Patent Publication Number: US-2009218395-A1

Title: Bill acceptor with radio frequency identification

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to bill acceptors and more particularly, to a bill acceptor with radio frequency identification used in an automatic vending machine that accepts bill as well as a RFID stored-value card for transaction and operable to add value to the RFID stored-value card in communication. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Following fast development of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, RFID stored-value cards have been intensively used in many places to substitute for conventional paper cards and contact type magnetic cards for different transactions. A paper card may be damaged easily when wetted or curved. A contact type magnetic card requires direct contact, and the stored data tends to be damaged by an external magnetic field. Further, when using a paper card or contact type magnetic card, the user must takes the paper card or contact type magnetic card out of the pocket or purse. During the use of a contact type magnetic card, the user must insert the contact type magnetic card through the sensing slot. When a RFID stored-value card is used, the user needs no to take the RFID stored-value card out of the pocket or purse, and the stored value can be read by a RFID reader at a distance. Therefore, RFID stored-value cards are widely invited by consumers. 
     Before using a RFID stored-value card in a transportation vehicle, shop, station or any other place, the user must add value to the RFID stored-value card through a Value-adding machine. A Value-adding machine comprises a RFID sensor module and a bill acceptor module. The RFID sensor module and the bill acceptor module are two independent devices set together and electrically connected with each other. Therefore, a regular Value-adding machine has a big size that requires much installation space. 
     Further, value-adding machines are commonly installed in stations, shops or other public places. Because regular value-adding machines commonly have a big size, the limited space of a station, shop or any public does not allow for installation of too many value-adding machines. It is quite common scene in a station that many people are lined up in front of a value-adding machine in a station for adding a value to their RFID stored-value card. 
     Further, because the RFID sensor module and the bill acceptor module of a value-adding machine are two independent devices fastened together, the manufacturing cost of a regular value-adding machine is high. Because of a big size, a commercial value-adding machine cannot be installed in an automatic vending machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a bill acceptor for use in an automatic vending machine, which accepts a bill as well as a RFID stored-value card for transaction. It is another object of the present invention to provide a bill acceptor for use in an automatic vending machine, which is operable to add value to a RFID stored-value card. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bill acceptor with a bill accepting unit and a RFID stored-value card accepting and value-adding unit be incorporated into one single unit, saving much the manufacturing cost and the machine installation space. 
     To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the bill acceptor comprises a main unit and a face panel at one side of the main unit. The face panel comprises a bill insertion slot for the insertion of a bill, a sensor zone for sensing a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) stored-value card, operating buttons arranged at suitable locations for data input, and a video display for displaying data and operating status. The main unit has mounted therein a control circuit assembly. The control circuit assembly comprises a microprocessor for processing data, a RFID (radio frequency identification) chip electrically connected to the microprocessor and controlled by the microprocessor to operate a RFID stored-value card and to perform reading, writing, value-adding, value-deducting, value-storing or value-transmitting operations, a sensor electrically connected to the microprocessor and controlled by the microprocessor to establish a communication with the RFID stored-value card for signal transmission, a memory electrically connected to the microprocessor and controlled by the microprocessor to store data, a surveillance device adapted to reboot the microprocessor of the bill acceptor when failed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a bill acceptor according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a circuit block diagram of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an operation flow chart of the present invention (I). 
         FIG. 4  is an operation flow chart of the present invention (II). 
