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: A locking device attached to a solar junction box and a key to open the locking device, comprises: a male part; comprising: a plug-in unit extended at an angle from the male part; a pair of protruded units having a locking tab formed on edges of the plug-in unit; an outward projection disposed above the locking tab; and a slant portion formed on top of the outward projection; and a female part; comprising: a hollow main body having an outside wall and an inside wall; a pair of extrusions disposed at the inside wall of the female part corresponding to the pair of locking tabs of the male part; and a step formed in the lower part of the extrusions of the female part geometrically shaped to match the locking tab of the male part, in a locked position the male part and the female part are securely clamped together.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless vending system that utilizes a tethered payment interface. The tethered payment interface is mountable on the external surface of a vending machine while the payment module portion of the system resides inside the vending machine. An advantage of this system is that when a bill validator slot opening in the vending machine is available the tethered payment interface can be secured to an adapter plate and mounted in the available slot. However, when a slot opening in the vending machine is not available, then the tethered payment interface can be located and secured on the external surface of the vending machine. In addition, the tethered payment interface is configured to be user accessible, provide an informational display, accept magnetic cards (i.e. credit cards, employee badges, hotel room keys, others), and accept RFID device data (i.e. FOBS, touch, RFID credit cards, others).

Abstract: A locking device attached to a solar junction box and a key to open the locking device, comprises: a male part; comprising: a plug-in unit extended at an angle from the male part; a pair of protruded units having a locking tab formed on edges of the plug-in unit; an outward projection disposed above the locking tab; and a slant portion formed on top of the outward projection; and a female part; comprising: a hollow main body having an outside wall and an inside wall; a pair of extrusions disposed at the inside wall of the female part corresponding to the pair of locking tabs of the male part; and a step formed in the lower part of the extrusions of the female part geometrically shaped to match the locking tab of the male part, in a locked position the male part and the female part are securely clamped together.

Abstract: A refrigerated appliance that dispenses items for use with a power source and includes a cooling system. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between the power source and components (for example, a compressor and one or more circulating fans of the cooling system) of the appliance. A controller, which is operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by intelligently transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. To achieve efficient power conservation, 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 automatically transitions between the power-conserving mode(s) and the normal-operation mode based upon at least one dispensing event data signal supplied to the controller by the audio signal detector, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that manage electric power consumed by an appliance are disclosed. The appliance has an interior accessible by consumers through a door having an open state and a closed state. The appliance includes a cooling system having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for cooling the interior of the appliance. Power consumption is managed by monitoring the appliance to identify the open state of the door and transitioning the cooling system of the appliance from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation responsive at least in part to identification of the open state of the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a payment module implementing a MDB TRANSACTION STRING in memory to effectuate cashless vending. The MDB TRANSACTION STRING allows the payment module and or computing platform to manage cashless vending by monitoring data fields within the MDB TRANSACTION STRING. The MDB TRANSACTION STRING is constructed and managed in payment module memory. The MDB TRANSACTION STRING includes at least one of the following data fields a VEND STATE field, a MAX VEND SALE field, a SALE PRICE field, a COLUMN field, or a VEND FLAG field. In operation, the payment module obtains data from a vending machine and constructs and manages an MDB TRANSACTION STRING in memory. Utilization of the MDB TRANSACTION STRING occurs when the payment module application code and or a computing platform interconnected with the payment module reads the MDB TRANSACTION STRING to make certain determinations to effectuate cashless vending.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for revaluing a phone card by way of an electronic commerce terminal system. The method comprise the steps of: communicating transaction data from the phone card to a universal server, with the universal server retrieving further user identification from a database based on a dynamic identification interchange within the universal server; evaluating the validity of the transaction data at the universal server; processing the transaction data and the first form and/or the further form of the user identification information; identifying the at least one user account; requesting and transferring funds either between a first one of the at least one user account and a second one of the at least one user account or between the at least one user account and the phone card to increase the value of the phone card, based on the dynamic identification interchange within the universal server.

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: An in-vehicle device data communicates with Internet based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the Internet based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-mail, 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-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting other remote data communications. The in-vehicle device can also include functionality for remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote Internet based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation.

Abstract: Power-management control methods and apparatus are disclosed. Power-management control is achieved by monitoring operational characteristics (such as current, compressor relay control signals, internal temperature) of an appliance during an extended period of operation, analyzing such operational characteristics to derive a characteristic cycle time of the cooling system of the appliance, and automatically decoupling the appliance from a power source in response to control signals provided by sensor(s). The appliance may be automatically coupled to the power source after expiration of a shutdown time period, which is automatically adjusted by the power management control system based upon the characteristic cycle time of the cooling system.

Abstract: A refrigerated vending machine for dispensing items (such as soda cans or other beverage containers) includes a power source and a cooling system (e.g., evaporator, condenser, compressor, circulating fan). Power control circuitry selectively provides electrically coupling of at least one component of the cooling system to the power source. A controller, operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to control the power control circuitry in a power-conserving mode of operation and in a normal-operation mode. The controller automatically transitions from the power-conserving mode to the normal-operation mode based upon an activity event signal. The activity event signal may be provided by an occupancy sensor that senses occupancy in the vicinity of the refrigerated appliance. Alternatively, the activity event signal may represent vending activity (e.g., money insertion).

Abstract: A refrigerated appliance that dispenses items includes a power source and a cooling system. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between a power source (e.g., power cord coupled to a wall outlet) and components (for example, a compressor and one or more circulating fans of the cooling system) of the appliance. A controller, which is operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by intelligently transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. To achieve efficient power conservation, the controller automatically transitions between the at least one power-conserving mode and the normal-operation mode based upon at least one temperature signal, at least one dispensing event signal, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device data communicates with data processing resources, including global network based data processing resources for the purpose of programming and receiving data from an in-vehicle device where the data communicated can include sampling intervals, global position system (GPS) data, or scientific instrumentation data related to certain weather, environmental, traffic, or road conditions. Scientific instrumentation data gathering can be effectuated proximate to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an in-vehicle device and the in-vehicle device has a scientific instrumentation interface. In this regard, scientific instrumentation data can be obtained while the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Scientific instrumentation data gathered at the data processing resource or gathered by the in-vehicle device can be utilized to effectuate a wide variety of data dissemination.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a global network based vehicle safety and security system and method. In this regard, a global network based data processing resource can wirelessly data communicate with an in-vehicle device to control and monitor vehicle safety and security. In addition, data communicated between the vehicle and global network based data processing resources can control, monitor, and track the vehicle as well as data communicate command and control functions, such as disabling vehicle operation. Furthermore, alarm and alerting functions can effectuate the notification of other data processing resources and or other agency or emergency resources. Vehicle and in-vehicle device data, including safety and security data gathered at data processing resources can be utilized to effectuate a wide variety of data dissemination. Such data dissemination can include warning, alarm, safety, or security determinations, and or other reporting or analysis related to vehicle safety and or security.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing method for conducting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business by way of an electronic commerce terminal. An electronic commerce terminal can be referred to as a pervasive computing device. In addition, the present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and effectuating e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and controlling vending equipment and applications. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones (public, private, cellular), facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal data assistants (PDA's), pagers, and other vending machines, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC).