System and Method for Reading Inventory in a Vending Machine
First Claim
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1. A dispenser with a number of products having a product identifier thereon, comprising:
- a plurality of product locations;
a positioning assembly positioned about the plurality of product locations; and
a reader device for reading the product identifier on one of the number of products in the plurality of product locations;
wherein the positioning assembly maneuvers the reader device about the plurality of product locations.
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Abstract
Systems and methods of determining product information in a vending machine that includes a dispenser with a number of products having a product identifier thereon. The dispenser includes a plurality of product locations, a positioning assembly positioned about the plurality of product locations, and a reader device for reading the product identifier on one of the number of products in the plurality of product locations. The positioning assembly maneuvers the reader device about the plurality of product locations.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dispenser with a number of products having a product identifier thereon, comprising:
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a plurality of product locations; a positioning assembly positioned about the plurality of product locations; and a reader device for reading the product identifier on one of the number of products in the plurality of product locations; wherein the positioning assembly maneuvers the reader device about the plurality of product locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for determining product information in a x-y vending machine, comprising:
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a reader device attached to a x-y positioning assembly that moves the reader device across an x-y product grid of the vending machine; a control system connected to the reader device which receives product information determined by reader device and sets the vending machine parameters based on the product information. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of inventorying a vending machine, comprising:
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placing a reader device on a positioning assembly of a vending machine; moving the reader device across a product grid containing a plurality of products; reading a product information on the plurality of products; and setting one or more vending machine parameters based on the product information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification