APPARATUS FOR CHANGING THE INFORMATION RECORDED ON CARDS

• US 3,560,715 A
• Filed: 05/29/1967
• Issued: 02/02/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Akamatsu Hiroo, Nagata Masanori
• Original Assignee: Akamatsu Hiroo, Nagata Masanori
• Inventors: AKAMATSU HIROO, NAGATA MASANORI
• Application Number:
  US04/641,916
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3437 the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices

Abstract

An apparatus for changing the information recorded on cards and especially the monetary value given to cards used in place of coins and/or bills in automatic vending machines and the like. The monetary value of a card as represented by code markings thereon is first read and memorized. Upon selection of an article the monetary value assigned thereto is subtracted from the memorized value read from the card. The result of the subtraction is recorded on the card for future use in place of the original monetary value recorded on the card. Dispensing of articles having a value greater than the memorized value is prevented. System and detailed circuit diagrams are provided.

Claims

1. Apparatus for changing the value given to a card, said value being recorded on said card in the form of code marks, comprising:

means for reading said code marks means for memorizing said code as represented by said code marks;

code providing means for providing another code representing another value by which said card value is to be changed;

means for performing addition or subtraction between the values represented by said memorized code and said other code;

means for recording the result of said calculation on said card in the form of code marks; and

means for preventing said code providing means from applying said other code to said calculating means when the value represented by said other code is greater than the value represented by said memorized code.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card is provided with an element by which to test the genuineness of the card, and further including means for detecting said element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

means for holding said card;

means for moving said card holding means into a predetermined position;

means for locking said card holding means at said predetermined position;

means for causing said reading, erasing and recording means to scan the surface of said card at said locked position; and

means for releasing said lock when said reading, erasing and recording have been finished.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said last but one means effects a relative movement of said reading, erasing and recording means with respect to said card at said locked position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said relative movement comprises a first course wherein said reading means operates, and a second course subsequent to said first course and in the opposite direction thereto, wherein said erasing and recording means operate, the former preceding the latter.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said card is provided with synchronizing marks, and further including means for detecting said synchronizing marks;

and means for actuating said mark reading means to operate as said detecting means detects said synchronizing marks during said first course of said relative movement and actuating said recording means to operate as said detecting means detects said synchronizing marks during said second course of said relative movement.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading and recording means are the same.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said code marks are magnetically rEcorded on said card.

9. A control apparatus for a vending machine operated by a control card having code marks thereon representing the purchasing value of the card comprising in combination:

means for reading said code marks and memorizing the code represented by said marks;

code means for providing another code representing another value by which the card value is to be changed;

calculation means for performing addition or subtraction between the values represented by the memorized code and said other code;

code recording means for recording the results of calculations on the card in the form of code marks;

article dispensing control circuit means including manually operable article selection means for controlling the generation of said other code; and

circuit means preventing the dispensing of a selected article when the value represented by said other code is greater than the value represented by said memorized code read from the card, whereby the dispensing of an article is prevented when the purchasing value of a given card is not at least equal to the value of the selected article.