Methods and apparatus for producing a vending machine inventory status signal
First Claim
1. A dedicated electronic catalogue device for enabling a user to order goods and/or services from a remote location, including a memory storing a catalogue data base for access by the user, the catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, display means for displaying information from the catalogue data base, communication means for communicating with a remote host device for automatically placing orders, identification means for identifying authorised users of the device, user input means for enabling the user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, and processing means for controlling operation of the device.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for stocking a vending device are disclosed. The vending device is structured to receive a product selection from a user via a user input device. The vending device then dispenses the selected product and determines if the inventory associated with the selected product has fallen below a predetermined threshold. If the inventory of the selected product has fallen below the predetermined threshold, the vending device may communicate with a remote host device. Alternatively, or in addition, the vending device may communicate with the remote host periodically.
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26 Claims
- 1. A dedicated electronic catalogue device for enabling a user to order goods and/or services from a remote location, including a memory storing a catalogue data base for access by the user, the catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, display means for displaying information from the catalogue data base, communication means for communicating with a remote host device for automatically placing orders, identification means for identifying authorised users of the device, user input means for enabling the user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, and processing means for controlling operation of the device.
- 18. A method of providing for remote ordering and supply of goods/services, comprising the steps of providing, at a first location, a processing device incorporating a memory storing a catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, and having input means to enable a user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, providing, at a second location remote from the first location, a host device, the host device being arranged to communicate with the processing device to receive and process information relating to products/services ordered, and providing a service infrastructure for delivering products/services ordered to the first location.
Specification