Cooperative vending machine data reporting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communication system, comprising:
- a vending machine, comprising a first short range communication circuit; and
a mobile terminal, comprising;
a second short range communication circuit, selectively communicating with said first short range communication system to secure vending machine data from said vending machine; and
a long range communication circuit through which said vending machine data from said vending machine is sent to a remote location;
wherein said mobile terminal accrues credits for communicating said vending machine data from said vending machine to the remote location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vending machine is equipped with a short range communication circuit for uploading vending machine data to passing mobile terminals. The mobile terminals subsequently upload the data to a remote location through a wireless communication process, such as through a cellular phone call. Compensation may be provided to the user of the mobile terminal and aggregation between mobile terminals and/or vending machines is contemplated.
93 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A communication system, comprising:
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a vending machine, comprising a first short range communication circuit; and
a mobile terminal, comprising;
a second short range communication circuit, selectively communicating with said first short range communication system to secure vending machine data from said vending machine; and
a long range communication circuit through which said vending machine data from said vending machine is sent to a remote location;
wherein said mobile terminal accrues credits for communicating said vending machine data from said vending machine to the remote location.
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2. A communication system, comprising:
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a vending machine, comprising a first short range communication circuit;
a mobile terminal, comprising;
a second short range communication circuit, selectively communication with said first short range communication system to secure vending machine data from said vending machine; and
a long range communication circuit through which said vending machine data from said vending machine is sent to a remote location; and
a second vending machine, said mobile terminal collecting vending machine data from said second vending machine and combining the vending machine data from said second vending machine with the vending machine data from said vending machine prior to sending the vending machine data to the remote location.
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3. A communication system for communicating vending machine data to a remote location through a wireless communication network, comprising:
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a vending machine comprising a first short range communication circuit;
a first mobile terminal comprising a second short range communication circuit;
a second mobile terminal comprising a third short range communication circuit and a long range communication circuit;
said vending machine sending the vending machine data to said first mobile terminal from said first short range communication circuit to said second short range communication circuit;
said first mobile terminal sending the vending machine data to said second mobile terminal from said second short range communication circuit to said third short range communication circuit; and
said second mobile terminal sending the vending machine data to a remote location through said long range communication circuit. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An incentivized system for reporting vending machine data to a remote location, comprising:
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a vending machine, comprising a first short range communication circuit and data;
a mobile terminal, comprising a second short range communication circuit and a long range communication circuit;
said mobile terminal receiving the vending machine data from said vending machine through said first and second short range communication circuits and passing the vending machine data to a remote location for further processing through said long range communication circuit; and
said mobile terminal having a credit associated therewith in exchange for passing the vending machine data to the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of incentivizing relay communications between a vending machine and a remote location, said method comprising:
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uploading vending machine data from the vending machine to a mobile terminal associated with a third party;
receiving the vending machine data from the mobile terminal at the remote location via a long range wireless communication; and
providing a credit to the third party in exchange for sending the vending machine data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29)
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28. A method of communicating, comprising:
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determining that a mobile terminal is proximate a vending machine;
verify that said mobile terminal is proximate to said vending machine; and
if said mobile terminal is proximate to said vending machine;
uploading vending machine data from the vending machine to the mobile terminal via a short range communication circuit; and
receiving, at a remote location, the vending machine data from the mobile terminal over a long range communication circuit. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method of communicating, comprising:
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passing by a vending machine with a mobile terminal;
receiving, at the mobile terminal from the vending machine, vending machine data relating to the vending machine;
subsequently transmitting, wirelessly, over a long range communication circuit the vending machine data to a remote location; and
receiving vending machine data from at least one other vending machine prior to transmitting the vending machine data to the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification