Apparatus and method for securely monitoring the sales transactions of bulk vending machines
US7083036B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q20/20
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for securely monitoring the sales transactions in bulk vending machines, said apparatus comprising at least one bulk vending machine having a coin mechanism. The coin mechanism includes a coin plate; a selectively rotatable shaft extending radially therefrom; a coin shuttle, a cam-bearing lobe and a coin mechanism adapter plate co-axially and collectively located around the selectively rotatable shaft; and a first switch and a second switch. The first and second switches are fixedly mounted and oriented on the coin mechanism adapter plate so that the maximum amount of backlash in the coin mechanism is less than the angular spread of the switches. The coin mechanism further includes a microprocessor having a sales counter; and means for communicatingly connecting the first and second switches to said microprocessor, whereby the microprocessor will advance the sales counter one numeric count and record a single vend only after the cam-borne lobe contacts and completely closes both first and second switches, when it is rotated as a result of a coin deposited in the coin mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.