Patent Publication Number: US-6708812-B2

Title: System and method of adding a currency acceptor to a vending machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to vending machines and the mechanisms used in vending machines to accept paper and coin currency. More particularly, the present invention relates to supplemental assemblies that are designed to be mounted to vending machines to provide such vending machines with the ability to accept specific denominations of currency. 
     2. Prior Art Statement 
     The prior art is replete with different types of vending machines. Vending machines are automated machines that distribute a product or provide a service when the proper amount of money is deposited into the machine. For instance, a cigarette vending machine will distribute a pack of cigarettes when the proper amount of money is inserted into the machine. A jukebox will play a selected song once the required money is inserted into the jukebox. 
     A problem associated with many vending machines is that they were invented many years ago, when product costs were much lower than they are today. For instance, many cigarette machines were designed to hold cigarettes when a pack of cigarettes cost 0.25¢ per pack. The money box in the vending machine was designed to hold the price of the cigarettes (0.25¢) times the capacity of the machine (100 packs). However, due to taxes and inflation, cigarettes may now cost a few dollars per pack. The money box in the vending machine cannot hold all the coins that would be present if the machine sold its full capacity. 
     The increasing cost of products also has caused the problem with convenience. The typical person may have a few coins in their pocket of differing denominations. Very few people carry a few dollars in coins with them on a daily basis. As such, a vending machine that requires the use of one or more dollars in coins cannot be used by the average person unless that person first acquires additional change. This added step of having to acquire change greatly reduces the convenience of vending machines and the probability that a person is going to use that vending machine. 
     To solve the above stated problems, vending machine owners have started adding paper currency validation mechanisms to their vending machines. Paper currency validation mechanisms accept paper money. However, many vending machines were not designed with any extra space into which a paper currency validation mechanism can be placed. As a result, many times the coin acceptance mechanisms of the vending machine is removed or compromised to make room for the paper money validation mechanism. This often denies the vending machine the ability to take both paper money and coin money. It also places the paper currency validation mechanism in a highly cramped location that makes it very hard to remove, repair or otherwise service. 
     In alternate embodiments, paper currency validation mechanisms are added to the exterior of existing machines. In this manner, they do not have to be jammed into the interior of the vending machine. Such prior art systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,596 to Capers, entitled Vending Machine Accessory. A problem associated with such external applications is that the paper currency validation mechanism does not appear to be part of the vending machine. It therefore detracts from the aesthetics of the vending machine and provides an easy target for vandalism and theft. Furthermore, the paper currency validation mechanism may be mounted far from the coin chute and the change return slot. This may cause confusion to patrons that are using both coin money and paper money or to patrons that use paper money and expect change. 
     Another disadvantage of many paper currency validation mechanisms is that they are designed to take only one type of bills, for instance a one dollar bill. If the design of the currency changes, or if higher bill denominations are to be accepted, the paper currency validation mechanism must be removed and replaced. Alternatively, the paper currency validation mechanism must be reconfigured with new circuit chips that contain the proper programming to accept the new paper currency. The step of replacing or reconfiguring a paper currency validation mechanism is highly labor intensive. 
     Certain types of vending machines are designed with no coin currency validation mechanism or paper money validation mechanism. Several models of foreign produced jukeboxes are designed to be played for free. In order to convert such free operating machines into vending machines that work for money, some type of money validation system must be attached to the side of the machine. Typically, paper currency validation mechanisms are attached to such vending machines. The paper money validation mechanism is wired to the electronics of the vending machine to only enable the vending machine to be used after a predetermined fee is paid. However, if only a paper currency validation mechanism is attached to the vending machine, coins cannot be used and the vending machine cannot produce change or return money. This is an inconvenience to people who want to use change and a frustration to people who expect change. 
     A need therefore exists in the art for a system that can add the ability to accept coins and paper currency to a vending machine in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use by patrons. A need also exists for a system that can be added to a vending machine to easily enable that machine to accept new types of coins and/or paper currency without the need for labor intensive modifications. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for providing a vending machine the ability to accept both coins and paper currency. The system includes a housing that is mounted to the side of a vending machine. The housing has a length and width proportional to the vending machine, thereby making the housing seem to be an integral part of the vending machine. The housing defines an enclosed interior area that is adjacent the vending machine. A door is provided on the housing for selectively accessing the enclosed interior area. At least two access openings are present in the door. A paper currency validation mechanism is mounted in one of the access openings in the door. The paper currency validation mechanism receives and validates paper currency. A coin currency validation mechanism is mounted in a second access opening in the door. The coin currency validation mechanism receives and validates coin currency. Since both the paper currency validation mechanism and the coin currency validation mechanism are mounted to the door of the housing, both mechanisms are removed from the housing when the door of the housing is opened or removed. 
     The present invention system and method provide an assembly that accepts both paper currency and coin currency. The assembly is easy to service and install, thereby improving the ability of a vending machine to accept all types of money and avoid time consuming updates and repairs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine onto which is attached a currency acceptance assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the currency acceptance assembly shown in FIG.  1 : and 
     FIG. 3 is a selectively cross-sectioned view of the currency acceptance assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the present invention system can be adapted to many different types of vending machines, the present invention system is especially well suited for use on vending machines that are not designed with any integral coin validation or paper currency validation mechanisms. As such, by way of example, the present invention system will be described in an application where it is applied to the side of a wall mounted jukebox that has no currency validation mechanism of its own. This embodiment is merely exemplary and is illustrated to set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention currency acceptance system  10  is shown mounted on the side of a jukebox  11 . The jukebox  11  is one that contains no coin currency validation mechanism or paper validation mechanism of its own. The choice of such a vending machine is merely exemplary and it should be understood that any prior art vending machine can be used. If a prior art vending machine is used that contains its own coin currency validation mechanism or paper currency validation mechanism, these mechanisms can be removed or covered with blank plates. 
     The present invention currency acceptance system  10  contains a metal housing  12  having a front door  14 . The metal housing  12  is rectangular in shape, having a height and a width. The height of the housing  12  can be any length greater than one foot. However, the height of the housing  12  is preferably at least 75% as long as the height of the side of the vending machine  11  to which it is being attached. Furthermore, the width of the housing  12  is preferably the same width as is the width of the main body of the vending machine  11 . In this manner, when the housing  12  of the present invention currency acceptance system  10  is mounted to the vending machine  11 , the housing  12  appears to be an integral part of the structure of the vending machine  11 . Such an appearance is aesthetically pleasing and greatly reduces the likelihood that a vandal will try to pry the housing away from the vending machine  11 . 
     The front surface  15  of the housing  12  is flat and faces in the same direction as does the front of the vending machine  11 . The front surface  15  of the housing  12  defines an opening that is covered by a door  14 . Two access openings are formed in the door  14 . A paper currency validation mechanism  20  is mounted to the door  14  in the higher of the two access openings. A coin currency validation mechanism  22  is mounted to the door  14  in the lower of the two access openings. The paper currency validation mechanism  20  accepts and validates paper currency. The coin currency validation mechanism  22  accepts and validates coin currency. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the door  14  on the housing  12  can be opened or closed. Once closed, the door  14  can be locked into place on the housing  12  and can only be opened by an authorized person with the key. However, since the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  are both mounted to the door  14 , when the door  14  is opened, both the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  are removed from the housing  12   
     The functional components of the paper currency validation mechanism  20  extend behind the door  14  and are protected in the housing  12  when the door  14  is closed. However, the paper currency validation mechanism  20  has an instructional panel  25  and a money insertion slot  23  that are exposed on the front of the door  14 . Similarly, the functional components of the coin currency validation mechanism  22  extend behind the door  14 . However, the coin currency validation mechanism  20  has a coin acceptance chute  24 , a coin return lever  26  and a coin return window  28  that are exposed on the front of the door  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that inside the housing, the coin currency validation mechanism  22  is mounted to the door  14  a predetermined distance above the base of the housing  12 . This elevated height leaves enough space for a coin box  30  to be positioned below the coin currency validation mechanism  22 . The coin currency validation mechanism  22  can be any of several commercially available coin currency validation mechanisms, wherein the coin currency validation mechanism  22  validates coins by weight, size and/or magnetic properties. The coin currency validation mechanism  22  can also include optional coin tube chambers so that the coin currency validation mechanism  22  is capable of distributing change when required. 
