EP0234833A2 - A vending and dispensing system - Google Patents
A vending and dispensing system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0234833A2 EP0234833A2 EP87301311A EP87301311A EP0234833A2 EP 0234833 A2 EP0234833 A2 EP 0234833A2 EP 87301311 A EP87301311 A EP 87301311A EP 87301311 A EP87301311 A EP 87301311A EP 0234833 A2 EP0234833 A2 EP 0234833A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- compartment
- film
- person
- displacing
- moving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/02—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for optical devices, e.g. telescopes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03D15/00—Apparatus for treating processed material
- G03D15/001—Counting; Classifying; Marking
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
Definitions
- THIS INVENTION relates to a vending and dispensing system. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for vending and dispensing articles. In a particular application, the apparatus may be for receiving photographic film to be developed, and for returning the developed film and prints.
- apparatus for receiving from a person photographic film to be processed and for dispensing such film after processing back to the person which includes a data entering means for entering data; a person identifying means for identifying the person; a control means responsive to the data entering means and the person identifying means; a receiving means, that is responsive to the control means, for receiving the unprocessed film; a film housing unit which has a number of compartments in each of which a processed film may be housed; a correlating means for correlating in which compartment the processed film of a particular person is housed; and a displacing means, responsive to the control means and the correlating means, for displacing processed film of a particular person from the appropriate compartment to dispense the processed film to the person.
- the data entering means may include a keyboard and the person identifying means may include a card reading device for reading and identifying a series of alphanumeric symbols carried by the card, or the like, and the control means is responsive to the card reading device and the data entering means to compare a series of symbols entered by the person via the data entering means and the series read by the card reading device to validate the identity of the person.
- the receiving means may include a receptacle such as a tray, box or the like that is externally accessible via a door that is responsive to the control means, to be locked and unlocked thereby.
- This receptacle may also have a number of compartments, different film cassettes being received in successive compartments.
- a labelling means may be provided, responsive to the control means, for providing a label for a film to be processed specifying the identity of the person and how the film is to be processed.
- the labelling means may include a printing device for printing the identity of the person and processing instructions on a suitable element, such as a card, piece of paper or even a packet into which the film is inserted, the packet then being inserted into the apparatus.
- the control means may include a central processing unit, a program storage means for storing a set of operating instructions and a data storage means.
- a visual display unit may also be included, that is responsive to the control means, for displaying instructions to the person.
- the film housing unit has a plurality of groups of compartments, the compartments in each group being stacked one above the other and the groups being arranged in a circular manner such that they are circumferentially spaced about an axis and define a central hollow space, and the compartments are open at their radially inner and outer ends.
- the displacing means may be located within the central space.
- an apparatus for vending and dispensing articles which includes an annular storage arrangement having a plurality of groups of storage compartments, the groups being circumferentially spaced about an axis to define a central hollow space, with the compartments in each group being one above the other in an axial manner, and with each compartment extending radially and being open at its radially inner and outer ends; and a displacing means, located within the central space, for displacing an article in any selected compartment radially out of the said compartment.
- the apparatus may include a collecting station from where processed film or other article is collected and a guide means for guiding the film or article pushed out from a compartment to the collecting station.
- a sensing means may also be included for sensing if there is an article within a particular compartment.
- the apparatus may have a check function.
- it may include a code ascertaining means for ascertaining a code procvided on a processed film representative of the compartment in which it should be and for determining if that film is in the correct compartment.
- a scanning head may be provided to scan a bar or other code on the film or any other article.
- the invention accordingly extends to a third aspect, which provides an apparatus for dispensing selected articles which includes an array of compartments; a displacing means for displacing an article in a selected compartment out of that compartment; a code ascertaining means for ascertaining a code provided on an article in a compartment that is representative of the compartment in which the article is to be stored and for determining if an article is in the correct compartment.
- This apparatus may include a compartment address monitoring means for monitoring the address of any compartment with which the displacing means is aligned.
- the displacing means includes a displacing element; a radial moving means for moving the displacing element into and out of any compartment at its inner end to displace an article therein out of its outer end; an axial moving means for moving the storage arrangement and the displacing element relative to one another in an axial direction; and an angular moving means for moving the storage arrangement and the displacing element relative to one another about the axis, such that the displacing element may be aligned with any desired compartment.
- an apparatus for receiving photographic film to be processed and for dispensing processed film is designated generally by reference numeral 10.
- the apparatus 10 has a numeric keyboard 12 and a card reader 14.
- the card reader 14 is adapted to read a credit card of a customer.
- the apparatus 10 further has a pair of slots 16 each being closable by a door 18 through which photographic film to be processed can be inserted.
- the apparatus 10 further has two transversely spaced receiving receptacles in the form of rotatable trays 20 of circular cross-section within which the film to be processed is received.
- Each rotatable tray 20 is divided into a plurality of segments 22 (only one of which is shown for the sake of clarity).
- the rotatable trays 20 are mounted below the slots 16.
- Each slot 16 is in communication with the rotatable tray 20 below it via a chute 24.
- the apparatus 10 is micro-processor controlled and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 26 as well as data storage means in the form of floppy discs driven by floppy disc drives 28.
- the apparatus 10 further includes a visual display unit (VDU) 30.
- CPU central processing unit
- VDU visual display unit
- Each rotatable tray 32 is divided into a plurality of segments 34 (only one segment of each tray 32 is shown for the sake of clarity).
- Each rotatable tray 32 is in communication with a collection tray 36 via a chute 38.
- Each segment 34 of the dispensing trays 32 has a trap door 40 controllable by a command from the central processing unit 26.
- the trays 20 and 32 are rotated by suitable motors (not shown) in response to appropriate signals from the CPU 26.
- the dispensing trays 32 and receiving trays 20 are identical and are interchangeable.
- the segments 22 and 34 of the trays 20 and 32 respectively are coded or indexed so that a particular customer's film to be processed, once it has been processed, is returned to the appropriate segment 34 of the dispensing tray 32.
- An index wich correlates the address of each segment 34 of the dispensing trays 32 and the identity of the person associated with a film in that segment is created by a master computer at the location where the film is created and written onto a floppy disc associated with a particular tray and the film therein.
- the CPU checks if his film is in one of the trays 32 and rotates the correct tray 32 so that the correct segment is above the chute 38 and opens the appropriate trapdoor 46.
- the apparatus 10 further includes a printer 40 for printing out details of a transaction.
- a customer inserts a valid credit card into the card reader 14.
- the card reader 14 is linked to a main frame computer via a modem 42.
- the customer enters the credit card number, or a related code into the CPU 26 via the keyboard 12.
- the films to be processed are stored in the segments 22 of the trays 20.
- a tray 20 is full, or at regular intervals, the trays 20 and the associated floppy disc are collected and taken for processing.
- the trays 20 and the floppy discs are removable from the unit 10 via doors 44 in the rear of the unit 10. Empty trays 20 and a new floppy disc are placed in the apparatus 10.
- the trays 32 and their associated floppy disc are removed and new trays 32 and floppy disc inserted. These new trays 32 have processed film in boxes or packets, in the appropriate segments. As described above, the floppy disc has an index correlating the identity of the person and the appropriate segment. The new trays were loaded at a central processing centre.
- the segments 34 of the rotatable trays 32 are indexed, or coded, to ensure that the correct segment is aligned with the chute 38 by the CPU 26.
- an apparatus for receiving exposed photographic film that is to be developed and prints made and for returning the developed film and prints to the owner thereof is designated by reference numeral 110.
- a portion of the apparatus for storing the prints and developed film and for dispensing them is designated by reference numeral 112.
- the portion 112 has a storage arrangement 114 that has eight groups 116 of compartments, the groups 116 being circumferentially spaced about a vertical axis.
- Each group 116 comprises a number of vertically stacked compartments 118, each compartment 118 having a floor, a roof and two side walls, to define a rectangular horizontal cross-sectional profile.
- the compartments 118 are each open at their radial inner and outer ends so that correspondingly shaped boxes can be manually inserted into the compartments 118 from outside and can be pushed out by an ejecting unit 142 located within a central space defined by the groups 116.
- each group 116 there are two elongate vertically extending containers 126, each container 126 having a dispensing opening 128 at its bottom end, with one container 126 being positioned above the other.
- a platform 129 is provided that is rotatable about a vertical axis by a bi-directional motor 130 that is supported by a bracket 132.
- the platform 129 is supported on a base 134 of a support structure 136.
- the angular position of the platform 129 about the vertical axis is monitored by an encoder 138 that provides signals for a controlling computer 140 (see Figure 3).
- An electromagnetically operable brake (not shown) is provided to maintain the platform 129, and thus the compartments 118, at any desired angular position when they are not being rotated by the motor 130.
- the support structure 136 also includes columns 156 supporting cross-pieces 158 located above the compartments 118.
- the support structure 136 also includes columns 156 supporting cross-pieces 158 located above the compartments 118.
- the cross-pieces 158 are two guide posts 141 that guide an ejecting unit 142 which comprises an ejecting arm 144 and a motor 146.
- the unit 142 moves up and down, being guided by the posts 140.
- the unit 142 is moved up and down by a screw-threaded rod 148 that is bi-directionally rotated by a lifting motor 150 tha also has an encoder 152.
- the lifting motor 150 is supported by the cross-pieces 158.
- the brake is released, the motor 130 is operated to rotate the platform 129 until the arm 144 is in register with the particular group 116 in which the compartment in question is to be found, the brake is re-applied and the motor 150 is operated to lift or lower the unit 142 until the arm 144 is aligned with the compartment 118.
- the motor 146 is operated to extend and retract the arm 144.
- the arm 144 has a code scanning head 154 at its tip whereby a code on a box 164 in a compartment 118 may be read and supplied to the computer 140.
- the code on the box 164 may be a bar code.
- the portion 112 is shown in a housing 160 of the apparatus 110. Further, the ejecting unit 142 is aligned with a chute 162 which guides boxes 164 that have been pushed out of any compartment 118 into a dispensing drawer 166.
- the dispensing drawer 166 is pushed open and closed by a motor (also not shown).
- a detection means to detect the presence of a customer's hand in the drawer 166 is provided on the drawer 166 in order to prevent the drawer 166 closing while the customer is still retrieving his processed film and prints from the drawer 166.
- the apparatus 110 has a collecting bin 168 into which film to be processed is inserted, and, as with the apparatus 10 of Figures 1 and 2 a disply unit 30, a keyboard 12, a card reader 14 and a printer 40.
- the computer 140 may conveniently be a personal computer such as a MITAC PC/XT which is IBM compatible and has a colour graphics card for controlling the VDU 30, a real time clock, RAM, twin RS232 ports one of which is used for the card reader 14, a parallel port connected to the printer 40, a hard disc drive and controller and two floppy disc drives and a controller.
- a personal computer such as a MITAC PC/XT which is IBM compatible and has a colour graphics card for controlling the VDU 30, a real time clock, RAM, twin RS232 ports one of which is used for the card reader 14, a parallel port connected to the printer 40, a hard disc drive and controller and two floppy disc drives and a controller.
- each packet 126 has a micro-switch 178 to detect if there are no longer any packets of film 178 to be sold.
- a person wishing to have film developed inserts a credit card into the reader 14, enters his personal identification code via the keyboard 12 which is verified to validate the persons identity and he then enters information, also via the keyboard 12 in response to queries provided by the computer 140 via the display unit 30.
- Various details are then printed onto an envelope by the printer 40 and supplied to the user.
- the user puts his roll of film into the envelope and places it in the bin 168.
- the user's credit card is returned to him.
- the computer 140 allocates a compartment 118 to the roll of film and stores the compartment number together with the credit card number.
- the allocated compartment number is marked on the envelope.
- the bin 168 is cleared and the film therein is taken to a processing centre and processed.
- the developed film and prints are inserted in the boxes 164 which are marked with the address of the allocated compartment in numbers and letters so that an operator can read the address and also by means of a bar code.
- the boxes 164 are brought back to the apparatus 110 by the operator, the apparatus 110 is opened and the boxes are manually inserted into the appropriate compartments 118, with the bar codes facing inwardly.
- the computer 140 keeps track at all times of those compartments 118 that are empty and which may be utilized.
- the computer 140 then causes the arm 144 to scan each compartment 118 so that the reading head 154 reads the bar code of the box in that compartment. If the bar code and the number of the compartment agree, then the code of the box in the next compartment 118 is read. If the bar code and the compartment number do not agree, then the box is ejected and the operator is required to place the box in the correct compartment.
- the operator closes the apparatus.
- the computer 140 identifies the correct compartment for that purpose, checks if there is a box 146 in the compartment, using the scanning head 154, dispenses the box 146 in the appropriate compartment, causes the user's account to be debited and returns the credit card.
- the user removes his box from the drawer 166. If there is no box 146 in the appropriate compartment then this is detected by the scanning head 154 and the computer 140 supplies an appropriate message to the person and returns his credit card.
- FIG. 200 a prototype card that is used with the computer 140 is designated generally by reference numeral 200.
- the two Figures are to be considered as one, the common connections being indicated by the letters 'a' to 'l'.
- the card 200 has two 8255 interface chips 202 and 204, an 8253 counter/timer chip 206, a 74LSO8 quad two-input AND gate 208, a 74LS14 inverter 210, a 74LS245 bi-directional bus-driver 212, two 74LS244 unidirectional bus-drivers 214 and 220, a comparator 216, a 74LS138 chip select chip 218, a 74LS08 quad two-input AND gate 222, a 74LS02 quad two-input OR gate 224, a 74LS04 hex inverter 226, a 74LS21 dual four-input AND gate 228, and a LM358 operational amplifier 230, used as a voltage follower buffer.
- the chips 212, 214, and 220 and 228 inclusive are standard on an IBM prototype board.
- the board 200 has an output terminal 232 which is connected to a driver (not shown) for the motor 150 which is a stepper motor so that a series of pulses are supplied at the terminal 232.
- the motor 150 is always operated to return the arm 144 to a datum position which is at the top, so that the number of pulses is representative of the distance that the motor 150 will move the arm 144.
- the number of pulses is determined by the software and loaded into the timer/counter 206 via a databus 207 and an addressbus 209.
- the capacity of one counter in the chip 206 was not large enough for the maximum number of pulses that were required, two of the counters are used in a cascade manner, the routing of pulses being controlled by the AND gate 208 and the inverter 210.
- the motor 150 has a direction controlling reversing switch (also not shown), which is controlled via signals supplied at an output terminal 240.
- the keyboard 12 is connected to terminals 244, the encoder 138 to terminals 246 and the scanning head 154 to input terminals 254.
- the board 200 has further output terminals 234, 236, 238,240 and 242.
- the terminals 234, 236 and 238 are connected to driving relays (also not shown), which control the operation of the motor for the drawer 166, the motor 146 for the arm 144, and the brake, respectively.
- the output terminal 242 is connected to a drive mpdule (also not shown) for the motor 130, the value of the voltage signal supplied at the terminal 242 determining the speed of operation of the motor 130.
- a low value creep signal or a higher value normal speed signal is supplied via the op-amp 230 from resistor networks 250 and 252 using energising signals from the interface chip 204. After the brake is released, the motor 130 is first supplied with a creep signal to accelerate it and then with the normal speed signal.
- the computer 140 monitors the angular position of the platform 129 via the encoder 138, and the software is such that when the platform approachs its desired position this is detected by the software and the motor 130 is then supplied with a creep signal to bring the platform 129 slowly to its desired angular position.
- the comparator 216 monitors the condition of a back-up battery power supply and if it drops below a predetermined value a flag is set which causes the computer 140 to shut itself down.
Abstract
Description
- THIS INVENTION relates to a vending and dispensing system. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for vending and dispensing articles. In a particular application, the apparatus may be for receiving photographic film to be developed, and for returning the developed film and prints.
- According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for receiving from a person photographic film to be processed and for dispensing such film after processing back to the person which includes
a data entering means for entering data;
a person identifying means for identifying the person;
a control means responsive to the data entering means and the person identifying means;
a receiving means, that is responsive to the control means, for receiving the unprocessed film;
a film housing unit which has a number of compartments in each of which a processed film may be housed;
a correlating means for correlating in which compartment the processed film of a particular person is housed; and
a displacing means, responsive to the control means and the correlating means, for displacing processed film of a particular person from the appropriate compartment to dispense the processed film to the person. - The data entering means may include a keyboard and the person identifying means may include a card reading device for reading and identifying a series of alphanumeric symbols carried by the card, or the like, and the control means is responsive to the card reading device and the data entering means to compare a series of symbols entered by the person via the data entering means and the series read by the card reading device to validate the identity of the person.
- The receiving means may include a receptacle such as a tray, box or the like that is externally accessible via a door that is responsive to the control means, to be locked and unlocked thereby. This receptacle may also have a number of compartments, different film cassettes being received in successive compartments.
- A labelling means may be provided, responsive to the control means, for providing a label for a film to be processed specifying the identity of the person and how the film is to be processed. Conveniently, the labelling means may include a printing device for printing the identity of the person and processing instructions on a suitable element, such as a card, piece of paper or even a packet into which the film is inserted, the packet then being inserted into the apparatus.
- The control means may include a central processing unit, a program storage means for storing a set of operating instructions and a data storage means. A visual display unit may also be included, that is responsive to the control means, for displaying instructions to the person.
- In a preferred form, the film housing unit has a plurality of groups of compartments, the compartments in each group being stacked one above the other and the groups being arranged in a circular manner such that they are circumferentially spaced about an axis and define a central hollow space, and the compartments are open at their radially inner and outer ends. The displacing means may be located within the central space.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for vending and dispensing articles, which includes
an annular storage arrangement having a plurality of groups of storage compartments, the groups being circumferentially spaced about an axis to define a central hollow space, with the compartments in each group being one above the other in an axial manner, and with each compartment extending radially and being open at its radially inner and outer ends; and
a displacing means, located within the central space, for displacing an article in any selected compartment radially out of the said compartment. - The apparatus may include a collecting station from where processed film or other article is collected and a guide means for guiding the film or article pushed out from a compartment to the collecting station.
- A sensing means may also be included for sensing if there is an article within a particular compartment.
- The apparatus may have a check function. Thus it may include a code ascertaining means for ascertaining a code procvided on a processed film representative of the compartment in which it should be and for determining if that film is in the correct compartment. Thus, a scanning head may be provided to scan a bar or other code on the film or any other article.
- The invention accordingly extends to a third aspect, which provides an apparatus for dispensing selected articles which includes
an array of compartments;
a displacing means for displacing an article in a selected compartment out of that compartment;
a code ascertaining means for ascertaining a code provided on an article in a compartment that is representative of the compartment in which the article is to be stored and for determining if an article is in the correct compartment. - This apparatus may include a compartment address monitoring means for monitoring the address of any compartment with which the displacing means is aligned.
- In a preferred form the displacing means includes a displacing element; a radial moving means for moving the displacing element into and out of any compartment at its inner end to displace an article therein out of its outer end; an axial moving means for moving the storage arrangement and the displacing element relative to one another in an axial direction; and an angular moving means for moving the storage arrangement and the displacing element relative to one another about the axis, such that the displacing element may be aligned with any desired compartment.
- The invention is now described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
- In the drawings:-
- Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for receiving photographic film to be processed and for dispensing processed film;
- Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the interior thereof;
- Figure 3 shows schematically the layout of a second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 4 shows a schematic vertically sectioned view of a storage and dispensing portion of the apparatus of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the storage and dispensing portion of Figure 4; and
- Figures 6A and 6B show a block diagram of a circuit board used with the apparatus of Figure 3 to control the operation of various components of the apparatus.
