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US 6,218,953 B1Granted
System and method 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. Various methods also are provided for monitoring lighting conditions surrounding an automatic teller machine, with some embodiments incorporating a customer access feature which provides a customer with access to ATM status information.
A method for a customer to monitor the level of light in an area, the level of light in the area also being monitored by a central station, comprising:
A method for a customer to monitor the level of light in an area, the level of light in the area also being monitored by a central station, comprising:
The method as defined in 12, wherein the providing the customer with access to the status information of the plurality of light gauges via an Internet website.
The method as defined in 12, wherein the communications network includes a cellular transmitter disposed within the area for communicating the status information of the light gauges to a remote cell site.
The method as defined in 12, wherein the step of communicating a message having an encoded data segment corresponding to status information comprises communicating the status of the light gauges to a computer within the area.
A computer readable medium having a computer program for use by a customer to monitor the level of light in an area in which the level of light in the area is also being monitored by a central station, wherein a plurality of light gauges are disposed in varying locations around the area and are configured to communicate status information via a communications network, said computer readable medium comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.