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US 6,028,522 AGranted
System for monitoring the light level around an ATM
AssigneeStatSignal Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas D. Petite
Life of this patent
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AssigneeStatSignal Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas D. Petite
Estimating the term…
The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for monitoring the level of light surrounding an automatic teller machine (ATM). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system includes a plurality of light sensors disposed in varying locations around the ATM. Preferably, some sensors will be disposed near the ATM, while others will be dispersed at various distances surrounding the ATM, in order to effectively monitor the lighting around the ATM. A circuit is provided within the ATM in communication with the sensors. In addition, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed within the ATM, and is configured to communicate the status of the sensors to a remotely located receiver. Finally, a receiver is interfaced to a telephone line forming part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), wherein the receiver is configured to receive the status of the sensors communicated from the RF transmitter and to communicate the status information to a remote system via the PSTN. A method is also provided for monitoring lighting conditions surrounding an automatic teller machine. The method includes the steps of disposing a plurality of light sensors around the ATM and communicating the status of the light sensors from the sensors to a computer within the ATM. The method further includes the step of communicating the status of the light sensors from the ATM to a remote system via a public switched telephone network. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the last step further includes the step of communicating the status of the light sensors via an RF transmitter from the ATM machine to a remote receiver.
A system for monitoring the level of light in an area comprising:
A system for monitoring the level of light surrounding an automatic teller machine (ATM) comprising:
The system as defined in 10, wherein the RF transmitter is configured to communicate a message having an encoded data segment that identifies the status of the light sensors.
The system as defined in 10, further including at least one camera sensor configured to determine the operational condition of a security camera.
The system as defined in 11, wherein the the message includes the identification information of the light sensors such that the status of the light sensors correlates to the identification information.
The system as defined in 10, wherein a first light sensor of the plurality of the light sensors is adapted as a master light gauge and the remainder of the plurality of light sensors are adapted as slave light gauges, and wherein the master light gauge is configured to communicate with the slave light gauges.
The system as defined in 10, further including a time of day clock, wherein the system is configured to operate and detect below specification lighting conditions only within a window of time as determined by the time of day clock.
The system as defined in 15, wherein the time of day clock is located at the remote system.
A system for monitoring the level of light surrounding an automatic teller machine (ATM) comprising:
The system as defined in 17, further including at least one camera sensor configured to determine the operational condition of a security camera.
The system as defined in 17, wherein a first light sensor of the plurality of the light sensors is adapted as a master light gauge and the remainder of the plurality of light sensors are adapted as slave light gauges, and wherein the master light gauge is configured to communicate with the slave light gauges.
A system for monitoring the level of light surrounding an automated teller machine (ATM) comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.