Patent ID: RE39234

Claim:
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.