Vending data collection system

• US 6,250,452 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cimetrics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cimetrics Inc.
• Inventors: Gannon, Michael L., Partyka, Kenneth M., Pogoff, David J., Cochran, Michell H.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/328,617
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 194/217, 700/231, 700/232, 700/236, 700/241, 221/6, 221/14, 221/129
• US Class Current: 194/217
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A monitoring system monitors a plurality of remote product dispensers. Vends are detected indicating that products have been dispensed from the dispenser during a given time period. Vend data indicative of the products dispensed is stored. The vend data is communicated to a base unit and a base unit provides a display indicative of products dispensed and a service schedule based on the vend data received.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a first plurality of vending machines, comprising:

a first plurality of machine units;

each of said first plurality of machine units being connected to a corresponding vending machine from said first plurality of vending machines for accumulating data from said corresponding vending machine;

a first location unit connected to said first plurality of machine units;

a host unit;

means for transmitting said data from said first plurality of machine units to said first location unit;

location unit storage means for storing said data in said first location unit;

means for transmitting said data from said first location unit to said host unit at a predetermined time; and

optimizing means in said host unit for manipulating said data and producing an optimal service schedule for said first plurality of vending machines.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein all data received by said location unit is one of high priority data, intermediate priority data, and ordinary priority data;

said location unit storage means comprising;

a first buffer for storing high priority data received from said first plurality of machine units;

a second buffer for storing intermediate data received from said first plurality of machine units; and

a third buffer for storing data received.

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for said location unit to send a location unit identification to said host unit.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data comprises identification data, vend data, cash data, and product data.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting data from said host unit to said first location unit.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optimal service schedule is determined by extrapolating a date by which a bin in one of said vending machines first becomes empty.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optimizing means includes basing said optimal service schedule on a hypothetical rearrangement of particular products in particular bins of said plurality of vending machines.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optimizing means includes basing said optimal service schedule based on a projection of sales.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of machine units monitors a credit signal, a motor/sold out signal, and a correct change signal of its corresponding vending machine.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of machine units determines that a product has vended by masking off any motor/sold out signals which are in an asserted position, detecting a falling edge of a qualifier signal, and monitoring all unmasked motor/sold out signals to detect which bin corresponds to the vended product.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of machine units determines that a product has vended by masking off any motor/sold out signals which are in an asserted position, detecting a falling edge of said correct change signal, detecting a rising and falling edge of said credit signal, detecting a rising edge of said correct change signal, and determining which motor/sold out signal was in an asserted position immediately prior to said correct change signal changing from a non-asserted position to an asserted position to detect which bin corresponds to the vended product.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first plurality of machine units is connected to a microprocessor pre-installed in said vending machine.