EP0880750A4 - Systeme point de vente servant a traiter des statistiques et des diagnostics et procede de mise en service - Google Patents

Systeme point de vente servant a traiter des statistiques et des diagnostics et procede de mise en service

Info

Publication number
EP0880750A4
EP0880750A4 EP97907555A EP97907555A EP0880750A4 EP 0880750 A4 EP0880750 A4 EP 0880750A4 EP 97907555 A EP97907555 A EP 97907555A EP 97907555 A EP97907555 A EP 97907555A EP 0880750 A4 EP0880750 A4 EP 0880750A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vending
processor
pos
vending machine
communications
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97907555A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0880750A1 (fr
Inventor
Conrad R Solberg
Christopher J Rogney
Fredric C Zimmerman
Verne L Severson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smarte Carte Inc
Original Assignee
Smarte Carte Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smarte Carte Inc filed Critical Smarte Carte Inc
Publication of EP0880750A1 publication Critical patent/EP0880750A1/fr
Publication of EP0880750A4 publication Critical patent/EP0880750A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/18—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • G07F9/026—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/08—Counting total of coins inserted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G3/00—Alarm indicators, e.g. bells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to point-of-sale (POS) credit and debit networks and in particular to a system and method for processing statistics and diagnostics when POS devices are installed in conjunction with vending devices or other unattended equipment.
  • POS point-of-sale
  • Point-of-sale (POS) devices are available for processing credit cards, debit cards or other financial transactions from a vending machine for processing by a host computer. These vending machines pass sale information to the credit card device; then the credit card device transmits the information to a financial-processing host computer.
  • the POS device is a data communication device that is programmed to communicate in a proper format for processing financial information. Most point of sale devices have a processor, an internal modem, a credit card reader, a keypad and a display. When used with vending machines, the keypad and display are not usually required. The modem is always required for purposes of this discussion.
  • Vending machines are becoming more processor-driven as microprocessors and electronic components are more readily available. This added capability allows for more communications and data gathering then previously considered.
  • vending machines which are unattended for the most part, are susceptible to maintenance issues and supply and inventory reporting problems.
  • a beneficial result of such a system is cost savings due to a reduction of personnel needed to physically travel to and check on the vending machines.
  • Such a system could also increase revenues by ensuring that the vending equipment is operational and fully stocked.
  • a need to "eavesdrop" (or determine the machine's activities) electronically from a remote site has also arisen.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to advantageously use inherent POS device capabilities and electronics to provide reporting from the vending machines, thereby eliminating or reducing the cost of providing separate communications capabilities.
  • the present invention provides the capability for vending machine operators to access statistics and diagnostic information regarding the operation of remotely located and unattended vending machines.
  • the vending machine provides information, or access to information, to a connected POS device.
  • This POS device then stores the information for subsequent transmission to a remote computer for processing.
  • the POS device when instructed, can immediately transmit the information to a remote computer for processing.
  • the present invention also takes advantage of the existing POS device's transmission and processing capabilities so that information may be acceded without visiting the vending machine at the remote site.
  • An example of a method for accessing the information uses a remote computer to dial the POS device via switched public-domain telephone networks and to instruct the POS device to connect the remote computer to the vending information or the vending machine for gathering information.
  • Another example of a method for accessing information uses the vending machine to instruct the POS device to place a call using the public domain telephone networks to a remote computer in order to send information to the computer.
  • a system for monitoring and interrogating a vending machine comprises a vending machine, a point-of-sale (POS device connected to the vending machine and a remote processor connected to the POS device via a data communications facility.
  • the POS device further comprises: a communications processor connected to the data communications facility; a router connected to the communications processor; a card processor connected to the communications processor; a POS statistical processor connected to the router; and a POS-to- vending communications processor connected to the router, the card processor and to the vending machine.
  • the system further comprises a vending-to-POS communications processor connected to the POS-to-vending communications processor of the POS device; a vending logic control processor connected to the vending-to-POS communications processor; and a vending statistics and diagnostics processor connected to the vending-to-POS communications processor and to the vending logic control processor.
  • a request processor an outboard response processor connected to the request processor; a vending test and reporting processor connected to the request processor; and a statistics and error register connected to the outbound response processor and to the vending test and reporting processor.
  • a vend logic controller connected to the vending test and reporting processor of the vending statistics and diagnostics processor; and means for detecting a malfunction of the vending machine connected to the vend logic controller.
