Patent Publication Number: US-2018047241-A1

Title: Coin delivery system with temporary holding stack device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to coin delivery systems, more particularly to a coin delivery system suitable for use in a coin-operated vending machine, and still more particularly to a coin delivery system having a temporary holding stack device wherein the coins are validated prior to delivery and storage in a particular coin denomination drum, said coin delivering system suitable for use in a coin-operated vending machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vending machines, such as, for example, food vending machines, beverage vending machines, ticket vending machines, etc. are provided in many public areas. Such vending machines are designed to dispense one or more goods and/or services upon receipt of a minimum predetermined or required input. The types of vending machines can range from a simple mechanical design to a more complicated electrical and/or electro-mechanical design. Generally, these machines are coin-operated, and include a coin delivery system wherein once a pre-determined minimum payment has been received by the vending machine, the machine operates to dispense the purchased goods and/or services. 
     One type of vending machine, a parking ticket vending machine is typically provided in public parking lots. When it is desired by a user (i.e. a driver) to park in a parking space in a parking lot having such a parking ticket vending machine, the user must deposit coins totaling the required minimum fee in the coin input slot(s) of the vending machine. Once the required fee has been paid, the parking ticket vending machine operates to dispense the ticket. Typically, after the parking ticket is dispensed, the user places the parking ticket on the dashboard of the vehicle to verify the payment of the required parking fee. 
     However, existing types of vending machines suffer from many drawbacks and/or disadvantages in that the transaction process (i.e. the process from payment to dispensing of the goods and/or services) is often too time-consuming and is susceptible to many mechanical failures to the irritation and disappointment of the system users. 
     In many cases, the time-consuming nature of these existing vending machines is due to inadequate coin delivery systems. In addition, the coins must be inserted and sorted one-by-one by the coin delivery system prior to the completion of the transaction, thereby increasing the end-to-end duration of the transaction. 
     Current methods for delivering a coin in vending machines having such a coin delivery system involve a coin transport unit which houses a coin carriage. Typically, the coin carriage receives a coin from a coin verifier and is caused to move along the coin transport unit by a stepper motor unit until the coin carriage reaches its final destination above a coin drum. 
     In addition to the reliance on many moving parts before the transaction is completed (i.e. before the ticket is printed) and the time-consuming mechanism of such moving parts, the stepper motor driving the moving parts can also increase the end-to-end duration of the transaction. For example, the speed of the motor is typically limited by: 1) the amount of torque which can be applied by the motor, and/or 2) the ability to stop the motor accurately at the correct position above the coin drum. Furthermore, ramping up the motor too quickly typically results in frequent motor stalls. 
     As such, the time taken to drive the coin carriage to its destination above the coin drum and back to its home position to receive another coin is extensive, typically ranging from about 1-2 seconds. During the process of moving the coin carriage to the destination, releasing the coin at its destination and returning to its home position, the entry of another coin into the coin delivery system is inhibited. In transactions involving a plurality of coins, the transaction time may become unreasonable, thereby providing an unfavorable end-to-end user experience. 
     There is thus a need for an improved coin delivery system which can separate the sorting of coins into specific coin drums from the user transaction or at least the verification of the deposited value of coinage, thereby providing a more efficient coin delivery system and an enhanced end-to-end user experience. 
     There is also a need for a temporary holding stack device suitable for use in existing and future types of coin-operated vending machines and capable of temporarily holding one or more coins during the transaction prior to being sorted and routed to the coin holding drum. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a coin delivery system adapted for use in a vending machine such that coins inputted into the vending machine are held in a temporary holding stack. The temporary holding stack is positioned after the coin verifier, i.e. downstream thereof, but before the coin transport mechanism, which said coin transport mechanism sits above the coin holding drums. From the temporary holding stack, the coins can be all returned to the customer if the transaction is aborted, or moved to the holding drums after all the coins have been received. As such, the transport to the drums does not limit the pace of the transaction for the customer, yet all customer requirements are met for verification of amount deposited, and return of all coins for a cancelled transaction. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a system for delivering coins during a vending machine transaction, said coins inserted by way of payment, and said vending machine designed to dispense a good or service, the coin delivery system comprising: a coin identification device capable of identifying and verifying an inserted coin type; a coin temporary holding device disposed downstream of the coin identification device and capable of temporarily holding an identified coin received from the coin identification device; and, a coin sorting device disposed downstream of the coin temporary holding device and capable of sorting the identified coin held by the coin temporary holding device, whereby a pace of sorting an identified coin has no effect on the identifying and verifying of inserted coins. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a system for delivering coins during a vending machine transaction, said coins inserted by way of payment, and said vending machine designed to dispense a good or service, the coin delivery system comprising: a coin inlet having a coin input slot into which coins are inserted, said coin inlet also having a coin output slot; a coin verifier having a coin input slot connected to the coin output slot of the coin input and adapted to verify the inserted coins, said coin verifier having a coin output slot; a temporary holding stack device having a coin input slot connected to the coin output slot of the coin verifier and an internal cavity adapted to temporarily hold the inserted coins during the transaction, said temporary holding stack having a coin output slot; a coin transport having a coin input slot connected to the coin output slot of the temporary holding stack and adapted to facilitate the transport of coins from the temporary holding stack, said coin transport having at least one coin output slot; and, a coin drum having at least one coin input slot connected to the at least one coin output slot of the coin transport and adapted to receive and store coins from the coin transport, wherein said temporary holding stack device further comprises one or more coin holding units spaced apart and positionable within the internal cavity of the temporary holding stack device and adapted to hold the coins inserted during the transaction after verification by the coin verifier and prior to reception in the coin drum. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a temporary holding stack device adapted for use in a coin-operated vending machine, the device comprising: a coin input slot capable of facilitating the insertion of coins inserted by way of payment during a vending machine transaction into the temporary holding stack device; an internal cavity adapted to temporarily hold the inserted coins during the transaction; a plurality of coin holding units positionable within said internal cavity of the temporary holding stack device and adapted to hold the coins inserted during the transaction; and, a coin output slot capable of facilitating the removal of the coins temporarily held by the temporary holding stack device, wherein the coin holding units are spaced apart such that the held coins are not in contact with other coins inserted during the same transaction. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a system for delivering coins during a vending machine transaction, said coins inserted by way of payment, and said vending machine designed to dispense a good or service, the coin delivery system comprising a temporary holding stack device, wherein the coin delivery system is capable of performing the user transaction separate from the sorting of inserted coins. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a vending machine system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of a coin delivery system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a sequence diagram illustration of a coin delivery system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of a temporary holding stack device in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of a temporary holding stack device in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded-view, perspective illustration of an existing coin transporter assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram illustrating an existing coin delivery system; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram of an existing coin delivery system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present description and accompanying drawing FIGURES illustrate the embodiments of an improved coin delivery system, and more particularly a coin delivery system having a temporary holding stack device designed and/or adapted to alleviate the insufficiencies and/or drawbacks associated with existing vending machines. Also provided is a more efficient method and system for operation for a vending machine based on the presently described coin delivery system embodiments. The term vending machine is used in the present disclosure to include any devices and/or systems used for the sales of goods and/or services, including, but not limited to: 1) a device and/or system that accepts payment from a customer, 2) a device and/or system that is operable by a customer, and/or 3) a device and/or system that dispenses one or more goods and/or services selected by the customer. The vending machine is further described here as a device capable of dispensing goods and/or services where the goods can include, but are not limited to foods, beverages, tickets, etc., and where the services can include, but are not limited to coin-operated payphones, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is provided an exploded-view perspective illustration of an existing coin transport assembly  300  adapted for use in a coin-operated vending machine, said coin transport assembly  300  having an outer casing  302  and a coin carriage assembly  304 . 
     The outer casing  302  of coin transport assembly  300  is illustrated as having a plurality of sidewalls  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  extending upwardly from a bottom wall (not shown), thereby defining an internal cavity and providing an outer casing having a generally rectangular block shape and having an open top end. As also illustrated in  FIG. 6 , sidewall  308  is illustrated as having a plurality of coin output slots  340 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  designed to facilitate movement of coins out of the coin transport assembly  300 . 
     A slider shaft  316  is positionable from a first sidewall  314  to a second sidewall  310  of the outer casing  302  of coin transport assembly  300 . The slider shaft  316  is typically releasably secured to sidewalls  314 ,  310  by fasteners  318 ,  320 , respectively. As such, the slider shaft  316  is typically designed to be positionable in the interior cavity of the outer casing  302 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the coin carriage assembly  304  is configured to be caused to move along slider shaft  316  by stepper motor assembly  322  having a transport stepper motor harness  324 . Stepper motor assembly  322  is illustrated as being positioned outside of the outer casing  302 , and releasably secured to a sidewall  312  of outer casing  302  by one or more fasteners  326 . 
     Additionally, an outer surface of a sidewall  308  of outer casing  302  can be configured to accommodate a connector PCB  328  having a transport harness  330 . Generally, the connector PCB  328  can be releasably secured to the outer casing  302  by one or more fasteners  332 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , top plate  334  is typically configured to slide over outer casing  302  through channels and/or grooves  348 ,  350  along the top peripheral edge of sidewalls  308 ,  312 , respectively, thereby covering the outer casing  302  of coin transport assembly  300 . Top plate  334  can be releasably secured to the outer casing  302  by one or more fasteners  336  (e.g., screws, etc.). The top surface of top plate  334  can include a coin guide  338  designed to facilitate entrance of a coin into the coin transport assembly  300 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , there is provided a perspective illustration of an existing coin delivery system  360 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the coin delivery system  360  utilizes a coin inlet  362  having a slot  364  sized and shaped to facilitate insertion of a coin  361  through said slot  364  and into the coin inlet  362 . The coin inlet  362  is also illustrated as having a slot  366  designed to facilitate movement of coin  361  out of coin inlet  362 , through slot  368  of a coin verifier  370 , and into coin verifier  370 . The coin verifier  370  is illustrated as having a slot  372  designed to facilitate movement of coin  361  from the coin verifier  370 , through slot  374  of coin transport  376 . Coin transport  376  is illustrated as having a coin carriage  378  movable within the coin transport  376  as indicated by arrows  380 ,  382 . Coin carriage  378  has a slot  384  configured to accept a coin  361  from slot  374  of coin transport  376 . Similarly, coin carriage  378  has a slot  386  configured to partially and/or fully align with one or more slots  390 ,  392 ,  394 ,  396 ,  398 ,  400  on coin transport  376 . Slots  390 ,  392 ,  394 ,  396 ,  398 ,  400  are illustrated as being continuous with slots  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412  of coin drum  414 . 
     In operation, the coin delivery system  360  can be incorporated into a vending machine. Initially, a coin  361  is inserted through slot  364  of coin inlet  362 . The coin  361  can pass through slot  366  of coin inlet  362 , and further through slot  368  of coin verifier  370 . The coin  361  then passes through slot  372  of coin verifier  370 , and further through slot  374  of coin transport  376 . Slot  372  of coin verifier  370  is designed to align with slot  374  of coin transport  376 , and also with slot  384  of coin carriage  378  when the coin carriage  378  is in its home position. Coin carriage  378  is designed to be caused to move within the coin transport  376  until the coin carriage  378  reaches a position above the required slot. Once the required slot is reached, slot  386  of coin carriage  378  is aligned with the required slot of the coin transport  376  and the coin carriage  378  then drops the coin  1361  through the slot into a coin drum  414 . After the coin  361  is dropped, the coin carriage  378  returns to the home position at which time a new coin can be inserted into the coin inlet  362 . 
     The coin delivery system  360  of  FIG. 7  further illustrates the complexity and extended time requirement needed during a transaction. Additionally, existing coin delivery systems are susceptible to mechanical failures due to the complexity of moving parts required before the transaction can be completed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is provided a sequence of events illustration used by an existing coin delivery system.  FIG. 7  illustrates objects labeled coin inlet  420 , coin verifier  422 , coin transport  424 , coin drum  426 , control software  428  and vending object  430 .  FIG. 7  also shows lifelines  432 ,  434 ,  436 ,  438 ,  440 ,  442 , associated with objects labeled coin inlet  420 , coin verifier  422 , coin transport  424 , coin drum  426 , control software  428  and vending object  430 , respectively.  FIG. 8  further shows messages labeled start transaction  444 , coin inserted  446 , coin validated  448 , top accepting T 1   450 , deliver coin  452 , coin sorted  456 , coin sorted  458 , start accepting T 2   460 , coin inserted  462 , coin validated  464 , stop accepting T 2   466 , deliver coin  468 , coin sorted  472 , coin sorted  474 , transaction complete  476  and release object  478 . 
     Incorporated in a ticket vending machine, the transaction is started  444  when the control software  428  recognizes insertion of a coin  446  into the coin inlet  420 . The inserted coin  446  is then sent to the coin verifier  422  where it is validated  448 . As the inserted coin  446  is verified  448 , a signal is sent to the coin verifier to stop accepting coins for transaction  1  (T 1 )  450 . After the inserted coin  446  is validated  448 , it is sent to the coin transport  424  and further delivered  452  to the coin drum  426  where the coin can be sorted into a coin drum  454 . A coin sorted signal  456  is then sent back from the coin drum  426  to the coin transport  424 , and a coin sorted signal  458  is further from the coin transport  424  to the coin verifier  422 . After the coin verifier  422  receives the coin sorted signal  458  from the coin transport  424 , a signal is sent to the coin verifier  422  to start accepting coins for transaction  2  (T 2 )  460 . The transaction can then continue insertion of a coin  462  into the coin inlet  420 . The inserted coin  462  is then sent to the coin verifier  422  where it is validated  464 . As the inserted coin  462  is validated  464 , a signal is sent to the coin verifier  422  to stop accepting coins for transaction  2  (T 2 )  466 . After the inserted coin  462  is validated  464 , it is sent to the coin transport  424  and further delivered  468  to the coin drum  426  where the coin can be sorted into a coin drum  470 . A coin sorted signal  472  is then sent back from the coin drum  426  to the coin transport  424 , and a coin sorted signal  474  is further from the coin transport  424  to the coin verifier  422 . After the coin verifier  422  receives the coin sorted signal  474  from the coin transport  424 , a signal is sent to the coin verifier  422  to start accepting coins for another transaction (not shown). The process as described above can be repeated as necessary until sufficient funds have been inserted into the machine at which point the control software  428  can then recognize a sufficient monetary value has been inserted, thereby signaling the completion of the transaction  476  to the coin inlet  420 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 8 , after completion of the transaction  476 , the ticket is released  478  from the vending object  430 . The sequence of events illustrated in  FIG. 7  illustrates that coins can only be inserted after the previously inserted coin has been sorted. Thus, the total time required for the transaction can be extensive. Generally, existing coin delivery systems facilitate the delivery of a coin in up to ten seconds or more. Additionally, the reliance of the system on multiple moving parts for each coin inserted (i.e. each transaction) provides an unnecessary risk for malfunction and/or failure to deliver a ticket. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a schematic diagram of a vending machine  500  generally suitable for utilizing one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Vending machine  500  is illustrated as having one or more selection buttons  506 ,  508  provided such that the customer can select from one of multiple goods, a coin delivery system  510  capable of sorting and storing coins inserted during the transaction, a dispensing chute  512  from which the dispensed good can be removed by a customer, and a computer  502  adapted to access and/or control various components of the vending machine. Other well-known fixtures and/or components of the vending machine may include: a display screen (not shown) for the purpose of displaying information to a customer, such as, for example, information about the goods and or service available through said vending machine, and a change bowl (not shown) provided to return excess, non-conforming, or refunded coins to the customer. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the coin delivery system  510  is illustrated as further having a coin inlet  514 , a coin verifier  516 , a temporary holding stack  518 , a coin carriage  520 , a coin transport  522 , and a coin drum  524 . The computer  502  has access to and electronic control over the various components of the coin delivery system  510 . For example, the computer  502  can access and control: 1) the coin inlet  514  for the purpose of initiating a transaction, 2) the coin verifier  516  to verify the type of coin inserted into the vending machine  500 , 3) the temporary holding stack  518 , 4) the coin carriage  520 , 5) the coin transport  522 , and/or 6) the coin drum  524  for the purpose of completing and terminating the transaction. As such, each component of the coin delivery system  510  is in electronic communication with the computer  502 . Additionally each of the coin inlet  514 , coin verifier  516 , temporary holding stack  518 , coin carriage  520 , coin transport  522 , and coin drum  524  of the coin delivery system  510  can be electrically connected (not shown). As such, the efficiency of the coin delivery system  510  can be increased. Similarly, the selection buttons  506 ,  508  and the dispensing chute  512  can be electronically connected to the computer  502  for operation or access by computer  502 . 
     Computer  502  typically has one or more components including a payment processor  526  for the purpose of calculating whether the customer inserted too much money, not enough money, or the correct amount of money. In addition, the computer  502  also generally has access and control over a data storage means and/or memory  528 , such as, for example, local RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., provided to store various types of information and/or data from components of the vending machine. Furthermore, the computer  502  also has a computer program  530  providing the method for completing the transaction. The control software  530  is typically designed to selectively connect the computer  502  to the components of the coin delivery system  510  and is typically adapted to selectively control the components of the coin delivery system  510   
     As such, computer  502  can be provided as a control means capable of accessing and operatively controlling the coin identification device, the coin temporary holding device, and/or the coin sorting device. The computer  502  can be operatively connected to a component of the coin delivery system  510  and programmed to perform the transaction of inserted coins to the delivery of the good or service by operations including: initiating the transaction upon insertion of coins into the coin inlet  514  of coin delivery system  510 , processing the inserted coins using the coin delivery system  510 , and/or completing the transaction once a predetermined fee has been inserted into the coin delivery system  510 , thereby dispensing the good and/or service from the vending machine  502 . Additionally, the computer  502  can be programmed to: record the denomination of the coin inserted into the coin delivery system  510  in data storage means and/or memory  528 ; record the coin holding unit of the temporary holding stack  518  holding the inserted coin in data storage means and/or memory  528 ; and/or electronically signaling the components of the coin delivery system  510  to sort the inserted coins using the data recorded in the data storage means and/or memory  528 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a perspective illustration of a coin delivery system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the coin delivery system  10  utilizes a coin inlet  12  having a coin input slot  14  sized and shaped to facilitate insertion of a coin  11  through said coin input slot  14 . Coin inlet  12  is not limited by size, shape or material. Generally, coin inlet  12  has a hollow internal cavity  13  designed to facilitate the passage of coin  11  therethrough. Coin inlet  12  can also be configured to have a sensor  15  mounted to an inner surface thereof for the purpose of identifying, for example, whether the inserted object and/or coin is counterfeit. Coin inlet  12  is also illustrated as having a coin output slot  16  designed to facilitate movement of coin  11  from the internal cavity  13  of coin inlet  12 , and further through coin input slot  18  of coin verifier  20 . 
     Coin verifier  20  can also be configured to have a sensor  19  mounted to an inner surface thereof for the purpose of: 1) identifying whether an inserted object and/or coin has monetary value for the purpose of preventing counterfeit payment, 2) preventing non-monetary objects from being accepted as forms of payment, and/or 3) identifying the monetary value of the coins as they are inserted into the coin delivery system. As such, inadequate objects can be removed, adequate objects can be accepted, and the accepted objects can be identified and recorded by coin verifier  20 . Coin verifier  20  is illustrated as having a coin output slot  22  designed to facilitate movement of coin  11  from the internal cavity  19  of coin verifier  20 , and further through slot  24  of temporary holding stack  26 . 
     The temporary holding stack  26  (described in further detail later with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 ) is illustrated as having a coin input slot  24  and as being configured to store and/or hold the one or more coins  11  entered in the transaction. Temporary holding stack  26  can also be configured to have a sensor  25  mounted to an inner surface thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment, the temporary holding stack  26  is designed to hold one or more coins for one or more transactions. Temporary holding stack  26  is also illustrated as having a coin output slot  28  continuous with coin input slot  30  of coin transport  38 . 
     Coin transport  38  is illustrated as having a coin input slot  30  and one or more coin output slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 . Coin transport  38  is not limited in size, shape, or material. Generally, coin transport  38  has a hollow internal cavity  39 . Coin transport  38  is also illustrated as having a slider shaft  37  extending from a first side to a second side thereof. Slider shaft  37  is designed to facilitate the movement of coin carriage  34  between several positions within the internal cavity  39  of coin transport  38 . The home position  35  of coin carriage  34  can optionally be defined as a position wherein at least a majority of the coin input slot  32  of coin carriage  34  is positioned underneath coin input slot  30  of coin transport  38 . The coin carriage  34  can be caused to move by a motor (not shown) to one or more release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 , said release positions generally corresponding with coin output slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  of coin transport  38 , respectively. The home position  35  of coin transport  38  can have a sensor (not shown) for the purpose of 1) detecting the position of coin carriage  34  within coin transport  38 , and/or 2) determining the presence of coin carriage  34  in home position  35 . Similarly, release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51  of coin transport  38  can have a sensor  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63  for the purpose of 1) detecting the position of coin carriage  34  within coin transport  38 , and/or 2) determining the presence of coin carriage  34  in release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 , respectively. 
     As indicated by arrows  67 ,  69 , coin carriage  34  can be designed to be caused to move linearly along slider shaft  37 . Coin carriage  34  has a coin input slot  32  sized and shaped to facilitate insertion of a coin  11  through said coin input slot  32 . Similarly, coin carriage  34  has a coin output slot  36  designed to facilitate release of the coin out of coin carriage  34 . Generally, coin carriage  34  is designed to 1) receive a coin  11  through coin input slot  32 , 2) temporarily hold the coin  11  as the coin carriage  34  is moved along slider shaft  37 , and/or 3) release coin  11  through coin output slot  36  when coin carriage  34  reaches its final destination along slider shaft  37 . The final destination of coin carriage  34  can be one or more of release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51  such that coin output slot  36  of coin carriage  34  is partially and/or fully aligned with coin output slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  of coin transport  38 , respectively. 
     Coin carriage  34  can have a sensor (not shown) for the purpose of 1) detecting whether or not a coin is present in coin carriage  34 , 2) determining the position of coin carriage  34  within the internal cavity  39  of coin transport  38 , and/or 3) determining whether coin carriage  34  is present in home position  35  and/or release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 . As such, as coin  11  is released from coin carriage  34  through coin output slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  of coin transport  38 , the coin is moved through coin input slots  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  of coin drum  64 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , coin drum  64  can be configured to have a different coin input slot for each type of coin  11  (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc.). In one embodiment, coin input slots  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  of coin drum  64  can open into reservoirs (not shown), said reservoirs being specific for the inserted coin type. For example, in such a configuration, coin input slot  52  can open into a reservoir specific for pennies, coin input slot  54  can open into a reservoir specific for nickels, coin input slot  56  can open into a reservoir specific for dimes, coin input slot  58  can open into a reservoir specific for quarters, coin input slot  60  can open into a reservoir specific for half-dollars, and coin input slot  62  can open into a reservoir specific for dollar coins. In another and/or alternative embodiment, each coin input slot  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  can open into a single reservoir (not shown) wherein all inserted coins are held together. In other embodiments, coin drum  64  can be configured to have a single coin input slot designed to facilitate movement of all coin types from the coin transport  38  to the coin drum  64 . 
     Coin delivery system  10  is suitable for use in various types of vending machine transactions wherein one or more coins are inserted into said vending machine by way of payment. Typically, the vending machine is designed to dispense a good, such as, for example, a parking ticket, or a service to the paying customer. In operation, a coin  11  is inserted through coin input slot  14  of coin inlet  12 . The coin  11  can pass through coin output slot  16  of coin inlet  12 , and further through coin input slot  18  of coin verifier  20  where the inserted coin  11  can be verified by coin verifier  20 . After the inserted coin  11  is verified, the coin  11  passes through coin output slot  22  of coin verifier  20 , and further through coin input slot  24  of the temporary holding stack, said temporary holding stack being designed to temporarily hold the inserted coins during the transaction. Once the required input (i.e. the correct monetary value of a plurality of coins  11  required to purchase the good or service) is received by the vending machine, the transaction is rendered complete and the coins  11  can be released from the temporary holding stack  26 . The coins  11  are released through coin output slot  28  of temporary holding stack  26 , and further passed through coin input slot  30  of coin transport  38  and coin input slot  32  of coin carriage  34  when coin carriage  34  is positioned in its home position  35 . Once the coin  11  is loaded in the coin carriage  34 , the coin carriage  34  can be caused to move by a motor (not shown) to one or more release positions  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 . Typically, each release position  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51  corresponds to a coin output slot  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  on coin transport  38 . For example, slot output slot  40  of coin transport  38  can lead to a coin input slot  52  of coin drum  64  designed to facilitate movement of pennies into coin drum  64 . As such, if a penny is carried in coin carriage  34 , the coin carriage would be caused to move to release position  41  positioned directly above coin output slot  40  of coin transport  38 . Each time the coin carriage  34  of coin transport  38  returns to the home position  35 , another coin can be released from the temporary holding stack  26  and into coin carriage  34  to be delivered to the coin drum  64 . 
     The coin delivery system  10  of the present disclosure is capable of facilitating a coin  11  inserted by a user to reach its end destination in from about 0.10 seconds to about 2.00 seconds, more typically from about 0.20 seconds to about 1.20 seconds, and still more typically from about 0.30 seconds to about 1.05 seconds. In one non-limiting embodiment, the coin delivery system  10  of the present disclosure is capable of facilitating a coin  11  inserted by a user to reach its end destination in less than about 1 second. Generally, the pace of the sorting of identified coins has no effect on the identifying and verifying of the inserted coins. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the temporary holding stack  26  is positioned after the coin verifier  20  and before the coin transport  38 . However, the temporary holding stack  26  can be positioned between other or alternative components of the coin delivery system, such as, for example, between the coin inlet  12  and the coin verifier  20 . In embodiments where the temporary holding stack is positioned between the coin verifier and the coin transport (as illustrated in  FIG. 1  of the present disclosure), several advantages are provided including, but not limited to: 1) the efficiency of the coin delivery system is increased; and/or, 2) there is no reliance on the moving parts of the coin transport or the transport motor during the transaction. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the coin inlet  12  is typically disposed upstream (i.e. prior to) the coin verifier  20 . The coin verifier  20  is typically disposed downstream (i.e. after) the coin inlet  12  and upstream (i.e. prior to) the temporary holding stack  26 . The temporary holding stack  26  is typically disposed downstream (i.e. after) the coin verifier  20  and upstream (i.e. prior to) the coin transport  38 . The coin transport  38  is typically disposed downstream (i.e. after) of the temporary holding stack  26  and upstream (i.e. prior to) the coin carriage  34 . The coin drum is typically provided downstream (i.e. after) the coin inlet  12 , coin verifier  20 , temporary holding stack  26 , coin transport  38 , and coin carriage  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is provided a sequence of events illustration used by a vending machine having a coin delivery system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates objects labeled control software  70 , coin system  72 , temporary holding stack  74 , coin transport  76  and vending object  78 .  FIG. 3  also shows lifelines  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  80 , associated with objects labeled control software  70 , coin system  72 , temporary holding stack  74 , coin transport  76  and vending object  78 , respectively.  FIG. 3  further shows messages labeled start transaction  90 , insert coins  92 , insert coins  94 , insert coins  96 , insert coins  98 , insert coins  100 , insert coins  102 , transaction complete  104 , release coins  106 , deliver coin  108 , deliver coin OK  110 , deliver coin  112 , deliver coin OK  114 , and release object  116 . 
     The sequence of events illustrated in  FIG. 3  is suitable for use in a coin delivery system incorporated in a vending machine, for example, a parking ticket vending machine. As such, a transaction is started  90  when the control software  70  recognizes insertion of one or more coins  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102  into the coin delivery system  72 . The inserted coins  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102  are held by the temporary holding stack  74  until the correct monetary value has been inserted into the vending machine. The control software  70  can then recognize a sufficient monetary value has been inserted, thereby signaling the completion of the transaction  104  to the coin delivery system  72 , wherein the temporary holding stack  74  then releases the coins  106  into the coin transport  76 . As indicated by deliver coin  108 , deliver coin OK  110 , deliver coin  112  and deliver coin OK  114 , the coins can be sorted  118  into the coin drums in a one-by-one fashion. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , after completion of the transaction  104 , the coins can be released  106  concurrently with the release of an object  116  from the vending object  78 . Thus, the total time required for the transaction can be significantly reduced, and the throughput of the end-to-end user experience can be enhanced. As also illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the coin delivery system is capable of performing the transaction  104  separate from the sorting  118  of inserted coins into coin drums. As such, the overall efficiency of the coin delivery system is improved. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , there is provided a cross-sectional perspective illustration of a temporary holding stack device in accordance with the present disclosure. The temporary holding stack  120  of  FIG. 4  can be used as a component of a coin delivery system of a vending machine (see  FIGS. 2-3 ). The temporary holding stack  120  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  as having a generally cylindrical shape, and as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape; however, the temporary holding stack can have other or alternative shapes. Furthermore, temporary holding stack  120  is illustrated as having a hollow interior, thereby providing an interior cavity  121 . The size of the internal cavity  121  is typically selected to accommodate various sized coins  124  of differing diameters (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc.) inserted into the vending machine. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the size of the internal cavity  121  is constant throughout the length of the temporary holding stack  120 . In another and/or alternative embodiment, the size of the internal cavity  121  varies along the length of the temporary holding stack. As also illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the temporary holding stack has a height greater than its width, thereby providing a temporary holding stack in a substantially vertical orientation capable of temporarily holding a stack of inserted coins. 
     An upper portion of the temporary holding stack  120  is illustrated as having a coin input slot  126 . Coin input slot  126  is shaped and sized to facilitate the passage of one or more coins  124  into the temporary holding stack  120 . In one embodiment, coin input slot  126  is configured to permit only one coin to pass through said coin input slot  126 , thereby decreasing the possibility of jams within the temporary holding stack  120  due to too many coins. Similarly, a lower portion of temporary holding stack  120  is illustrated as having a coin output slot  150 . Coin output slot  150  is shaped and sized to facilitate the passage of one or more coins  124  out of the temporary holding stack  120 . In one embodiment, similar to the coin input slot  126 , coin output slot  150  is configured to permit only one coin to pass therethrough. Furthermore, an exterior portion of the temporary holding stack  120  can include a transaction abort chute  152  designed to return rejected and/or refunded coins back to a customer. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the temporary holding stack is illustrated as having a plurality of coin holding units  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  provided in the interior cavity  121  of the temporary holding stack  120 . The shape, size and configuration of each coin holding unit  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  is non-limiting, and is typically selected to maximize coin-holding characteristics. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each coin holding unit  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  is illustrated as having the same or similar size and shape. Generally, each of the coin holding unit  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  is configured to be spaced apart and to facilitate the temporary holding of a plurality of coins  124 ,  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137  inserted into the temporary holding stack  120 . 
     The coin input slot  126  of temporary holding stack  120  can facilitate insertion of a coin from vertical, oblique, and/or horizontal angles. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , coin  124  is being inserted into the temporary holding stack  120  from a generally vertical position such that the coin  124  is entered in a vertical orientation. However, the coin input slot  126  can facilitate coins inserted from other or alternative angles. Generally, the temporary holding stack  120  is configured to temporarily hold the coins  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137  in a horizontal orientation in the interior cavity  121  of temporary holding stack  120 . As such, the coin input slot  126  can include a device or structure (not shown) for the purpose of moving the inserted coin from a variety of angles to a generally horizontal orientation to be temporarily held by a coin holding unit. Additionally, the temporary holding stack  120  is illustrated as being configured to temporarily hold the coins in isolation from other coins which are inserted during the same transaction. In another and/or alternative embodiment, the coins can be held in the temporary holding stack  120  such that each inserted coin is held in contact with the other coins received during the transaction, thereby saving space in the temporary holding stack such that more coins can be added per transaction. 
     In operation, as the one or more coins pass through coin input slot  126  of temporary holding stack  120 , the type of coin type can be identified and recorded by a sensor  140  positioned at or near coin input slot  126 . Similarly, as the one or more coins pass through coin output slot  150  of temporary holding stack  120 , the coin can be recorded by a sensor  142  positioned at or near coin output slot  150 . Sensors  140 ,  142  of temporary holding stack  120  can be provided for the purpose of, but not limited to 1) detecting whether or not a coin is present in the temporary holding stack, 2) identifying whether the inserted coin has monetary value for the purpose of identifying counterfeit money, 3) preventing non-monetary objects from being accepted as forms of payment, 4) verifying or validating the inserted coins, and/or 5) identifying the monetary value of the coins as the coins are inserted into the temporary holding stack device. As such, when the temporary holding stack  120  of the present disclosure is used as part of a vending machine coin delivery system, the temporary holding stack  120  can be used in place of traditional coin inlets (see  12  of  FIG. 2 ) and/or coin verifiers (see  20  of  FIG. 2 ). This is advantageous because without a coin inlet and/or coin verifier, the transaction time can be significantly decreased and there is less of a reliance on other system components. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , each coin holding unit  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  can be connected to a computer  144  for the purpose of identifying and recording the number of the coin holding unit the inserted coins  124 ,  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137  are temporarily held in during the transaction. Similarly, sensor  140  and sensor  142  can be connected to a computer  144 . As such, at least the 1) type of coin (i.e. denomination), and/or 2) the coin holding unit, of each coin temporarily held by the temporary holding stack  120  is recorded and saved in the memory  141  of the computer  144 . When a transaction is completed (as illustrated in the sequence of events in  FIG. 3 ), the temporary holding stack  120  is configured to receive signals from the computer  144  instructing the temporary holding stack  120  to begin releasing coins into the coin transport (not shown). 
     The temporary holding stack  120  is generally configured to have an electro-mechanical coin handling mechanism (not shown) designed to accept a plurality of coins inserted by way of payment into the vending machine. In operation, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a coin  124  is inserted into temporary holding stack  120  through coin input slot  126 . The temporary holding stack  120  can shuffle the coin  124  down through the interior cavity  121  of the temporary holding stack  120  until the coin is stopped and/or temporarily held by one of a plurality of coin holding units  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 . Once coin  124  is inserted through coin input slot  126  of temporary holding stack  120 , coin  124  will be temporarily held by coin holding unit  128 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each coin holding units  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  of the temporary holding stack  120  temporarily holds coins  124 ,  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137 , respectively. 
     The temporary holding stack  120  operates in a first-in, first-out array of received coins such that when one coin is inserted through coin input slot  126 , one or more coins held by the one or more coin holding units  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  are caused to shuffle downwards through the interior cavity  121  of the temporary holding stack  120 . As such, the order in which coins are inserted into the temporary holding stack  120  can be the same as the order in which coins are released from coin output slot  150  of temporary holding stack  120 . The information recorded in the memory  141  of computer  144  can be used by a control software (see  FIG. 2 ) for the purpose of instructing the coin transport (not shown) positionable below the temporary holding stack  120 . As such, the efficiency of the coin delivery system can be substantially increased. This is advantageous because the control software associated with the coin delivery system can know which coin releasing position to instruct the coin carriage to move to (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , there is provided a cross-sectional perspective illustration of a temporary holding stack device in accordance with the present disclosure. The temporary holding stack  192  of  FIG. 5  can be used as a component of a coin delivery system of a vending machine (see  FIGS. 2-3 ). The temporary holding stack  192  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  as having a generally cylindrical shape, and as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape; however, the temporary holding stack can have other or alternative shapes. Furthermore, temporary holding stack  192  is illustrated as having a hollow interior, thereby providing an interior cavity  193 . The size of the internal cavity  193  is typically selected to accommodate various sized coins  194  of differing diameters (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc.) inserted into the vending machine. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the size of the internal cavity  193  is constant throughout the length of the temporary holding stack  192 . In another and/or alternative embodiment, the size of the internal cavity  193  varies along the length of the temporary holding stack  192 . As also illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the temporary holding stack has a width greater than its height, thereby providing a temporary holding stack in a substantially horizontal orientation capable of temporarily holding a stack of inserted coins. 
     An upper portion of the temporary holding stack  192  is illustrated as having a coin input slot  196 . Coin input slot  196  is shaped and sized to facilitate the passage of one or more coins  194  into the temporary holding stack  192 . In one embodiment, coin input slot  196  is configured to permit only one coin to pass through said coin input slot  196 , thereby decreasing the possibility of jams within the temporary holding stack  192  due to too many coins. Similarly, a lower portion of temporary holding stack  192  is illustrated as having a coin output slot  198 . Coin output slot  198  is shaped and sized to facilitate the passage of one or more coins  194  out of the temporary holding stack  192 . In one embodiment, similar to the coin input slot  196 , coin output slot  198  is configured to permit only one coin to pass therethrough. Furthermore, an exterior portion of the temporary holding stack  192  can include a transaction abort chute  220  designed to return rejected and/or refunded coins back to a customer. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , the temporary holding stack is illustrated as having a plurality of coin holding units  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  provided in the interior cavity  193  of the temporary holding stack  192 . The shape, size and configuration of each coin holding unit  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  is non-limiting, and is typically selected to maximize coin-holding characteristics. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each coin holding unit  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  is illustrated as having the same or similar size and shape. Generally, each of the coin holding unit  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,. 208 ,  210  is configured to facilitate the temporary holding of a plurality of coins  194 ,  201 ,  203 ,  205 ,  207 ,  209  inserted into the temporary holding stack  192 . 
