Vending machine

• US 20010034566A1
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Offer, Gero
• Granted Patent: US 7,085,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A system includes a communications network, a first communication device connected to the communications network, and a vending machine. The vending machine includes a retrieving device for obtaining a product from the vending machine, a second communication device connected to the communications network, and a dispensing device for dispensing the product from the vending machine. The first and second communication devices establish a connection via the communications network. The connection enables the retrieving device and the dispensing device.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a product from a vending machine, comprising:

receiving a signal from a cellular telephone;

issuing a response to the signal which indicates that a connection has been established between the cellular telephone and the vending machine;

receiving information indicating that the product has been selected; and

dispensing the product in response to the information when the connection has been established.

2. The method of

claim 1

, further comprising:

outputting the cost of the product; and

debiting an account for the cost to pay for the product.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the response comprises a visual indication that is displayed on the cellular telephone.

4. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the response comprises an audio indication that is presented via the cellular telephone.

5. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the response is issued and the signal is received over a mobile communications network.

6. The method of

claim 1

, further comprising:

monitoring an amount of the product in the vending machine; and

outputting an indication when the vending machine is out of a product.

7. An apparatus for dispensing a product, comprising:

a transceiver which receives a signal from a cellular telephone and issues a response to the signal which indicates that a connection has been established between the cellular telephone and the apparatus;

a retrieving device which receives information indicative of the product; and

a dispensing device which dispenses the product in response to the information and when the connection has been established.

8. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the transceiver outputs the cost of the product.

9. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the response comprises a visual indication for display on the cellular telephone.

10. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the response comprises an audio indication for presentation via the cellular telephone.

11. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the response is issued and the signal is received over a mobile communications network.

12. The apparatus of

claim 7

, further comprising:

an inventory monitoring device which monitors an amount of the product in the vending machine and generates a signal indicating that the vending machine is out of the product, wherein the transceiver outputs the signal.

13. A system comprising:

a communications network;

a first communication device connected to the communications network; and

a vending machine comprising;

a retrieving device for obtaining a product from the vending machine;

a second communication device connected to the communications network; and

a dispensing device for dispensing the product from the vending machine;

wherein the first and second communication devices establish a connection via the communications network, the connection enabling the retrieving device and the dispensing device.

14. The system of

claim 13

, wherein the first communication device comprises a telephone.

15. The system of

claim 14

, wherein the telephone comprises a cellular telephone.

16. The system of

claim 13

, wherein the second communication device comprises a transceiver.

17. The system of

claim 13

, wherein the communications network comprises a mobile radio network.

18. The system of

claim 13

, wherein the communications network comprises:

a telephone network; and

a gateway server that connects the vending machine to the telephone network.

19. The system of

claim 13

, wherein a code number is associated with the vending machine and the first communication device establishes the connection to the second communication device using the code number.

20. The system of

claim 13

, wherein the vending machine further comprises an inventory monitoring system for monitoring the inventory of the product.

21. The system of

claim 20

, wherein the inventory monitoring system outputs a signal when the vending machine is out of the product.

22. The system of

claim 13

, further comprising a peripheral device which receives a signal from the second communication device and generates a menu in response to the signal.