Abstract: When a coin(s) is inserted and an article selection button is further pressed, article carrying-out processing is started, and an article carrying-out device performs a carrying-out operation. An article is dropped and received in a receiving section by this carrying-out operation. When the article is received in the receiving section, the article collides with the receiving section, and vibrations are generated. The vibrations are detected by a vibration detection unit, and it is judged that the article is received in the receiving section. In the series of article carrying-out operations, when unexpected vibrations are applied to the receiving section after the article carrying-out processing is started, since a microcomputer excludes the vibrations, only vibrations at the time of receiving the article can be detected accurately.

Abstract: To provide a commodity price setting method and a commodity price setting system in an automatic vending machine, which can reduce wrong setting of a commodity price and with which an operator can easily set and confirm a commodity price. Since a numerical value of a commodity price is formed by multiplying a minimum currency value in an inputting apparatus and this numerical value is inputted in a storage device, a set value can always be a multiple of a minimum currency value with a minimum unit of the set value as the minimum currency value. Therefore, a fraction less than the minimum currency value that cannot be used in the automatic vending machine is never set as a commodity price, and confusion and wrong operation such as a customer trying to insert an unusable currency can be surely prevented.

Abstract: When a coin(s) is inserted and an article selection button is further pressed, article carrying-out processing is started, and an article carrying-out device performs a carrying-out operation. An article is dropped and received in a receiving section by this carrying-out operation. When the article is received in the receiving section, the article collides with the receiving section, and vibrations are generated. The vibrations are detected by a vibration detection unit, and it is judged that the article is received in the receiving section. In the series of article carrying-out operations, when unexpected vibrations are applied to the receiving section after the article carrying-out processing is started, since a microcomputer excludes the vibrations, only vibrations at the time of receiving the article can be detected accurately.

Abstract: A rewriting program is transferred from a main control apparatus to a terminal control apparatus and the terminal control apparatus executes the rewriting program. The rewriting program receives a new control program from the main control apparatus and rewrites a control program with a received new control program. This makes it possible to easily and reliably rewrite the control program even if a specification of the control program is changed.

Abstract: A rewriting program is transferred from a main control apparatus to a terminal control apparatus and the terminal control apparatus executes the rewriting program. The rewriting program receives a new control program from the main control apparatus and rewrites a control program with a received new control program. This makes it possible to easily and reliably rewrite the control program even if a specification of the control program is changed.

Abstract: To provide a commodity price setting method and a commodity price setting system in an automatic vending machine, which can reduce wrong setting of a commodity price and with which an operator can easily set and confirm a commodity price. Since a numerical value of a commodity price is formed by multiplying a minimum currency value in an inputting apparatus and this numerical value is inputted in a storage device, a set value can always be a multiple of a minimum currency value with a minimum unit of the set value as the minimum currency value. Therefore, a fraction less than the minimum currency value that cannot be used in the automatic vending machine is never set as a commodity price, and confusion and wrong operation such as a customer trying to insert an unusable currency can be surely prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine control program rewriting system that facilitates the rewriting of a control program in the vending machine. The vending machine comprises a communication controller which receives a new control program sent from a host computer 200 at a remote location. The memory storing the control program is a rewritable memory. The current control program in the rewritable memory is easily rewritten to the new one of the control program sent from the host computer. The control program rewrite is readily performed, making it possible to greatly reduce the time and trouble required for updating the control program in the vending machine.

Abstract: A catalytic exhaust system for an outboard motor wherein the catalyst is positioned in the drive shaft housing to remove this source of heat from the power head. However, the catalyst is contained within a sealed compartment in the drive shaft housing lower unit. In order to protect the catalyst from water, a trap section is positioned in the power head and this is water cooled by a source of water which has not passed through the engine for its cooling prior to delivery to the trap section. In addition, the guide plate that separates the power head from the drive shaft housing and through which the exhaust gases pass is also water cooled. An arrangement is incorporated for permitting replacement and servicing of the catalytic converter. Although both above the water and below the water exhaust gas discharges are employed, all gases flowing to the atmosphere must pass through the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A catalytic exhaust system for an outboard motor wherein the catalyst is positioned in the drive shaft housing to remove this source of heat from the power head. However, the catalyst is contained within a sealed compartment in the drive shaft housing lower unit. In order to protect the catalyst from water, a trap section is positioned in the power head and this is water cooled by a source of water which has not passed through the engine for its cooling prior to delivery to the trap section. In addition, the guide plate that separates the power head from the drive shaft housing and through which the exhaust gases pass is also water cooled. An arrangement is incorporated for permitting replacement and servicing of the catalytic converter. Although both above the water and below the water exhaust gas discharges are employed, all gases flowing to the atmosphere must pass through the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of outboard motors including external expansion chambers for the exhaust system that are contained within the powerhead externally of the engine and internally of its protective cowling. In some embodiments exhaust gases are delivered to this external expansion chamber through a flexible conduit and in others through internal passages of the engine and outboard motor construction. In some embodiments the exhaust gases are discharged from the external expansion chamber to the atmosphere through an above the water exhaust gas discharge and in other embodiments the external expansion chamber functions only as a Helmholz resonator.