초록 ▼

A tracking system counts events in the operation of multiple machines or devices over a wide geographic area. For example, for bulk venders the system counts each vend responsive to rotation through a cycle of the coin mechanism, and preferably records the date and time of each vend. An active tag h

A tracking system counts events in the operation of multiple machines or devices over a wide geographic area. For example, for bulk venders the system counts each vend responsive to rotation through a cycle of the coin mechanism, and preferably records the date and time of each vend. An active tag has a memory for storing data representing a vending event, for example the date and time of the event. The data is periodically read by an interrogator, which downloads the data stored in the tag memory and erases the memory to reset the tag for continued monitoring of the vender. With this information an operator can reconcile revenues, track when sales take place and over what period of time, and track the work habits of service personnel.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A switch for transmitting an electrical signal associated with a rotary coin mechanism in which a coin is conveyed about a rotational cycle, comprising a dog disposed on a pivot, being capable of being biased to each of open and closed positions and having on each side

The invention claimed is: 1. A switch for transmitting an electrical signal associated with a rotary coin mechanism in which a coin is conveyed about a rotational cycle, comprising a dog disposed on a pivot, being capable of being biased to each of open and closed positions and having on each side of the pivot a finger for contacting the coin in the open position or the closed position, respectively, and a contact housing positioned facing one of the fingers, whereby as the coin passes one finger it pushes the dog to the closed position, closing a circuit and generating an electrical pulse at a tracking device, the dog remaining in the closed position until the coin passes the other finger and pushes the dog to the open position with the finger remote from contacts of the contact housing. 2. The switch of claim 1 wherein the contact housing provides a pair of contacts facing a conductive finger which contacts the pair of contacts to close the circuit. 3. The switch of claim 1 wherein the dog is biased by a ball which settles into a first notch in the open position or a second notch in the closed position. 4. The switch of claim 3 wherein the ball is spring-loaded. 5. The switch of claim 1 wherein the dog is frictionally engaged to a hub. 6. The switch of claim 1 wherein the switch delivers a signal to a tracking device. 7. The switch of claim 6 wherein the coin mechanism is in a vender.