Patent ID: 6321985
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A vending machine control system for monitoring items from a plurality of vending machines located at a single vending site, each of said vending machines having a respective coin acceptor interface and respective selection controls for selecting an item to vend at an item price, said vending machine control system comprising:a) a plurality of network means respectively connected to each of said coin acceptor interfaces for monitoring inventory, each of said network means coupled to one another by a network, said network means for facilitating communication with each of said vending machines through said network;b) an inventory addressing scheme with each of said items in each of said vending machines assigned a unique price to serve as an item address with said unique price not specified to be said item price, and said network means monitoring a plurality of signals received from respectively connected coin acceptor interfaces, said received signals being said vending machine's control system dispense change control lines; andc) a single control means, coupled to said network at said single vending site, for sending and receiving information to and from each of said vending machines to monitor inventory at each of said vending machines.