Remote data acquisition and transmission system and method

[0018]The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1–6 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

[0019]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a remote data acquisition system for vending machines, indicated generally at 10, according to the present invention. In general, system 10 of FIG. 1 communicates information from a vending site 12 externally over a wide area wireless or wire-line network and internally over a local area wireless or wire-line network. As shown, the local area network at vending site 12 can be referred to as a vendor interrogation LAN subsystem (VIL). Vending site 12 may include only one vending machine 14 or a plurality of vending machines 14. Each vending machine 14 may include vending hardware and inventory 16 for performing vending functions and electronically tracking some vending information. Vending machines 14 may pr