Apparatus and method for mobile vending

• US 10,275,975 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: High, Donald R., McHale, Brian G., Atchley, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/648,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20180053369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 700231-244
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3605 Destination input or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/004 Restocking arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 the arrangements being full-front touchscreens

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for mobile vending. A system for mobile vending comprises a mobile vending machine comprising: an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase, a set of motorized wheels, a navigation sensor device, a communication device, and, a control circuit configured to navigate the mobile vending machine based on navigation instructions; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the mobile vending machine via the communication device, the central computer system being configured to: determine a destination for the mobile vending machine, provide the navigation instructions to the mobile vending machine to cause the mobile vending machine to travel to the destination using the set of motorized wheels and the navigation sensor device.

Claims

1. A system for mobile vending comprising:

a mobile vending machine comprising;

an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase and comprises a user interface device configured to allow a customer to select at least an item from the plurality of items displayed in the item dispenser to purchase;

a set of motorized wheels;

a navigation sensor device;

a communication device; and

a control circuit configured to navigate the mobile vending machine based on navigation instructions; and

a central computer system configured to communicate with the mobile vending machine via the communication device, the central computer system being configured to;

determine a destination for the mobile vending machine;

provide the navigation instructions to the mobile vending machine to cause the mobile vending machine to travel to the destination using the set of motorized wheels and the navigation sensor device; and

in the event that the customer selects an item unavailable at the mobile vending machine via the item dispenser of the mobile vending machine;

identify an alternate mobile vending machine that carries the item unavailable at the mobile vending machine; and

communicate information associated with the alternate mobile vending machine to the customer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the item dispenser is further configured to:

receive payment for one or more of the plurality of items; and

release the one or more of the plurality of items in response to the payment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the item dispenser is configured to receive payment via one or more of a cash receiver, a bank card reader, and a mobile payment reader.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is configured to display a location of the alternate vending machine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile vending machine further comprises a self-loading mechanism configured to load items into the item dispenser.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the destination for the mobile vending machine is determined based on one or more of:

current date, current time, upcoming events, current content of the item dispenser, locations of a plurality of other mobile vending machines, and sales history at a plurality of locations.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer system is further configured to:

select a plurality of targeted items to be sold via the mobile vending machine at the destination; and

cause the mobile vending machine to travel to a restocking station to be stocked with the plurality of targeted items.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of targeted items are selected based on one or more of:

current date, current time, upcoming events, contents of a plurality of other mobile vending machines in a region, sales history of a plurality of products at the destination, characteristics of the destination, characteristics of an event associated with the destination, and an estimated demographic associated with the destination.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer system is further configured to:

monitor a stock level of a content of the item dispenser via a stock sensor on the mobile vending machine; and

instruct the mobile vending machine to travel to a restocking station based on the stock level of the content of the item dispenser.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer system is further configured to instruct the alternate mobile vending machine to travel to the customer.

11. A method for mobile vending comprising:

communicating with a mobile vending machine comprising;

an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase and comprises a user interface device configured to allow a customer to select at least an item from the plurality of items displayed in the item dispenser to purchase;

a set of motorized wheels;

a navigation sensor device; and

a communication device;

determining, with a control circuit, a destination for the mobile vending machine;

providing navigation instructions to the control circuit of the mobile vending machine to cause the mobile vending machine to travel to the destination using the set of motorized wheels and the navigation sensor device; and

in the event that the customer selects an item unavailable at the mobile vending machine via the item dispenser of the mobile vending machine;

identifying an alternate mobile vending machine that carries the item unavailable at the mobile vending machine; and

communicating information associated with the alternate mobile vending machine to the customer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the item dispenser is further configured to:

receive payment for one or more of the plurality of items; and

release the one or more of the plurality of items in response to the payment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the item dispenser is configured to receive payment via one or more of a cash receiver, a bank card reader, and a mobile payment reader.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the user interface device is configured to display a location of the alternate vending machine.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile vending machine further comprises a self-loading mechanism configured to load items into the item dispenser.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the destination for the mobile vending machine is determined based on one or more of:

current date, current time, upcoming events, current content of the item dispenser, locations of a plurality of other mobile vending machines, and sales history at a plurality of locations.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

selecting a plurality of targeted items to be sold via the mobile vending machine at the destination; and

causing the mobile vending machine to travel to a restocking station to be stocked with the plurality of targeted items.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of targeted items are selected based on one or more of:

current date, current time, upcoming events, contents of a plurality of other mobile vending machines in a region, sales history of a plurality of products at the destination, characteristics of the destination, characteristics of an event associated with the destination, and an estimated demographic associated with the destination.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring a stock level of a content of the item dispenser via a stock sensor on the mobile vending machine; and

instructing the mobile vending machine to travel to a restocking station based on the stock level of the content of the item dispenser.

20. An apparatus for mobile vending comprising:

an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase and comprises a user interface device configured to allow a customer to select at least an item from the plurality of items displayed in the item dispenser to purchase;

a set of motorized wheels;

a navigation sensor device;

a communication device; and

a control circuit coupled to the navigation sensor device and the communication device, the control circuit being configured to;

receive navigation instructions from a remote server via the communication device;

cause the set of motorized wheels to carry the item dispenser to a destination based on the navigation instructions while avoiding obstacles in a path of travel based on information detected by the navigation sensor device;

upon arriving at the destination, cause the set of motorized wheels to position the item dispenser to allow customers to view and make purchases from the item dispenser; and

in the event that the customer requests an item unavailable at the mobile vending machine via the item dispenser;

communicate information associated with the alternate mobile vending machine that carries the item to the customer.