period of time after the reset switch 170 recloses which is
determined by the value of the resistor 170. The diode 180 is
connected to the normally open contacts of coin switches 18 and 20.
The positive impulses generated when either switch 18 or 20 closes,
which impulse is normally blocked, can then pass through diode 180
and capacitor 182 to ground through input winding 131g of the core
131 to place it in a "set" condition and cause a payback of one
coin for the time period that it takes the capacitor 172 to
recharge. The recharge time period involved is slightly longer than
the time it takes a dime to leave the nickel coin switch 18 and
close the dime coin switch 20. Of course in the circuit as shown
only the switch 20 has an opportunity to pass a signal through the
gate 32 as the gate is never open when a nickel is deposited unless
two coins were deposited almost simultaneously. The function of the
gate 32 is to cause the payback of a nickel when a dime is the last
coin deposited and when it adds with the previously deposited coins
to make a total deposit of 5.cent. too much. This happens, for
example, when two dimes are deposited for a 15.cent. vend or when
four nickels and then a dime are deposited for a 25.cent. vend.
The power supply 42 for the circuit of FIG. 2 is constructed to
produce a positive direct current source, and includes a current
rectifier diode 190 whose cathode is connected to the positive DC
potential source "+" and to a charge storage capacitor 192. The
anode of diode 190 is connected to another capacitor 194 and
through a current limiting resistor 196 to the power lead L.sub.2.
The opposite sides of capacitors 192 and 194 are connected to
grounded input lead L.sub.1 as shown.
By properly arranging the circuit connections including the
connections to the accumulator circuit 14 the price selection
switches 26 and 34, the gate 32 and the payback counter 16 it is
possible to establish vend prices other than those which are shown
in the particular embodiment illustrated and described herein. It
is also possible to increase or decrease the capacity of the
accumulator 14 and the payback counter 16 by increasing or
decreasing the number of cores contained therein. The subject
circuit 10 can also be modified for use with a greater number or
different coin denominations and to be used with foreign and token
coinage by modifying or changing the coin unit 12.
Thus there has been shown and described a novel coin control means
for use in vending machines and similar devices which fulfill all
of the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes,
modifications, variations, adaptations and other uses and
applications of the subject control means will, however, become
apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this
specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose one of
many possible embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications,
variations, adaptations and other uses and applications which do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to
be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims
which follow.
* * * * *