Method and apparatus for transmitting a digital information signal and vending system incorporating same

A method for vending a product from a product dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a radio signal, by a first transmitter locatable within a substantially electrically shielded environment physically associated with a receptacle for the product, the radio signal representing billing information of a consumer to be charged for the product;
• positioning a receiver associated with the product dispenser in sufficient proximity to the first transmitter to permit the radio signal to be received by the receiver;
• determining whether the billing information satisfies at least one predetermined condition;
• generating a signal that enables the product dispenser to dispense the product in response to determining that the billing information satisfies the at least one predetermined condition and
• transmitting, by a second transmitter located in a predetermined proximity of the product dispenser, a jamming signal that prevents the receiver from receiving the radio signal when the receiver is in proximity of the second transmitter.

A method for a product dispenser to vend a product to a consumer, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a radio signal from a transmitter located within a substantially electrically shielded environment physically associated with a receptacle for the product;
• determining whether the radio signal includes billing information for a consumer to be charged for the product;
• in response to determining that the radio signal includes billing information, determining whether the billing information satisfies at least one predetermined collection;
• generating a signal that enables the product dispenser to dispense the product in response to determining that the billing information satisfies the at least one predetermined condition, and
• receiving a jamming signal that prevents the product dispenser from receiving the radio signal when the product dispenser is not in sufficient proximity to the transmitter.

A method for a product receptacle to acquire a product from a product dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing billing information for a consumer to be charged for the product;
• generating a radio signal that includes the billing information;
• transmitting
• the radio signal from a transmitter located within a substantially electrically shielded environment physically associated with the product receptacle;
• transmitting a jamming signal operable to inhibit reception of the radio signal until the receptacle is within sufficiently close proximity of the dispenser as to enable the radio signal to be received notwithstanding said jamming signal, and
• acquiring the product from the product dispenser into the receptacle responsive to reception of the radio signal.

A method for a dispensing a product from a product dispenser into a receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing billing information for a consumer to be charged for the product;
• generating a radio signal that includes the billing information;
• transmitting the radio signal from a transmitter located within a substantially electrically shielded environment physically associated with the product receptacle;
• transmitting, from a location other than one within said environment, a jamming signal operable to inhibit reception of the radio signal until the receptacle is within sufficiently close proximity of the dispenser as to enable the radio signal to be received notwithstanding the jamming signal;
• receiving the radio signal outside the substantially electrically shielded environment;
• and
• enabling the product to be dispensed in response to receiving the radio signal.

A method for a product vending device to vend a product to a receptacle for the product, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an interrogation signal that includes a request for billing information of a consumer to be charged for the product;
• responsive to the interrogation signal, receiving a radio signal;
• determining whether the radio signal includes the billing information;
• in response to determining that the radio signal includes the billing information, determining whether the billing information satisfies at least one predetermined condition;
• enabling the product to be dispensed from the product vending device in response to determining that the billing information satisfies the at least one predetermined condition, and
• transmitting a jamming signal operable to inhibit reception of the radio signal unless the vending device and the receptacle are within sufficiently close proximity of one another to enable the radio signal to be received notwithstanding the jamming signal, and
• responsive to reception of the radio signal, receiving the product.

A method for acquiring a product from a vending device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an interrogation signal from the vending device, the interrogation signal requesting billing information for a consumer to be charged for the product;
• responsive to the interrogation signal, transmitting a radio from a transmitter located within a substantially electrically shielded enviroment physically associated with a product receptacle signal that includes the billing information;
• transmitting, from a location other than one within said environment, a jamming signal operable to inhibit reception of the radio signal until the receptacle is within sufficiently close proximity of the vending device as to enable the radio signal to be received notwithstanding the jamming signal, and
• responsive to reception of the radio signal, receiving the product.

An apparatus for controlling dispensing of a product, the apparatus being attachable to a product dispenser, the apparatus comprising:

• a card reading device that, in response to obtaining billing information for a consumer to be charged for the product, provides the billing information to a creditor of the consumer;
• a receiver for receiving a radio signal from a transmitter associated with a receptacle for the product;
• a card reader interface, operably coupled to the receiver and the card reading device, that determines whether the radio signal includes billing information for the consumer to be charged and, in response to determining that the radio signal includes the billing information, converts the billing information received from the receiver into a format compatible with the card reading device and generates a control signal to enable the product dispenser to dispense the product, and
• a jamming circuit, coupled to the card reader interface, that transmits a jamming signal to prevent the receiver from receiving the radio signal until at least a portion of the product dispenser is in sufficient proximity to the receptacle to permit reception of the radio signal.

A system for vending a product from a dispenser to a receptacle for the product, the system comprising:

• a transaction controller that generates control signals to facilitate dispensing of the product;
• a first transmitter, operably coupled to the transaction controller and forming a part of the dispenser, that transmits an interrogation signal responsive to a control signal from the transaction controller, the interrogation signal including a request for billing information of a consumer to be charged for the product;
• a first receiver, locatable in a substantially electrically shielded environment that is physically associated with the receptacle, that receives the interrogation signal;
• a second transmitter, operably coupled to the first receiver, that transmits a radio signal responsive to receipt of the interrogation signal, the radio signal including the billing information;
• a second receiver, operably coupled to the transaction controller, that receives the radio signal, demodulates the radio signal to recover the billing information, and provides the billing information to the transaction controller, and
• a jamming circuit located substantially adjacent to a retainer of the dispenser, that generates and transmits a jamming signal to prevent the second receiver from receiving the radio signal when the dispenser is positioned proximate to the retainer.