Abstract: A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver.

Abstract: A request is processed by a control device based on a detected proximity of a client device to the control device. The control device, which is intermediate to the client device and a beacon device, runs application software that receives the request generated using a client application running at the client device. The beacon device, upon receipt of an indication that the control device received the request, transmits a signal to detect a proximity of the client device to the control device. The application software receives data indicative of a response to the signal from the beacon device. The application software allows the request upon a determination that the data reflects the response is received. Alternatively, the application software allows the request upon a determination that the data indicates that the proximity of the client device to the control device satisfies a threshold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver.

Abstract: A request is processed by a control device based on a detected proximity of a client device to the control device. The control device, which is intermediate to the client device and a beacon device, runs application software that receives the request generated using a client application running at the client device. The beacon device, upon receipt of an indication that the control device received the request, transmits a signal to detect a proximity of the client device to the control device. The application software receives data indicative of a response to the signal from the beacon device. The application software allows the request upon a determination that the data reflects the response is received. Alternatively, the application software allows the request upon a determination that the data indicates that the proximity of the client device to the control device satisfies a threshold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a ground plane and a radiator supported above the ground plane is disclosed. The radiator may include a slot to configure the radiator to be resonant in at least two frequency ranges and a grounding point coupled to the ground plane. The radiator may be a dual-band planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) having an upper surface opposite the ground plane. First and second antenna modules may be coupled to the upper surface of the PIFA. The first and second antenna modules may be patch antennas, such as stacked patch antennas.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a ground plane and a radiator supported above the ground plane is disclosed. The radiator may include a slot to configure the radiator to be resonant in at least two frequency ranges and a grounding point coupled to the ground plane. The radiator may be a dual-band planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) having an upper surface opposite the ground plane. First and second antenna modules may be coupled to the upper surface of the PIFA. The first and second antenna modules may be patch antennas, such as stacked patch antennas.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for installation to a mobile platform includes a base portion and an antenna module capable of being removably coupled to the base portion. The base portion includes a longitudinal axis and defines a channel extending along at least part of the longitudinal axis. The antenna module includes a mount and an antenna element coupled to the mount. The mount and antenna element can be received into the channel of the base portion, in electrical contact with the base portion, and then subsequently removed from the channel of the base portion as desired. Further, the base portion of the antenna assembly is configured to accommodate multiple different antenna modules as desired.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a ground plane and a radiator supported above the ground plane is disclosed. The radiator may include a slot to configure the radiator to be resonant in at least two frequency ranges and a grounding point coupled to the ground plane. The radiator may be a dual-band planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) having an upper surface opposite the ground plane. First and second antenna modules may be coupled to the upper surface of the PIFA. The first and second antenna modules may be patch antennas, such as stacked patch antennas.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a ground plane and a radiator supported above the ground plane is disclosed. The radiator may include a slot to configure the radiator to be resonant in at least two frequency ranges and a grounding point coupled to the ground plane. The radiator may be a dual-band planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) having an upper surface opposite the ground plane. First and second antenna modules may be coupled to the upper surface of the PIFA. The first and second antenna modules may be patch antennas, such as stacked patch antennas.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for installation to a mobile platform generally includes a base portion and an antenna module removably coupled to the base portion. The base portion generally includes a longitudinal axis and defines a channel extending generally along at least part of the longitudinal axis. The antenna module generally includes a mount and an antenna element coupled to the mount. The mount and antenna element can be removably received, for example, slid, into the channel of the base portion, in electrical contact therewith. The antenna module may also include a cover providing the antenna assembly with a generally fin-shaped structure. And, any one of multiple different antenna modules each having, for example, different antenna elements therein may be releasably coupled to the mount as desired.

Abstract: The specification discloses various embodiments of modular antenna assemblies for automotive vehicles. In one exemplary embodiment, an antenna generally includes a base assembly that may be used on a variety of vehicle platforms. The antenna may also include a radome assembly that is specific to a particular vehicle platform. The radome assembly may snap-fit onto the base assembly, and be installed during or after vehicle assembly. A wide variety of radome assemblies of different shapes, styles, and colors may be used in conjunction with a single base assembly.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, an antenna assembly is configured for installation to a vehicle body wall having a mounting hole. The antenna assembly generally includes an antenna base configured to be disposed along an external side of the vehicle body wall. An electrical connector is coupled to the antenna base such that, when the antenna base is disposed along the external side of the vehicle body wall, the electrical connector is accessible from inside the vehicle. Accordingly, an installer (from inside the vehicle) may thus plug a communication link into the electrical connector to thereby allow the communication link to communicate signals received by the antenna assembly to another device.

Abstract: An antenna assembly generally includes an antenna module mountable to a vehicle body wall. The antenna base module includes a base, a protective cover coupled to the base, at least one antenna element disposed within an interior enclosure collectively defined by the protective cover and the base, and one or more latching members. An outer cosmetic cover has one or more snap clip members engageable with the one or more latching members when the outer cosmetic cover is positioned generally over the protective cover. The snap clip members and latching members are resiliently flexible and configured for forming a resiliently compliant connection therebetween. In a final installed position of the antenna assembly to the vehicle body wall, the lower edge of the outer cosmetic cover conforms against the vehicle body wall substantially without any gap therebetween.

Abstract: An antenna assembly generally includes an antenna module mountable to a vehicle body wall. The antenna base module includes a base, a protective cover coupled to the base, at least one antenna element disposed within an interior enclosure collectively defined by the protective cover and the base, and one or more latching members. An outer cosmetic cover has one or more snap clip members engageable with the one or more latching members when the outer cosmetic cover is positioned generally over the protective cover. The snap clip members and latching members are resiliently flexible and configured for forming a resiliently compliant connection therebetween. In a final installed position of the antenna assembly to the vehicle body wall, the lower edge of the outer cosmetic cover conforms against the vehicle body wall substantially without any gap therebetween.

Abstract: The specification discloses various embodiments of modular antenna assemblies for automotive vehicles. In one exemplary embodiment, an antenna generally includes a base assembly that may be used on a variety of vehicle platforms. The antenna may also include a radome assembly that is specific to a particular vehicle platform. The radome assembly may snap-fit onto the base assembly, and be installed during or after vehicle assembly. A wide variety of radome assemblies of different shapes, styles, and colors may be used in conjunction with a single base assembly.

Abstract: An antenna assembly according to one embodiment is configured to be installed and fixedly mounted to a vehicle body wall after being inserted into a mounting hole in the vehicle body wall from an external side of the vehicle and nipped from the interior compartment side. The antenna assembly may include a composite antenna base, which may be operable as a primary load-bearing structure for transferring loads associated with the antenna assembly to the vehicle body wall. The composite antenna base may integrally define means for mounting a printed circuit board without using mechanical fasteners. The composite antenna base may integrally define one or more resiliently flexible retention members for helping retain the relative position of the composite antenna base to the vehicle body wall before the antenna assembly is fixedly mounted to the vehicle body wall.