     The coin input slot  196  of temporary holding stack  192  can facilitate insertion of a coin from vertical, oblique, and/or horizontal angles. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , coin  194  is being inserted into the temporary holding stack  192  from a generally vertical position such that the coin  194  is entered in a vertical orientation. However, the coin input slot  196  can facilitate coins inserted from other or alternative angles. Generally, the temporary holding stack  192  is configured to temporarily hold the coins in a vertical orientation in the interior cavity  193  of temporary holding stack  192 . As such, the coin input slot  196  can include a device or structure (not shown) for the purpose of moving the inserted coin from a variety of angles to a generally horizontal orientation to be temporarily held by a coin holding unit. One non-limiting advantage of the horizontal orientation of temporary holding stack  192  is that the one or more coins are held in a vertical orientation in the interior cavity  193  of the temporary holding stack  192 . This is advantageous because it is not required to flip or otherwise manipulate the coin to an alternative position before the coin is released from the temporary holding stack. Additionally, the temporary holding stack  192  is illustrated as being configured to temporarily hold the coins in isolation from other coins which are inserted during the same transaction. In another and/or alternative embodiment, the coins can be held in the temporary holding stack  192  such that each inserted coin is held in contact with the other coins received during the transaction, thereby saving space in the temporary holding stack such that more coins can be added per transaction. 
     In operation, as the one or more coins pass through coin input slot  196  of temporary holding stack  192 , the type of coin type can be identified and recorded by a sensor  197  positioned at or near coin input slot  196 . Similarly, as the one or more coins pass through coin output slot  198  of temporary holding stack  192 , the coin can be recorded by a sensor  199  positioned at or near coin output slot  198 . Sensors  197 ,  199  of temporary holding stack  192  can be provided for the purpose of, but not limited to 1) detecting whether or not a coin is present in the temporary holding stack, 2) identifying whether the inserted coin has monetary value for the purpose of identifying counterfeit money, 3) preventing non-monetary objects from being accepted as forms of payment, 4) verifying or validating the inserted coins, and/or 5) identifying the monetary value of the coins as the coins are inserted into the temporary holding stack device. As such, when the temporary holding stack  192  of the present disclosure is used as part of a vending machine coin delivery system, the temporary holding stack  192  can be used in place of traditional coin inlets (see  12  of  FIG. 2 ) and/or coin verifiers (see  20  of  FIG. 2 ). This is advantageous because without a coin inlet and/or coin verifier, the transaction time can be significantly decreased and there is less of a reliance on other system components. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , each coin holding unit  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  can be connected to a computer  212  for the purpose of identifying and recording the number of the coin holding unit  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  the inserted coins  194 ,  201 ,  203 ,  205 ,  207 ,  209  are temporarily held in during the transaction. Similarly, sensor  197  and sensor  199  can be connected to a computer  212 . As such, at least the 1) type of coin (i.e. denomination), and/or 2) the coin holding unit, of each coin temporarily held by the temporary holding stack  192  is recorded and saved in the memory  211  of the computer  212 . When a transaction is completed (as illustrated in the sequence of events in  FIG. 3 ), the temporary holding stack  192  is configured to receive signals from the computer  212  instructing the temporary holding stack  192  to begin releasing coins into the coin transport (not shown). 
     The temporary holding stack  192  is generally configured to have an electro-mechanical coin handling mechanism (not shown) designed to accept a plurality of coins inserted by way of payment into the vending machine. In operation, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a coin  194  is inserted into temporary holding stack  192  through coin input slot  196 . The temporary holding stack  192  can shuffle the coin  194  down through the interior cavity  193  of the temporary holding stack  192  until the coin is stopped and/or temporarily held by one of a plurality of coin holding units  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 . Once coin  194  is inserted through coin input slot  196  of temporary holding stack  192 , coin  194  will be temporarily held by coin holding unit  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each coin holding units  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  of the temporary holding stack  192  temporarily holds coins  194 ,  201 ,  203 ,  205 ,  207 ,  209 , respectively. 
     Generally, the temporary holding stack  192  operates in a first-in, first-out array of received coins such that when one coin is inserted through coin input slot  196 , one or more coins held by the one or more coin holding units  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  are caused to shuffle downwards through the interior cavity  193  of the temporary holding stack  192 . As such, the order in which coins are inserted into the temporary holding stack  192  can be the same as the order in which coins are released from coin output slot  198  of temporary holding stack  192 . The information recorded in the memory  211  of computer  212  can be used by a control software (see  FIG. 2 ) for the purpose of instructing the coin transport (not shown) positionable below the temporary holding stack  192 . As such, the efficiency of the coin delivery system can be substantially increased. This is advantageous because the control software associated with the coin delivery system can know which coin releasing position to instruct the coin carriage to move to (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Generally, the coin delivery system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5  and/or as described above) decouples the user transaction from the coin sorting such that the user transaction. As such, mechanical failures are far less likely to leave a customer without a ticket and/or refunded coins because of mechanical failure while delivering a particular coin. Similarly, the coin delivery system is much less error-prone to jamming by removing the reliance on moving parts and sensors during the user transaction. Thus, there is provided an effectively error-free transaction that succeeds through to delivery of an object, such as, for example, a parking ticket. The sorting of the coins into coin drums can then happen in parallel with the printing and delivery of the ticket. As such, the presently described coin delivery system provides an added advantage in that throughput of the end-to-end user experience is enhanced. 
     Other and/or alternative non-limiting advantages of the coin delivery system of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to: 
     1) a reduction in transaction time of end-to-end purchase of an object because there is no need to wait for the coin to get from the customers hand into a specific drum, via a transport mechanism which is prone to failure if the motor is driven hard; 
     2) there is no need to continually start and stop the transport delivery motor during the actual transaction; 
     3) each coin which is entered presents little to no risk of jamming; 
     4) there is no need to inhibit the verifier device while a coin is being delivered, thereby providing an improved throughput and less rejected coins; and, 
     5) the motor speeds required to drive the coin transport do not need to be overly aggressive in order to meet delivery criteria, thereby reducing the risk of motor stalls. 
     It will be appreciated that the variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.