SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED DISPENSING SYSTEMS IN RETAIL LOCATIONS
First Claim
1. An automated vending system for retail locations, comprising:
- an exterior housing configured to house a plurality of differently shaped items for purchase and return;
at least one data processor that is disposed in the exterior housing and that is coupled to an external server having a database;
a display device on a face of the exterior housing, the display device being coupled to the data processor and being configured to accept user input for executing a transaction;
a memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause the automated vending system to execute vending and returning of at least one item of interest;
a payment validation device that is configured to accept payment information from a user, using the data processor, the payment validation device being disposed on or in the exterior housing;
a storage area that is configured to hold a plurality of items, the storage area being inside the exterior housing;
an item compartment that is disposed within the exterior housing and that is capable of opening to the user, using the data processor;
an item dispenser that is configured to transport, using the data processor, an item from the storage area to the item compartment; and
a detector that is positioned to detect foreign activity within the item compartment, using the at least one data processor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated vending system for retail locations can include: an exterior housing that houses a plurality of differently shaped items for purchase and return; a data processor that is disposed in the exterior housing and that is coupled to an external server having a database; a display device on a face of the exterior housing; a memory storing computer-executable instructions that cause the automated vending system to execute vending and returning of an item; a payment validation device that is configured to accept payment information; a storage area that holds a plurality of items; an item compartment that is disposed within the exterior housing and that is capable of opening to the user; an item dispenser that dispenses an item from the storage area to the item compartment; and a detector that is positioned to detect foreign activity within the item compartment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated vending system for retail locations, comprising:
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an exterior housing configured to house a plurality of differently shaped items for purchase and return; at least one data processor that is disposed in the exterior housing and that is coupled to an external server having a database; a display device on a face of the exterior housing, the display device being coupled to the data processor and being configured to accept user input for executing a transaction; a memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause the automated vending system to execute vending and returning of at least one item of interest; a payment validation device that is configured to accept payment information from a user, using the data processor, the payment validation device being disposed on or in the exterior housing; a storage area that is configured to hold a plurality of items, the storage area being inside the exterior housing; an item compartment that is disposed within the exterior housing and that is capable of opening to the user, using the data processor; an item dispenser that is configured to transport, using the data processor, an item from the storage area to the item compartment; and a detector that is positioned to detect foreign activity within the item compartment, using the at least one data processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification