INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MOBILE VENDING MACHINES
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for managing an inventory of a mobile vending machine located in at least one of a plurality of passenger vehicles for hire, comprising the steps of:
- receiving at a computer location information of the current position of a particular one of the passenger vehicles for hire;
receiving at the computer inventory level information concerning a number of each of several individual vending items contained within the mobile vending machine of the particular passenger vehicles;
receiving at the computer hired status information of the particular passenger vehicle for hire;
determining a distance between the position of the particular passenger vehicle for hire and an inventory replenishment depot location;
comparing the inventory level information to an inventory threshold to determine if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold; and
providing an alert at the particular passenger vehicle for hire containing the inventory replenishment depot location information if the determined distance is within a distance threshold, if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold, and if the hired status information indicates an unhired status.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for managing inventory levels in mobile vending machines is disclosed. Mobile vending machines, such as those located in passenger vehicles for hire, change their location as a result of the passenger vehicle for fire driving to and from passenger destinations. The present system provides for monitoring the inventory levels of the vending machine, the distance from an inventory replenishment depot, and whether or not the vehicle currently has a fare. The system can direct vehicle'"'"'s driver to proceed to a replenishment depot if the distance and inventory levels are within a threshold and the vehicle does not currently have a fare. The vending machine inventory can be replenished via the use of cartridges preloaded with inventory.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for managing an inventory of a mobile vending machine located in at least one of a plurality of passenger vehicles for hire, comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a computer location information of the current position of a particular one of the passenger vehicles for hire; receiving at the computer inventory level information concerning a number of each of several individual vending items contained within the mobile vending machine of the particular passenger vehicles; receiving at the computer hired status information of the particular passenger vehicle for hire; determining a distance between the position of the particular passenger vehicle for hire and an inventory replenishment depot location; comparing the inventory level information to an inventory threshold to determine if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold; and providing an alert at the particular passenger vehicle for hire containing the inventory replenishment depot location information if the determined distance is within a distance threshold, if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold, and if the hired status information indicates an unhired status. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-implemented method for managing an inventory of a mobile vending machine located in at least one of a plurality of passenger vehicles for hire, comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a computer location information of the current position of a particular one of the passenger vehicles for hire over a wireless communication link; receiving at the computer inventory level information concerning a number of each of several individual vending items contained within the mobile vending machine of the particular passenger vehicles; determining a distance between the position of the particular passenger vehicle for hire and an inventory replenishment depot location; comparing the inventory level information to an inventory threshold to determine if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold; and providing an alert at the particular passenger vehicle for hire containing the inventory replenishment depot location information if the determined distance is within a distance threshold, and if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A system for managing inventory of a mobile vending machine located in a passenger vehicle for hire, comprising:
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a computer having a processor, a memory and a connection to a network; a wireless communication device connected to the computer; a plurality of modules each comprising code that executes in the processor, including; a passenger vehicle for hire location module that, when executed, configures the processor to determine a position of the passenger vehicle for hire using passenger vehicle for hire location information received via the wireless communication device; an inventory level module that, when executed, configures the processor to determine the inventory of vending items contained within the mobile vending using vending inventory information received via the wireless communication device; a control module that, when executed, configures the processor to determine the hired status of the passenger vehicle for hire using hired status information received via the wireless communication device, determine a distance between the position of the particular passenger vehicle for hire and an inventory replenishment depot location, compare the inventory level information to an inventory threshold to determine if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold, and provide an alert at the particular passenger vehicle for hire containing the inventory replenishment depot location information if the determined distance is within a distance threshold, if the inventory level information is within the inventory threshold, and if the hired status information indicates an unhired status.
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Specification