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`The display 450 shown includes this additional
`
`more specific information in a plurality of smaller window
`
`areas. An example of more specific information present in
`
`this additional area would be an identity of the products
`
`5
`
`in the machine,
`
`the location of the products within the
`
`machine,
`
`the location of the display within the machine,
`
`the communication parameters for the displayed machine,
`
`and physical location of the displayed machine.
`
`A further
`
`example additional information might include the date and
`
`10
`
`time of last service,
`the servicer's name and pager
`number,
`listing of the most recent alarms, and other
`detailed information.
`
`’
`
`In the specific embodiment shown, an area 474
`
`shown describes the particular product maintained in each
`
`15
`
`column of the vending machine. This identifies to the
`
`operator the items represented by the various columns,
`
`preferably together with brand names. This information
`typically has to be manually entered. This allows an
`operator to better comprehend the graphic display.
`For
`
`20
`
`example, if one column contained a red bar indicating a
`
`critically low inventory of Diet Pepsi, while two other
`
`columns contained green bars indicating an adequate
`
`inventory,
`
`the operator and system would know that the red
`
`bar alarm could be ignored with relative impunity. Also,
`
`25
`
`the operator could order the required product items to
`
`fill the various columns from the display alone if
`
`desired.
`
`In this respect, it is noted that most items are
`
`shipped and/or packed in multiple item containers (for
`
`example 24 cans of pop per box).
`
`It is possible for the
`
`30
`
`inventory to be managed in multiples of these multiple
`
`item containers so as to avoid odd lot inventory. This
`
`would be typically done for pop.
`
`A window 476 shown defines where the particular
`
`vending machine is located together with other
`
`35
`
`information.
`
`In the embodiment shown,
`
`the information
`
`includes the identity of the service route of which the
`
`machine is a part (the link name),
`
`the method to contact
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`this machine (the link ID),
`
`the exact type of machine
`
`(manufacturer and model number), and the physical location
`
`of the machine (street address and location thereat).
`
`This information allows the operator to handle any problem
`
`5
`
`with the machine.
`
`The window 478 keeps track of the most recent
`
`alarms experienced by the particular vending machine shown
`
`in the display 450. This allows the operator to verify
`
`that the problems represented thereby have been handled
`
`10
`
`appropriately. This information is generated
`
`automatically.
`
`This is an example of further information that
`
`can be provided by this additional area of the display.
`
`The information which produces the display 450
`
`15
`
`is stored in the database 22 which is maintained by the
`
`central computer system.
`
`Each time a data packet is
`
`received from the remote vending machine,
`
`the database is
`
`updated and used to change the configuration of the
`
`display 450 next time displayed. Therefore, a user can
`easily identify any problems which may exist in a
`
`20
`
`particular vending machine by viewing the display 450.
`
`The old data is preferably stored in a separate database
`
`for use in creating additional value based information.
`
`Examples include product trend analysis, eminent machine
`
`25
`
`breakdown, aging of inventory, and other conditions over
`
`time based information.
`
`For cost considerations, it is preferred that
`
`all of the displays be generated at the computer, this to
`
`simplify data transmission.
`
`In specific, once initial
`
`30
`
`programming has taken place, normally only the number of
`
`vend cycles per item would be communicated across the
`
`network:
`
`The rest of the data would preferably be deemed
`
`to remain stagnant (i.e., no signal, programmed condition
`
`to remain).
`
`35
`
`In addition to the specific machine displays, it
`
`is preferred that there also be a master alarm display of
`
`all machines on a particular route and/or vending
`
`A
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`territory. An example of this type of graphical display
`
`provided by the central computer is shown in FIGURE 15.
`
`This display 500 indicates to a user all the vending
`
`machines contained on a particular route. These routes
`
`may be assigned to one or more service technicians.
`
`on
`
`the display is shown a window 502 which shows the
`
`particular route number and the number of each vending
`
`machine contained on that particular route. Next to the
`
`number of each particular vending machine is a dot 504
`
`10
`
`which is color coded to indicate an alarm condition within
`
`15
`
`20
`
`the vending machine.
`
`If the dot is green, no alarm
`
`exists. An alarm condition is displayed as a red dot.
