System and method for reporting vending status

A vending machine, comprising:

• means for monitoring an AC power line for a predetermined address in dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) code format;
• means for receiving the predetermined address over the AC power line;
• means for indicating receipt of the predetermined address;
• means for transmitting vending status information in the DTMF code format to a specified location over the AC power line;
• and
• means for notifying the specified location when the vending status information transmission is complete.

A vending system control unit, comprising:

• means for sending an address in dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) code format to a plurality of slave units connected thereto via an AC power line network, each of the plurality of slave units having a unique address;
• means for receiving a response from one of the plurality of slave units having the address;
• and
• means for obtaining a transmission of vending status information in DTMF code format from the slave unit responding to the address.

A method reporting vending status, comprising the steps of:

• sending an address in dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) code format over an AC power line, the address corresponding to a slave unit;
• receiving the address at the slave unit;
• transmitting vending status information in DTMF code from the slave unit to a master unit over the AC power line;
• and
• notifying the master unit when the vending status information transmission is complete.

A vending status reporting system, comprising:

• an AC power line network;
• a vending machine connected to the AC power line network;
• a slave reporting unit in communication with the vending machine, comprising:
• a vend button interface which receives input data from a user;
• a microcontroller which receives the data from the vend button interface;
• a slave AC carrier interface which sends and receives signals in dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) code format over the AC power line network, the AC carrier interface in communication with the microcontroller;
• and
• a master reporting unit in communication with the slave reporting unit and a central collection office, comprising:
• a microcontroller;
• non-volatile memory in communication with the microcontroller;
• a real-time clock in communication with the microcontroller;
• a master AC carrier interface which sends and receives signals in dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) code format over the AC power line network to communicate with the slave reporting unit;
• and
• a telephone interface for communicating with the central collection office in DTMF code format.

A vending reporting status system for reporting vending status information on a vending apparatus using an existing AC power network, comprising:

• a communication component connectable between the vending apparatus and the AC power network and configured to communicate in single- or dual-tone multifrequency codes over the AC power network, the communication component comprising:
• a processor for receiving vending status information from the vending apparatus;
• a receiver, connected to the processor, configured to receive an address that corresponds to the vending apparatus;
• and
• a transmitter, connected to the processor, configured to transmit the vending status information upon receipt by the receiver of the address for the vending apparatus.