US3165187A

US3165187A - Token device

Info

Publication number: US3165187A
Application number: US221723A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas R Smith
Original assignee: Maytag Corp
Current assignee: Maytag Corp
Priority date: 1962-09-06
Filing date: 1962-09-06
Publication date: 1965-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-12

Description

T.F1 SBAFTH TOKEN DEVICE Jan.l2,l965

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 6, 1962 [g9 //5 aw 2W 07 6 Jan. 12, 1965 T. R. SMITH 3,165,187

TOKEN DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 36 /0 34 27 6 25 l6 5 v Al FUNCTION 6 /20-/Z/ TIM //5-//4 Ila 0N OFF //0 MOTOR RUN /0a-/C9 United States Patent T 3,165,187 TOKEN DEVICE Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 221,723

13 Claims. (Cl. 1944) This invention relates to token-operated devices, and more particularly, to the utilization of tokens having electrically conductive areas for completion of an electrical circuit in order to initiate actuation of a device and'represents an improvement of the invention disclosed and claimed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 83,677,

filed January 19, 1961, and assigned to the assignee ofthe instant application and of which this application forms a continuation-in-part.

While cards, or tickets, containing electrically conductive portions for actuation of a device have been used previously, as for. example in the patents to 'Osteen, 2,073,904, and Noregaard, 2,794,869, there have been several problems. Either the electrically conductive area is exposed to an observer, so that it is readily susceptible to counterfeiting, or it 'is covered by material, 'in order to conceal'i-ts location, which must be pierced for operation. In addition, little consideration has been given in prior use of tokens to the selection of the material for the token base member, or to the utilization of the selected materials characteristics for performing a function in actuating the device. The lack of such requirements has contributed to the ease of counterfeiting prior tokens. Counterfeiting must be prevented; but at the same time, the cards or tickets, and the entire system must be reliable and yet not be prohibitively expensive.

. The present invention embodies a token-operated sys-.

tem for controlling the actuation of a device which requires a thorough verification of the authenticity of the token before the device is actuated, including verification of the material of the token base member as well as verification of the size of the token and electrical circuit contained on the surface of the token.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a system for actuating a device with a token which must be invalidated prior to actuation of the device.

- It is an object of the present invention to provide a' system for the actuation of a device, and tokens usable therewith, which is simple in operation and .yet comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the. invention to provide a system operable by a token which contains electrically conductive portions and which is diflicult tov counterfeit.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a token-operated system which verifies the authenticity of the token before actuation of the device.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a token-operated system in which the characteristics of the material of which the token base member is formed, are utilized in actuating the token-operated device.

-It is another object of the invention to provide a tokenoperated system in which the token is invalidated to pre-' FIGURE 4 is a rear View of the token receiver of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIGURE 3;

1 FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the token receiver, with token inserted, as taken along lines 6. 6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the token of the present invention adapted to be used with the receiver of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a diagram of the control circuitry of the present invention in which switches are shown at their position when the device is in the off condition with a new token having been inserted; and

FIGURE 9. is a diagram illustrating the timeroperation in a washing machine initiated by the token-operated system of the present invention. 7

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a token, receiver 10 having a front plate 11, a top wall 12 in the form of a printed circuit board as best shown in FIGURE 5, and a bottom wall 13 spaced from top wall 12 by contact retainer 14.

Members

12, 13, and 14 are held together in sandwich form by screws 16. This assembly 15 is attached to front plate .11 by screws 17. Front plate 11 is formed with a semicircular recess 18 and slot 19 sized to facilitate insertion of token '1 into slot 20 of assembly 15. Front plate 11 is also formed with studs 21 to facilitate attachment of token receiver 10 to a paneltnot shown) of controlled device.

As best seen in FIGURE 6, bracket 23 is mounted on the top wall 12 and attached with screws 24. Formed in bracket 23 is clutch ramp 25 which in conjunction with spring 26 and roller 27 provides a one-way clutch for engaging inserted token T.

As also shown in FIGURE ,6, contact retainer 14 is formed with several circular holes 29 to accommodate contact spring 30 and contact ball 31 which cooperate to function as contact 32. The contacts 32, provided in each of the holes 29, establish electrical continuity between the printed circuitry of top wall 12 and the upper fully explained hereinafter. As shown in FIGURE 5, the

top wall 12 of the token receiver 10 is in the form of a printed circuit board which provides electrical connections between each of the points of contact 61 through 63 of the contact springs 30 with the printed circuitry of top Wall 12 and corresponding terminal locations 161 through 169 at the inner end of the board. Thus as illustrated, each of the electrical contact points 61 through 69 is electrically connected by printed circuitry to terminals 51 through 57, 59 at the right-hand edge of the top wall :12. Terminals 51, 52, 57 and 59 are all connected to- I pole double throw switch 33. Switch 33 is actuated by pivotal arm 34 which extends downwardly through opening 35 in top wall 12 and contact retainer 14. Pivotal arm 34 terminates at its lower extremity in finger 36 which is abutted by an inserted token T so as to move Patented Jan. 12., 1965.

3 the arm 34 to actuate the normally open contacts of switch 33.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 of the drawing, the token T employed in the present invention has on at least one face thereof electrically conductive material in certain areas. The token may be in the form of a ticket or card. The token has a printed circuit 8 of electrically conductive material on at least one face thereof, arranged so as to be engaged by at least some of the contacts 32. The electrical contacts complete an electrical circuit through the circuit S on the face of the card in order to control operation of the device, and for this reason the conductive material is in a pattern which is related to the arrangement of the electrical contacts. As previously disclosed, this embodiment of the invention utilizes nine contacts which are arranged to engage token T at contact points 71 through 79. Thus it is seen that an electrical circuit will be completed between line 84 and line 86 as follows: line 84 is connected to terminal 54 which is connected electrically to contact point 64 through the printed circuitry of top wall 12, contact 32 provides continuity between point 64 on top wall 12 to point 74 on token T which is electrically connected to point 75 through circuit S of token T, another contact 32 engages token T at point 75 to provide continuity to point 65 on top wall 12 which in turn is electrically connected to terminal 55 through the printed circuitry, terminal 55 is connected to terminal 53 by jumper 82, terminal 53 is connected to contact point 63 by way of printed circuitry of top wall 12, electrical circuit is continued from point 63 to point 73 on token T through contact 32 at this point, point 73 is electrically connected to point 76 through the printed circuit S of token T, point 76 is electrically connected to point 66 through an additional contact 32, point 66 is connected to terminal 56 through the printed circuitry of top wall 12, terminal 56 is in turn connected to line 86 to complete the circuit.

In order to render more dilficult counterfeit duplications of the printed circuit token T and its pattern of electrically conductive material S, the face of the card may additionally contain printed material R which is electrically non-conductive, such as printing ink, in order to disguise and conceal the location and design of the electrically conductive material S. By choosing suitable designs of R and S, the conductive area may be camouflaged. The electrically non-conductive material R is arranged in a pattern so as to be engaged by at least some of the contacts 32 as is the electrically conductive material. The actuation circuit, as will be more fully described hereinafter, requires that selected contacts, which shall be called charging contacts, engage the token at preselected locations on the electrically conductive material to complete a circuit therethrough and also requires that selected other contacts, which shall be called discharging contacts," engage the token at locations which are not electrically connected to any of said charging contacts." In this embodiment the camoufiaging nonconducting material on the surface of token T is used for the contact point for these selected discharging contacts" but it is pointed out that these discharging contacts could engage the token base sheet directly if it be of an elecrically non-conductive material.

The base sheet of the printed circuit card T is preferably disposable, so that it can be invalidated. For this purpose, it may be made of a heat deformable material, such as a thermoplastic, having a plasticizing temperature in a range which permits it to be readily deformed by a heating element. Additional benefits and advantages may be secured with the use of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic which will tend to shrink and contract as with a plastic memory rather than sag or flow as some thermoplastics. These controlled deformation characteristics permit the heat distortion of token T within receiver without the danger of jamming. These deformation characteristics may further be utili ed f performing a function in the actuation of the device and thus secure an additional verification of the authenticity of the token inserted as will be more apparent hereinafter.

