Method and system for interfacing a machine controller and a wireless network
First Claim
1. A system for interfacing a machine controller with a plurality of wireless networks, the system comprising:
- a wireless interface module in communication with the machine controller and configured to send and receive wireless signals;
a wireless antenna coupled to the wireless interface module; and
a multi-drop bus interface associated with the wireless interface module,wherein the wireless interface module is configured to removably couple to and communicate with a plurality of wireless transceivers, each wireless transceiver respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless networks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless interface module interfaces a machine control system, such as a vending machine controller, with one of plural wireless networks through one of plural removably coupled wireless transceivers. Communication between geographically distributed vending machines and a desired wireless network is supported by coupling a transceiver associated with the desired network to the wireless interface module. This advantageously provides flexibility in selecting from one of plural wireless networks for a distributed vending machine so that communication between the control system and a distal operating center is supported over a preferred wireless network through a standardized wireless interface module incorporated in the vending machine by changing the wireless transceiver removably coupled to the wireless interface module.
226 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for interfacing a machine controller with a plurality of wireless networks, the system comprising:
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a wireless interface module in communication with the machine controller and configured to send and receive wireless signals; a wireless antenna coupled to the wireless interface module; and a multi-drop bus interface associated with the wireless interface module, wherein the wireless interface module is configured to removably couple to and communicate with a plurality of wireless transceivers, each wireless transceiver respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless networks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for interfacing a machine controller with a plurality of wireless networks, the apparatus comprising:
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a wireless interface module in communication with the machine controller and configured to send and receive wireless signals; and a multi-drop bus configured to transmit and receive information communicated via a serial transceiver, wherein the wireless interface module is coupled to a wireless antenna, wherein the wireless interface module is configured to removably couple to and communicate with a plurality of wireless transceivers, each wireless transceiver respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless networks. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for interfacing a machine controller with a plurality of wireless networks, the method comprising:
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coupling a wireless interface module to a wireless antenna; communicating, by the machine controller, with a wireless interface module via a multi-drop bus interface associated with the wireless interface module; removably coupling the wireless interface module to a wireless transceiver associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless networks, wherein the wireless interface module is configured to removably couple to and communicate with a plurality of wireless transceivers, each wireless transceiver respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless networks; and communicating, by the wireless interface module, with the wireless transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification