Electronic coin mechanism and system

An integrated electronic system for coin operated vending equipment comprising:

• at least one battery powered coin operated dispensing machine,
• said machine including electronic means for recognizing the value of each coin deposited and being operative to permit operation of the machine to dispense a product,
• said electronic means including a rotatable coin wheel having a predetermined number of apertures from which the diameter of a coin may be determined
• light source and detector means positioned on each side of said coin wheel for counting pulses produced by light passing through said apertures as said wheel rotates,
• said electronic means being operative to store predetermined information including one or more prices for the product being dispensed, the relative time of the first and last sale, the relative time of each sale and the total amount of money received by said machine for dispensing a product,
• reader means for retrieving information stored in said electronic means and for programming said electronic means for certain functions,
• computer means,
• shuttle means for interfacing said reader and said computer whereby data retrieved from dispensing means may be processed,
• said electronic means including a secure code to identify the machine, and
• said reader including a secure code inputted by the user to activate the same.