Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling access to remotely located equipment are disclosed. The method includes receiving a request at an access control module (ACM) from a host controller to provide a serial number associated with the ACM and communicating the serial number to the host controller. In response to communicating the serial number to the host controller, the ACM receives a calculated unique key from the host controller and compares the calculated unique key with a unique key stored in a microprocessor associated with the ACM. If the calculated unique key matches the stored unique key, the ACM generates an actuation signal and communicates the actuation signal to a fail-safe switch assembly in order to activate at least one component of an electronic locking structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for collecting, storing and communicating vending machine transaction data. The system preferably includes an embedded data collection and storage device that, when placed inside a vending machine, will collect both DEX and MDB data using a combination of ad-hoc scheduling and trigger-based events. In addition, the embedded data collection and storage device may collect transaction data concerning handheld transactions as well as vending machine error transactions, including timestamps. Functionality operable to permit handheld computer communication with the vending machine, as well as at least a cashless media transaction device may also be included. Data transferred to the handheld computer may be subsequently communicated to one or more host applications or credit agencies.

Abstract: A controller may be provided to monitor and record various activities associated with remotely located equipment, e.g. a vending machine or a service vehicle. The controller may also be operable to communicate over multiple wireless communication paths with remotely located equipment, handheld devices and/or a network operations center over multiple wireless networks.

Abstract: A field asset suitable for use in a machine to machine environment includes a machine controller configured to function as a master of a shared bus (e.g. an MDB bus) and one or more slave peripheral devices connected to the bus. The field asset includes a snoop agent to capture packets transmitted on the shared bus. The snoop agent may be implemented as a microcontroller coupled to the MDB bus via a UART and isolation circuitry and controlled by appropriate packet capture firmware. The microcontroller may capture and buffer captured data and send the buffered data to a snoop application module. The application module may be implemented as part of an extended function adapter including an embedded processor in communication with the microcontroller.