GB2401232A - Remote security and audit system for vending, gaming or amusement machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote audit and security system for vending and gaming machines using RF, GSM or power line communication networks for the electronic data collection of cash and sales transaction counts, and the remote set-up of the machines. Machines (22, 23 and 24) are fitted with remote audit modules containing event counters that monitor transactions and communicate via the data network (39) to a "management centre computer" (21). Alarm events are signalled to the management centre and by mobile phone SMS text messages to selected mobile phones. Low stock level warnings from vending machines are similarly reported.

Description

Remote Security and Audit System This invention relates to the field of

vending, gaming and amusement machines.

These "stand-alone" machines are vulnerable to fraud and vandalism, and are also expensive to operate and maintain. It has been known for several years that by directly connecting such machines by modem over a telephone line to a central computer significant economies can be made through optimising the replenishment of the machine. US patent 4412292 describes such a system.

Figure 1 shows this general structure diagrammatically. The central "host" computer (1) connects to multiple vending machines(2, 3 & 4) via a telephone network (5).

This invention provides significant enhancements to such systems by providing multiple electronic data transfer means for remotely controlling and accessing machines. The system is built around individual "remote audits modules as shown in the block diagram in Figure 2, which also describes the example embodiment.

This module includes a socket (11) into which a communications adapter may be fitted.

Compatible communication adapters to plug into socket (11) may include in addition to a conventional telephone modem: À GSM mobile phone modem - to communicate over the publicly accessible mobile phone networks using either text messages (SMS) or data protocols.

The advantage of using SMS text messages is that messages can be sent, when for example alarm conditions occur, directly to one or more mobile phones which may include a security guard or the system manager.

RF modem - a short range bi-directional telemetry link using licence free or other wavebands.

À Power Line Modem - bidirectional telemetry communications using the mains power wiring.

À Local hard wired network, for example RS485.

À Electronic memory module, for example a Smart Cards, interface for manual collection and loading of the electronic data. - 2

The use and techniques involved in each of the individual communications media is well known however it is an aspect of this invention that flexibility and interchangeability in the use of communication media provides significant advantages to the machine operators through permitting low cost solutions.

The choice of communications adapter depends on the site size, the number of machines and their physical location. For a single machine in a remote location GSM would be an appropriate choice allowing transport and labour costs to be saved by only visiting the machine when actually necessary, rather than on a regular basis. An additional benefit is that when a machine is visited just the right stock for replenishment can be transported. For a site containing many machines, power line or local radio link communication would be more cost effective.

In operation of the Remote Audit Module, signal pulses from the counter inputs (6) are conditioned by the input buffer circuit(7) and counted in primary registers stored in the non-volatile memory(8). The values in these counters are optionally displayed locally on either a LCD or LED display (9). Secondary, resettable counters may also be included to keep track of individual types of product stock, counting down to a Warning" level at which time an "alert" message may be sent to the central control computer or to one or more mobile phones via the communications adapter plugged into socket (11) and the communications network (10). In a gaming or amusement machine the secondary, resettable counters would count up and may be used to count for example weekly totals.

Alarm input triggers (12) are similarly processed in the microprocessor (18) initiating messages via the communications network(10). Such a system may be powered using mains power via a power supply (19) and advantageously a battery backup supply.

A further aspect to this invention is the inclusion of a real-time clock (15) that may be used to send reports, containing counter values and status information, at pre- determined times to the central computer or as text message to a mobile phone.

With the inclusion of a sound generator (17) containing stored messages in it own Read Only Memory, specific messages, for example warnings or advertisements, can be played on command via the communications network, or at pre-determined one-off times, or at regular intervals. Timed reports are programmable as to on which days of the week they are sent and at what time or times during the day.

General purpose outputs (14) are provided to give additional control options, their individual states being controllable remotely. Advantageously an expansion port (38) is included to permit more counter / alarm inputs and controllable outputs to be added.

In the preferred embodiment some or all of the counter and alarm signals may be optically isolated to make them potential free and polarity independent to ease installation.

In addition to the basic counting function the Remote Audit Module may be configured to isolate the machine's power using a relay or similar switch (16) either under alarm conditions, or in response to a command received via the communications network.

An important aspect of this invention is the flexibility of messages to and from the Remote Audit Module.

