ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALES VENDING CONTROL APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales systems with different types of vending machines, each type of EPOS system and vending machine having characteristic control inputs,characterised in that the control apparatus comprises a main vending control unit connected to at least one vending machine and at least one EPOS system by a communications link for the transmission of characteristic EPOS control input signals for controlling the EPOS system and characteristic vending machine control input signals for controlling the vending machine from the EPOS system,the control apparatus operating an adaptive EPOS communications interface for translating standardised EPOS control input signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic EPOS control input signals for transmission to the EPOS system, and an adaptive vending machine communications interface for converting standardised vending machine control inputs signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic vending machine control input signals for transmission to the vending machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales (EPOS) systems with different types of vending machines is disclosed. The apparatus provides means for ensuring that the signals carrying control instructions for each EPOS system and vending machine connected to the control apparatus are in an appropriate format. The invention also ensures that one person is fully accountable for all vends originating from a particular EPOS system to provide one point of access and includes a verifiable audit trail. Each vend operation is recorded against a single authenticated operator.
26 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales systems with different types of vending machines, each type of EPOS system and vending machine having characteristic control inputs,
characterised in that the control apparatus comprises a main vending control unit connected to at least one vending machine and at least one EPOS system by a communications link for the transmission of characteristic EPOS control input signals for controlling the EPOS system and characteristic vending machine control input signals for controlling the vending machine from the EPOS system, the control apparatus operating an adaptive EPOS communications interface for translating standardised EPOS control input signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic EPOS control input signals for transmission to the EPOS system, and an adaptive vending machine communications interface for converting standardised vending machine control inputs signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic vending machine control input signals for transmission to the vending machine.
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42. (canceled)
Specification