Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing articles to a user comprising an cage having walls defining a hollow interior with one wall having a door with a locking mechanism for automatically engaging the lock; an cage electronic module having a power source, an cage communication means to communicate with a remote monitoring device, a camera, an cage interface for receiving user inputs, an cage notification means and a remote locking system; and a remote monitoring device communicating with the cage electronic module having a power supply, a remote communication means , a visual display for receiving video from an cage camera, a remote device interface for receiving attendant inputs, a remote notification means, whereby, a user can notify an attendant after payment, to dispense articles from an cage, while attendant remotely visually monitors and opens the cage allowing a user to retrieve the purchased articles, after which the lock automatically re-engages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to remotely selling and delivering articles. In particular, the invention relates to a remote cage vending system, wherein the remote vending cage is typically placed outside of the store, and the remote cage system allows an attendant to remotely communicate with a customer and to accomplish objectives including selecting, paying, and receiving delivery of a desired article such as a filled propane tank without the attendant having to leave the store. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most convenient stores and grocery stores keep articles outside their buildings due to the size or the safety hazards involved. For example, propane tanks are typically stored outside due to the explosion hazard involved and also for their sheer size and bulkiness. Additionally, firewood and ice are also typically stored outside the building. In the case of propane, the new and used tanks are locked in a cage to prevent theft. The ice is typically stored in a cage refrigerator and firewood is typically stacked outside the building. 
         [0004]    For the articles that are stored in cage s, these cage are typically locked with a padlock that requires an attendant to leave the store to escort the customer to the cage and unlock the cage and deliver the article to the customer. As for articles such as firewood these articles are left to in the open thus subject to theft. In a store that has multiple attendants, having one attendant assist a customer, may not be an issue generally, but as the store becomes busier then assisting customer with outside articles becomes more problematic. This problem becomes more apparent when in the context of a convenient store where there is only one attendant to service customers. The attendant must leave the interior of the store to assist one customer thus leaving the articles in the store more subject to theft than they would otherwise be with an attendant present. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the current system makes the attendant more susceptible to other crimes that take place at night such as robbery and assault by luring them outside the store where they cannot immediately contact the police for help. These current situations described above may be prevented with a remote cage vending system wherein the attendant could remotely assist with the purchase and dispensing of articles outside the store while simultaneously provided theft protection for the outside articles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention overcomes these shortcomings by providing a system that allows an attendant to service both the customers inside the store and outside the store almost simultaneously without the need for the attendant to exit the store to open the cage. The present invention also allows the attendant to perform their duties away from the service counter and still service a customer who wants an article from outside. The system allows an attendant to receive payment and remotely dispense articles outside from a secured cage thus reducing the opportunity for theft. The system utilizes a securable cage that may be remotely unlocked upon two-way communication between the customer and the attendant via remote monitor device and a cage electronic module. 
         [0007]    There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0008]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0009]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of the remote cage vending system using a wireless networked system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a remote vending cage. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a remote vending cage door. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the remote vending cage door. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a remote vending cage with the door fully opened. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of a remote vending cage. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a left side view of a remote vending cage. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional left side view of a remote vending cage with insulation installed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of a remote vending cage. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a view of a remote monitor device in a charging stand. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of a remote monitor device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of a cage electronic module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a system  100  according to the present invention. This embodiment may include a structure  102 , an cage referred to hereinafter as “remote vending cage”  200 , a remote monitor device system  1000 , a service counter  104 , a wireless router  106 , a system server  108 , a wireless voice communication path  110 , a wireless non-voice communication path  112 , a customer  114 , and an attendant  116 . Other embodiments may include wired, and hybrid networks. 
         [0023]    The remote cage vending system  100  allows an attendant  116  to remotely receive an empty article and dispense a new article to a customer  114  after purchase and visually verify the transaction without the attendant  116  leaving the structure  102  unattended and a customer  114  bringing the article inside the structure  102 . This improves the overall safety when the article is an empty propane tank  504 . Additionally, a remote cage vending system  100  may be used without an empty article such as bundle of wood for a fireplace wherein the article would need to be secured to prevent theft but does not have a replacement. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment the remote cage vending system  100  allows a customer  114  to enter the structure  102 , typically a business such as a convenience store, approach the attendant  116  at the service counter  104  to purchase a replacement propane tank  504 . Upon purchase of the tank  504 , the customer  114  would exit the door, typically go to their vehicle, retrieve an empty propane tank  504  and appear in front of the remote vending cage  200  where they could be seen through a cage electronic module  1200 . The customer  114  would press the call button  1222  on the cage electronic module  1200  to notify the attendant  116  that the customer  114  is at the remote vending cage  200  and they are ready to exchange their propane tank  504 . Upon this notification, the attendant  116  could view the customer  114  at the remote vending cage  200  through a remote monitor device  1100 . The attendant  116  may also speak to the customer  114  to verify that they had the empty propane tank  504  to exchange for a full propane tank  504  they will be removing from the remote vending cage  200 . Once notification is received by the attendant  116  and they verify the customer  114  has paid then the attendant  116  may remotely unlock the remote vending cage  200  to allow access by the customer  114  to remove and exchange a propane tank  504 . This prevents the structure  102  from being unattended and alleviates the attendant  116  delaying service to other customers within the structure  102 . 
         [0025]    Another embodiment allows a customer  114  to directly purchase an article at the remote vending cage  200  without entering the structure  102 . The customer  114  notifies the attendant  116  using a cage electronic module  1200  that they would like to purchase a new propane tank  504  and exchange an empty one. In this embodiment a card reader  1226  is integrated with the cage electronic module  1200  to allow a customer  114  to remotely purchase an exchange propane tank  504  by sliding their card through the credit card reader  1226  which may then notify the attendant  116  of the purchase of the propane tank  504  on their point of sale device. Additionally, a cash receiver or Apple Pay™ reader may replace the credit card reader  1226 . The cage electronic module  1200  will be further described in  FIGS. 12 . Upon the purchase being verified and accepted by the attendant  116 , they would then follow the same process as noted above in allowing the customer  114  remotely access to the remote vending cage  200  to remove and exchange a propane tank  504 . 
         [0026]    These two embodiments have dealt specifically with the purchase of propane tanks  504  at a business such as a convenience store. This remote cage vending system is adaptable to most any article that remains outside a business including but not limited to firewood, bags of ice and other articles that are typically kept outside because they are too large to fit within the structure  102 , or where there is an apparent safety hazard associated with them such as with the propane tanks  504 . It would apparent to one skilled in the art which article would be appropriate for the remote cage vending system  100 . 
         [0027]    The remote communications device  1208  may directly communicate with the remote monitor device  1100  wirelessly or wired through a voice communication path  110  and a non-voice communication path  112 . These communication paths allow a customer  114  and attendant  116  to remotely converse concerning the transaction and also allows the attendant  116  to remotely open the remote cage  200  and visually monitor a customer  114  receiving the article and when the transaction is complete. Additionally, the remote monitor device  1100  may also communicate through a wireless network to the remote communication device  1208 . The remote monitor device  1100  may communicate with the wireless router  106  which in turn routes the communication to remote communication device  1208 . Where there is only one remote cage  200  direct communications may be desirable, however, where there were more than one remote cage  200  outside the structure  104 , a networked system may be preferred. A remote cage vending system  100  using a wireless router  106  may be connected to a system server  108  that could perform functions such as tracking the remote cage  200  inventory, customer data associated with remote cage transactions, automatic ordering, and other pertinent data that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The remote monitor device  1100  may also communicate through a wired connection to the remote communication device  1208  affixed to the remote vending cage  200 , a wired router, and a system server  108 . 
         [0028]    One other aspect to the above described embodiments allows an attendant  116  to maintain the remote monitor device  1100  in its charging stand  102  if the attendant  116  remains at the service counter. However, if the attendant  116  needs to roam throughout the structure  102 , the system is designed such that the remote monitor device  1100  may be removed from the charger stand  1002  and accompany the attendant  116  throughout the structure  102  where they can provide services to customers  114  outside without being at the service counter  104  at the time of the notification. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a remote vending cage  200 . The remote vending cage  200  is typically placed outside the structure  102  due to safety concerns or limited space with inside the structure  102  for the articles. The remote vending cage  200  may comprise a cage structure  202 , a cage top  204 , a cage door  300 , a cage structure brace  206 , cage feet  208 , cage lifting points  210 , and a cage electronic module  1200 . The hollow interior may include a cage structure  202 , the cage top  204 , cage shelves  502 , and the cage door  300  wherein it provides for securely storing articles such as propane tanks  504  and firewood inside the remote cage  200 . The remote cage  200  is preferably made from metal but may be constructed from other materials including but not limited to a metal alloy, fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber, and wood. The door  300  will be further described in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0030]    The cage structure brace  206  may prevent the remote cage  200  from twisting and distorting while moving it to a desired location. Additionally, once the remote vending cage  200  is in its final position then the cage feet  208  are adjusted to level the remote cage  200 . The cage feet  208  allows the remote vending cage  200  to be leveled forward and aft and side-to-side to prevent articles from unexpectedly exiting the front of the remote vending cage  200  when the cage door  300  is opened. The cage feet  208  are preferably threadedly attached to the remote vending cage  200  and adjusted by screwing the feet  208  up and down to acquire the appropriate level position. Once level, a brace  206  may provide the rigid structure to maintain the square of the remote cage  200  thus reducing gaps between the door  300  and remote cage  200  and preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the remote cage  200 . 
         [0031]    The remote vending cage  200  may be moved by attaching to the lifting points  210 , a lifting device such as a forklift that would engage the lifting points  210  and allow the remote cage  200  to be moved to a desired location. The lifting points are preferably welded to the cage structure  202  but may use other affixation methods including, but not limited to, adhesives, bolts, screws, rivets, pins and anchors. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a view of the front of the remote vending cage door  300 . The remote vending cage door  300  may consist of a door frame  302 , hinges  304 , protective screening  306 , protective bars  308 , a protective plate  310 , protective plate mounting bolts  312 , a remote locking system  314 , a lock  316 , a hasp  318  and padlock protection  320 . The door frame  302  is preferably constructed from right angled metal to create a rectangular door to cover the opening of the remote cage  200  but may be constructed from other materials including but not limited to metal alloy, fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber, and wood. In the openings of the door frame  302  protective screening  306  may be positioned and affixed to prevent unauthorized entry into the interior of the remote vending cage  200  while also allowing a customer  114  to view the contents of the remote vending cage  200 . The protective screening is also affixed to the sides  600 ,  700  of the remote cage  200 . The screening  306  provides some explosion resistance in the case of propane tank  504 , where if an explosion were to occur, large portions of the propane tank  504  would remain while the escaping gasses would be allowed to exit the remote cage  200  without creating more projectiles. The protective bars  308  provides added structural rigidity to the door frame  302  while also adding another level of protection to the articles inside. 
         [0033]    The door frame  302  is preferably attached to the remote vending cage  200  by the hinges  304 . The hinges  304  may be affixed to the door frame  302  and the cage structure  202  by welding but other affixation methods including, but not limited to, adhesives, bolts, screws, rivets, pins and anchors may be used. In the current embodiment, three hinges  304  are utilized, however, the number of hinges  304  needed may be determined by the weight and the material used in the construction of the cage door  300 . Additionally, a single continuous hinge  304  may also be used. The hinges  304  allow the remote vending cage door  300  to freely open and close without little effort and provide security to the contents inside. 
