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WO2004102504A1 - Systeme et procede de communication a distance de distributeurs automatiques relies par un reseau sans fil local - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de communication a distance de distributeurs automatiques relies par un reseau sans fil local Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004102504A1
WO2004102504A1 PCT/ES2003/000215 ES0300215W WO2004102504A1 WO 2004102504 A1 WO2004102504 A1 WO 2004102504A1 ES 0300215 W ES0300215 W ES 0300215W WO 2004102504 A1 WO2004102504 A1 WO 2004102504A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
communication
mode
machine
primary mode
machines
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/ES2003/000215
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English (en)
Spanish (es)
Other versions
WO2004102504A8 (fr
Inventor
Javier FERNÁNDEZ DE MUNIAIN COMAJUNCOSA
José María LÓPEZ RUIZ
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.)
Azkoyen Industrial SA
Original Assignee
Azkoyen Industrial SA
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 Azkoyen Industrial SA filed Critical Azkoyen Industrial SA
Priority to AU2003236224A priority Critical patent/AU2003236224A1/en
Priority to PCT/ES2003/000215 priority patent/WO2004102504A1/fr
Publication of WO2004102504A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004102504A1/fr
Publication of WO2004102504A8 publication Critical patent/WO2004102504A8/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/04—Terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
    • 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
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Definitions

  • the invention encompasses in the field of vending machines (also called “vending machines”) and, more specifically, in the field of communications between vending machines and a remote control center.
  • vending machines Often, an owner or operator of vending machines must regularly attend to a plurality of machines that are distributed over a more or less extensive geographical area. Therefore, it may be desirable to have access to all machines remotely, from a single control point.
  • This centralized capacity for management, maintenance and remote monitoring of their machines allows the operator of the same considerable savings in travel, storage, customer service and repairs. It also has the advantage of allowing the operator to carry out market studies, introduction of new products or even the use of commercial campaigns to promote products, without having to travel to the points of sale.
  • US-A-3,662,111 (from 1972) refers to remote security and control techniques in public telephones.
  • EP-A-0004497 (from 1979) describes an apparatus that analyzes traffic on public telephones and a remote maintenance and monitoring system.
  • the remote concept usually refers primarily to the ability to check the status of machines, public telephones, from a processor located at a control point.
  • performance capabilities usually more limited, from the same control point are included.
  • both capabilities namely, consultation and action
  • US-A-4,412,292 (February 1981) and JP-A-51-140,699 (1975).
  • US-A-4,412,292 describes a system for remote monitoring of vending machines and for automatic communication of certain machine conditions with a central computer.
  • WO-A-95/04333 a product and information distribution network system is described which is based on a network node connected to a set of hosts via telephone and radio lines, including via satellite. This document covers the sector of vending machines and ATMs.
  • WO-A-97/28510 describes a system that allows remote purchases, including a user interface, a selection of products or services, a database, user identification and the use of media, such as for example Internet.
  • a monitoring and documentation system using cellular telephony is presented.
  • the cellular concept refers to a public access system with wide coverage, in general a whole country or region, which is subdivided into smaller areas, called cells, served from different base stations, which are They are interconnected with each other.
  • Each vending machine must have a communications modem and a transceiver suitable for the cellular operator, to be able to communicate with the central station and, consequently, carry a series of communication costs each time said communication is made.
  • Document ES-A-2 149 097 describes a system for the management, control and inspection of recreational and / or prize machine exploitation fraud, by remote control;
  • the system uses cellular telephony as a means of transmission and the use of short-range radio channels to concentrate information is introduced.
  • document ES-A-2 150 380 also describes a management and control system for vending machines through the control channels of the cellular mobile telephone, that is, using communication links of the public telephone operators.
  • the commented documents propose alternative solutions to the problems of remote interaction, using communication links between each machine and the remote center, which require the use of communication links provided by a third party, namely an operator of a telephone network (mobile or fixed).
  • a third party namely an operator of a telephone network (mobile or fixed).
  • Said operator whether wired or wireless, and regardless of the technology used, provides said service in exchange for certain communication rates. It can be affirmed, in short, that the different solutions achieve their objectives, remote interaction, in exchange for communication costs, almost exclusively dependent on the operator whose services are used. In the best case, an adequate tariff negotiation can reduce these costs; however, they will always exist and, what may be more important, they can be an excessive dependence on the technological implementations and updates carried out by the operators of the telephone networks.
  • Vending machines are usually grouped in different areas of transition and rest in commercial, work and leisure areas: corridors and areas outside offices and offices, workers rest rooms, waiting rooms in offices and hospitals, night spaces accessible, stair landings, etc.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to a communication device for a vending machine, for selectively direct or indirect communication between the vending machine and a remote control center.
