(12) United States Patent
`Petite
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006218953Bl
`US 6,218,953 Bl
`*Apr.17, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LIGHT LEVEL AROUND AN ATM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Thomas D. Petite, Douglasville, GA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: StatSignal Systems, Inc., Atlanta, GA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/412,895
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 5, 1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`( 63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/172,554, filed on
`Oct. 14, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,028,522.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... GOSB 21/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................... 340/641; 340/521; 340/539;
`340/232; 340/635; 340/642; 340/825.06;
`340/825.35
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 340/641, 642,
`340/573.1, 825.06, 825.35, 521, 539, 232,
`635; 705/43; 348/232, 382, 211
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,354,181
`5,057,814
`5,061,997
`5,091,713
`5,253,167
`
`10/1982 Spletzer ............................... 340/642
`10/1991 Onan et al. .......................... 340/458
`10/1991 Rea et al. ............................. 358/108
`2/1992 Horne et al. ......................... 340/541
`10/1993 Yoshida et al. ........................ 705/43
`
`5,471,201
`5,589,878
`5,682,139
`5,754,227
`5,774,052 *
`6,023,223 *
`6,028,522 *
`6,060,994 *
`
`11/1995
`12/1996
`10/1997
`5/1998
`6/1998
`2/2000
`2/2000
`5/2000
`
`Cerami et al. . ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 340/641
`Cortjens et al.
`..................... 348/211
`Pradeep et al. ...................... 340/539
`Fukuoka . ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .. 348/232
`Hamm et al. ........................ 340/540
`Baxter, Jr. ............................ 340/531
`Petite . .... ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .. 340/641
`Chen ............................... 340/825.06
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Benjamin C. Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent,
`or Firm-Thomas, Kayden,
`Horstemeyer & Risley
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention is generally directed to a system and
`method for monitoring the level of light surrounding an
`automatic teller machine (ATM). In accordance with one
`aspect of the invention, a system includes a plurality of light
`sensors disposed in varying locations around the ATM.
`Preferably, some sensors will be disposed near the ATM,
`while others will be dispersed at various distances surround(cid:173)
`ing the ATM, in order to effectively monitor the lighting
`around the ATM. A circuit is provided within the ATM in
`communication with the sensors. In addition, a radio fre(cid:173)
`quency (RF) transmitter is disposed within the ATM, and is
`configured to communicate the status of the sensors to a
`remotely located receiver. Finally, a receiver is interfaced to
`a telephone line forming part of a public switched telephone
`network (PSTN), wherein the receiver is configured to
`receive the status of the sensors communicated from the RF
`transmitter and to communicate the status information to a
`remote system via the PSTN. Various methods also are
`provided for monitoring lighting conditions surrounding an
`automatic teller machine, with some embodiments incorpo(cid:173)
`rating a customer access feature which provides a customer
`with access to ATM status information.
`
`19 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`MOBILE TELEPHONE
`SWITCHING OFFICE
`(MTSO)
`
`DOD
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`
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`
`126
`
`122
`
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`
`124
`
`INTERNET
`
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`
`118
`
`Technician
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 1 of 23
`
`

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`
`Sensors
`
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`
`130
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 2 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
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`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 3 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`[Xpr.17,2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 13
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`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`
`Page 4 of 23
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`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 4 of 23
`
`
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`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 5 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 13
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 6,218,953 Bl
`US 6,218,953 B1
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`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`
`Page 6 of 23
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 6 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 6,218,953 Bl
`
`Start
`
`190
`
`Monitor Light
`Sensors
`
`192
`
`/
`Communicate
`Sensor Status
`to ATM
`
`194
`
`Communicate
`Sensor Status
`from ATM to
`Central System
`
`196
`
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`
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`
`198
`
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`Service
`Personnel
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 7 of 23
`
`

`

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`Location Identification
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 8 of 23
`
`

`

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`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 9 of 23
`
`

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`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 10 of 23
`
`

`

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`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 11 of 23
`
`

`

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`
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`
`Sensors
`
`404
`
`118
`
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`
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`
`124
`
`128
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`126
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`130
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 12 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 6,218,953 Bl
`
`406
`
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`
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`
`410
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`FIG. 11
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 13 of 23
`
`

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`408
`
`(CUSTOMER)
`COMP. SYS.
`
`424
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 14 of 23
`
`

`

`US 6,218,953 Bl
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LIGHT LEVEL AROUND AN ATM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application
`based on and claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/172,554, filed on Oct. 14, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,028,522.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to lighting
`systems, and more particularly to a system for measuring the
`light level surrounding an automatic teller machine (ATM).
`2. Description of the Related Art
`As is known, in recent years ATM devices have gained
`wide-spread acceptance and usage, and have become quite
`prevalent in the banking industry. The use of ATMs
`enhances customer convenience by providing more banking
`locations, as well as twenty-four hour banking service.
`However, the use of ATMs has lead to other problems; most
`notably, theft. This is particularly true at nighttime usage.
`Many ATM transactions involve the withdrawal of cash
`from the ATM device by a customer. Typically, when a
`customer accesses an ATM device to withdraw cash, he/she
`exposes his wallet/purse in order to deposit money after the
`withdrawal. This unnecessarily exposes customers and
`leaves them extremely vulnerable to a would be thief.
`One measure taken to address this security issue has been
`the increase of lighting provided around ATM devices.
`Many banking institutions have undertaken this step proac(cid:173)
`tively in order to better secure the safety of their customers. 35
`In many other instances, certain minimum lighting standards
`have been regulated. In this regard, several states have
`already passed legislation that mandates certain minimum
`lighting level conditions surrounding ATM devices, and
`similar legislation is pending in other states. For example, 40
`and as of the writing of this application, House Bill 5298 of
`the Massachusetts House of Representatives proposes a
`comprehensive ATM physical security proposal, which
`specifies minimum lighting specifications at an ATM loca(cid:173)
`tion. Specifically, the lighting specification set forth in 45
`House Bill 5298 require a minimum luminous intensity of
`ten foot candles surrounding the ATM, and a minimum of
`two foot candles at a distance of fifty feet from the ATM.
`Similar legislation has already passed in many states and,
`again, remains pending in other states. In addition, the 50
`legislative Acts ( or proposed Acts) further often include a
`requirement regarding security cameras at the site of the
`ATM.
`In the past, banking institutions have either self-supplied,
`or contracted with, service personnel to ensure the proper
`operation of lighting systems surrounding ATMs. Such
`service systems typically involved a person that physically
`traveled from location to location to inspect the proper
`working conditions of lighting systems. With many state
`Legislative Acts now requiring proper operation of lighting
`systems, ( e.g., mandating penalties for failure to sustain
`adequate lighting) the need becomes ever greater that such
`lighting systems be maintained in proper working order at
`all times. One way to achieve this is to provide excess
`lighting surrounding an ATM device, so that if one or more 65
`lights burn out, adequate lighting is still maintained. This
`generally affords the service personnel enough time to detect
`
`2
`and repair any faulty lights before the overall lighting
`conditions fall below specifications. Another way of main(cid:173)
`taining adequate lighting is simply to have the service
`personnel patrol the ATM sites more frequently, so that only
`5 a minimum of time passes before the faulty lighting condi(cid:173)
`tions are discovered. Unfortunately, both of these
`approaches impose undue costs for implementation.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,052 to Hamm el al., discloses a
`monitoring and alerting system for buildings. More
`10 particularly, the '052 patent describes a system that includes
`one or more light level sensors directed to observe the light
`level at a selected location. A CPU or controller stores data
`representing an acceptable light level for a given time
`schedule. If the light level at the selected area does not reach
`15 or maintain the desired light levels, corrective action is
`taken. By way of specific example, the '052 patent teaches
`that if the commercial establishment is a bank and the light
`level is at an ATM, the corrective action taken by the system
`may temporarily shut down the ATM and illuminate a sign
`20 to indicate that the ATM is not open. This would alert
`customers that they should use other ATM devices, and
`therefore the threat of theft is reduced. The system of the
`'052 patent also includes a modem in communication with
`the CPU to allow the transmission of certain data to a remote
`25 location. Specifically, the '052 patent states that "if the
`condition sensed is a different type of discrepancy, failure of
`heating, water leak detection, or other emergency, the sys(cid:173)
`tem includes a modem and telephone communication link to
`a human monitoring station for instantaneous alerting and to
`30 allow corrective action." Such a system, however, requires
`a direct connection of a telephone line with the ATM device.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the
`invention 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 advan(cid:173)
`tages 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 and method for
`monitoring the level of light in an area (preferable the area
`surrounding an ATM). In accordance with one aspect of the
`invention, a system is provided for monitoring the level of
`light in an area having a plurality of light gauges disposed
`in varying locations around the area, wherein each light
`gauge includes a light sensor, a central processing unit, a
`memory, and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter disposed to
`intercommunicate among each other. A first light gauge, of
`the plurality of the light gauges, is configured as a master
`light gauge, and the remainder of the plurality of light
`55 gauges are configured as slave gauges. Each of the slave
`light gauges may intercommunicate with the master light
`gauge via the RF transmitters. The master light gauge,
`however, further includes a telecommunications interface
`disposed in communication with the microprocessor. The
`60 telecommunications interface, which may include a cellular
`transmitter or a PSTN interface, is configured to communi(cid:173)
`cate information relating to an output value of the photo(cid:173)
`cells of the plurality of light gauges to a central station.
`In addition, and in a preferred embodiment, each of the
`light gauges includes a unique identification code. Thus, in
`one configuration, the master unit may communicate the
`identification code of each slave unit to a central system for
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 15 of 23
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`

`

`US 6,218,953 Bl
`
`10
`
`4
`network (PSTN), wherein the second transceiver is config(cid:173)
`ured to receive a request via the PSTN initiated from a
`remotely located system to check the status of the light
`sensors and relay that request to the RF transceiver disposed
`5 within the ATM. The second transceiver is further config(cid:173)
`ured to receive the status of the sensors communicated from
`the RF transceiver, the second transceiver is further config(cid:173)
`ured to communicate the status information to a remote
`system via the PSTN.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided for monitoring lighting conditions sur(cid:173)
`rounding an automatic teller machine. The method includes
`the steps of disposing a plurality of light sensors around the
`ATM and communicating the status of the light sensors from
`15 the sensors to a computer within the ATM. The method
`further includes the step of communicating the status of the
`light sensors from the ATM to a remote system via a public
`switched telephone network. In accordance with the pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment, the last step further includes the step of
`20 communicating the status of the light sensors via an RF
`transmitter from the ATM machine to a remote receiver.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided for a customer to monitor the level of
`light in an area. The method includes the steps of providing
`a plurality of light gauges disposed in varying locations
`around the area, the plurality of light gauges being config(cid:173)
`ured to communicate information via a communications
`network, and; providing the customer with access to the
`information communicated from the plurality of light
`30 gauges. Preferably, the customer is provided with access to
`the information via an Internet web site.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided for a customer to monitor the level of
`light in an area. The method includes the steps of providing
`a plurality of light gauges disposed in varying locations
`around the area, the plurality of light gauges being config(cid:173)
`ured to communicate status information via a communica(cid:173)
`tions network; communicating a message having an encoded
`data segment corresponding to status information of the
`plurality of light gauges to a central system via the com(cid:173)
`munications network; storing the status information of the
`plurality of light gauges in a database, and; providing the
`customer with access to the status information stored in the
`database.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`computer readable medium having a computer program is
`provided for use by a customer to monitor the level of light
`in an area. The computer readable medium includes a first
`code segment which stores the status information of a
`plurality of light gauges and a second code segment which
`provides the customer with access to the status information.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent to one of reasonable skill in the art
`55 upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
`description. It is intended that all such additional objects,
`features, and advantages be included herein within the scope
`of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
`
`3
`monitoring. It may also associate with each identification
`code the status value of the on-board light sensor of each
`gauge. In an alternative configuration, the master unit may
`communicate to the central system a single "ok" command
`to indicate that all light gauges at that area are receiving light
`levels at or above a specified value. In such an embodiment,
`the master light gauge may be configured to communicate
`only the identification number and light sensor status of light
`gauges that fall below a specified level. This will minimize
`the communications across the telecommunications link.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`system includes a plurality of light sensors disposed in
`varying locations around the ATM. Preferably, some sensors
`will be disposed near the ATM, while others will be dis(cid:173)
`persed at various distances surrounding the ATM, in order to
`effectively monitor the lighting around the ATM. A circuit is
`provided within the ATM in communication with the sen(cid:173)
`sors. In addition, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter is
`disposed within the ATM, and is configured to communicate
`the status of the sensors to a remotely located receiver.
`Finally, a receiver is interfaced to a telephone line forming
`part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN),
`wherein the receiver is configured to receive the status of the
`sensors communicated from the RF transmitter and to com-
`municate the status information to a remote system via the 25
`PSTN.
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention, the light monitoring system may be configured to
`operate only during certain hours such as the hours that
`coincide with darkness. Alternatively, the system may be
`configured to operate twenty four hours a day. Thus, during
`certain extremely cloudy conditions, the lights surrounding
`the ATM device may be configured to illuminate. Failure of
`the lighting system to adequately illuminate the environment
`surrounding the ATM would result in the inventive system 35
`alerting a remote system to dispatch service personnel to
`repair or otherwise troubleshoot and repair the system. The
`preferred embodiment may further include a sensor for
`determining the proper operation of a security camera used
`to monitor the vicinity of the ATM. If the security camera is 40
`determined to malfunction, then this condition may also be
`reported to the remote system so that appropriate service
`personnel may be dispatched to remedy the problem.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`a similar system is provided for monitoring the level of light 45
`surrounding an automatic teller machine (ATM). Like the
`previous embodiment, this embodiment of the invention
`includes a plurality of light sensors disposed in varying
`locations around the ATM, and a circuit within the ATM in
`communication with the sensors. However, this embodiment 50
`of the invention includes a cellular transmitter disposed
`within ATM for communicating the status of the sensors to
`a remote cell site, the cellular transmitter being disposed in
`communication with the circuit. The cell site can then relay
`this information to the PSTN and on to a central system.
`In accordance with yet another embodiment of the
`invention, a similar system is provided for monitoring the
`level of light surrounding an automatic teller machine
`(ATM). Like the previous embodiment, this embodiment of
`the invention includes a plurality of light sensors disposed in 60
`varying locations around the ATM, and a circuit within the
`ATM in communication with the sensors. However, this
`embodiment of the invention includes a radio frequency
`(RF) transceiver disposed within the ATM configured to
`communicate the status of the sensors to a second, remotely 65
`located transceiver. A second transceiver is interfaced to a
`telephone line forming part of a public switched telephone
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`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:
`FIG. 1 is a system-level block diagram illustrating dif(cid:173)
`fering embodiments and configurations of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion surrounding ATMs;
`
`Petitioner Emerson's Exhibit 1024
`Page 16 of 23
`
`

