VENDING MACHINE SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFORE

• US 20090018695A1
• Filed: 06/11/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ira A. Kronenberg, Mark S. Kronenberg
• Original Assignee: Ira A. Kronenberg, Mark S. Kronenberg
• Inventors: Kronenberg, Mark S., Kronenberg, Ira A.
• Application Number:
  US12/137,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A mono-directional data transmission and receiving system between vending equipment and service vehicles is provided so as to allow service personnel the ability to retrieve information about the vending equipment prior to entering facilities and arriving at the equipment'"'"'s location. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a monitoring module configured to interface with a communications port or existing DEX/UCS port in a vending machine, the monitoring module configured to periodically poll the equipment to receive operational and/or inventory data, and/or cash data, along with an identifier for identifying the particular equipment, is transmitted to a reception area wherein a mobile service vehicle may be situated to receive said data via a receiver unit, which receiver unit is configured to interface with a portable computer so as to transfer said operational and/or inventory data.

Claims

1. A system for mono-directionally transmitting vending data from a vending machine to a service operator, comprising:

a monitoring interface for compiling data on the operation of said vending machine, providing compiled data comprising machine identification and sales data on the vending machine, said monitoring interface programmed to format said compiled data into a data stream;

a transmitter for transmitting, via mono-directional transmission only, said data stream to a designated reception area, providing a transmission;

a service vehicle situated in said reception area, said service vehicle for conveying an inventory of product for the vending machine, said service vehicle further comprising;

a receiver for receiving said transmission, said receiver further comprising an interface for converting said transmission back to said data stream; and

a portable computer for receiving said data stream, said portable computer further configured to identify the vending machine and sales data for the vending machine, so as to enable said service operator to obtain inventory from said service van and convey same to the vending machine, so as to stock said vending machine without a physical inventory of the vending machine.

2. The vending machine service system of claim 1, wherein said compiled data of said monitoring interface includes data on cash receipts and change requirements for the vending machine, and wherein said portable computer is programmed to convey data on cash receipts and change requirements.

3. The vending machine service system of claim 2, wherein said compiled data of said monitoring interface includes service information on the operational status of the vending machine, and wherein said portable computer display indicates data on service information for the vending machine.

4. The vending machine service system of claim 3, wherein there is provided a second monitoring interface engaging a second vending machine located a distance from said first vending machine, said second monitoring interface formed to compile data on the operation of the second vending machine, providing compiled data comprising machine identification and sales data on the second vending machine, said second monitoring interface further formed to format said compiled data into a second data stream;

a second transmitter for transmitting said data stream to said reception area, providing a second transmission;

wherein said receiver is formed to receive said second transmission, providing said second data stream; and

said portable computer is provided for receiving said second data stream, said portable computer further utilizing said second data stream to identify the second vending machine and providing sales data for the second vending machine from said second data stream, so as to enable said service operator to obtain inventory from said service van and convey same to the second vending machine, so as to stock said second vending machine without a physical inventory of the second vending machine.

5. The vending machine service system of claim 4, wherein there is provided a third monitoring interface for monitoring a third vending machine located a distance from said first and second vending machines, said third monitoring interface formed to compile data on the operation of the third vending machine, providing compiled data comprising machine identification and sales data on the third vending machine, said third monitoring interface further formed to format said compiled data into a third data stream;

a third transmitter for transmitting said data stream to said reception area, providing a third transmission;

wherein said receiver is formed to receive said third transmission, providing said third data stream; and

said portable computer is further provided for receiving said third data stream, said portable computer further utilizing said third data stream to provide third vending machine and sales data for the third vending machine, so as to enable said service operator to obtain inventory from said service van and convey same to the third vending machine, so as to stock said second vending machine without a physical inventory of the third vending machine.

6. A vending machine service system for transmitting one-way vending data from a vending machine to a service operator, comprising:

a monitoring interface for monitoring a plurality of vending machines situated at disparate locations relative one another within a local area, said monitoring interface comprising individual monitor modules for compiling data on the operation of said plurality of machines, providing compiled data comprising machine identification and sales data on each of said vending machines, said monitoring interface further formatting said compiled data into a data stream;

a transmitter for transmitting, via mono-directional transmission only, said data stream to a reception area, providing a transmission;

a service vehicle situated in said reception area, said service vehicle for conveying an inventory of product for each of said vending machines, said service vehicle further comprising;

a receiver for receiving said transmission, said receiver further formed to converting said transmission back to said data stream; and

a portable computer for receiving said data stream, said portable computer further comprising an indicator for conveying to a service operator the identification of each of said vending machine and sales data for each of said vending machines, so as to enable said service operator to obtain inventory from said service van and convey same to each of said vending machines, so as to stock said vending machine without a physical inventory of each of said vending machines.

7. The vending machine service system of claim 6, wherein said compiled data of monitoring interface includes data on cash receipts and change requirements for each of said vending machines, and wherein said indicator of said portable computer conveys data on cash receipts and change requirements.

8. The vending machine service system of claim 7, wherein said compiled data of said monitoring interface includes service information on the operational status of each of said vending machines, and wherein said indicator of said portable computer conveys data on service information for each of said vending machines.

9. The vending machine service system of claim 8, wherein said portable computer further comprises uploading means to upload said data stream to an administrative office and downloading means to download said data stream to said portable computer.

10. The vending machine service system of claim 9, wherein said monitoring interface appends to said data stream location information on the location of each of said vending machines, and wherein said indicator of said portable computer display conveys to the service operator location information for each of said vending machines.

11. The vending machine service system of claim 10, wherein there is further provided a route indicator with said portable computer to utilize said location information to convey to said service operator a preferred route for the service of each of said vending machines.

12. The method of servicing a plurality of vending machines situated at disparate locations relative to one another within a location area, comprising the steps of:

a) compiling vending machine data to update sales and cash flow information, providing operational status and machine ID information on each said vending machine, so as to provide an updated data stream for each machines

b) repeatedly transmitting each said updated data stream, consisting of the sub-step of transmitting via monodirectional transmission said updated data stream via transmitters in each said disparate location;

c) adjusting the transmission characteristics of each said transmitters, at each said disparate location so as to provide multiple overlapping transmissions from said separate transmitters to a single designated reception area;

d) repeating steps a-b so as to provide continuously updated data streams for each machine, such that said data streams are continuously conveyed to said designated reception area in approximate real time, while

e) positioning a service vehicle within said reception area;

f) receiving said multiple overlapping transmissions from each of said separate transmitters at said service vehicle within said reception area, providing received data streams;

g) uploading said received data streams to a portable computer;

h) utilizing said portable computer to compile said data streams, and display inventory data, then utilizing said service personnel to pull inventory from said service vehicle utilizing said inventory data;

i) utilizing said portable computer to indicate the location and route of the vending machines, while conveying said pulled inventory from said service vehicle to said vending machines;

j) stocking each said vending machine as needed utilizing said pulled inventory in the order indicated by said portable computer;

k) discerning vending machine activity relating to coin box or product inventory changes from the period of reception of said received data at the service vehicle, to the point where each vending unit is opened for replenishing inventory and indicating any such changes on said portable computer upon servicing each said vending machine in order to compensate for any activity from the period of reception at the service vehicle to the point when the unit is serviced, providing adjusted received data;

then

l) resetting each vending machine at said machine location, so as to include the inventory stocked in each machine in step “

j”

.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein after “

l.”

, there is further provided the additional steps of;

m. communicating, via said portable computer, said adjusted received data to a base office.

14. The method of servicing a plurality of vending machines situated at disparate locations relative to one another within a location area, comprising the steps of:

a) polling each said machine, compiling identification, and updated product sales and cash flow data for each machine, providing an updated data stream;

b) repeatedly transmitting said updated data stream utilizing monodirectional

RF transmission only, via a transmitter located in the vicinity of each of said disparate locations, at predetermined intervals, providing overlapping transmissions to a single reception area;

c) repeating steps a-b so as to provide continuously updated data streams for each machine, such that said updated data streams are conveyed to said designated reception area in approximate real time, while

d) providing a service vehicle having product inventory for said vending machines;

e) positioning said service vehicle within said reception area;

f) receiving said transmissions from said transmitter, providing a received data stream;

g) said received data stream providing to service personnel sales and cash flow data for each vending machine conveyed in said received data stream, providing a picking ticket at said service vehicle;

h) pulling inventory from said service vehicle based upon said picking ticket, providing pulled inventory;

i) stocking each said vending machine as needed utilizing said pulled inventory.

j) discerning vending machine activity relating to coin box or product inventory changes from the period of reception of said received data at the service vehicle, to the point where each vending unit is opened for replenishing inventory; and

k) resetting each vending machine at said machine location, so as to include the inventory stocked in each machine in step “

l.”

.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein after step “

k.”

, there is further provided the additional steps of;

l. adjusting said received data to accommodate said vending machine activity in step “

l”

, so as to balance out each vending machine, providing adjusted received data; and

m. providing said adjusted received data to a base office.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein after step “

g.”

there is provided the additional step of providing location information on each said vending machine, and discerning an optimal route order for the servicing of each said vending machine, and providing sales and cash flow data for each said vending machine in said optimal route order.

17. The method of servicing a vending machine, consisting of the steps of:

a) polling said machine, compiling sales, inventory, and cash flow data, providing a data stream;

b) repeatedly transmitting said data stream, utilizing monodirectional RF transmission only, providing a transmission to a reception area;

c) repeating steps a-b so as to provide a continuously updated data stream for said machine, such that said data stream is conveyed to said designated reception area in approximate real time, while

d) providing a service vehicle having product inventory for said vending machine;

e) positioning said service vehicle within said reception area;

f) receiving said monodirectional RF transmission in said reception area, providing received data;

g) providing sales and cash flow data for the vending machine, providing a picking ticket;

h) pulling inventory from said service vehicle based upon said picking ticket, providing pulled inventory;

i) stocking said vending machine utilizing said pulled inventory;

j) discerning vending machine activity relating to coin box or product inventory changes from the period of reception of said received data at the service vehicle, to the point where each vending unit is opened for replenishing inventory; and

k) resetting each vending machine at said machine location, so as to include the inventory stocked in each machine in step “

l.”

.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein after “

k.”

, there is further provided the additional steps of;

l. adjusting said received data to accommodate said vending machine activity in step “

l”

, so as to balance out each vending machine, providing adjusted received data; and

m. providing said adjusted received data to a base office.

19. The method of servicing a vending machine, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a data stream from the vending machine via a monitoring assembly;

b) removing data from said data stream unrelated to inventory, cash, operational status, or machine ID utilizing programming in said monitoring assembly, providing an abbreviated data stream;

c) preparing a transmission string including an identification of the machine, inventory, cash data, and/or operational status of said machine from said abbreviated data stream, and forwarding said transmission string to a transmitter module;

d) transmitting, then re-transmitting, utilizing one-way RF transmission only, said transmission string to a targeted reception area, so as to provide a continuous data transmission;

while

e) updating said transmission string as new data is received;

f) repeating steps a-e for other vending machines in the vicinity, so as to provide multiple transmissions to said targeted reception area, such that each said transmission conveys a data stream to said targeted reception area which is updated in approximate real time;

g) positioning a service vehicle within said targeted reception area;

h) receiving said transmissions at said service vehicle;

l) inputting said transmissions into a portable computer;

j) conveying said transmissions via said portable computer to a route operator operating the service vehicle providing received data;

k) allowing said route operator to pull inventory and money change from said service vehicle for servicing each of said vending machines so as to provide stock for filling said vending inventories;

l) stocking each said vending machine utilizing said pulled inventory and money change from said service vehicle

m) discerning vending machine activity relating to coin box or product inventory changes from the period of reception of said received data at the service vehicle, to the point where each vending unit is opened for replenishing inventory; and

n) resetting each vending machine at said machine location, so as to include the inventory stocked in each machine in step “

i.”

.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein there is further provided the additional step “

O.”

of adjusting said received data to accommodate said vending machine activity in step “

m”

, so as to balance out each vending machine, providing adjusted received data; and

p. downloading said adjusted received data from the portable computer to a base office.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein there is further provided the additional step “

q.”

of allowing the service personnel to convey said machine inventory to said next machine;

r) repeating steps “

l”

through “

p”

until each of said vending machines is stocked;

s) returning to the service vehicle with the portable computer;

t) downloading said adjusted received data from the portable computer to a base office.

22. The method of servicing a vending machine, comprising the steps of:

a) utilizing a receiver interface to receive data from a vending machine, providing received data;

b) compiling said data to discern activity, providing filtered received data;

c) preparing said filtered received data, providing a transmission string;

d) communicating said transmission string to a reception area consisting of the step of transmitting, utilizing mono-directional RF transmission, said transmission string to targeted reception area wherein said vending machine is located;

e) repeating steps a-d so as to provide a continuous transmission of data for said vending machine to said designated reception area which is updated in approximate real time, while

f) positioning a service vehicle within said reception area;

g) receiving said transmission, providing received data;

h) utilizing said received data from said transmission to pull inventory and money change from said service vehicle for servicing said vending machine, providing pulled inventory;

l) conveying said pulled inventory to said vending machine;

j) stocking said vending machine;

k) discerning vending machine activity relating to coin box or product inventory changes from the period of reception of said received data at the service vehicle, to the point where each vending unit is opened for replenishing inventory;

l) adjusting said received data to accommodate said vending machine activity in step “

k”

, so as to balance out each vending, providing adjusted received data

m) resetting said vending machine, resetting said filtered received data.