The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 1985
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1981
Donald L McLaughlin, Newton Square, PA (US);
Mars Incorporated, McLean, VA (US);
Abstract
A programmable accountability apparatus for installation into a vending machine is disclosed. The accountability apparatus comprises a plurality of monitoring wires attachable to points within the vending machine carrying AC signals selected for monitoring, means for converting the AC signals into digital signals, a microprocessor which is programmed to monitor and collect data from the digital signals, and a memory for storing both data collected from the digital signals and data for programming the microprocessor. The data for programming the microprocessor comprises a selected digital word for each monitoring wire which determines whether the occurrence of the AC signal monitored by that wire is to be counted, timed or measured in duration.