Vending Machine Having LED Lamp with Control and Communication Circuits

Abstract

A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine standard control signals received from the vending machine via a communication circuit compatible with the vending machine controller interface.

1 . A lamp assembly designed to illuminate products in a vending machine, the lamp assembly comprising one or more light emitting diodes, and a control circuit connected to the diodes, and to a source of power, the diodes and the circuit housed in a lamp housing having terminations adapted to be mounted into a vending machine socket for a fluorescent lamp, the control circuit further comprising a communications circuit for receiving control signals to, the control circuit selectively controlling adjustment of the illumination provided by the plurality of light emitting diodes based upon said control signals. 
     
     
         2 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lamp assembly is employed as a retrofit replacement for a fluorescent lamp of a preexisting vending machine without having to re-wire an existing lighting system. 
     
     
         12 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lamp assembly is employed as a retrofit replacement for a fluorescent lamp of a preexisting vending machine without having to replace an existing fluorescent ballast. 
     
     
         13 . The lamp of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless interface utilized in conjunction with a wireless remote control. 
     
     
         14 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  wherein the vending machine socket is a standard fluorescent socket, and the lamp assembly further comprises pin terminals at each end compatible with mounting into the standard fluorescent socket. 
     
     
         15 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  wherein the control circuit further comprises a current regulator circuit which eliminates variations between different fluorescent ballasts. 
     
     
         16 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  wherein the control circuit communicates with a vending machine controller and receives the control signals from the vending machine controller. 
     
     
         17 . A method of retrofitting a vending machine employing a fluorescent lamp mounted in a fluorescent lamp socket in the vending machine, the method comprising:
 removing the fluorescent lamp; and   replacing the fluorescent lamp with a lamp assembly comprising one or more light emitting diodes, and a control circuit connected to the diodes, and to a source of power, the diodes and the circuit housed in a lamp housing having terminations adapted to be mounted in the fluorescent lamp socket, the control circuit further comprising a communications circuit for receiving control signals, the control circuit selectively controlling adjustment of the illumination provided by the plurality of light emitting diodes based upon said control signals.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing the control signals by a vending machine controller.