Audit monitoring and product drop system for retrofitting vending machines

摘要

An audit monitoring and product drop system for retrofitting into an existing vending machine and a method of operating a vending machine is disclosed. A product drop sensor is provided to detect when a product to be dispensed drops through a product drop area of the vending machine. When a product dispensing mechanism is actuated, the output of the product drop sensor is monitored to determine whether a product to be dispensed drops through the product drop area within a predetermined time interval after the product dispensing mechanism is actuated. Transactional information relating to the products dispensed and the funds received are stored in a memory means only if a product drop is sensed by the product drop sensor within the predetermined time period.