between the remote masters 74 and the switches hubs 76 is preferably a physical wired connection as is the connection between the switches hubs 76 and the application and database servers and the dispensers and collectors however these connections may also be wireless connections the lan connection between the application and database servers and between the application and database servers and the collectors and dispensers is preferably 10 baset 100 baset each remote master is equipped with an embedded bluetooth u2122 chipset solution combined with ram for running the routing and messaging application the rm scans a coverage radius of approximately 30 meters and reports any change in the state of etc 39 s any change of state will typically be the result of the etc leaving or entering the coverage area rm 39 s are preferably positioned at approximately 15 meter intervals unlike ordinary bluetooth u2122 communication the rm 39 s preferably actively perform a scan enquiry at periodic intervals and receive responses from etc 39 s that are within range each rm is capable of receiving responses from more than 255 etc 39 s therefore there is a matrix of rm 39 s that provides a seamless area of coverage within a defined space conventional bluetooth u2122 access points can handle seven active connections and.