초록 ▼

The status corresponding to the presence or absence of articles at their reserved locations is detected by means of an optical switch comprising an emitter which sends infra-red rays toward a receiver. The article obstructs these rays and hence its presence is detected. The information obtained from

The status corresponding to the presence or absence of articles at their reserved locations is detected by means of an optical switch comprising an emitter which sends infra-red rays toward a receiver. The article obstructs these rays and hence its presence is detected. The information obtained from the optical switches is processed and used for servicing or billing.

대표청구항 ▼

A manual free-access vending machine allowing unconstrained direct access to a plurality of different outer shaped articles, said vending machine comprising: a housing; support means provided in said housing and defining fixed reserved locations from which corresponding individual articles can be re

A manual free-access vending machine allowing unconstrained direct access to a plurality of different outer shaped articles, said vending machine comprising: a housing; support means provided in said housing and defining fixed reserved locations from which corresponding individual articles can be removed and replaced; detection means disposed at each of said reserved locations to detect statuses corresponding to the presence or absence of each of said individual articles in said reserved locations and to generate signals representative thereof; and processing means receiving the signals from said detection means to identify the status at each of said reserve locations and to register the presence or absence of an article at each of said reserved locations.