  • the present invention provides a system for monitoring unattended remote vending equipment.
  • the system comprises a point of sale (POS) device connected to the vending machine; a remote device connected to the POS device to process statistical or diagnostic data concerning the vending machine; means for detecting an operational status parameter of the vending machine; means for storing the parameter; and means for transmitting the parameter to the remote device via the POS device.
  • the system further comprises means of reinstructing the vending device to transmit a report via the POS device to the remote device.
  • the system further comprises means for obtaining on ⁇ line parameters from the vending machine.
  • the system further comprises means for providing bi ⁇ directional communication between the remote device and the vending machine.
  • the system further comprises means for providing means for providing bi-directional communication between the remote device and the vending machine via the POS device.
  • the present invention also provides a method for processing and reporting diagnostics and statistics of a vending machine to a remote cite.
  • a method comprises the steps of connecting a vending machine to a point-of- sale (POS) device; connecting a remote device to the POS device to process statistical or diagnostic data concerning the vending machine; detecting an operational status parameter of the vending machine; storing the parameter in a storage means; and transmitting the parameter to the remote device via the POS device.
  • POS point-of- sale
  • the method further provides the step of detecting a vending statistic of the vending machine. In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of detecting a vending diagnostic parameter of the vending machine.
  • the method further provides the step of detecting an error in the operation of the vending machine.
  • the method further provides the step of storing the parameter in a register.
  • the method further provides the step of displaying the parameter.
  • the method further provides the step of initiating a self-diagnosis of the operation of the vending machine. In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of determining an inventory of consumable in the vending machine. In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of faxing the parameters via facsimile.
  • the method further provides the step of using the remote device to initiate the processing. In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of using the vending machine to initiate the processing to the remote device.
  • the method further provides the step of programming the POS device to gather parameters for a set time period.
  • the method further provides the step of programming the vending machine to gather parameters for a set time period.
  • the method further provides the step of automatically collecting predetermined parameters at predetermined time intervals.
  • the method further provides the step of connecting the remote device to the POS device locally.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for processing statistics and diagnostics for a vending operation using a POS device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the POS device and the vending machine of the present invention in greater detail.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of a vending statistics and diagnostic processor and vending logic and control processor detailing involved in gathering and reporting vending machine statistics in the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a POS-based system for gathering statistics and diagnostic information from a vending machine and providing a means to retrieve or receive the information utilizing a commercially-available POS device.
  • the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral
  • a POS device 6 depicted in Figure 1 is normally connected to a credit card processor 2 via a data communications facility 3 for the purpose of transmitting credit card or debit card transaction information.
  • the POS device 6 receives commercials transaction information from vending equipment 7 and properly formats the data for transmission to the credit card processor 2.
  • the credit card processor 2 communicates the results of the transaction back to the POS device 6 which then completes the transaction.
  • the data communications facility 3 in Figure 1 can have various embodiments. For example, telephone facilities, satellite facilities, leased line facilities or any other means for communicating between the credit card processor 2 and the POS device 6 can be used.
  • the credit card processor 2 may be any transaction processing computer or processor that receives information which can allow for transfer of financial information from a user of the vending equipment 7 to the owner of said equipment resulting from services performed or products delivered from the vending equipment 7.
  • the credit card processor 2 may be used for processing credit cards, debit cards or other financial information.
  • the credit card processor 2 can handle cards using magnetic stripe information, chip card information or any other means at the POS device 6 which identifies the user of the vending equipment 7.
  • the POS device 6 may communicate to the data communications facility
  • POS device 8, 10 may communicate through a POS communications controller 5 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the POS communicate through a POS communications controller 5 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the POS communications controller 5 allows multiple POS devices 8, 10 to share one connection to the data communications facility 3. This sharing arrangement reduces costs of using the data communications facility 3 and allows for less expensive equipment to be used as the POS device 8, 10.
  • Many such POS devices may be connected to the POS controller 5 and may be connected via various means, such as a local area network, serial connections or wireless connections. Vending equipment 9, 1 1 may be connected to these POS devices 8, 10 respectively, to provide for processing financial transactions.
  • the present invention also includes a remote computer 4 that may connect to the POS devices 6, 8, 10 to collect and/or process statistical or diagnostic data concerning the vending equipment 7, 9, 1 1.
  • the computer 4 can connect to the POS device 6, 8, 10 in the same manner as the credit card processor 2 by using the data communications facility 3.
  • the POS device 6 will determine the method of communication as depicted in Figure 2. This is done by a communications processor 61.
  • the communications processor 61 determines, from the data received from the data communication facility 3 or the POS communications controller 5, which type of messaging has been received by the POS device 6.
  • the POS device communications processor 61 then sends the information to a statistics and diagnostic router 63 which determines if the statistics and/or diagnostics request is for the POS device. When this is true, the request is routed to a POS statistics and diagnostics processor 65 or to a POS-to-vending communications processor 64 for communications to the vending equipment 7. If the router 63 routes the request to the POS statistics and diagnostics processor 65, then the POS processor 65 performs the processes per normal statistical practices that are common in POS devices and returns the diagnostics results or statistical data from the processor 65 to the router 63 which then sends the data to the POS device communications processor 61.
  • the communications processor 61 formats the data properly so that it is communicated to the remote computer 4 via the data communications facility 3 or the POS communications controller 5 and the data communications facility 3.
  • the router 63 will send the request to a POS-to-vending communications processor
  • vending-to-POS communications processor 71 determines if the data is vending logic and control signals, in which case it will send the data to a vending logic and control processor 72. If the data is a request for statistical and diagnostic data, the communications processor 71 will route the data to a vending statistical and diagnostic processor 73.
  • the vending logic and control processor 72 and the vending statistical and diagnostic processor 73 are shown in Figure 3.
  • the statistical and diagnostic processor 73 has a request processor 731 depicted in Figure 3 that will receive any diagnostic and statistical request.
  • the request processor 731 will determine the nature of the diagnostic or statistical request.
  • the vending logic and control processor 72 and the vending statistical and diagnostic processor 73 are shown in Figure 3.
  • the statistical and diagnostic processor 73 has a request processor 731 depicted in Figure 3 that will receive any diagnostic and statistical request.
  • the request processor 731 will determine the nature of the diagnostic or statistical request.
  • the processor 731 will request an outbound response processor 732 to obtain the data from the data base registers 733 and transmit it back to the POS-to-vending communications processor 64 where it will be transferred to the statistics and diagnostic router 63 for eventual transmission back to the remote computer 4.
  • the request processor 731 will pass the request along to a vending test and reporting processor 734 which will forward the request commands to a vending machine logic control processor 721.
  • the vending machine logic controller 721 has normal vending functions of receiving monetary information from a vending currency processor 722 and controlling the resulting vend operation with a vend delivery mechanism sensing and control processor 723.
  • the vend logic controller 721 also provides consumer interactive information such as keypad and display information via the interactive processor 724.
  • the current invention uses the vend logic controller 721 to receive requests for diagnostic exercises and routes then to the vend delivery and mechanism sensing and control processor 723 for actual running of the machine using a vend action mechanism processor 725.
  • the result of this operation is sensed by a vend sensing circuit 726 and reported back to the vend delivery mechanism sensing and control processor 723 for reporting to the vend logic controller 721.
  • the vend logic controller 721 communicates the information to the vending test and reporting processor 734.
  • the processor 734 posts the results in the error register 733 and notifies the request processor 731.
  • the request processor 731 instructs the outbound response processor 732 to send the resulting data to the POS device 6 for transmission through the data communications facility 3, to the remote computer 4.
  • the remote computer 4 stores the information in a database format or report directly using a printer or other device attached to the computer for user notification of the results.
  • the vend delivery mechanism 723 may report an error to the vend logic controller 721 which may post an error on a visible means (not shown) using the interactive processor 724.
  • the vend logic controller 721 may also be programmed to initiate a self-reporting diagnostic to the vending statistics and diagnostics processor 73.
  • the vend logic controller 721 may also detect errors in any other processes such as the vend currency process 722 and also report those to the vending statistical and diagnostics processor 73. To accomplish the reporting, the vend logic controller 721 reports any malfunction to the vending test and reporting processor 734.
  • the processor 734 posts the results in the error register 733 and notifies the request processor 731.
  • the request processor 731 instructs the outbound response processor 732 to send the resulting data to the POS device 6 for transmission through the data communication facility 3, or the POS communications controller 5 and the data communications facility 3, to the remote computer 4.
  • the remote computer 4 stores the information in a database format or report directly using a printer or other device attached to the computer for user notification of the results.

Abstract

Procédé et système point de vente (POS) servant à rassembler, traiter et présenter des statistiques d'équipements de distri bution autonomes. Ce procédé consiste à relier une machine de distribution à un dispositif POS, à relier un dispositif situé à distance au dispositif POS afin de traiter des données statistiques ou diagnostiques concernant la machine de distribution, à détecter un paramètre d'état de fonctionnement de la machine de distribution, à mémoriser ce paramètre et à transmettre ce paramètre au dispositif à distance par l'intermédiaire du dispositif POS. Ce système comprend une machine de distribution, un dispositif POS (6) relié à la machine de distribution (7), un processeur à distance (4) relié au dispositif POS; ce dispositif POS comprenant, de plus, un processeur de communications, une unité d'acheminement reliée au processeur de communications, un processeur à cartes relié au processeur de communications, un processeur statistique POS relié à l'unité d'acheminement et un processeur de communications POS à distribution relié à l'unité d'acheminement, au processeur à cartes et à la machine de distribution.
EP97907555A 1996-02-12 1997-02-11 Systeme point de vente servant a traiter des statistiques et des diagnostics et procede de mise en service Withdrawn EP0880750A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US599809 1984-04-13
US59980996A 1996-02-12 1996-02-12
PCT/US1997/001709 WO1997029446A1 (fr) 1996-02-12 1997-02-11 Systeme point de vente servant a traiter des statistiques et des diagnostics et procede de mise en service

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0880750A1 EP0880750A1 (fr) 1998-12-02
EP0880750A4 true EP0880750A4 (fr) 1999-06-16

Family

ID=24401186

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97907555A Withdrawn EP0880750A4 (fr) 1996-02-12 1997-02-11 Systeme point de vente servant a traiter des statistiques et des diagnostics et procede de mise en service

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0880750A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU1953297A (fr)
CA (1) CA2246379A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997029446A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2787959B1 (fr) * 1998-12-24 2002-03-01 Frederic Bensemhoun Procede photographique numerique
FR2808914B1 (fr) * 2000-05-11 2006-05-26 Axonomia Borne interractive munie d'un dispositif de securite
US7149739B1 (en) * 2001-05-25 2006-12-12 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for performing ratio planning
US7243841B1 (en) 2005-03-01 2007-07-17 Ba-Bing! Llc Enterprise polling system for electronic cash registers
WO2009026957A1 (fr) * 2007-08-28 2009-03-05 January Patents Limited Appareil de gestion de terminaux de paiement électronique et de distributeurs automatiques

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366481A (en) * 1980-03-26 1982-12-28 Micro Magnetic Industries, Inc. Vending machine acquisition system
WO1995005609A2 (fr) * 1993-08-18 1995-02-23 Real Time Data Systeme de controle a distance de distributeurs automatiques

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4725977A (en) * 1983-06-03 1988-02-16 Cpt, Ltd. Cartridge programming system and method using a central and local program library
US4970655A (en) * 1988-11-01 1990-11-13 American Registration Systems, Inc. Automatic fee collecting and receipt dispensing system
US5091713A (en) * 1990-05-10 1992-02-25 Universal Automated Systems, Inc. Inventory, cash, security, and maintenance control apparatus and method for a plurality of remote vending machines
US5546316A (en) * 1990-10-22 1996-08-13 Hallmark Cards, Incorporated Computer controlled system for vending personalized products
CA2035767C (fr) * 1991-02-06 1995-07-18 Douglas Huegel Distributeur de billets automatique
US5445295A (en) * 1992-01-17 1995-08-29 Brown; Graham Automated vending machine system for recorded goods

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366481A (en) * 1980-03-26 1982-12-28 Micro Magnetic Industries, Inc. Vending machine acquisition system
WO1995005609A2 (fr) * 1993-08-18 1995-02-23 Real Time Data Systeme de controle a distance de distributeurs automatiques

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9729446A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0880750A1 (fr) 1998-12-02
WO1997029446A1 (fr) 1997-08-14
AU1953297A (en) 1997-08-28
CA2246379A1 (fr) 1997-08-14

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