Patent EP0109758A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0109758A2
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Data collection system
Assignee: Mars Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A system for collecting data from machines is particularly but not exclusively, suited for use as a vending machine audit system, and, in the preferred embodiment, comprises an audit controller which records transaction data relating to the operation of the machine and periodically is caused to transfer the data into a data storage module in the form of a non-volatile memory. The module can be removed and inserted into a down-loading machine at a central location which extracts the data and uses it to provide a transaction record. The audit controller stores in the module a predetermined indication code only after first checking that the transaction data has been correctly stored in the module. The indication code signifies to the down-loading machine that the data was correctly transferred to the module. There is thus no need to lock the module into the controller during data transfer, because removal of the module during data transfer will not result in the production of an incorrect transaction record. Transfer of data to the module takes place only if the module stores an appropriate security code. If the customer forgets his own security code, access to the data is permitted by storing in the module a "skeleton" code known to the manufacturer.
Inventors
- 👤 David Eglise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:53
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G07F9/02; G07F9/026; G07F9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A data collection system for a machine which generates data relating to its operation, the system comprising data collection means (20) having a removable data storage module (24) into which the collection means is operable to load said operation data, characterised in that the collection means (20) is further operable to check that the data has been correctly loaded into the module (24), and, if so, to store in the module (24) a predetermined indication code, which after removal of the module (24) from the collection means (20) can be recognised and thereby used as an indication that a successful operation data transfer has taken place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A data collection system for a machine which generates data relating to its operation, the system comprising data collection means (20) having a removable data storage module (24) into which the collection means is operable to load said operation data, characterised in that the collection means (20) is further operable to check that the data has been correctly loaded into the module (24), and, if so, to store in the module (24) a predetermined indication code, which after removal of the module (24) from the collection means (20) can be recognised and thereby used as an indication that a successful operation data transfer has taken place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module (24) stores a security code, the collection means (20) is operable to perform a security code recognition operation on the module (24) to determine whether the stored security code is appropriate to authorise loading of operation data, and the collection means (20) is operable to load the operation data into the module (24) on condition that the stored security code is appropriate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to alter or delete the security code stored in the module (24).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to substitute said predetermined indication code for the security code stored in the module (24).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the collection means (20) is responsive to an alteration instruction stored in the module (24) to modify its security code recognition operation so as to recognise a different security code as being appropriate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the collection means (20) is so responsive on condition that the module (24) also stores the currently appropriate security code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the alteration instruction comprises said different security code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said security code recognition operation comprises checking a security code region and an alteration instruction region in the module (24), and wherein the collection means (20) authorises loading of operation data if either of the regions stores the currently appropriate security code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to examine a first predetermined location in a module (24) during the security code recognition operation to determine whether an appropriate security code is stored therein, and is operable to examine a second predetermined location in the module (24), and to determine that an alteration instruction is present if the contents of the second predetermined location differ from those of the first predetermined location.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
67 words
A system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the collection means is operable to determine as appropriate a first security code which is peculiar to that collection means (or to a particular group of collection means) (20), and a second security code which is common to that collection means (20) and other collection means (20) (or to collection means outside said group).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, said collection means (20) including an electrical connector (722) for receiving the module and communicating signals between the module (24) and the collection means (20).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the module (24) comprises non-volatile memory locations into which the collection (20) means is operable to store said operation data and which are operable to retain said operation data after removal of the module (24) from the collection means (20), the collection means (20) being operable to check that the data has been correctly loaded into the module (24) by reading out the contents of said memory locations.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a down-loading device (26) which is operable to receive said module (24) and to extract the operation data therefrom in order to prepare a record of said data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said device (26) is operable to extract and prepare a record of said data on condition that said predetermined indication code is stored in said module (24).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
1 5. A system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the down-loading device (26) is operable to provide an error indication if said predetermined indication code is not stored in said module (24).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
16 . A system as claimed in claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 15 when directly or indirectly dependent upon claim 2, including entry means (26) which stores a security code and which can be caused by a user to enter its stored security code into a module (24f so that the module (24) can subsequently be used for receiving operation data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said entry means (26) is arranged to permit alteration of its currently stored security code on condition that a user first enters into it said currently stored security code.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a cash- or credit-handling machine (4,6,8), the data collection means (20) being operable to collect data relating to transactions carried out by said machine (4,6,8).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
A data collection system for a machine which generates data relating to its operation, the system comprising data collection means (20) having a removable data storage module (24) into which the collection means (20) is selectively operable to load said operation data, the module (24) storing a security code and the collection means (20) being operable to perform a security code recognition operation on the module (24) to determine whether the stored security code is appropriate to authorise loading of operation data, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to determine as appropriate a first security code which is peculiar to that collection means (or to a particular group of collection means) (20), and a second security code which is common to that collection means (20) and other collection means (20) (or to collection means outside said group).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
138 words
A data collection system for a machine which generates data relating to its operation, the system comprising data collection means (20) having a removable data storage module (24) into which the collection means (20) is selectively operable to load said operation data, the module (24) storing a security code and the collection means (20) being operable to perform a security code recognition operation on the module (24) to determine whether the stored security code is appropriate to authorise loading of operation data, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to determine as appropriate a first security code which is peculiar to that collection means (or to a particular group of collection means) (20), and a second security code which is common to that collection means (20) and other collection means (20) (or to collection means outside said group).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the collection means (20) is responsive to an alteration instruction stored in the module (24) to modify its security code recognition operation so as to recognise a different security code as being appropriate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the collection means (20) is so responsive on condition that the module (24) also stores the currently appropriate security code.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the alteration instruction comprises said different security code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said security code recognition operation comprises checking a security code region and an alteration instruction region in the module (24), and wherein the collection (20) means authorises loading of operation data if either of the regions stores the currently appropriate security code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
A system as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the collection means (20) is operable to examine a first predetermined location in a module (24) during the security code recognition operation to determine whether an appropriate security code is stored therein, and is operable to examine a second predetermined location in the module (24), and to determine that an alteration instruction is present if the contents of the second predetermined location differ from those of the first predetermined location.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 24, further comprising a down-loading device (26) which is operable to receive said module (24) and to extract the operation data therefrom in order to prepare a record of said data.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
52 words
A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 25, including entry means (26) which stores a security code and which can be caused by a user to enter its stored security code into a module (24) so that the module (24) can subsequently be used for receiving operation data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 26,wherein said entry means (26) is arranged to permit alteration of its currently stored security-code on condition that a user first enters into it said currently stored security code.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 27, in combination with a cash- or credit-handling machine (4,6,8), the data collection means (20) being operable to collect data relating to transactions carried out by the machine (4,6,8).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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