         FIG. 5  is an operation flow chart during the use of the bill acceptor with a RFID stored-value card according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an operation flow chart during the use of the bill acceptor with a bill according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of the bill acceptor according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an alternate form of the face panel for the bill acceptor according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an elevational view of another alternate form of the face panel for the bill acceptor according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , a bill acceptor with radio frequency identification in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a main unit  3  and a face panel  1  at one side of the main unit  3 . The face panel  1  comprises a bill insertion slot  12  and a passage  121 . The main unit  3  comprises a bill passage  31  in communication with the passage  121  for receiving a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot  12 , and a bill-transfer roller set  32  for carrying the bill to an internal bill box (not shown). The face panel  1  further comprises a sensor zone  11  for supporting and sensing a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) stored-value card  5 , operating buttons  13  arranged at suitable locations for data input, and a video display  14  for displaying data and operating status. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1  again, the main unit  3  has installed therein a control circuit assembly  2 . The control circuit assembly  2  comprises a microprocessor  21  for data processing, a surveillance device  22 , a RFID chip  23 , a sensor  24 , a memory  25  for storing data, and a clock  26 . The microprocessor  21  is connected with the RFID chip  23  through a data bus  211 , an address bus  212 , a control line  213  and a data address bus  214 . The sensor  24  is controlled by the RFID chip  23  to detect the RFID stored-value card  5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  and  FIG. 2  again, during operation of the present invention, the control circuit assembly  2  runs subject to the following steps:
       100  Start     101  Judge whether or not the control circuit assembly is failed? And then proceed to step  102  when failed, or step  103  when not.     102  The surveillance device  22  drives the microprocessor  21  to start again.     103  Standby     104  Judge whether or not the sensor  24  senses a RFID stored-value card  5 ? And then proceed to step  105  when positive, or return to step  103  through X when negative.     105  Establish a communication between the sensor  24  and the RFID stored-value card  5  and judge whether or not the RFID stored-value card  5  is repositioned? And then proceed to step  106  when yes, or step  103  through X when not.     106  Judge whether or not the sensor  24  senses multiple RFID stored-value card  5 ? And then proceed to step  107  through Y when positive, or step  108  through Z when negative.     107  The sensor  24  fetches a serial number of every RFID stored-value card  5  individually, and then proceeds to step  108 .     108  The sensor  24  operates the RFID stored-value card  5  subject to a selection so that the RFID stored-value card  5  sends its ID code to the sensor  24  for authentication and then checks the ID code, and then proceeds to step  109  when the ID code of the RFID stored-value card  5  is correct, or step  103  through X when the ID code is not correct.     109  By means of the RFID chip  23 , the microprocessor  21  operates the RFID stored-value card  5  and performs a reading, writing, value-adding, value-deducting, storing, transmitting or any other operation and to store a transaction record in the memory  25 , and drives the video display  14  to display the current operation status and the transaction amount.     110  The clock  26  counts the time being consumed and feeds the data to a computer  4  for comparison.   

     As stated above, when the microprocessor  21  of the control circuit assembly  2  controls the RFID chip  23  to communicate with the RFID stored-value card  5  by means of the sensor  24 , the sensor  24  gives a command of “Request std” to the RFID stored-value card  5 , and after “Answer to Request (ATR)”, the RFID stored-value card  5  sends its tagtype to the sensor  24  to establish a communication so that the sensor  24  reads the serial number and the size byte of the RFID stored-value card  5  and checks the correctness of the ID code. After verified, the sensor  24  operates the RFID stored-value card  5  subject to a selection. 
     By means of the RFID chip  23 , the microprocessor  21  operates the RFID stored-value card  5  to perform a reading, writing, value-adding, value-deducting, storing, transmitting or any other operation and to store the transaction record in the memory  25 . As stated above, the microprocessor  21  is electrically connected with the RFID chip  23  by means of the data bus  211 , the address bus  212 , the control line  213  and the data address bus  214  so that data, address and control signal transmission can be performed between the microprocessor  21  and the RFID chip  23 . Further, the memory  25  is electrically connected to the microprocessor  21  so that the microprocessor  21  can store each transaction record in the memory  25 . Further, the clock  26  is electrically connected to the microprocessor  21  to count each transaction time. When a transaction starts, the clock  26  is used by the microprocessor  21  to transmit the transaction start time to the computer  4  for counting. When the transaction surpassed a predetermined length of time, the computer  4  starts to run a related process, such as canceling the transaction, establishing the communication with the RFID stored-value card  5  again, returning the bill or other process. Upon termination of the transaction, the microprocessor  21  sends the transaction end time to the computer  4  so that the computer  4  stores or records the consuming time of the transaction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , when a consumer uses the bill acceptor with a RFID stored-value card  5 , the invention runs subject to the following steps:
