Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for registering a subscription to purchase a plurality of items dispensed by a vending machine. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing an item by a vending machine in response to a request to redeem at least a portion of a registered subscription. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing an item by a vending machine based on an estimated availability determined through an analysis of stored subscription data.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the accessibility of a self-service terminal (SST) (50) comprises a sensor (52) for detecting the height of a user and a drive arrangement (84, 88) for moving a section of the terminal fascia incorporating a user-interfacing element such as a monitor (58) or keypad (62). The drive arrangement adjusts the position and orientation of the user-interfacing element to an optimum location relative to the detected height of the user.

Abstract: A token management system for a amusement arcade is capable of always managing tokens even during the business hours of the amusement arcade and temporarily keeping tokens deposited by players. The system has wireless account units and a collecting cart. The wireless account unit is provided for each of game machines and token dispensing machines installed in the amusement arcade, for detecting the number of tokens or coins inserted into a slot of the machine and the number of tokens or coins returned to players through a return mouth of the machine and transmitting the detected numbers to a wireless account unit attached to a management computer of the amusement arcade. Each of the wireless account units is provided with an identification number specific to the corresponding machine. The collecting cart collects tokens and coins from the game machines and token dispensing machines.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.

Abstract: A data generating device 300 for use in combination with a coin mechanism 100 of a bulk vending machine 10, is provided. The combination uses a standard coin mechanism of a bulk vending machine, which in its normal operation is received into an opening in the bulk vending machine. The coin mechanism has a selectively rotatable shaft 110 extending axially therefrom, which has mounted therearound, a portion of the data generating device.

Abstract: A railroad theme restaurant with educational and entertainment aspects is provided, housed in a round building structure, having a model train food delivery system running on a network of model train tracks configured to service numerous seating modules for the rapid and accurate delivery of food orders to restaurant patrons. The model train food delivery system incorporates novel insulated insets to accommodate the transport of various food dishes and drink containers from a food preparation area to the dining tables. An inset storage area and loading dock facilitates the rapid loading of food orders and unloading of empty insets. Restaurant employees assume the titles, dress and mannerisms of railroad yard workers as they perform their regular duties adding to an overall interesting and fun atmosphere. The railroad track network is controlled by numerous electric switches and electronic sensors which detect the position of trains and direct the movement of food delivery train cars and returning trains.

Abstract: A coin sorter, wherein a front cover, a gate rail and a solenoid out of independent parts constituting the coin sorter are supported so that they can be detached with a snap action respectively.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing a single publication product at a time. The vending machine includes a housing with a front wall, back wall, side walls, top wall and bottom wall. A door is hinged to the front wall on the housing and forms part of a display case for displaying information regarding the product being dispensed. An elevator is located within the housing and slidable from a position near the back wall toward the front wall, the elevator adapted to contain a stack of products being dispensed. A dispensing assembly is mounted within housing and forward of the elevator. The dispensing assembly includes a dispensing sled which is translatable from an upper position to a lower position. The dispensing sled is adapted to engage a publication product located on the elevator and to slide the publication product toward a dispensing area located at the bottom of the housing. An actuation arm is attached to the dispensing sled and pivotally mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A coin handling mechanism for conveying coins to a remotely positioned coin receptor which accumulates the deposited coins. There is a water trap positioned along a back wall of the housing for diverting the flow of liquid injected through the coin entrance slot downwardly along the back of the housing to a fluid collecting chamber. The water trap comprises intersecting vertical support members and horizontal cross bars. There is also provided a coin discharge chute having an adjustment mechanism to adjust the point of discharge of the coins.

Abstract: A vending or merchandising machine is provided which includes a bulk-loaded coin hopper for providing change to a user of the machine. The vending machine may be operable in a change mode, wherein change is dispensed from the bulk loaded hopper in an amount equivalent to the amount of credit input into the machine by user, or a vending mode, where a user may select an item to be purchased, and receive the item and change in an amount equal to the input amount less the purchase price of the item. Preferably, the vending machine automatically switches to the change mode in response to an input threshold amount being inserted into the vending machine. Preferably, the vending machine further may be selectively switched to the change mode in response to a user input on a keypad or the like on the merchandising machine.

Abstract: A newspaper dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a cavity for storing newspapers. A door is pivotally attached to the housing via a pair of hinges. A locking subassembly releasably engages the door in a closed position. The disclosed apparatus is fabricated entirely from plastic to eliminate concern of corrosion and the risk of sparks. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus is fabricated from high strength steel, but selected portions of the apparatus including the locking subassembly, hinges and portions of the door, are covered with non-corrosive, spark proof materials to prevent metal-to-metal contact. Thus, the apparatus can be positioned immediately adjacent gasoline pumps at a service station without the risk of creating sparks, fire or an explosion.

