| 摘要 |
<p>PCT No. PCT/US86/00783 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 16, 1988 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 16, 1988 PCT Filed Apr. 14, 1986 PCT Pub. No. WO87/06377 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 22, 1987.The system includes containers for storing articles to be distributed, and a computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMUs) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. A security door in the CCU is selectively unlocked for obtaining a selected PTMU only in response to a coded ID input identifying the particular user of the PTMU. The PTMU is then mounted on the article container to off-load a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container. A computer-controlled locking system on the container permits removal of articles from the container only in response to a coded input from the PTMU for actuating the locking system. After sales transactions involving articles removed from the container are completed and recorded in the PTMU, data from the PTMU are off-loaded into digital data transfer and storage means in the CCU in response to the PTMU being returned to its compartment in the CCU.</p> |
