Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POrNT OF SALE SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING STATISTICS
AND DIAGNOSTICS AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
BACKGROUND O~ THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to point-of-sale (PO~) credit and
debit networks and in particular to a system and method for processing statistics
and diagnlostics when POS devices are installed in conjunction with vending
devices or other unattended equipment.
Point-of-sale (POS) devices are available for procee~ing credit cards,
debit cards or other financial transactions from a vending machine for
processing by a host computer. These vending m~c~hines pass sale information
to the credit card device, then the credit card device transmits the informationto a financial-processing host computer. The POS device is a data
communication device that is programmed to communicate in a proper format
for processing f1nancial information. Most point of sale devices have a
processor, an internal modem, a credit card reader, a keypad and a display.
When used with vending m~chines, the keypad and display are not usually
required. The modem is always required for purposes of this discussion.
Ve;nding machines are becoming more processor-driven as
microprocessors and electronic components are more readily available. This
added capability allows for more communications and data gathering then
previously considered. However, vending machines, which are l~n~tten~led for
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the most part, are susceptible to mslint~.n~nce issues and supply and inventory
reporting problems.
A need has arisen to gather and process more information about the
vending m~chine and its status and to use the POS device for this purpose. A
beneficial result of such a system is cost savings due to a reduction of personnel
needed to physically travel to and check on the vending m~(~.hines Such a
system could also increase revenues by ensuring that the vending equipment is
operational and fully stocked. A need to "eavesdrop" ~or determine the
machine's activities) electronically from a remote site has also arisen.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for vending
operators to gain access to or to obtain a report of vending operations by usinga POS device attached to a vending machine.
Another object of the invention is to provide an economic advantage for
operating vending machines by providing notification of supply shortages in the
m~rhin~?s or malfunctioning equipment components in the m~rhinçs
Yet another object of the invention is to advantageously use inherent
POS device capabilities and electronics to provide reporting from the vending
machines, thereby elimin~tinp; or reducing the cost of providing separate
comrnunications capabilities.
The present invention provides the capability for vending machine
operators to access statistics and diagnostic information regarding the operation
of remotely located and unattended vending machines. To this end, the vending
machine provides information, or access to information, to a connected POS
device. This POS device then stores the information for subsequent
tr~n~mi~.cion to a remote computer for processing. Alternatively, the POS
device, when instructed, can immediately transmit the information to a remote
computer for processing. The present invention also takes advantage of the
existing PQS device's tr:~n~mi~ion and processing capabilities so that
information may be ~Gedecl without visiting the vending machine at the remote
site.
An example of a method for ~cces~ing the information uses a remote
computer to dial the POS device via switched public-domain telephone networks
2~ and to instruct the POS device to connect the remote computer to the vending
information or the vending machine for gathering information. Another
example of a method for ~(~ces~ing information uses the vending machine to
instruct the PQS device to place a call USillg the public domain telephone
networks to a remote computer in order to send information to the computer.
To achieve the objects of the present invention, a system for monitoring
and inteITogating a vending machine is provided. The system comprises a
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vending machine, a point-of-sale (POS device connected to the vending machine
and a remote processor connected to the POS device via a data communications
facility. The POS device further comprises: a communications processor
connected to the data comrnunications facility; a router connected to the
S comrnunications processor; a card processor connected to the communications
processor; a POS statistical processor connected to the router; and a POS-to-
vending communications processor connected to the router, the card processor
and to the vending m~ehine.
In an embodiment, the system further comprises a vending-to-POS
communications processor connected to the POS-to-vending communications
processor of the POS device; a vending logic control processor connected to the
vending-to-POS communications processor; and a vending statistics and
diagnostics processor connected to the vending-to-POS cornmunications
processor and to the vending logic conkol processor.
In an embodiment a request processor; an outboard response processor
connected to the request processor; a vending test and reporting processor
connected to the re~uest processor; and a statistics and error register connected
to the outbound response processor and to the vending test and reporting
processor.
In an embodiment a vend logic controller connected to the vending test
and reporting processor of the vending statistics and diagnostics processor; andmeans for detecting a malfunction of the vending m~rhine connected to the
vend logic controller.
In another embodiment the present invention provides a system for
monitoring ~nz~tten~led remote vending e~uipment. The system comprises a
point of sale ~POS) device connected to the vending m~hine; a remote device
connected to the POS device to process statistical or diagnostic data concerningthe vending machine; means for detecting an operational status pararneter of thevending machine; means for storing the parameter; and means for transmitting
the parameter to the remote device via the POS device.
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In an embodiment, the system further comprises means of reinstructing
the vending device to transmit a report via the POS device to the remote device.In an embodiment, the system further comprises means for obtaining on-
line parameters from the vending machine.
In an embodiment, the system further comprises means for providing bi-
directional communication between the remote device and the vending machine.
In an embodiment, the system further comprises means for providing
means for providing bi-directional communication bet~veen the remote device
and the vending machine via the POS device.
In addition, the present invention also provides a method for processing
and reporting diagnostics and statistics of a vending machine to a remote cite.
A method comprises the steps of connecting a vending machine to a point-of-
sale (POS) device; cormecting a remote device to the POS device to process
statistical or diagnostic data concerning the vending m~rhin~; cletectinp an
operational status parameter of the vending mzlrhine; storing the parameter in
a storage means; and tr~n~mittinp the parameter to the remote device via the
POS device.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of detecting a
vending statistic of the vending machine.
2~ In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of cletectin~ a
vending cLiagnostic parameter of the vending machine.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of detecting an
error in the operation of the vending machine.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of storing the
2~ parameter in a register.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of displaying the
parameter.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of initislting a
self-diagnosis of the operation of the vending m~rhint-.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of det~ lhlg
an inventory of consumable in the vending machine.
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In an embodiment, the method filrther provides the step of faxing the
parameters via facsimile.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of using the
remote device to initiate the processing.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of using the
vending machine to initiate the processing to the remote device.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of progr~3mminp
the POS device to gather parameters for a set time period.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of progr~mmin~
the vending machine to gather parameters for a set time period.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of ~ltom~ically
collecting predetermined parameters at predetermined time intervals.
In an embodiment, the method further provides the step of connecting
the remote device to the POS device locally.
Features and advantages of the invention will become ~p~t;llL from the
following specification which, in association with the attached drawing figures
and c}aims, describes the invention. The figures are annotated with con.~i~tent
reference numerals throughout.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for
processing statistics and diagnostics for a vending operation using a POS device5of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the POS device and
the vending machine of the present invention in greater detail.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a vending statistics and diagnostic
processor and vending logic and control processor detailing involved in
gathering and reporting vending machine statistics in the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure I is a block diagram of a POS-based system for gathering
statistics and diagnostic information from a vending miq~hine and providing a
means to retrieve or receive the information ~ltili7ing a commercially-availablePOS device. The present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral
1.
A POS device 6 depicted in Figure 1 is normally connected to a credit
card processor 2 via a data communications facility 3 for the purpose of
tr~n~mitting credit card or debit card transaction information. The POS device
6 receives commercials transaction information from vending equipment 7 and
properly formats the data for tr~n~mi~ion to the credit card processor 2. The
credit card processor 2 communicates the results of the transaction back to the
POS device 6 which then completes the transaction.
The data communications facility 3 in Figure 1 can have various
embodiments. For example, telephone facilities, satellite facilities, leased line
facilities or any other means for communicating between the credit card
processor 2 and the POS device 6 can be used.
In addition, the credit card processor 2 may be any transaction
processing computer or processor that receives information which can allow for
transfer of financial information from a user of the vending equipment 7 to the
owner of said equipment resulting from services performed or products
delivered from the vending equipment 7. The credit card processor 2 may be
used for processing credit cards, debit cards or other financial information. The
credit card processor 2 can handle cards using magnetic stripe information, chipcard information or any other means at the POS device 6 which identifies the
user of the vending equipment 7.
The POS device 6 may communicate to the data com~nunications facility
3 by direct means depicted in Figure 1 as POS device 6. Alternatively, a POS
device 8, 10 may communicate through a POS communications controller 5 as
shown in Figure 1. The POS cornrnunicate through a POS communications
controller 5 as shown in Figure 1. The POS communications controller S
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allows multiple POS devices 8, 10 to share one connection to the data
communications facility 3. This sharing arrangement reduces costs of using the
data communications facility 3 and allows for less expensive equipment to be
used as the POS device 8, 10. Many such POS devices may be connected to
the POS conkoller 5 and may be connected via various means, such as a local
area network, serial connections or wireless connections. Vending equipment
9, 11 may be connected to these POS devices 8, 10 respectively, to provide for
processing financial transactions.
The present invention also includes a remote colllpulel 4 that may
connect to the POS devices 6, 8, 10 to collect and/or process statistical or
diagnostic dlata concerning the vending equipment 7, 9, 11. The computer 4 can
connect to the POS device 6, 8, 10 in the same manner as the credit card
processor 2 by using the data communications facility 3.
The POS device 6 will determine the method of commllnic~tion as
depicted in Figure 2. This is done by a comrnunications processor 61. The
communications processor 61 determines, from the data received from the data
communication facility 3 or the POS communications controller 5, which type
of messaging has been received by the POS device 6.
The POS device communications processor 61 then sends the
information to a statistics and diagnostic router 63 which determines if the
statistics and/or diagnostics request is for the POS device. When this is true,
the request is routed to a POS statistics and diagnostics processor 65 or to a
POS-to-vending communications processor 64 for communications to the
vending equipment 7.
If the router 63 routes the request to the POS statistics and diagnostics
processor 65, then the POS processor 65 performs the processes per normal
statistical practices that are common in POS devices and returns the diagnosticsresults or statistical data from the processor 65 to the router 63 which then
sends the data to the POS device communications processor 61. The
communications processor 61 formats the data pLop~lly so that it is
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communicated to the remote computer 4 via the data communications facility
3 or the POS communications controller S and the data communications facility
3.
If the statistical or diagnostic request is for the vending equipment, the
router 63 will send the request to a POS-to-vending communications processor
64 for tr~n~mi.c.~ion to a vending-to-POS communications processor 71 of the
vending equipment 7. The vending-to-POS communications processor 71
determines if the data is vending logic and control signals, in which case it will
send the data to a vending logic and control processor 72. If the data is a
request for statistical and diagnostic data, the communications processor 71 will
route the data to a vending statistical and diagnostic processor 73.
The vending logic and control processor 72 and the vending statistical
and diagnostic processor 73 are shown in Figure 3. The statistical and
diagnostic processor 73 has a request processor 731 depicted in Figure 3 that
will receive any diagnostic and statistical request.. The request processor 731will deterrnine the nature of the diagnostic or statistical request.
The vending logic and control processor 72 and the vending statistical
and diagnostic processor 73 are shown in ~igure 3. The statistical and
diagnostic processor 73 has a request processor 731 depicted in Figure 3 that
:20 will recelve an~v diagnostic and statistical request. The request processor 731
will determine the nature of the diagnostic or statistical request.
If the request involves retrieving statistical information from statistical
and error data base registers 733, then the processor 731 will request an
outbound response processor 732 to obtain the data ~rom the data base registers
733 and transmit it back to the POS-to-vending cornrnunications processor 64
where it will be transferred to the statistics and diagnostic router 63 for eventual
tr~n~mi.~ion back to the remote computer 4.
If the request involves exercising the vending m~r.hine for diagnostic
purposes, the request processor 731 will pass tl1e request along to a vending test
and reporting processor 734 which will forward the request comm~n~l~ to a
vending m~hine logic control processor 721.
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The vending machine logic controller 721 has normal vending functions
of receiving monetary information from a vending currency processor 722 and
controlling the resulting vend operation with a vend delivery mechanism sensing
and control processor 723. The vend logic controller 721 also provides
consumer interactive ;nformation such as keypad and display information via
the interactive processor 724. In addition to these normal functions, the current
invention. uses the vend logic controller 721 to receive requests for diagnosticexercises and routes then to the vend delivery and mech~ni~m sensing and
control processor 723 for actual running of the msl~hin~ using a vend action
mech~ni~m processor 725. The result of this operation is sensed by a vend
sensing circuit 726 and reported back to the vend delivery mechz~ni.sm sensing
and control processor 723 for reporting to the vend logic controller 721. The
vend logic controller 721 communicates the inforrnation to the vending test and
reporting processor 734. The processor 734 posts the results in the error
=~ 15 register 733 and notifies the request processor 731. The request processor 731
instructs the outbound response processor 732 to send the resulting data to the
POS device 6 for tr~n~mi~ion through the data communications facility 3, to
the remote computer 4. The remote computer 4 stores the information in a
database format or report directly using a printer or other device attached to the
computer for user notification of the results.
If the vending equipment 7 logically detects a malfunction of the vend
action mechanism 725 in the course of operation, the vend delivery mech~ni~m
723 may report an error to the vend logic controller 721 which may post an
error on a visible means (not shown) using the interactive processor 724. The
vend logic controller 721 may also be programmed to initiate a self-reporting
diagnostic to the vending statistics and diagnostics processor 73. The vend
logic controller 721 may also detect errors in any other processes such as the
vend currency process 722 and also report those to the vending statistical and
a diagnostics processor 73.
To accomplish the reporting, the vend logic controller 721 reports any
malfunction to the vending test and reporting processor 734. The processor 734
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posts the results in the error register 733 and notifies the request processor 731.
The request processor 731 instructs the outbound response processor 732 to
send the resulting data to the POS device 6 for tr~n~mi.~ion through the data
communication facility 3, or the POS communications controller 5 and the data
S communications facility 3, to the remote computer 4. The remote CO111~JULe1 4
stores the information in a database format or report directly using a printer or
other device attached to the computer for user notification of the results.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the
presently ~rer~lled embodiments described herein will be ~ellL to those
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without
tlimini~hing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intçnr~ç~l that such changes
and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