GSM communications are password protected and may optionally be only received from a white list" of acceptable source phone numbers. Command types that may be received via GSM are: À Configuration settings enable or disable "alert" messages, reset the real-time clock, enable or disable "alert" messages sent when the main power fails or returns. Change the password, change the text message sent with alarms and alerts, set up timed sound events.

À Specific actions: turn the machine power relay(16) on or off.

Set the controllable outputs (14) on or off, or pulse them for a defined time Reset the module.

À Requests to which the remote audit module will respond with one or more data messages: - 4 Send the main counter and the secondary counter values Send the l/O line states and the status of the power supplies Send the configuration, model and serial number of the module.

The remote audit unit will send out one or more messages automatically if Alarms occur, stock out alerts are triggered or timed reports are scheduled. A "mapping table" list is used to determine which one or more of stored destination phone numbers will be contacted when a specific alarm or alert occurs.

If a local power line or RF connection is used, the configuration of machines is more like a traditional computer network as shown in Figure 3. In this case the "Host" management module (21) may be an on-site computer, however it may be replaced by a Bridge modules (25), as illustrated in Figure 4, that in turn sends data and messages via the GSM network thereby enhancing the flexibility of the system. The "bridge module" (25) contains two or more communication adapters (socketed as for the remote audit module) enabling the "bridge" to translate messages between for example GSM SMS text commands and the data protocol on a local RF or power line network. The "bridge" (25) is connected continuously with the local network comprising a plurality of machines each containing a remote audit module(28, 29 & 30) and Passes on" alarm and alert events from these machines to one or more host computers (27) and / or one or more a mobile phones (26) as determined by the mapping table.

Commands from any acceptable host (27) or mobile phone(26) are passed on to the addressed machine (28, 29 or 30).

On the local RF, power line or similar network command types similar to those for GSM communication may be sent and received, however the information is transmitted using a data protocol rather than as a text message. When first powered up or configured such remote audit modules (22,23, 24, 28, 29 &30) may send a "broadcast" message indicating their network node number and their module type to permit the "bridge" (25) or local host(21) to automatically configure.

The Host Management Computer (21) runs a database type application to record the readings from the machines and provides analysis for a vending machine in terms of sales value and quantity, cash received, cash paid out and stock levels.

For a gaming machine analysis includes cash in, cash out (as change or prizes), - 5 number of plays and prizes, individual coins or tokens in and out and the machine performance.

Within the preferred embodiment of the invention additional functions are advantageously included: À Counter and alarm inputs may be individually enabled or disabled.

À Counter and alarm inputs may be individually programmed for positive or negative edge triggering.

À Counter and alarm inputs are filtered using a programmable value to prevent noise generating a false trigger.

À The main counters are absolute, non-reset/able values.

À U Low Stock Level" trigger levels for the secondary counters are programmable

and resettable.

À The operating messages are held in EEPROM enabling easy reprogramming for different languages.

À Configuration of the remote audit module may be achieved through either a direct PC connection, local menus or using a smart card plugged into the smart card connector (13).

À The smart card connector (13) may be used in configurations without a communications network to collect audit data, such as the counter values, from a remote audit module.

À Additional industry specific data interfaces (20) may be included in the system to access other data available in the machine. Such interfaces may include MOB, Protocol-A, BDV, DEXJUCS, cctalk, Hit, BACTA dataport etc. À A "snapshot" of the counter readings may be taken on the occurrence of pre- determined events or times, for example the opening of the machine or its cashbox. This snapshot gives an accurate, fraud resilient, statement of the audit information when the machine is accessed. It may also include the time of the event permitting the tracking of operators accessing the machine. - 6

A second exemplary implementation is more specifically targeted at gaming machines. This implementation has counter inputs directly connected to the Coin Acceptor and to the payout devices (Hoppers or tubes) in the gaming machine.

The counter interface to the coin acceptor is enhanced to automatically operate with both binary and parallel coded signals and adapts to the polarity of the coin mechanism signals. Alarm binary codes are interpreted and acted upon in the same way as specific alarm inputs. Some coin acceptor- machine combinations use positive common data levels, other use either negative or ground as the common. To cater for all conditions the invention uses current sensing to detect the signal pulses, rather than the more traditional voltage level detection. In this embodiment the AC opto-isolator configuration shown in Figure 5 is used. The coin output signal(s) from the coin acceptor ((31) to the main gaming machine controller (32) is split and passed through and AC opto isolator (33). The resistor (34) is used to prevent potential damage to the opto-isolator(33) should the inputs be incorrectly connected. When a coin output pulse from the coin acceptor(31) is generated, the counter output of the opto-isolator (35) is activated irrespective of the direction of the current flow in the coin output signal line.

