VENDING MACHINE CONTROLLER AND SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a controller for a vending machine, and a vending machine including such a controller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Processor-based prior art vending machine controllers (VMCs) typically have been implemented using a low cost, embedded controller, e.g., the Intel brand model 8051. Such a controller separately performs many vending machine control operations, including monitoring, storing, and periodically reporting data pertinent to the operation of the vending machine, e.g., sales and inventory information.
The Cedrone patent (US. Pat. No. 4,776,548) discloses a system for monitoring a vending machine and periodically transmitting information relating to machine conditions, sales and product inventory to a central computer.
The Girouard patent (US. Pat. No. 4,982,346) discloses an automated system for point-of-sale-type advertising and promotional campaigns, having a computer Which can display advertisements on a monitor, manage promotional sweepstakes, display product or store locator maps, dispense coupons, accept orders, manage customer surveys, and communicate With a remote host computer.
The Gorog patent (US. Pat. No. 4,947,028) discloses a vending machine that can accept
voice commands via a voice recognition system (and communicate With the customer via a voice synthesiZer) to accommodate those persons Who are unable to perform manual data entry tasks. In addition, the Gorog patent discloses a vending machine that can remotely verify a customer’s credit Worthiness prior to permitting a sale on credit to the customer.
The Home patent (US. Pat. No. 5,091,713) discloses a vending machine that incorporates a modem 11, a credit card reader 40, a display panel 50, a printer 70 and a speaker 80. The display panel and/or the speaker can be used to present messages and advertising, and the printer can be used to prepare coupons, promotional information, rebate slips and the like.
The Wilder patent (US. Pat. No. 5,408,417) discloses a vending machine incorporating a touch screen display panel 11, aural prompts in a plurality of languages, and the ability to accommodate a plurality of payment methods.
The Ostendorf patent (US. Pat. No. 5,442,568) discloses an audit/monitoring system for use with a plurality of automated vending machines.
The BroWn patent (US. Pat. 5,445,295) discloses an automated vending machine that is remotely controlled by a host computer, that can permit a customer to sample the audio/video merchandise, but Which has only a single external serial port for external communication.
The Rademacher patent (US. Pat. No. 5,450,938) discloses a group of vending machines that interface With a common controller incorporating a money-handling/accrediting device. The money-handling/accrediting device has a reader for encoded cards as Well as a coin acceptor, and issues a bonus, or premium, to patrons using encoded cards.
The Cragun patent (US. Pat. No. 5,504,675) discloses a neural-network-based vending kiosk that adaptively selects presentation-programs based upon feedback from customers. The feedback represents the relative success of the currently running presentation-programs and is used to select subsequent presentation-programs that are most likely to please the customers present at the kiosk at that moment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new vending machine, or to revitalize a prior art vending machine by retrofitting, with such a controller that satisfies the needs of the prior art as discussed above.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that provides substantially equivalent performance to a controller employing a custom processor having two or more serial ports formed on the same silicon chip as the processor without incurring the cost of such a custom IC.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that provides substantially equivalent performance to a controller employing two or more UART devices connected to the data bus of the processor without incurring the additional costs associated with the two or more UART devices.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that can provide a multimedia presentation to a customer as one of its multi-tasked functions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that can
communicate sales/inventory to an external host, e.g., a remote host via modem, as one of its multi-tasked vending machine functions. Communication of such sales/inventory data promotes accurate and timely restocking of vending machine inventory, thereby increasing consumer satisfaction by reducing or eliminating sold-out products.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that can support remote price changing, i.e., a controller that can have its vended product prices changed by a remote host, preferably as one of its multi-tasked vending machine functions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that can support remote changes to a promotional campaign, i.e., a controller that can have a promotional campaign, e.g., “buy two, get one free” changed to “buy one, get one free,” changed by a remote host, preferably as one of its multi-tasked vending machine functions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine controller that supports remote reprogramming, i.e., Whole or partial reprogramming of the basic operating system of the processor by Way of a remote host replacing all or some of the contents of a flash EEPROM.
These and other objects of the invention are fulfilled by providing a vending machine controller comprising: a programmable processor controlling operation of the vending machine; A first serial port connected to the programmable processor; an arbitrator operable in a hunt mode to monitor an input from each of at least a first and second serially communicating device, respectively, to determine that a communication session is being initiated by one of the serially-communicating devices if activity is present upon an input, and to connect the first serial port of the programmable processor to the
serially-communicating device that first initiates a communication session; and a second serial port configured as one of a multi-drop bus interface and a Vendor Control COCA-COLA System bus interface for connecting the programmable processor to a multi-drop bus or a VCCS bus, respectively.
These and other objects of the invention are also fulfilled by providing a vending machine system comprising: at least a first serially-communicating device and a second serially communicating device; a programmable processor control ling operation of the vending machine; a first serial port connected to the programmable processor; an arbitrator operable in a hunt mode to monitor an input from each of at least a first and second serially-communicating device, respectively, to determine that a communication session is being initiated by one of the serially-communicating devices if activity is present upon an input, and to connect the first serial port of the programmable processor to the serially communicating device that first initiates a communication session; and a second serial port configured as one of a multi-drop bus interface and a VCCS bus interface for connecting the programmable processor to a multi-drop bus or a VCCS bus, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention Will become more fully understood from the detailed description given here in below and the accompanying drawings Which are given by Way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and Wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of an embodiment of the vending machine controller of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a depiction of a vending machine embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram depiction of the port arbitrator of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of an embodiment of the vending machine controller of the present invention.
Item 200 of FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the vending machine controller of the present application. The vending machine controller 200 includes: a programmable processor 201 having a serial port (not shown), an address bus 202 and a data bus 204 connected to the programmable processor 201. A peripheral bus redrive device 205 is connected to the address bus 202 and the data bus 204. Also connected to the address bus 202 and the data bus 204 are: dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuitry 206; static random access memory (SRAM) circuits 208; a flash electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 210; a display interface 212; a system control circuit 214; a general purpose input/output (I/O) interface 216; a multi-drop bus (MDB) interface 222; a clock 224; and an ISA redrive circuit 228. The MDB 222 conforms to the “International Multi Drop Bus Interface Standard”, established by the National Automatic Merchandizing Association (NAMA), of Chicago, Ill.
An ISA controller 230 is connected to the data bus 204 and is also directly connected to the program processor 201 over the lines 232 conveying control signals. A disk device 242, e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CDROM) or a hard disk drive, a video card 244 for driving a video monitor meeting the video graphics adapter (VGA) standard, and a sound reproduction card 246 are connected to the ISA redrive circuit 228. Alternatively, and preferably, the sound reproduction card 246 is replaced by an MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) hardware decoder that not only decodes and makes available video information, both still and moving, stored on the disk device 242, but also sound information.
The general purpose I/O circuit 216 is connected over plural lines to vending machine
control circuitry 218 and to vending machine control system circuitry 220. The vending machine control circuitry 218, e.g., includes vend mechanisms by which a selected product is released from the inventory columns. The vending machine control system circuitry 220 controls, e.g., panel push-buttons on the front of the vending machine and/or status indicators such as “sold out” or “correct change” illuminated signs.
FIG. 1 also depicts a port arbitrator 234 connected to the serial port (not shown) of the programmable processor 201 by a signal path 203. Each of three serially-communicating devices 236, 238 and 240 is connected to the port arbitrator over plural lines, respectively. Examples of such serial devices include: a modem for communicating With a host computer over, e.g., a phone line, a cellular network (using a cellular network data specification such as CDPD or Cellemetry); a network communication card for communicating on commercial data networks such as RAM, ARDIS, etc.; another vending machine controller board; and a portable data collection device such as a handheld computer connected by a cable or by an infrared light link and Which uses the Direct Exchange/Uniform Communications Standard (DEX/UCS) protocol established by the Uniform Code Council of Dayton, Ohio, or DDCMP (Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Data Communications Message Protocol, Document No. AA-599A-TC, DEC Software Distribution Center, Maynard, Mass.), respectively. Several companies manufacture such portable data collection devices, including: NORAND Corporation of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, e.g., model no. 4400 in the Series 4000 family; Audit Systems Company of Timonium, Md., e.g., model Pocket probe; Trigon International Corporation, e.g., model no. TR-G; Telxon Company; Psion Company; Skyware Company; and Harvest Company. Data transferred should be in a format compatible With the Vending Industry Data Transfer Standard established by NAMA.
FIG. 2 depicts a frontal view of a vending machine incorporating the controller of the
present application. The vending machine 100 of FIG. 2 includes: a video monitor 102 of a quality level at least equal to the video graphics adaptor (VGA) standard, although it could alternatively be a relatively low resolution LCD panel; a touch screen device 104 overlying the video monitor 102; a loud speaker system 106; an alpha-numeric display device 108, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or a light emitting diode (LED) display panel; a bill validation device 110; a combined coin validation and change dispensing device 112 including coin tubes (not shown) and an escrow outlet 114; a vended product selection, man/vending-machine interaction panel 116 including user-actuatable switches 122 having a product availability indicator 124, e. g., a light emitting diode (LED); a keypad 118; a vended product output 120; a modem 126; and the controller 200.
It is noted that the operative interconnections between the devices in the vending machine 100 have not been depicted for the purpose of simplifying FIG. 2. The list of devices included in the vending machine 100 is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, the vending machine 100 can include other well known vending machine devices.
FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram depiction of the port arbitrator 234 and its connections to the serial devices 236, 238 and 240, and the programmable processor 200. The port arbitrator 234 is preferably implemented in the form of a programmable logic array Which provides the logical equivalent to the structures depicted in FIG. 3. The arbitrator 234 includes three activity recognizers 302, 304 and 306. The number of activity recognizers depends upon the number of serial devices that are to be selectively connected to the serial port (not shown) formed on the same silicon chip as the programmable processor 201. The arbitrator 234 also includes a connection control register 300, a three:one multiplexer (MUX) 308, and a 1:3 demultiplexer (DEMUX) 309.
The serial device 236 transmits data over the line 310 to the activity recognizer 302 and the MUX 308. Similarly, the serial device 238 transmits over the line 312 to the activity recognizer 304 and to the MUX 308, and the serial device 240 transmits over the line 314 to the activity recognizer 306 and to the MUX 308. The MUX 308 connects one of the data lines 310, 312, and 314 to the receive or data line 332 going to the serial port (not shown) programmable processor <201.
The programmable processor 201 transmits over the transmit or data line 334 by Way of the serial port (not shown). The DEMUX 309 connects the data line 334 to the serial device 236 via the data line 316, to the serial device 238 via the data line 318, and to the serial device 240 via the data line 320.
Each of the activity recognizers 302, 304, and 306 Writes a numerical value into the register 300 over the two-byte lines 322, 324 and 326, respectively. The programmable processor 201 can Write a numerical to the register 300, and read the value therein over the two-byte line 330. The register 300 conveys the numerical value stored therein to the MUX 308 and the DEMUX 309 over the two-byte line 328.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the programmable processor 201 is preferably a Power PC type processor, model 403GA, available from the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation. This is a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor having a single serial port formed on the same silicon chip as the processor per se. The flash EEPROM is preferably 512K bytes in size. The SRAM 208 is preferably 128K bytes in size. The general purpose I/O 216 preferably has 16 general purpose latched outputs and 16 general purpose sample inputs. These 16 outputs and the
16 inputs are connected to a card With the high voltage buffers for the vending machine, e.g., the front panel of the vending machine including the man-vending-machine inter action panel 116, the key pad 118, the alpha-numeric display 108, the bill validator 110 and the combined coin validation and change device 112.
The DRAM circuitry 206 is optional and can be up to 32 megabytes in size, as needed. The ISA redrive circuit 228 can enable up to about 10 ISA-type circuit cards to be connected to the address bus 202 and the data bus 204. The exact number of ISA-type cards depends upon the total power consumption of the boards involved. The ISA controller circuit 230 generates all of the control and timing circuits necessary to interface the ISA bus of the ISA redrive circuit 228 to the address bus 202 and the data bus 204.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the port arbitrator 234 operates as follows. The numerical value in the register 300 controls Which of lines 310, 312 and 314 are selected by the MUX 308 and also controls Which of lines 316, 318 and 320 are selected by the DEMUX 309. Thus, the programmable processor 201 can set the value in the numerical register so that it can send data via the DEMUX 309 to any one of the serial devices 236, 238 and 240. Preferably, the programmable processor 201 writes to the connection control register 300 using two of the lines in the data bus 204, shown as a connection 235 in FIG. 3. Alternatively, two of the lines of the address bus 202 could be used, or dedicated lines can be provided.
When the programmable processor 201 sets the value in the numerical register, this is known as operating in the fixed mode. For example, if the programmable processor 201 stores the binary value 01 into the connection control register 300, then the DEMUX 309 Will connect the line 334 to the line 316. Similarly, setting a binary value 10 in the register 300 causes the line 334 to be connected to the line 318, and setting a binary value of 11 in the
register causes the line 334 to be connected to the line 320.
If, however, the programmable processor 201 stores the binary value 00 in the register 300, then none of the lines 310, 312 and 314 are connected to the line 332 respectively, and none of the lines 316, 318 and 320 are connected to the line 334 respectively. This is known as operating in the hunt mode.
Each of the activity recognizers 302, 304 and 306 senses activity on the line, i.e., whether communication is being initiated by the serial devices 236, 238, and 240, respectively. Activity, e.g., is the high-to-low transition indicating a start byte according to the RS-232 standard.
Again, the structures comprising the port arbitrator 234 are preferably implemented using a programmable logic array. The equations given below represent the operation of the arbitrator 234 as embodied in the programmable logic array. The equations are written in a language ABEL, a commercially available programmable language. For example, the Lattice Semiconductor Corporation of Oregon sells an ABEL language compiler.
In the language, ABEL, the symbol! represents a logical complement or inversion operation, the symbol & represents a logical AND operation, the symbol # represents a logical .OR. operation, and the symbol == represents a logical test for equality. For example, X==1 Would mean “Is X equal to 1?,” and Would return a value of Zero for no/false or one for yes/true.
The operation of the activity recognizers 302, 304, and 306 is represented by the logical equations 1—2.
EQUATION No. 1
IO1D= RESET & (
(101 & !(! ARB_CS & !IO_RW))
#
((! P2_RD # !P3_RD) & (10= =0))
#
(! ARB_CS & !IO—RW & D10)
)
The variable IO1.D represents the binary input to the first bit of the two-bit connection control register 300 that Will be stored in the connection control register 300 as soon as it receives the next system clock signal (not shown). The variable RESET represents the signal on the reset pin of the programmable logic array implementing the arbitrator 234, normally is in a high logical state, and drops to a low logical state to reset. The variable IO1 represents the current binary value of the first bit of the two-bit connection control register 300. The variable ARB_CS represents the arbitrator chip select signal (not shown) going to the arbitrator 234, and assumes a logical Zero value when the arbitrator 234 has been selected. The variable IO_RW represents the read/Write signal (not shown) going to the arbitrator 234 from the programmable processor 201, and assumes a logical Zero value during Write
operations.
The variables PZ_RD and P3iRD represent the data being received from the second and third serially communicating devices 238 and 240 over the lines 312 and 314, respectively, i.e., two of the inputs to the MUX 308. The variable IO represents the decimal equivalent of the binary number currently stored in the connection control register 300. The variable D10 represents the data on the D10 line of the data bus.
EQUATION No. 2
IO2D= RESET & (
(102 & !(! ARB_CS & !IO—RW))
#
((! P1_RD # !P3_RD) & (10= =0))
#
(! ARB_CS & !IO—RW & Dll)
)
The variable I02.D represents the binary input to the second bit of the two-bit connection control register 300 that will be stored in it as the second bit as soon as it receives
the next system clock signal (not shown). The variable 102 represents the current binary value of the second bit of the two-bit connection control register 300. The variable Dll represents the data on the Dll line of the data bus.
In Equations 1-2, the bits in the connection control register can take a high logical state when the reset is not low. If the value in the connection control register 300 neither corresponds to a read or write state, then maintain this state, i.e., 10=0. If in the hunt mode, i.e., I0==0, then change the value in the connection control register upon receipt of data from one of the serially communicating devices. If the CPU is writing, i.e., IO==l or IO==2 or IO==3, then save the value of D10 and Dll as the two bits in the connection control register 300,respectively.
As alluded to above, the variables D10 and Dll could be replaced by the variables A10 and All, which represent the signal on the A10 and All lines of the address bus. Alternatively, another other data lines or address lines could be used, or a combination of a data line and an address line.
The connection control register 300 is enabled to output data onto the data bus 204 according to Equations 3-4, respectively.
IO1.OE=!ARB_CS & IO_RW EQUATION No. 3
IO2.OE=!ARB_CS & IO_RW EQUATION No. 4
The variables IO1.0E and IO2.0E represent output enable signals (not shown) that get applied to the connection control register by the programmable processor 201 to enable
output of the connection control register 300 to the data bus 204.
The operation of the MUX 308 is represented by the combinatorial logical equation 5.
EQUATION No. 5
RD—OUT =(
(PI—RD & (10==1))
#
(P2_RD & (10= =2))
#
(P3_RD & (10= =3))
)
The variable RD_OUT represents the data on the line 332 from the MUX 308. If a serially communicating device is identified by the two-bit number in the connection control register 300, then the line from that serially communicating device is connected by the MUX 308 to the line 332.
The operation of the DEMUX 309 is represented by the combinatorial logical equations
6—8.
PI_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==l)) # (IO!=l) EQUATION No. 6
P2_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==2)) # (IO!=2) EQUATION No. 7
P3_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==3)) # (IO!=3) EQUATION No. 8
In Equations 6-8, the variables PI—TD, P2—TD, and P2—TD represent the data on the lines 316, 318, and 320 from the DEMUX 309 to the serially communicating devices 236,238,and 240,respectively. For example, if 10=3, then the programmable processor 201 is conducting a 50 communication session with the third serially communicating device 240; consequently, (IO!==l)=l, which makes PI—TD=1, where 1 is the idle state under the RS-232 communication standard.
Upon sensing activity on a data line from the serial 55 device, an activity recognizer sets a numerical value in the register 300 corresponding to its identity. For example, the activity recognizer 302 would set a binary value of 01 in the register 300,which would cause the MUX 308 to connect the line 310 to the line 332. The programmable processor 60 201 prevents the value in the register 300 from being changed until the communication session with the serial device 236 has terminated. When the communication session is over, the programmable processor 201 causes the MUX 308 and the DEMUX 309 to deselect the lines 310, 65 312, 314, 316, 318, and 320, respectively by writing the binary value, e.g., 00,to the connection control register 300.
