Vending apparatus
First Claim
1. An article vending and accounting system, comprising(a) a plurality of vending machines each containing different kinds of merchandise which may be freely selected by a customer,(b) a merchandise code generator disposed within each vending machine for generating a merchandise code of a merchandise item selected by the customer,(c) first connection means disposed within each vending machine,(d) a plurality of memory holders each of which may be carried by a customer for permitting the selection of merchandise when connected to said first connection means,(e) memory means such as a shift register disposed within each of said memory holders for storing therein the merchandise code transmitted from said merchandise code generator,(f) means for transmitting the merchandise data generated by the code generator,(g) switching means disposed within each memory holder for enabling the storage in and read out from said memory means of merchandise data transmitted from said merchandise code generator when said switching means is activated,(h) an accounting machine for reading the merchandise codes stored in said memory means in the memory holder when connected thereto for preparing a bill, and(i) actuating means disposed adjacent to said first connection means of the vending machine and a second connection means of said accounting machine for activating said switching means when the memory holder is connected to said first or second connection means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vending apparatus has a plurality of cash-less vending machines installed in guest rooms and meeting rooms and at any other suitable places in hotels and supermarkets, and any customers who want to use the vending machines may have their own memory holders from a front or cashier. Upon insertion of the memory holder into the vending machine and depression of a merchandise selection button or the like, a selected merchandise is discharged from the vending machine while sales information such as a code and price of the sold merchandise is stored in memory element in the holder, and when the memory holder is returned and inserted into an accounting machine, the sales information is read out from the memory holder to prepare a bill. The vending machines and the accounting machine are enabled in response to the output from a sensor which detects the insertion of the memory holder.
37 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An article vending and accounting system, comprising
(a) a plurality of vending machines each containing different kinds of merchandise which may be freely selected by a customer, (b) a merchandise code generator disposed within each vending machine for generating a merchandise code of a merchandise item selected by the customer, (c) first connection means disposed within each vending machine, (d) a plurality of memory holders each of which may be carried by a customer for permitting the selection of merchandise when connected to said first connection means, (e) memory means such as a shift register disposed within each of said memory holders for storing therein the merchandise code transmitted from said merchandise code generator, (f) means for transmitting the merchandise data generated by the code generator, (g) switching means disposed within each memory holder for enabling the storage in and read out from said memory means of merchandise data transmitted from said merchandise code generator when said switching means is activated, (h) an accounting machine for reading the merchandise codes stored in said memory means in the memory holder when connected thereto for preparing a bill, and (i) actuating means disposed adjacent to said first connection means of the vending machine and a second connection means of said accounting machine for activating said switching means when the memory holder is connected to said first or second connection means.
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12. An article vending and accounting system, comprising:
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a plurality of vending machines each containing different kinds of merchandise which may be freely selected by a customer, a generator within each of said vending machine for generating a merchandise code of binary code signals corresponding to selected merchandise, a memory means commonly carried by the customer, including a memory element which comprises a shift register for memorizing merchandise code signals optically transmitted from said generator, an accounting machine for reading out the memorized data in said memory element when connected to said memory means, for changing said read out data to a sale price and for being paid said sale price by the customer, a reed switch disposed within said memory means for enabling the transmission of data to said memory element, a switch for detecting the insertion of said memory means in said vending machine or said accounting machine and for controlling the operation of said generator in response thereto, and an actuating means comprising an electromagnet for operating said reed switch. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification