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System for the remote monitoring of vending machines

  • US 4,412,292 A
  • Filed: 02/17/1981
  • Issued: 10/25/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for the remote monitoring of sensors in a vending machine and for automatically communicating the condition of said sensors to a central computer complex comprising:

  • a plurality of storage compartments for containing products to be vended;

    door means in said vending machine providing access to said storage compartments;

    door switch means for sensing when said door is open and generating a door open signal;

    entry acknowledge switch means within said vending machine which is inaccessible until said door means is opened, said entry acknowledge switch means generating a legal entry signal when actuated within a predetermined period of time after the generation of said door open signal;

    timer means for measuring said predetermined period of time after the generation of said door open signal;

    logic circuit means for sensing if said entry acknowledge switch means is actuated during said predetermined period of time;

    alarm generating means coupled to said logic circuit means for transmitting an illegal entry alarm signal to said central computer complex if said entry acknowledge switch is not actuated within said predetermined period of time;

    service switch means for generating a service signal in response to the manual actuation thereof indicative of an entry into said vending machine to service the same; and

    means for generating and transmitting a service alarm signal to said central computer complex in response to the occurrence of said service signal in combination with said legal entry signal.

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