Vending Machine for Selling Mobile Phone Accessories

• US 20140330682A1
• Filed: 05/02/2013
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Erik J. Knight
• Original Assignee: Erik J. Knight
• Inventors: Knight, Erik J.
• Application Number:
  US13/886,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20140330682A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of dispensing a number of mobile phone accessory products from a vending machine by use of a uniform, standardized package. The vending machine may have a number of shelves and a number of individual column on each shelf. The user selects a product to be purchased by shelf and column, and the vending machine delivers the selected product by a mechanical operation to a receptacle where the user obtains the purchased product. The vending machine keeps track of inventory as well as purchasing remotely. Also, the vending machine is capable of referral to a website where the user obtains additional information on which phone the user has so the proper selection can be made.

Claims

1. A vending machine for dispensing a selected mobile phone accessory product to a consumer from a variety of mobile phone accessory products on display comprising:

a) a plurality of product shelves identified by a first alphanumeric character,

b) a plurality of product columns of product identified by a second alphanumeric character,

c) a dispensing area,

d) a consumer interface, wherein said consumer interface provides for product selection by use of said first alphanumeric character and said second alphanumeric character,

e) a product transfer unit which moves said selected mobile phone accessory product from a selected product shelf and selected product column to said dispensing area,

f) a plurality of uniform containers, wherein each said mobile phone accessory product is housed inside a single said uniform container, and

g) a payment device wherein said consumer pays for said selected mobile phone accessory product.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein a moving transfer conveyor is located underneath each said product column, wherein each said moving transfer conveyor indexes said selected mobile phone accessory product into said product transfer unit when said consumer selects said selected mobile phone accessory product.

3. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein said payment device is capable of accepting credit card, cash, or debit card transactions.

4. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein a microprocessor communicates with an operator of said vending machine through a remote electronic communication device to provide information related to vending machine condition and inventory.

5. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein said uniform container is an enclosed transparent cylinder comprising a cylinder top, a cylinder middle, and a cylinder bottom.

6. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein internal lighting is a cool white LED color at least 6000 degrees kelvin.

7. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein a monitor is attached to the front of said vending machine, wherein said monitor displays mobile phone accessory products.

8. The vending machine according to claim 7 wherein said monitor is operated by a consumer interface.