FR2542115A1 - Crediting device with an electronic key for an automatic dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electronic payment using an electronic key 3 managed by a microprocessor 21 allowing access to automatic dispensers via interfaces 25 and relays 27, within the limits of the credit available in the electronic key which is displayed at 1. A keyboard 4 allows coding of the prices and loading of the key.

Description

OBJECT - The subject of the invention is the use of an electronic key with programmable memory to obtain a product of a given value from an automatic distributor, this value being accumulated or debited from the electronic key (according to the program included in the key), simultaneously with the authorization to open the airlock containing the chosen product.

 Standard distributors comprising the means of indicating to the dito device the choice of the selected product, this device is therefore universal and can replace all existing coinage systems, using coins or banknotes.

DESCRIPTION - A lock (2) for reading the electronic memory key.

- An electronic key (3) charged with the representative electronic value
ve a sum of money, available or representing the cumulative values
debited, according to the code included in the key.

 - A display (1) visible to the user.

This display will indicate the amount available or accumulated in the key
electronic and then the new balance after the last selection
of product has been made.

- An indoor box including as part of ~ the invention:
a) - A removable coding keyboard (4) for programming the price
of the product assigned to each channel of the distributor.

This keyboard also allows you to enter the amount of the
credit, or to erase (with payment at a cash register) the entire cu
mul of purchases.

In accordance with the invention, the storage of prices corresponding to
each channel is carried out in a “read only” memory avoiding any loss
indication in the event of a power failure.

According to the invention, the interfacing device allows the
choice of coding either locally or remotely.

b) - A power interface (5) enabling the motors to be controlled,
electro-valves or electromagnets for opening airlocks.

The control circuits (16) of this interface are of the insulated type
galvanically either OPTO-TTAC or OPTO-RESISTANCE.

 The number of routes is not limiting.

c) - A price selection interface (25). Galvanic isolation is
provided by opto-electronic couplers (15). Protection in
in reverse voltage is provided by the diodes (26), in opposition to
optocoupler terminals.

d) - The microprocessor card (9) includes the elements allowing
- Programming of prices using the keyboard (4)
- Storage in (24) for transfer of the price selected by Il of 24
in 21.

- The cumulative count of operations selected by lines 11
(non-limiting number) is provided by microprocessors, this accumulation
will be added or subtracted from the key (3) by the serializer (7)
and the read-write box (6).

The key contains the order of addition or subtraction, in accordance
to the invention.

Each line (11) corresponds to a program price in the same
removable dead memory (23) or (22) which is a key that can be left
permanently installed, after programming outside the system.

DETAILED PRINCIPLE:
The order of the opening device is only made under conditions a) - that the key is sufficiently credited compared to the choice of the utility
sator, in the case of a prior credit (case of programmed keys
in downcounting).

b) - That the key be recognized as belonging to the organization of dis
automatic contribution.

c) - the safety of the dispenser is positive.

d) - that the counterparts of the micropocessor are positive.

Down counting position: (subtraction)
The electronic key is credited with any amount, it is coded to be deducted.

In accordance with the invention a) - The electronic key therefore receives an identification code, installa
tion and a countdown code.

b) - The credit information code: this code is changed with each exchange
to represent the new count available, result of the die
deduction of the amount of the purchase.

In accordance with the invention, the count is made before the previous content of the electronic key is erased. The instant of the transfer of information is secured against micro-cuts in the network by an energy reserve of a few seconds (by capacitor) or several seconds (by battery);
Still within the framework of the invention, a coding keyboard, portable or fixed, allows the operator of the distributor to assign at will the representative price of the product corresponding to each box. The price code is stored in an "erased" memory with electrical erasure in the same way as the memory of the electronic key.

Due to the memory principle used, there is no limit to the number of prizes stored.

IMPORTANT s
The prices will be stored in a withdrawable memory. It is possible, in accordance with the invention, to prepare the storage of prices outside the machine or to use one machine to program another after transfer, by an accredited operator, of the price memory
In accordance with the invention, the device is intended to be connected to central management from a computer, in this case, the hardware is supplemented by a standardized interface - Type RS 232 or other.

In the context of the invention, it is specified that the circuits provided for the use of a dead electronic memory key, with electrical erasure, ftEARIM ", include the following provisions - The key is connected to a specialized circuit allowing writing and
erasing, starting from a power supply, filtered direct current.

This circuit has two outputs that can receive either two electric keys
tronic, i.e. a key and a mobile memory also of the EAROM type,
but physically, presented in a removable case.

In either case, the first key is used as described in
the previous paragraphs, while the second key or the amo memory
vible contain The instructions relating to the prices assigned by a keyboard.

In the case of the use of a second key, it is therefore possible to carry out the programming of the prices outside the machine and to come then insert in this latter this second key without an operator being obliged to come and do the program there.

The first key that can be used outside the machine retains the same performance as described above.

In counting position (addition)
While remaining within the framework of the invention, it is possible to sum up, in the electronic key, the amount of purchases; in this case, the order of summation, in place of the subtraction, of the values extracted from the distributor is given to the microprocessor according to the "counting" program, contained in the key, which will have been incorporated using the programming keyboard.

As a variant, line (19) is used for resetting price selections to zero, in the case of loading the keys using a coin mechanism.

BENEFITS
The fundamental advantages of the system are a) - No need to raise the cash boxes t this avoiding the
break-in attempts.

b) - Possibility to remotely manage the movement of distributors (ges
tion centralism).

c) - Possibility of allocating unrounded prices d) - Interchangeability with existing monnayeyrs.

e) - The coin acceptors are more to be calibrated according to the existing currencies
aunts in each country.

 1 - Digital or alphanumeric display.

2 - Lock (reading module - electronic key)
3 - Electronic memory key.

 4 - Removable price coding.

 5 - Power interfacing for control of distributor openings.

 6 - writing module.

7 - Acia (transformation of parallel data into serial data)
8 - Energy reserve system (capacitor and, or battery)
9 - Micro card 10 - Electromagnet or solenoid valve or opening motor control.

11 - Selection of order prices from outside.

12 - Machine safety indication (mime interfacing as 11) 13 - Electronic memories (PROm) 14 - Amplifiers (BUFFER) 15 - Galvanic isolation of price selections 16 - Galvanic isolation of orders of 10.

17 - Neutral 18 - V 50/60 HZ power supply.

19 - Micro security.

20 - Removable ROM software 'EAROM).

21 - management micro processor.

22 - price memory on key.

23 - Price memory.

24 - read memory transfer memory (ERRA).

25 - Price selection interface.

26 - Safety diodes.

27 - Relay for unlocking.

28 - Amplifier-of 27.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS 1o, 1 Electronic payment device for vending machines (for food, or various solid objects) characterized in that it includes an electronic indicator (1) displaying the counterpart of a sum of money contained in the form of codes in the electric key (3).  20) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  fixed code contained in the electronic key. A microprocessor of ges  tion (21) will perform in this electronic key add operations  tion or subtraction.  30) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  interfaces (11) which give orders of addition (or subtrac  tion) with the amount of purchases selected by the operator, including the  coded value is stored beforehand.  40) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  "subtraction" position which authorizes the unlocking of the airlock delivering the  product chosen via the command interfaces (1 O),  insofar as the balance contained in the key is greater than the amount  of the selected purchase.  50) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  removable keyboard (4) which gives the possibility of programming the amount  prices corresponding to each of the selections in lines 11. This  programming is stored in read only memory (EARDm) (23).  50) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the  way to load the keys of a code representing a sum  by keyboard (4) and special key (1).  7) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  special pre-programmed key giving access to the possibility of performing  the programming of the price grid corresponding to lines (11) or  programming the code representing a sum of money contained  in the access keys.  80) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the  way to prepare the price grid for lines (11) outside the sys  and introduce it using a programmed memory key (22)  used in place of (23).  90) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the  means of transmitting to a management computer the movements therein  are carried out, this via a normal transmission circuit  read.  100) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  unlimited number of interfaces, both in the direction of receiving orders  for selecting prices by lines (11) only in the direction of the authorities  the opening of the distributor airlocks by lines 10. 110) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a  management program contained in (20) (basic software), allowing a  great flexibility of adaptation and automatic coding of each  system + key to avoid having a key holder of a system  tribution could use it on another system.