- Referring to Figures 1 and 2 an apparatus for receiving photographic film to be processed and for dispensing processed film is designated generally by
reference numeral 10. Theapparatus 10 has anumeric keyboard 12 and a card reader 14. The card reader 14 is adapted to read a credit card of a customer. - The
apparatus 10 further has a pair ofslots 16 each being closable by adoor 18 through which photographic film to be processed can be inserted. - The
apparatus 10 further has two transversely spaced receiving receptacles in the form ofrotatable trays 20 of circular cross-section within which the film to be processed is received. Eachrotatable tray 20 is divided into a plurality of segments 22 (only one of which is shown for the sake of clarity). Therotatable trays 20 are mounted below theslots 16. Eachslot 16 is in communication with therotatable tray 20 below it via achute 24. - The
apparatus 10 is micro-processor controlled and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 26 as well as data storage means in the form of floppy discs driven by floppy disc drives 28. Theapparatus 10 further includes a visual display unit (VDU) 30. - Two transversely spaced housing units in the form of
rotatable trays 32 of circular cross-section are provided. Eachrotatable tray 32 is divided into a plurality of segments 34 (only one segment of eachtray 32 is shown for the sake of clarity). Eachrotatable tray 32 is in communication with acollection tray 36 via achute 38. Eachsegment 34 of the dispensingtrays 32 has atrap door 40 controllable by a command from the central processing unit 26. Thetrays - The dispensing
trays 32 and receivingtrays 20 are identical and are interchangeable. Thesegments trays appropriate segment 34 of the dispensingtray 32. An index wich correlates the address of eachsegment 34 of the dispensingtrays 32 and the identity of the person associated with a film in that segment is created by a master computer at the location where the film is created and written onto a floppy disc associated with a particular tray and the film therein. Thus, when a particular person returns to theapparatus 10 to collect his film, the CPU checks if his film is in one of thetrays 32 and rotates thecorrect tray 32 so that the correct segment is above thechute 38 and opens theappropriate trapdoor 46. - The
apparatus 10 further includes aprinter 40 for printing out details of a transaction. - In use, to operate to the
apparatus 10, a customer inserts a valid credit card into the card reader 14. The card reader 14 is linked to a main frame computer via amodem 42. The customer enters the credit card number, or a related code into the CPU 26 via thekeyboard 12. - If the correct identification code is entered, then a menu of transactions will appear on the
VDU 30 allowing the customer to choose the options he requires. The details of the required transaction can then be entered into the CPU 26 via thekeyboard 12. When all the required information has been entered, thedoor 18 closing theslot 16 will open on a command from the CPU 26 to enable the customer to insert his film into theslot 16. The film to be processed falls under gravity through thechute 24 into asegment 22 of one of thetrays 20. All the information regarding the transaction is stored on one of the floppy discs. A hard copy of the transaction including estimated costs, is generated by theprinter 40 for the customer. Thetray chute 24 for the next film. - The films to be processed are stored in the
segments 22 of thetrays 20. When atray 20 is full, or at regular intervals, thetrays 20 and the associated floppy disc are collected and taken for processing. Thetrays 20 and the floppy discs are removable from theunit 10 viadoors 44 in the rear of theunit 10.Empty trays 20 and a new floppy disc are placed in theapparatus 10. - At the same time, the
trays 32 and their associated floppy disc are removed andnew trays 32 and floppy disc inserted. Thesenew trays 32 have processed film in boxes or packets, in the appropriate segments. As described above, the floppy disc has an index correlating the identity of the person and the appropriate segment. The new trays were loaded at a central processing centre. - When a customer returns, he again inserts his credit card into the card reader 14 and enters his details via the
keyboard 12. From the menu appearing on theVDU 30 he selects the required transaction eg. "Collect processed films". A summary of the transaction appears on theVDU 30. If this is acceptable to the customer, a hard copy of an invoice is printed by theprinter 40 and the customer's credit card account is automatically debited. Theappropriate tray 32 is rotated until the correct segment is aligned with thechute 38, and itstrap door 46 is opened by a command from the central processing unit 26. The processed film then falls down thechute 38 under gravity into thecollection tray 36. - The
segments 34 of therotatable trays 32 are indexed, or coded, to ensure that the correct segment is aligned with thechute 38 by the CPU 26. - Referring to Figures 3 to 5, an apparatus for receiving exposed photographic film that is to be developed and prints made and for returning the developed film and prints to the owner thereof is designated by
reference numeral 110. A portion of the apparatus for storing the prints and developed film and for dispensing them is designated byreference numeral 112. - The
portion 112 has astorage arrangement 114 that has eightgroups 116 of compartments, thegroups 116 being circumferentially spaced about a vertical axis. Eachgroup 116 comprises a number of vertically stackedcompartments 118, eachcompartment 118 having a floor, a roof and two side walls, to define a rectangular horizontal cross-sectional profile. Thecompartments 118 are each open at their radial inner and outer ends so that correspondingly shaped boxes can be manually inserted into thecompartments 118 from outside and can be pushed out by an ejectingunit 142 located within a central space defined by thegroups 116. In between eachgroup 116 there are two elongate vertically extendingcontainers 126, eachcontainer 126 having a dispensingopening 128 at its bottom end, with onecontainer 126 being positioned above the other. There are forty sixcompartments 118 in eachgroup 116. - A
platform 129 is provided that is rotatable about a vertical axis by abi-directional motor 130 that is supported by abracket 132. Theplatform 129 is supported on abase 134 of asupport structure 136. The angular position of theplatform 129 about the vertical axis is monitored by anencoder 138 that provides signals for a controlling computer 140 (see Figure 3). An electromagnetically operable brake (not shown) is provided to maintain theplatform 129, and thus thecompartments 118, at any desired angular position when they are not being rotated by themotor 130. - The
compartments 118 and thecontainers 126 are supported on theplatform 129. Thesupport structure 136 also includescolumns 156 supportingcross-pieces 158 located above thecompartments 118. Depending from thecross-pieces 158 are twoguide posts 141 that guide anejecting unit 142 which comprises an ejectingarm 144 and amotor 146. Theunit 142 moves up and down, being guided by theposts 140. Theunit 142 is moved up and down by a screw-threadedrod 148 that is bi-directionally rotated by a liftingmotor 150 tha also has an encoder 152. The liftingmotor 150 is supported by thecross-pieces 158. - In order to align with any particular compartment, the brake is released, the
motor 130 is operated to rotate theplatform 129 until thearm 144 is in register with theparticular group 116 in which the compartment in question is to be found, the brake is re-applied and themotor 150 is operated to lift or lower theunit 142 until thearm 144 is aligned with thecompartment 118. In order to dispense abox 164 in thatcompartment 118, themotor 146 is operated to extend and retract thearm 144. - The
arm 144 has acode scanning head 154 at its tip whereby a code on abox 164 in acompartment 118 may be read and supplied to thecomputer 140. The code on thebox 164 may be a bar code. - Referring to Figure 3, the
portion 112 is shown in ahousing 160 of theapparatus 110. Further, the ejectingunit 142 is aligned with achute 162 which guidesboxes 164 that have been pushed out of anycompartment 118 into adispensing drawer 166. Thedispensing drawer 166 is pushed open and closed by a motor (also not shown). A detection means to detect the presence of a customer's hand in thedrawer 166, is provided on thedrawer 166 in order to prevent thedrawer 166 closing while the customer is still retrieving his processed film and prints from thedrawer 166. - Further, the
apparatus 110 has acollecting bin 168 into which film to be processed is inserted, and, as with theapparatus 10 of Figures 1 and 2 adisply unit 30, akeyboard 12, a card reader 14 and aprinter 40. - The
computer 140 may conveniently be a personal computer such as a MITAC PC/XT which is IBM compatible and has a colour graphics card for controlling theVDU 30, a real time clock, RAM, twin RS232 ports one of which is used for the card reader 14, a parallel port connected to theprinter 40, a hard disc drive and controller and two floppy disc drives and a controller. - It is to be noted that the
boxes 126 are filled, in use, withunexposed film 178, that is sold. Eachpacket 126 has a micro-switch 178 to detect if there are no longer any packets offilm 178 to be sold. - In use, a person wishing to have film developed inserts a credit card into the reader 14, enters his personal identification code via the
keyboard 12 which is verified to validate the persons identity and he then enters information, also via thekeyboard 12 in response to queries provided by thecomputer 140 via thedisplay unit 30. Various details are then printed onto an envelope by theprinter 40 and supplied to the user. The user puts his roll of film into the envelope and places it in thebin 168. The user's credit card is returned to him. Thecomputer 140 allocates acompartment 118 to the roll of film and stores the compartment number together with the credit card number. The allocated compartment number is marked on the envelope. - At selected intervals of time the
bin 168 is cleared and the film therein is taken to a processing centre and processed. The developed film and prints are inserted in theboxes 164 which are marked with the address of the allocated compartment in numbers and letters so that an operator can read the address and also by means of a bar code. Theboxes 164 are brought back to theapparatus 110 by the operator, theapparatus 110 is opened and the boxes are manually inserted into theappropriate compartments 118, with the bar codes facing inwardly. Thecomputer 140 keeps track at all times of thosecompartments 118 that are empty and which may be utilized. - The
computer 140 then causes thearm 144 to scan eachcompartment 118 so that the readinghead 154 reads the bar code of the box in that compartment. If the bar code and the number of the compartment agree, then the code of the box in thenext compartment 118 is read. If the bar code and the compartment number do not agree, then the box is ejected and the operator is required to place the box in the correct compartment. - Once all the boxes are in the correct compartments, the operator closes the apparatus. When the user wishes to collect his processed film, he inserts his credit card again into the reader 14, and the
computer 140 identifies the correct compartment for that purpose, checks if there is abox 146 in the compartment, using thescanning head 154, dispenses thebox 146 in the appropriate compartment, causes the user's account to be debited and returns the credit card. The user removes his box from thedrawer 166. If there is nobox 146 in the appropriate compartment then this is detected by thescanning head 154 and thecomputer 140 supplies an appropriate message to the person and returns his credit card. - Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B, a prototype card that is used with the
computer 140 is designated generally byreference numeral 200. The two Figures are to be considered as one, the common connections being indicated by the letters 'a' to 'l'. - The
card 200 has two 8255interface chips timer chip 206, a 74LSO8 quad two-input ANDgate 208, a74LS14 inverter 210, a 74LS245 bi-directional bus-driver 212, two 74LS244 unidirectional bus-drivers 214 and 220, acomparator 216, a 74LS138 chipselect chip 218, a 74LS08 quad two-input ANDgate 222, a 74LS02 quad two-input ORgate 224, a 74LS04 hex inverter 226, a 74LS21 dual four-input ANDgate 228, and a LM358 operational amplifier 230, used as a voltage follower buffer. Thechips - The
board 200 has anoutput terminal 232 which is connected to a driver (not shown) for themotor 150 which is a stepper motor so that a series of pulses are supplied at the terminal 232. Themotor 150 is always operated to return thearm 144 to a datum position which is at the top, so that the number of pulses is representative of the distance that themotor 150 will move thearm 144. The number of pulses is determined by the software and loaded into the timer/counter 206 via adatabus 207 and anaddressbus 209. As, in the particular application for which theboard 200 was designed, the capacity of one counter in thechip 206 was not large enough for the maximum number of pulses that were required, two of the counters are used in a cascade manner, the routing of pulses being controlled by the ANDgate 208 and theinverter 210. It will be appreciated that themotor 150 has a direction controlling reversing switch (also not shown), which is controlled via signals supplied at anoutput terminal 240.
