Patent ID: 6163603
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: G07F,H04M

Abstract:
A coin escrow apparatus for use with a pay telephone comprising:a housing defining a coin hopper, a coin acceptance chute, and a coin return chute;a door mounted within said housing for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in said hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from said hopper to said coin acceptance chute, and a return position for releasing coins from said hopper to said coin return chute;actuator means for selectively moving said door between said escrow, said acceptance, and said return positions; andelectronic means responsive to a control signal for delivering electrical power to said actuator means for controlling selectively movement of said door, said electronic means producing an actuator firing confirmation signal responsive to the control signal, regardless of whether said actuator means actually fires successfully or not.