METHODS TO BROADCAST STATUS OF A SELF-SERVICE DISPENSING DEVICE

• US 20120158172A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Wencslao, Rex M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,498,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services

Abstract

A method is provided to that allows for the broadcast the status of a self-service dispensing device that a user is likely or scheduled to visit. A diagnostic program may be installed on a self-service dispensing device and/or a central server. The diagnostic program monitors the health and status of the self-service dispensing device. If a problem is detected by the diagnostic program, the self-service dispensing device or the central server proactively contacts likely visitors to the device as well as creates a service call to support personnel in order to have the problem repaired.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request from a user to reserve a particular item at a particular self-service dispensing device;

transmitting the request to the particular self-service dispensing device;

receiving an indication that an error has occurred on the particular self-service dispensing device causing the particular self-service dispensing device to not be able to dispense the particular item; and

transmitting a message indicating to the user that the particular self-service dispensing device is not able to provide the particular item to the user,

wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication that an error has occurred is performed by a diagnostic program installed on the particular self-service dispensing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication that an error has occurred is performed by a diagnostic program installed on the server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message to the user further comprises an option to request a refund and data that indicates other self-service dispensing devices that are able to provide the item.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the diagnostic program on the server polls the particular self-service dispensing device to determine if there is an error with the particular self-service dispensing device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a message to a service technician indicating the error of the particular self-service dispensing device to initiate repair.

13. One or more storage media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of the method recited in claim 1.

7. A method comprising:

receiving, at a self-service dispensing device from a server, a request that a user reserves a particular item in available inventory;

determining that an error has occurred causing the particular self-service dispensing device to not be able to dispense the particular item; and

transmitting a message indicating to the user that the particular self-service dispensing device is not able to provide the particular item to the user,

wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining that an error has occurred is performed by a diagnostic program installed on the particular self-service dispensing device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the message is first transmitting the message to the server, and the server transmitting the message to the user.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the message to the user further comprises an option to request a refund and data that indicates other self-service dispensing devices that are able to provide the item.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the message is directly from the particular self-service dispensing device.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising transmitting a message to a service technician indicating the error of the particular self-service dispensing device to initiate repair.

14. One or more storage media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of the method recited in claim 7.

15. A system comprising:

one or more self-service dispensing devices; and

a server;

wherein a diagnostic program is installed and configured on at least one self-service dispensing device;

a particular self-service dispensing device of the one or more self-service dispensing devices communicating with the server of any errors found by the diagnostic program;

the server transmitting a message to one or more users who have previously requested an item for pick up on the particular self-service dispensing device, the message comprising information for the user to fulfill or cancel his request.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the message further comprises an option to request a refund and data that indicates other self-service dispensing devices that are able to provide the item.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a diagnostic program is installed and configured on the server, the diagnostic program on the server monitoring the one or more self-service dispensing devices for errors.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising the server transmitting a message to a service technician indicating the error of the particular self-service dispensing device to initiate repair.