Controlled vacuum collection device and method thereof

A system for controlling the collection of items comprising:

• at least one container for placing items therein,
• a processor in communication with said container so as to detect the amount of items being placed therein;
• a controller in communication with said processor for receiving data regarding the contents of the container;
• and
• a collection unit linked to said controller for control thereof and comprising a conduit for being mounted to said container and a vacuum producing unit for producing a vacuum within said conduit,
• wherein when mounting said conduit to said container, said controller so controls said vacuum producing unit as to modulate the vacuum produced within said conduit in accordance with the received data thereby so as to suction the item within said container into said collection unit.

A method of controlling the collection of items from a container, said method comprising:

• remotely determining the contents of the container;
• placing a collection unit in fluid communication with the container;
• providing a vacuum between the container and the collection unit so that items from the container are suctioned into the collection unit;
• and
• modulating the intensity of the vacuum in accordance with the contents of the container.

A system for monitoring the amount of items in transit vehicle fare boxes, said system comprising

• a plurality of fair boxes for receiving items tendered for fare therein, each said fare box being mounted to a transit vehicle;
• a processor mounted to each fair box for detecting the amount of items therein;
• and
• a controller remote from said plurality of fare boxes and in communication with each said processor thereof so as to receive data regarding the amount of items in each said fare box.