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The present invention relates to an improvement in pay machines, by which
is meant goods dispensers, parking ticket dispensing machines, etc., i.e.
all machines which receive payment and deliver goods or carry out a
service upon receipt of payment.
A common feature of such machines is that they all include one or more coin
slots, a cancellation button, and often a button by means of which a
specific item of goods is selected or by means of which the purchase of a
specific item of goods is confirmed, subsequent to having inserted the
correct sum of money.
In recent times, it has become more usual to effect payment through the
medium of different credit cards and pay cards. However, a very large
number of machines on the market today are solely coin operated machines.
Parking meters or parking pay machines form a large group of such
machines. One common type of parking meter issues a receipt or ticket
subsequent to payment, which shows the expiry time of the parking ticket
issued and which is intended to be placed in the vehicle in a position in
which the ticket can be seen.
It would be extremely expensive to replace the electronics of a coin
operated machine of this kind with new electronics which would also enable
payment to be made by credit card.
This problem is solved by the present invention. The inventive arrangement
is relatively inexpensive and is intended for installation in existing
machines without removing existing electronics, thereby enabling the
machine to accept payment in the form of coins and in the form of credit
cards.
The present invention is not restricted to any particular kind of machine,
although it is described below, by way of example, with reference to
parking ticket dispensers.
Thus, the present invention relates to an arrangement in pay machines which
include a coin or banknote verifier and a first computer unit which is
intended to activate an intermediate cash till or like cash container
which is intended either to guide coins or banknotes to a final cash till
or to a coin or cash reject cup, where the coin or banknote is recovered,
and which also activates the means operative to deliver the goods or the
service for which payment has been made subsequent to payment having been
verified and accepted. The invention is characterized in that the
arrangement further includes a second computer unit which is connected
between the coin or banknote verifier and the first computer unit; in that
the second computer unit functions to sense the control signal or the like
delivered by the first computer unit to means for controlling said
intermediate cash till and final cash till; in that the second computer
unit has connected thereto a credit card reader and one or more buttons
which, when depressed, function to deliver a signal to the second computer
unit corresponding to a given sum of money; and in that, subsequent to
having made acceptable payment of a given sum by credit card and having
pressed said button or buttons, the second computer unit functions to
deliver to the first computer unit a signal which corresponds to the
signal that is sent to the coin or banknote verifier when payment has been
made by the insertion of one or more accepted coins.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an
exemplifying embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which
FIG. 1 is a block schematic illustrating the electronics of a car park pay
machine incorporating the inventive arrangement; and
FIG. 2 is a block schematic illustrating an information and reporting
system.
FIG. 1 is a block schematic of the electronics of a car park pay machine
which incorporates the present invention. It will be understood, however,
that the block schematic can also be applied with automatic dispensing
machines other than parking ticket pay machines.
One known pay machine of the present kind includes a coin verifier 1 and a
first computer unit 4. The coin verifier 1 includes coin insertion slots
2, 3 and, although not shown, known sensing means which detects whether or
not an inserted coin can be accepted as genuine. When the coin is
accepted, the coin verifier functions to deliver an electric signal to the
first computer unit 4. The machine may be provided with a banknote
verifier instead of a coin verifier. The machine described below is
provided with a coin verifier. It will be understood, however, that a
machine fitted with a banknote verifier, e.g. in the form of an
appropriate, known banknote reader, can be provided with the inventive
arrangement in the same manner as a machine fitted with a coin verifier,
as hereinafter described.
The first computer unit 4 is intended to activate an intermediate cash till
or like cash receiving container which functions to guide coins to a final
cash till, or to a reject coin cup from which the coin or coins can be
recovered. The first computer unit also functions to activate means for
delivering the goods or the service for which payment has been made and
also to deliver any change that may be due, subsequent to payment having
been accepted.
The intermediate cash till may be open or closed, which is controlled by
means of a first pulling magnet. Similarly, the final cash till may be
open or closed and is regulated or controlled by means of a second pulling
magnet. The first and the second magnets respectively are energized
through a respective first and a second relay 5 and 6, which in turn are
activated by the first computer unit 4. When the machine is at rest, the
intermediate cash till will normally be open and the final cash till
closed. This prevents money from being "fished" from the final cash till.
All unaccepted coins, or other objects, are passed from the intermediate
cash till to the coin cup.
Such a machine will normally operate so that a first accepted coin
activates the first computer unit and therewith close the intermediate
cash till, with the coin remaining in said till. This is effected in
response to a signal which is sent by the coin sensing device to the first
computer unit 4, through a conductor 7, 8 and which signifies the type of
coin inserted, wherewith the computer unit 4 delivers a control signal to
the first relay 5 which, in response to said signal, activates the first
pulling magnet to close the intermediate cash till.
Subsequent to having inserted the necessary number of coins, the person
concerned can either alter his/her mind or confirm that he/she wishes to
make payment.
If the person concerned should change his mind, he presses a cancellation
button 9, whereupon the computer unit receives a signal which causes the
computer unit to activate the first pulling magnet and therewith open the
intermediate cash till, whereupon the coins fall down into the coin cup
and can be recovered by the person concerned.
When the person concerned wishes to make payment, he presses a payment
button 10, which causes the computer unit to activate the second pulling
magnet and open the final cash till, so that the coins fall down
thereinto.
A parking ticket pay machine is normally equipped with a display 11 which
shows the amount that has been inserted and also the parking expiry time.
This machine will also normally be equipped with a printer 12 which prints
a parking ticket or parking receipt. Both the printer and the display are
controlled by the computer unit 4.
The technique hitherto described with reference to FIG. 1 is known to the
art and consequently the machine components will not be described in
detail here.
Thus, in the case of a known parking ticket pay machine the conductors
extend directly between the coin verifier 1 and the computer unit 4, as
indicated by the chain lines 13, 14. Conductors 15, 16 also extend
directly between the computer unit 4 and the relays 5, 6.
In accordance with the present invention, the pay machine also includes a
second computer unit 17 which is connected between the coin verifier 1 and
the first computer unit 4. Assume that the coin verifier is intended to
deliver signals on the conductors 7, 8 relating to accepted a Swedish one
crown coin and a five crown coin respectively. In this case, the
conductors are each connected to a respective input 18, 19 on the second
computer unit 17. Two outputs 20, 21 on the second computer unit 17 are
also connected to the inputs 22, 23 on the first computer unit, which in a
known parking pay machine is connected directly to the coin verifier 1.
The second computer unit 17 also functions to detect the control signal or
like signal delivered by the first computer unit 4 to a device, namely
said relays 5, 6 and associated pulling magnets, which functions to
activate the aforesaid intermediate cash till and final cash till. To this
end, it is preferred to detect the occurrence of voltage in the lines 15,
16 between the computer unit 4 and the relays 5, 6. This can be achieved
with the aid of a voltage detector, such as a resistance connected in
parallel with respective conductors 15, 16, said voltage detectors being
connected to the inputs 24, 25 of the second computer unit.
Thus, in summary, the second computer unit is connected to the original
circuit such as to be connected to the conductors 7, 8 between the coin
verifier and the first computer unit 4 and also to detect the occurrence
of voltage in the conductors 15, 16 extending between the first computer
unit 4 and respective relays 5, 6. Thus, the conductors 15, 16 can be
continuous, as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the second computer unit
may, instead, be connected so that the conductors 15, 16 are interrupted
and extend to respective inputs and outputs on the second computer unit.
In this case, the signals delivered by the first computer unit to the
relays will pass via the second computer unit. In this latter embodiment,
the second computer unit 17 forms the aforesaid voltage detecting device.
The second computer unit 17 is constructed so that when in an inactive
state the signals pass from the coin verifier to the first computer unit,
as though the second computer unit 17 was not found.
A credit card reader 26 of an appropriate, known kind is connected to the
second computer unit 17. The card reader delivers to the second computer
unit information relating to card number, the account number to which the
credit card applies, and possibly also the credit limit, etc. The
arrangement also includes one or more buttons 27, 28 which, when
depressed, deliver to the second computer unit a signal which corresponds
to a given sum of money. For instance, the signal delivered when
depressing one of the buttons 27 will indicate insertion of a one crown
coin, whereas the signal resulting from depression of the other button 28
will indicate the insertion of a five crown coin.
Subsequent to effecting accepted payment of a given sum through the medium
of a credit card and consequent depression of said button or buttons 27,
28, the second computer unit 17 will deliver to the first computer unit 4
a signal which corresponds to the signal that is delivered by the coin
verifier 1 upon receipt of the aforesaid sum in the form of one or more
accepted coins. This is effected through a signal produced on one or both
of the outputs 20, 21 of the second computer unit 17.
As beforedescribed, when payment is made with coins, the second computer
unit remains inactive. However, statistics have shown that an advantage is
afforded when the second computer unit 17 is constructed to detect and
register a signal produced by the coin verifier and also to register
activation of the relays 5, 6 by the first computer unit.
When payment is made by credit card, the card is sensed by the credit card
reader 26 and, provided that the card is valid, the second computer unit
17 activates sensing of the buttons 27 and 28. Each time one of the
buttons 27, 28 is depressed, the second computer unit 17 will send a
signal to the inputs 22, 23 of the first computer unit, these signals
being the same as those signals that are delivered by the coin verifier
when said verifier has detected an accepted, inserted coin. Subsequent to
insertion of the desired sum through the buttons 27, 28, the person
concerned either depresses the cancellation button 9 or the payment button
10.
