Vending machine with remote control alarm

• US 7,126,474 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fragramatics Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fragramatics Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Fundyler, Yefim Y., Goodwin, Tony M., Ingram, James Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US10/974,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/522, 340/545.1, 340/566, 340/691.4, 340/691.5, 340/692, 340/568.8, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• 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: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

An electronic alarm and a vending machine equipped with the alarm monitors a plurality of zones by suitable circuitry to detect vandalism and theft. Each zone has a mechanically-triggered sensor that provides an electrical output. The zones comprise a pair of door sensors and a separate, shock sensor. A solid-state logic circuit includes a red and green indicator light, and a loud warning buzzer ultimately triggered by the sensors. A circuit time delay and logic scheme analyzes sensor status, and separate false-alarm prevention circuits insure proper triggering after a predetermined delay. Alarm status is indicated by highly visible green and red status lights mounted on the door. A buzzer sounds in response to sensor activation and circuit logic. A back-up battery that is coupled to the logic circuitry for fail-safe operation includes an automatic recharge system, and dual red and green LED'"'"'s monitor battery condition.

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising:

an upright cabinet adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface, the cabinet comprising an interior for housing vending machine components and items to be vended;

power supply means for supplying power;

a door coupled to the cabinet that may be opened or closed by a proprietor to expose or close the interior; and

,

an alarm mounted within said cabinet interior for detecting attempted theft and vandalism, the alarm comprising;

door sensor means for providing a signal in response to door opening;

vibration sensor means for providing a signal in response to vibration or shock;

audio transducer means for generating a loud audible sound;

visual transducer means for providing a highly visible indication of the state of the alarm, said visual transducer means comprising at least two status lights of different colors;

alarm circuit means for establishing an idle mode for machine servicing, an armed mode in which the alarm is set during normal operation, and a detected mode occurring when an act of vandalism or theft is properly detected, said circuit means comprising;

means for receiving and analyzing the signals from said door sensor means and said vibration sensor means; and

,

means for activating said audio transducer means; and

,

means for activating said visual transducer means in response to a proper detection of intrusions comprising means for differently activating said lights of different colors according to the mode of the alarm.

2. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for:

(a) in the idle mode, turning a first status light “

on”

while a second status light is “

off”

;

(b) in the armed mode, turning on and blinking a second status light while a first status light is “

off;

” and

,

(c) in the detected mode blinking both said first and second status lights to indicate detection of acts of vandalism or theft.

3. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm circuit means comprises a receiver that responds to a portable key-fob unit that an attendant may carry.

4. The vending machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said alarm circuit means comprises a transmitter for remotely relaying detected mode alarm conditions and status to a central location.

5. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 including a battery backup system comprising:

a battery;

recharging circuit means for trickle charging the battery, the recharging circuit means comprising means for determining when battery voltage has dropped to the point where trickle charging is necessary; and

,

a recharge-prevention circuit for preventing recharging when battery voltage is too low for trickle charging.

6. The vending machine as defined in claim 5 including charge indicator means for monitoring battery status, said indicator means comprising:

means for indicating when “

on”

that the backup battery is charging; and

,

means for indicating when “

on”

that the battery is properly charged and when “

off”

that the battery cannot be trickle charged.

7. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said visual transducer means comprises a green status light, a separate red status light.

8. The vending machine as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for:

(a) in the idle mode, turning said green light “

on”

while said red light is “

off”

;

(b) in the armed mode, turning on and blinking said red light while said green light is “

off;

” and

,

(c) in the detected mode blinking both said red light and said green light to indicate detection of acts of vandalism or theft.

9. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm circuit means comprises:

a key fob demodulator responding to said receiver for activating said status lights;

an armed mode timer for controlling the second status light;

first gate means for activating the armed mode timer;

a detected mode timer for delaying said alarm activation circuit;

second gate means for activating the detected mode timer; and

,

third gate means responsive to said armed mode timer and said detected mode timer for flashing said status lights when an intrusion is detected.

10. The vending machine as defined in claim 9 wherein:

said audio transducer means for generating a loud audible sound is powered by a relay means responsive to a relay field;

a first audible alarm control means directly responds to inputs from said door sensors means and said vibration sensor means to activate said relay field; and

,

a second audible alarm control means comprising a controlling switch connected to said audio transducer means responds to a control signal that activates said transducer means after switching of said relay means.

11. The vending machine as defined in claim 9 further comprising a first false alarm protection circuit comprising a timer for generating said control signal to activate said second audible control means.

12. The vending machine as defined in claim 11 further comprising a second false alarm prevention circuit comprising protective diodes connected to said timer to prevent it from responding to voltage transients.

13. A vending machine comprising:

an upright cabinet adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface, the cabinet comprising an interior for housing vending machine components and items to be vended;

power supply means for supplying power;

a door coupled to the cabinet that may be opened or closed by a proprietor to expose or close the interior;

an alarm mounted within said cabinet interior for detecting intrusions, said alarm establishing an idle mode for machine servicing, an armed mode for normal operation, and a detected mode occurring when an intrusion is detected, said alarm comprising;

door sensor means for providing a signal in response to door opening;

vibration sensor means for providing a signal in response to vibration or shock;

audio transducer means for generating a loud audible sound;

visual transducer means for providing a highly visible indication of the state of the alarm, said visual transducer means comprising a first status light and a second status light mounted on the cabinet and externally visible to customers;

door sensor means for providing a signal in response to door opening;

vibration sensor means for providing a signal in response to vibration or shock;

audio transducer means for generating a loud audible sound;

visual transducer means for providing a highly visible indication of the state of the alarm, said visual transducer means comprising a first status light and a second status light mounted on the cabinet and externally visible to customers;

first alarm circuit means for activating said audio transducer means;

second alarm circuit means for activating said visual transducer means by

a) in the idle mode, turning said first status light “

on”

while said second status light is “

off”

;

(b) in the armed mode, turning on and blinking said second status light while said first status light is “

off;

” and

,

(c) in the detected mode, blinking both said first and second status lights to indicate detected intrusions.

14. The vending machine as defined in claim 13 wherein said second alarm circuit means comprises:

a key fob demodulator responding to said receiver for activating said status lights;

an armed mode timer for controlling the second status light;

first gate means for activating the armed mode timer;

a detected mode timer for providing a delay;

second gate means for activating the detected mode timer; and

,

third gate means responsive to said armed mode timer and said detected mode timer for flashing said status lights when an intrusion is detected.

15. The vending machine as defined in claim 14 further comprising a first false alarm protection circuit comprising a timer for generating a control signal to activate said first alarm circuit means for activating said audio transducer means.

16. The vending machine as defined in claim 15 further comprising a second false alarm prevention circuit connected to said timer to prevent it from responding to voltage transients.

17. The vending machine as defined in claim 13 further comprising:

a backup battery;

recharging circuit means for trickle charging the battery, the recharging circuit means comprising means for determining when battery voltage has dropped to the point where trickle charging is necessary; and

,

a recharge-prevention circuit for preventing recharging when battery voltage is too low for trickle charging.

18. The vending machine as defined in claim 17 including charge indicator means for monitoring battery status, said indicator means comprising:

a red light to indicate when “

on”

that the backup battery is charging; and

,

a green light that indicates when “

on”

that the battery is properly charged and when “

off”

that the battery cannot be trickle charged.

19. A vending machine comprising:

an upright cabinet adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface, the cabinet comprising an interior for housing vending machine components and items to be vended;

power supply means for supplying power;

a door coupled to the cabinet that may be opened or closed by a proprietor to expose or close the interior;

an alarm mounted within said cabinet interior for detecting intrusions, said alarm establishing an idle mode for machine servicing, an armed mode for normal operation, and a detected mode occurring when an intrusion is detected, said alarm comprising;

door sensor means for providing a signal in response to door opening;

vibration sensor means for providing a signal in response to vibration or shock;

audio transducer means for generating a loud audible sound;

visual transducer means for providing a highly visible indication of the state of the alarm, said visual transducer means comprising a first status light and a second status light mounted on the cabinet and externally visible to customers;

first alarm circuit means for activating said audio transducer means;

second alarm circuit means for activating said visual transducer means, said second alarm circuit means comprising;

an armed mode timer for controlling the second status light;

first gate means for activating the armed mode timer;

a detected mode timer for delaying said second alarm circuit means;

second gate means for activating the detected mode timer; and

,

third gate means responsive to said armed mode timer and said detected mode timer for flashing said status lights when an intrusion is detected.

20. The vending machine as defined in claim 19 further comprising:

a first false alarm protection circuit comprising a timer for generating a control signal to activate said first alarm circuit means for activating said audio transducer means; and

,

a second false alarm prevention circuit connected to said timer to prevent it from responding to voltage transients.