48results about "Coin actuated mechanisms" patented technology

This invention in certain example instances relates generally to coin-operated video entertainment systems. More particularly, certain exemplary aspects of the invention provide methods and / or systems for controlling access to a portable coin-operated interactive entertainment device that may be used to play video games and access other forms of entertainment as well as providing features via such portable coin-operated interactive entertainment devices.

Method and apparatus providing supplementary navigation data to be used with a vehicular navigation system. The supplementary navigation data can be superimposed over primary navigation data on a navigation system display or can be presented as a split-screen display. The supplementary navigation data may contain information such as locations of local facilities, local road information, types of local facilities. The supplementary navigation data is received by the vehicle when the vehicle is coupled to a station, such as a battery recharging or a refueling station, and is transmitted to the navigation system. An on-board controller can store the data and / or display the data. The navigation system could use the supplementary data to determine routes or locations for specific local facilities selected by the user. In an interactive or two-way communications system, the user can select predetermined types of supplementary data to be received. The supplementary navigation data is preferably transmitted to the navigation system at a local vehicle station, such as a refueling station, a vehicle rest stop, a vehicle tourist center, etc. Position update information can also be entered for resetting or recalibrating an internally maintained vehicle position.

The electronic parking meter includes a microcontroller, an input interface, an output interface, communications devices and a power supply. The microcontroller receives instructions through the input interface from a user wishing to purchase parking time, controls the output interface to provide parking related messages or indications, and controls the electronic parking meter's communications with other devices through the communications devices for transmitting and receiving information and data. The power supply, which converts a battery pack voltage up to the operating voltage, may include an isolation transformer and a flyback switcher. The parking meter is maintained in a sleep mode as a default state, is placed in a schedule wake-up mode at a predetermined frequency for a predetermined short period of time to carry-out maintenance functions, and is only placed in an event wake-up mode for the time required to process major events, such as coin chute, card reader or communications port interrupts. The maintenance-free life of the parking meter is extended by using more of the energy that is available in standard battery packs and by decreasing energy consumed in the parking meter to carry out its functions through the three operating modes including the periodic schedule wake-up mode.

An automated transaction machine (10) includes a note receiving and dispensing mechanism (77). The mechanism includes a storage reel (66), a take-up reel (68) and a flexible web (70) extending between the reels. The note receiving and dispensing mechanism is housed within a note storage module (44). Notes are selectively passed into and out of the storage module to a passage area (92). The machine further includes a note inlet opening (30) and a note outlet opening (28). A note outlet transport (96) extends between the passage area and the note outlet opening. A note inlet transport (98) extends between the passage area and the note inlet opening. A note validator (58) extends adjacent to the note inlet transport for purposes of sensing the validity of notes inserted in the machine. The machine is selectively operative responsive to inputs to receive and deliver notes. The machine is further operative to enable replenishment of notes therein without accessing the interior of the housing.

Centering device 14 of a bill validator comprises a pair of pinch jaws 15 positioned on the opposite sides of a passageway 6, and a centering motor 30 for moving pinch jaws 15 toward and away from each other for reciprocation of pinch jaws 15 so that pinch jaws 15 come into contact with side edges of a bill between pinch jaws 15 to align a central line of bill with a central line of passageway 6. As centering motor 30 stalls when warpage resistance by centered bill is greater than inherent holding torque of centering motor 30, centering device 14 has the simplified structure with reduced number of structural components for light weight and reliable centering operation.

When a fare is inserted, a receipt on which a password assigned to the user is printed is issued, and a sheets each bearing a printed image is housed in a storage bin or a storage box. When the password printed on the receipt is inputted, the corresponding storage bin (storage box) is shifted to a sheet outlet, thereby allowing the user to take this out. Thus, it is possible to provide a print system that is superior in the operability and allows the user to positively obtain his or her own job, and a sheet-processing device suitable for such a system.

A multi-game gaming machine includes a gaming console having a first display means on which a simulation of a game can be displayed housed in the console and a second display means also housed in the console. A player input means and a control means are arranged in the console for controlling images displayed on the first video display means. The gaming machine is arranged to allow a player to select a game to be played on the gaming machine from a plurality of different games. The second video display unit displays information pertaining to the multi-game theme or advertisements for games playable on the machine displayed together or in sequence one after another, when the gaming machine is not being played and / or when no game has been selected, and when a game is selected, or played on the machine, the second video display unit displays at least second information associated with the selected game. The present invention provides significant advantages over existing multi-gaming machines. It allows individual games accessible within a multi-game gaming machine to be advertised in addition to the multi-game gaming machine itself so that the games do not lose their identity within the multi-game machine. At the same time, it provides players the ability to view game information whilst playing the game.

The invention concerns a service and / or product dispensing apparatus comprising a coin-receiving device, a coin-storage box (5) and said chute (7) transferring coins from the receiving device to the box (5). The invention is characterised in that said chute (7) co-operates with a closing device (8) comprising a trap (82) mobile between a position closing and a position opening said chute (7), said device (8) co-operating with control means (40) adapted to trigger the displacement of the trap (82) into its closing position when at least part of the coin-receiving device (4) is being dismantled.

A token management system for a amusement arcade is capable of always managing tokens even during the business hours of the amusement arcade and temporarily keeping tokens deposited by players.The system has wireless account units and a collecting cart. The wireless account unit is provided for each of game machines and token dispensing machines installed in the amusement arcade, for detecting the number of tokens or coins inserted into a slot of the machine and the number of tokens or coins returned to players through a return mouth of the machine and transmitting the detected numbers to a wireless account unit attached to a management computer of the amusement arcade. Each of the wireless account units is provided with an identification number specific to the corresponding machine. The collecting cart collects tokens and coins from the game machines and token dispensing machines. The collecting cart has a counter for counting the number of tokens or coins at each of the game machines and token dispensing machines and a wireless account unit provided with a function for comparing the counted number with count data transmitted from the corresponding machine. With these components, the system determines whether or not tokens or coins are excessive or insufficient for each of the game machines and token dispensing machines according to data transmitted from the machines and whether or not there are losses of tokens or coins according to data transmitted from the collecting cart.

A device for utility outlet control is provided that includes means for selectively blocking access to a utility outlet by way of disengaging or engaging the outlet blocking means. The outlet is blocked from access when the outlet is not being used. A user may gain access to the outlet upon appropriate payment or by an authorized access key. Typical utility outlets controllable by the present invention include, but are not limited to electric utility outlets, telephone utility outlets, and Internet access utility outlets.

This invention relates to a kind of multimedia digit mobile telephone charge chest, it is composed of the chest body and the inset electric control system, there are liquid crystal display device, base on piece printout outlet corresponded to the inset printer, the key switch, the coin receiver, the fingerprint collector, the intellect charge drawer, the advertisement lamp box. The electric control system includes the four departs that the high electricity circuit, the upper machine control, the system main control and the intellect charge drawer module. The high electricity circuit includes the chief switch and the creepage protection, the lamp box control circuit, the charge electrical outlet line, the charger, the upper machine control includes the PC host computer, the touch screen, the liquid crystal display device; the system main control depart includes the host control module, the fingerprint module, the print module, the key switch, the coin control, the communication chief line, the reproducer; the intellect charge drawer module links the mobile telephone by singlechip to see whether display, mobile telephone put check and so on. The charge chest gathers many functions to one charge such as advertisement issue, information demand function and so on, its function is reliable, safe and high active.

Centering device 14 of a bill validator comprises a pair of pinch jaws 15 positioned on the opposite sides of a passageway 6, and a centering motor 30 for moving pinch jaws 15 toward and away from each other for reciprocation of pinch jaws 15 so that pinch jaws 15 come into contact with side edges of a bill between pinch jaws 15 to align a central line of bill with a central line of passageway 6. As centering motor 30 stalls when warpage resistance by centered bill is greater than inherent holding torque of centering motor 30, centering device 14 has the simplified structure with reduced number of structural components for light weight and reliable centering operation.

A coin receiving and dispensing machine includes a coin receiving and dispensing opening, a sensor unit provided in a coin passage and adapted for discriminating and counting coins of each denomination, a single coin storing box for storing acceptable coins, a coin storing cylinder for storing coins to be dispensed and a controller for controlling overall operation of the coin receiving and dispensing machine, and the controller is constituted so as to, prior to dispensation of coins, take out coins stored in the coin storing box, cause the sensor unit to discriminate and counts coins for each denomination taken out from the coin storing box, and store a predetermined number of coins in the coin storing cylinder for each denomination, the controller being further constituted so as to, when coins are to be dispensed, take out coins stored in the coin storing cylinder, cause the sensor unit to discriminate and count coins taken out from the coin storing cylinder for each denomination, and feed the coins to the coin receiving and dispensing opening based on the discrimination and counting done by the sensor unit, the controller furthermore being constituted so as to cause the sensor unit to discriminate whether or not coins deposited through the coin receiving and dispensing opening are acceptable and denominations of coins and count the number of the coins of each denomination, and store the coins deposited through the coin receiving and dispensing opening in the coin storing box.

This invention in certain example instances relates generally to coin-operated video entertainment systems. More particularly, certain exemplary aspects of the invention provide methods and / or systems for controlling access to a portable coin-operated interactive entertainment device that may be used to play video games and access other forms of entertainment as well as providing features via such portable coin-operated interactive entertainment devices.

A technique for shifting the phase of a periodic signal. A periodic signal, such as a clock signal, may be provided in a synchronous system, such as a memory system implementing a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) device. It may be advantageous to be able to phase shift the signal. The present technique implements a delay line which includes a plurality of delay elements coupled in series. The periodic signal is delivered to the delay line and the time between transitions from high to low or low to high is stored in one of a number of latches coupled to the delay line at various points. A number of tapping elements are also coupled to the delay line at some incremental point corresponding to a correlative latch. By varying the proximity of each tapping element and corresponding latch along the delay line, various phase shifts of the periodic signal can be produced.

An automated transaction machine (10) includes a note receiving and dispensing mechanism (77). The mechanism includes a storage reel (66), a take-up reel (68) and a flexible web (70) extending between the reels. A drag applying member (196; 208) may be used in operative connection with at least one of the reels. The note receiving and dispensing mechanism is housed within a note storage module (44). Notes are selectively passed into and out of the storage module to a passage area (92). The machine further includes a note inlet opening (30) and a note outlet opening (28). A note outlet transport (96) extends between the passage area and the note outlet opening. A note inlet transport (98) extends between the passage area and the note inlet opening. A note validator (58) extends adjacent to the note inlet transport for purposes of sensing the validity of notes inserted in the machine. The machine is selectively operative responsive to inputs to receive and deliver notes. The machine is further operative to enable replenishment of notes therein without accessing the interior of the housing.

A coin separator and rejector apparatus that will electronically release and return jammed coins, tokens, slugs and the like is disclosed. A coin separator and rejector body is described having one or more downwardly inclined coin races formed therein. The rejector body has an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The coin races further comprise a first wall and a second wall wherein at least a portion of one of the race walls is pivotally connected with the rejector body. A first sensor is located in the upstream portion of the rejector body and a second sensor located in said downstream portion of said rejector body. An actuator is in mechanical connection with the pivotal portion of the race wall. A processor is in electrical communication with the sensors and with said actuator. A coin in an upstream portion of a coin separator and rejector is detected by the first sensor and sends a signal to the processor. The processor is programmed to wait a predetermined period of time to receive a signal from the second sensor indicating that the coin has progressed in the coin race to the second sensor. If the processor receives no signal from the second sensor after a predetermined time period has passed, the processor sends a signal to the actuator to open the pivotally connected portion of the separator and rejector to allow the jammed coin to be released from the separator and rejector.

A condiment packet dispenser that includes a cylindrical shaped housing containing an open top with a plurality of radially partitioned chambers. Each chamber contains a cylindrical shaped container that stores individual condiment packets in a radial manner. The dispenser is operated by pushing a button which sends a signal to a motor control board. The motor control board powers a motor having a spur gear which turns the selected condiment container until the condiment packet is aligned with a drop chute. The packet then falls thru the drop chute and is available for picking up by the customer. There is also a cylindrical shaped top lid which is removable when new condiments need to be loaded to replenish the dispenser. The condiment dispenser sits on top of a base stand that may either be rigidly mounted or may be rotated to choose a condiment.

Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).

A method and apparatus for providing automated and secured verification of configuration data for a volatile progrannmable electronic device, such as an FPGA, is disclosed. A configurator including at least one memory unit, such as a ROM or EEPROM, contains a configuration file, which file is transferred to the volatile programmable electronic device or FPGA on demand. Data from the configuration file is compared with data from a separate custodial file, which custodial file is substantially identical to the configuration file and resides in a location separate from the memory unit or units that store the actual configuration file. In some instances the comparison is made before any actual loading of the configuration file into the FPGA occurs, whereby loading is prohibited if no match is confirmed, while in other instances the FPGA is configured using the configuration file and is then shut down if no match is later confirmed.

A user controlling coin operating bidet assembly is comprised of a coin handling system with a coin collector box and an electrically operating bidet. The coin handling system contains optical coin validator, solenoid valves, coin flaps, optical coin counter, electronic timer, and microprocessor controlling those parts according to the signals triggered by the coins inserted. The electronic timer receives signal from the microprocessor and supplies power to another solenoid valve and a warm air blower connected to the bidet. A switch for selecting water and air is attached on the control panel of the bidet. 25 cents coin allows 30 seconds operation. Additional 25 cents inserted within 30 seconds extends the operation time for another 30 seconds. Emergency “HOLD” switch placed on the control panel holds the power to the bidet and stops the electric timer. Pressing “RESET” switch on the control board returns the bidet in a continuing mode.

