ADAPTIVE INTERFACE FOR PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An interface comprising:
- a memory configured to store;
one or more host definition files corresponding with a respective one or more host systems, said one or more host definition files defining one or more aspects of interacting with the corresponding host systems;
one or more backend definition files corresponding with a respective one or more product dispensing stations, said one or more backend files defining one or more aspects of interacting with the corresponding product dispensing stations; and
a configuration file comprising information regarding the one or more host systems and the one or more product dispensing stations of a product dispensing system; and
a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the one or more host definition files, the one or more backend definition files and the configuration file, and further for managing communication between and/or amongst the one or more host systems and the one or more product dispensing stations of the product dispensing system.
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Abstract
An adaptive interface is provided that is capable of brokering requests from a diverse set of customer host systems to a diverse set of backend servers (or backend device or backend automation system) controlling product dispensing devices and/or systems. The interface may be fully configurable and extensible (i.e., there is a lot of control over the behavior, and the interface can support future features without requiring code changes). Two areas of extensibility of the interface may be adapting to new message formats from the same or new host systems, and supporting new backend services.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An interface comprising:
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a memory configured to store;
one or more host definition files corresponding with a respective one or more host systems, said one or more host definition files defining one or more aspects of interacting with the corresponding host systems;
one or more backend definition files corresponding with a respective one or more product dispensing stations, said one or more backend files defining one or more aspects of interacting with the corresponding product dispensing stations; and
a configuration file comprising information regarding the one or more host systems and the one or more product dispensing stations of a product dispensing system; and
a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the one or more host definition files, the one or more backend definition files and the configuration file, and further for managing communication between and/or amongst the one or more host systems and the one or more product dispensing stations of the product dispensing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A product dispensing system comprising:
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one or more product dispensing stations;
one or more host systems configured to communicate with the one or more product dispensing stations; and
an adaptive interface configured to manage communications between and/or amongst the one or more product dispensing stations and the one or more host systems, wherein the adaptive interface comprises one or more host definition files corresponding with respective one or more host systems and one or more backend files corresponding with respective one or more product dispensing stations, such that said one or more product dispensing stations and said one or more host systems can be altered, added or removed without requiring a change to any remaining host systems. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A product dispensing system comprising:
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a controller;
one or more dispensing stations in communication with the controller; and
one or more validation devices also in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the one or more dispensing stations and the one or more validation devices via an adaptive interface comprising one or more host definition files corresponding with a respective one or more host systems and one or more backend files corresponding with respective one or more product dispensing stations, such that said one or more product dispensing stations and said one or more host systems can be altered, added or removed without requiring a change to any remaining host systems. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification