Abstract: A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. After sorting, the coins fall into a temporary holding area. At this point the transaction can either be canceled or accepted. If the transaction is canceled, the coins are returned. If the transaction is accepted, the coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of store coupons. Manufacturers' coupons are dispensed regardless of whether or not the transaction is accepted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the conversion of single price purely electromechanical can and bottle vending machines to multi-price microprocessor controlled can and bottle vending machines. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for carrying out such a conversion at the site of the vending machine in a relatively short amount of time, without requiring any special tools and without requiring any changes to the existing wire harness of the electromechanical machine. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of removing the "smart coin" acceptor and credit relay from the existing vending machine and installing a "dumb coin" acceptor and microcontroller in their place, then disconnecting the harness connectors which normally provide connection between the motor select switches and the motors.

Abstract: A coin handling apparatus can operate in either one of two modes. In a first mode, coins are delivered to containers unless a predetermined maximum level T has been reached. When a serviceman services the machine, each container is automatically emptied to a predetermined, alterable float level FD. The emptied coins and the coins in the cashbox are then removed by the serviceman. In a second mode, coins are delivered to containers until the numbers stored in the containers correspond to predetermined, alterable upper levels FU. The containers are replenished to these levels when a serviceman services the machine. Each of the levels FU and FD can be periodically altered on the basis of a calculated likelihood that coins will be required for change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the conversion of purely electromechanical can and bottle vending machines to microprocessor controlled can and bottle vending machines. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for carrying out such a conversion at the site of the vending machine in a relatively short amount of time, without requiring any special tools and without requiring any changes to the existing wire harness of the electromechanical machine.

Abstract: A motor-driven door release mechanism for an electronic totalizer of a coin-receiving mechanism operatively associated with a newspaper vending machine. The motor is energized by a power supply acting through a totalizer control board and is disengaged upon rotation to a predetermined position by a rotor arm connected to the armature of the electric motor to disable the current line from the totalizer control board to the motor. Approximately simultaneously with disengaging the motor, a lift arm attached to the rotor arm releases the door latch control of the newspaper vending machine.

Abstract: A combined parking meter and electric energy dispensing apparatus and method can automatically provide, in response to receiving a payment, either parking time or electric energy. When electric current is being consumed by a connected electric vehicle, the invention operates in an electric energy dispensing mode and allocates a received payment thereto. When no electric current flows from the apparatus, then the invention functions in a parking meter mode and allocates the received payment thereto.

Abstract: An electronic upgrading mechanism for upgrading a mechanical timing device comprising an electrical coin sensing mechanism which is installed abutting a coin carrier mechanism of a mechanical timing device for detection of actuation of a clock winding lever in communication with a coin carriage of the coin carrier mechanism; wherein the actuation of the clock winding lever is caused by a coin placed in the coin carriage wound into primary contact with alternative abutting cam surfaces such abuttal thereof providing an electrical contact with the electrical coin sensing mechanism, having at least one compatible contact thereon, each contact dedicated to the denomination of a coin; wherein the electrical coin sensing mechanism communicates with a programmable electronic digital timing control and display device which is installed within an upgraded mechanical timing device thereby replacing clocking and flagging mechanisms of the mechanical timing device.

Abstract: A bill accepting device judges whether a deposited bill is a true bill or not and produces a true bill signal if it is a true bill. A device such as a vending machine utilizing this bill accepting device receives this true bill signal, counts the number of the deposited bill and, upon confirming that the counting has been properly made, produces a true bill confirmation signal. The bill accepting device receives the true bill confirmation signal and thereby confirms that the true bill signal has been properly used. Thereupon, the bill accepting device stores the deposited bill. If this confirmation has not been made, the deposited bill is automatically returned notwithstanding that it is a true bill.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine provides for the separation, counting and crushing of beverage containers of a predetermined size range and composition. The machine includes an in-feed station for receiving multiple, disarrayed containers, an on-load station, and an in-feed conveyor operable to transport multiple, disarrayed containers from the in-feed station to the on-load station. A separator/conveyor is provided for separating, singularly, a container from the disarrayed containers, and for transporting a container so separated from the on-load station to the off-load station. Mechanisms are provided to reject unacceptable containers between the on-load station and the off-load station. A counter is provided for counting the number of acceptable containers. The containers pass into a crusher which reduces the volume of the containers. A receipt printer is provided to print a receipt indicating the number of acceptable containers processed by the machine. A microprocessor coordinates machine operating cycles.

Abstract: An improved vending machine power switching apparatus in which a single power switching circuit is associated with a plurality of load selecting relay switches and a switching control circuit, in which the control circuit controls the order of switching of the power switch and relay switches, such that any relay switch is always closed before power is delivered to its associated load and is always opened after power is removed from the load, and the power is applied and removed by the power switching means.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the coins in one or more coin tubes on a vending machine to maintain a running total of the coins therein that are available to pay back excess deposits and to make refunds. The device may include one or more coin tubes for containing a supply of coins of respective denominations, the coin tubes being included in a coin unit for receiving coins deposited in the vending machine and for directing the coins to the respective coin tubes. The coin unit includes an accumulator associated with each coin tube for counting each coin that enters therein and for subtracting therefrom the number of coins paid out, each of the accumulators including a mechanism for establishing a minimum and a maximum number of coins that can be maintained in the coin tube.