`
`This provides the operator with an instant full route
`
`status report as to any critical conditions. Therefore,
`
`when the user opens a window 502, it is easy to detect
`
`which vending machines have alarm conditions.
`
`The display
`
`500 also contains smaller icons 506 at the bottom which
`
`represent each route maintained on the database.
`
`By
`
`selecting one of the smaller icons 506,
`
`the window 502 is
`
`produced showing each vending machine on the route
`
`selected.
`
`_
`
`In the upper left-hand portion of the display
`
`500 is a dot 510.
`
`The dot indicates to the user whether
`
`25
`
`an alarm packet has been received for any vending machine
`The dot 510
`
`in Contact with the central computer system.
`
`is red and can be accompanied by an audible alarm if a
`
`vending machine transmits an alarm data packet.
`
`The user
`
`can see which vending machine has activated the alarm by
`
`opening the window 502 and looking for the dot 504 next to
`
`the number of the vending machine that transmitted the
`
`alarm data packet.
`
`'
`
`As can be seen,
`
`the present invention allows a
`
`user to monitor the operation of a plurality of vending
`
`machines from a central computer system.
`
`Each vending
`
`machine is periodically interrogated by the central
`
`computer and the pertinent information regarding the
`amount of money in the machine,
`the amount of product left
`
`30
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`in the machine and any alarm conditions which may have
`
`occurred in the machine is graphically illustrated to the
`
`user. Thus,
`
`the present invention can allow a user to
`
`efficiently schedule service visits, to repair problems
`
`5
`
`and make sure the machine is fully stocked. Furthermore,
`
`the use of the modem provides a level of convenience and
`
`simplicity which was not previously available in remote
`
`monitoring systems.
`
`While the preferred embodiment of the invention
`
`10
`
`. has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated
`that various changes can be made therein without deviating
`
`from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`The
`
`embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
`
`property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
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`Claims
`
`Claim 1.
`
`A system for monitoring one or more
`
`machines and transmitting data from the machines to a
`
`remote computer comprising:
`
`5
`
`a plurality of sensors disposed in the machine,
`
`each sensor producing a data signal that is indicative of
`an operation of the machine;
`
`a controller circuit coupled to each of the
`
`plurality of sensors including means for reading the data
`
`signals produced by the sensors; and,
`a communications circuit coupled to the
`
`.
`
`controller circuit that transmits the data signals
`Vproduced by the sensors to the remote computer over a
`network.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Claim 2.
`
`The system as in Claim 1 wherein the
`
`remote computer further comprises:
`
`means for producing a graphical display that
`
`represents the machine,
`
`the graphical display including
`
`20
`
`one or more\icons that correspond to a data signal
`
`produced by the sensors in the machine; and,
`
`means disposed in the remote computer for
`
`updating the icons to correspond to changes in the data
`
`signals produced by the sensors.
`
`2 5
`
`’
`
`Claim 3.
`
`The system as in Claim 2 further
`
`_
`comprising:
`I
`means disposed in the machine for formatting the
`data signals produced by the sensors into one or more’
`
`30
`
`digital data packets; and,
`
`means for causing the communications circuit to
`
`transmit the digital data packets over a network.
`
`35
`
`machine is a vending machine and the one or more icons
`
`Claim 4.
`
`The system as in Claim 2 wherein the
`
`produced on the remote computer include:
`
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`a representation of a vending machine having a
`
`plurality of columns; and,
`
`each column being represented as a bar graph
`
`having a height that varies in proportion to a data signal
`
`5
`
`received from the vending machine.
`
`Claim 5.
`
`The system as in Claim 4 wherein the
`
`one or more icons include:
`
`10
`
`said representation being displayed by the
`
`a representation of a power outlet; and,
`
`central computer as a flashing icon if a data signal
`
`received from the vending machine indicates that the
`
`vending machine has lost electrical power.
`
`15
`
`Claim 6.
`
`The system as in Claim 4 wherein the
`
`one or more icons include:
`
`a representation of a compressor; and,
`
`said representation being displayed by the
`
`central computer as a flashing icon if a data signal
`
`20
`
`received from the vending machine indicates that the
`
`compressor has cycled too few or too many times in a
`
`predefined time period.
`
`25
`
`one or more icons include:
`
`Claim 7.
`
`The system as in Claim 4 wherein the
`
`a representation of a coin; and,
`said presentation being displayed by the central
`
`computer as a flashing icon if a data signal received from
`
`the vending machine indicates the vending machine requires
`
`30
`
`exact change.
`
`Claim 8.
`
`The system as in Claim 4 wherein the
`
`one or more icons include:
`
`a representation of a key; and,
`
`35
`
`said representation being displayed by the
`
`central computer as a flashing icon if a data signal
`
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`received from the vending machine indicates a door of the
`
`vending machine has been opened by an unauthorized person.
`
`5
`
`comprising:
`
`Claim 9.
`
`The system as in Claim 1 further
`
`a first serial port coupled to the controller
`
`circuit; and,
`
`a handheld data entry terminal including a
`
`second serial port for communicating with the controller
`
`10
`
`circuit through the first serial port wherein said
`handheld data entry terminal further includes means for
`
`entering service data into the controller circuit that is
`
`indicative of a service operation performed by a service
`technician.
`
`15
`
`Claim 10.
`
`The system as in Claim 9 further
`
`comprising:
`
`means for detecting when a door to the machine
`
`is opened;
`
`20
`
`means disposed in the controller circuit for
`
`determining if an identification code is received from the
`
`data entry terminal; and,
`
`means for getting an internal alarm if an
`
`identification code is not received in a predefined period
`
`25
`
`after a door is opened.
`
`Claim 11.
`
`The system of Claim 9 wherein said
`
`data entry is accomplished through infrared communications
`
`signals between said data entry terminal and said
`controller circuit.
`
`30
`
`Claim 12;
`
`The system of Claim 9 further
`
`including a data cable removably connected to said first
`and second serial ports so as to transfer data between
`
`35
`
`said handheld data entry terminal and said controller
`circuit.
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`Claim 13.
`
`In a system for monitoring two or
`
`more vending machines at one location and transmitting
`
`data from the machines to a remote computer,
`
`the improvement of means for one master machine
`
`to communicate data to the remote computer and means for
`
`the other slave machine to communicate to said master
`
`machine.
`
`10’
`
`in that said means for said other slave machine to
`
`Claim 14.
`
`The system of claim 13 characterized
`
`communicate with said master machine includes a dedicated
`
`wire.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`The system of claim 13 characterized
`in that said means for said other slave machine to
`
`Claim 15.
`
`communicate with said master machine includes a dedicated
`
`serial bus.
`
`Claim 16.
`
`The system of claim 13 characterized
`
`in that said means for said other slave machine to
`
`communicate with said master machine includes a short
`
`range radio.
`
`Claim 17 .
`
`The system of claim 13 characterized
`
`in that said means for said other slave machine to
`
`communicate with said master machine includes an X-10
`
`power line signal transfer system.
`
`Claim 18.
`
`The system of claim 13 characterized
`
`in that there are multiple locations and multiple
`
`master/slave units.
`
`Claim 19.
`
`A system for remotely monitoring some
`
`operational elements of vending machines that have certain
`
`35
`
`electrical signals;
`
`said system including sensor means to produce a
`
`signal representative of the certain electrical signals,
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`network means to pass said signal to a remote
`
`monitoring location;
`
`decoding means at said remote monitoring
`
`location to process said signal to decode same into
`
`5
`
`meaningful operational element data; and,
`
`remote monitoring means to process said data to
`
`allow remote monitoring of the operational elements of the
`
`vending machine.
`
`.10
`
`Claim 20.
`The system of claim 19 wherein the
`vending machine has a wiring harness and characterized in
`
`that said sensor means includes a data acquisition unit;
`
`a tap cable assembly, and said tap cable
`
`assembly connecting said data acquisition unit to the
`
`15
`
`wiring harness.
`
`Claim 21.
`The system of claim 19 wherein there
`are two vending machines, each with differing certain
`
`electrical signals, and characterized by the addition of
`
`20
`
`said system further including second sensor means to
`
`produce a further signal representative of the certain
`
`electrical signals of the second vending machine;
`
`said network means passing said further signal
`
`to said remote monitoring location;
`second decoding means at said remote monitoring
`
`25
`
`location to process said further signal to decode same
`
`into meaningful operational date for the second vending
`
`machine; and,
`
`said remote monitoring means processing said
`
`30
`
`data for said second vending machine to allow remote
`
`monitoring of the operational elements of said second
`
`vending machine.
`
`35
`
`The system of claim 21 characterized
`Claim 22.
`in that said decoding means and said second decoding means
`
`produce a common type signal.
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`Claim 23.
`
`The system of claim 21 characterized
`
`in that said sensor means and said second sensor means
`
`include a common type universal data acquisition unit.
`
`5
`
`Claim 24.
`
`The system of claim 21 wherein the
`
`vending machine and second vending machine each have
`
`wiring harnesses and characterized in that said sensor
`
`means includes a tap cable assembly;
`
`said tap cable assembly connected to the wiring
`
`10
`
`harness of the vending machine and said second sensor
`
`means includes a second tap cable assembly;
`
`said second tap cable assembly connected to the
`
`wiring harness of the second vending machine, and said
`
`second tap cable assembly being different than said tap
`
`15
`
`cable assembly.
`
`Claim 25.
`
`In a vending machine monitoring
`
`system for a vending machine having a parameter,
`
`the
`
`monitoring occurring at a remote location;
`
`20
`
`the improvement of an alarm means, said alarm
`
`means being activated dependent on the parameter; and,
`adjust means to adjust said alarm means in
`
`respect to the parameter at the remote location.
`
`25
`
`Claim 26.
`
`The system of claim 25 characterized
`
`in that said alarm means can be selectively disabled.
`
`Claim 27.
`
`The system of claim 25 wherein the
`
`parameter has a varying value and characterized in that
`
`30
`
`said adjust means varies the activation of said alarm
`
`means based on the value of the parameter.
`
`The system of claim 27 characterized
`Claim 28.
`‘in that said alarm means has an upper limit value
`activation.
`
`35
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`Claim 29.
`
`The system of claim 27 characterized
`
`in that said alarm means has a lower limit value.
`
`Claim 30.
`
`The system of claim 27 characterized
`
`in that the parameter is a number.
`
`Claim 31.
`
`The system of claim 27 characterized
`
`in that the parameter is a level.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Claim 32.
`A system for remotely monitoring some
`operation elements of varying types of vending machines
`
`that have electrical and mechanical differences;
`
`said system including an acquisition means to
`produce a common type signal for the operational elements
`
`of a particular vending machine;
`
`network means to pass said common type signal to
`
`a remote monitoring location; and,
`
`remote monitoring means to process said common
`
`type signal to allow remote monitoring of the operational
`
`elements of the particular vending machine.
`
`Claim 33.
`
`The system of Claim 32 wherein the
`
`vending machine has a wiring harness and characterized in
`
`that said acquisition means includes a data acquisition
`
`25
`
`unit;
`
`a tap cable assembly, and said tap cable
`
`assembly connecting said data acquisition unit to the
`
`wiring harness.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Claim 34.
`
`A system for remotely monitoring some
`
`operational elements of varying types of vending machines
`
`that have electrical and mechanical differences;
`
`said system including an data acquisition unit,
`
`means to connect said data acquisition unit to a
`
`particular vending machine, means for said data
`
`acquisition unit to produce a common type signal for the
`
`operational elements of the particular vending machine;
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`network means to pass said common type signal to
`
`a remote monitoring location; and,
`
`remote monitoring means to process said common
`
`type signal to allow remote monitoring of the operational
`
`5
`
`elements of the particular vending machine.
`
`Claim 35.
`
`The system as in Claim 34
`
`characterized in that at least two types of vending
`
`machines are being remotely monitored; and,
`
`10
`
`each particular vending machine has a different
`data acquisition unit.
`
`Claim 36.
`
`The system as in Claim 34 wherein at
`
`least two types of vending machines are being remotely
`
`15
`
`monitored, each having its own differing circuitry;
`
`and characterized by the addition of a first tap
`
`cable assembly, said data acquisition unit being a first_
`
`data acquisition unit, said first tap cable assembly
`
`connecting the circuitry of one type of vending machine to.
`
`20
`
`said first data acquisition unit;
`
`a second tap cable assembly, a second data
`
`acquisition unit, said second tap cable assembly.
`
`connecting the circuitry of the second type of vending
`
`machine to said second data acquisition unit, and said
`
`25
`
`second tap cable assembly being different than said first
`
`tap cable assembly.
`
`Claim 37.
`
`The system as in Claim 36
`
`characterized in that said second data acquisition unit is
`
`30
`
`different than said first data acquisition unit.
`
`Claim 38.
`
`The system as in Claim 34
`
`characterized by the addition of a universal bus means to
`
`35
`
`interconnect said data acquisition unit to said network
`means.
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`The system as in Claim 34 wherein the
`Claim 39.
`particular vending machine contains an item with an
`
`inventory; and,
`
`characterized in that said remote monitoring
`
`means includes a graphic display indicating the relative
`
`amount of remaining inventory.
`
`Claim 40.
`
`The system as in Claim 39 wherein the
`
`particular vending machine contains at least two items
`
`10
`
`with inventories having a differing maximum; and,
`
`’
`
`characterized in that said remote monitoring
`
`means includes a graphic display indicating the relative
`
`amount of remaining inventory respectively, with such
`
`indication providing a similar relative indication of
`
`15
`
`maximum inventory.
`
`Claim 41.
`
`The system as in Claim 34 wherein
`
`said common type signal includes row and column
`
`information.
`
`Claim 42.
`
`The system as in Claim 34 wherein.
`
`said system includes a remote link unit, said remote link
`
`unit being connected between said data acquisition unit
`
`and said network means, said remote link unit having a
`
`memory, said memory storing data representative of the
`
`changing operational elements of the vending machine; and,
`
`means for said remote link unit to pass the data
`
`to said network means.
`
`Claim 43.
`
`The system of Claim 34 characterized
`
`in that said common type signal is the existence of a
`
`signal within the vending machines together with
`
`simultaneous occurrence coding for at least some of said
`
`signals with said remote monitoring means converting said
`
`common type signals into utilizable information.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
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`Claim 44.
`
`The system of claim 43 characterized
`
`in that at least two types of vending machines are being
`
`remotely monitored and each particular vending machine
`
`having the same data acquisition unit.
`
`Claim 45.
`
`In a system for remotely monitoring
`
`the operation elements of vending machines, said system
`
`comprising sensors;
`
`said sensors having signal outputs respectively,
`
`10
`
`said signal outputs representing differing types of
`
`machine conditions depending on the length of said
`
`signals;
`
`network means to pass said signals to a remote
`
`location for monitoring, said network means including an
`
`15
`
`automatic transmission means; and,
`
`said automatic transmission means being
`
`activated by said length of said signals outputs.
`
`20
`
`in that said signal outputs include short length vend
`
`Claim 46.
`
`The system of claim 45 characterized
`
`cycle signals and longer length alarm signals, and said
`
`automatic transmission means being activated by said
`
`longer length alarm signals.
`
`25
`
`Claim 47.
`
`The system of claim 46 characterized
`
`by the addition of memory means and said memory means
`
`storing said short length vend cycle signals for
`
`subsequent transmission.
`
`30
`
`Claim 48}
`
`The system of claim 46 characterized
`
`by the addition of trigger means to trigger the
`
`transmission over said network of said short length vend
`
`cycle signals from said memory means.
`
`35
`
`Claim 49.
`
`In a system for remotely monitoring
`
`the operational elements of varying types of vending
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`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 /O68
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 068
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`67
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`machines including operational elements having
`
`identifiable characteristics;
`
`said system including generation means to
`
`generate a graphic image on a screen, and control means to
`
`control said generation means to produce an image
`
`representing the operational element having identifiable
`
`characteristics.
`
`Claim 50.
`
`The system of Claim 49 wherein the
`
`identifiable characteristics include the type of vending
`machine and the available inventory items;
`and characterized in that said control means
`
`includes a storage area having a limited number of images
`
`representing vending machines; and;
`
`image select means to select the image most
`
`similar to the type of vending machine including available
`
`inventory items.
`
`Claim 51.
`
`The system of claim 49 wherein the
`
`identifiable characteristics include certain operational
`
`elements;
`
`and characterized in that said control means
`
`includes a storage area having a limited number of icon
`
`images representing the certain operational elements; and,
`
`icon image select means to select the icon image
`
`most similar to the certain operational element.
`
`Claim 52.
`
`The system of Claim 51 wherein the
`
`identifiable characteristic for a particular machine
`
`include a power supply and characterized in that said
`
`control means includes an icon representing a power
`
`supply, and icon select means to select the power icon for
`
`display.
`
`Claim 53.
`
`The system of Claim 51 wherein the
`
`identifiable characteristic for a particular machine
`
`include a compressor and characterized in that said
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
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`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 I069
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 069
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`control means includes an icon representing a compressor,
`
`and icon select means to select the compressor for
`
`display.
`
`5
`
`The system of Claim 51 wherein the
`Claim 54.
`identifiable characteristic for a particular machine
`
`include a change supply and characterized in that said
`
`control means includes an icon representing a coin, and
`
`icon select means to select the coin for display.
`
`10
`
`Claim 55.
`
`The system of Claim 51 wherein the
`
`identifiable characteristic for a particular machine
`
`include a door open signal and characterized in that said
`
`control means includes an icon representing a key, and
`
`15
`
`icon select means to select the key for display.
`
`Claim 56.
`
`The system of claim 49 wherein the
`
`operational elements include an inventory of a certain
`
`type of item and characterized by the addition of said
`
`20
`
`control means includes an icon representing this item and
`
`item icon select means to select this icon representing
`
`this item for display.
`
`25
`
`inventory is pop containers and characterized in that said
`
`Claim 57.
`
`The system of Claim 56 wherein the
`
`item icon select means produces a circle.
`
`Claim 58.
`
`The system of Claim 57 wherein the
`
`inventory of pop containers is a certain amount and
`
`30
`
`characterized by stacking means to replicate said circles
`
`to a number reflecting the certain amount.
`
`Claim 59.
`
`The system of Claim 56 wherein the
`
`inventory is a change and characterized in that said item
`
`35
`
`icon select means produces a rectangle.
`
`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 /O70
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 070
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`Claim 60.
`
`The system of Claim 59 wherein there
`
`is a certain amount of change in the machine and
`
`characterized by stacking means to replicate said
`
`rectangles to a number reflecting the certain amount of
`
`change.
`
`Claim 61.
`
`In a remote vending machine
`
`monitoring system sending operational element information
`
`from a plurality of differing types of vending machines to
`
`a remotely located processor over a network, such machines
`
`including those using columns alone and not rows for
`
`inventory;
`
`the improvement of the signal passing over the
`
`network being a common signal for differing machines; and,
`
`said signal including row and column
`
`information.
`
`Claim 62.
`
`The system as in Claim 61 wherein the
`
`system is utilized with vending machines having maximum
`
`number of rows columns along with machines having lesser
`
`numbers and characterized in that said signal includes the
`
`maximum number of rows and columns for machines having
`lesser numbers.
`
`Claim 63.
`
`The system as in Claim 61
`
`characterized in that said row and column information is
`
`vend events.
`
`Claim 64.
`
`The system as in Claim 61 wherein the
`
`vending machines included matrix coded operative elements
`
`and characterized in that said row and column information
`
`are the matrix coded operative elements and acquisition at
`
`the vending machine to decode such row and column
`
`information.
`
`Claim 65.
`
`The system as in Claim 61 wherein the
`
`system is utilized with vending machine having differing
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 /071
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 071
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`70
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`sensors not inventory related,
`
`the system utilized with
`
`vending machines having a maximum number of such sensors
`
`along with machines having lesser numbers; and,
`
`characterized in that said signal includes the
`
`maximum number of sensors for machines having lesser
`numbers.
`
`Claim 66.
`
`The system as in Claim 61 wherein the
`
`system is utilized with vending machines having alarm
`
`10
`
`conditions; and,
`
`characterized in that said signal includes such
`alarm conditions.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Claim 67.
`
`The system as in Claim 61 wherein the
`
`vending machines include an inventory; and,
`
`characterized by means to track the amount of
`
`such inventory at the remotely located processor.
`
`Claim 68.
`
`The system as in Claim 67
`
`characterized by the addition of means to track the
`
`historical changes of the amount of such inventory at the
`
`remotely located processor.
`
`Claim 69.
`
`The system of claim 61 characterized
`
`in that said row and column information is matrix coded
`
`including simultaneous occurrence information, and the
`
`system additionally including decoding means to decode
`said information.
`
`Claim 70.
`
`The system of claim 69 characterized
`
`in that said decoding means is at the remotely located
`
`processor.
`
`Claim 71.
`
`In a remote vending machine
`
`monitoring system having sensor means relative to the
`
`operational elements of a vending machine and a
`
`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 /O72
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 072
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`communication network for passing signals representative
`
`of the operation elements to a remote monitoring location;
`
`the improvement of the remote monitoring
`
`location including a graphic display means; and,
`
`5
`
`said graphic display means including a graphic
`
`representation of at least one universal vending machine
`
`together with its operational elements.
`
`Claim 72.
`
`The system as in Claim 71 wherein the
`
`10
`
`operational elements include items with inventories; and,
`the further improvement of said graphic
`
`representation including graph means disclosing such
`inventories.
`
`15
`
`Claim 73.
`
`The system as in Claim 72 wherein the
`
`inventories have acceptably and not acceptable levels;
`
`and,
`
`characterized in that said graph means indicates
`
`20
`
`the acceptable and not acceptable levels with varying
`colors.
`
`Claim 74.
`
`The system as in Claim 72 wherein the
`
`inventories have differing maximums and said graph means
`
`25
`
`displaying the same relative indicators for differing
`maximums.
`
`Claim 75.
`
`The system as in Claim 71
`
`characterized in that said graphic representation includes
`
`a plurality of a generic representations of a type of
`
`30
`
`vending machine.
`
`Claim 76.
`
`The system as in Claim 71 wherein a
`
`vending machine has certain operational conditions
`
`producing an alarm; and,
`
`35
`
`characterized by indication means to indicate
`
`the alarm condition on the graphic representation of a
`
`differing vending machine.
`
`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 I073
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 073
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`Claim 77.
`
`The system as in Claim 76
`
`characterized by means to display the graphic
`
`representation of the vending machine with the alarm
`
`condition, such means utilizing said indication means.
`
`Claim 78.
`
`The system as in Claim 71
`
`characterized in that said graphic representation is a
`
`single generic representation for differing types of
`
`vending machines.
`
`Claim 79.
`
`The system as in Claim 71
`
`characterized by the addition of means for said graphic
`
`display means to provide historical trend type information
`
`relative to the operational elements.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Claim 80.
`
`The system as in Claim 71 wherein the
`
`system is utilized with varying capability vending
`
`machines having differing parameters and characterized in
`
`that said graphic display means includes means to modify
`
`20
`
`said graphic representation in line with the differing
`
`parameters.
`
`Claim 81.
`
`In a vending machine remote
`
`monitoring system to keep track of an inventory of an item
`
`25
`
`in the vending machine;
`
`the improvement of a computer;
`
`means to program the computer with a number
`
`representing the inventory in the vending machine;
`
`means to transfer the number of actual vend
`
`cycles from the vending machine to the computer; and,
`
`30
`
`means to subtract the number of actual vend
`
`cycles from the programmed number to represent the
`
`inventory at the remote vending machine.
`
`Claim 82.
`
`The system of claim 81 wherein the
`
`35
`
`item is packed in certain multiples in bulk shipping
`
`containers and the inventory is depleted by a number in
`
`excess of the certain multiple; and,
`
`SIERRA VVIRELESS 1006 I074
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`SIERRA WIRELESS 1006 / 074
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`»=
`
`characterized by means for said computer to
`
`generate a report disclosing the needed inventory by the
`
`certain multiples.
`
`5
`
`Claim 83.
`
`The system of claim 82 characterized
`
`by update means for said computer to update the number
`
`representing the inventory at the remote vending machine
`
`by the certain multiples of needed inventory.
`
`Claim 84.
`
`The system of claim 83 characterized
`
`by the addition of indicate means to indicate that the new
`
`inventory has been added to vending machine and said
`
`update means operating automatically on said indicate
`means.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Cla