         [0034]    The door  300  may be secured to the remote vending cage  200  by one or more locks. The remote locking mechanism  314  in this embodiment is preferably a door strike lock. Other remote locking mechanisms  314  include, but are not limited to door strike locks, magnetic locks, and electric deadbolts locks. The remote locking mechanism  314  in this embodiment may be mounted to the cage door  300  using a protective plate  310  and protective plate mounting bolts  312 . This protective plate  310  allows for the remote locking mechanism  314  to be affixed to the door  300  and positioned to matedly attach to the locking pin  508 . The plate  310  also prevents tampering with the remote locking mechanism  314  by unauthorized personnel. The remote locking mechanism  314  may be programmed to automatically lock when the door  300  returns to the closed position and it may also be programmed to delay locking for selected time period. Additionally, once the locking mechanism  314  is engaged the attendant  116  is notified the remote cage  200  is secure. 
         [0035]    Additionally, there may be additional locking means attached to the cage door  300 . The locking means may include but is not limited to combination, padlocks, key, keycard, keycode, password, biometric, radio frequency identification (RFID) and security token. In this embodiment, these locking means if engaged would prevent the remote locking mechanism  314  from functioning. In this embodiment, there are two additional locks. First, a key lock  316  is integrated with remote locking mechanism  314  such that when activated prevents the remote locking mechanism  314  from being actuated remotely, effectively taking the remote locking mechanism  314  out of the loop and requiring an attendant  116  to physically unlock the cage. This lock  316  allows a business that is not open  24  hours to secure the remote cage  200  during the non-business hours. Additionally, a hasp  318  allows a padlock staple  510  to protrude through the hasp  318  wherein a padlock may be attached to prevent unauthorized entry. Additionally, padlock protection  320  is positioned to increase difficulty for someone with bolt cutters attempting to cut the lock. These three locking systems described above allow the attendant  116  to provide multiple levels of security to the remote vending cage  200  based on the operating environment in which the remote vending cage  200  is located. They allow for varying degrees of access from remote to accompanied access through an attendant  116 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a view of the door from the rear  400 . The rear view of the cage door  400  illustrates a remote locking mechanism retainer plate  402  and the associated retainer fasteners  404  for maintaining the locking mechanism  314  in position, remote lock wiring  406 , a wiring retainer  408  and a retention device first attachment point  410 . The remote locking mechanism retainer plate  402  is fixedly attached to the remote locking mechanism  314 . The retainer plate  402  may be attached to the protective plate  310  using protective plate bolts  312 . These bolts  312  may protrude through the retainer plate  402  slots and be secured in place using retainer fasteners  404 . The retainer plate  402  may have slots that allow for horizontal adjustment of the remote locking mechanism  314  to correctly align the mechanism  314  with a locking pin  508 . The retainer fasteners  404  includes but is not limited to nuts, washers, nylon nuts, and lock washers. 
         [0037]    This view also provides an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the lock wiring  406  routing to the remote locking mechanism  314 . Attached to the remote locking mechanism  314  is the lock wiring  406  that is routed such that it is protected by the door frame  302 . The lock wiring  406  leaves the rear of the remote locking mechanism  314  and remains behind the protective plate  310  until it reaches the horizontal member of the door frame  302  at which time it may follow the door frame  302  until it reaches the vertical portion of the door frame  302 . The lock wiring  406  may then follow the vertical member of the door frame  302  until it is secured in place by a wiring retainer  408  rigidly affixed to the cage door  300 . The lock wiring  406  may be connected to a control box  518  mounted inside the remote vending cage  200 . Additional wiring retainers  408  may be utilized in the routing of the lock wiring  406  as desired by one skilled in the art. 
         [0038]    Also fixedly attached to the remote vending cage door  300  is a retention device first attachment point  410 . This first attachment point  410  is the connecting point for automatically closing the cage door  300  and bringing the cage door  300  to its original position and engaging the locking pin  508  once a transaction between the attendant  116  and the customer  114  has concluded. This is further described below in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a remote vending cage with the front door fully opened  500 . In this view, the internal parts a preferred embodiment of the remote vending cage  200  are illustrated. In this embodiment, the configuration preferably has three shelves  502  and for exemplary purposes propane tanks  504  that sit atop the shelves  502 , a door strike pin mount  506 , and a locking pin  508  that is matedly attached to the remote locking mechanism  314  and a padlock staple  510 . In this current embodiment, there are three propane tanks  504 , one sitting upon each shelf  502 . Depending on the size of the remote vending cage  200 , each one of those shelves  502  may hold multiple propane tanks  504  on a shelve  502  depending on the structural capacity of the shelves  502 . One skilled in the art would be able to determine the capacity needed for the shelves  502  based on the articles to be dispensed. Other embodiments may have greater or fewer shelves  502  depending on the articles to be dispensed and the number of shelves  502  required would be apparent to one skilled in the art based on the size and weight of the articles. The shelves  502  may be adjustable or rigidly affixed to the interior of the remote cage  200 . 
         [0040]    The door strike pin mount  506  may rigidly place the locking pin  508  in a position to reengage the remote locking mechanism  314  once the retention device  604  has returned the cage door  300  to the locked position. As the cage door  300  moves to the locked position, the remote locking mechanism  314  reengages the locking pin  508  such that the remote locking mechanism  314  may be remotely actuated to unlock the cage door  300  once again. The remote cage detailed view  500  further illustrates the padlock staple  510 . The padlock staple  510  maybe rigidly affixed to the remote cage  200 . The padlock staple  510  may protrude through the cage door  300  at the hasp  318  wherein a padlock may be placed through the padlock staple  510  to prevent opening the cage door  300 . In this configuration, the cage door  300  can no longer be operated open remotely. 
         [0041]    This view  500  illustrates a cage electronic module  1200  may be powered by an internal battery  1224  or receive external DC power from a control box  518  via a DC power cable  520 . The external DC power is supplied by a control box  518  that receives external power from a solar panel  514  via solar panel wiring  516 , or other external power that may be the either AC or DC power via an external power cable  512 . The control box  518  converts and conditions the external power to provide the required power for the cage electronic module  1200 . The internal battery  1224  may be rechargeable wherein the rechargeable battery is then recharged by the external power source. The feed-through hole  902  preferably allows a connection to a standard outlet either with a standard 120-volt AC plug or through a DC converter connecting to a standard 120-volt AC plug. Additionally, the control box  518  routes the signals from the remote communications device  1208  to the remote locking mechanism  314  to actuate and unlock the door  300 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of a remote vending cage&#39;s right side  600 . This view illustrates a retention device  604 , a cage retention device second attachment point  602  and the cage structure brace  206  affixed to a remote vending cage  200  by brace fasteners  606 . In this embodiment, the retention device  604  is a spring and one end of a spring  604  is attached to a cage retention device second attachment point  602  affixed to the remote vending cage  200  and the opposite end of the spring  604  is attached to a retention device first attachment point  410 . A spring  604  is preferably used to automatically return the door  300  to its closed position after allowing a customer  114  to retrieve an article from the interior of the remote vending cage  200  wherein the door strike  314  engages the locking pin  508 . The spring may be replaced with other automatic closing devices including but not limited to mechanical, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic. 
