SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE DISPENSING UNITS AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

A system (8) for managing multiple dispensing units (10) by communicating through a communications network (12) is provided. The system (8) for managing multiple dispensing units (10) includes a plurality of units (10) operable to transmit and receive information through the network (12). Each unit (10) includes a plurality of bins (20) and a controller subsystem (34) coupled to the plurality of bins (20) and the communications network (12). The controller subsystem (34) is operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit (10), to transmit status messages responsive to an occurence of one of a plurality of defined events, and to receive command messages. The system (8) also includes a dispensing unit controller system (14) to receive messages from the units (10) and transmit commands to the units (10).