METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN A VENDING MACHINE
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing devices, each of the product dispensing devices has a product dispensing location which holds the next product to be dispensed from the product dispensing device and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location after the next product to be dispensed is moved from the product dispensing location, obtaining a visual image of the next product to be dispensed at the product dispensing location in the product dispensing devices, comparing features of the visual image of the next product to be dispensed from the dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from the dispensing devices, and thereafter, moving the next product to be dispensed from one of the dispensing devices to a product retrieval location where a customer has access to the product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.
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Citations
50 Claims
- 1. A method comprising the steps of providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing devices, each of the product dispensing devices has a product dispensing location which holds the next product to be dispensed from the product dispensing device and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location after the next product to be dispensed is moved from the product dispensing location, obtaining a visual image of the next product to be dispensed at the product dispensing location in the product dispensing devices, comparing features of the visual image of the next product to be dispensed from the dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from the dispensing devices, and thereafter, moving the next product to be dispensed from one of the dispensing devices to a product retrieval location where a customer has access to the product.
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20. A method comprising the steps of providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing devices, each of the product dispensing devices has a product dispensing location which holds the next product to be dispensed from the product dispensing device and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location after the next product to be dispensed is moved from the dispensing location, moving a first product from the dispensing location in one of the product dispensing devices, moving a second product from a storage location in the one product dispensing device to the dispensing location in the one product dispensing device, obtaining a visual image of the second product at the dispensing location in the one product dispensing device, and comparing features of the visual image of the second product to a data base of features to determine the identity of the second product.
- 21. A method as set forth in claim 21 further including the step of determining which product dispensing device of the plurality of product dispensing devices is selected by a customer to dispense a product.
- 31. A method as set forth in claim 31 further including the steps of preparing a group of products corresponding to products which the transmitted data indicates were dispensed from the vending machine and transporting the group of products to the vending machine to facilitate restocking of the vending machine.
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35. A method comprising the steps of providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing devices, stocking the plurality of product dispensing devices with products to be sold, said step of stocking the plurality of product dispensing devices includes positioning products to be sold in product storage locations and in product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices, obtaining visual images of products which are at product dispensing locations in the plurality of product dispensing devices by effecting operation of a plurality of imaging devices, thereafter, dispensing a product selected by a customer from one of the dispensing locations in one of the dispensing devices, moving a product from a storage location in the one dispensing device to the one dispensing location in the one dispensing device, and thereafter, obtaining an image of the product which is at the dispensing location in the one dispensing device by effecting operation of at least one imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices.
- 36. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of stocking the plurality of product dispensing devices includes opening a door of the vending machine to obtain access to the product dispensing devices and closing the door of the vending machine to block access to the product dispensing devices after products to be sold have been positioned in the product dispensing devices, said step of obtaining visual images of the products which are at product dispensing locations in the plurality of product dispensing devices being initiated in response to closing of the door of the vending machine.
- 41. A vending machine for use in vending products, said vending machine comprising a housing, a plurality of product dispensing devices disposed in said housing, each of said product dispensing devices having a product dispensing location which holds a next product to be dispensed and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location, a plurality imaging devices disposed in said housing, said plurality of imaging devices being operable to obtain visual images of the products at the product dispensing locations in each of said product dispensing devices, a data base disposed in said housing, said data base containing features of products disposed in said plurality of product dispensing devices, and a comparator disposed in said housing and operable to compare features of the images of the next product to be dispensed from each of said product dispensing devices to data in said data base to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of said product dispensing devices.
- 46. A vending machine for use in vending products, said vending machine comprising a housing, a plurality of product dispensing devices disposed in said housing, each of said product dispensing devices having a product dispensing location which holds a next product to be dispensed and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location, a plurality of imaging devices disposed in said housing, each one of said imaging devices being operable to obtain a visual image of a product disposed at the product dispensing location in one of said product dispensing devices which is associated with said one imaging device after a product has moved from the product dispensing location in said one product dispensing device and a next succeeding product has moved from a storage location to the product dispensing location in said one product dispensing device, a data base disposed in said housing, said data base containing features of products.
Specification