For heat deforming the token, a heater lamp 38 is positioned below bottom wall 13 and partially enclosed by reflector shield 39. The heater lamp 38 is secured to bottom wall 13 by insertion of its base into socket 40 which is attached to bottom wall 13 by bracket 41. To facilitate localized heating of token T by heater lamp 38, bottom wall 13 is formed with openings 43 and 44 which thus allow heat from heater lamp 38 to be absorbed at selected portions of token T. Reference is made to FIG- URE 2 wherein the reflector shield and heater lamp are shown partially in phantom outline. Token T is further provided with heat absorbing material U in localized areas which facilitates more rapid heat absorption by the base sheet of token T. Thus when heater 38 is energized, the inserted token T, when formed of a heat deformable material, such as a biaxially oriented thermoplastic, will be rendered plastic, and will tend to shrink and contract. Final invalidation is realized as a result of at least one relatively large deformed area of the token base sheet which alters the physical size of the token to the extent that it cannot be reinserted into receiver 10. It is also within the scope of this invention, however, to submit the token to such heating as would be necessary to cause the circuit of electrically conductive material on the surface of the token to be interrupted and thus render the token invalidated.

The controlled deformation characteristics of the material for the base sheet of token T are utilized in conjunction with the heater lamp 38 as an additional verification of the authenticity of token T. This verification is accomplished by requiring that token T deform or shrink a predetermined amount at the point of abutment of finger 36 of spring-loaded switch 33 before the device may be actuated. This shrinkage is characterized by the tendency of the thermoplastic to pull away from the edges of the original token base member at the localized areas which are juxtaposed to openings 43 and 44 in bottom wall 13. This pulling away from the edges tends to form an indentation in token T as shown by broken line 45 in FIGURE 7. This initial invalidating deformation allows finger 36 of pivot arm 34 to return to its normal position and thus allows switch 33 to complete an electrical circuit for actuating the device' Referring now to FIGURE 8, by way of example, the invention will be described in connection with the control for an automatic washing machine. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be employed with other token-operated devices.

The source of power, such as volt 6O cycle alternating current, is supplied through lines L and L With the machine at the off condition, timer contacts 110 and 111 are open, switch 33 is made to contact 124 and relay switch 126 is open. When token T is inserted into receiver 19, pivotal arm 34 moves to make switch 33 to contact 123 to energize a relay actuation circuit.

The relay actuation circuit is from power line L to lead 87, switch 33 to contact 123, and through lead 88, selenium half wave rectifier 100, resistor 101, to lead 84 at token receiver 10. As previously described, the circuit is completed within token receiver 10 from line 84 to line 86 through terminals 54 and 56, the printed circuitry of top wall 12, two pairs of electrical contacts 32, the electrically conductive material S at two separate locations on the face of token T, and jumper 82 with terminals 53 and 55. This circuit continues from line 86 to one side of capacitance 103. The other side of capacitance 103 is connected to power line L through resistor 107 and timer contacts 115, 116 (normally closed at the start of the cycle of operation) and line 92. Connected in parallel to the capacitance 103 is a gas neon tube 104. The

resisters

101 and 107 in series with the capacitance 103 are of sufficiently high value to keep the current in the circuit completed through the electrical conductive portion S of token T below dangerously high levels to prevent hazards to persons inserting the token T. The resistors, however, allow the charge on the condenser 103 .to build up during the period of time from 1 to 6 seconds to an amount sufiiciently high to fire the neon gas tube 104. The neon gas tube 104 is designed to fire in a range from approximately 68 to 76 volts, so thus when the charge on condenser 103 has achieved this amount, after a period of time determined by

resistors

101 and 107 through recognized capacitance-resistance principles, the gas tube 104 fires. A light responsive resistor, such as the photoelectric cell 105, is positioned at a location to be illumined by the neon gas discharge tube 104. The photoelectric cell 105 is connected on one side to power line L through line 90, line 88, contact 123 of switch 33, and line 87. The other side of the photoelectric cell 105 is connected to power line L through a relay 106, line 91,

timer switch contacts

115, 116, and line 92. The photoelectric cell 105 has a very high resistance when dark; however, when illuminated, its resistance is reduced to a low value so that relay 106 is energized. When relay 106 is energized, it closes

switches

125 and 126 and breaks continuity of switch 128 to contact 130 and makes switch 128 to contact 129. Relay switch 125 completes a holding'circuit in parallel to the photoelectric cell 105 to maintain relay 106 energized. Relay switch 126, in series with token switch 33 makes to line 94. Relay switch 128 completes a circuit through contact 129 to energize heater lamp 38 for the initial heating period for verification of the material of the token base sheet.

The token verification as related to deformation characteristics of the token base material will now be more fully described. The initial phases of the token vertification include utilizing the physical size of token T to make switch 33 to contact 123 which in turn permits the electronic control circuit to energize relay 106 through the printed circuitry of token T. The energizing of relay 106 in turn energizes heater lamp 38. Heater lamp 38 being placed so as to impinge heat on selected portions of token T through openings 43 and 44 of bottom wall 13 causes token T of biaxially oriented thermoplastic to heat" and thus contract or shrink at the selected areas. Contraction of token T in the area of abutment of finger 36 on pivotal arm 34 allows pivotal arm 34 to move a distance required to break continuity of switch 33 to contact.123 and to make continuity to contact 124 which completes a circuit for actuating the washing cycle. Thus itis seen that the deformation characteristics of the token base member are utilized for performing a required function in the actuation of the device. ,-As indicated above, the contraction of token T allows switch33 to make continuity through contact 124 to complete an electrical circuit to fill valve 142 and timer motor 140 for initiating the washing cycle. .The circuit completed is as follows: power line L through line 87 to switch 33, through, contact 124 to line 93, through relay switch 126 and line 94 to line 95. The fill valve is then energized through switch 131 tocontact 133' and through tirnenswitch contacts 118, 119 (closed at the beginning of the timer cycle). Simultaneously timer motor140 is fed through timer switch contacts 113, 114 (closed at the beginningof the timing cycle). Theother side of solenoid 142 and timer motor 140 is connected to power line L 'through line 92. Heater lamp 338, controlled by relay switch 128 and

timer contacts

120, 121,1remains energized for a period of one-half minute following the initiation of the washing cycle to. further. deform and invalidate the token. ,Timer contacts 120,121 are then opened to-deenergize heater lamp 38.

,In' addition to the system already described, another method is employed to prevent operation -of the device by counterfeit objects inserted in the token receiver 10. Terminals 51,52, 57 and 59, with their respective printed circuitry and contact members, which I have called dis- 6 charging contacts, are connected to a separate circuit through multiple jumper 81 to line 83.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, it will be seen that line 83 is connected to one side of the condenser 103 while line 86 is connected to the opposite side as described in the relay actuation circuit. It is apparent that if a metal object or improper conductor is inserted in the token receiver 10, to accomplish the completion of a circuit between a pair-of contact members 32 at locations 74 and and also between a pair of contact members at

locations

73 and 76, touches a discharging contact member'at location 71, '72, 77 or 79, the condenser 103 will be shorted through that discharging contact member and thus be discharged to prevent firing of neon gas discharge tube 104. The relay actuation circuit is thus not completed, the heater lamp is not energized, and the washing cycle is not initiated. Furthermore, the correct .charging'contacts must be held closed and all discharging contacts held open for a period of time sufficient to charge condenser 103. It is thus seen that random insertion of an electrical conductor in receiver 10 cannot accidentally start the washing cycle.

Even assumingthat thecorrect electrical contacts for completing a circuit between terminals 54 and 56 be closed for a period of time without touching the contacts at any of the

locations

71, 72, 77 and 79, the circuit for actuating relay 106 will not be energized unless switch 33 is closed to contact 123 which is accomplished with an authentic token. In this way, an effective system is provided for preventing operation of the device by tampering.

Thus it is seen that a system is provided that requires a thorough verification, of the token before actuation of the device is initiated. Specifically it is seen that requirements which must be met in this verification process include: the token must be of a proper thickness for insertion in slot 19 of front plate 11; the token must be ofa proper size for actuatingswitch 33; the token must contain proper electrically conductive and electrically noh-conductive patterns on its face engageable by the electrical contacts 32 for completing a circuit for a predetermined" time period through selected contact members andinot completing a circuit through selected other contact members in receiver 10; and the token base member material must be such as to undergo a predetermined degree of contraction at a particular location. with a given amount of heat. It is now apparent that this receiver, related circuitry, andtoken useable therewith, provide an effective system for preventing the actuation of the device with counterfeit tokens.

It will be apparent that the printed circuitry on token T may be arranged in various designs and patterns since it may be desirable to change the design from time to time and also desirable to provide different tokens for actuating machines at different locations. The token receiver, can be changed quite readily to. accommodate tokens having revised or different patterns of electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive material. This change isaccomplished by changing the position of various terminals so that different pairs of electrical contacts are used for "completinga circuit to the capacitance 103. At the saine'time thechange provides for using different. contact members as the discharging contacts. As' was previously..disclosed this embodiment of the invention provides for nine contact members of which eight are used in any one installation for checking the printed circuit of the inserted token, with four serving as chargingfc'ontacts and four serving asfdischarging contacts. It is apparent that the number of charging contacts and number of discharging contacts could be either reduced or increased. The number of contacts used, however, not only aifects the ease and cost of manufacturing but also affects the degree of reliability achieved in checking the authenticity of the token and determines the number of '7 alternate designs and patterns that can be utilized by changing the location of the various terminals.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, there is illustrated the position of the timing switch contacts through a cycle of operation, the shaded areas indicating the periods in which the timer contact switches are closed. The timer contact switches are, of course, regulated by a conventional timing mechanism driven by timer motor 140, for opening and closing the switches at the proper interval.

After the timer motor 140 has been energized through switch 33 to contact 124 and relay switch 126, it begins to operate and after one interval closes timer switch contacts 110, 111. Timer switch contacts 110, 111 are in a circuit parallel to switch 33 and relay switch 126 so that, after timer contact switches 110, 111 have been closed, the timer motor continues to operate under the control of its own timer contact switches 110, 111 apart from the relay actuating circuit. Thus, upon closing of the timer switches 110, 111, the washing machine operation proceeds under its own automatic control, apart from the circuits energized by token T.

It will be noted that the timer motor 140 is also under the control of timer switch contacts 113, 114 since it is connected to power line L, through contacts 113, 114. It will be noted in FIGURE 9 that, after the timer motor has advanced three intervals, contacts 113, 114 are open to de-energize the timer motor 140.

The fill solenoid 142, however, remains energized to operate a valve for introducing water into the machine until the float switch 131 indicates that the water level in the machine has reached a predetermined height. After the water level attains the predetermined height, contact 133 is opened de-energizing solenoid 142, and contact 134 is closed. When float switch 131 closes contact 134 (as indicated by the dotted lines shown in FIG- URE 8), timer motor 140, and drive motor 141, which is in series with

timer switch contacts

108, 109, are energized to continue the operation.

After timer motor 140 has operated through four intervals,

timer contacts

120, 121 are closed to reenergize the heater lamp 38 for completing the cancellation or invalidation of token T. The heater lamp is connected to power line L, through line 94 to contact 130 and relay switch 128. The other side of the heater lamp 38 is connected to power line L through

timer switch contacts

120, 121. 'The heater is energized for four minutes to insure complete invalidation of token T by raising the temperature above the plasticizing point of the thermoplastic material of the base sheet, at which temperature the card undergoes considerable contraction at the areas juxtaposed to the openings 43, 44 in bottom wall 13. The resulting token is thus deformed to the extent that it cannot be reinserted into slot 19 of receiver 10, but may be ejected from receiver 10 by the insertion of a new token in slot 19.

During the Washing cycle the timer switches 108, 109 and 118, 119 are opened and closed for energizing and de-energizing the timer motor, drive motor, and fill solenoid for various operations. At the completion of the Washing cycle, the timer contacts 110, 111 are opened to de-energize the timer motor 140 and the other units of the washing machine such as fill solenoid 142 and drive motor 141. The washing cycle is thus stopped.

From the foregoing, it is believed operation of the device is apparent. If an operator desires a washing cycle, a' token T, which may be purchased at a suitable place, is inserted in the slot 19 of token receiver 10. Upon insertion of the token in the receiver, switch 33 is closed to contact 123. Also, a circuit is completed between preselected electrical contacts 32 through the conductive material S on the face of the token. The circuit through contact 123 of switch 33 and through the circuit of token receiver 10 and token T between

lines

84 and 86 energizes a time delay circuit for actuation of relay 106. After'relay 106 is energized, it remains energized through 8 a holding circuit controlled by

timer switch contacts

115, 116.

