Abstract: Systems for vending products to a customer that encompasses a group of co-located vending machines managed by a vending company, a database of current inventory of products in the vending machines and customer purchase history; and the use of a personal electronic device by the customer. Embodiments include a single order by a customer from a sorted list of prior purchases, and where a single purchase comprises sub-products from multiple co-located vending machines. Embodiments include the customer selecting either products or vending machines from a list of options provided via the user interface of the personal electronic device, wherein the list of options depends on the actual available inventory in vending machines co-located with the customer, and the customer purchase history.

Abstract: A security bin and a security bin controller are described that measure fullness or height of secure contents in a security bin; listen to radio beacons over a short-range radio to determine a bin distance from a first radio, such as by measuring received radio power; determine one of three bin security states: home, caution or warning; and then broadcast a status message, warning message or alarm message over long-range radio, dependent on both the fullness of the bin and the security state. Embodiments include shredder bins, adapted to receive secure or confidential documents. Status messages may be used to initiate a search for a lost bin or to schedule bin service. Embodiments include measuring rate-of-fill. Alarm messages may be responsive to both bin location and fill volume. Embodiments and use of a controller include waste bins, including industrial or medical waste.

Abstract: Methods for authorizing wireless payment transactions that include encrypting, with an encryption module on the mobile payment device, a payment account token stored on a mobile payment device and a session key generated on the mobile payment device with a public key. The methods also include transmitting the encrypted payment account token and session key to a vending machine, further encrypting, with the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key with a device key, and transmitting, from the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key to a central server. The methods further include decrypting the payment account token and session key with the device key and with a private key stored at the central server and sending an authorization determination and session key from the central server to the vending machine based on the decrypted payment account token and session key.

Abstract: Retrofitted vending systems including a card reader and a vending machine in communication with the card reader are disclosed. The systems may include a spacer positioned between the card reader and the vending machine that is adapted for mounting the card reader to the vending machine. Wireless communication device are also disclosed. The wireless communication devices may be electronically coupled to the vending machine and may include a bracket configured for attachment in the spacer and a wireless communication board fastened to the bracket.

Abstract: Methods for generating a consumer profile. The method may include receiving a purchase authorization request including a card number from a consumer, generating, with a key module, a hash value of the card number and generating, at the server, a card identifier. The method may also include associating the generated card identifier with the generated hash value, storing, at a server database, the associated card identifier, and associating, with a processor, the card identifier with the consumer profile.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining application data using a card reader having a pass-through mode and an automatic polling mode are disclosed. Application data may be obtained by enabling the pass-through mode of the card reader, instructing the card reader to poll for an exchange event, identifying the exchange event, identifying a subject of the exchange event, and obtaining application data from the subject when the subject of the exchange event is a predefined application. The pass-through mode may be disabled and the automatic polling mode may be enabled after the application data is obtained. An account number from the subject of the exchange event may also be obtained for use in authorizing a vending transaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating an alert for a vending machine are disclosed. A method of generating an alert includes monitoring a bus for at least one communication from the vending machine controller via the bus. The bus is then monitored for a response to the communication from a peripheral device to the vending machine controller via the bus. The response from the peripheral device is then processed. An alert is then generated based on the processed response. A peripheral device for generating the alert includes a bus interface configured to receive data from the bus and to transmit data onto the bus, and a processing unit coupled to the bus interface, the processing unit configured to process data received from the at least one other peripheral device and generate an alert based on the processed data.

Abstract: Received signal strength indicator apparatus and methods are disclosed. A received signal strength indicator includes a modem, a display, a processor, and a step-up converter. The modem is configured to receive a signal. The processor is coupled to the modem and the display. The processor is configured to determine a strength of the signal and to indicate the strength of the signal on the display. The step-up converter is coupled to one of the modem, the processor, and the display. The step-up converter is configured to step-up the voltage of a power source to power the one of the modem, the processor, and the display. The received signal strength indicator is usable for determining a location for installing a vending machine. The location for installing the vending machine is selected based on the strength of the received signal.

