Controller for an automatic vending machine

A controller for an automatic vending machine in which the specification for each of a plurality of countries is set easily. If a country setting switch sets a specification for a desired country, parameter values corresponding to the specification are read from a memory and elements required for changing the specification are controlled in accordance with the parameter values. The parameter values include, for example, respective threshold levels for the inserted coins for each of the countries and the values indicative of the distributing manners to distribute the respective inserted coins for each of the countries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a controller for an automatic vending 
machine and more particularly to a controller for an automatic vending 
machine, the specification of which is easily changed to meet the 
conditions of various countries. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Automatic vending machines have been widely used in various countries. In 
designing an automatic vending machine for use in a plurality of 
countries, specifications are required to vary from country to country 
because the currencies and denominations are different in each country. 
For example, the material and shape of coins vary in each country, so that 
the threshold levels for selecting the coins in an automatic vending 
machine vary. In addition, the number of kinds of coins to be inserted in 
the automatic vending machine varies from country to country. Therefore, 
the manner to distribute the inserted coins to the appropriate coin tubes 
in the vending machine differs from country to country. 
Conventionally, automatic vending machines have been designed and 
manufactured with a fixed specification for each country. However, with 
such machines, if there are a large number of countries where the vending 
machines are to be used, design and manufacturing of the vending machines 
must be changed for each country, thus manufacturing efficiency is low. 
In addition, if the design of the current coins is changed, the 
conventional vending machines cannot easily adjust to the change. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a controller for an 
automatic vending machine which can be designed and manufactured 
efficiently, and can be easily adjusted to a change of the design of the 
current coins. 
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a 
controller for an automatic vending machine comprising a country setting 
switch for setting the operation of the machine on the basis of a 
specification for each of countries; means for storing a parameter value 
corresponding to the specification for that country; and control means for 
reading from the storing means a parameter value corresponding to the 
specification selected by the country setting switch in correspondence to 
the selective operation of the country selecting switch and controlling 
the appropriate elements of the machine in accordance with that parameter 
value. 
When a specification of a country is set by the country setting switch, a 
parameter value corresponding to the set specification is read from the 
storing means and some elements of the machine are controlled in 
accordance with the read parameter for a change in the specification. The 
country setting switch may comprise a dip switch, for example. 
The storing means may store a threshold level for an inserted coin used in 
each of the countries as the parameter values. The control means may read 
from the storing means a threshold level corresponding to the 
specification selected by the country selecting switch and judges the 
inserted coin in accordance with the read threshold level. 
The storing means may store as the parameter value the manner in which an 
inserted coin for use in each of the countries is distributed. The control 
means may read from the storing means the manner in which the inserted 
coin is distributed in correspondence to the manner selected by the 
country setting switch and may control the distribution of the coin in 
accordance with the read distributing manner. 
According to the present invention, with the country setting switch capable 
of setting various specfications to meet conditions of each country, the 
efficiency of designing and manufacturing of the vending machines are 
improved and the adjusting to the change in the current coins is easily 
made.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
One embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail 
with reference to the accompany drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a controller for an automatic 
vending machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the 
appearance of a coin changer to which is applied the embodiment of FIG. 1. 
In FIG. 2, the coin changer includes first coin tube 21 which is 
automatically and manually fed with coins inserted through coin inlet 1, 
and second, third and fourth coin tubes 22, 23 and 24 which are 
automatically fed with coins inserted through coin inlet 1. Acceptor 10 
judges the validation and kind of the coin inserted through coin inlet 1 
and selectively distributes the coin to one of first-fourth coin tubes 
21-24 and a cash box (not shown) and returns the coin to a coin return 
outlet (not shown) if it is a false one. Manual coin feed port 21a is used 
to manually supplement coins; coin payment unit 25 gives change from among 
the coins stored in first coin tube 21; coin payment unit 25' is used to 
give change and return coins from among the coins stored in second-fourth 
coin tubes 22-24; and lever 26 is used to discharge the coins jamming in a 
coin passageway in acceptor 10. 
In acceptor 10 shown in FIG. 3, turning hook 10a in the direction of arrow 
A disengages hook 10a from protrusion 10b, and rotation of acceptor 10 
around pin 10c in the direction of arrow B disengages acceptor 10 from the 
coin changer proper. As shown in FIG. 4, the front 3 of the acceptor 
accommodating unit of the coin changer has forced acceptance switch 4, 
price setting switch 5 and country setting switch 13 according to the 
present invention. In FIG. 4, forced acceptance switch 4 is used to set a 
mode in which the inserted coin is forcedly accepted by the cash box, and 
price setting switch 5 is used to set the selling price of commodities to 
be sold by the machine. 
If forced acceptance switch 4, which is not directly related to the present 
invention, is switched on, the coins introduced into the cash box (those 
coins have relatively high denominations) are forcedly accepted by the 
cash box irrespective of whether change is prepared or not and change is 
given within the range of sum of coins stored in first-fourth coin tubes 
21-24. In this case, it is not ensured that the total sum of change is 
given, but commodities are sellable even if change lacks. Forced 
acceptance switch 4 is provided to satisfy the demand of the users who 
want to buy commodities even if they cannot get full change. If the forced 
acceptance switch 4 is switched on, a mode is set in which selling 
commodities has priority over others. 
As shown in FIG. 4, country setting switch 13 includes six dip switches DIP 
1-DIP 6. By a selective operation of these switches, the specification for 
each country is set. For example, if only dip switch DIP 1 is switched on, 
first specification S-1 is set, and if only dip switch DIP 2 is switched 
on, second specification S-2 is set. The relation between the combination 
of operated dip switches DIP 1-DIP 6 and the corresponding set 
specifications is shown in Table 1 below: 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Dip switch No. 
1 2 3 4 5 6 Specification 
______________________________________ 
1 0 0 0 0 0 S - 1 
0 1 0 0 0 0 S - 2 
0 0 1 0 0 0 S - 3 
0 0 0 1 0 0 S - 4 
0 0 0 0 1 0 S - 5 
0 0 0 0 0 1 S - 6 
______________________________________ 
1 . . . Energized; 0 . . . Deenergized 
The details of acceptor 10 are shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, acceptor 10 
includes coin sensor 11 which judges a coin which is inserted through coin 
inlet 1 and rolls along guide rail 2, and three solenoids SOL 1, SOL 2 and 
SOL 3 which are driven such that the genuine coins judged by coin sensor 
11 are distributed to first-fourth coin tubes 21-24 and the cash box (not 
shown) for storing purposes and false coins are returned to the coin 
outlet (not shown). 
Coin sensor 11 may be a well-known electronic coin sensor which judges the 
validation and kind of the inserted coin on the basis of the 
electromagnetic characteristic of the coin. 
Acceptor 10 can discriminate five kinds of genuine coins one from the other 
and discriminates genuine coins from false ones. Assume now that the five 
kinds of genuine coins used in the controller of the present embodiment 
are coins A, B, C, D and that E the false coin is coin F. 
Solenoid SOL 1 discriminates between genuine coins A, B, C, D and E and 
false coin F. If the coin judged by coin sensor 11 is a genuine one, 
solenoid SOL 1 is energized to thereby turn guide plate GP to open a 
passage for the genuine coin and guides the genuine coin which has passed 
through coin sensor 11 through coin passage P1 behind guide plate GP to 
the genuine coin passage. If the coin judged by coin sensor 11 is a false 
one, solenoid SOL 1 is deenergized and guide plate GP closes the genuine 
coin passage and guides the false coin which has passed through coin 
sensor 11 to the coin outlet (not shown) through a passage before guide 
plate GP. 
Solenoid SOL 2 discriminates coins A, B, C and D of the coins discriminated 
by solenoid SOL 1 and guided to first, second, third and fourth coin tubes 
21, 22, 23 and 24 from coin E guided to the cash box. Namely, if the 
genuine coins judged by coin sensor 11 are coins A, B, C and D, solenoid 
SOL 2 is deenergized and discriminating arm DA 1 closes coin passage P2 to 
the cash box, as shown, and guides coins A, B, C, D to coin passage P3. 
However, if the coin judged by the sensor 1 is genuine coin E, solenoid 
SOL 2 is energized to thereby turn discriminating arm DA 1 
counterclockwise to open coin passage P2 to the cash box and close coin 
passage P3. Thus, coin E is guided to the cash box. 
Solenoid SOL 3 discriminates coins A, B between coins C, D. If the coin 
judged by coin sensor 11 is coin C or D, solenoid SOL 3 is deenergized, so 
that discriminating arm DA 2 closes coin passage P5, as shown, and guides 
coins C, D to coin passage P4. However, if the coin judged by coin sensor 
11 is coin A or B, solenoid SOL 3 is energized to thereby turn 
discriminating arm DA 2 clockwise to open coin passage P5 and close coin 
passage P4. Thus, coin A or B is guided to coin passage P5. 
Coins C, D guided to coin passage P4 are discriminated according to 
diameter. Coin C is guided to coin passage P6 which leads to third coin 
tube 23 while coin D is guided to coin passage P7 which leads to fourth 
coin tube 24. 
Coins A, B guided to coin passage P5 are discriminated according to 
diameter. Coin A is guided to coin passage P8 which leads to first coin 
tube 21 while coin B is guided to coin passage P9 which leads to second 
coin tube 22. 
The manner in which the coins are discriminated are shown in Table 2, in 
conjunction with the relationship between the kinds of coins and the 
operations of solenoids SOL 1, SOL 2 and SOL 3 as follows: 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Kinds of Coins 
SOL 1 SOL 2 SOL 3 
______________________________________ 
A 1 0 1 
B 1 0 1 
C 1 0 0 
D 1 0 0 
E 1 1 0 
F 0 0 0 
______________________________________ 
1 . . . Energized; 0 . . . Deenergized 
In FIG. 1, coin sensor 11 which judges the validation and kind of an 
inserted coin is disposed along guide rail 2 which guides the coin 
inserted through coin inlet 1, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, as shown 
in FIG. 6, coin sensor 11 includes oscillating coil 11a disposed along the 
coin passage, receiving coil 11b, oscillator 11c which energizes 
oscillating coil 11a with a signal with a predetermined frequency, and 
receiving circuit 11d which receives a signal induced in receiving coil 
11b in accordance with the passage of coin C. Control unit 12 determines 
the coin by receiving the output signal from receiving circuit 11d. 
Control unit 12 has a plurality of window circuits and determines that the 
coin is a genuine one corresponding to a window in one of the window 
circuits if the peak value of the output signal from receiving circuit 11d 
enters that window. This operation will be described in more detail with 
reference to FIG. 7. Waveform signal Q in FIG. 7 shows an illustrative 
signal waveform output from receiving circuit 11d of FIG. 6. Level values 
Hi and Li constitute a window of a window circuit of control unit 12. If 
the peak value of waveform signal Q output from receiving circuit 11d 
falls between levels Hi and Li, control unit 12 determines that the coin 
is a genuine one corresponding to level values Hi and Li. A pair of level 
values Hi and Li is set for each of the coins used and inherent to that 
coin. Therefore, there are set pairs of level values Hi and Li equal in 
number to the kinds of coins used. 
The present embodiment is arranged so as to select any one of a plurality 
of different specifications by setting country setting switch 13. Pairs of 
level values Hi and Li one for each of the specifications are set as 
parameter values in parameter memory 14. Control unit 12 reads from 
parameter memory 14 a necessary parameter comprising a pair of levels Hi 
and Li in correspondence to the setting of country setting switch 13 and 
judges the inserted coin in correspondence to an appropriate one of the 
specifications in accordance with the read parameter value. 
Setting which of the coin tubes and cash box the judged coin should be 
distributed and guided to differs from specification to specification. In 
the present embodiment, a destination for storage of each coin used is set 
as a parameter value for that coin in parameter memory 14. Control unit 12 
reads a parameter value indicative of the destination for storage of the 
coin from parameter memory 14 in correspondence to the setting of country 
setting switch 13 and distributes the coin judged in accordance with the 
read parameter. This distribution is performed by selectively driving 
first, second and third solenoids SOL 1, SOL 2 and SOL 3, as mentioned 
above. 
Table 3 below shows an example of parameter values stored in parameter 
memory 14 for specification S-1. Similar parameter values are set also for 
other specifications S-2 to S-6. 
TABLE 3 
______________________________________ 
Coin Used Hi Li Destination 
______________________________________ 
P 1 H 11 L 11 A 
P 2 H 12 L 12 B 
P 3 H 13 L 13 C 
P 4 H 14 L 14 D 
P 5 H 15 L 15 E 
______________________________________ 
In Table 3, destinations for distribution A-E correspond to those for coins 
A-E in FIG. 5. For example, coin P1 is judged according to the window of 
levels H 11 and L 11 and has a destination A determined by a combination 
of on-solenoid SOL 1, off-solenoid SOL 2 and on-solenoid SOL 3. It is then 
distributed to first coin tube 21 due to its diameter. 
Referring to FIGS. 8-10, a specified example will be described. FIG. 8 
shows the manner in which coins are distributed in the Germany 
specification. In this specification, the coins used are five in kind; 
10PF (pfennigs), 50PF, 1DM (Deutche Mark), 2DM and 5DM. In this case, if 
the inserted coins are 2DM, 10pf, solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid 
SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid SOL 3 is energized. Thereafter, 2DM is 
distributed to first coin tube 21 and 10 PF to second coin tube 22 
according to diameter. If the inserted coins are 1DM, 50PF, solenoid SOL 1 
is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid SOL 3 is 
deenergized. Thereafter, 1DM is distributed to third coin tube 23 and 50PF 
to fourth coin tube 24 according to diameter. If the inserted coin is 5DM, 
solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid 
SOL 3 is deenergized and 5DM is distributed to the cash box. If the 
inserted coin is a false one, all the solenoids SOL 1, SOL 2 and SOL 3 are 
deenergized and the coin is returned to the coin outlet (not shown). The 
relationship between coins and combinations of operative and inoperative 
solenoids is shown in Table 4. 
TABLE 4 
______________________________________ 
Coin SOL 1 SOL 2 SOL 3 
______________________________________ 
2DM, 10PF 1 0 1 
1DM, 50PF 1 0 0 
5DM 1 1 0 
______________________________________ 
1 . . . Energized: 0 . . . Deenergized 
Therefore, stored in parameter memory 14 of FIG. 1 are parameter values 
indicative of pairs of threshold levels Hi, Li corresponding to 10PF, 
50PF, 1DM, 2DM, and 5DM for the German specification and parameter values 
indicative of the manners of distribution corresponding to the 
relationships of Table 4. 
FIG. 9 shows the manner in which coins are distributed in the British 
specification. In this specification, the coins used are five in kind; 5P 
(pence) 10P, 20P, 50P and 1 (pound). In this case, if the inserted coins 
are 10P, 20P, solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized 
and solenoid SOL 3 is energized. 10P is then distributed to first coin 
tube 21 and 20P to second coin tube 22 according to diameter. If the 
inserted coin is 5P, solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is 
energized and solenoid SOL 3 is deenergized. Thereafter, 5P is distributed 
to third coin tube 23. If the inserted coins are 50P, 1, solenoid SOL 1 
is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid SOL 3 is 
deenergized, and 50P and 1 are distributed to the cash box. This 
relationship is shown in Table 5 below. 
TABLE 5 
______________________________________ 
Coin SOL 1 SOL 2 SOL 3 
______________________________________ 
10P, 20P 1 0 1 
5P 1 0 0 
50P, 1 1 1 0 
______________________________________ 
1 . . . Energized: 0 . . . Deenergized 
Therefore, stored in parameter memory 14 of FIG. 1 are parameter values 
indicative of pairs of threshold levels Hi, Li corresponding to 5P, 10P, 
20P, 50P and 1 for the British specification and parameter values 
indicative of the manners of distribution corresponding to the 
relationships of Table 5. 
FIG. 10 shows the manner in which coins are distributed in the Australian 
specification. In this specification, the coins used are six in kind; 
5.cent. (cents), 10.cent., 20.cent., 50.cent., $1 (dollar) and $2. In this 
case, if the inserted coin is 20.cent., solenoid SOL 1 is energized, 
solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid SOL 3 is energized. 20.cent. is 
then distributed to first coin tube 21. If the inserted coins are 
10.cent., 5.cent., solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is 
deenergized and solenoid SOL 3 is deenergized. Thereafter, 10.cent. is 
distributed to third coin tube 23 and 5.cent. to fourth coin tube 24 
according to diameter. If the inserted coins are 50.cent., $1, $2, 
solenoid SOL 1 is energized, solenoid SOL 2 is deenergized and solenoid 
SOL 3 is deenergized, and 50.cent., $1 and $2 are then distributed to the 
cash box. This relationship is shown in Table 6 below. 
TABLE 6 
______________________________________ 
Coin SOL 1 SOL 2 SOL 3 
______________________________________ 
10.cent. 1 0 1 
10.cent., 5.cent. 
1 0 0 
50.cent., $1, $2 
1 1 0 
______________________________________ 
1 . . . Energized: 0 . . . Deenergized 
Therefore, stored in parameter memory 14 of FIG. 1 are parameter values 
indicative of pairs of threshold levels Hi, Li corresponding to 5.cent., 
10.cent., 20.cent., 50.cent., $1 and $2 for the Australian specification 
and parameter values indicative of the manners of distribution 
corresponding to the relationships of Table 6. 
While in the above embodiment the examples in which the parameters 
indicative of the threshold levels for the coin determination and the 
parameters indicative of the manners of coin distribution are stored in 
the parameter memory have been described and shown, the parameter values 
stored in the parameter memory are not limited to them, but may include 
parameters indicative of other operations for the corresponding 
specifications.