System, method and apparatus for vending machine wireless audit and cashless transaction transport

• US 7,167,892 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems Incorporated (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Isochron Inc.
• Inventors: Godwin, Bryan W., Canter, James M., Defosse, Erin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell; Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLETT, STEPHAN F
• Application Number:
  US10/722,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/236, 705/14, 705/35, 705/40, 705/18, 702/188, 713/175, 235/379, 235/380, 700/237, 700/78, 700/224, 702/71
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for collecting, storing and communicating vending machine transaction data. The system preferably includes an embedded data collection and storage device that, when placed inside a vending machine, will collect both DEX and MDB data using a combination of ad-hoc scheduling and trigger-based events. In addition, the embedded data collection and storage device may collect transaction data concerning handheld transactions as well as vending machine error transactions, including timestamps. Functionality operable to permit handheld computer communication with the vending machine, as well as at least a cashless media transaction device may also be included. Data transferred to the handheld computer may be subsequently communicated to one or more host applications or credit agencies.

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising:

vending hardware;

a vending machine controller operably coupled to the vending hardware;

an electronically controllable lock;

an addressable switch connected to the electronically controllable lock and operable to engage or disengage the electronically controllable lock;

an audit device having a communications interface operably coupled to the vending machine controller and in communication with the electronically controllable lock by means of the addressable switch;

a secure application module contained within the audit device and operable to store an encryption key;

the audit device operable to receive an unlock command from a handheld computer via the communications interface and send a predetermined signal to the addressable switch causing the addressable switch to unlock the vending machine in response to receiving the unlock command from the handheld computer, wherein the encryption key is used to authorize the unlock command received from the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to automatically collect transaction data and to store timestamps with the transaction data to maintain an audit trail of transactions occurring at the vending machine; and

the audit device operable to automatically collect and store electronic lock access data.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a cashless media device operable to enable a cashless vending transaction; and

the audit device operable to permit communication of a record associated with a cashless vending transaction to the handheld computer.

3. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising the audit device operable to initiate collection on accounts for a cashless vending transaction via transmission of the transaction records to the handheld computer followed by transmission of the cashless transaction records to at least one agency responsible on the accounts via the handheld computer.

4. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising the audit device operable to permit direct communication between the handheld computer and the cashless media device.

5. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising the audit trail including transactions between the handheld computer and the audit device.

6. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a security application module operable to effect at least one authorization verification with the handheld before permitting a handheld computer transaction.

7. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising the audit device operable to obtain transaction data recorded by the vending machine controller for storage in an audit device memory.

8. A vending machine comprising:

a vending machine controller operably coupled to an electronically controllable lock;

the electronically controllable lock operable to be engaged and disengaged;

an addressable switch connected to the electronically controllable lock and operable to engage or disengage the electronically controllable lock;

an audit device having a communications interface operably coupled to the vending machine controller and in communication with the electronically controllable lock through the addressable switch;

the audit device operable to receive an unlock command from a handheld computer via the communications interface and the addressable switch to disengage the electronically controllable lock and provide access to internal components of the vending machine in response to receiving the unlock command from the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to permit communication of a record associated with a cashless vending transaction to the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to initiate collection on accounts for a cashless vending transaction via transmission of the transaction records to the handheld computer followed by transmission of the cashless transaction records to at least one agency responsible on the accounts via the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to maintain an audit trail of transactions occurring at the vending machine including operation of the electronically controllable lock; and

security keys maintained by the audit device in a secure application module to effect at least one authorization verification with the handheld computer before permitting a handheld computer transaction.

9. A vending machine comprising:

vending hardware operable to accept cash and non-cash payment tokens at the vending machine;

the vending machine hardware including at least one inventory dispensing apparatus;

a vending machine controller operably coupled to the vending hardware;

an electronically controllable lock;

an addressable switch connected to the electronically controllable lock and operable to engage or disengage the electronically controllable lock;

an audit device having a communications interface operably coupled to the vending machine controller and in communication with the addressable switch and the electronically controllable lock, the audit device operable to receive an unlock command from a handheld computer via the communications interface and unlock the vending machine in response to receiving the unlock command from the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to permit communication of a record associated with a cashless vending transaction to the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to initiate collection on accounts for a cashless vending transaction via transmission of the transaction records to the handheld computer followed by transmission of the cashless transaction records to at least one agency responsible on the accounts via the handheld computer;

the audit device operable to maintain an audit trail of transactions occurring at the vending machine including operation of the electronically controllable lock; and

the audit device having a secure application module operable to store at least one security key and to effect at least one authorization verification with the handheld before permitting a handheld computer transaction.