The relay actuating circuit is from power line L;, line 87, switch 33 to con-tact 123, line 88, rectifier 100, resistor 101, line 84, printed circuitry of top wall 12, selected contact members 32, electrical conductive material S on token T, and line 86 to one side of condenser 103. The other side of condenser 103 is connected to power line L through lead 96, resistor 107,

timer switch contacts

115, 116, and line 92. After the condenser has achieved a predetermined voltage after a predetermined time in acordance with well-known principles, the neon gas tube in parallel with the condenser fires and illum'iries the photoelectric cell 165. When the photoelectric cell 105 is illuminated, its resistance is reduced to a point which allows current to flow to and energize relay 106. The circuit for energizing the relay is from power line L line 87, switch 33 to contact 123, line 88, line 99, through photoelectric cell 105 to relay 106. The other side of the relay is connected through line 91,

timer switch contacts

115, 116, and line 92 to power line L When the relay 106 has been energized, a holding circuit is completed by relay switch which short circuits the photoelectric cell 105. The relay also closes switch 128 to contact 129 which energizes heater lamp 38. The heater lamp circuit is from power line L line 87, through contact 129 and switch 128 to one side of the heater lamp 38. The other side of heater 38 is connected to power line L through

timer switch contacts

120, 121. After the heater lamp 38 is energized, token T is heated at preselected locations until plasticizing temperature is reached and token T is distorted sutficiently to allow switch 33 to close to contact 124. After switch 33 is made to contact 124, a circuit is completed through switch 126 of relay 106 to various units in the automatic washing machine for energizing automatic controls.

Thus it is seen from the foregoing description and explanation that the present invention provides a unique system for actuating various electrical devices. It is a system which facilitates use of a token or ticket which is inexpensive to fabricate yet difiicult to counterfeit and which is invalidated when used to prevent reuse. It is a system that removes the incentive and object of theft from the device and thus prevents damage to the machine. Further, it is a system that is simple in operation and comparatively inexpensvie to manufacture but which provides a high degree of reliable protection against tampering.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a token operated apparatus, the device for verification of the token comprising: receiver means for reception of a token having a thermoplastic base, heating means positioned to heat the token when inserted in said receiver means for deforming said thermoplastic base, and actuation means mounted in said receiver means positioned for initiating operation of said apparatus responsive to predetermined heat deformation of said thermoplastic base caused by said heating means.

2. In a token operated apparatus, the device for verification of the token comprising: receiver means for reception of a token having a thermoplastic base, heating means positioned in said receiver means to heat the token when inserted for deforming said thermoplastic base, means for energizing said heating means controlled by insertion of said token, and means mounted in said receiver means positioned for initiating operation of said apparatus responsive to predetermined heat deformation of said thermoplastic base.

3. In a token operated apparatus, the device for verification of the token comprising: receiver means for reception of a token having a thermoplastic base, heating means positioned to heat the token when inserted in said receiver means for deforming said thermoplastic base,

means for energizing said heating means controlled by insertion in said receiver of a token of the proper physical size, and means mounted in said receiver means positioned for initiating operation of said apparatus responsive to predetermined heat deformation of said thermoplastic base.

4. In a token operated apparatus the device for verification of the token comprising: receiver means for reception of a token having a thermoplastic base and electrically conductive material in a prearranged pattern thereon, contact members positioned for engaging spaced points of said electrically conductive material of said token when inserted, circuit means connected to said contact members for completing a circuit through said electrically conductive material to verify authenticity of said prearranged pattern of electrically conductive material, heating means positioned to heat said token when inserted for deforming said thermoplastic base, means for energizing said heating means controlled by completion of the circuit through said conductive material, and actuation means positioned for response to a predetermined deformation of said thermoplastic base for actuating said apparatus.

5. In an apparatus actuatable by a token having a heat deformable base and electrically conductive material thereon, the combination comprising: means for receiving said token, at least one pair of electrical contact members positioned for engaging said token at spaced locations on said electrically conductive material, switch means positioned for actuation upon insertion of said token for completion of a circuit through said electrically conductive material and through said electrical contact members, heating means positioned for heating said token to deform said heat deformable base, means controlled by completion of said circuit for energizing said heating means, and means controlled by a predetermined deformation of said base for initiating actuation of said apparatus.

6. In an apparatus actuatable by a token having a heat deformable base, the combination comprising: receiver means for receiving said token, heating means positioned to heat said token when inserted in said receiver means and induce deformation of said heat deformable base in at least one predetermined location, means for energizing said heating means, and switch means mounted in said receiver means positioned for initiating operation of said apparatus responsive to predetermined heat deformation of said token at said predetermined location for completing a circuit.

7. In an apparatus actuatable by a token having a heat deformable base and at least one localized area of substantially greater heat absorption characteristics relative to said base, the combination comprising: means for receiving said token, switch means positioned for actuation to a first position by contact with said token when inserted for completing a circuit, and heating means positioned to heat said token when inserted for inducing deformation of said area of greater heat absorption characteristics, means for energizing said heating means controlled by completion of said circuit, said switch means positioned for movement to a second position in response to said deformation of said token for initiating actuation of said apparatus.

8. In combination, a receiver for use in association with a token operated device, a token inserted within said receiver, said token formed of a thermoplastic material having on a face thereof electrically conductive portions in a prearranged pattern, electrical contact members associated with said receiver engaging said token at spaced locations for completion of a circuit through the prearranged pattern of electrically conductive portions in order to control actuation of the device, heating means associated with receiver for deforming the inserted token, and means for energizing said heating means controlled by insertion of said token in said receiver.

9. In a combination, a receiver for use-in association with a token operated device, a token inserted within said receiver, said token formed of a heat deformable substance having on at least one face thereof electrically conductive portions in a prearranged pattern, electrical contact members engaging said token at spaced locations for completion of a circuit through the prearranged pattern of electrically conductive portions in order to control actuation of the device, heating means associated with receiver for deforming the inserted token, and switch means on said receiver operable by the inserted token for completion of a circuit to control energization of said heating means.

10. In a token operated device, control means for operating thedevice through a cycle and then stopping, actuation means for initiating said control means, a receiver, said receiver mounted for reception of a token with electrically conductive portions, electrical contact members associated with said receiver for engaging a token when inserted, said actuation means controlled by completion of a circuit through said electrically conductive portions of the inserted token between at least some of said electrical contact members, and heating means responsive to insertion of the token in the receiver for deforming the token after insertion in said receiver.

11. In a control for a token operated device, a receiver adapted to receive tokens having electrically conductive portions in a prearranged pattern, electrical contact members in said receiver engaging the inserted tokens at spaced locations for controlling actuation of said device, heating means associated with said receiver for distorting the inserted token, and switch means engaged by the inserted token for controlling energization of said heating means so that when the token is distorted said heating means is deenergized.

12. In a token for use in association with a token-operated device having a biased switch member operable by contact with said token, the combination comprising: a base member of a heat deformable material; and at least one area on said base member having substantially greater heat absorption characteristics relative to the remainder of said base member whereby said area having greater heat absorption characteristics permits relatively rapid heat absorption for inducing localized deformation of said token.

13. In a token for use in a token-operated device having a biased switch member operable by contact with said token to a first position, the combination comprising: a base member formed of a heat deformable material; electrically conductive material on said base member restricted to a prearranged pattern for cooperation with said tokenoperated device; and at least one area on said base member having substantially greater heat absorption characteristics relative to the remainder of said base member whereby said area having greater heat absorption characteristics permits relatively rapid heat absorption by said base member for inducing localized deformation of said token.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,906,505 Orr et al. Sept. 29, 1959

Claims

1. IN A TOKEN OPERATED APPARATUS THE DEVICE FOR VERIFICATION OF THE TOKEN COMPRISING: RECEIVER MEANS FOR RECEPTION OF A TOKEN HAVING A THERMOPLASTIC BASE, HEATING MEANS POSITIONED TO HEAT THE TOKEN WHEN INSERTED IN SAID RECIEVER MEANS FOR DEFORMING SAID THERMOPLASTIC BASE, AND ACTUATION MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID RECEIVER MEANS POSITIONED FOR INITIATING OPERATION OF SAID APPARATUS RESPONSIVE TO PREDETERMINED HEAT DEFORMATION OF SAID THERMOPLASTIC BASE CAUSED BY SAID HEATING MEANS.