TWO-WAY VENDING

• US 20140310165A1
• Filed: 11/15/2012
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tricopian, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tricopian, LLC
• Inventors: Yau, Chi W.
• Application Number:
  US14/358,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20140310165A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
• 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

Abstract

Two-way vending can be performed by a two-way vending machine for vending rechargeable batteries. A two-way vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. A two-way vending machine can include a communications module, a payment module, a dispensing module, and a receiving module. A communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. A payment module can transact payment with the user. A dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. A receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Claims

1. A two-way battery vending machine comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate information to a user and to receive inputs from a user including input indicia of the user identity;

a dispenser configured to dispense a selected battery;

a receiver configured to receive a battery;

an identifier configured to identify a battery by reference to an identification characteristic;

a processor configured to control the vending machine; and

,

memory comprising stored instructions for operation of the vending machine.

2. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle to store a received battery.

3. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a storage area for the battery before it is dispensed.

4. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a network communications module configured to communicate vending machine information across a network.

5. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the two-way battery vending machine is configured to associate the battery with a user account.

6. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 5, wherein associating the battery with an account further comprises associating the identification characteristic with a user account.

7. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a scale and wherein the unique identification characteristic comprises a weight.

8. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a scanner and the identification characteristic comprises a computer readable code.

9. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a camera and the identification characteristic comprises a visible feature.

10. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1 wherein the identification characteristic comprises a pattern.

11. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic comprises one or more colors.

12. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic comprises an ultraviolet marking.

13. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic comprises a fluorescent marking.

14. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic comprises an infra-red marking.

15. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic comprises a radio emitter.

16. The two-way battery vending machine of claim 5 wherein the network communication module is configured to communicate with a server across a network.

17. A method of using the two-way battery vending machine of claim 1, the method comprising:

dispensing a requested battery, wherein said dispensing comprises;

receiving a request for dispensing of a battery via the communications module;

processing the request with the processor;

identifying the requested battery by said identification characteristic;

associating the requested battery with an account; and

,

dispensing the requested battery; and

,

receiving a battery, wherein said receiving comprises;

identifying the received battery;

associating the received battery with an account; and

crediting the account when the received battery has specified characteristics.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the requested battery is dispensed in a battery container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the requested battery container includes an identification feature.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein indentifying the requested battery comprises scanning a computer readable code.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein identifying the requested battery comprises receiving a data containing radio signal.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the requested battery with an account comprises associating the identification characteristic with an electronic payment account.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the electronic payment account comprises a credit account.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the electronic payment account comprises a bank account.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the requested battery with an account comprises associating the unique identification characteristic with a user account identifier.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the user account identifier comprises an email account.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the user account identifier comprises an account number.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the user account identifier comprises a user name.