Abstract: A magazine vending machine provides a plurality of vending mechanisms in a series of rows and columns in a glass front cabinet. Each vending mechanism includes a magazine dispensing mechanism for individually dispensing customer selected magazines and a pusher plate assembly that can be locked in a rear most loading position to allow the operator to fill each vending mechanism with magazines. The magazine dispensing mechanism includes a microprocessor and sensor arrangement which determines the height of magazine dispensed from the magazine vending mechanism and makes adjustments to the magazine dispensing mechanism operation according to the height of the magazine.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A bill validator for evaluating paper articles includes a bill guide for receiving the paper articles. A bill protector validates the received articles corresponding to genuine currency and rejects all other articles. A sensor measures a portion of the article which passes a predetermined position of the bill guide during receiving by the bill guide and further measures the portion of the article and any other articles which pass the predetermined position during rejection. The bill validator is disabled for a predetermined period of time if the measurement of the portion of the article during receiving differs from the measurement taken during rejection. As a result, the bill validator is disabled in the event that a user attempts to remove an article with a rejected article causing the measurement of the received article to differ from the measurement taken during rejection.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating a conductive coin to verify its authenticity and to determine its denomination. A first oscillator circuit generates a first oscillating signal for energizing a first coil producing a first magnetic field. The first oscillating signal has a first parameter which is a function of disturbances in the first magnetic field when the coin to be evaluated is located within the first magnetic field. A second oscillator circuit generates a second oscillating signal for energizing a second coil producing a second magnetic field. The second oscillating signal has a second parameter which is a function of disturbances in the second magnetic field when the coin to be evaluated is located within the second magnetic field. The parameters are converted to digital signals and provided to a computer which indicates the acceptability and denomination of the coin when a ratio or other arithmetic relationship of the first and second parameters is within an acceptable range.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currency in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: Coin apparatus for use in a vendor for handling acceptable coins and unacceptable coins or slugs deposited in the vendor, having change tubes for coins of different denominations, and operable to reject unacceptable coins and slugs, to accept acceptable coins and to deliver them as needed to the change tubes and, when not needed in the change tubes, to escrow them, to deliver coins from escrow to the cash box of the vendor upon a vend and to the coin return system of the vendor on recall of a deposit by a customer, to deliver coins from the change tubes on a recall in the same number and denomination as those deposited by the customer in the vendor and delivered to the change tubes, and to make change from the change tubes as needed on a vend.

Abstract: An accountability system for a vendor having a cash handler, change tubes and a cash box, the cash handler being adapted to accept deposited coins and deliver them to the change tubes if needed, otherwise to deliver them to the cash box. A memory stores data on the amount of cash which should be retained in the vendor out of cash deposited in the vendor, and also data on delivery of coin to and from the change tubes, for computation of the amount of cash which should be turned in from the vendor. A logic circuit controls input of data to and retrieval of data from the memory, the logic circuit being operable to update in the memory the data for the computation. The system uses a latched cash box and refunds, test vends, and adding change to the change tubes are all accomplished without opening the cash box. Access to the cash box and to data stored in the memory is limited to those possessing specially coded keys.

Abstract: An improved frequency synthesizer utilizes a first order loop and sample-and-hold phase detector with optimized gain to obtain very fast frequency locking characteristics. In addition, synchronization of the programming of the loop divider and of the range shifting the voltage controlled oscillator is also utilized. An adaptive loop filter is provided to allow a first order loop to be used for lock acquisition and still maintain excellent noise performance after lock has been obtained.

Abstract: A memory circuit increments when sensor fallout or short solenoid energization is detected in a wheel slip control system. A disable or alarm signal is generated when the memory contents reach a predetermined threshold.