Thekeyboard 12 is connected toterminals 244, theencoder 138 toterminals 246 and thescanning head 154 to input terminals 254. - The
board 200 hasfurther output terminals terminals drawer 166, themotor 146 for thearm 144, and the brake, respectively. Theoutput terminal 242 is connected to a drive mpdule (also not shown) for themotor 130, the value of the voltage signal supplied at the terminal 242 determining the speed of operation of themotor 130. A low value creep signal or a higher value normal speed signal is supplied via the op-amp 230 fromresistor networks interface chip 204. After the brake is released, themotor 130 is first supplied with a creep signal to accelerate it and then with the normal speed signal. Thecomputer 140 monitors the angular position of theplatform 129 via theencoder 138, and the software is such that when the platform approachs its desired position this is detected by the software and themotor 130 is then supplied with a creep signal to bring theplatform 129 slowly to its desired angular position. - Finally, the
comparator 216 monitors the condition of a back-up battery power supply and if it drops below a predetermined value a flag is set which causes thecomputer 140 to shut itself down.
Claims (21)
a data entering means for entering data;
a person identifying means for identifying the person;
a control means responsive to the data entering means and the person identifying means;
a receiving means, that is responsive to the control means, for receiving the unprocessed film;
a film housing unit which has a number of compartments in each of which a processed film may be housed;
a correlating means for correlating in which compartment the processed film of a particular person is housed; and
a displacing means, responsive to the control means and the correlating means, for displacing processed film of a particular person from the appropriate compartment to dispense the processed film to the person.
an annular storage arrangement having a plurality of groups of storage compartments, the groups being circumferentially spaced about an axis to define a central hollow space, with the compartments in each group being one above the other in an axial manner, and with each compartment extending radially and being open at its radially inner and outer ends; and
a displacing means, located within the central space, for displacing an article in any selected compartment radially out of the said compartment.
an array of compartments;
a displacing means for displacing an article in a selected compartment out of that compartment;
a code ascertaining means for ascertaining a code provided on an article in a compartment that is representative of the compartment in which the article is to be stored and for determining if an article is in the correct compartment.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA861120 | 1986-02-14 | ||
ZA861120 | 1986-02-14 | ||
ZA869676 | 1986-12-23 | ||
ZA869676 | 1986-12-23 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0234833A2 true EP0234833A2 (en) | 1987-09-02 |
EP0234833A3 EP0234833A3 (en) | 1988-08-17 |
Family
ID=27136875
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87301311A Withdrawn EP0234833A3 (en) | 1986-02-14 | 1987-02-16 | A vending and dispensing system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0234833A3 (en) |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1989008901A1 (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1989-09-21 | John Nicholas Reid | Vending machine |
WO1990011582A1 (en) * | 1989-03-29 | 1990-10-04 | Delphi Partners, Ltd. | Automated, interactive vending system for products which must be processed |
US5032707A (en) * | 1989-02-08 | 1991-07-16 | Standard Manufacturing | Bagless film handling system |
FR2670929A1 (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-06-26 | Gemic | Port accessible to the public for recording work orders relating to printed photographic films |
EP0553470A1 (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1993-08-04 | Accumulata-Verwaltungs Gmbh | Vending device |
EP0654003A1 (en) * | 1992-08-14 | 1995-05-24 | Imaging Technologies Pty Limited | An apparatus for storing and dispensing articles |
GB2305259A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1997-04-02 | Eastman Kodak Co | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
EP0769720A1 (en) * | 1995-10-17 | 1997-04-23 | Direct | An interactive station for collecting photographic orders |
US5649260A (en) * | 1995-06-26 | 1997-07-15 | Eastman Kodak Company | Automated photofinishing apparatus |
EP0803846A1 (en) * | 1994-10-19 | 1997-10-29 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system |
WO1997048017A1 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1997-12-18 | Giampaolo Sala | Device to distribute photographic material |
WO1997048018A1 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1997-12-18 | Giampaolo Sala | Container to manage and process photographic material and relative automated system of management and processing |
EP0818759A2 (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1998-01-14 | Alpha Corporation | Commodity distributing locker apparatus |
WO2000025280A1 (en) * | 1998-10-22 | 2000-05-04 | Giampaolo Sala | Device for the collection of photographic material |
US6230971B1 (en) | 1996-04-29 | 2001-05-15 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system |
US6282373B1 (en) * | 2000-06-27 | 2001-08-28 | Ncr Corporation | System and method for identifying film rolls during development processing |
EP1164427A1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2001-12-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | A thermal processing system and method including a kiosk |
US6685367B1 (en) | 2000-06-13 | 2004-02-03 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image processing apparatus and method for thermally processed films |
USRE38447E1 (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 2004-03-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
GB2458462A (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-09-23 | Daniele Longoni | A waste bin that rewards users for depositing waste |
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DE2626448A1 (en) * | 1976-06-12 | 1977-12-22 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | ARRANGEMENT FOR THE PROCESSING OF COPY ORDERS |
DE2301299B2 (en) * | 1972-01-14 | 1978-07-06 | Morenar S.A., Freiburg (Schweiz) | Device for the production of identity papers on photographic reversal paper |
EP0105507A2 (en) * | 1982-10-06 | 1984-04-18 | Roberto Signoretto | Process to establish and check the matching of negatives and processing envelopes in photographic laboratories |
EP0136980A1 (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1985-04-10 | GRETAG Aktiengesellschaft | Process and apparatus for producing photographic copies |
GB2178211A (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1987-02-04 | City Wheels Ltd | Control system |
GB2181582A (en) * | 1985-10-11 | 1987-04-23 | Victor Campbell Blackwell | Personal identification device |
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1987
- 1987-02-16 EP EP87301311A patent/EP0234833A3/en not_active Withdrawn
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DE2301299B2 (en) * | 1972-01-14 | 1978-07-06 | Morenar S.A., Freiburg (Schweiz) | Device for the production of identity papers on photographic reversal paper |
DE2626448A1 (en) * | 1976-06-12 | 1977-12-22 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | ARRANGEMENT FOR THE PROCESSING OF COPY ORDERS |
EP0105507A2 (en) * | 1982-10-06 | 1984-04-18 | Roberto Signoretto | Process to establish and check the matching of negatives and processing envelopes in photographic laboratories |
EP0136980A1 (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1985-04-10 | GRETAG Aktiengesellschaft | Process and apparatus for producing photographic copies |
GB2178211A (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1987-02-04 | City Wheels Ltd | Control system |
GB2181582A (en) * | 1985-10-11 | 1987-04-23 | Victor Campbell Blackwell | Personal identification device |
Cited By (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1989008901A1 (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1989-09-21 | John Nicholas Reid | Vending machine |
US5032707A (en) * | 1989-02-08 | 1991-07-16 | Standard Manufacturing | Bagless film handling system |
WO1990011582A1 (en) * | 1989-03-29 | 1990-10-04 | Delphi Partners, Ltd. | Automated, interactive vending system for products which must be processed |
US5113351A (en) * | 1989-03-29 | 1992-05-12 | Delphi Technology, Inc. | Automated, interactive vending system for products which must be processed |
FR2670929A1 (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-06-26 | Gemic | Port accessible to the public for recording work orders relating to printed photographic films |
US5467892A (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1995-11-21 | Accumulata Verwaltungsgesellschaft Gmbh | Vending device |
EP0553470A1 (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1993-08-04 | Accumulata-Verwaltungs Gmbh | Vending device |
EP0654003A1 (en) * | 1992-08-14 | 1995-05-24 | Imaging Technologies Pty Limited | An apparatus for storing and dispensing articles |
US6029851A (en) * | 1992-08-14 | 2000-02-29 | Imaging Technologies Pty Limited | Apparatus for storing and dispensing articles |
EP0654003A4 (en) * | 1992-08-14 | 1997-07-30 | Imaging Tech Pty Ltd | An apparatus for storing and dispensing articles. |
EP0803846A1 (en) * | 1994-10-19 | 1997-10-29 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system |
US6116506A (en) * | 1994-10-19 | 2000-09-12 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system |
US5649260A (en) * | 1995-06-26 | 1997-07-15 | Eastman Kodak Company | Automated photofinishing apparatus |
GB2305259A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1997-04-02 | Eastman Kodak Co | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
GB2305259B (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1999-10-27 | Eastman Kodak Co | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
USRE38447E1 (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 2004-03-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
US5664253A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1997-09-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Stand alone photofinishing apparatus |
EP0769720A1 (en) * | 1995-10-17 | 1997-04-23 | Direct | An interactive station for collecting photographic orders |
WO1997014994A1 (en) * | 1995-10-17 | 1997-04-24 | Direct S.A. | Interactive terminal for collecting photographic materials |
US6230971B1 (en) | 1996-04-29 | 2001-05-15 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system |
AU720730B2 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 2000-06-08 | Giampaolo Sala | Device to distribute photographic material |
US6237806B1 (en) | 1996-06-12 | 2001-05-29 | Giampaolo Sala | Device to distribute photographic material |
WO1997048017A1 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1997-12-18 | Giampaolo Sala | Device to distribute photographic material |
AU720733B2 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 2000-06-08 | Giampaolo Sala | Container to manage and process photographic material and relative automated system of management and processing |
WO1997048018A1 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1997-12-18 | Giampaolo Sala | Container to manage and process photographic material and relative automated system of management and processing |
US6169597B1 (en) | 1996-06-12 | 2001-01-02 | Giampaolo Sala | Container to manage and process photographic material and relative automated system of management and processing |
EP0818759A2 (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1998-01-14 | Alpha Corporation | Commodity distributing locker apparatus |
EP0818759A3 (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1999-09-15 | Alpha Corporation | Commodity distributing locker apparatus |
WO2000025280A1 (en) * | 1998-10-22 | 2000-05-04 | Giampaolo Sala | Device for the collection of photographic material |
US6543943B1 (en) * | 1998-10-22 | 2003-04-08 | Giampaolo Sala | Device for the collection of photographic material |
EP1164427A1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2001-12-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | A thermal processing system and method including a kiosk |
US6369873B1 (en) | 2000-06-13 | 2002-04-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Thermal processing system and method including a kiosk |
US6685367B1 (en) | 2000-06-13 | 2004-02-03 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image processing apparatus and method for thermally processed films |
US6282373B1 (en) * | 2000-06-27 | 2001-08-28 | Ncr Corporation | System and method for identifying film rolls during development processing |
GB2458462A (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-09-23 | Daniele Longoni | A waste bin that rewards users for depositing waste |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0234833A3 (en) | 1988-08-17 |
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