         [0043]    Additionally, this view illustrates the cage structure brace  206  fixedly attached to the remote vending cage  200  utilizing the brace fasteners  606 . They may be selected from fasteners including but not limited bolts, screws or other appropriate fasteners apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a view of a remote vending cage&#39;s left side  700 . This view illustrates the lifting points  210  and a remote communications device  1208  being affixed to a remote vending cage  200  by a remote device mounting bracket  702  and remote device mounting hardware  704 . The remote communications device  1208  may be mounted in many locations on the remote vending cage  200 . In a preferred embodiment, the remote communications device  1208  is mounted directly above the cage door  300  on the left side above the door strike  314 . This mounting allows a customer  114  to be easily monitored once the remote vending cage  200  is remotely unlocked. The remote device mounting bracket  702  may be fixedly attached to the remote vending cage  200  by the remote device mounting hardware  704 . The remote device mounting hardware  704  may include, but is not limited to, machine screws, nuts, bolts, screws and specialized security mounting hardware that is designed to prevent its removal. Additionally, the remote device mounting bracket  702  may be attached more permanently by methods, including but not limited to, welding and adhesives. The remote communications device  1208  may be rigidly affixed inside a protective enclosure  1202 . The protective enclosure  1202  may be affixed to the remote device mounting bracket  702  using protective enclosure mounting hardware  706  that is placed through the protective enclosure mounting holes  1204  to secure the protective enclosure  1202  to the remote device mounting bracket  702 . The protective enclosure mounting hardware  706  may include but is not limited to machine screws, nuts, bolts, screws and specialized security mounting hardware. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary view of the left side of a remote vending cage with insulation material installed  800 . In one embodiment, the remote vending cage  200  may further comprise insulation or an insulating material  802  to help maintain a specific temperature of the articles inside such as ice or prevent direct sunlight and heating to articles such as propane tanks thereby minimizing an explosion hazard. In this embodiment, the insulating material  802  is placed throughout the interior of the remote vending cage  200  and is attached to the sides with an insulation perimeter attachment point  804  which includes but is not limited to a hook-and-loops, adhesives, and other types of affixation methods that allow for a continuous attachment around the sides of the remote vending cage  200  that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. This continuous attachment minimizes a temperature differential. Additionally, the insulating material  802  may have interior attachment points  806  which attach to the protective screening  306  to maintain the insulating material  802  in a desired position. The left-side view  800  is exemplary of the insulating material  802  as it would be affixed throughout the remote vending cage  200 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a remote vending cage detailed view from the rear  900 . This view illustrates the electrical feed-through hole  902  that allows external power  512  from an power source outside of the remote vending cage  200  to be fed through the electrical feed-through hole  902  to the inside of the remote vending cage  200  to the control box  518 . 
         [0047]    Additionally, this view illustrates the remote cage mounting holes  904  wherein the remote vending cage  200  may be affixed to the structure  102 . Affixing the remote vending cage  200  to a wall may prevent theft or the remote vending cage  200  from over turning in an event such as an earthquake or tornado. The remote vending cage  200  may be mounted to the wall of the structure  102  using mounting hardware that is specific to the wall type in which the remote vending cage  200  is being affixed. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a view of a remote monitor device in its charging stand  1000 . The remote monitor device  1100  is described in detail in  FIG. 11 . The remote monitor device  1100  may be used either in the charging stand  1002  which may be preferably stationed on the service counter  104  or may be handheld and used by an attendant  116  as they operate through the structure  102  performing their duties. While operating as a handheld device the remote monitor device  1100  may be powered by an internal battery  1006 . Otherwise, when the remote monitor device  1100  is in the charging stand  1002  it may be powered externally. The charging stand  1002  may be connected to an AC power source such as a 120 volt wall outlet that charges the remote monitor device&#39;s battery  1006  when it is placed in the stand  1002  by an AC power adapter  1004 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of a remote monitor device  1100 . This embodiment may include a device case  1102 , a display  1104 , a power button  1106 , a talk button  1108 , a microphone  1110 , a speaker  1112 , a volume control  1114 , a charging indicator  1116 , a status indicator  1118 , a view function  1120 , and a charging port  1122 . This remote monitor device  1100  may allow an attendant  116  to perform their duties and roam inside the structure  102  without being forced to stay behind the service counter  104 . The elements described above may be placed inside a device case  1102  for ease of use and portability. 
         [0050]    The attendant  116  applies power to the remote monitor device  1100  through the power button  1106 . The remote monitor device  1100  allows an attendant  116  to communicate with a customer  114  visually through the display  1104  on the remote monitor device  1100  and through audio using the speaker  1112 , microphone  1110 , and the talk button  1108 . The attendant  116  talks to a customer  114  through the microphone  1110  after pressing the talk button  1108  and speaking to the customer  114  wherein the attendant  116  can see the customer  114  on their display  1104  after selecting the view function  1120 . The display may include, but is not limited to, an LCD and LED display. Additionally, the remote monitor device  1100  has a speaker  1112  with volume control  1114  that allows an attendant  116  to listen to a customer  114  and while they&#39;re speaking adjust the volume control  1114  to increase or decrease the volume of the customer  114  when the conditions warrant such adjustment. Additionally, a camera may be included in the remote monitor device  1100  to provide two-visual way communication. 
         [0051]    Also illustrated in this embodiment of the remote monitor device  1100  is a status indicator  1118  that indicates the level of battery charge currently remaining in the remote monitor device  1100 . This status indicator  1118  notifies the attendant  116  of the remaining power when the remote monitor device  1100  is not in its charging stand  1002 . Once the remote monitor device  1100  is placed in the charging stand  1002  it is connected to the charging port  1122  on the remote monitor device  1100  to recharge the battery. A charging indicator  1116  indicates that the remote monitor device  1100  is currently charging. The remote monitor device  1100  may allow an attendant  116  to take and store pictures in the onboard memory. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, a remote monitor device  1100  includes a article inventory tracking means that allows the attendant  116  to interface with the system server  108  to view and track article inventory using a database. The tracking means may include RFID tags attached to the articles that communicate with the system server  108  and the remote monitor device  1100 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of a cage electronic module  1200 . The cage electronic module  1200  may include a projective closure  1202 , an anti-glare shield,  1206 , a remote communications device  1208 , and a credit card reader  1226  and an external power source  520 . 
         [0054]    The remote communication device  1208  mounting is described in detail in  FIG. 7 . The protective cage  1202  protects the remote communication device  1208  from the environmental elements and also prevents tampering with the remote communication device  1208 . An anti-glare shield  1206  for the display in camera may be integrated into the protective cage  1202  or may be a separate piece that is fixedly attached to the protective cage  1202 . This anti-glare shield  1206  helps shield the effects of the sun on the camera and display. 
         [0055]    The remote communication device  1208  interface means is selected from switches, buttons, sensors, keypads, and touchscreens. In a preferred embodiment the remote communications device  1208  may comprise a display  1210 , a camera  1212 , lights  1214 , an infrared (IR) sensor  1216 , a low battery status indicator  1220 , a call button  1222 , an internal battery  1224 , a speaker  1218  and a microphone  1219 . The microphone  1219  and speaker  1218  allow the customer  114  to communicate with the attendant  116 . The customer  114  pushes the call button  1222  on the communications device  1208  to notify the attendant  116  on the remote monitor device  1100 . The notification may be by audio or visual que to the attendant  116  or both. The audio cues may be programmable tones or voices. Once the attendant  116  is notified, they can then respond to the customer  114  using the remote monitor device  1100  wherein they can press the talk button  1108  and converse with the customer  114  through the microphone  1110  and listen to the customer&#39;s  114  response through the speaker  1112  on the remote monitor device  1100 . While talking to the customer  114 , the attendant  116  may visually monitor the customer  114  through the remote communication device camera  1212  and the remote monitor device display  1104 . In another embodiment the customer  114  may be able to visually monitor the attendant  116  through a camera on the remote monitor device  1100  and a display  1210  on the remote communications device  1208 . 
         [0056]    The remote communications device  1208  may also utilize lighting  1214  to include infrared (IR) and regular LED type lights for operation at in lowlight conditions and at night. Additionally, the remote communications device  1208  may employ a passive IR sensor that allows the attendant  116  inside the structure  102  to be immediately notified when an IR sensor  1216  detects motion near the remote vending cage  200 . The attendant  116  could use the remote monitor device  1100  to view the area on the display  1104 . 
         [0057]    In another embodiment, a credit card reader  1226  is integrated with the remote communications device  1208  thereby allowing a customer  114  to approach the remote vending cage  200 , talk to the attendant  116  and upon her direction could then slide a credit card through the credit card reader  1226  or place the card in close proximity to provide payment for the articles inside the remote vending cage  200 . Once the payment has been received from the customer then the attendant  116  could remotely open the door of the remote vending cage  200  by activating the remote locking mechanism  314  which would then allow the customer  114  to access the articles inside the remote vending cage  200 .