Abstract: A refrigerated vending machine provides separate power conservation modes for the cooling system and the panel lights. Power conservation for the panel lights takes into account whether the vending machine is located indoors or outdoors. The location can be indicated by a setting by the vending machine operator or may be determined automatically according to maximum brightness or color temperature. If the vending machine is outdoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is bright (to save energy when the panel lights are not needed) and turned on when the ambient is dark (to attract customers). If the vending machine is indoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is dark (since the room is presumably vacant) and turned on when the ambient is bright (indicating the room is in use). Optionally, an occupancy sensor can be used to turn off the panel lights if the room light is on but no one has been detected in it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, e-business and for transaction of other data communications having associated transaction data for use with a universal server by wirelessly networking a plurality of portable digital devices to an electronic commerce terminal. The system can also effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. Complete control of a vending machine's functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system having access to the Internet for the purposes of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and for communicating voice and data. 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 also effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. Complete control of a vending machine's functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a private label card revaluing method for altering the value of a private label card having an associated plurality of transaction data for use with an electronic commerce terminal system, a card reader and a universal server. The process retrieves the transaction data from the private label card and communicates the transaction data to the universal server. User identification associated with the transaction data is interchanged with a further form of user identification based on a dynamic identification interchange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transacting any combination of electronic mail, electronic commerce transactions, and electronic business transactions by way of an electronic commerce terminal operationally related to vending equipment including gas pumps and service stations. The various vending equipment can be networked to one another through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and also networked to a second network. Complete control of a vending machine's functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network may be accomplished using Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and effectuating electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale system, property or management information system, and networked to a second network. Complete control of a vending machine's functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic commerce terminal for conducting credit card, e-mail, e-commerce, e-business, and other types of transactions from a public transportation vehicle. Public transportation vehicles can include taxis, airplanes, buses, trains, subway, trolley, streetcar, and other public access modes of transportation. 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. Complete control of a vending machine's functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device data communicates with data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-commerce and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other 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 data. Furthermore, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and 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 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).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for retail store applications including point of sale transactions, and window display transactions. Additionally, the present invention relates to transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and for communicating voice and data. Furthermore, 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 locations and equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale in this instance in retail stores as a point of sale device and in storefront window displays. Vending locations and equipment includes point of sale systems, property management systems, management information systems, and retail stores including credit card processing terminals and retail store window display areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system for networking, monitoring and controlling electronic commerce and vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic commerce terminal for conducting credit card, e-mail, e-commerce, e-business, and other types of transactions from a public transportation vehicle. Public transportation vehicles can include taxis, airplanes, buses, trains, subway, trolley, streetcar, and other public access modes of transportation. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system for networking, monitoring and controlling electronic commerce and vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring, collecting data, selling goods and services, controlling interactive advertising, controlling and effectuating electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment including cold drink and snack style vending machines. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system for networking, monitoring and controlling electronic commerce and vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a public, private, or cellular phone with access to the Internet for the purposes of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and for communicating voice and data. 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 in this instance at a public, private or cellular phone. 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).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and effectuating electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment can include vending access to the Internet, business application software, e-commerce, and e-business in a hotel room. In addition, vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDA's), pagers, vending machines, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring, collecting data, selling goods and services, controlling interactive advertising, controlling and effectuating electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment including gas pumps and service stations. 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.