Multi-compartment and acceptors computerized vending machine

• US 6,000,522 A
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alice A. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Alice A. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Alice A
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US08/881,021
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 194/217, 221/76, 221/77, 221/82, 221/83, 221/84, 221/281, 364/479.02, 364/479.06
• US Class Current: 194/217
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling

Abstract

Present invention is a coin operable computer, having compiler memory compiled in both soft and hardware programs, with all supporting elements, an interfaced handshaking memory storage unit and modem card, arranged to run a sequential logic order of operations, in selectively dispensing a variety of products, from a coin operable vending machine after currency protocols have been satisfied, fetch data transactions, store to memory, and when called by a personal computer, transmit the stored data to owners personal computers or other peripheral operated devices, the present computer controlled vending machine provides owners a means of utilizing the art of computer science and modem technology to enhance monetary controls, and enhance profits, while providing consumers a variety of options in purchasing a product utilizing vending machines, as present computerized vending machine incorporates a multiple network of coin accepting units and a plurality of change back return paths, deleting the problem of one coin in and change back unit dictating to the industry, further deletes unnecessary trips to locations, utilizing modem incorporated technology.

Claims

1. A computer controlled vending machine system that selectively dispenses food and non food products including:

a housing, a CPU private housing, a private bank housing,

a plurality of front door frames with each doorframe including a plurality of individual transparent compartment doors,

a central computer which operates the vending machine according to a program of operations and stores data indicative of the performance of the vending machine,

a modem that can access the data stored in the computer and transmit the data to a personal computer,

a plurality of multiple micro coin acceptor units having flip flop circuitry whereby an insertion of a first coin creates an output toggle pulse to activate the program of operations, and wherein

the pluralities of coin acceptor units are located in the front door frames with each coin acceptor unit aligned with a transparent compartment door, and insertion of a predetermined value of coins in one of the coin acceptor units allows the aligned compartment door to be opened allowing dispensing of the product.

2. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including coin carrying tracks leading from coin acceptors, having adaptive means of directing coins into multiple change back units.

3. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including a plurality of change units, and adaptive means to sort and return coins.

4. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including a plurality of race track form reel wheels, and

a plurality of swing type objects shelves, connected to each race track form reel wheel providing means of storing products until selectively purchased, and

a plurality of inner solenoid locking bridged bar doors, one bridged bar door connected to each swing type objects shelf for securing products while orbiting around in the swing type object shelf, and

a plurality of VDC stepper motors connected to the structured race track form reel wheel provides controlling means of wheel orbiting around its structure.

5. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 4, including a plurality of index buttons, whereby, suppressing said index buttons will activate the VDC stepper motors, providing driving power to the race track form reel wheels connected shelves, in precise revolutions per second, release of index button positions shelves in the individual transparent compartment, allowing stored product to be selectively purchased, the index button is located on each plurality front door frames of present invention housing.

6. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including a numerical binary coded keypad peripheral device with a digital display screen, whereby punching in a programmed binary code key, activates optional service modes of operations ability to perform a self test diagnostics, provides ease in loading and servicing etc., machine on location, this keypad peripheral device takes housing on the inner wall, mid section of present invention housing.

7. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including software directive programs on CDROM and or 3.5 floppy diskettes in setup, sample spreadsheets, help tips, and literature written in a basic computer format, compatible to load on any computer.

8. The computer controlled vending machine of claim 1, including an advisory digital print out message screen, alerts users, options and advisory directions on utilizing the present invention, such as coin deposit errors, a particular row of product need servicing, try another row etc., the advisory digital print out screen is located in the lower right hand corner of the CPU private housing, located in top front portion of present invention housing.