Vending machine audit monitoring system with matrix interface

US5924081A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Audit Systems Company · US

Inventors

• Eugene G. Ostendorf · Timonium, US
• John Cowles · Bensalem, US
• Irwin D. Morris · Bel Air, US
• Gerald W. Smith · Clayton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 1995
• Grant date: Jul 13, 1999
• Expiry date: Nov 14, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/12
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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) and interfacing with row and column conductors (306) of vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322), bill validator (324), and motor matrix (304) 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, 180, 190) 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).