Portable transaction monitoring unit for transaction monitoring and

Abstract

A transaction monitoring and security system records data from the sale of articles and provides security for inventor and sales receipts. The system includes container for storing articles to be distributed, and 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 (PTMU's) 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. The PTMU off-loads a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container. A computer-controlled locking system permits removal of articles from the container only in response to a coded input from the PTMU. Transactions involving each article removed from the container for sale and distribution are recorded in the PTMU. After sales transactions are completed, data from the PTMU are off-loaded to the CCU by the PTMU. The PTMU can include a rotatable turret and bar code reading lens with an isolated amplifier inside the turret for amplifying signals generated by the read head for coupling to the microprocessor in the PTMU housing. Electrical shielding in the turret protects the amplifier from receiving interference signals from the electromics in the PTMU.