Patent ID: RE40588

Claim:
An audit monitor for retrofit into a coin operated vending system, the vending system having means for receiving and dispensing funds in the form of a coin changer and a bill validator electrically coupled to a controller by a data link, said audit system comprising: interface means coupled to the data link for monitoring electrical signals exchanged between the funds receiving and dispensing means and the controller to establish funds transaction data; microprocessor means having a first input coupled to an output of said interface means for (1) interpreting said monitored electrical signals responsive to a pre-selected portion of a set of predetermined parameters, and (2) discriminating and accumulating both said funds transaction data and product dispensing transaction data for the coin operated vending system; memory means coupled to said microprocessor means for storing said set of predetermined parameters and said accumulated funds transaction data and said product dispensing transaction data, said memory microprocessor means including means for reading said pre-selected portion of said set of stored predetermined parameters and providing an output thereof provided from said memory means being coupled to 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 output of said accumulated funds transaction data and said product dispensing transaction data therefrom.