Method and system for refining vending operations based on wireless data
First Claim
1. A computer-based method for adjusting operations of one vending machine in a plurality of geographically dispersed vending machines linked to a central data processing center via cellular radio communication, comprising the steps of:
- receiving operational data from each vending machine in the plurality of vending machines at the central data processing center via a control channel of the cellular radio communication;
storing the received operational data from each vending machine in the plurality of vending machines in a database;
processing the stored operational data to identify an operational deviation between the one vending machine and at least one other vending machine in the plurality of vending machines and to determine at least one condition contributing to the operational deviation; and
adjusting the operational deviation by varying the at least one condition.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1. A computer-based method for adjusting operations of one vending machine in a plurality of geographically dispersed vending machines linked to a central data processing center via cellular radio communication, comprising the steps of:
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receiving operational data from each vending machine in the plurality of vending machines at the central data processing center via a control channel of the cellular radio communication;
storing the received operational data from each vending machine in the plurality of vending machines in a database;
processing the stored operational data to identify an operational deviation between the one vending machine and at least one other vending machine in the plurality of vending machines and to determine at least one condition contributing to the operational deviation; and
adjusting the operational deviation by varying the at least one condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a vending machine comprising the steps of:
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stocking the vending machine with a plurality of product offerings;
monitoring sales of each of the product offerings by receiving sales information from the vending machine transmitted via a wireless network;
analyzing the received sales information with a computer program and identifying an underperforming product offering in the plurality of product offerings; and
responsive to the analyzing step, replacing the underperforming product offering with another product offering. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for managing of a plurality of vending machines comprising:
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a plurality of monitors, each coupled to a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines;
a plurality of transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of the monitors;
a communication gateway coupled to the plurality of transceivers via a cellular telephone system; and
an electrical data link between the communication gateway and a data processing system, comprising;
a database that stores data from the plurality of monitors;
a computer coupled to the database; and
software, executable by said computer, comprising;
a gateway communications program that manages data transfer between the communication gateway and the data processing system; and
an analytics module that processes the stored data and outputs an operational recommendation for at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for managing a vending machine, comprising the steps of:
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stocking the vending machine with a plurality of products, each product having a stocking level;
setting a restocking threshold for each stocked product;
monitoring inventory for each stocked product via transmission of wireless data from the vending machine to a remote location;
comparing the monitored inventory to the restocking threshold for each stocked product using a computer program; and
responsive to the comparison, restocking the vending machine when the monitored inventory of a stocked product becomes less than the restocking threshold of that stocked product. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for managing vending sales comprising:
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sending a request for vending data;
receiving the vending data via a wireless network radio communication network;
processing the vending data to identify a deviation at a vending machine; and
generating a message in response to identifying the deviation. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for managing operations of a vending machine comprising:
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sending a request for vending data to the vending machine;
receiving the vending data;
processing the vending data to identify an operational deviation; and
transmitting a control command to the vending machine in response to identifying the operational deviation. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method for communicating with a controller device coupled to a vending machine comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a control channel of a cellular mobile radio telephone system for a first page identifying the control device;
receiving the first page;
responsive to receiving the first page, monitoring the control channel for a second page;
receiving the second page; and
sending an acknowledgment of receiving the second page via the control channel. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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Specification