US4926996A — Two way communication token interrogation apparat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 114 words

A token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby detecting data transmitted by the token.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 114 words

A token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby detecting data transmitted by the token.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

A device as claimed in claim 1. wherein said inductive coupling means further comprises, receiving antenna means, said receiving antenna means being separate from said transmitting antenna means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inductive coupling means comprises a single coil forming said transmitting antenna means and permitting detection of data transmitted by the token.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generating means is operable to alter the amplitude of the signal dependent upon the data to be transmitted to said token.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal generating means is operable to interrupt the signal dependent upon the data to be transmitted to said token.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 72 words

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal generating means is operable to generate a first signal directly supplying power to said token to enable the device to perform a first communication sequence in which data is said token is read, and subsequently to generate a second signal directly supplying power to said token to enable the device to perform a second communication sequence for transmitting data to the token.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein during each said communication sequence, said token and said token reading device establish two-way communication.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 67 words

A device as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein each said communication sequence involves the sending of a first code from the token to said token reading device, and the sending of a second code from said token reading device to said token, subsequent communications being permitted only if the first and second codes are deemed appropriate by, repectively, the token reading device and the token.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 144 words

A coin operated machine comprising a coin validator and a token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said token reading device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby to detect data transmitted by the token, said coin operated machine being capable of performing operations in dependence on an output of the coin validator.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 144 words

A coin operated machine comprising a coin validator and a token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said token reading device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby to detect data transmitted by the token, said coin operated machine being capable of performing operations in dependence on an output of the coin validator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 35 words

A machine as claimed in claim 9, the machine additionally being capable of performing operations independence on an output of said token reading device, whereby said machine can be operated by both coins and tokens.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said token reading device is additionally operable to update the token data in accordance with a value of products vended by the machine or a service performed by the machine.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 144 words

A machine as claimed in claim 11, the machine further comprising control means for initiating a transaction performed by the machine and having means for storing a credit value, said coin validator being operable, in a coin operated mode of the machine, to provide signals to said control means to increase said credit value in response to receipt of valid coins, said token reading device including means responsive to the detected data transmitted by one token for supplying, in a token operated mode of the machine, signals to said control means to increase said credit value, and said control means being operable in said token operated mode to cause said token reading device to update the credit value stored in said token after said transaction had been performed, the machine further including means for dispensing a token whose stored credit value has been updated.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A machine as claimed in claim 12, comprising manually operable means for initiating the updating of the data stored by said token and the dispensing of said token to the user.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 96 words

A machine as claimed in claim 9, said coin validator and said token reading device comprising first and second testing stations, the machine having a first common path for receiving coins and tokens and for delivering them to a first of said testing stations, second and third paths for selectively receiving items from said first testing station, and directing means operable in response to results of an operation performed at said first testing station for selectively directing items to said second or third path, the second of said testing stations being disposed along said second path.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

A machine as claimed in claim 14, including a common entrance slot through which coins and tokens can be inserted into said first path.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

A machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein said coin validator is said first testing station and said token reading device is said second testing station.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

A machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second path is a rejected path for conveying non-genuine coins and tokens to said token reading device, and said third path is an accept path for conveying genuine coins.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 53 words

A machine as claimed in claim 14, including fourth and fifth paths for selectively receiving items from said second testing station, and second directing means for selectively directing items from said second testing station to said fourth or fifth path in response to results of an operation performed at said second testing station.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 53 words

A machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein said fourth path is arranged to convey items leaving said second testing station to a dispensing location for dispensing of the items and said fifth path is arranged to convey items leaving said second testing station to a storage location for storage of the items.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 32 words

A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second directing means is arranged to direct a token to the fifth path if an updated credit value of the token equals zero.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 66 words

A machine as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for generating an output permitting the performing of an operation, said means storing operational data and being operable to generate said output in dependence on said operational data and signals from said coin validator, said token reading device being operable to generate a signal dependent on data read from said token for altering said operational data.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 57 words

A machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the operational data comprises a code, the machine being operable in a first mode to perform said operation on condition that said token data includes data which matches said code, and the machine being operable in a second mode to alter said code in accordance with said token data.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 70 words

A machine as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein said operational data comprises price data, the machine being arranged to generate a signal permitting dispensing of a product or performing of a service and to generate a price signal indicative of a value of said product or service and dependent on said price data, said machine being operable to alter said price data in accordance with said token data.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 271 words

A token for use with a token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby to detect data transmitted by the token, the token comprising (a) inductive coupling means for receiving the signal transmitted by the inductive coupling means of said token reading device. (b) power supply means for supplying the token with power derived from the signal received by the inductive coupling means of said token, (c) data detection means for detecting modulations of said signal and deriving data therefrom, (d) data transmission means for selectively altering the impedance of said inductive coupling means of said token in dependence upon data to be transmitted to said token reading device so as to cause changes in the signal transmitted by the inductive coupling means of the token reading device, (e) a non-volatile writable memory, and (f) control means for deriving from said memory data for transmission by said data transmissions means of said token for writing into said memory data determined by the data detected by said data detection means of said token.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 271 words

A token for use with a token reading device for communicating with a data-storing token, said device comprising: inductive coupling means for inductively coupling said reading device with said token, the inductive coupling means comprising transmitting antenna means for transmitting a signal to a token, said signal directly supplying power to said token; signal generating means for generating and applying said signal to said antenna means, said signal generating means comprising means for modulating said signal in dependence on data to be transmitted to said token; and data detection means coupled to said inductive coupling means for detecting changes in the transmitted signal caused by alterations of the impedance of said token, thereby to detect data transmitted by the token, the token comprising (a) inductive coupling means for receiving the signal transmitted by the inductive coupling means of said token reading device. (b) power supply means for supplying the token with power derived from the signal received by the inductive coupling means of said token, (c) data detection means for detecting modulations of said signal and deriving data therefrom, (d) data transmission means for selectively altering the impedance of said inductive coupling means of said token in dependence upon data to be transmitted to said token reading device so as to cause changes in the signal transmitted by the inductive coupling means of the token reading device, (e) a non-volatile writable memory, and (f) control means for deriving from said memory data for transmission by said data transmissions means of said token for writing into said memory data determined by the data detected by said data detection means of said token.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 78 words

A token as claimed in claim 24, wherein said memory stores flag data, said control means being operable to perform first and second communications operations, each involving the communication of data with said token reading device, in dependence upon said flag data, said control means being operable to alter said flag data in a respective predetermined manner during each said communication operation, whereby a different said communication operation is carried out when the token is subsequently powered up.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 65 words

A token as claimed in claim 25, wherein each said communication operation involves the sending of a first code from the token to said token reading device, and the sending of a second code from said token reading device to said token, subsequent communications being permitted only if the first and second codes are deemed appropriate by, respectively, the token reading device and the token.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-05-21	1993-11-20	1994-05-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-05-21	1997-11-20	1998-05-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-05-21	2001-11-20	2002-05-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Two way communication token interrogation apparatus

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag