초록 ▼

The present invention is generally directed to an automated system for requesting service of a vending machine. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a set of sensors configured to detect a variety of service conditions, including products being low or out of stock, as

The present invention is generally directed to an automated system for requesting service of a vending machine. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a set of sensors configured to detect a variety of service conditions, including products being low or out of stock, as well as out of order conditions. The sensors generate output signals that are input to a transmitter disposed at (typically within) the vending machine. The transmitter includes circuitry that encodes the signals received from the sensors into a message that includes an instruction code. The transmitter further includes circuitry for transmitting the encoded message, preferably via radio frequency transmission (although other forms of transmission are consistent with the invention). The system further includes a transceiver located remotely (but nearby) from the transmitter, and configured to receive the transmitted signal. The transceiver includes circuitry for accessing the public switched telephone network and circuitry for controlling the transceiver to dial a defined telephone number. The transceiver further includes circuitry that, after the connection is established, controls the transmission of the encoded message to the central station. Accordingly, the central station includes an interface to the PSTN and circuitry configured to receive the encoded message transmitted from the transceiver. The central station further includes circuitry (which may be programmable -e.g., in the form of a computer) that evaluates the encoded message, and from that evaluation determines the state of the vending machine sensors.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for requesting service of a vending machine comprising:at least one product sensor configured to detect a product inventory status: at least one operational sensor configured to detect an operational condition of the vending machine: an encode circuit configured to encode a message in re

1. A system for requesting service of a vending machine comprising:at least one product sensor configured to detect a product inventory status: at least one operational sensor configured to detect an operational condition of the vending machine: an encode circuit configured to encode a message in response to and based on a predetermined status condition of the at least one production sensor and the at least one operational sensor; a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a first signal containing the encoded message; an interface circuit configured to interface the at least one product sensor and the at least one operational sensor to the transmitter; a transceiver located remotely from the wireless transmitter and configured to receive the first signal, said transceiver including a line interface circuit configured to inter face with a telephone line that is part of the public-switched telephone network (PSTN) and initiate a phone call over the telephone line to a predetermined location, said transceiver further including a controller configured to control the reception of the first signal and a control the communication of a second signal over the telephone line, the second signal containing the encoded message, wherein said transceiver is disposed within a public pay-type telephone; and a central station located remote from said transceiver but being in communication with said transceiver via the PSTN, said central station having an interface to the telephone line configured to receive the second signal, said central station further having an apparatus configured to evaluate the encoded message.