`

`US 6,218,953 Bl
`
`5
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the 5
`present invention;
`FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a data
`packet that is communicated between an RF transmitter and
`a receiver in the embodiment of FIG. 4A;
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a top-level functional
`operation of an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
`a system constructed in accordance with the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
`a system constructed in accordance with the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
`a system constructed in accordance with the present inven- 20
`tion; and
`FIG. 9 is a system level diagram like that of FIG. 1,
`illustrating a system constructed from the embodiments
`illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.
`FIG. 10 is a system-level block diagram of an alternative
`embodiment of a system constructed in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a representative
`computer system utilized in a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a partial, system-level block diagram of an
`alternative embodiment of a system constructed in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the present invention.
`
`6
`and a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) 106. The
`subscriber stations 102 are typically standard portable or
`mobile telephones, each consisting of a standard transceiver,
`a handset, and antenna. Cellular base stations, or cell sites,
`104 are typically dispersed geographically in a reasonably
`uniform fashion to get the maximum geographic coverage.
`The geographic region covered by a single cell site 104 is a
`called a cell. As is known and understood in the art, cell sites
`104 will typically be distributed so that a contiguous geo-
`10 graphic region is covered and serviced completely by the
`cellular system. In this regard, each cell will be disposed
`adjacent a number of other cells, or more specifically, will be
`surrounded by a number of adjacent cells.
`The base stations 104 are responsible for setting up and
`15 maintaining calls placed to and from subscriber stations 102
`in their respective cells. The cell sites 104 "hand-off'' to
`neighboring cell sites as a subscriber moves from cell to cell.
`They also communicate call progress with the MTSO 106.
`The MTSO 106 is a telephone switching system with
`network connections to cellular base stations 104 and trunk
`lines 112 to and from the public switched telephone network
`(PSTN) 116. The PSTN 116, in turn, connects to standard
`telephones, such as those existing in residential areas or
`homes. A principal function of the MTSO 106 is to maintain
`25 a database of subscribers and subscriber features, track the
`progress of calls made to or from subscribers, and record call
`details for billing purposes. Such cellular billing typically
`varies from subscriber to subscriber, depending on a number
`of factors, including a particular package that a subscriber
`30 has purchased from the cellular provider.
`The MTSO 106 is typically configured to execute at least
`three principal functions. The first is a switched network
`management function, which manages the interconnection
`35 of subscriber stations 102 and the PSTN 116. The second
`principal function includes a system control program which
`provides various functions to maintain a database of sub(cid:173)
`scriber stations. A third principal function of the MTSO 106
`is an automated message accounting program, which deliv-
`40 ers call records having data for billing purposes.
`Having described certain fundamental components in a
`telecommunications system, reference will now be made to
`the present invention. As previously mentioned, the present
`invention relates to a light monitoring system surrounding
`45 an ATM. Three different configurations are illustrated in
`FIG. 1 for communicating light sensor data from an ATM
`device to a central system 118. Each of these embodiments
`will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIGS. 2,
`3, and 4A.
`In a first embodiment, a plurality of sensors 130 are
`disposed in communication with an ATM 120. The sensors
`include light level sensors, and may include additional
`sensors such as sensors for detecting the proper operation of
`a security camera disposed in connection with the ATM 120.
`In this first embodiment, a cellular transmitter 102 is also
`disposed in connection with the ATM 120. The sensor status
`information is provided to the cellular transmitter, which
`establishes a communication link via cell site 104, MTSO
`106, and PSTN 116 to a central system 118. The central
`system 118 may include dispatch personnel, which could
`respond to a condition of low lighting detected by the
`sensors 130 at the ATM 120 to repair or correct any defective
`condition sensed. In this regard, the sensors 130 may be
`configured to, in essence, report a binary state. That is, they
`65 may report a first state if the lighting conditions exceed a
`predetermined minimum threshold, or report a second state
`if the lighting conditions fail to meet that minimum thresh-
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Having summarized the invention above, reference is now
`made in detail to the description of the invention as illus(cid:173)
`trated in the drawings. While the invention will be described
`in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit
`it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On
`the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifi(cid:173)
`cations and equivalents included within the spirit and scope
`of the inv