Vending system
First Claim
1. A vending system comprising a plurality of vending machines, an audit unit and means for transferring data indicative of states of each vending machine at least from each vending machine to the audit unit in which the audit unit models each vending machine according to the data and compares the data against the model to detect deviations in the states.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vending system which includes a number of vending machines and a central audit unit. The audit unit receives information pertaining to the operation of the vending machines and uses this information to model the operation of each machine over time. The model is then used to identify abnormal deviations in states of the vending machines such as a change in the ingredient consumption per dispensed product.
33 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A vending system comprising a plurality of vending machines, an audit unit and means for transferring data indicative of states of each vending machine at least from each vending machine to the audit unit in which the audit unit models each vending machine according to the data and compares the data against the model to detect deviations in the states.
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13. A method of operating a vending system having a plurality of vending machines, an audit unit and means for transferring data at least between each vending machine and the audit unit which includes the steps of:
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a. collating data at each vending machine indicative of states of the vending machine, b. using the transfer means to transfer the data from each vending machine to the audit unit, c. producing a model of each vending machine based on the data, and d. using the model to identify deviations in the states of the vending machines.
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Specification