Check-actuated control mechanisms – With means responsive to malfunction
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-02-06
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
With means responsive to malfunction
C194S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182811
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to coin operated systems and, more particularly, to coin escrow devices for using coin operated systems such as vending machines, coin operated telephones, and the like.
2. State of the Art
Coin operated vending systems, such as coin operated telephones, often include devices, called “escrow” devices to temporarily hold coins until such time as control signals indicate whether the coin should be returned to the system user or permanently collected. Typical escrow devices in coin operated telephones include a mechanism to release the coins to a coin box in the event that a call has been successfully placed, and a mechanism to return coins to the calling party in the event that a call is not successfully completed.
Escrow devices for coin operated vending systems needs to be reliable. An escrow device must operate to discharge all escrowed coins to a collection box only when the vending operation has been successfully completed and, conversely, must return all escrowed coins to the system user only when a vending operation has not been successfully completed. If an escrow device does not operate reliably, the vending system may be damaged by an irrate user, or revenue can be lost to the owner of the system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,937 describes a prior art escrow device for coin operated systems. This patent is incorporated herein by reference.
In coin operated escrow systems, jamming is a common problem. For this reason, some coin escrow devices use jam detection circuitry. In prior art systems, electro-mechanical means have been employed to detect jamming within the coin escrow hopper using contact switches. When a coin deposit is detected, a contact switch is closed to tell the control electronic module that the coin escrow has activity. When a call connection is made or fails, a gate of the escrow hopper will open to accept or return the coins, and the contact switch will be reset to an open circuit position. If the coin escrow is jammed, the contact switch will remain closed and thus give a signal to the control electronic module that there is a coin jam. The use of contact switches can cause problems, however. Contact switches are subject to breakdowns due to air corrosion, electrochemical corrosion, or for mechanical reasons. To avoid the breakdown problems common with contact switches, some escrow systems do not use coin jam detection at all.
It is desired to have an improved system to detect jams in a coin escrow device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the present invention provides a coin escrow device using a magnetic switch in a jam detection mechanism. The magnetic switch can be enclosed, and thus there is no open connector which can be susceptible to corrosion or other failures common with contact switches. An example of a magnetic switch that can be used with the present invention is a reed switch. Magnets are moved close to and away from magnetic switch in a manner to indicate coin jams.
In one embodiment, a magnet on a support is moved from a normal position away from the magnetic switch to a position closer to the magnetic switch when a gate of the coin escrow device opens. An extension connected to the solenoid pushes-up on the support when the gate of the escrow device opens. The support drops down to its normal rest position when the gate closes. When the magnet comes close to the magnetic switch, the magnetic switch turns on and thus a signal is received by the controller. If a coin jams one of the gates open, the magnet will remain near the magnetic switch, keeping it on. Thus, the controller is notified of the coin jam.
Another support with another magnet can be moved down from its normal position away from the magnetic switch to a position near the magnetic switch by the coin trigger which indicates the receipt of a coin by the escrow device. When a gate of the escrow device is opened, the another support is moved up to its normal position. This is preferably done at the same time that the first support and first magnet are moved toward the magnetic switch. A jam can occur such that the coin is trapped in the region of the coin trigger. The coin trigger will prevent the support from returning to its normal position. This jam will be detected because the magnets will be positioned such that the magnetic switch is on.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second magnet and supports are used together to detect both types of coin jams. Alternatively, the system could use a single magnet to detect a single type of jam.
In one embodiment, the supports are connected at a pivot. The magnets are positioned at a tip of the supports so that they can swing out close to and away from the magnetic switch.
In one embodiment, a ferrous metal plate is placed near the normal position of the first magnet. This metal plate reduces the magnetic field of the first magnet in the direction of the magnetic switch when the first magnet is in its normal position. This can be important because the magnets and magnetic switches are typically produced to be within a relatively wide tolerance range.
In another embodiment, when the first and second magnets are near each other in an up position, the magnetic field is expanded in the direction towards the magnetic switch. This helps keep the magnetic switch on when the two magnets are in the up position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4782937 (1988-11-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5135433 (1992-08-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5381880 (1995-01-01), Pearson
patent: 5799768 (1996-07-01), Bernier et al.
patent: 1-189796 (1989-07-01), None
Bartuska F. J.
Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Tatung Telecom
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