GB1130968A - Vending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,130,968. Article dispensing apparatus. TATEISI ELECTRONICS CO. 4 July, 1966 [10 July, 1965], No. 29951/66. Heading A4T. Vending apparatus is provided with a number of credit card actuated selling machines A, B, C, Fig. 1 (not shown), connected to a common unit R, for checking a card, recording a transaction and permitting vending from a machine, by circuits which lock out the other machines when one is connected to the unit. The transaction takes place in a first stage in which the correct positioning of a metal insert on the inserted card, via proximity switch 24, Fig. 2, illuminates at 25 a transparent card portion for a photoelectric reader 26, 28 and, via relay X1 and bistable circuit F1, allows a calling signal from continuous pulse generator PG to pass at 31A (or 31B, 31C), Figs. 2, 3, to unit R, R accepts the signal if it is not occupied with other calls, via a changed over bistable switch, e.g. F41, Fig. 3, and, via OR gates (O41-O43), blocks the bistable switches F42, F43 associated with the other machines and returns a "first arrival" signal to the machine via e.g. 32A which cancels the calling signal and prepares AND gates A1, A2 controlling card acceptance and reject circuits, and to AND gates A101-2, A201-2, A301-2 whereby a customer's number read from the card is checked against an "invalid number" store 7, Fig. 1, and proved to comprise four digits by a circuit, Fig. 4 (not shown). The card availability period is read and checked at 28, and if the card is acceptable in all respects, a relay X2 actuated via AND gates A4, A1 and receiving valid card signal at 61, energizes a price selection circuit in the machine and cancels the "first arrival" signal so that unit R is free to accept other calling signals. If the card is unacceptable, solenoid SO is energized via NOT circuit N2, or invalid card signal line 62, through OR circuit 03, AND circuit A2 and relay X3. A second stage of the transaction begins with the approved customer operating an article price selection switch S1-S3 which via a holding relay AX11 or 21 or 31 sends a calling signal to unit R which, as before, returns a "first arrival" signal enabling the customers' number via 30A and a digital price from diode matrix DM and lines 34 to reach a record device 8 via lines 43, 44, after which an "end of record" signal at 81 releases the card and energizes an article release circuit so that custom closing of a switch AS1-AS4 energizes an article release solenoid M1-M2. The relay AX4 then opens contact AX41 to release holding relay AX5 which returns the machine to initial condition and the "first arrival" signal is cancelled to again free unit R. If single price articles are sold from a machine, the second stage may follow immediately after the first.