       200  The consumer inserts a RFID stored-value card  5 .     201  The video display  14  displays the balance of the inserted RFID stored-value card  5  and the consumer selects “Store Value” or “Consumption”, and then proceeds to step  202  when “Store Value” is selected or step  209  when “Consumption” is selected.     202  The consumer inserts a bill and then proceeds to step  203 .     203  Check the authenticity of the inserted bill, and then proceed to step  204  if the inserted bill is not authentic, or step  205  if the inserted bill is authentic.     204  End the transaction and return the inserted bill.     205  Display the value of the inserted bill, and then check whether the consumer selects to store value or not, and then proceeds to step  204  when negative or step  206  when positive.     206  Stores the corresponding value and display the balance, and then proceeds to step  207 .     207  The consumer selects whether or not to continue storing value? And then return to step  202  when the consumer selects to continue storing value, or proceed to step  208  if not.     208  End the transaction, and the consumer takes away the RFID stored-value card  5 .     209  Transmit the data of balance to an automatic vending machine, and then proceed to step  210 .     210  The consumer selects “Commodity” or “End Transaction”, and returns to step  208  when “End Transaction” is selected or proceeds to step  211  when “Commodity” is selected.     211  Check whether the automatic vending machine accepts the selection, and then proceed to step  212  when positive or return to step  210  when negative.     212  Deduct the transaction amount and then proceed to step  213 .     213  Display the balance.     214  End the transaction, and the consumer picks up the commodity.   

     Referring to  FIG. 6 , when a consumer uses the bill acceptor with a bill, the invention runs subject to the following steps:
       300  The consumer inserts a bill.     301  Check the authenticity and value of the inserted bill, and then proceed to step  303  if the inserted bill is authentic or step  302  if the inserted bill is not authentic.     302  Return the inserted bill.     303  Display the amount of the value of the inserted bill and the consumer selects “Store Value” or “Consumption”, and then proceed to step  304  when “Store Value” is selected or step  308  when “Consumption” is selected.     304  The consumer inserts a RFID stored-value card  5  and the video display  14  displays the balance of the inserted RFID stored-value card  5  and then proceeds to step  305 .     305  Check whether the consumer selects to store value or not, and then return to step  302  if negative or proceed to step  306  if positive.     306  Complete the transaction, and the video display  14  displays the balance of the RFID stored-value card  5  and then proceeds to step  307 .     307  End the transaction, and the consumer takes away the RFID stored-value card  5 .     308  Transmit the value of the bill to an automatic vending machine.     309  Check whether the automatic vending machine accepts or not, and then return to step  302  when objected or step  310  when accepted.     310  The consumer selects commodity.     311  Deduct the transaction amount.     312  End the transaction, and the consumer picks up the commodity and the coin(s) or bill of the change.   

     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  and  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  again, when using the RFID stored-value card  5 , the RFID stored-value card  5  is placed on the sensor zone  11  at the face panel  1 . At this time, the microprocessor  21  of the control circuit assembly  2  drives the RFID chip  23  and the sensor  24  to establish a communication with the RFID stored-value card  5  and to verify the identification of the RFID stored-value card  5 . When the identification of the RFID stored-value card  5  is identified, the microprocessor  21  drives the video display  14  to display the value stored in the RFID stored-value card  5 . At this time, the consumer operates the operating buttons  13  at the face panel  1  to select the desired operating mode. When “Store Value” is selected, the consumer can then insert a bill through the bill insertion slot  12  on the face panel  1  into the passages  121  and  31 . At this time, the bill-transfer roller set  32  is driven to carry the inserted bill forwards, and the authenticity and value of the inserted bill is checked. When the authenticity of the inserted bill is recognized, the microprocessor  21  of the control circuit assembly  2  drives the RFID chip  23  and the sensor  24  to write the stored value into the RFID stored-value card  5 . When “Consumption” is selected, the microprocessor  21  transmits the currently available stored value of the RFID stored-value card  5  to the automatic vending machine, and the automatic vending machine sends back the stored value of the RFID stored-value card  5  to the microprocessor  21  after the transaction so that the microprocessor  21  displays the stored value through the video display  14 , and drives the RFID chip  23  and the sensor  24  to deduct the transaction amount. When the consumer selects to end the transaction, the microprocessor  21  displays a message through the video display  14 , and the consumer takes back the RFID stored-value card  5 . When using a bill, the consumer also can select “Store Value” or “Consumption”. When “Consumption” is selected, the microprocessor  21  transmits the value of the inserted bill to the automatic vending machine, and then runs commodity selection and amount deduction after acceptance of the bill. After the transaction, the consumer picks up the commodity and the coins or bill of the change. 
     When a bill enters the bill passage  31  and is carried forwards by the bill-transfer roller set  32 , the main unit  3  verifies the character, pattern, and/or anti-counterfeit mark. When the authenticity of the inserted bill is recognized, the bill is received in a bill box (not shown) in the main unit  3 . The bill conveying, authenticity verifying and storing operations are of the known techniques, and therefore no further detailed description in this regard is necessary. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7  again, the face panel  1  is provided at one side of the main unit  3 , having the aforesaid sensor zone  11  and the bill insertion slot  12  disposed at its front side. The aforesaid control circuit assembly  2  is mounted inside the main unit  3 . Therefore, the face panel  1  can fetch the value stored in the inserted RFID stored-value card  5 , and the consumer can insert a bill into the face panel  1  to store a value to the inserted RFID stored-value card  5 . Unlike conventional discrete designs, the invention has a RFID recognition unit incorporated into the bill acceptor, saving much space occupation. Therefore, the bill acceptor with radio frequency identification of the present invention is practical for use in a railway/subway/bus station or shop, saving much the installation space. 
     Further, the main unit  3  of the bill acceptor of the present invention can be directly connected to an automatic vending machine. When the inserted RFID stored-value card  5  is recognized authentic, the stored value of the inserted RFID stored-value card  5  can be directly used for transaction, or the consumer can insert a bill into the bill acceptor to add the value of the inserted bill to the inserted RFID stored-value card  5  before starting the transaction. 
     Regular automatic vending machines commonly have a big size so that a sufficient internal space is provided to store commodities. Further, a Value-adding machine has a certain dimension, therefore positioning automatic vending machines and Value-adding machines in a railway/subway/bus station requires much installation space. Because the invention has a Value-adding machine be incorporated into a bill acceptor in an automatic vending machine, the automatic vending machine made carrying a bill acceptor in accordance with the present invention accepts bill payment as well as RFID stored-value card payment, and allows the consumer to add a value to the inserted RFID stored-value card  5 . Therefore, the invention saves much installation space and brings convenience to consumers. 
     Further, the face panel  1  comprises a sound generator  15 . When a consumer operates the face panel  1 , the sound generator  15  gives a corresponding sound. The sound can be a warning sound, predetermined speech sound or background music, rendering a comfort and convenient operating environment. 
     Instead of the aforesaid operating buttons  13  and the video display  14 , the face panel  1  can be provided with a touch screen for use as a display screen as well as an input device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  again, the sensor zone  11  is a vertical plane provided at the front side of the face panel  1  and disposed at one lateral side relative to the video display  14  and the operating buttons  13 .  FIG. 8  shows an alternate form of the face panel  1  in which the sensor zone  11  is located at the front side inside the bill insertion slot  12 .  FIG. 9  shows another alternate form of the face panel  1  in which the sensor zone  11  is a platform perpendicularly extended from the front wall thereof below the elevation of the operating buttons  13 . 
     As stated above, the invention provides a bill acceptor with radio frequency identification, which has the following features and advantages: 
     1. The face panel  1  that is provided at one side of the main unit  3  has a sensor zone  11  for sensing a RFID stored-value card  5  and a bill insertion slot  12  for the insertion of a bill; the main unit  3  has a control circuit assembly  2  mounted therein and adapted for reading and writing the RFID stored-value card  5  with which the sensor zone  11  established a communication, i.e., the main unit  3  verifies and accepts bills and stores the value of the inserted bill to the inserted RFID stored-value card  5 . 
     2. The bill acceptor has a sensor zone  11  provided at the face panel  1  and a control circuit assembly  2  mounted in the main unit  3  to provide a bill receiving and verifying function as well as RFID stored-value card value-adding function. 
     In generally, the invention has a bill acceptor and a value-adding machine be incorporated into one single unit, saving much the manufacturing cost and the installation space. 
     Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.