US6038491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring and reporting system using cellular carriers
Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using any one of multiple cellular carriers includes a telemetry device. The telemetry device includes a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular carriers. The telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular carriers, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular carriers. Software code residing in memory associated with a sub-unit of a vending machine can also be upgraded or otherwise modified by transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier, assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device, and routing the assembled software code to a designated one of the sub-units of the vending machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick J. McGarry
- 👤 Philip Rene Reger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:23
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/208; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/001; G07F9/002; G07F9/02; G07F9/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vending machine of claim 1 comprising a processor configured to accumulate data corresponding to monitored events occurring in the vending machine, wherein the digital signal processor-based modem is configured to transmit the accumulated data to the central station via the cellular transceiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vending machine of claim 2 wherein the processor is configured to accumulate data corresponding to monies deposited in and returned from the vending machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vending machine of claim 2 wherein the processor is configured to accumulate data corresponding to inventory remaining in the vending machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vending machine of claim 2 wherein the processor is configured to accumulate data corresponding to alarm conditions in the vending machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and a switch configured to allow the cellular transceiver to transmit and receive signals using a half duplex carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and a duplexer configured to allow the cellular transceiver to transmit and receive signals using a duplex carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises: an antenna; a transmitter; a receiver; a duplexer with a first port connected to the antenna, a second port connected to the receiver and a third port connected to the transmitter; a first switch connected between the antenna and the transmitter; and a second switch connected between the antenna and the receiver, whereby the cellular transceiver can transmit and receive signals using either a duplex or half duplex carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the cellular transceiver comprises frequency band filters which can be adjusted so that the cellular transceiver transmits and receives signals in frequency ranges of a selected one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the cellular transceiver comprises frequency band filters which can be adjusted so that the cellular transceiver transmits and receives signals in frequency ranges of a selected one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vending machine of claim 9 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver each of which has at least one associated adjustable frequency band filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vending machine of claim 10 wherein the frequency band filters comprise a plurality of surface acoustic wave filters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vending machine of claim 10 wherein the frequency band filters comprise voltage-tuned band pass filters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A monitoring and reporting system comprising: A a central station; a plurality of vending machines capable of communicating with the central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, each of the vending machines including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A monitoring and reporting system comprising: A a central station; a plurality of vending machines capable of communicating with the central station using any one of a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, each of the vending machines including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver, a digital signal processor-based modem, and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for each of the cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 wherein each cellular transceiver comprises frequency band filters which can be adjusted so that the cellular transceiver transmits and receives signals in frequency ranges of a selected one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of communicating information between a central station and a vending machine comprising a telemetry device, the method comprising: transmitting an identification code corresponding to a second cellular network technology from the central station to the vending machine using a first cellular network technology, wherein the first and second cellular network technologies use different protocols to receive and transmit signals; and reconfiguring the telemetry device automatically, in response to the act of transmitting, to transmit and receive subsequent communications to and from the central station using the second cellular network technology.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of communicating information between a central station and a vending machine comprising a telemetry device, the method comprising: transmitting an identification code corresponding to a second cellular network technology from the central station to the vending machine using a first cellular network technology, wherein the first and second cellular network technologies use different protocols to receive and transmit signals; and reconfiguring the telemetry device automatically, in response to the act of transmitting, to transmit and receive subsequent communications to and from the central station using the second cellular network technology.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the act of reconfiguring comprises accessing software code stored in memory in the telemetry device, the stored software code corresponding to a protocol for use with the second cellular network technology.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the act of reconfiguring comprises adjusting band pass filters associated with a cellular transceiver in the telemetry device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the act of adjusting comprises arranging the filters so that the transceiver transmits and receives information on frequencies corresponding to the second cellular network technology.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting information from the telemetry device in the vending machine to the central station using the second cellular network technology.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 comprising accumulating data from the vending machine and transmitting the accumulated data to the central station using the second cellular network technology.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using a cellular carrier, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to a digital signal processor-based modem and configured to provide a receiver strength indication signal to the processor-based modem, and an antenna coupled to the cellular transceiver, the vending machine further comprising a human perceivable indicator which generates signals at a rate controlled by the processor-based modem and indicative of the strength of incoming receiver signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
A vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using a cellular carrier, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to a digital signal processor-based modem and configured to provide a receiver strength indication signal to the processor-based modem, and an antenna coupled to the cellular transceiver, the vending machine further comprising a human perceivable indicator which generates signals at a rate controlled by the processor-based modem and indicative of the strength of incoming receiver signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vending machine of claim 21 wherein the human perceivable indicator is a light emitting device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vending machine of claim 21 wherein the processor-based modem is configured to measure a strength of noise associated with an incoming signal and to use feedback to adjust the amplitude of a peak-to-peak outgoing signal to reduce the noise.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of servicing a vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using a cellular carrier, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver and an antenna coupled to the cellular transceiver, the method comprising: receiving an incoming signal in the cellular transceiver; generating a receiver signal strength indication based on the received signal; generating human perceivable signals based on the receiver signal strength indication, wherein a rate of the human perceivable signals is indicative of the strength of incoming receiver signals; adjusting a position of the antenna based on the human perceivable signals to increase the reception strength of incoming signals; measuring a strength of noise associated with an incoming signal; and using feedback to adjust the amplitude of a peak-to-peak outgoing signal to reduce the noise.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of servicing a vending machine capable of communicating with a central station using a cellular carrier, the vending machine including a telemetry device comprising a cellular transceiver and an antenna coupled to the cellular transceiver, the method comprising: receiving an incoming signal in the cellular transceiver; generating a receiver signal strength indication based on the received signal; generating human perceivable signals based on the receiver signal strength indication, wherein a rate of the human perceivable signals is indicative of the strength of incoming receiver signals; adjusting a position of the antenna based on the human perceivable signals to increase the reception strength of incoming signals; measuring a strength of noise associated with an incoming signal; and using feedback to adjust the amplitude of a peak-to-peak outgoing signal to reduce the noise.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the act of generating human perceivable signals comprises controlling a blink rate of a light emitting device based on the receiver signal strength indication.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory associated with one of a plurality of sub-units of a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; and routing the assembled software code to a coin mechanism in the vending machine to update existing software in the coin mechanism.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory associated with one of a plurality of sub-units of a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; and routing the assembled software code to a coin mechanism in the vending machine to update existing software in the coin mechanism.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory associated with one of a plurality of sub-units of a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; and routing the assembled software to a bill validator in the vending machine to update existing software in the bill validator.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory associated with one of a plurality of sub-units of a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; and routing the assembled software to a bill validator in the vending machine to update existing software in the bill validator.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory in a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; storing the assembled software code in a currently unused memory bank of the vending machine; reconfiguring the vending machine so that at least some old software code is no longer accessed during subsequent vending machine operations, wherein the act of reconfiguring includes swapping memory banks containing the old software code and the assembled software code.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of modifying, supplementing or replacing software code residing in memory in a vending machine, the method comprising: transmitting segments of software code from a remote station to a telemetry device in the vending machine using a cellular carrier; assembling the segments of software code in the telemetry device; storing the assembled software code in a currently unused memory bank of the vending machine; reconfiguring the vending machine so that at least some old software code is no longer accessed during subsequent vending machine operations, wherein the act of reconfiguring includes swapping memory banks containing the old software code and the assembled software code.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
108 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
108 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies each of which uses a different protocol for receiving and transmitting signals, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the telemetry device is integrated as part of a bill validation unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the telemetry device is integrated as part of a coin recognition unit.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the telemetry device is configured to provide audit information to the central station.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the telemetry device is configured for connection to a vending machine.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and a switch configured to allow the cellular transceiver to transmit and receive signals using a half duplex carrier.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The telemetry device of claim 29 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and a duplexer configured to allow the cellular transceiver to transmit and receive signals using a duplex carrier.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
129 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the cellular transceiver comprises frequency band filters which are adjustable so that the cellular transceiver transmits and receives signals in frequency ranges of a selected one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
129 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the cellular transceiver comprises frequency band filters which are adjustable so that the cellular transceiver transmits and receives signals in frequency ranges of a selected one of the cellular network technologies.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The telemetry device of claim 36 wherein the cellular transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver each of which has at least one associated adjustable frequency band filter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telemetry device of claim 37 wherein the frequency band filters comprise a plurality of surface acoustic wave filters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The telemetry device of claim 37 wherein the frequency band filters comprise voltage-tuned band pass filters.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
171 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies; and wherein the cellular receiver includes: an antenna; a transmitter; a receiver; a duplexer with a first port connected to the antenna, a second port connected to the receiver and a third port connected to the transmitter; a first switch connected between the antenna and the transmitter; and a second switch connected between the antenna and the receiver, whereby the cellular transceiver can transmit and receive signals using either a duplex or half duplex carrier.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
171 words
A telemetry device for use in a monitoring system, the telemetry device comprising: a cellular transceiver; a digital signal processor-based modem; and memory storing software corresponding to protocols for a plurality of cellular network technologies, wherein the telemetry device is configurable to provide monitored information to a central station using a first one of the cellular network technologies, and wherein the telemetry device can be reconfigured, in response to signals received from the central station using the first cellular network technology, to transmit and receive signals subsequently using a second one of the cellular network technologies; and wherein the cellular receiver includes: an antenna; a transmitter; a receiver; a duplexer with a first port connected to the antenna, a second port connected to the receiver and a third port connected to the transmitter; a first switch connected between the antenna and the transmitter; and a second switch connected between the antenna and the receiver, whereby the cellular transceiver can transmit and receive signals using either a duplex or half duplex carrier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |