Patent GB-1018069-A (GB)
Title: Automatic ticket selling machine
IPC: G07F17/42
Filed: 1963-09-18
Abstract: 1018069 Ticket selling machines; change giving machines SODECO SOC. DES COMPTEURS DE GIENEVE 18 Sept 1963 [4 Oct 1962] 36709/63 Headings G4T T18K T18L T18B3 T18C3 T18C5 T18F2B T18F5A T18Q and TH3 A ticket issuing machine gives change and has a keyboard with a key for each of the tickets that can be printed and dispensed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the machine has a keyboard 1 with contact operating keys 2 of which only one is shown to the left of Fig. 2. To each key there is a relay 3 con-  tacts of which connect over a distribution frame 15 to code relays 16'-16"' which translate the key identity into price data for injection into the counters 6a-6c. The counters are four-stage binary counters employing two relays per stage and reverting to zero at the tenth step. When a key is operated for any given ticket the price of the ticket is injected into the counters in complementary form, counters 6a-6c recording centimes, francs and tens of francs, respectively. The price recorded is shown in the counter display 8. Coins are deposited in slots 9 and, if accepted after testing, pulse the counters 6a-6c according to denomination to reduce the amount indicated in display 8. On insertion of the first coin a motor 19 drives a printing wheel 18 and hunting switch 21 in search of the operated key so that the printing wheel will be ready to print the required ticket in conjunction with inking mechanism 18a. The tickets are printed on and cut from a roll of paper 22. When the total of coins deposited equals or exceeds the amount required to purchase the ticket a sensing circuit 11 responds to trigger the printing mechanism. If the excess of coins deposited is less than one franc it is registered in counter 6a which transfers its registration to a translator 7 which returns the complement to the counter. An impulsing generator now restores counter 6a to zero and ejects coins from a change dispensing mechanism according to the amount of impulsing required. Change of more than 90 centimes is not given. Coins in excess of the price of the ticket and the maximum in change are returned to a delivery hatch 24 under control of a reflector vane 23 and by way of a shoot 23a. If after 50 seconds insufficient coins are deposited the deposited coins are returned. The total price of tickets dispensed is recorded on a counter 53 and for each ticket dispensed the price is recorded on printing counter 54 which also records the amount of change dispensed. The total amount of change dispensed is recorded on a counter 55. For the purposes of recording the ticket price the sensing circuit 11  causes the reinjection of the complement of the ticket value in counters 6a-6c once it has been counted out by deposited coins. The counters are counted out a second time by the sensing circuit 11 to advance the recording counters 53 and 54. The change dispensing machine is shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and comprises six demountable transparent coin tubes 31a-31f, four of which contain 20 centime coins and the other two contain 10 centime coins. The tubes are closed at their upper ends and when filled from their bottoms the coins are held for transportation by pins which pass through apertures 34 in the tubes. Each coin tube mounts on an ejecting mechanism with a rotary driving solenoid 38. The ejector is comprised of the swinging lever 41 on which a pusher 44 is spring-mounted. A pivoted arm 40 feels for the last coin and enters the coin tube as the last coin is dispensed, the upper end 47 of the lever operating a switch 39 to signal the condition. The tubes are emptied one at a time, the solenoids 38 being connected in a chain with switches 39 so that when one tube empties the next switches in. The number of pulses produced by the sensing circuit 11 in restoring counter 6a during change evaluation each represent a value of 10 centimes. A pulse halving circuit is therefor connected between the pulse source and the solenoids 38 of the 20 centime coin tubes. If, however, all the 20 centime tubes are empty, change is dispensed wholly in 10 centime coins. An office lamp may signal the empty state of the tubes.