When the person concerned presses the cancellation button, the sum is set
to zero in the first computer unit 4 at the same time as said unit
activates the relay 5 so as to open the intermediate cash till. In this
case, however, no coins are found in the till. When the first computer
unit activates the relay 5, this activation is detected by the second
computer unit via the input 24, wherewith the payment is set to zero in
the second computer unit.
If the person concerned presses the payment button, the first computer unit
will activate the relay 6, therewith opening the final cash till. The
first computer unit may also activate the printer, so as to print a ticket
or receipt. This is detected by the second computer unit, via the input
25, and the payment is recorded so that the credit card account can be
debited accordingly.
As will be evident from the aforegoing, activation of the second computer
unit solely results in the delivery of signals to the first computer unit
which simulate payment effected by coins, although in actual fact payment
has been effected by credit card.
This use of the first computer unit enables the second computer unit to be
of simple and inexepensive construction.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, optoswitches 30-33
are arranged between the coin verifier 1 and the second computer unit 17
and between the second computer unit 17 and the first computer unit 4,
therewith separating the second computer unit galvanically from the coin
verifier and the first computer unit.
In accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention,
optoswitches 34, 35 are connected electrically in parallel with respective
outputs 36, 37 from the first computer unit 4 to said devices 5, 6 which
function to control the intermediate cash till and the final cash till
respectively, wherein the outputs of respective optoswitches are connected
to the second computer unit 17.
These two preferred embodiments enable the second computer unit 17 to be
installed so that it is totally separated galvanically from the original
installation, such that the original installation cannot be influenced and
therewith eliminating disturbances caused by the modification with the
second computer unit.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is
connected to the second computer unit 17 a memory store 38 in which
transactions made with credit cards are stored. The memory is arranged to
be emptied to an external computer.
The arrangement also includes a memory, either the same memory as the
lastmentioned memory 38 or a separate memory, which is connected to the
second computer unit 17 and which functions to receive credit card
invalidity lists from an external computer. Thus, when a credit card is
read by the credit card reader, the second computer unit 17 is operative
to compare relative data with the invalidity list and to render impossible
insertion of a payment sum should the credit card presented be invalid.
Emptying of information stored in a memory and relating to transactions
carried out, and also the infeed of invalidity lists, can be effected
through an input and output 39 of a portable external computer, or
alternatively through an external computer telecommunication line 40.
It is preferred to connect the second computer unit 17 to a central
computer 41 for credit card transactions via a telecommunication line 40,
as illustrated in FIG. 2. This computer will contain information relating
to invalidity lists and is programmed to register and to carry out
necessary money transactions.
With regard to vehicle parking machines in particular, which are normally
found in groups in relatively large numbers, an advantage is afforded when
several machines are connected to one and the same telecommunication line.
Consequently, according to one preferred embodiment, the second computer
unit 17 of two or more machines 42 is connected to said central computer
through a multiplex circuit 43, or through several multiplex circuits 44,
43 and 45, 43 respectively connected sequentially in series. The dash
lines 46, 47 indicate that more than four machines can be connected to the
same multiplex circuit 44; 45. The line 48 indicates that several of the
multiplex circuits 44, 45 located nearest the machines can be connected to
the next multiplex circuit 43 located in the series of multiplex circuits.
It will be obvious that the second computer unit 17 obtains information
relating to each payment when said computer unit is also arranged to
detect and register payment made with coins. In this case, the second
computer unit may be programmed to send a signal to a central computer
such as to inform the computer when the machine shall be emptied, to
disclose how much money is found stored in the final cash till, to inform
that an exchange of printer paper is needed, and similar information.
Furthermore, there may be connected to the second computer unit an alarm
sensor 49 which functions to produce an alarm signal should an attempt be
made to force open the machine, for instance. This sensor may be of any
known, suitable kind. The computer unit 17 is programmed to produce an
alarm signal in response to a signal delivered by the alarm sensor. When
the machine is connected to a central computer through a telecommunication
line, the computer unit 17 will preferably send an alarm signal to the
central computer, which transmits the signal further to an alarm centre or
the like. In addition, the computer unit 17 is programmed to activate an
acoustic and/or light signal 50 on the machine, so as to summon the
attention of the surroundings, particularly when the machine is not
connected to a central computer.
The invention has been described in the aforegoing with reference to
parking pay machines. It will be obvious, however, that because the
majority of coin pay machines have roughly the same construction with
regard to the payment devices used, the present invention can be applied
with many different automatic pay machines intended for different
purposes. It will also be obvious that modifications can be made in ways
evident to the skilled person within the scope of the present invention.
For instance, activation of the relays by the first computer unit can be
effected in some other way.
The invention shall not therefore be considered restricted to the
aforedescribed exemplifying embodiments, since modifications can be made
within the scope of the following claims.
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