Apparatus and method for mobile vending

• US 10,515,505 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2019
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• 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:
  US16/352,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20190206175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 286 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:

an item dispenser of a mobile vending machine 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 coupled to the item dispenser, the navigation sensor device, the set of motorized wheels, and the communication device, the control circuit being configured to;

navigate, with the set of motorized wheels, the mobile vending machine based on navigation instructions received via the communication device;

receive a selection of at least an item from the plurality of items displayed in the item dispenser to purchase from a customer; 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;

communicate information associated with an alternate mobile vending machine that carries the item unavailable at the mobile vending machine to the customer;

wherein the mobile vending machine further comprises a user interface device configured to display an alternate vending machine location for an item not available at the mobile vending machine.

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 item dispenser further 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.

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 a navigation instruction of 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 control circuit is further configured to:

cause the mobile vending machine to travel to a restocking station to be restocked.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit 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.

9. A method for mobile vending comprising:

navigating, with a control circuit, 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; and

a communication device;

receiving a selection of at least an item from the plurality of items displayed in the item dispenser to purchase from a customer; 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;

communicating information associated with an alternate mobile vending machine that carries the item unavailable at the mobile vending machine to the customer;

wherein the mobile vending machine further comprises a user interface device configured to display an alternate vending machine location for an item not available at the mobile vending machine.

10. The method of claim 9, 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.

11. The method of claim 9, 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.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the item dispenser further 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.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile vending machine further comprises a self-loading mechanism configured to load items into the item dispenser.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a navigation instruction of 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.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

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

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

16. The method of claim 15, 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.

17. The method of claim 9, 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.