Computer network based coin-operated machine monitoring system

• US 6,675,067 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VendingData Corporation (Melco International Development Limited)
• Inventors: Blad, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O
• Application Number:
  US09/801,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/241, 700/244, 705/28
• US Class Current: 700/244
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

There is provided a system for remotely monitoring coin-operated machines. Data from the machines is collected and transmitted by the machine to a remote server. In alternate embodiments, several machines may be interconnected via a LAN to a local CPU which transmits data to the remote server, typically using the internet. The combination of one or more remote machines and the central monitoring site form a Virtual Private Network (VPN). An optional feature allows for e-mail or other type of alert messages to be sent from the remote server in response to the identification of one or more predetermined events for which a customer should immediately be notified. Browse and query tools working against a database of machine information are provided so that authorized customers or other interested parties may view data for individual or groups of coin-operated machines by means of a web page accessed via the internet.

Claims

1. A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;

2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;

3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output; and

said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data,

said alert message is at least one from the group;

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and

wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

2. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data.

3. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 2, wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page.

4. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a web page.

5. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said web page is adapted to allow manipulation of at least one of said retained data, said browsing and said filtering operations.

6. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said web page is accessible via the internet.

7. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said coin-operated machine is one from the group:

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine.

8. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 7, wherein said coin-operated machine is adapted to provide at least one trigger in response to an event within said coin-operated machine.

9. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said data collection means comprises at least one input port from the group:

analog input port and digital input port.

10. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 9, wherein an electrical signal representative of said trigger is provided to at least one of said input ports.

11. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said data collection means comprises memory adapted to store data representative of said trigger.

12. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 11, wherein said data comprises a unique machine identification.

13. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said data collection means is located within an enclosure of said coin-operated machine.

14. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said data collection unit is adapted to be retrofitted to an existing coin-operated machine.

15. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);

b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;

c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output; and

said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and

said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

16. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

f) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data.

17. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 16, wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page.

18. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 15, wherein said display means comprises a web page.

19. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 18, wherein said web page is adapted to allow manipulation of at least one of said retained data and said filtering operation.

20. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 19, wherein said web page is accessible via the internet.

21. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machine as recited in claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group:

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine.

22. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said coin-operated machines is adapted to provide at least one trigger in response to a condition within said coin-operated machine.

23. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 22, wherein said data collection means comprises at least one input port from the group:

analog input port and digital input port.

24. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 23, wherein an electrical signal representative of said trigger is provided to at least one of said input ports.

25. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 24, wherein said data collection means comprises memory adapted to store data representative of said trigger.

26. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 25, wherein said data includes a unique machine identification.

27. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 24, wherein said data collection means is located within an enclosure of each of said coin-operated machines.

28. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 27, wherein said data collection units are adapted to be retrofitted to an existing coin-operated machine.

29. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;

b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output; and

data encryption means operatively connected to said local CPU and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means; and

wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group;

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and

alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

30. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 29, wherein said display means comprises a web page accessible via the internet and adapted to allow manipulation of at least one of said retained data and said filtering operation.

31. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group:

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine.

32. The system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine as recited in claim 31, further comprising:

e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data.

33. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality coin-operated machine as recited in claim 32, wherein said alert message is at least one from the group:

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page.

34. The for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 30, wherein each of said coin-operated machines is adapted to provide at least one trigger in response to a condition within said coin-operated machine, said trigger comprising an electrical signal applied to an input port of said local CPU.

35. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 33, wherein said local CPU comprises memory adapted to store data representative of said trigger and data corresponding to a unique machine identification.

36. The system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines as recited in claim 34, wherein each of said coin-operated machines have data collection units which are adapted to be retrofitted to an existing coin-operated machine.

37. A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;

2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;

3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output

e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data;

wherein said alert message is at least one from the group;

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message; and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

38. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);

b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;

c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;

f) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data;

wherein said alert message is at least one from the group;

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page; and

wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message.

39. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;

b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

d) display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output;

wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group;

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine;

e) alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data;

wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message; and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel; and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

40. A system for remotely monitoring a coin-operated machine, comprising:

1) a coin-operated machine having at least one event to be remotely monitored;

2) a data collection unit disposed proximate said coin operated machine and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of said at least one event;

3) interface means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted for connecting said data collection unit to an external data communications network and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

4) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said coin-operated machine via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said coin-operated machine, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output; and

said data encryption means operatively connected to said data collection unit and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to at least one predetermined pattern and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match between said at least one predetermined pattern and said retained data, and

said alert message is at least one from the group;

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and

wherein said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

41. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machines, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored, said plurality of coin-operated machines each being operatively connected to a local area network (LAN);

b) a data collection unit disposed proximate each of said coin operated machines and operatively connected thereto and adapted to generate data representative of a condition in said coin-operated machine;

c) interface means operatively connected to each of said data collection units and adapted for connecting said data collection units to said LAN and adapted to transmit said data thereupon;

d) a local CPU operatively connected to said LAN and adapted to receive and store data from each of said plurality of coin-operated machines and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

e) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data,

wherein said alert message is at least one from the group;

e-mail message, fax, voice message and page, and said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.

42. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of coin-operated machine, comprising:

a) a plurality of coin-operated machines having at least one function to be remotely monitored and adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of said at least one function;

b) a local CPU having at least one data input port adapted to receive said electrical signal and to generate data representative thereof, and adapted for connecting said CPU to an external data communications bus;

c) monitoring means located remotely from said coin-operated machine adapted to receive said data from said local CPU via said external data communications bus, said monitoring means being adapted to perform at least one function in response to data received from said local CPU, said monitoring means comprising;

i) database means adapted to receive and retain said data; and

ii) query means adapted to allow performing filtering and browsing operations on said retained data and adapted to provide an output from said operations;

display means operatively connected to said monitoring means for displaying said output; and

data encryption means operatively connected to said local CPU and adapted to encrypt said data prior to transmission to said monitoring means; and

wherein each of said plurality of coin-operated machines is one from the group;

analog machine, digital machine and hybrid machine; and

alert means operatively connected to said database means for matching data from within said retained data to predetermined patterns and for issuing a specific alert message to a predetermined addressee through a first communication channel upon finding a positive match in said retained data, and

said alert means further comprises means for accepting a response from said predetermined addressee and, if within a predetermined time, no response is received, re-issuing said alert message, and

wherein said re-issuing said alert message comprises issuing an additional alert message through a different communications channel.