1. Related Applications
The present application is related to my prior application which will issue on Feb. 20, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,282.
2. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coin counters for counting from an initial count state to a final count state, which is reached by the detection of deposit of a predetermined number or value of coins, and for signalling that a vend cycle be initiated in response to reaching the final count state. In its particular aspects, the present invention relates to a coin counter which is set to the initial count state in response to the expiration of a predetermined time period after the deposit of the last coin, irrespective of the count state of the counter.
3. Description of the Prior Art
In prior art vending machines, whether for dispensing a product or a service, it is common to reset the coin or monetary value (hereafter referred to as "coinage") counting elements to an initial count state only in response to the detection of a final count state, which is the state required to initiate a vend cycle, or in response to the detection of a power up. Illustrative is U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,837 Manos et al. If less than sufficient coinage to initiate a vend cycle has been deposited in such prior art vending machines, in the absence of temporary power loss, such counting elements will remain indefinitely in the intermediate count state corresponding to the insufficient deposited coinage. While it is generally appropriate to give the next consumer the credit for this unearned coinage, a lack of knowledge of or attention to the existence of said previously deposited coinage has caused problems with respect to the operation of those vending machines which require the consumer to do something before the vend. For example, with respect to coin operated washers or dryers, premature initiation of the vend cycle may occur before the consumer has loaded his laundry.
Furthermore, in the use of existing coin counting apparatus for vending machines, which may require the deposit of a relatively large number of coins to initiate operation of the machine, consumers have become confused as to the number of coins already deposited or remaining to be deposited, resulting in frustration or premature initiation of the operation.
Some vending machines have the coin drop, coin detecting means, counting means, and final count detector integrated as a coin receiving module which supplies a detection signal to the vending module for the purpose of signalling the vending module to initiate a vend cycle, while other machines have only the coin drop and coin detecting means integrated as the coin receiving module which supplies a coin detection signal to the vending module. In the latter instance, the counting means and final count detector are integrated in the vending module, and said counting means may be structured that it retains a current count even in the event of a interruption in power.