Abstract: A detection terminal including a piezoelectric transducer emitting and receiving ultrasound waves via a diaphragm to which it is secured, said diaphragm being arranged opposite an opening of a housing and connected to said housing by connection mechanism. According to the invention, the diaphragm is connected to a rigid structure which enables same, when subjected to pressure, to undergo a contraction limited to the space provided for said purpose, in the opening of the housing, determined by a position of the structure abutting against a surface of the housing opposite the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring the absence of motionless bodies in a swimming pool. Two cameras (1) provide for the permanent imaging of the bottom of the swimming pool. These images are first digitized and then processed by a computer. The superimposition of the two information permits analysis of substantially the entire the surface of the swimming pool in order to determine if a portion is masked by an obstacle. When such obstacle is detected, the duration of the presence of each masked pixel is analyzed. After a certain time delay, and for a minimum number of neighboring pixels, an alarm is generated.

Abstract: A coin checker and card reader for use with a vending machine includes a housing having a coin slot and a separate card slot which merge into a chute that communicates with a first coin channel and a card channel. A coin inserted into the coin slot rolls through the chute into the first coin channel and passes sensors which determine whether the coin is accepted or rejected. A door is actuated to direct an accepted coin into a coin container through a second coin channel. A rejected coin is directed to a return tray through a third coin channel. A subscriber card with a memory inserted into the card slot is guided into the card channel to actuate a switch to activate a microprocessor for exchanging information with the subscriber card memory and processing a transaction. The microprocessor checks the data being exchanged to prevent loss of data should the card be removed before the transaction is completed and to vend an article only after valid data has been exchanged.

Abstract: A coin checker and card reader for use with a vending machine includes a housing having a coin slot and a separate card slot which merge into a chute that communicates with a first coin channel and a card channel. A coin inserted into the coin slot rolls through the chute into the first coin channel and passes sensors which determine whether the coin is accepted or rejected. A door is actuated to direct an accepted coin into a coin retainer through a second coin channel. A rejected coin is directed to a return tray through a third coin channel. A subscriber card with a memory inserted into the card slot is guided into the card channel to actuate a switch to activate a microprocessor for exchanging information with the subscriber card memory and processing a transaction. The microprocessor checks the data being exchanged to prevent loss of data should card be removed before the transaction is completed and to vend an article only after valid data has been exchanged.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine includes a housing having a hinged cover which is releasably locked in a closed position. Coins are inserted in a slot formed in a front wall of the housing and move through a coin checking channel where they are checked by an electronic coin checker. If the correct amount has been deposited, a motor is switched on to move an arm which pushes out a newspaper on the top of a stack in the housing. When a detector senses that the newspaper has been delivered, the coins are deposited in a collection container. When automatic machine is to be restocked and the coins collected, a servicing person inserts a card with a data carrier into the housing and data is read from the card and stored by a computer and a memory. Data concerning the amount collected and the operation of the machine are subsequently transferred to the data carrier of the card and the cover is then unlocked so that the machine can be serviced.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for articles such as newspapers has a housing with a card slot for the insertion of a subscriber card into a card reader in the housing to read information from the card. The card reader is connected to a programmable computer which controls an article delivery apparatus to deliver a newspaper from a delivery slot in the housing. The subscriber card has an electrically conductive encodable contact array formed thereon for providing the information necessary to actuate the article delivery apparatus. The array includes a plurality of contact pads and a contact bridge formed of copper foil, for example. At least one of the contact pads is connected to the contact bridge and the card reader has a plurality of reeds for contacting the contact pads to read the encoded information into the computer.