An entirely mechanical gas bottle dispensing machine that allows to either only dispense by gravity a filled bottle upon insertion of a first token or dispense a filled bottle with return of an empty bottle upon insertion of a second token.

A system for controlling circulation of media materials from a library includes a control system and a circulation control station having a housing defining a receptacle which is configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein. The circulation control station includes an electronic security control mechanism and a mechanical security control mechanism, each mounted to the housing. The electronic security control mechanism may include an RFID reader / writer, and the mechanical security control mechanism may include a magnet and an actuator. The control system is configured to release a packaged unit of securable media to circulation by disabling an electronic security device and a magnetic security device of a packaged unit of securable media resident within the receptacle and executing a media checkout procedure.

A technique for shifting the phase of a periodic signal. A periodic signal, such as a clock signal, may be provided in a synchronous system, such as a memory system implementing a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) device. It may be advantageous to be able to phase shift the signal. The present technique implements a delay line which includes a plurality of delay elements coupled in series. The periodic signal is delivered to the delay line and the time between transitions from high to low or low to high is stored in one of a number of latches coupled to the delay line at various points. A number of tapping elements are also coupled to the delay line at some incremental point corresponding to a correlative latch. By varying the proximity of each tapping element and corresponding latch along the delay line, various phase shifts of the periodic signal can be produced.

The present invention discloses a POS terminal-based public transportation account code scanning payment system. The system comprises a machine body shell, a display screen, a scanning code payment terminal, a bank card payment end, a public transportation card payment end and an unionpay center; an AVR central processing module is arranged at the upper part of the interior of the machine body shell; an information transmitting device is arranged at the lower left side of the AVR central processing module; a MODEM module is arranged at the right side of the information transmitting device; an information receiving device is arranged at the right side of the MODEM module; the display screen is fixedly installed at the front outer wall of the machine body shell; a public transportation card reading region is arranged below the display screen; the center of the public transportation card swiping region is provided with a two-dimensional code scanning area; and a bank card swiping area is arranged at the right side of an indicator lamp. The POS terminal-based public transportation account code scanning payment system of the invention is provided with the two-dimensional code scanning area, and therefore, two-dimensional code payment is more convenient and quick; and since electronic payment is adopted, the consumption of energy can be decreased, and the POS terminal-based public transportation account code scanning payment system is safer and more environment-friendly.

A user controlling coin operating bidet assembly is comprised of a coin handling system with a coin collector box and an electrically operating bidet. The coin handling system contains optical coin validator, solenoid valves, coin flaps, optical coin counter, electronic timer, and microprocessor controlling those parts according to the signals triggered by the coins inserted. The electronic timer receives signal from the microprocessor and supplies power to another solenoid valve and a warm air blower connected to the bidet. A switch for selecting water and air is attached on the control panel of the bidet. 25 cents coin allows 30 seconds operation. Additional 25 cents inserted within 30 seconds extends the operation time for another 30 seconds. Emergency “HOLD” switch placed on the control panel holds the power to the bidet and stops the electric timer. Pressing “RESET” switch on the control board returns the bidet in a continuing mode.

The invention relates to the field of vending machines, in particular to a cash payment protocol conversion system for an automatic vending machine. The conversion system comprises cash payment equipment, a protocol conversion module and a main control board, wherein the main control board is electrically connected with the protocol conversion module, and the protocol conversion module is in communication connection with the cash payment equipment; and the protocol conversion module consists of a singlechip, an MDB drive level conversion circuit and a serial port level conversion circuit, andthe MDB drive level conversion circuit and the serial port level conversion circuit are electrically connected with the singlechip. The system solves the problem that a serial port of the main controlboard of the vending machine cannot directly communicate with mainstream cash payment equipment in the market; and through the protocol conversion module, the main control board can communicate withmainstream cash payment equipment based on MDB protocol in the vending machine industry through the serial port to complete the cash payment function.

Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).

The invention discloses a circuit for solving a problem of power-on jitter of an MCU IO level signal, and the circuit comprises a communication module and an electronic switch anti-jitter circuit, wherein the communication module is connected with the electronic switch anti-jitter circuit. The electronic switch anti-jitter circuit is arranged to be connected with an OPENCPU version communication module, so IO level jitter during startup is avoided, and the technical problem that the self-service equipment triggers upward score by mistake is solved. The embodiment of the invention further provides the electronic payment self-service equipment. According to the embodiment of the invention, the communication module does not need to be externally connected with an external processor, the structure is simple and the cost is low, and the market competitiveness is good.