     The coin currency validation mechanism  22  is joined to the door  14  of the housing  12  by a front plate  32  that is bolted to the door  14 . Power to the coin currency validation mechanism  22  and coin credit signals are carried by a detachable wire cable  34 . This wire cable  34  interconnects with the control processor of the vending machine  11  through an access port  36  that interconnects the interior of the housing  12  to the interior of the vending machine  11 . As such, it will be understood that the entire coin currency validation mechanism  22  can be removed and replaced by simply removing the wire cable  34  and unbolting the mounting bolts  39  in the front plate  32 . Accordingly, a new or an improved coin currency validation mechanism  22  can be added to the assembly  10  should new coins, such as the one dollar coin, be introduced into wide circulation. 
     The paper currency validation mechanism  20  is disposed a predetermined distance above the coin currency validation mechanism  22 . The distance between the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  is preferably at least six inches. This leaves room for a bill collection chamber  40  between the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22 . The bill collection chamber  40  stores the paper currency received by the paper currency validation mechanism  20 . 
     The paper currency validation mechanism  20  can be any commercial bill validator, such as a MARS 2000 series bill validator. The paper currency validation mechanism  20  is joined to the door  14  of the housing  12  by a second front plate  42  that is bolted to the door  14 . Power to the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and bill processor of the vending machine  11  through the same access port  36  that interconnects the interior of the housing  12  to the interior of the vending machine  11 . As such, it will be understood that the entire paper currency validation mechanism  20  can be removed and replaced by simply removing the wire cable  44  and unbolting the mounting bolts  46  in the second front plate  42 . Accordingly, a new or an improved paper currency validation mechanism  20  can be added to the system  10  if a new bill is introduced, such as the two dollar bill, or if the design of the bill is changed. 
     Both the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  are mounted to the door  14  of the housing  12 . As such, when the door  14  is opened, the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  are removed from the housing  14 . By detaching the cables  44 ,  34  from the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22 , the entire subassembly of the door  14 , the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  can be removed in less than one minute. An entire new subassembly of a different door, paper currency validation mechanism and coin currency validation mechanism can then be installed. This feature is particularly useful to repairmen who service the vending machine  11 . Any malfunctioning or obsolete paper currency validation mechanism  20  or coin currency validation mechanism  22  can be quickly removed and replaced. The malfunctioning unit can then be repaired in the shop of the repairman. The downtime of the vending machine  11  and the amount of time the repairman spends at the sight of the vending machine is minimized. 
     The present invention currency acceptance system  10  provides both a paper currency validation mechanism  20  and a coin currency validation mechanism  22  in a single unit. Both the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  are attached to a removable door  14  that can be quickly and easily removed for repairs. The paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  themselves are attached to the door  14  with front plates  42 ,  32 , respectively. As such, the paper currency validation mechanism  20  and the coin currency validation mechanism  22  can both be individually removed and replaced on the door  14 . 
     The present invention currency acceptance system  10  therefore provides a means by which any vending machine can be provided with the ability to accept both paper money and coins at one convenient location. The system  10  has the capacity to hold a large volume of both coins and paper bills. Accordingly, the system  10  can be added to vending machines, such as candy machines, cigarette machines and the like that are not designed to hold the amount of money they can receive. 
     It will be understood that the present invention currency acceptance system that is described and illustrated is merely exemplary and a person skilled in the art can make many variations to the shown embodiment. For example, vending machines come in many shapes and sizes. The shape of the housing can be altered to complement the style and shape of the vending machine on which it is attached. All such alternate embodiments and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined below in the claims.