WIRELESS MANAGEMENT OF REMOTE VENDING MACHINES

• US 20120215347A1
• Filed: 05/04/2012
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Answer Media, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AVT Inc.
• Inventors: Winsor, James, ILLINGWORTH, SHANNON W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,998,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 the arrangements being full-front touchscreens

Abstract

A wireless system for managing a plurality of remote vending machines includes an enterprise control center; and a two-way wireless network coupling the enterprise control center and the plurality of remote vending machines. A touch screen may be associated with each of the plurality of vending machines for selecting items to be vended therein, and means for displaying a plurality of advertisements on the touch screen. The touch screen may also include means for paying for the items to be vended within the plurality of vending machines.

Claims

1. A wireless system for managing a plurality of remote vending machines, comprising:

an enterprise control center; and

a two-way wireless network coupling said enterprise control center and the plurality of remote vending machines.

2. The wireless system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a touch screen associated with each of the plurality of vending machines for selecting items to be vended therein; and

means for displaying a plurality of advertisements on said touch screen.

3. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein said touch screen further comprises means for paying for said items to be vended within the plurality of vending machines.

4. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein said network comprises a GSM network.