If, for example, the serial device 236 begins to send data and no other communication
session is currently in process, then the activity recognizer 302 Will Write its identity number into the register 300 thereby causing the MUX 308 to connect the line 310 to the line 332, i.e., changing to fixed mode from hunt mode. Subsequently during that communication session, if the serial device 238 attempts to initiate a communication session by sending data, the MUX 308 Will not permit the data on the line 312 to be connected to the line 332 because the binary value 01 is stored in the connection control register 300. The serial device 238 Would have to retry until the programmable processor 201 has reentered the hunt mode by Writing the value 00 to the connection control register 300 thereby causing the MUX 208 to deselect the lines 310, 312, and 314.
Similarly, if the programmable processor 201 is operating in the ?xed mode (discussed above) by Which it selects a serial device for a communication session, then none of the activity recognizers 302, 304 and 306 can Write its identity number into the register 300 until the communication session initiated by the programmable processor 201 has been terminated by the programmable processor 201 and the lines 316, 318, 320 (as Well as the lines 310, 312, and 314) have been deselected by reentering the hunt mode.
The programmable processor 201 can support a multimedia presentation at the same time that it conducts, e.g., a vending operation With a customer and/or telecommunication to a host. If the vending machine is optionally configured to provide multimedia presentations, then at least the disk device (CD ROM or hard disk) 242, the at least a VGA-quality display card 244, the DRAM circuitry 206, and the sound reproduction 246 Will be connected to the ISA redrive circuit 228.
The programmable processor uses a preemptive time sharing operating system to achieve multitasking. An example of such an operating system for the Power PC 403GA
processor is OS-Open, available from IBM. This combination of processor and operating system makes it possible for the vending machine controller of the present invention to conduct a vending operation at the same time as a telecommunication operation With a host and/or a multimedia presentation Without the customer and the host being aware that the processing resources of the controller are being shared.
All programmed aspects of the programmable processor 201 can be reprogrammed remotely. For example, the prices charged for vended products, the scheduling of marketing messages (e. g., concerning special promotional events) to be displayed by the vending machine, and/or the operating system of the programmable processor can be reprogrammed either by a remote host connected by modem to the serial port of the processor through the port arbitrator 234 or by a local hand-held computer Wielded by a service person connected by a cable or an infrared light link to the programmable processor 201 via the port arbitrator 234.
As an example of such reprogramming, a change in operating systems will be discussed. The remote hosts connect to the programmable processor 201 via the port arbitrator 234. The remote host causes the processor 201 to read the operating system out of the flash EEPROM 210 into the DRAM 206. The remote host then transmits the new operating system to the programmable processor 201 which stores it in the DRAM 206, as Well. The programmable processor 201 and the remote host then verify that the new operating system has been received without being corrupted. Then, the programmable processor, still running under the control of the old operating system in the DRAM 206, writes the new operating system into the flash EEPROM 210. Subsequently, the programmable processor 201 is either rebooted or execution of the operating system is switched over to the new operating system in the flash EEPROM 210 at a particular location in the program stored
therein.
To rephrase, the vending machine controller (VMC) can update software, i.e., machine level operational software as opposed to user programmable data, remotely and/or locally. In addition, user programmable data such as product prices can be changed remotely, and/or locally.
The VMC is the master of at least two bus systems, and optionally a third bus system. The first bus system is the data bus 204 and address bus 202 to Which the programmable processor 201 is directly connected. The second bus is the multidrop bus (MDB) that is the standard bus of vending machines in the United States and much of the rest of the World. In the alternative, the MBD can be replaced With the Vendor Control Coca-Cola System (VCCS) standard bus used in Japan. The VCCS and MDB buses are functionally similar in that they provide for communication with, and control of, vending machine peripherals, e.g., coin mechanisms, credit card readers, and bill validators. The third, and optional, bus is the ISA bus represented by the ISA redrives circuit 228.
As master of the buses, the VMC polls each peripheral, transmits commands to peripherals, and receives information from each peripheral that is necessary to control the vending process. In addition, the VMC monitors and controls other non-peripherals inputs, via the GP I/O 216 such as the vending mechanisms, selection switches, door switches, service mode switches, alpha numeric display (via the display interface 212) and the port arbitrator 234. The VMC is responsible for credit accumulation, a minimum payout algorithm, data collection and telecommunication, consumer display control, vend device control, and input device monitoring functions required to process a vend operation.
The VMC is responsible for managing consumption of the power supply budget by the buses and the peripherals. It must disable peripherals, as appropriate, during high power consumption operations by the VMC and other peripherals.
The VMC stores at least one vend price for each product available for sale including special promotional pricing on predetermined products, product-storage-column to selection-switch assignments (space-to-sales) and machine configuration switch status. The VMC prevents multiple product delivery or loss of credit due to consumers simultaneously actuating selection buttons in the escrow (coin return) lever, or other mischief vous acts.
The VMC operates, e.g., in three separate modes: the sale mode, the service mode, and the communication mode. The sales mode is the default mode of operation. In the sales mode, the VMC monitors and evaluates the status of the peripheral and the non-peripheral inputs and the stored information Waiting to establish credit. Peripheral inputs can be from, e.g., a coin acceptor/dispenser mechanism, a bill validator, a credit card reader, or a vend-mechanism-slave controller such as a small microprocessor interfacing between the VMC and the actual vending mechanisms. Non-peripheral inputs can be from, e.g., selection buttons, status indicators, a door switch, or sold-out switches arranged to monitor inventory columns/queues.
When the accumulating credit reaches a value equal to or greater than the lowest vend price, the activation of a selection switch, e. g., 122 or the key pad 118 initiates a vend from the appropriate column/queue (not shown) of product inventory. If the accumulating credit exceeds the vend price, the VMC issues command to a credit return device, e.g., 112, to return an appropriate amount of change. During this process all appropriate data collection storage registers are updated to reflect the results of the transaction.
Price changing, control parameter alteration, data collection and error diagnosis routines can be carried out by a local service person communicating With the VMC through, e.g., four user-actuatable switches. The following exemplary responses to prompts from the programmable processor can be provided by the service person using these switches: an escape or cancel command With the first switch; an increase or next command With the second switch; a decrease or previous command With the third switch; and an enter or OK. or accept command With the fourth switch. Given the telecommunications ability of the VMC 200, it is preferable that a service person could remotely carry out these routines. Alternatively, a service person could carry out those routines locally without using the four user-actuatable switches, or a remote host computer could automatically carry out these service routines.
The present invention is directed toward a versatile multifunction vending machine controller (VMC) . Such a VMC provides enhanced capabilities to new and existing (via retrofitting) vending machines. The inventive VMC not only enables enhanced two-way vender communication, but it can also meet advanced requirements envisioned by marketing group as likely to enhance consumer appeal and usability.
The vending machine controller (VMC) of the present invention has at least the following advantages. It achieves a performance equivalent to that of a controller using a programmable processor that has plural serial ports formed on the same chip as the processor without actually forming more than one such serial port on the same chip as the processor, i.e., Without the cost of a custom integrated circuit. This is achieved by using the port arbitrator 234. With the port arbitrator 234, the single serial port of the programmable processor 201 can be connected to any of a plurality of serially communicating devices. The VMC is remotely reprogrammable and supports remote price changing. This VMC also
supports multimedia presentations to the customer. Moreover, the telecommunication, vend operations, and multimedia presentations can be conducted concurrently because of the fast processing speed and multitasking ability of the programmable processor 201.
To reiterate, the VMC of the present invention supports: interactive (touch screen) vending Which not only fascinates customers, but also enables consumer surveys at the machine; display of marketing messages, sports scores, etc., Which can be transmitted to the machine via the same remote link used for collection of machine sales/inventory data; display of video commercials, stored Within the machine on the disk device; credit card vending, including debit authorization; voice recognition for product selection; announcement and control of special promotions (e.g., buy five, get one free); remote price changing, to accommodate promotions such as “Soda in the Morning!”; single serial port arbitration to achieve virtual plural-serial-port performance; and remote reprogramming capability of controller via flash EEPROM.
J Miller, K Taylor, I Tolmich - US Patent 5,959,869, 1999 - Google Patents
自动售货机控制器和系统
本发明的领域
本发明主要阐述的是一种自动售货机控制系统以及其内部的控制模块。
本发明的背景
基于现有技术的自动售货机控制系统处理器（VMCS）通常是使用如英特尔牌8051型低成本的嵌入式控制器。这种控制器分别执行自动售货机的许多控制操作，包括监测、存储并定期报告的自动
售货机的操作相关的数据，如销售和库存信息。
Cedrone专利（US.专利4776548号）公开了一种周期性的发送有关机器状态信息，销售和产品库存的中央计算机监测自动售货机系统。
吉鲁阿尔专利（US.专利号4982346）公开了一种用于广告和促销活动的自动系统，具有可在监视器上显示广告，管理促销活动，显示产品或店铺定位图、分发优惠券、接受订单、管理客户的调查并与远程主机通信的功能。
戈罗格专利（US.专利号4947028）公开了一个自动售货机，可接受的语音命令通过语音识别系统（通过语音合成器与客户沟通）以适应那些无法进行手动数据输入的工作的人。此外，戈罗格专利公开了一种自动售货机，可以远程核实客户的信用确认是否可以赊账。
Home专利（US.专利5091713号）公开了一种自动售货机，其中包括一个调制解调器，信用卡读卡器，显示面板，打印机和扬声器。显示面板和扬声器可用于显示信息和广告。打印机可用于打印优惠券、促销信息、退税单等。
怀尔德专利（US.专利号5408417）公开了一种自动售货机，其将触摸屏显示器和听觉提示共用，并且以多种语言适应多种付款方式。
OSTENDORF专利（US.专利号5442568）公开了自动售货机的监控系统，它可以用于多个自动售货机。
布朗专利（US.专利5445295）公开了一种自动售货机，由主机进行远程控制，能接收客户发送的音频/视频产品，但其中只有一个单一的外部串行端口用于外部通信。
拉特马赫专利（US.专利号5450938）公开了一组自动售货机，它具有一个认证装置。认证装置用于编码卡的读写以及管理硬币的接收。
Cragun专利（US.专利号5504675）公开了一种基于神经网络的自动售货机，根据客户反馈的信息自适应地选择所要购买的商品。
本发明的概要
本次发明的目标主要是通过改进现有的自动售货机的控制器，设计一种新的自动售货机，用来满足现有的需求。
本发明设计一种自动售货机控制器，控制器在同一个硅芯片具有两个或两个以上的串行端口作为处理器，其性能与其他控制器相同。
本发明提供一种自动售货机控制器，控制器拥有两个或两个以上的连接到处理器的数据总线，其性能与其他控制器相同，且不产生相关的额外费用。
本发明提供一种自动售货机控制器，它可以提供多媒体演示给客户。
本发明提供一种自动售货机控制器，可以沟通销售/库存和外部主机。远程主机通过调制解调器，可以实现自动售货机的多种功能。这样的销售/库存数据通信能够促进自动售货机的库存准确和及时的进货，以减少或消除售出产品的误差从而提高消费者的满意度。
本发明提供一个自动售货机控制器，可以控制远程价格变化。即一个控制器可以由远程主机改变其销售产品的价格。
本发明提供一个自动售货机控制器，支持远程重新编程。由一个远程主机更换全部或部分的闪存EEPROM的内容来对处理器的基本操作系统进行重新编程。
本发明设计的控制器实现的功能主要有：一个可控制操作的可编程的处理器；一个连接到可编程处理器的第一串行端口；仲裁器在监控模式下监视第一和第二串行通信的装置，它是一种确定通信会话正在发起的串行通信的设备。如果它的第一个活动状态是输入状态，则连接到可编程处理器的第一串行端口的串行通信设备，在第一次启动通信会话时，第二串行端口配置为一个多点总线接口和连接的可编程处理器多点总线或VCC总线。
除了这些以外，本发明还提供了一些自动售货机系统装置，其中包括了：一个第一串行通信的装置和一个第二串行通信的装置；一个由可编程处理器控制操作的自动售货机；一个连接到可编程处理器的第一串行端口；仲裁器可在监视模式下来监控第一和第二串行通信的装置；一个输入端用来确定通信会话正在发起的串行通信的设备；一个输入和连接的可编程处理器的第一串行端口的串行通信设备；在第一次启动通信会话时，第二串行端口配置为一个多点总线接口和连接的可编程处理器多点总线或VCC总线。
附图的简要说明
从这里通过图解的方式给出下面的详细说明可以使本发明将变得更容易被了解：
图1是一个自动售货机控制器的框图描述的实施例；
图2描述的是一个自动售货机的发明实施例；
图3是一个更详细的框图描述本发明的端口仲裁器。
具体实施方式的详细描述
图1是一个基于本发明的自动售货机控制器具体范例的框图描述。
图1中200项是自动售货机控制器中的应用现状。自动售货机控制器200包括：一个可编程的处理器201，有一个串行端口。地址总线202和数据总线204连接到可编程处理器201。外围总线再驱动装置205连接到地址总线和数据总线204、202。同时连接到地址总线和数据总线的202、204；动态随机存取存储器（DRAM）电路206；静态随机存储器（SRAM）电路208；闪速电可擦除可编程只读存储器（EEPROM）210；显示界面212；系统控制电路214；一个通用输入/输出接口216；多点总线接口（MDB）222；钟224；一个ISA重驱动电路228。MDB222符合《国际多点总线接口标准》，由国家自动贸易协会（NAMA）于芝加哥伊利诺伊州成立。
ISA控制器230连接到数据总线204是直接连接到处理器的程序201在232线传的送控制信号。磁盘装置242光盘只读存储器（CD-ROM）或一个硬盘、一个视频卡244驱动视频监控会议视频图形适配器（VGA）标准，和声音再现卡246连接到ISA重驱动电路228。另外声音再现卡246是由一个MPEG（运动图像专家组）取代硬件解码器，使可用的视频信息进行解码静止和移动的存储在光盘装置242和声音信息。
通用的I/O电路216连接到多个线的自动售货机控制电路218和自动售货机控制系统电路220。自动售货机的控制电路218包括贩卖的机制，所选择的产品从库存栏目发布。自动售货机的控制系统电路220的控制。例如面板按钮在前面的自动售货机或状况的指标，如“售罄”或“零钱”照明标志。
图1描绘了端口仲裁器234连接到串行端口（未显示）的信号路径203的可编程处理器201。三个串行通信设备的236、238和240是在多线连接到端口仲裁器。这样的例子包括：串行设备与主机通信的调制解调器上，例如电话线或一个蜂窝网络（使用蜂窝网络的数据规范如CDPD或Cellemetry）；一个用于商业数据网络，如RAM等通信网络的通信卡；另一个自动售货机控制板；和便携式数据采集设备如掌上电脑的电缆或红外线连接和使用直接交换/统一通信标准（DEX/UCS）在代顿，俄亥俄州的美国统一代码委员会建立的协议，或见（数字设备公司（DEC）数据通信协议，由
12月软件分发中心发布的AA-599A-TC号文件）分别有几家公司生产的便携式数据采集装置。包括：雪松急流、爱荷华和罗兰德公司，4400号模型系列中的4000个模型；如审计系统公司、三角国际公司的训练班模型以及思佳维公司等。数据应在与自动售货行业数据交换标准建立NAMA兼容的格式。
图2描述了一个自动售货机将目前应用的控制器的正面视图。自动售货机100图2包括：视频监控102个质量等级至少等于视频图形适配器（VGA）标准，虽然它也可以是一个相对较低的分辨率的液晶显示屏；触摸屏装置104覆盖视频监控102个扬声器系统106；一个字母数字显示装置108。例如一个液晶显示器（LCD）面板或发光二极管（LED）显示面板；一个账单验证装置110；联合硬币确认和改变分配装置112包括硬币管和一个托管出口114；出售的产品选择，人工/自动售货机交互面板116包括用户操作的开关122和一个产品的可用性指标124。例如发光二极管（LED）、键盘118；出售的产品产量的120；一个调制解调器的126和控制器200。
值得注意的是，在自动售货机的100设备之间的互连的操作没有描述简化为图2的目的。设备包括在自动售货机100清单并不详尽。相反自动售货机100可以包括其他著名的自动售货机设备。
图3是一个更详细的框图描述的端口仲裁器234和其连接的串行设备236、238、240和200的可编程处理器。该端口仲裁器234是一个可编程逻辑阵列，如图3所示的结构提供了逻辑等价形式，较好地实现了。仲裁器234包括三个活动的识别302、304和306。活动识别的数量取决于串行设备的数目，可选择性地连接到串行端口形成在同一芯片的可编程处理器201。仲裁器234还包括一个连接控制寄存器300一个多路复用器（MUX）308，和1:3的解复用器（分离）309。
串行设备236在310线向活动识别器302和308传输数据的复用。同样串行装置238发送到312线向活动识别304和308的多路复用器，和串行装置240发送到314线向活动识别306和308的多路复用器。该复用器308连接的数据线310、312和314的接收或数据线332到串行端口的可编程处理器201。
可编程处理器201传输在传输或数据线334通过串行端口。解复用309连接数据线334到串行设备236通过数据线316，通过数据线318到串行设备238和串口设备240通过数据线320。
每个活动识别302、304和306写一个值到寄存器300在两个字节线322、324和326，分别。可编程处理器201可以写数值到寄存器300和读取该值其中在两个字节线330。寄存器300将数值存储在其中的多路复用器308和309两个字节器在328线。
再次谈到图1，可编程处理器201最好是一个功率PC型处理器403ga模型。这是一个精简指令集计算（RISC）具有形成在同一硅芯片作为处理器本身的一个串行端口处理器。闪存EEPROM最好是512K字节大小。208是最好的SRAM 128K字节的大小。通用的I/O口216有16个通用锁存输出和16个通用输入样本。这16个输出和16输入连接到一个有自动售货机，高压缓冲器卡，例如，自动售货机的自动售货机包括人互动面板116面板，键盘的字母数字显示118，108，110的账单验证器和联合硬币确认和改变装置112。
DRAM电路206是可选的，可以高达32MB的大小，需要ISA重驱动电路228可使高达约10M的ISA型电路卡可以连接到地址总线和数据总线204、202。ISA型卡的具体数量取决于总功耗。ISA控制电路230产生所有的控制和定时电路的必要接口的ISA重驱动电路228，ISA总线地址总线和数据总线204、202。
再次谈到图3，该图中234端口仲裁器操作如下：在寄存器300控制线数值310、312和314选择的多路复用器308和控制线316、318和320的解复用309选。因此可编程处理器201可以设置的值在数值寄存器，可通过解复用器309的串口设备的任何一个236发送数据238和240。优选地，该可编程处理器201写入连接控制寄存器300使用两个数据总线中的204线，如图3中的一个连接235。另外两个地址总线的202线可以使用或专用线可以提供。
当可编程处理器201集的值在数值寄存器，这是被称为固定模式操作。如果可编程处理器201
存储的二进制值01为连接控制寄存器300然后解复用309将连接线334线316。同样的设置一个二进制值10在寄存器300使334号线是连接到318线和寄存器中的二进制值11设置使334号线是连接到320线。
然而可编程处理器201存储的二进制值00在寄存器300然后310的线路没有312和314连接线分别为332，与无线的316、318和320连接到334线分别。这是被称为在监视模式操作。
每个识别302、304和306的感官活动对线。即无论是通信还是由串行设备236、238、或240分别发起活动。例如低字节转换指示开始根据RS-232标准高。
其次，结构包括端口仲裁器234采用可编程逻辑阵列优选实施。下面给出的方程表示的仲裁器234操作体现在可编程逻辑阵列。方程用的是阿贝尔语言——一个商业上可用的编程语言。俄勒冈的莱迪思半导体公司销售阿贝尔语言编译器。
在语言上阿贝尔符号“！”代表一个逻辑补充或求逆运算，符号和表示逻辑与运算的符号，#或代表一个逻辑。操作，和符号==代表逻辑测试相等的。例如，X==1意味着“x等于1？”将返回的值为零或一个不错的是真的的活动的识别302、304和306的操作，由逻辑方程1-2代表。
EQUATION No. 1
IO1D= RESET & (
(101 & !(! ARB_CS & !IO_RW))
#
((! P2_RD # !P3_RD) & (10==0))
#
(! ARB_CS & !IO_RW & D10)
)
可变IOl.D表示的两个点连接控制寄存器300将存储在连接控制寄存器300，只要它接收下一个系统时钟信号的第一位二进制输入。可变复位代表的可编程逻辑阵列实现仲裁器234复位引脚的信号，通常是在一个高的逻辑状态，并下降到一个较低的逻辑状态重置。可变IOl代表的两位连接控制寄存器300第一位当前值。可变ARB_CS代表仲裁器的芯片选择信号将仲裁器234，并假定逻辑0值时，仲裁器234被选。可变IO_RW表示读/写信号的可编程处理器201将仲裁器234，并假定逻辑0值写入操作期间。
变量PZ_RD和P3_RD代表是从第二和第三串行通信的装置238和240线312和314，分别，即接收到的数据，两个输入到复用器308。可变的IO是当前存储在连接控制寄存器300的二进制数的小数当量。可变D10表示对数据总线的D10线数据。
EQUATION No. 2
IO2D= RESET & (
(102 & !(! ARB_CS & !IO_RW))
#
((! P1_RD # !P3_RD) & (10==0))
#
(! ARB_CS & !IO—RW & Dll)
)
可变I02.D表示的两个点连接控制寄存器300将存储在它的第二位，只要它接收下一个系统时钟信号的第二位二进制输入（未显示）。102个代表变量的两个点连接控制寄存器300，第二位的二进制值。可变DLL代表在数据总线的DLL数据线。
在方程中1-2连接控制寄存器的位可以采取高逻辑状态时复位不低。如果在连接控制寄存器的值不是300对应于一个读或写状态，并保持这种状态，即10=0。如果在监视模式，即I0==0，然后改变值在连接控制寄存器对的串行通信设备接收数据。如果CPU作用，即IO==L或IO==2或IO==3，然后保存D10和D11的价值作为连接控制寄存器300中的两位。
如以上所提到的变量，D10和D11可以通过变量A10和全部更换，反映信号在A10和所有行的地址总线。此外，另一个数据线和地址线可以使用，或组合的数据线和地址线。
连接控制寄存器300启用输出数据到数据总线上204根据方程3-4分别为：
IO1.OE=!ARB_CS & IO_RW EQUATION No.3
IO2.OE=!ARB_CS & IO_RW EQUATION No.4
IO1.0E和IO2.0E代表变量和输出使能信号，可以应用于由可编程处理器201连接控制寄存器，使连接控制寄存器300到204总线数据输出。
多路复用器308操作的组合逻辑方程式如方程3-5所示。
EQUATION No.5
RD_OUT=(
(PI_RD & (10==1))
#
(P2_RD & (10==2))
#
(P3_RD & (10==3))
)
可变RD_OUT代表332行数据以及多路复用器308。如果一个串行通信设备的连接控制寄存器有300位号码识别，那么从串行通信设备的生产线是由多路复用器308连接到332。
309解复用器的操作是通过组合逻辑方程6-8代表。
PI_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==l)) # (IO!=l) EQUATION No.6
P2_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==2)) # (IO!=2) EQUATION No.7
P3_TD=(TD—IN & (IO==3)) # (IO!=3) EQUATION No.8
在方程6-8中，变量PI-TD、P2-TD和P2-TD表示的线316、318中的数据和320从多路分配器309的串行通信设备236、238和240。如果10=3，则在可编程处理器201进行与第三串行通信装置240中的50的通信会话，因此（IO!==1）这使得PI_TD =1，其中1是根据RS-232通信标准的空闲状态。
在感知上的活动的数据线从系列55装置，活动识别寄存器中的300对应于其身份设置一个数值。活动识别器302将在寄存器300设置一个二进制值的01，这将导致MUX连接308线310线332。可编程处理器60中的201防止寄存器中的值从300到236是串行设备通信会话终止。当通信结束可编程处理器201使多路解复用308和309取消310线65、312、314、316、318、和320分别用二进制值。例如00在连接控制寄存器300。
如果串行设备236开始发送数据，并且没有其他的通信会话正在处理。那么其活动识别302写的信息号码为300使MUX连接308线310线332，改变从监视模式转换到固定模式。随后在通信会话，如果串口238试图通过发送数据启动一个通信会话，MUX308将不允许在312线的数据线连接到332由于二进制数01值是存储在连接控制寄存器300。串行设备238必须重试直到可编程处理器201已经重新进入监视模式的00连接控制寄存器300使复用器208取消线310、312和314。
同样，如果可编程处理器201是在固定的模式操作，选择一个通信会话的串口设备，然后固定的识别302、304和306将它的信息号码写到寄存器300到可编程处理器201发起的通信会话。由可编程处理器201和线316、318、320（终止310、312和314）取消重新寻找的方式。
可编程处理器201可以同时支持多媒体演示。但是如果自动售货机配置多媒体演示的功能，那么
就需要将磁盘装置242，VGA质量的显示卡244，DRAM电路206和声音再现246连接到ISA重驱动电路228。
可编程处理器使用分时操作系统实现多任务。像电源PC403GA处理器这样一个操作系统就是一个例子。这种组合的处理器和操作系统能够在没有顾客和主人意识下进行多媒体演示。
在编程方面，可编程处理器201可以远程重新编程。例如在销售产品的价格、销售信息的调度（例如关于特殊促销活动）是由自动售货机显示的或可编程处理器的操作系统可以重新编程，可以通过远程主机连接的现代处理器的串口通过端口仲裁器234或由手提电脑连接电缆或可编程处理器201红外光链接通过端口仲裁器234使用的服务。
作为这种编程的一个例子，操作系统的变化将会被讨论。远程主机通过端口仲裁器234连接到可编程处理器201。远程主机使处理器201读取操作系统的快闪EEPROM210到DRAM206。然后将新的操作系统的可编程处理器201，将其存储在DRAM206以及可编程处理器201与远程主机，然后验证新的操作系统已收到不被损坏。然后该可编程处理器仍然运行的操作系统的控制下在DRAM206，书写新的操作系统到闪速EEPROM210。随后该可编程处理器201是启动或执行操作系统切换到新的操作系统在闪速EEPROM210在程序的某个特定位置存储。
此外自动售货机控制器（VMC）可以更新软件，即机器级的操作软件而不是用户可编程数据。用户可编程的数据如产品价格可以远程局部更改。
自动售货机控制器是以两个总线系统为主和任选的三分之一总线系统为辅。第一总线系统的数据总线和地址总线202到204与可编程处理器201直接连接。第二总线的多点总线（MDB）是美国和世界其他地方的自动售货机的标准总线。另外，MBD可与控制供应商系统取代（VCCS）采用日本标准总线。VCC和MDB总线提供的通信功能类似，都是控制自动售货机的外设。如硬币机制、信用卡阅读器和比尔验证器。第三，总线由ISA的驱动电路228代表ISA总线。
作为主人，VMC会对每个外设发送的命令进行调查，并接收从每个外设的售货过程控制的必要信息。此外，自动售货机控制器可以通过GP“I/O”21自动售货机制选择开关监视和控制其他非外设输入。如门开关和服务模式交换字母数字显示（通过显示接口212）和端口仲裁器234。自动售货机控制器是通过一个最小支付算法负责信用积累，进行数据采集和通信消费显示控制装置控制供应商和输入设备的监控功能以及需要处理的营销操作。
自动售货机控制器是负责由总线和外设的电源消耗预算管理。它必须适当的禁用高功率消耗的操作和其他一些耗能较高的外围设备。
自动售货机控制器的操作有三个不同的模式：销售模式、服务模式和通信模式。销售模式是默认的操作模式。在销售模式中，VMC的监测和评估状态会在周边和非周边的输入和存储信息中建立信用。外围输入可选择硬币接收器/分配机制、账单验证器、信用卡读卡器或售货机制从控制器如小微处理器的VMC和实际自动售货机制之间的接口。非周边输入可从选择按钮、状况指标、门开关或售出设置监控库存柱/队列交换机。
当越来越多的贷款达到一个大于或等于最低销售价格的值时，一个选择开关如122或118键就会启动售货机从相应的列/队列的产品库存。如果累积信用超过出售价格VMC下达指令给信用回流装置112返回改变适量。在这一过程中所有适当的数据采集存储寄存器被更新以反映交易的结果。
价格变化控制参数的变化，数据采集和故障诊断程序可以由当地人服务与自动售货机控制器通过沟通。以下是通过使用这些开关由可编程处理器提示的可以提供服务的人：逃避或取消与第一开关命令；增加下一个命令与第二开关；减少第三开关上一个命令；和ENTER或OK；或接受命令的第四开关。鉴于自动售货机控制器200的能力，业务人员可以远程执行这些程序。业务人员可以通过操作系统的局部功能或远程主机可以自动执行这些服务程序。
本发明介绍一种多功能自动售货机控制器（VMC）。这种自动售货机控制器可以通过改造现有的
自动售货机使其拥有更强的能力。本次发明的自动售货机控制器（VMC）不仅能够增强双向供应商的沟通，也可以满足大型企业的设想要求，提高对消费者的吸引力和实用性。
本次发明的自动售货机控制器（VMC）具有以下优点：它的性能与一个使用可编程处理器的控制器相当，在同一芯片上具有多个串行端口作为处理器。这是通过使用端口234来实现的仲裁器。随着仲裁器通过端口234的实现，可编程处理器201的单一的串行端口可以连接到任何一个串行通信设备。自动售货机控制器就可以完成远程可重编程以及支持远程价格变化的功能，同时还支持多媒体演示给客户。此外，可编程处理器201可以使得营销业务和多媒体演示能够同时进行快速的处理。
因此，本次发明的自动售货机控制器（VMC）的具有以下特点：使用互动（触摸屏）售货既可以吸引客户，也能使消费者可以直观的查看商品的信息、商品的价格等情况，它可以通过使用外部设备收集销售/库存数据信息，通过远程链接发送给控制系统；通过存储在磁盘上的机械装置使用视频显示广告；信用卡自动售货机，自行判断并且选择顾客是否拥有购买的权限；语音识别公告和特别促销活动的控制（例如，买五赠一）；使用远程控制价格变化，并通过闪存控制器来实现远程重编程。
J Miller,K Taylor,I Tolmich-美国专利5959869，1999-谷歌专利
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