Method and apparatus for converting single price vending machines to multiple price vending machines

A multiple price vending machine of the type having an externally accessible plurality of select switches for choosing at least one of a plurality of different products to be vended in response to the deposit of currency, a plurality of AC motor-operated cam switches including at least a motor start switch and a motor run switch for each such different product, the apparatus comprising:

• an electronic controller and a price-independent coin acceptor;
• a plurality of select switch activation sensors, at least one such sensor electrically connected to each such select switch for sensing activation thereof and for transmitting a corresponding select switch sense signal to said controller;
• a first power control device electrically connected between line power and said motor start switches for selectively applying line power to said motor start switches in response to said controller;
• and
• at least one second power control device electrically connected between line power and at least one of said select switches for selectively applying line power to said at least one select switch in response to said controller.

In a single price vending machine of the type having an externally accessible plurality of select switches for choosing at least one of a plurality of different products to be vended in response to the deposit of currency, a plurality of AC motor-operated cam switches including at least a motor start switch and a motor run switch for each such different product, a single price coin acceptor and a credit relay;

• a method for converting the vending machine from single price to multiple price operation;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• a) replacing said credit relay and single price coin acceptor with an electronic controller and a price-independent coin acceptor;
• b) connecting a switch closure sensor between each of said select switches and each of said motor start switches for sensing current flow therebetween;
• c) transmitting a select switch sense signal to said controller from said sensor when said current flow is sensed;
• d) connecting a first power control device between said motor start switches and AC line power;
• e) selectively applying line power to said motor start switches by coupling said controller to said first power control device;
• f) connecting a second power control device between said select switches and AC line power;
• and
• g) selectively applying line power to said select switches by coupling said controller to said second power control device.

In a single price vending machine of the type having an externally accessible plurality of select switches for choosing at least one of a plurality of different products to be vended in response to the deposit of currency, a plurality of AC motor-operated cam switches including at least a motor start switch and a motor run switch for each such different product, a single price coin acceptor and a credit relay;

• a method for converting the vending machine from single price to multiple price operation;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• a) replacing said credit relay and single price coin acceptor with an electronic controller and a price-independent coin acceptor;
• b) connecting at least one switch activation sensor to each of said select switches for sensing respective activation thereof;
• c) transmitting a select switch sense signal to said controller from said sensor when said activation is sensed;
• d) connecting a first power control device between said motor start switches and AC line power;
• e) selectively applying line power to said motor start switches by coupling said controller to said first power control device;
• f) connecting at least one second power control device between at least one of said select switches and AC line power;
• and
• g) selectively applying line power to said at least one of said select switches by coupling said controller to said at least one second power control device.