Apparatus and methods for monitoring and communicating with a plurality of networked remote vending machines

摘要

PCT No. PCT/NO95/00060 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 21, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 21, 1996 PCT Filed Mar. 30, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/27242 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 12, 1995Devices and methods to monitor a distributed system for supplying goods or services and to generate messages concerning the state of the system and the supplied goods or services, Two-way communication within the system occurs between remote local units and a host computer in a control and information processing center. The local units are equipped with a microcontroller with a memory coupled to a plurality of sensors that detect the occurrence of and provide information regarding specified events, such as sales of goods, unauthorized entry into the local unit, and notification of low inventory stock.