EP0999529A2 - Dispositif pour le contrôle à distance des machines de vente et des appareils similaires - Google Patents

Dispositif pour le contrôle à distance des machines de vente et des appareils similaires Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0999529A2
EP0999529A2 EP99119930A EP99119930A EP0999529A2 EP 0999529 A2 EP0999529 A2 EP 0999529A2 EP 99119930 A EP99119930 A EP 99119930A EP 99119930 A EP99119930 A EP 99119930A EP 0999529 A2 EP0999529 A2 EP 0999529A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vending machine
communication means
cellular telephone
telephone communication
vending
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99119930A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0999529A3 (fr
Inventor
Paolo Bernasconi
Abele Barbieri
Mauro Righetto
Alessandro Ratti
Pinuccio Fusetti
Mauro Ventura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vesiel Srl
Original Assignee
Vesiel Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vesiel Srl filed Critical Vesiel Srl
Publication of EP0999529A2 publication Critical patent/EP0999529A2/fr
Publication of EP0999529A3 publication Critical patent/EP0999529A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/18—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/001—Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • G07F9/026—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like.
  • vending machines are increasingly widespread for vending various products and operate without supervision, i.e., the person who runs the vending machine is often not directly correlated to the site where the vending machine is installed.
  • a first way entails periodic visits to the installation of the vending machine to check that it is operating correctly and/or to perform preventive ordinary maintenance and extraordinary maintenance only in case of malfunction.
  • the first option in fact requires scheduled periodic visits, some of which are very probably unnecessary because the vending machine might be found to be operating perfectly.
  • the second intervention option instead has the drawback that in case of malfunction the vending machine remains out of operation until a user makes an intervention request call, which does not necessarily coincide with the beginning of the malfunction of the vending machine.
  • the cause of the malfunction might not be easily identifiable by the user who makes the intervention request and therefore it becomes difficult to prepare the materials and spare parts in order to perform targeted intervention. Moreover, this entails lower efficiency in using said spare parts and the need to perform interventions by taking to the site spares suitable to cover all possible faults of the vending machine.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which allows to monitor the operation of the vending machine substantially in real time and automatically.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which allows the vending machine operator to perform rapid and efficient intervention in case of vending machine malfunction.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which allows to reduce maintenance interventions to the minimum required to keep the vending machine efficiently in operation, accordingly avoiding downtimes in its use.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which makes available sales data related to the vending machine, in order to perform statistical analyses, and data related to the consumption of the products offered by the vending machine, in order to restock the vending machine as soon as the machine requires it.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which allows the operator of the vending machine to receive precise information regarding the cause of any malfunction of said vending machine.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like which is highly reliable, relatively easy to manufacture and at competitive costs.
  • a device for remotely monitoring vending machines and the like characterized in that it comprises cellular telephone communication means which are associated with a vending machine in order to automatically transmit a call to notify of malfunctions and/or statistical and sales data of said vending machine.
  • the remote monitoring device comprises cellular telephone communication means 1 which are conveniently constituted for example by a GSM or TACS set or other device suitable for use in a mobile telephone network.
  • the telephone communication means 1 are connected, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, to a controller card 2 of a vending machine, which is provided with a serial output for the connection of said communication means 1.
  • the cellular telephone communication means 1 are instead connected to a payment device 3 provided in the vending machine.
  • the payment device 3 is provided with a serial output by means of which the connection to said cellular telephone communication means 1 is provided.
  • the firmware of the controller card 2 and of the payment device 3 is conveniently modified in order to manage the cellular telephone communication means 1.
  • the cellular telephone communication means 1 are connected to interface means 4 which are connected both to the controller card 2 of the vending machine and to the payment device 3, in order to analyze communication between the controller card 2 and the payment device 3.
  • the interface means 4 manage the cellular telephone communication means 1.
  • the cellular telephone communication means 1 automatically and simultaneously send a message.
  • GSM telephony for example, so-called short messages are used.
  • This message is simultaneous with the malfunction of the vending machine, minimizing the downtime of said vending machine and damage in terms of image.
  • the message can contain very precise information on the cause of the malfunction, accordingly allowing timely and very accurate maintenance and/or repair intervention.
  • the message is addressed to the operator of the vending machine, who then performs the intervention.
  • the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to perform substantially real-time monitoring of a vending machine in order to provide its prompt maintenance, accordingly avoiding the need to resort to scheduled maintenance or to wait for a user to report a malfunction of the vending machine.
  • the materials employed may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
EP99119930A 1998-11-04 1999-10-11 Dispositif pour le contrôle à distance des machines de vente et des appareils similaires Withdrawn EP0999529A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1998MI002376A IT1303704B1 (it) 1998-11-04 1998-11-04 Dispositivo di monitoraggio a distanza di distributori automatici esimili.
ITMI982376 1998-11-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0999529A2 true EP0999529A2 (fr) 2000-05-10
EP0999529A3 EP0999529A3 (fr) 2000-12-06

Family

ID=11381002

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99119930A Withdrawn EP0999529A3 (fr) 1998-11-04 1999-10-11 Dispositif pour le contrôle à distance des machines de vente et des appareils similaires

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0999529A3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1303704B1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002029752A2 (fr) * 2000-10-05 2002-04-11 Isochron Data Corporation Systeme de teleacquisition, transmission et analyse de donnees dote d'un equipement sans fil portatif
WO2009128086A1 (fr) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-22 Velumani Aravind Machine de broyage et de vente de jus de canne à sucre
US7778600B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2010-08-17 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method to provide multiple wireless communication paths to and from remotely located equipment
US7997484B2 (en) 2006-09-13 2011-08-16 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Rich content management and display for use in remote field assets
US8005425B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2011-08-23 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for interfacing a machine controller and a wireless network
US8484068B2 (en) 2005-12-14 2013-07-09 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for evaluating consumer demand for multiple products and services at remotely located equipment
US8533315B2 (en) 2007-10-25 2013-09-10 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for monitoring performance of field assets
US8631093B2 (en) 1998-03-19 2014-01-14 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Remote data acquisition, transmission and analysis system including handheld wireless equipment
US8959028B2 (en) 2007-07-02 2015-02-17 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for monitoring and control of remotely located equipment

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH662665A5 (de) * 1983-09-14 1987-10-15 Automaten Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur ueberwachung mehrerer warenverkaufsautomaten.
JPH02300996A (ja) * 1989-05-16 1990-12-13 Toshiba Tesuko Kk 自動販売機オンラインシステム
IT1270801B (it) * 1993-08-02 1997-05-07 Paola Frau Rete di distribuzione di prodotti e informazioni
EP0693813A1 (fr) * 1994-07-22 1996-01-24 Chen-Chi Yang Système de vente de batteries
JPH08227478A (ja) * 1995-02-20 1996-09-03 文忠 ▲ひろ▼瀬 無線電話装置付の自動販売機
US5544784A (en) * 1995-05-26 1996-08-13 Motorola, Inc. Rechargeable battery vending machine
US5708223A (en) * 1996-01-25 1998-01-13 Leer Manufacturing Limited Partnership Remote sensing ice merchandiser
FR2744545B1 (fr) * 1996-02-02 1998-04-24 Peudepiece Gerard Distributeur automatique refrigere de boites stockees et delivrees verticalement par une ouverture unique, comportant une reserve d'energie electrique et une telegestion

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8631093B2 (en) 1998-03-19 2014-01-14 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Remote data acquisition, transmission and analysis system including handheld wireless equipment
WO2002029752A2 (fr) * 2000-10-05 2002-04-11 Isochron Data Corporation Systeme de teleacquisition, transmission et analyse de donnees dote d'un equipement sans fil portatif
WO2002029752A3 (fr) * 2000-10-05 2003-09-25 Isochron Data Corp Systeme de teleacquisition, transmission et analyse de donnees dote d'un equipement sans fil portatif
US7778600B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2010-08-17 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method to provide multiple wireless communication paths to and from remotely located equipment
US8005425B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2011-08-23 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for interfacing a machine controller and a wireless network
US8484068B2 (en) 2005-12-14 2013-07-09 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for evaluating consumer demand for multiple products and services at remotely located equipment
US7997484B2 (en) 2006-09-13 2011-08-16 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Rich content management and display for use in remote field assets
US8959028B2 (en) 2007-07-02 2015-02-17 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for monitoring and control of remotely located equipment
US8533315B2 (en) 2007-10-25 2013-09-10 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for monitoring performance of field assets
WO2009128086A1 (fr) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-22 Velumani Aravind Machine de broyage et de vente de jus de canne à sucre

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMI982376A1 (it) 2000-05-04
EP0999529A3 (fr) 2000-12-06
IT1303704B1 (it) 2001-02-23

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