Abstract: A vending machine that dispenses items for use with a power source. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between the power source and one or more vending components of the vending machine. A controller is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. An audio signal detector is provided that generates at least one dispensing event signal that represents the occurrence of one or more sound-based dispensing events. The controller transitions between the power-conserving mode(s) and the normal-operation mode based upon the at least one dispensing event signal from the audio signal detector, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a play list of a plurality of digital content for transmission and presentation on a public access electronic terminal for use with various data processing resources. The method establishes a virtual terminal on a play list server; selects the plurality of digital content at the virtual terminal; appends a digital content header to each of the plurality of digital content included in the play list; stores the play list in association with said virtual terminal; transmits the play list from the virtual terminal to the public access electronic commerce terminal; selectively receives the play list from the public access electronic commerce terminal; generates an activity report in the public access electronic commerce terminal based on the play list transmission; and selectively updates the data processing resources to reflect the activity report.

Abstract: A peripheral device for a vending machine, a method of communicating with a vending machine, a vending system, and a computer readable storage medium including software that is adapted to control a computer to implement a method of communicating with a vending machine are provided. The peripheral device includes a bus interface and a processor coupled to the bus interface. The peripheral device, via the bus interface, receives data from a bus and transmits data onto the bus. The processor enables cashless payment and provides diagnostic information for at least one other peripheral device of the vending machine based on data received from the at least one other peripheral device via the bus interface.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating an alert for a vending machine are disclosed. A method of generating an alert includes monitoring a bus for at least one communication from the vending machine controller via the bus. The bus is then monitored for a response to the communication from a peripheral device to the vending machine controller via the bus. The response from the peripheral device is then processed. An alert is then generated based on the processed response. A peripheral device for generating the alert includes a bus interface configured to receive data from the bus and to transmit data onto the bus, and a processing unit coupled to the bus interface, the processing unit configured to process data received from the at least one other peripheral device and generate an alert based on the processed data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a card reader assembly. The card reader assembly can be mounted in a variety of vending equipment, arcade game equipment, and other suitable equipment. Furthermore, the card reader assembly can be mounted in a standard size vending machine bill validator opening. The card reader assembly can provide for the optional mounting of a card reader, a card reader interface circuit board, a payment module board, a communication board, and or a printer. The printer mechanism is mounted on a printer bracket. The printer bracket can be slid over the edges of and fastened to the support bracket. A paper exit slot can be provided in the card reader assembly faceplate to allow the printer paper to exit through the faceplate such that a user can receive the printer paper. In addition, the printer mechanism, card reader, and or a pushbutton can be electrically connected to the card reader interface board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless transaction processing system implementing a VEND ASSIST mode of operation to effectuate a cashless vending transaction. The VEND ASSIST mode allows a computing platform 802 to oversee, control, and authorize by way of a system 500 the vend selection and sale price of a user selected vend item prior to fulfilling the user's request. The cashless transaction processing system includes a system 500 and a computing platform 802. The system 500 initiates a vending session when certain commands from an interconnected computing platform 802 are received or in response to presentation, by a user, of valid payment identification data. Computing platform 802 data communicates a VEND APPROVE or VEND DENY response to a system 500 initiated REQUEST VEND APPROVE data communication. A vend cycle is then initiated or preempted as appropriate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless transaction processing system and method for locally authorizing cashless payment transactions at a payment module. Locally authorizing transactions can include utilizing locally stored databases and other authorization criteria or rules to validate or approve a plurality of payment identification data presented by a user, wherein the plurality of payment identification data presented by the user is intended to be utilized to effectuate payment for vended goods and services. In addition, the cashless transaction payment module system is scalable and configurable to include interfaces for vending equipment monitoring and control capabilities, interfaces for a card reader device and other payment interfaces, an interactive interface and protocol for interconnecting the system to a computing platform, and support for a plurality of communication options that include wired, point-to-point wireless, and wireless networking including LAN/WAN/WCDMA/CDMA/CDPD/2G/2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that is scalable and configurable to include vending equipment audit capabilities, a card reader assembly having a card reader processor interface board for accepting card identification data as payment for items vended, an interactive interface and protocol for interconnecting the system to a computing platform, and support for a plurality of communication options that include wired, point-to-point wireless, and wireless WAN solutions. In addition, the present invention also relates to a system and method of effectuating a payment device for accepting card ID data, authorizing the validity of the card ID data, facilitating a vending transaction, settling the transaction to effect payment for the vended goods and services, gathering DEX and MDB audit data from the vending equipment, and data communicating with a plurality of remote locations.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device data communicates with global network based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the global network based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-commerce and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other types of data. Furthermore, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting other remote data communications. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device can also effectuate remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote global network based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation.