Virtual Vending Machine in Communication with a Remote Data Processing Device

• US 20090306819A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Antao, Leonard F., Kolls, H. Brock, Insolia, Gerard E., Slagley, David O.
• Granted Patent: US 9,218,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services. The vending machine system may include a vending machine with a vending mechanism, a data processing device remote from the vending machine, and a vending bridge. The vending bridge is in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services.

Claims

1. A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services, comprising:

a vending machine;

the vending machine comprising a vending mechanism;

a data processing device remote from the vending machine; and

a vending bridge;

the vending bridge in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the vending bridge comprises a consumer interface.

3. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the vending bridge comprises a lighting control interface.

4. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the vending bridge comprises a display interface.

5. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the vending bridge comprises a motor control interface.

6. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a server.

7. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a personal computer.

8. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a payment icon.

9. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a telephone.

10. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

dispensing at least one of the goods or service from the vending machine, receiving consumer payment information, and charging for the goods or services.

11. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the vending machine comprises a refrigeration system and wherein the data processing device controls the refrigeration system via the vending bridge.

12. The vending machine of claim 11, wherein the data processing device comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

receiving humidity data, determining if condensation will form on surfaces of the vending machine, and controlling the refrigeration system to prevent the formation of condensation.

13. The vending machine system of claim 11, wherein the vending bridge comprises a refrigeration control interface in communication with the refrigeration system and the data processing device.

14. The vending machine system of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration control interface comprises a compressor control interface.

15. The vending machine system of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration control interface comprises one or more temperature sensors.

16. The vending machine system of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration control interface comprises a compressor control interface.

17. The vending machine system of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration control interface comprises one or more fan control interfaces.

18. The vending machine system of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration control interface comprises a remote motion detector.

19. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

managing a night time mode of operation of the vending machine.

20. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

receiving a communication from a consumer, determining if dispensing the goods or services is approved, and dispensing of the goods or services.

21. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein in the data processing device comprises a vending operations server.

22. The vending machine system of claim 21, wherein the vending bridge comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

storing a plurality of vending operations data when a vending operations server is off-line and communicating the plurality of vending operations data to the vending operation server when the vending operations server is on-line.

23. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the vending bridge comprises a microprocessor readable medium having embodied thereon instructions that when executed perform:

managing energy usage and efficiency of the vending machine.

24. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the data processing device comprises a plurality of virtual equipment modules.

25. The vending machine system of claim 1, further comprising a payment services system in communication with the data process device.

26. The vending machine system of claim 1, further comprising a consumer interaction system in communication with the data process device.

27. The vending machine system of claim 1, further comprising a route operations system in communication with the data process device.

28. The vending machine system of claim 1, further comprising an accounting services system in communication with the data process device.

29. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the vending machine comprises a fountain dispenser.

30. The vending machine system of claim 1, wherein the vending machine comprises a cooler.

31. A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services, comprising:

a vending machine;

the vending machine comprising a vending mechanism;

a data processing device remote from the vending machine; and

a vending bridge;

the vending bridge in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine such that the data processing device may receive consumer payment information and cause the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services.

32. A method for dispensing goods or services from a vending machine system to a consumer, comprising:

selecting the good or service;

forwarding the selection to a remote data processing device;

determining at the data processing device if the selection is authorized; and

directing the vending machine to dispense the selection is authorized.