  • the device comprises:
  • the internal control system of the vending machine may comprise several control subsystems, for example, specific controllers of the means of payment units, a general internal controller of the vending machine - usually called "VMC" -, etc .; the internal communication means of the communication device may have several connections, which may be simultaneous, to several of said subsystems); Y
  • the external communication means for the transmission of data and / or commands between the device and at least one external entity, said external communication means comprising first means of communication for long-distance wireless communication with a remote control center (which may be located in another building, in another city or even in another country), for the transmission of data and / or commands.
  • the external communication means also comprise second communication means for short-distance wireless communication (for example, communication within the same room or room, floor of a building, building or group of buildings) with communication devices of other vending machines, for the transmission of data and / or commands.
  • the communication device is arranged to function selectively in:
  • the device communicates directly with the control center through the first means of communication and with communication devices of other vending machines through the second means of communication;
  • the device communicates with the control center through a communication device of another vending machine operating in the primary mode of operation and with which it communicates through the second means Communication.
  • the device can be configured so that:
  • the device repeatedly emits a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation (for example, using specific codes) with a periodicity that can be set in advance by an operator .
  • Said indicative signal of said primary mode is preferably different for each communication device and identifies it biunivocally (so that if the device is known, the indicative signal can be determined completely and without possibility of error, and vice versa: if the signal is known indicative, you can know which device has sent it).
  • the device tracks or listens for signals emitted by other communication devices, in order to detect if there is a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation, and a- if it detects a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation, the device is maintained in the secondary mode of operation (and can communicate with the control center through the device in primary mode whose signal has been detected), and b- if it does not detect a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation, the device switches from the secondary mode of operation to the primary mode of operation (so that it can communicate directly with the remote control center).
  • the device may be configured so that if the device is in the primary mode of operation, the device emits said signal indicative of said primary mode of operation through the second means of communication.
  • the device may be configured to: listen to signals emitted by other communication devices; storing, in a memory, data related to said signals, so that the device has stored a set of data related to other communication devices that are active in its environment; compare said data set with at least one pre-established criterion; depending on the result of said comparison and depending on whether the device is in the primary mode of operation or in the secondary mode of operation: - change from secondary mode of operation to primary mode of operation; or
  • the device may be configured so that if it changes from the secondary mode of operation to the primary mode of operation and if it has previously communicated with a control center through another communication device that was in the primary mode of operation, the device sends a message indicating the change of operating mode to said other communication device (so that the other communication device can update its databases in this regard and exclude the device that has changed the operating mode of its successive pollings).
  • the first means of communication may comprise means of communication by cellular mobile telephony, for example, by GPRS and / or by short messages through a short message service (SMS) of a cellular mobile telephone operator.
  • SMS short message service
  • the second communication means may comprise transceivers configured to operate in a commonly used ICM band, for example, in an ICM band around the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
  • VMC general internal controller of the vending machine - normally referred to as "VMC" -, etc.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a vending machine system comprising a plurality of vending machines according to what has been described above, organized in at least one grouping of Vending machines, one of the vending machines in the grouping having the communication device in the primary mode of operation.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of communication between a plurality of vending machines and a remote control center, comprising the steps of: assigning to each vending machine a mode of operation selected from: a primary mode of operation, in that the vending machine communicates with the remote control center via long-distance wireless communication between said vending machine and the control center; and a secondary mode of operation, in which the vending machine communicates with the control center through another vending machine that operates in the primary mode of operation and with which it communicates through short distance wireless communication; and carry out communication between the vending machines and the control center according to the operating mode assigned to each vending machine.
  • a mode of operation selected from: a primary mode of operation, in that the vending machine communicates with the remote control center via long-distance wireless communication between said vending machine and the control center
  • a secondary mode of operation in which the vending machine communicates with the control center through another vending machine that operates in the primary mode of operation and with which it communicates through short distance wireless communication
  • the step of assigning to each vending machine a mode of operation can be repeated, periodically (for example, according to some repetition periods established in advance) or non-periodically (for example, in response to an event such as because a machine is turned off or a new machine is incorporated).
  • Machines that are in the primary mode of operation may, repetitively, emit a signal specific to each machine and indicative of said primary mode of operation and machines that are in the secondary mode of operation may listen to signals emitted by other machines with in order to detect if there is a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation between them, in order to be able to perform the following operations: a- if a machine that is in the secondary mode of operation detects a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation operation, the machine is kept in the secondary mode of operation, and b- if a machine that is in the secondary mode of operation does not detect a signal indicative of said primary mode of operation, the machine switches from the secondary mode of operation to the primary mode of operation.
