Token and reader for vending machines
First Claim
1. A token reader, comprisingmeans producing a holographic readout beam,means to guide a token containing a plurality of pairs of holograms into the path of said readout beam,two photodetectors positioned at predetermined spaced locations to receive respective first order beams from the holograms of an illuminated pair of holograms,an electrically-operated means for obliterating a pair of holograms on said token which are positioned in the path of said readout beam, andcomparator means operative upon the occurrence of equality of electrical outputs of said two photodetectors to actuate said means for obliterating holograms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A token for use in a vending machine consists of a plastic card having at least one pair of side-by-side holograms embossed thereon. A token reader includes means to guide a token into the path of a readout beam. When two photodetectors positioned at predetermined spaced locations receive equal-amplitude first order beams from an illuminated pair of holograms, an electrically-operated plunger in the token reader operates to obliterate the pair of holograms on the token, and then a signal from a third photodetector in the token reader enables an output signal for operating the vending machine.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A token reader, comprising
means producing a holographic readout beam, means to guide a token containing a plurality of pairs of holograms into the path of said readout beam, two photodetectors positioned at predetermined spaced locations to receive respective first order beams from the holograms of an illuminated pair of holograms, an electrically-operated means for obliterating a pair of holograms on said token which are positioned in the path of said readout beam, and comparator means operative upon the occurrence of equality of electrical outputs of said two photodetectors to actuate said means for obliterating holograms.
Specification