Patent ID: 8602199

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling and operating a plurality of self-service laundry machines, said apparatus comprising: a controller portion wired directly and independently to the start switches of each of the plurality of laundry machines, wherein said controller portion is mechanical and does not require electrical power to start the plurality of laundry machines; means for input of a variety of payment types including at least one coin input; switch means to select the desired payment type; at least one laundry machine actuating keypad with keys corresponding to specific individual laundry machines; a coin changer connected to said at least one coin input, said coin changer including a supply of coins; and means to return change to a customer, wherein a user is able to utilize any of the laundry machines with any type of available payment, and receive change from the amount tendered, and coins deposited in said at least one coin input are delivered to said coin changer to replenish said supply of coins in said coin changer.