Smart Control Module for Coin Jam Service Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin-operated devices, such as vending machines and self-service car washing machines, often experience service interruptions due to coin jams, leading to user inconvenience and delayed maintenance, which disrupts the provision of services and requires immediate manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A smart control module is installed between the coin acceptor and the controller, capable of outputting a simulated coin insertion signal upon receiving a control signal from a network platform, allowing the device to continue operating despite coin jams by bypassing the jammed acceptor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a coin acceptor is used in a coin-operated device, then the device can accept coins for service activation, but coin jams occur causing service suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smart control module as an intermediary component between the coin acceptor and the device controller. This module includes a processing unit that can generate simulated coin insertion signals when the coin acceptor malfunctions, effectively mediating the communication gap and allowing service continuation without direct dependency on the physical coin acceptor's reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The smart control module creates a copy or simulation of the coin insertion signal that mimics the original signal from the coin acceptor. When a coin jam is detected, the processing unit generates a simulated coin insertion signal that is identical in form and function to the authentic signal, enabling the controller to operate as if a coin had been successfully inserted
2Ease of operation
If manual maintenance intervention is required for coin jams, then the coin acceptor can be repaired, but service suspension occurs during the waiting period
Solution Approach 1:
The smart control module is pre-configured with the capability to detect coin jams and automatically generate simulated coin insertion signals without waiting for manual intervention. The processing unit monitors the coin acceptor status continuously and takes preliminary action by generating replacement signals before the maintenance personnel arrives, thereby eliminating service suspension during the maintenance response time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service functionality where the smart control module automatically detects coin jams and generates simulated coin insertion signals without requiring immediate human intervention. The processing unit autonomously manages the signal generation based on detected malfunction conditions, enabling the device to serve users continuously while maintenance is arranged
Data Source
AI summary
A smart control module for a coin-operated device includes a control board disposed with a processing unit, a back-end port, and a communication unit that are electrically connected to the processing unit. A front-end port is disposed on the control board and is adapted to receive a coin insertion signal outputted by a coin acceptor. The back-end port outputs the coin insertion signal in a bypassing way. When the communication unit receives a control signal from a service platform, the processing unit outputs a simulated coin insertion signal through the back-end port. Upon using the present invention, the front-end port and the back-end port are connected between the coin acceptor and a controller of the coin-operated device. The service platform could remotely control the back-end port to output the simulated coin insertion signal to the controller after receiving a malfunction reported by a user.