SYSTEM FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF PACKAGE-DISPENSING STATION

• US 3,780,907 A
• Filed: 10/03/1969
• Issued: 12/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lionville Systems, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Franklin W. Kerfoot Jr, Howard M. Trowern Jr, Walter E. Colburn
• Inventors: Kerfoot, Franklin W. Jr., Colburn, Walter E., Trowern, Howard M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kocovsky, Thomas L.
• Application Number:
  US04/863,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 340/325 186/1.2 221/2,9,12,13 194/4 179/2A,2R
• US Class Current: 221/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A system for the remote control of a plurality of packagedispensing units is disclosed, wherein a data card and card dialer cooperate with a control station interface unit to transmit data across a telephone system network to a receiving station, where the data is operated on by a receiving station interface unit which selects and operates a designated packagedispensing unit, and sends a return signal to the control station. The receiving station interface unit logically operates on the received data through a system of stepper switches and relays, causing solenoid release of a package from the selected dispensing unit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the remote control of a storage device having a plurality of storage units, from a control-point, comprising:

a. a transmission system for transmission of coded electrical signals;

b. data input means for receiving control information;

c. control-point interface means comprising a conventional power supply and a switchable circuit, said switchable circuit being switched by said data input means, to generate said coded electrical signals representing said control information and compatible with said transmission system;

d. data transmitting means controlled by said control-point interface means, for coupling said coded electrical signals to said transmission system;

e. data receiving means, coupled to said transmission system for receiving said coded electrical signals;

f. receiving station interface means coupled to said data receiving means, for decoding said coded electrical signals received by said data receiving means, having a first selection and switching circuit to select a first digit corresponding to the selected storage unit, a second selection and switching circuit to select a second digit corresponding to the selected storage unit, and a third selection and switching circuit to actuate said selected storage unit when said storage device is selected;

g. storage device actuation means, coupled to and driven by said receiving station interface means, for energizing the selected storage unit upon which energization said selected storage unit releases a package stored therein; and

, h. verification means, operated by said package release, and coupled to said transmission system, to provide an indication at said control-point of proper operation of the selected storage unit.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 comprising a plurality of storage devices, each of said plurality of storage devices having said data receiving means, said receiving station interface means, said storage device actuation means, and said verification means.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein each said storage device actuation means is comprised of a plurality of solenoids, each of said solenoids operating one of said storage units.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said verification means comprises photocell means to detect the release of a package from one of said storage units, and to generate a signal which is transmitted to said control-point interface means, and relay means actuated by said transmitted signal for energizing a bulb which indicates the release of a package.