Abstract: A controller for a multi-item vendor includes a memory, a set of manually operable selectors, an alphanumeric display, and a logic circuit. Information associated with the vending of items is electronically stored in the memory by categories such as price, throw, sales and diagnostic tests and each category is subdivided into units such as price for each item or a particular diagnostic test. Each category of information has its own selector. The logic circuit causes the display to display an identifying multi-character alphanumeric designation of a unit of information for each actuation of the corresponding selector and a numeric value, if any, of that unit. All units of a given category may be displayed by a sufficient number of actuations of the appropriate selector. A data security key permits a supervisor to prevent others from gaining access to certain categories of information, the locked categories being selectable and changeable by the supervisor by using the key.

Abstract: A slide selector switch device comprising a membrane switch having a base layer, an intermediate layer and a cover layer of electrical insulation material, the intermediate layer having a plurality of sets of openings arranged in straight lines, the base and cover layers each having an electrically conductive switching and circuit pattern on its inside face including contact areas at the openings and circuits each adapted to be made on electrical contact of the contact areas at a respective opening, a slide guide overlying the cover layer, and slides, one for each of said sets of openings, each slidable along a respective line to a plurality of different positions for depressing the portion of the cover layer at a respective opening to make the respective circuit.