HOPPER TYPE TOKEN ISSUING APPARATUS WITH PLURAL HOPPERS OPERATING COMPLEMENTARY TO ONE ANOTHER TO REDUCE TOKEN ISSUING TIME

摘要

PURPOSE: A hopper type token issuing apparatus is provided to improve reliability and to reduce token issuing time by using more than two hoppers operating complementarily to one another. CONSTITUTION: More than two hoppers(11,13) contain plural RF(Radio Frequency) tokens and include a token issuing unit therein. An emitting path(15,17) is connected to the token issuing hole of the respective hoppers and includes a first shutter for controlling the movement of the RF token on the emitting path. An intermediate path(49) passes the RF token when the first shutter is open, and includes a second shutter for controlling the movement of the RF token on the emitting path. An issuing path(19) is extended to an issuing unit to transfer the RF token from the intermediate path. A collecting path(21) is extended to a lower portion of the intermediate path and collects the RF token from the intermediate path. A switch selectively opens the issuing path and the collecting path while the RF token from the intermediate path is temporarily stationary. An information input unit(41) inputs corresponding fare information on the RF token. An information detector(43) checks the fare information on the RF token. A sensor detects movement of the RF token. A controller(45) operates the shutters and the switch.