  • the step of assigning to each vending machine an operating mode It can be done by comparing data stored on machines and at least one preset criterion. In this way, this process of assigning the operating mode can be performed dynamically, based on criteria established by an operator of the machine system and without the need for the operator to intervene from the remote control center. Therefore, the groups can be reconfigured at any time, according to the current situation (number and location of the machines, communication problems between certain machines, etc.)
  • each vending machine can: listen to signals emitted by other vending machines in its environment; storing, in a memory, data related to said signals, so that it has stored a set of data related to said other machines; compare said data set with at least one pre-established criterion; depending on the result of said comparison and depending on whether the vending machine is in the primary mode of operation or in the secondary mode of operation:
  • a machine changes from the secondary mode of operation to the primary mode of operation and if it has previously communicated with a control center through another machine that was in the primary mode of operation, it may be convenient for the machine to send a message indicating the change operating mode to said other machine.
  • the step of assigning to each vending machine an operating mode can be performed by exchanging data between the vending machines and without the intervention of the control center.
  • a vending machine that is in the primary mode of operation can communicate with the remote control center via cellular mobile telephone communication, for example, by GPRS or through the short message service (SMS) of a mobile telephone operator mobile.
  • SMS short message service
  • a vending machine that is in the secondary mode of operation can communicate with a vending machine that is in the primary mode of operation. operation through transmission and / or reception in a commonly used ICM band, for example, in a band around the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system that includes several machines according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates, schematically, a communication device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 reflect, in a simplified manner, the aerial protocol for short distance communication used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 illustrates the format of the communication messages sent on the links between vending machines, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart of the process of initiating a communication device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS 7A-7C reflect some alternative configurations of vending machines, in accordance with respective preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8 illustrates, schematically, a vending machine incorporating a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is a diagram of the physical connection of several of the elements that make up the communication device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system that includes a plurality of vending machines 201 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, grouped into groups or groups 200 which, each, comprises one or more vending machines .
  • the system also includes a remote control center 100, located at a distance from the vending machines.
  • Each grouping may comprise, for example, vending machines located in a given room, premises or building.
  • Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, how a vending machine 201 of each cluster 200 has a long distance wireless communication link 301 with the control center 100, and how the vending machines of each group or cluster 200 communicate each other via a short distance wireless communication link 302.
  • a communication device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in Figure 2.
  • the communication device 1 comprises internal communication means 2 for the transmission of data and / or commands between the device and an internal control system of a vending machine, and external communication means 3 for the transmission of data and / or commands between the device and at least one external entity (for example, a user, another vending machine or the remote control center).
  • the external communication means comprise first communication means 4 for long-distance wireless communication (the links 301 of Figure 1) with the remote control center 100, for the transmission of data and / or commands, and second communication means 5 for short distance wireless communication (links 302 in Figure 1) with communication devices of other vending machines, for the transmission of data and / or commands.
  • the communication device 1 is configured to function selectively in:
  • the device communicates directly with the control center 100 through the first means of communication 4 (via long distance links 301) and with communication devices of other vending machines through the second communication means 5 (through the short distance links 302); or in
  • - a secondary mode of operation, in which the device communicates with the control center 100 through a communication device of another vending machine operating in the primary mode of operation and with which it communicates through the seconds media 5 (via short distance links 302).
  • each cluster 200 there must be a vending machine that operates in what has been termed as the primary mode of operation, in which the machine (by means of the communication device of the invention) communicates "directly" with the center of control through the first means of communication 4 (through links 301 represented in Figure 1) and with communication devices of other vending machines through the second communication means 5 (links 302).
  • the machine by means of the communication device of the invention communicates "directly" with the center of control through the first means of communication 4 (through links 301 represented in Figure 1) and with communication devices of other vending machines through the second communication means 5 (links 302).
  • the secondary mode of operation in which the device communicates with the control center through a communication device of another vending machine operating in the mode primary operation and with which it communicates through the second means of communication 5 (ie, through links 302).
  • the internal communication means 2 may correspond to what is called an "internal front-end" of the device, while the external communication means 3 may correspond to what is called an “external front-end”. This separation between internal and external front-end responds to the preferred embodiment for communication device 1.
  • the internal communication means 2 comprise an internal controller 21 constituted by an integrated circuit and which controls the rest of the devices of the "internal front-end" 2.
  • This internal controller 21 is what It designates a microcontroller and incorporates the software procedures that the internal front end must perform independently.
  • the internal controller 21 controls a series of connectors 23 to different devices of usual payment means of the vending machines, such as, for example, the MDB devices (international industry standard, specific for payment methods) and Executive (or protocol) 'A +', German standard specific for payment methods), and a series of connectors 24 to different usual auditing devices of vending machines, such as, for example, VTM devices (Azkoyen® own standard), BDTA ( German standard of the association of manufacturers and operators of tobacco machines), EVA-DTS (international industry standard), etc.
  • MDB devices international industry standard, specific for payment methods
  • Executive (or protocol) 'A +' German standard specific for payment methods
  • 'A +' German standard specific for payment methods
  • VTM devices Azkoyen® own standard
  • BDTA German standard of the association of manufacturers and operators of tobacco machines
  • EVA-DTS international industry standard
  • the internal controller 21 interacts with each of them through a specific module adapted to each one; that is, designed to understand and treat the specific data formats and protocols in each case. Said internal controller 21 differentiates between those accesses of the means of payment type 22 and accesses of the audit type 26. The difference between them lies in the type, quantity and quality of the information they carry.
  • the means of payment type 22 do not transport Audit information (machine status, sales, product stocks, etc.) but describe each individual sale, in real time, that a machine is making at all times.
  • the accesses of audit type 26 are intended to be interrogated and to respond with audit information (sales history, for example) accumulated from the machine.
  • audit information sales history, for example
  • This greater versatility of the information makes it necessary to introduce between the controller 21 and each audit access 26, a device 25 that acts as an interpreter or translator, so that regardless of the type of access 26 that is being used in a machine, with its specific data format and protocol, internal controller 21 always use the same data format internally.
  • the device is flexible in the sense that it can be used for different types of machines, for example, for machines of different manufacturers, which use different internal communication protocols.
  • the internal communication means 2 can comprise various types of hardware; in such case, the appropriate hardware with which the device must operate is chosen with a hardware selector 27.
  • This selector consists of a simple hardware multiplexer directed from the internal controller 21 with which the type of access connector to the device is selected. machine that is being used in each individual implantation.
  • the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 allows the simultaneous connection of up to two internal accesses: to a single means of payment, through a connector 23, and to a single audit access, through a connector 24.
  • the external communication means 3 may comprise an external controller 31 (constituted by a microcontroller) that controls the first communication means 4 and the second communication means 5.
  • the external communication means may comprise third communication means 32 which may serve to establish a direct link 303, type EVA-DTS (international industry standard) wired or infrared, which allows an operator to connect directly to the machine with a terminal, for example, for revisions or repairs of the machine.
  • EVA-DTS international industry standard
  • the external controller 31 is an electronic device specifically responsible for the control of the hardware and the logical procedures to be carried out by the transceiver of the second communication means 5. Through said external controller 31 and the transceiver is achieved 302 short-range communication with other machines nearby.
  • the external front-end also comprises the transmission-reception module of the first communication means 4. This module can consist, for example, of a MODEM (Modulator / Demodulator) of the GPRS service of a cellular mobile telephone operator. Through this module, powerful, remote communication 301 is achieved with the control center 100 of the system of Figure 1.
  • MODEM Modulator / Demodulator
  • the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2 includes a multiplexer 33 that allows connection by any of the three external accesses: remote 301, short range 302 and direct 303.
  • the internal communication means 2 and the external communication means 3 are interconnected through a communication controller module 6 comprising a central controller 61 (constituted by a microcontroller), a sequencer 62 , a RAM 63 and a ROM 64.
  • Data and commands are transferred between the internal front end and the external front end through internal communication lines 65 and 66 of the device.
  • the internal controller 21, the central controller 61 and the external controller 31 exchange information with each other via different data and command lines, 65 and 66 and control lines, 67. These control lines correspond, for example, to an interface bus. series of peripherals of the SPI type, common in the different microcontrollers of the current market. .
  • the communications controller module 6 and more specifically its central controller 61 supports all the automated operation of the communications device 1.
  • It is responsible for detecting and validating the internal accesses that are being used in a certain machine, creating and storing the different audit reports of the vending machine, configure and route the information to the three external accesses and establish the periodicity of the different software procedures that have been implemented in the device.
  • the communications controller module 6 comprises, in addition to the central controller 61, a sequencer device 62 that stores, prioritizes and orders the central controller 61 to execute the different communication tasks that may exist. It consists of a queue or stack of pending tasks to be executed by controller 61, sorted by time and priority. In this task queue, different actions of the communications device 1 appear periodically, according to the timings that are established a priori, such as the call to the control center 100 to issue an audit report, the detection of other machines in the proximity through link 302, the price modification of the products of the machine, or the complete reconfiguration of some electronic module inside the machine.
  • the communications controller also comprises a series of volatile storage memories (RAM 63), and non-volatile memory (ROM 64), for the storage of data and tasks and of the software program that allows its autonomous operation.
  • Figure 9 illustrates in more detail the actual physical connection of the communication device 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the representation of the elements that constitute the internal 2 and external 3 front-ends has been simplified.
  • the interaction between the three intelligent elements that constitute the core of the communications module is highlighted: the internal controllers 21, central 61 and external 31.
  • the interaction between the three controllers is carried out via the control and data lines, 65, 66 and 67.
  • the internal 21 and external 31 controllers have the ability to act on switches 70, which enable or disable the passage of information between its extremes.
  • the device comprises a real-time clock device 68, thanks to which it is possible to initiate all timed procedures.
  • FIG 9 shows in more detail the components necessary for the interaction between the external controller 31 and the short-range transceiver (of the second communication means 5), on which the short distance links 302 are established with other Vending machines (the elements corresponding to those in Figure 2 bear the same numerical references).
  • These components comprise a switch 71 that routes the data to two different destinations: the data existing on bus 67 can be dedicated to the temporal and frequency configuration of the transceiver of the second communication means 5 or be sent or received to or from the short-range link 302 itself. To do this, they must pass through a bidirectional buffer 72, which is responsible for differentiating the direction of the link; that is, if it is a transmission or a reception of data.
  • the external controller 31 comprises a series of specific control lines for these peripherals.
  • the control line 81 is in charge of selecting where the data of the bus 67 go.
  • the control line 82 switches the direction of the data flow, allowing its transmission or reception.
  • the control line 83 activates the hardware parts of the transceiver of the second communication means 5, in the case of a transmission.
  • the preferred embodiment also shows the radiating element or antenna 90, responsible for transforming the electrical signals of the cables into electromagnetic waves that can propagate through the air. This element is also responsible for the reverse process; that is, to convert the electromagnetic waves that may exist in the air into electrical signals that can propagate through the cables.
  • the preferred embodiment employs an antenna known as tri-band, so that the same physical radiating element (antenna 90) can be used to transmit and receive the signals from the two external radio links: the long-range 301 and the short-range 302.
  • the first means of communication 4, which serve to establish long-distance wireless communication 301, are preferably means of communication by cellular mobile telephony, for example, by GPRS ("General Packet Radio Service” - packet mode data service superimposed on the infrastructure of the GSM networks), or by direct data on the GSM network, or by short messages within the framework of the SMS (Short Message Service) of these same networks.
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Service
  • first means of communication can also serve to allow a user to communicate directly with the vending machine, from their mobile cell phone, for example, to be able to buy products offered by the machine in the tele-payment mode (using the mobile phone to pay for the product, within the framework of some of the existing or future tele-payment systems).
  • first means of communication can also serve to allow a user to communicate directly with the vending machine, from their mobile cell phone, for example, to be able to buy products offered by the machine in the tele-payment mode (using the mobile phone to pay for the product, within the framework of some of the existing or future tele-payment systems).
  • the control center 100 direct communication with each of the machines, through the first means of communication 4
  • the second means of communication 5 are based on what is usually called. a "short range device” or “DCA” and, in.
  • DCA short range device
  • the preferred embodiment described has opted for a radio transceiver that works in the commonly used frequency bands or ICM (ICM: Industrial-Scientific-Medical / in English: ISM) about 2 , 4 GHz, using techniques known as "spread spectrum". In this way, a license is not required for these communications between the vending machines, as long as the restrictions that may be imposed by the different national laws are satisfied.
  • ICM Industrial-Scientific-Medical / in English: ISM
  • the air protocol followed for this type of links is a mixture of other existing air protocols in the market for this type of applications. It is based on a scheme of discrete frequency hopping (Frequency Hopping, FH) over the expected frequency band, plus a time division duplexing between transmission and reception (Time Division Duplexing, TDD). The temporal division becomes synchronous with the frequency hops.
  • FH discrete frequency hopping
  • TDD Time Division Duplexing
  • a simple polling access scheme is used from the vending machines in primary mode, so that a minimum stability of the radio link between the two ends is guaranteed.
  • Access to the channel by a machine (device) operating in the secondary mode of operation can only be done when it has been previously interrogated by a machine that is operating in the primary mode of operation.
  • Figures 3 and 4 present a simplified scheme of this air protocol for short distance links 302.
  • FIG 3 a series of "slots" corresponding to the communication between two devices, of which one is transmitting and the other is receiving, has been illustrated.
  • Time is divided into transmission periods (t ⁇ ) and reception periods (t R ).
  • Each transmission and reception period is divided into two slots (t s - ⁇ , t S2 ; t S3 , t S4 ; ...) with a duration of 0.625 ms.
  • the device that you have to transmit at that moment transmits (TX (f n )) during a first slot (t S ⁇ ), at a first frequency (f n ).
  • the transmission comprises a first section A of the transceiver configuration of the second communication means 5, which is routed through the switch 71 towards the configuration records thereof and which tunes it to the appropriate transmission frequency, followed by a second section B of data sending (air frame) that is routed to the air transmission over the short range link 302.
  • the switch 71 changes position by an order of the control line 81 and the bidirectional buffer 72 is puts in transmission mode.
  • This first slot is followed by a second "blind" slot (t S2 ) that corresponds to the free time that the system has to execute other pending tasks of the communication module (for example, the interaction with the interior of the machine) and to prepare the following data packets that must go in subsequent transmission slots.
  • This transmission period is followed by a reception period (t R ) comprising a first slot (ts 3 ) in which the device receives (RX (f n + 1 )) on a frequency other than the frequency at which it was transmitted .
  • the reception also includes a first configuration section A and a section B of possible data reception.
  • This first receiving slot is followed by another blind slot (t S4 ). Similar to the transmission, the reception slots must initially configure the transceiver to be at the appropriate reception frequency (via package A) and then capture the possible package B that can receive on that frequency, from another machine which in this slot is acting in transmission.
  • the reception period is followed by a new transmission period, analogous to the first one, but this time the device transmits on a new frequency (f n + 2 ) different from those used in the previous transmission and reception.
  • Each transmission and reception slot uses a different frequency, according to a pseudo-random structure of frequency hops that only machines that at a given time are constituting a grouping know.
  • Figure 4 schematically reflects the frequency distribution; the band used has a width of approximately 30 MHz, and extends from a minimum frequency (f min ) of 2,445 MHz to a maximum frequency (f max ) of 2,475 MHz. 16 frequency channels are used and 800 jumps (pseudo-random) occur ) per second.
  • the wireless system for close communication incorporates specific encodings in the air frames exchanged between machines for the detection and correction of errors.
  • the frames also incorporate the information necessary for the segmentation and reassembly of the data, so that a large sequence of data can be transferred by multiple aerial frames, without this causing the link to break.
  • the decomposition of Aerial frames used are shown, schematically, in Figure 5.
  • an aerial frame comprises, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, a message consisting of: [a] an access code 5-byte M1 (which identifies the particular group that exchanges the message and facilitates synchronization between machines), followed by [b] a 9-byte M2 header (where encodings for error detection and correction are incorporated, addressing a particular machine and frame flow control), followed by [c] payload M3, where useful information is transported between the ends of the link, and [d] an M4 indicator at the end of the frame (EOF), 1 byte.
  • the M3 payload consists of an M31 (1 byte) command that describes the direction (read or write) of the subsequent data, followed by an M32 identifier (2 bytes) corresponding to the particular instruction to which the information refers (for example, sales made by the machine, money in the machine's box, alarms, etc.), followed by the M33 data that is to be transmitted (write) (60 bytes) or from which the reading is being requested; in the end, 2 bytes are added with the error control code (CRC) M34.
  • the communication device 1 provides the vending machine 201 in which the ability to use any of the two communication links, remote 301 and next 302, of Figure 1 is inserted, at the time of switching on or starting up of a vending machine in a certain location, it is automatically placed in the secondary mode of operation, initiating a "listening" or “tracking" via link 302 of any vending machine that is in primary mode in the neighborhood.
  • the new machine If during the scan time the new machine does not receive any information from a machine in primary mode, it will automatically be placed in primary mode and will enable communication via link 301 with the control center. In this way a "simple" grouping 200 will be constituted, formed by a single vending machine.
  • the new machine detects any information from another machine that is in primary mode of operation, an exchange of information between both machines will be initiated, necessary for the new machine to become a machine in secondary mode associated with the machine in primary mode; in this way, the new machine becomes part of the grouping 200 in which communications with the control center are carried out through the machine in primary mode with which has associated.
  • Periodically all machines equipped with a communications device 1 are required to perform multicast or broadcast actions on link 302. Those machines that are in primary mode will perform a multicast transmission with special codes, intended to capture all machines.
  • nearby vending machines (accessible via short distance link 302) that are not part of your grouping, for example, new ones that have recently started, but also to find out what other machines exist nearby that do not belong at that time to the grouping
  • Aerial propagation is not completely reliable, so links can sometimes be lost (due to radio fading);
  • the multicast procedure described serves to "re-find" the machines.
  • those machines that are in secondary mode that is, that are part of a grouping, will be dedicated to tracking the possible presence of said special multicast codes that are not coming from their primary machine, in order to try to find other machines in primary mode in the vicinity - which have their own group already constituted - so that they can form a larger group -set-; in these cases, it may be necessary to have one or more machines acting as a link or "bridge" between clusters. In this way, you can reduce the number of remote links, which are the ones that represent the majority of them. communication costs (see what is discussed below, in relation to figures 7A-7C).
  • the logical procedures associated with the. start-up of a vending machine 201 with a communication device 1 follow the structure reflected in Figure 6.
  • step SO the communication device is initiated; This occurs, for example, when the vending machine with the communication device of the invention is installed on a site for the first time or when the site vending machine is changed (for example, from one floor of a building to another), or every time a machine is turned off and reconnected.
  • step S1 the communication device 1 adopts the secondary mode of operation, by default, regardless of whether it was previously in the primary or secondary mode.
  • step S2 the device listens / tracks the possible signals emitted by machines in its environment, in order to detect multicast signals emitted by a communication device in the environment operating in the primary mode, that is, signals that include a code or signal indicative in that way primary operation.
  • the system analyzes (step S3) the signals it hears and, if after a predetermined time, it has not detected any signal indicative of a primary mode of operation, the device enters the primary mode of operation (step S4), enables (step S5 ) the first communication means 4 for direct communication (for example, by GPRS) with the control center 100, and goes on to perform its communication functions (step S6).
  • step S3 the signals it hears and, if after a predetermined time, it has not detected any signal indicative of a primary mode of operation, the device enters the primary mode of operation (step S4), enables (step S5 ) the first communication means 4 for direct communication (for example, by GPRS) with the control center 100, and goes on to perform its communication functions (step S6).
  • step S3 the device detects a signal indicative of a primary mode of operation
  • the device remains in the secondary mode of operation (step S7) and initiates a communication (step S8) with the communication device in mode primary whose signal it received, sending to said device the necessary identification data so that the device in primary mode can include the new device in secondary mode in the group 200 it serves (that is, register it in the group), in order to , for example, include the new device in the "pollings" list.
  • step S6 the communication device goes on to perform its communications functions.
  • the different tasks associated with the close connection 302 depend on the mode of operation of the device. Apart from the specific tasks that a device must perform if it is configured as a bridge between different groups of machines, it is possible to differentiate between four clearly different types of actions:
  • the multiple access technique adopted consists of a polling sequence from the main machine (the one that operates in the primary mode) to all the machines in secondary mode that have registered in the same group 200. This minimizes the air collisions of transferred data packets, although net transfer capacity is lost.
  • the general structure of the system is based on the existence of clusters or clusters of machines. Each of these groupings is defined by the existence of a certain machine, which is the only one in the group that has a remote connection 301 active (for example, by GPRS). The rest of the machines, even if they are equipped with a modem that allow long-distance communication (for example, GPRS) and, therefore, are capable of making this connection, do not have this link active.
  • GPRS long-distance communication
  • the machine whose communication device 1 is operating in the primary mode is in charge of periodically contacting the rest of the machines in cluster 200, via the short-range wireless links 302. That is, the function of the communication device in primary mode is , among others, to act as a bridge between the remote control center 100 and each individual machine 201 of the cluster 200, for the transfer of information (commands and data) between the control center and the other vending machines of the group.
  • each machine / communication device may involve automatic redistribution of functions (distribution of primary and secondary mode of operation) in the group. This redistribution is carried out by the machines, preferably autonomously, without the need to intervene from outside the group.
  • the communication devices 1 of all the vending machines listen to the signals emitted on the links 302 by other communication devices and store, in a memory (63), data related to said signals, so that a list or data set of the communication devices that are active in your environment.
  • Communication devices can compare the content of that list or set of data with at least one pre-established criterion and, depending on the result of said comparison and depending on whether the device is in the primary mode of operation or in the secondary mode of operation, whether or not to change the mode of operation.
  • Both the criteria or criteria to be applied and the action that triggers the comparison can be set by the operator of the vending machines.
  • the device chosen to operate in the primary mode is one that can constitute the largest possible grouping (that is, "serving" the largest number of machines in the secondary mode possible).
  • the vending machines since all the vending machines have devices that can operate in the primary mode, it is guaranteed that no machine will remain isolated when the groups 200 are reconfigured.
  • the system also contemplates the existence of certain machines that, operating in the mode secondary operation, serve for interaction between several groups.
  • Figures 7A-7C reflect some possibilities that allow the use of a single long-distance link (301) with the remote control center, even in cases when the vending machine making such a link cannot communicate directly with all other machines through the second means of communication 5.
  • FIG. 7A A possible configuration with two groups 200 is illustrated in Figure 7A, each comprising a machine 201A operating in the primary mode and a plurality of machines in 201 B in the secondary mode.
  • the eventual exchange of information between the two groups is carried out through the 201A machines that operate in the primary mode. This may result in an overload on at least one of said machines, since at least one of the machines 201A in primary mode also has to manage the communication with the control center 100 over the long distance link 301, for both groups 200.
  • FIG. 7B A similar system is observed in Figure 7B but instead of using the machines in primary mode to link between the two groups, a machine in secondary mode is used to link.
  • Figure 7C reflects a similar configuration but here the link between the two groups 200 is made by means of communication between two machines in "dedicated" secondary mode, one of each group.
  • the systems suggested in Figures 7A-7C may be more complex. because it is necessary to establish a specific communication protocol for the interaction between machines and between groups.
  • the device of the invention can be used in any vending machine with which it is desired to establish a remote communication from a remote control center.
  • a vending machine with a control system comprising several units (main control module, means of payment unit, user interface unit, extraction unit ...) connected to a central bus
  • the communication device can be directly coupled to said bus. If it is a machine in which the different elements (payment media unit, user interface unit, extraction unit ...) are connected to a main control module through specific wiring for each unit, you can It is practical to connect the communication device to the main control module.
  • FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a vending machine 201 that includes an internal control system comprising a vending machine controller (VMC: "Vending Machine Controller”) 203 with its remote accesses 204 and standard audit accesses 205, and a plurality of payment media units 206.
  • VMC vending Machine Controller
  • a device 1 according to the invention is coupled to said remote access 204, audit access 205 and payment media units 206, so that the device can communicate directly with the internal system of vending machine control.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un dispositif et à un procédé de communication entre distributeurs automatiques (201) et un centre de commande à distance (100). Les distributeurs forment des groupes (200), dans lesquels un distributeur fonctionne en mode primaire de fonctionnement et est en communication directe avec le centre de commande à distance au moyen d'une liaison de communication sans fil longue distance (301), les autres distributeurs étant en communication avec le centre de commande de façon indirecte, au moyen d'un distributeur qui fonctionne en mode primaire de fonctionnement et avec lequel ils sont en communication au moyen de liaisons de communication sans fil courte distance (302). L'invention se rapporte également à un distributeur présentant le dispositif de cette invention et à un système présentant une pluralité de distributeurs de cette invention.
PCT/ES2003/000215 2003-05-14 2003-05-14 Systeme et procede de communication a distance de distributeurs automatiques relies par un reseau sans fil local Ceased WO2004102504A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003236224A AU2003236224A1 (en) 2003-05-14 2003-05-14 System and method for remote communication with vending machines which are connected by means of a local-area wireless network
PCT/ES2003/000215 WO2004102504A1 (fr) 2003-05-14 2003-05-14 Systeme et procede de communication a distance de distributeurs automatiques relies par un reseau sans fil local

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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PCT/ES2003/000215 WO2004102504A1 (fr) 2003-05-14 2003-05-14 Systeme et procede de communication a distance de distributeurs automatiques relies par un reseau sans fil local

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8395524B2 (en) 2008-11-11 2013-03-12 Hussmann Corporation Data communication for refrigerated merchandisers

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US5729686A (en) * 1995-02-02 1998-03-17 Becker Gmbh Method for initializing a network having a plurality of network subscribers capable of acting as masters
JPH10302128A (ja) * 1997-04-28 1998-11-13 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 自動販売機の通信システム
JP2001111701A (ja) * 1999-10-01 2001-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 無線自動検針システム
EP1176762A1 (fr) * 2000-07-25 2002-01-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Procédé pour la gestion d'un réseau quand le maítre disparait
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US5729686A (en) * 1995-02-02 1998-03-17 Becker Gmbh Method for initializing a network having a plurality of network subscribers capable of acting as masters
JPH10302128A (ja) * 1997-04-28 1998-11-13 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 自動販売機の通信システム
JP2001111701A (ja) * 1999-10-01 2001-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 無線自動検針システム
EP1176762A1 (fr) * 2000-07-25 2002-01-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Procédé pour la gestion d'un réseau quand le maítre disparait
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8395524B2 (en) 2008-11-11 2013-03-12 Hussmann Corporation Data communication for refrigerated merchandisers

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WO2004102504A8 (fr) 2004-12-23
AU2003236224A8 (en) 2004-12-03

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