DISPENSING MACHINE WITH DATA CARD SCANNER APPARATUS AND ENHANCED FEATURES

摘要

A dispensing machine payment acceptance apparatus for dispensing products or services from a dispensing machine (30) upon user request and payment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a data card scanner apparatus (36) for acquiring payment and other information. It also comprises an electrical signals interface (39) between the scanner and the dispensing machine to indicate proper payment has been made. Cash payment, such as coins and paper bills, may also be accepted and apparatus (35) is disclosed in the dispensing maching payment acceptance apparatus for generating electrical signals indicative of an amount of cash accepted. The invention discloses a card swallowing feature which enables the scanner to retain the card when the data card is defective or has other predetermined characteristics. In some embodiments the scanner has a geometrical form factor substantially similar to a standard bill validator apparatus.