DETERMINING THE AVAILABILITY OF PURCHASABLE ITEMS IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
1. A vending machine system, comprising:
- a command input interface for receiving user commands;
a network interface configured to support a network connection with a network of vending machines; and
a processor connected to the command input interface and the network interface, and configured to;
receive a purchase order for the vending machine item, the purchase order being submitted by a customer, wherein a record of the purchase order is recorded and includes an identification of the customer and the purchase order;
receive a payment amount for the vending machine item;
receive an electronic refund request for at least a portion of the payment amount, wherein the refund request comprises an identification of the customer and the purchase order; and
determine whether to refund the portion based on the identification of the customer, wherein the customer is identified by determining if the identification of the customer and the purchase order in the refund request matches the identification of the customer and the purchase order in the record of the purchase order.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a method, system and article of manufacture for operating vending machines. In general, a plurality of vending machines are nodes of a network. Each node is configured to send, receive and process signals carrying inventory, pricing, reservation and/or refund information. In particular, a first signal is sent to one or more nodes requesting inventory/price information from other nodes. Those nodes carrying the product may reply with a second signal. In this manner, the location of vending machines carrying one or more items specified by a customer may be determined. In another embodiment, vending machine items may be reserved from a remote location. In still another embodiment, vending machines may be configured to provide refunds under controlled conditions. A consumer may request a refund in cases where the consumer was improperly charged for goods are services that were not provided.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A vending machine system, comprising:
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a command input interface for receiving user commands; a network interface configured to support a network connection with a network of vending machines; and a processor connected to the command input interface and the network interface, and configured to; receive a purchase order for the vending machine item, the purchase order being submitted by a customer, wherein a record of the purchase order is recorded and includes an identification of the customer and the purchase order; receive a payment amount for the vending machine item; receive an electronic refund request for at least a portion of the payment amount, wherein the refund request comprises an identification of the customer and the purchase order; and determine whether to refund the portion based on the identification of the customer, wherein the customer is identified by determining if the identification of the customer and the purchase order in the refund request matches the identification of the customer and the purchase order in the record of the purchase order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification