US 6,675,067 B2Granted

Computer network based coin-operated machine monitoring system

OwnerSteven J. Bladinventor

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Abstract

There is provided a system for remotely monitoring coin-operated machines. Data from the machines is collected and transmitted by the machine to a remote server. In alternate embodiments, several machines may be interconnected via a LAN to a local CPU which transmits data to the remote server, typically using the internet. The combination of one or more remote machines and the central monitoring site form a Virtual Private Network (VPN). An optional feature allows for e-mail or other type of alert messages to be sent from the remote server in response to the identification of one or more predetermined events for which a customer should immediately be notified. Browse and query tools working against a database of machine information are provided so that authorized customers or other interested parties may view data for individual or groups of coin-operated machines by means of a web page accessed via the internet.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;
2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;
3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
and
said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data,
said alert message is at least one from the group:
e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and
wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

12 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);
b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;
c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
and said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and
said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

10 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;
b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
and data encryption means operatively connected to said local CPU and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means;
and
wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group:
analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and
alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

11 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;
2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;
3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output
e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data;
wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:
e-mail message, fax, voice message and page wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message;
and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

10 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);
b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;
c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
f) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data;
wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:
e-mail message, fax, voice message and page;
and
wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

11 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;
b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
d) display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group:
analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine;
e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data;
wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message;
and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel;
and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

12 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;
2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;
3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
and
said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data, and
said alert message is at least one from the group:
e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and
wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

13 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);
b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;
c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;
d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data,
wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:
e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

8 more elements

A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machine, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;
b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;
c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising:
i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data;
and
ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;
display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;
and data encryption means operatively connected to said local CPU and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means;
and
wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group:
analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine;
and
alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and
said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and
wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/801,689Filed 9 Mar 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 9 Mar 2000
Published: US 2001/0048374 A16 Dec 2001
Granted: 6 Jan 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G07F 9/002
Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus: vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending…
G06Q 10/087
Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management: inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling,…
G06Q 10/0877
Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders: by inventory control or reporting using inventory…
G07F 5/18
Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks: specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place