Additional counters are maintained for coins routed to replenish the payout hoppers or tubes, by sensing the state of the coin routing signals. For accepted coins a total count of coins accepted and a count of those routed to the hopper are maintained with the difference being the count of coins routed to the cashbox.

Clearly equivalent capability is achieved through counting the cashbox and payout routed coins separately, and counting the total coins and those routed to the cashbox. The advantage of having counts that can give separate counts for total coins accepted, total routed to cashbox and total to replenish payout, is that the amount expected in the cashbox (either value or coin type count) is available and can be used to reduce and prevent theft.

An additional advantageous enhancement is the detection of frauds or faults relating to hoppers. A specific fault or error condition occurs if the coin output sensor in the hopper is faulty or fraudulently overridden (electrically or optically) and the hopper cannot detect coins being output. In this condition the motor is run continuously which empties the hopper of coins. An aspect of this invention is to detect the "motor on" condition through sensing the motor current, and to signal an alarm if no coin output pulses are detected within a programmable time limit. Once this alarm condition is detected it can be communicated as for any other alarm type and optionally be used to cut the power to the machine or to the hopper to prevent a financial loss occurring. Figure 6 illustrates this process as timing waveforms.

A third exemplary implementation comprises more dedicated versions of the second exemplary implementation for specifically gaming and amusement machines. In this embodiment separate dedicated products are created as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), both having an identical machine interface comprising direct counter inputs in addition to an industry standard BACTA" serial port (36).

The first version in Figure 7(a) uses a Smart Card and smart card connector(38) for the electronic data transfer. The second version in Figure 7(b) uses an inexpensive local RF modem (37) for dedicated data communication. The advantage of this approach is a lower cost per machine with a reduced communication flexibility.

The component modules described within this invention may be connected in a variety of ways to achieve an optimum system and are not limited to the exact network architectures described. - 8

Claims (28)

1. An audit and alarm system for vending, gaming, amusement and other similar machines comprising a communications link with a central location for the electronic transfer of audit, alarm and set-up data.

2. An audit system as claimed in Claim 1 which uses event counters to track machine activity.

3. An audit system as claimed in Claim 2 which uses resettable and nonresettable event counters.

4. An audit system as claimed in Claim 3 which uses one or more counters to count down to a pre-determined level.

5. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 4 with ready means for interchanging the communications module.

6. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 where the electronic data transfer is via a mobile phone network.

7. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 where the electronic data transfer is via a radio data link.

8. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 where the electronic data transfer is via mains power wiring as the network.

9. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 where the electronic data transfer is via an electronic memory module.

10. An audit system as claimed in Claim 9 where the electronic memory module comprises a "smart card".

11.An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 10 that transfers counter audit data in response to a request via the electronic data transfer medium.

12.An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 10 that generates alarm messages via the electronic data transfer medium in response to input changes or detected events.

13. An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 10 that generates alert messages via the electronic data transfer medium in response to predetermined trigger levels for the counters.

14.An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 10 that incorporates a local display of the event counter values.

15.An audit system as claimed in Claim 14 where the local display is a Liquid Crystal (LCD) type.

16.An audit system as claimed in Claim 14 where the local display is a Light emitting diode (LED) type.

17.An audit system as claimed in Claims 1 - 10 that includes a real time clock facility.

18. An audit system as claimed in Claim 17 which uses the real time clock facility to transfer audit data at one or more pre-determined times, days or dates.

19.An audit system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 with optically isolated counter inputs.

20. An audit system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 with counter inputs taken from a serial data protocol.

21.An audit system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 with means for changing the configuration of the audit module through the electronic data transfer medium.

22. An audit system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 with means of changing one or more outputs from the audit module through the electronic data transfer medium.

23.An audit system as claimed in claim 23 where one or more outputs comprise a relay.

24. An audit system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 with means for translation between two or more electronic data transfer mediums.

25. An audit system as claimed in claim 24 with addressable routing of messages.

26. An audit or alarm system as claimed in claims 1 - 10 which includes means for the detection of erroneous operation of a coin hopper.

- - 10

27.An audit systems as claimed in claim 26 which senses the operating current and output pulses of a coin hopper and generates an error condition when output pulses have not been detected within a predetermined time of the operating current indicating that the hopper is in use.

28. An audit system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and diagrams.