IP Network Interface for Remote Equipment Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for monitoring and controlling remotely located equipment, such as vending machines, require a network operations center with an Internet-enabled client access point to retrieve data, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an Internet Protocol (IP) network interface in the equipment and host devices to enable direct communication over IP networks, eliminating the need for a network operations center with an Internet-enabled client access point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a network operations center with Internet-enabled client access point is used to retrieve data from remotely located equipment, then data communication can be established, but the system requires excessive hardware and network devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidhardware and network devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data communication functionality from the complex network operations center infrastructure and embeds it directly into the remotely located equipment through a network interface card. This eliminates the need for separate client access points and reduces the system to minimal required components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The remotely located equipment becomes self-sufficient by incorporating its own network interface card and Internet Protocol stack, enabling it to initiate and maintain data communication independently without requiring external client access points or complex network operations center infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a network operations center with Internet-enabled client access point is used for monitoring and controlling equipment, then data can be retrieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval capabilityVSAvoidconvenience and efficiency of monitoring and control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment performs self-service data communication by having its own network interface card and Internet Protocol stack, allowing direct initialization and maintenance of communication sessions without requiring manual intervention through client access points, thereby improving operational convenience and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data communication functionality into a dedicated network interface card within the equipment, separating it from the complex network operations center infrastructure. This modular approach simplifies operation by allowing the equipment to handle its own communication needs independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8959028B2Apparatus and method for monitoring and control of remotely located equipment

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 CRANE PAYMENT INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A remote data acquisition and transmission system for vending machines may be provided. The system may comprise a vending machine and at least one host device. The vending machine may comprise a vending machine controller; and an Internet Protocol (IP) network interface operable to communicate operation data to and from the vending machine controller. The at least one host device may be communicatively coupled to the IP network interface via at least one IP network, and the host device may be operable to communicate operation data to and from the IP network interface.