TWO-WAY EXCHANGE VENDING
First Claim
1. A vending machine comprising:
- a processor configured to control the vending machine;
a receiving module configured to receive a battery and to read battery information from a computer readable code located on the received battery, wherein the battery information is indicative of subscription information, the receiving module further configured to transmit the read battery information to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to identify a valid subscription account from the read battery information without any additional input information; and
a dispensing module configured to dispense a battery in response to the receipt of the battery and the determination that the battery is associated with a valid subscription.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vending machine comprising:
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a processor configured to control the vending machine; a receiving module configured to receive a battery and to read battery information from a computer readable code located on the received battery, wherein the battery information is indicative of subscription information, the receiving module further configured to transmit the read battery information to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to identify a valid subscription account from the read battery information without any additional input information; and a dispensing module configured to dispense a battery in response to the receipt of the battery and the determination that the battery is associated with a valid subscription. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of using a vending machine, the method comprising:
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receiving a battery, wherein said receiving comprises; reading a computer readable code located on the battery, the computer readable code encoding information indicative of subscription information; identifying a valid subscription account from the computer readable code, wherein the valid subscription can be identified without any additional input information; determining if the received battery is acceptable; and dispensing a requested battery, wherein said dispensing comprises; dispensing a charged battery of the same type as the received battery in response to the determination of the valid subscription associated with the battery and the acceptability of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A vending system comprising:
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a vending unit for vending products, the vending unit comprising a communication module and a unique identifier; and a central computer, remote from the vending unit, the central computer comprising; a processor; a database associating the unique identifier with product information for products available at the vending unit; and a communication unit, the central computer being in communication with the vending unit; wherein the central computer is configured to receive the unique identifier indicative of the vending unit from a user vending interface running on a user interface device, the user interface device being located remotely from the vending unit; and wherein the central computer is configured to determine from the database the identity of products available at the vending unit in response to receiving the unique identifier from the user vending interface and to communicate an option for completing a transaction at the vending unit to the user vending interface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification