Method and system for accomplishing product detection
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.
99 Citations
34 Claims
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1-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. A vending system comprising:
an optical monitoring system to determine if a product associated with the customer ordering event was delivered to a receiving location, wherein the optical monitoring system comprises a plurality of light emitters and a corresponding plurality of light detectors by (a) separately activating at least one but fewer than all of the light emitters and (b) for each of the light emitters when that light emitter is activated, monitoring at least two of the light detectors.
Specification