Token Dispenser System, Installation Apparatus, and Method

A token dispensing system, comprising:

• a token dispenser having a hopper for receiving tokens and an electronic dispenser to dispense tokens from the hopper;
• a first electronic sensor to sense a first level of tokens in the hopper and provide a token level low signal when the level of tokens in the hopper is below the first level;
• a second electronic sensor to sense when no tokens are in the hopper and provide a token empty signal when no tokens are in the hopper;
• an alarm device;
• a payment acceptor;
• and
• an electronic control circuit comprises a processor and logic executable by the processor to:
• receive a token level low signal from the first electronic sensor;
• send a first warning control signal to cause the alarm device to provide a first warning indication in response to the token level low signal;
• receive a token empty signal from the second electronic sensor;
• send a second warning control signal to cause the alarm device to provide a second warning indication in response to the token empty signal;
• and
• cause the token dispenser to dispense a selected number of tokens in response to a payment signal received from the payment acceptor.

A token dispensing system, comprising:

• a token dispenser having a hopper for receiving tokens and an electronic dispenser to dispense tokens from the hopper;
• an electronic sensor to sense when no tokens are in the hopper and provide a token empty signal when no tokens are in the hopper;
• a payment acceptor;
• and
• an electronic control circuit having a processor and logic executable by the processor to:
• identify a selected number of tokens to dispense in response to a payment signal received from the payment acceptor;
• disable the dispenser in response to a token empty signal received from the electronic sensor;
• re-enable the dispenser in response to a reset of the electronic control circuit;
• identify whether the selected number of tokens was previously dispensed in response to payment signals received immediately prior and subsequent to disabling the dispenser;
• cause the dispenser to dispense any remaining tokens necessary to dispense the selected number of tokens if the selected number of tokens was not previously dispensed.