an escrow credit controller for use with vending machines having a vend path which is several articles in length , such as a copier machine . the controller accepts value in the form of coins or bills , and escrows the value in an escrow total . when the escrow total deposited reaches a trigger amount which is at least equal to one more than the number of articles in the vend path times the vend price , the vending machine is enabled . the controller continues to add value to the escrow total as coins or bills are deposited , and subtracts the vend price from the escrow total upon receipt of a vend signal from the machine . when the escrowed value is less than or equal to the number of articles in the vend path times the vend price , or when the &# 34 ; value return &# 34 ; is activated by the user , the machine is disabled ). the escrow controller retains the escrow balance for an additional time delay , during which time it continues to look for signals from the machine which indicate additional articles dispensed . after a delay sufficient to clear the vend path , either the remaining escrow value is returned or the machine waits for the escrow value to be increased above the trigger amount again .