Method and system for accomplishing product detection
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating delivery of a product from a vending machine, the vending machine having an ordering system for accepting a customer order of the product, at least one delivery mechanism associated with the product and a delivery path for delivering the product, the delivery mechanism moving from and returning to a home position in response to the customer order, the apparatus comprising:
- a monitoring system located about the delivery path, the monitoring system determining if a product passes along the delivery path; and
a circuitry communicatively coupled to the monitoring system, the circuitry determining a failure if the product does not pass along the delivery path in response to a customer order, the circuitry instructing the at least one delivery mechanism to move from the home position in response to the failure and to subsequently stop in response to the product passing along the delivery path.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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 deliver 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.
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Citations
2 Claims
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1. An apparatus for facilitating delivery of a product from a vending machine, the vending machine having an ordering system for accepting a customer order of the product, at least one delivery mechanism associated with the product and a delivery path for delivering the product, the delivery mechanism moving from and returning to a home position in response to the customer order, the apparatus comprising:
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a monitoring system located about the delivery path, the monitoring system determining if a product passes along the delivery path; and a circuitry communicatively coupled to the monitoring system, the circuitry determining a failure if the product does not pass along the delivery path in response to a customer order, the circuitry instructing the at least one delivery mechanism to move from the home position in response to the failure and to subsequently stop in response to the product passing along the delivery path.
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2-20. -20. (canceled)
Specification