Abstract: A coin handling apparatus includes a coin storage container having conductive electrodes disposed along sides of the coin storage container. The coin handling apparatus also includes a voltage generator. A processor controls the voltage generator to provide output signals to excite the electrodes at multiple frequencies. The processor is configured to determine a resonant frequency based on levels of reflected power resulting from the output signals and to estimate a number of coins in the container based on the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A stream of coins of mixed denominations is passed through a first station in which the mixed coins are counted and the stream of mixed coins is then sorted to segregate coins of a selected denomination from those of other denominations. The coins of the other denominations are deposited into a first vault chamber, and the coins of the selected denomination are deposited into a second vault chamber. A report of the value of the counted coins of all denomination is generated. At a processing station to which the vault chambers are transported, the coins of the selected denomination in the second vault chamber from repeated sorting operations by many users can be weighed to determine the total value thereof. Thus, only the coins of other denominations need to be counted and separated into denominations, thereby reducing the processing time, the wear on high speed counting and sorting apparatus, and the costs of coin processing.

Abstract: A transaction processing system which includes a produce recognition server for identifying produce items. The produce recognition system further includes a checkout system including a transaction processing terminal, a bar code reader which sends item identification information associated with bar-coded items and with the produce items to the transaction processing terminal, a produce data collector coupled to the bar code reader, and a computer coupled between the bar code reader and the produce recognition server for relaying produce data to the produce recognition server and produce identification information to the bar code reader.

Abstract: The coin sorting device comprises: a body (1); a coin put-in port (4) for putting a coin in; a coin sorting handle (5) which can be rotated; a coin turn table (7) which can be rotated according to a rotation of the coin sorting handle (5) and comprises a coin receiving portion (20) for receiving a put-in coin; a rocking member (21) which can rock around a shaft (21a) which is attached to the coin turn table (7), for rocking so that a top end portion of the rocking member (21) is pressed to move in a radial outer direction by a periphery of a normal coin which is received by the coin receiving portion (20); and a stopper (31) which is attached to the body (1), for preventing a rotation of the coin turn table (7) by hitting the top end portion of the rocking member (21) against an end portion (31a) of the stopper (31) when a normal coin is not received by the coin receiving portion (20), while for allowing the rotation of the coin turn table (7) without hitting the top end portion of the rocking member (21) whi

Abstract: A method and device for detecting a coin, wherein one of a plurality of coils (1a, 1b, 1c) is selectively connected to an oscillation unit (4) via a switching unit (2) and a coin is detected based on an output from an oscillation circuit comprising the connected coil (one of 1a, 1b, 1c) and the oscillation unit (4).

Abstract: A shopping cart rental system for renting shopping carts and encouraging returning of shopping carts to designated areas. The shopping cart rental system includes a plurality of rental assemblies. Each of the rental assemblies comprises a housing. The housing comprises an upper portion. A lower portion is couplable to the upper portion. A plurality of coin slots are located on a front face of the upper portion. A key slot is formed through a rear face of said upper portion. A key is for inserting into the key slot. The key is coupled to the upper portion of the housing. A key retaining assembly is for retaining the key in the key slot. A coin operated assembly for actuating the key retaining assembly. The coin operated assembly is operationally coupled between the coin slot and the key slot.

Abstract: Method for chain drive, whereby the chain, such as a transmission chain, conveyor chain and/or like, is formed of several shaped pieces (1), that are connected to each other one after another at jointing points (N) by means of joint pins, and that is being driven by means of a wheel arrangement, that includes at least one chain wheel (7), such as a drive wheel, a turning wheel or the like. Particularly wearing of the chain, that is due to bending of the chain essentially along the longitudinal direction (p) of the joint pins, is being minimized by taking advantage of joint pins (x), the cross section of which changes in the longitudinal direction (p). The invention also relates to chain functioning according to the method.

Abstract: A conveyor belt (1) is composed of a number of identical links in the formation of an endless belt, where each link comprises at least one axle (3) arranged transversely in relation to the direction of travel (2), and an outer link (4) at each side in engagement with the axle. Each outer link comprises an elongated hole for the adjacent link's axle, so that the belt can be driven in a curve in the plane of the belt. Each outer link has at least one securing hole for a transverse axle, where the coupling-together between the axle (3 and the outer link (4) is effected by a separable snap-lock. The outer link is moulded as a one-piece unit in a suitable plastic material, preferably by injection moulding. The outer links (4) can also be configured in a larger version for the construction of conveyor belts for operation in self-stacking helical systems.

Abstract: A low power parking meter to control two or four parking bays. A display, either by a flag-wheel or a digital display will normally indicate the status of each bay. When funds are deposited without indicating the bay to be credited, the meter will escrow the amount until a bay is chosen. The meter normally operates in an idle loop unless an individual bay is being checked or vended.