초록 ▼

In accordance with the present invention, a vending machine includes a number of failure control devices that monitor and control the functioning of the various components in the vending machine to ensure uniform quality of food products to be sold to a customer. One specific embodiment includes plu

In accordance with the present invention, a vending machine includes a number of failure control devices that monitor and control the functioning of the various components in the vending machine to ensure uniform quality of food products to be sold to a customer. One specific embodiment includes plurality of oven failure control devices, a freezer failure control device and a power failure control device. When a microcontroller in the vending machine determines the occurrence of a failure, the microcontroller displays a failure message on a customer display and discontinues vending food until the failure is corrected, for example, by an operator. In another aspect of this invention, the vending machine includes a mechanism for operating a door of a refrigeration compartment of the vending machine. The mechanism includes a motor driven rotary link coupled to a roller that moves in a slot of the door.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:a microcontroller;a product selection switch associated with one or more food product displays, said product selection switch indicating a selected food product on a product selection line coupled to said microcontroller when said product selection switch is

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:a microcontroller;a product selection switch associated with one or more food product displays, said product selection switch indicating a selected food product on a product selection line coupled to said microcontroller when said product selection switch is operated by said user;a heat source having an input lead coupled to said microcontroller;a failure control device having an output lead coupled to an arithmetic logic in said microcontroller, said failure control device driving a signal on said output lead; anda customer display having an input lead coupled to said microcontroller;wherein said microcontroller normally drives a signal on said heat source input lead after receiving a signal on said product selection line; andfurther wherein said microcontroller drives a failure message signal on said customer display input lead after receiving a signal from said failure control device output lead.