Vending machine audit monitoring system
First Claim
1. An audit monitor for retrofit into a coin operated vending system, the vending system having means for receiving and dispensing funds coupled to a controller by a data link, said audit system comprising:
- interface means coupled to the data link for monitoring communication between the funds receiving and dispensing means and the controller, microprocessor means coupled to an output of said interface means for (1) interpreting said monitored communications responsive to parameters selected from a plurality of predetermined parameters, said selected parameters including at least a protocol of said monitored communications and (2) discriminating and accumulating transaction data for the coin operated vending system;
memory means coupled to said microprocessor means for storing said plurality of predetermined parameters and said transaction data, said memory means being coupled to said microprocessor means by data, addressing and control signal pathways, said memory means including a circuit for (1) reading a predetermined number of said stored predetermined parameters defining said selected parameters, and (2) providing an output thereof to said microprocessor means responsive to an identification code input to said memory means therefrom from said microprocessor means;
power supply means coupled to said interface means, said microprocessor means, and said memory means for supplying an operating voltage thereto; and
input/output means removably coupled to said microprocessor means for input of said identification code to said microprocessor and output of said transaction data therefrom.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An audit monitoring system (10) is provided for use with any of a multiplicity of different coin operated vending machines (300). The audit monitoring system includes an interface assembly (102) for use in replacing an existing data link (330) within vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications signals transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322) and bill validator (324) of vending machine (300). Audit monitoring assembly (100) is powered from a power supply (302) of vending machine (300) and includes interface circuitry (110,120,130) for receipt of digital logic level signals, serial data or relay logic signals from vending machine (300). Additionally, the data retrieval terminal (20) may be removably coupled to the audit monitoring assembly (100) through either a hard wired coupling (254) through a serial interface (250) or alternately by means of infrared optical signals (12, 22) through an infrared interface circuit (260).
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An audit monitor for retrofit into a coin operated vending system, the vending system having means for receiving and dispensing funds coupled to a controller by a data link, said audit system comprising:
-
interface means coupled to the data link for monitoring communication between the funds receiving and dispensing means and the controller, microprocessor means coupled to an output of said interface means for (1) interpreting said monitored communications responsive to parameters selected from a plurality of predetermined parameters, said selected parameters including at least a protocol of said monitored communications and (2) discriminating and accumulating transaction data for the coin operated vending system;
memory means coupled to said microprocessor means for storing said plurality of predetermined parameters and said transaction data, said memory means being coupled to said microprocessor means by data, addressing and control signal pathways, said memory means including a circuit for (1) reading a predetermined number of said stored predetermined parameters defining said selected parameters, and (2) providing an output thereof to said microprocessor means responsive to an identification code input to said memory means therefrom from said microprocessor means;
power supply means coupled to said interface means, said microprocessor means, and said memory means for supplying an operating voltage thereto; and
input/output means removably coupled to said microprocessor means for input of said identification code to said microprocessor and output of said transaction data therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An audit monitoring system for addition to any of plurality of different types of existing coin operated ending systems, at least one of the types of vending systems having a currency validator and a coin changer coupled to a controller by a data link, said audit monitoring system comprising:
-
adapter means coupled to the currency validator, coin changer and controller of the vending system in place of the data link for accessing signals communicated therebetween;
interface means coupled to said adapter means for buffering said accessed signals;
microprocessor means coupled to an output of said interface means for monitoring said buffered accessed signals to discriminate and accumulate predetermined transaction data therefrom, said microprocessor means including means for interpreting said buffered accessed signals responsive to parameters selected from a plurality of predetermined parameters;
memory means coupled to said microprocessor means for storing said plurality of predetermined parameters and said transaction data, said memory means being coupled to said microprocessor means by data, addressing and control signal pathways, said memory means including a circuit for (1) reading a predetermined number of said stored predetermined parameters defining said selected parameters, and (2) providing an output thereof to said microprocessor means responsive to an identification code input to said memory means therefrom from said microprocessor means;
power supply means coupled to said interface means, said microprocessor means, and said memory means for supplying an operating voltage thereto; and
input/output means removably coupled to said microprocessor means for input of identification data to said microprocessor and output of said transaction data therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification