Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 16-1 Filed 02/06/17 Page 1 of 20 PageID #: 637
`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 16-1 Filed 02/06/17 Page 1 of 20 PageID #: 637
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`EXHIBIT 1
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`EXHIBIT 1
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`TO COMPLAINT
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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 16-1 Filed 02/06/17 Page 13 of 20 PageID #: 649
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`US 8,908,842 B2
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`1
`MULTI-FUNCTIONAL GENERAL PURPOSE
`TRANSCEIVERS AND DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`check on such machinery If problems were noted, then the
`dispatched personnel communicated this information to a
`central dispatch or service location One shortcoming with
`this approach, however, is that it is relatively expensive to
`employ an individual to make these periodic status checks
`Also, a machine may be disabled or otherwise in need of
`service for a undesirably lengthy period of time between
`service checks, before the service condition is noted and
`reported. Accordingly, it is desired to provide an apparatus
`10 that effectively addresses these and other shortcomings of the
`prior art.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application No. 12/169,536, filed Jul. 8, 2008; which is a
`continuation of Ser. No. 09/756,386, filed Jan. 8, 2001, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,397,907; which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/102,399, filed Jun. 22, 1998,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,327; which is a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. Patent Application Serial Numbers: (a) Ser. No.
`08/825,576, filed on Mar. 31, 1997, entitled Transmitter for
`Accessing Automated Financial Transaction Machines, and 15
`issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,550; (b) Ser. No. 08/895,720,
`filed Jul. 17, 1997, entitled Transmitter for Accessing Pay(cid:173)
`Type Telephones, and issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,531; and
`(c) Ser. No. 08/910,980, filed Aug. 7, 1997, entitled Trans(cid:173)
`mitter for Automatically Communicating Information to a 20
`Telephone, and now abandoned; which all three of said appli(cid:173)
`cations (a)-(c) claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application Ser. No. 60/040,316, filed Feb. 14, 1997, and
`entitled Card Replacement Transceiver for Use With Auto(cid:173)
`matic Teller Machines. This application further claims the 25
`benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
`60/059,643, filed Sep. 20, 1997, and entitled System For
`Requesting Service Of A Vending Machine by virtue of par(cid:173)
`ent application Ser. No. 09/102,399 claiming benefit to U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/059,643.All of 30
`said above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by ref(cid:173)
`erence as is fully set forth herein.
`
`Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the inven(cid:173)
`tion will be set forth in part in the description that follows and
`in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`examination of the following or may be learned with the
`practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the
`invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
`instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
`in the appended claims.
`To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present
`invention is generally directed to a system for communicating
`information to a predetermined location. In accordance with
`one aspect of the invention, the system includes a transmitter
`disposed at a first location and configured to transmit a signal
`containing an instruction code to a transceiver The instruction
`code uniquely identifies an instruction to be carried out Pref(cid:173)
`erably, the transmitter transmits a relatively low-power radio(cid:173)
`frequency electromagnetic signal. The system further
`includes a transceiver disposed remotely from the transmitter
`(but within range of the transmitted signal) and is configured
`to receive the transmitted signal. The transceiver circuit
`35 includes a line interface circuit configured to interface with a
`telephone line that is part of the public-switched telephone
`network (PSTN) and initiate a phone call over the telephone
`line. In this regard, the transceiver further includes a control(cid:173)
`ler configured to control both the reception of the transmitted
`40 signal and to control the communication of information over
`the telephone line. Finally, the system includes a central sta(cid:173)
`tion remotely located from said transceiver but being in com(cid:173)
`munication with said transceiver via the PSTN. The central
`station further includes a decoder configured to decode the
`instruction code.
`As will be appreciated, the system summarized above pro(cid:173)
`vides an extremely robust and flexible platform for providing
`general purpose communications to a central location. In this
`regard, the term "general purpose" may also be referred to as
`an "open ended" platform that may be readily adapted for a
`wide variety of uses. The instruction code is a relatively small
`data value that may be decoded to define a wide variety of
`functions. For example, an instruction code a single byte
`(eight bits) in size may define up to two hundred fifty six
`different functions or instructions Similarly, an instruction
`code two bytes in size may define over sixty-five thousand
`(2 16
`) functions or instructions.
`In operation, the transmitter transmits the instruction code,
`perhaps along with other information, to a transceiver located
`remotely, but generally nearby. The transceiver, which will
`preferably be integrated into a pay-type public telephone (but
`which can be integrated into virtually any telephone or other
`device having access to the PSTN), receives the transmitted
`information including the instruction code, and communi-
`65 cates this information to a predetermined location over the
`PSTN. In this regard, the transceiver is configured with a
`controller or other appropriate component to place a call to a
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention generally relates to transceivers, and
`more particularly to a general purpose radio frequency (RF)
`transceiver having an open-ended architecture that readily
`adapts it for a wide variety of uses and applications.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`There are a wide variety of circumstances in which it is
`desired or desirable to communicate information to a single
`location. For example, in the banking industry, when a user 45
`accesses an automated teller machine (ATM), it may be desir(cid:173)
`able to communicate the user identifying information (e.g.,
`account and PIN number) to a central location to verify that
`the PIN number matches the account number Likewise, if the
`ATM breaks down, malfunctions, runs out of money, takes in 50
`a predetermined amount of money, or for a variety of other
`reasons, it may be desirable to communicate such information
`to a centralize location that can respond accordingly (e.g.,
`dispatch a person to repair or otherwise service machine).
`In the vending machine industry, it may be desirable to 55
`communicate information relating to the product status (e.g.,
`low or out of stock) of a given vending machine to a central
`location, so that service personnel may be dispatched to
`replenish the product. In similar fashion, it may be desirable
`to communicate machine operational status to a centralized 60
`location for purposes of dispatching repair or service person(cid:173)
`nel. Thus, for example, if the vending machine malfunctions,
`runs out of change, acquires too much currency, or for other
`reasons, it may be desired to communicate this information to
`a centralized location
`One way this type of information has been communicated
`in the past has been to dispatch personnel to periodically
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`US 8,908,842 B2
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`4
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver con(cid:173)
`structed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 5 is look-up table illustrating the association of
`instruction codes with there relevant function;
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the top-level functional
`operation of a transceiver constructed in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the top-level functional
`operation of a system constructed in accordance with one
`10 embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a more detailed operation
`of system constructed in accordance with the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED &
`ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
`
`3
`predetermined phone number. Once the connection is estab(cid:173)
`lished, the instruction code may be communicated (as by
`modem) to the predetermined location. The predetermined
`location (which may be a central dispatch location) then
`decodes the instruction code to identify the function or
`instruction that corresponds to the code, and further initiates
`an appropriate response.
`To illustrate the foregoing summary with a more concrete
`example, consider a vending machine that is running low on
`a particular product. A sensor within the vending machine
`may make this determination and signal the transmitter
`accordingly. The transmitter then broadcasts a transmission
`that includes an instruction code that corresponds to the low
`product alert. The transceiver receives the broadcast trans(cid:173)
`mission and communicates this information to a predeter- 15
`mined phone number. In this respect, the predetermined
`phone number may also be communicated from the transmit-
`ter to the transceiver along with the instruction code. Assum(cid:173)
`ing that the predetermined number corresponds to a central
`dispatch center, the center answers the phone call placed by 20
`the transceiver and receives the instruction code. It then
`decodes the instruction code to determine that a particular
`product is low in the vending machine, and it may dispatch an
`appropriate service person to restock the machine. To this
`end, the center may be configured to generate an email mes- 25
`sage to route to an appropriate service person to handle the
`request.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided for performing an automated service
`request. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the
`method includes the steps of sensing a service condition and
`notifying a transmitter of the service condition. Then the
`method transmits an information signal from the transmitter
`to a remotely-located transceiver, wherein the information
`signal includes a function code that specifies the service con(cid:173)
`dition. Thereafter, the method places a call from the trans(cid:173)
`ceiver to a central station over a phone line comprising a part
`of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and com(cid:173)
`municates at least the function code from the transceiver to
`the central station. Finally, the method decodes the function
`code at the central station to identify the service request.
`In accordance with a broader aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion a multi-function, general purpose transceiver is provided
`In accordance with this broad aspect of the invention, the
`transceiver includes a receiver circuit for receiving a signal 45
`transmitted from a remotely located transmitter. The trans(cid:173)
`ceiver also includes a transmitter that is configured to com(cid:173)
`municate information over a phone line, comprising a portion
`of the PSTN Finally, the transceiver includes a controller that
`is configured acquire information from the receiver circuit, 50
`initiate a phone call to a predetermined location, and transmit
`the acquired information over the PSTN to the called location
`
`Having summarized various aspects of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, reference will now be made in detail to the description of
`the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the inven(cid:173)
`tion will be described in connection with these drawings,
`there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodi(cid:173)
`ments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover
`all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included
`within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
`appended claims.
`While the present invention is broadly directed to a general
`purpose transceiver and a method for communicating infor(cid:173)
`mation from remote sites to a central location, before specifi-
`30 cally describing these aspects of the invention, reference will
`first be made to two different illustrative environments and
`uses of the present invention In this regard, FIGS. lA and lB
`illustrate an environment in which information may be com(cid:173)
`municated from financial transaction machines (e.g., ATMs)
`35 to a central location, and FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an
`environment in which information may be communicated
`from vending machines to a central location However, it will
`be appreciated by persons of skill in the art from a reading of
`this disclosure that the present invention may have a wide
`40 variety of other uses, and a transceiver constructed in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the invention may be utilized in a wide variety of
`environments.
`Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a system level
`block diagram of an automatic financial transaction. More
`specifically, the figure shows an automatic financial transac(cid:173)
`tion machine (AFTM) 10 being remotely accessed by a trans-
`mitter 20. TheAFTM 10 maybe any of a number of devices,
`including, most commonly, an automated teller machine for
`banking. However, the AFTM 10 may further encompass
`devices such as gas pumps of the type equipped to receive
`credit cards for charging an otherwise cash transaction. It will
`be appreciated that other similar devices fall within the scope
`of the term.
`In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. lA, the AFTM 10
`55 includes a display 12, such as a CRT, for providing a visual
`display to a user. A card receiving slot 14 is also shown. As is
`known, the card receiving slot 14 receives a plastic card such
`as a bank card, credit card, or some other magnetically
`encoded card for purposes of user identification. A key pad 16
`60 for inputting information, such as a personal identification
`number (PIN), transaction amounts, and other information is
`also illustrated in the drawing.
`Finally, the last functional block illustrated in theAFTM 10
`of FIG. lA is receiving unit 18 The receiving unit 18 has been
`65 illustrated in dashed lines, since it will typically reside inside
`the AFTM 10 The receiving unit 18 is adapted to receive a
`signal transmitted from a remote transmitter 20, interpreting
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
`
`The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming
`a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the
`present invention, and together with the description serve to
`explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
`FIGS. lA and lB are block diagrams of a system con(cid:173)
`structed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of a system con(cid:173)
`structed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a telephone
`housing a transceiver constructed in accordance with the
`invention;
`
`

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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 16-1 Filed 02/06/17 Page 15 of 20 PageID #: 651
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`US 8,908,842 B2
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`5
`that signal in order to allow a user access to the AFTM 10.
`Preferably, the receiving block 18 comprises a radio fre(cid:173)
`quency (RF) receiving for receiver electromagnetic waves
`transmitted from an RF transmitter contained with the remote
`transmitter unit 20. However, consistent with the concepts
`and teachings in the present invention, the receiving block 18
`may be configured to receive other wavelength electromag(cid:173)
`netic signals, including ultrasonic or infrared.
`A remote transmitting unit 20 is provided for remote com(cid:173)
`munications with the AFTM 10 While the transmitter 20 will
`be described in more detail below, it broadly operates to
`transmit an electromagnetic signal 30 to a receiver located at
`theAFTM 10, wherein said electromagnetic signal is encoded
`with user identifying information to allow a user to gain
`access to the AFTM 10. In this regard, an internal transmis(cid:173)
`sion circuit (not shown) is provided within the transmitter 20
`to act upon command to transmit the encoded electromag(cid:173)
`netic signal 30. A transmit button 22 is provided for the user.
`As illustrated, the transmitter 20 is quite small and may be
`conveniently attached, for example, to a key ring for ready
`and portable use. Indeed, in one embodiment, the single trans(cid:173)
`mitter constructed in accordance with the present invention
`may serve multiple functions For example, small transmitters
`of this type are known for activating and deactivating auto(cid:173)
`mobile alarm systems. The transmitter of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion may be integrally designed with such an automobile
`remote to provide the dual functionality of remotely control(cid:173)
`ling an automobile alarm along with the functionality of
`remote access to an AFTM 10. In accordance with such an
`embodiment, a second transmit button 24 would be provided.
`In this regard, the first transmit button 22 would be operative
`to, for example, operate the AFTM 10, while the second
`transmit button 24 would be operative to remotely operate the
`automobile alarm. It will be appreciated that the frequency,
`and/or format of the transmit signal 30 transmitted will be
`different for the different applications. For example, the sig(cid:173)
`nal transmitted to AFTM 10 may include account identifica(cid:173)
`tion information, while only a unique activation sequence
`need be transmitted to actuate an automobile alarm.
`In yet a further embodiment, additional transmit buttons
`(not shown) may be provided as well. To illustrate, presently
`people typically carry multiple banking and/or credit cards in
`their billfolds or purses. In accordance with one embodiment,
`a transmitting unit 20 may be provided with multiple transmit
`buttons, wherein a transmit button 22, 24 is uniquely assigned
`to a different banking and/or credit card Therefore, if a user
`has a bank checking account, and credit accounts with other
`financial institutions for both VISA and MASTERCARD
`credit cards, then three distinct transmit buttons would be
`provided for accessing the three different accounts. It should
`be appreciated that many AFTM's 10 presently allow access
`to a wide number and variety of accounts, including MAS(cid:173)
`TERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS, etc. Such a
`machine would be constructed in accordance with the inven(cid:173)
`tion to recognize the transmissions from each of the different
`transmit buttons depressed. In accordance with the descrip(cid:173)
`tion provided below, the various user/account information
`will be different for each account, and therefore, the signal
`transmitted will be different. Providing a separate transmit
`button for each of these functions/account simplifies the user
`interface. A simpler way to envision such a transmitter 20 is to
`recognize that each individual credit/banking card that a user
`may carry in a billfold or purse would be replaced by an
`additional transmit button on the transmitter 20.
`In use, a user would simply depress a transmit button 22, 65
`which would result in the transmitter 20 transmitting an elec(cid:173)
`tromagnetic signal 30 to a remote AFTM 10 Preferably, the
`
`6
`transmitter 20 is an extremely low power transmitter, so that
`a user will have to be in close proximity, (e.g., several feet) to
`the receiver 18 of anAFTM 10 in order to use the transmitter.
`This would help alleviate problems which may otherwise
`occur if a user approaching an AFTM 10 is circumvented by
`a second, more distantly located user who depresses his trans(cid:173)
`mit button. This extremely low-power operation also helps to
`prevent the unlawful interception of the electromagnetic sig(cid:173)
`nals In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the transmit-
`10 ted signal may be encrypted for further protect against such
`unlawful interception
`A receiving unit 18 disposed within the AFTM 10 receives
`and decodes the signal 30 The AFTM 10 then evaluates the
`received, decoded signal to ensure that it identifies a legiti-
`15 mate user/account If so, the user may then access the AFTM
`10 In the case of an automatic teller machine, or other similar
`AFTM 10, a user may then be prompted to enter a personal
`identification number (PIN) into, for example, key pad 16, as
`an added measure of security. However, in many AFTM' s, a
`20 user will not need to make any further input. For example,
`many gas pumps are presently automated to receive an
`inserted credit card and debit the corresponding account
`according to the amount of gasoline purchased. Presently,
`there is no need in these devices for a user to manually key in
`25 a personal identification number. In similar fashion, the sys(cid:173)
`tem may be configured to operate automatically and exclu(cid:173)
`sively by the depression of a transmit button on the transmitter
`20.
`Having now presented an overview of the basic operation
`30 of the system of FIG. lA, reference is made to FIG. lB which
`shows a more detailed block diagram of the components
`contained within the AFTM 10 and remote transmitting unit
`20 As previously mentioned, the transmitting unit 20 includes
`a transmit button 22, which initiates the data transmission.
`35 The other primary functional blocks of the transmitter 20
`include a memory 42, a data formatter 44, a controller 46, and
`an RF transmitter 48. It will be appreciated that the functional
`blocks shown in FIG. lB are shown for purposes of illustra(cid:173)
`tion and facilitating a better understanding of the broad con-
`40 cepts of the system. The functional blocks of the illustrated
`embodiment should not, however, be viewed as specific limi(cid:173)
`tations on the invention. For example, data formatter 44 and
`controller 46 (discussed below) may be embodied in a single
`functional unit. Indeed, it is contemplated that the entirety of
`45 the circuitry of the transmitter 20 will be contained within a
`single integrated circuit component
`In keeping with the description of the transmitter 20, the
`controller 46 lies at the heart of the transmitter 20, and serves
`to control the overall functionality thereof. In this regard, the
`50 controller 46 is responsive to the depression or actuation of
`transmit button 22 to begin the data transaction and signal
`transfer. More particularly, when a user depresses the trans(cid:173)
`mit button 22, the controller 46 initiates the data transmission
`sequence by accessing an internal memory 42, which, among
`55 other things, stores user and/or account identification infor(cid:173)
`mation. This information is then passed to a data formatter
`functional block 44 which places the data in an appropriate
`and predefined format for transmission to theAFTM 10. It is
`contemplated that the above-described functionality occurs
`60 in electronic format. This electronic data is then sent from
`data formatter 44 to an RF transmitter 48 for conversion from
`electric to electromagnetic form. As is well known by those
`skilled in the art, a variety of transducers can perform this
`functionality adequately.
`The AFTM 10 receives the transmitted electromagnetic
`signal 30 at an RF receiver 50 This receiver serves to convert
`the data from electromagnetic format into electrical format
`
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`US 8,908,842 B2
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`20
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`7
`(e.g., a digital signal) and passes that data to a data formatter
`52. Also illustrated as comprising principal functional com(cid:173)
`ponents of the AFTM 10 are the magnetic card receiving slot
`14, a transducer or magnetic pick-up 54, the display 12, the
`keyboard 16, a block denoted as controller 56, a cloud
`denoted as miscellaneous 58, and a communication network
`(e.g., the PSTN) 60
`In a manner that is well known, a magnetically encoded
`card is inserted into slot 14, wherein the information encoded
`on the card's magnetic strip is read by transducer or magnetic 10
`pick-up 54. The electric signals from this pick-up 54 are then
`formatted into a suitable, preferably digital, form by data
`formatter 52. For purposes of simplifying the description, the
`data formatter 52 (shown as a single block) receives signals
`from both the transducer 54 and the RF receiver 50. It will, 15
`however, be appreciated that the data formatting function of
`block 52 may be provided by two separate and distinct for(cid:173)
`matting units. In such a retrofit system, the functionality of
`such data formatter 52 would indeed be performed by distinct
`physical units.
`In keeping with the description of the AFTM 10, the infor(cid:173)
`mation received and formatted by the data formatter 52 is then
`transmitted to a block denoted as Controller 56 This func(cid:173)
`tional block serves to verify that the information received,
`either from the encoded card inserted into slot 14, or the signal
`received by the RF receiver 50 is valid To do this, the AFTM
`10 will generally access a centralized database (not shown)
`via the PSTN 60 It will be appreciated that this account
`verification functionality is well known in the prior art, and
`therefore, need not be discussed herein. Finally, a block 58
`denoted as "transmitter" is illustrated within the AFTM 10,
`which controls the communication of data across the PSTN
`60
`As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
`controller 56 performs a variety of functional features which
`depend, in part, upon the specifics of the machine 10 For
`example, the block will manage user input and output to and
`from the display 12 and keypad 16, as well as the PSTN 60
`management and access. It would further serve to access any
`database ofinformation that is stored locally at theAFTM 10.
`As illustrated, the ATFM 10 communicates across the
`PTSN 60 to a central station 62 The central station 62 may
`comprise a database of financial and/or account information,
`which database may be utilized to verify user information. It
`may also include facilities that are capable of dispatching
`service personnel, iftheATFM 10 sends a message indicating
`that the machine, or its surrounding environment is in need of
`service. In this regard, the surrounding environment may
`refer lighting. As is known, a certain amount of lighting is
`generally desired (if not required) in the immediate vicinity of
`anATMA lighting failure may be an event that is sensed and
`transmitted by the transceiver to report a service condition for
`repair. For purposes of the present invention, the actual struc(cid:173)
`ture and/or of the central station 62 is unimportant, and thus
`will not be discussed in detail herein. Suffice it to say that the 55
`central station 62 may vary from implementation to imple-
`mentation.
`The controller 56, receiver 50, data formatter 52, and trans(cid:173)
`mitter 58 may all be provided on an open-ended transceiver
`constructed in accordance with the present invention.
`Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illus(cid:173)
`trate another environment of the present invention. Specifi(cid:173)
`cally, the environment illustrated in these figures is one which
`provides forthe automated service ofa vending machine 120.
`In this regard, a vending machine 120, such as a soda dispens(cid:173)
`ing machine, includes an internal transmitter 148 that com(cid:173)
`municates information to a nearby transceiver (not shown in
`
`8
`FIG. 2A, but illustrated in FIG. 4). In accordance with this
`illustrated embodiment, the transceiver is incorporated into a
`public, pay-type telephone 110. However, and as will be
`appreciated, the transceiver may be incorporated into a vari(cid:173)
`ety of devices, so long as it has access to a phone line,
`preferably one forming a part of the PSTN.
`Internally, the transceiver includes receiver circuitry for
`receiving the transmitted signal 130 and a transmitter for
`communicating data via the PSTN 160 to a central station 162
`In this regard, the central station 162 may be a central dispatch
`location, that is set up to dispatch service personnel to attend
`to the vending machine 120. As will be appreciated, the
`vending machine 120 may encompass a wide variety of
`devices, in addition to a soda dispensing machine For
`example, the vending machine 120 may include a snack dis(cid:173)
`pensing apparatus, a candy dispensing apparatus, a cigarette
`dispensing apparatus, a newspaper dispensing apparatus, an
`ice dispensing apparatus, among a laundry list of other
`devices.
`A variety of sensors (not shown) may be provided in the
`vending machine 120 for detecting a variety of events. For
`example, detecting whether the machine is low on a given
`product, or out of a product, determining whether the
`machine is out of change; determining if the machine has
`25 taken in a predetermined amount of money, which should be
`emptied; detecting ifthe machine is out of order; etc. These,
`and other events sensed within the vending machine 120 may
`be communicated to the transmitter 148, which then formats
`the data in a way that it may be readily understood by the
`30 transceiver. The transmitter 148 then transmits the data (via
`RF link 130) to the transceiver disposed within the telephone
`110. This information, in tum, is communicated from the
`transceiver via PSTN 160 to a central station 162. Based upon
`the information received, the central station 162 will institute
`35 an appropriate response. For example, if the information
`received is a notification that one or more of the products in
`the vending machine 120 is either low or out, then a first
`person may be dispatched to restock the machine If, on the
`other hand, the information received is a notification that the
`40 machine is out of order, then a second person (service person)
`may be dispatched to service the machine.
`Having broadly described the vending machine service
`environment, reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which illus(cid:173)
`trates the circuitry within the vending machine 120, as well as
`45 the circuitry within the telephone 110, for carrying out the
`inventive aspects. In this regard, the various sensors disposed
`within the vending machine are broadly denoted by the block
`labeled "Sensor Circuitry" 142. The outputs of the various
`sensors may be directed to a controller 146, which may com-
`50 prise dedicated circuitry, or may alternatively comprise gen(cid:173)
`eral purpose programmable hardware, such as a microproces(cid:173)
`sor or microcontroller. The controller 146, in essence, handles
`the processing of most of the functional operations carried out
`at the vending machine 120.
`In this regard, and as will be discussed in more detail below,
`the transceiver of the present invention is characterized by an
`open-ended architecture that is configured to receive an
`encoded instruction. This encoded instruction may be
`decoded to identify specific and unique functions and/or
`60 instructions. For example, one code may uniquely describe
`the event of the vending machine 120 running out of a certain
`product. Although this code may be meaningless to the trans(cid:173)
`ceiver, when decoded by the central station 162, an appropri(cid:173)
`ate action may be taken. Thus, a vending machine company
`65 may utilize a given code to define a certain event relevant to
`the vending machine, while a banking enterprise may utilize
`the same code to define a completely different event. Never-
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 16-1 Filed 02/06/17 Page 17 of 20 PageID #: 653
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`US 8,908,842 B2
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`9
`theless, the same general purpose transceiver may be used to
`implement both embodiments.
`In keeping with a description of the vending machine 120,
`the controller 146 is preferably configured to receive sensor
`outputs and compose the appropriate instruction code for
`transmission to the transceiver. A block called "Data Format(cid:173)
`ter" 144 may also be provided within the vending machine
`120. As the name implies, this block formats the data for
`transmission to the transceiver It will be appreciated that, in
`addition to the instruction code, other information may also 10
`be supplied by the transmitter 148. As illustrated by the block
`157 (exploded from the Data Formatter block 144), informa(cid:173)
`tion such as a transmitter identification code, and a destina