System for managing multiple dispensing units and method of operation
First Claim
1. A system for managing multiple dispensing units by communicating information through a communications network, the system comprising:
- a plurality of dispensing units operable to transmit and receive information through the communications network, each dispensing unit comprising;
a plurality of bins each operable to hold a quantity of product;
a plurality of reference level sensors, each reference level sensor coupled to an associated bin, and each reference level sensor operable to determine when the quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; and
a controller subsystem coupled to the plurality of bins, to the plurality of reference level sensors and to the communications network, the controller subsystem operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit, to transmit status messages responsive to an occurrence of one of a plurality of defined events, and to receive command messages; and
a dispensing unit controller system operable to communicate through the communications network, the dispensing unit controller system operable to receive status messages from each of the plurality of dispensing units, to process the status messages, and to transmit command messages to each of the plurality of dispensing units, wherein one command message comprises an instruction to a dispensing unit to download a software module to update an existing software module in the controller subsystem of the dispensing unit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (8) for managing multiple dispensing units by communicating information through a communications network (12) is provided. The system includes a plurality of dispensing units (10) operable to transmit and receive information through the network. Each dispensing unit includes a plurality of bins (20) operable to hold a quantity of product. Each dispensing unit includes a plurality of reference level sensors (72) where each reference level sensor is coupled to an associated bin. Each reference level sensor is operable to determine when the quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level (76) that is higher than an out of stock level (82) of the associated bin. Each dispensing unit includes a controller subsystem (34) coupled to the plurality of bins, to the plurality of reference level sensors, and to the network. The controller subsystem is operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit, to transmit status messages responsive to an occurrence of one of a plurality of defined events, and to receive command messages. The system further includes a dispensing unit controller system (14) operable to communicate through the network. The dispensing unit controller system is operable to receive status messages from each of the dispensing units, to process the status messages, and to transmit command messages to each of the dispensing units. One command message can be an instruction to a dispensing unit to download a software module to update an existing software module in the controller subsystem of the dispensing unit.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for managing multiple dispensing units by communicating information through a communications network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of dispensing units operable to transmit and receive information through the communications network, each dispensing unit comprising; a plurality of bins each operable to hold a quantity of product; a plurality of reference level sensors, each reference level sensor coupled to an associated bin, and each reference level sensor operable to determine when the quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; and a controller subsystem coupled to the plurality of bins, to the plurality of reference level sensors and to the communications network, the controller subsystem operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit, to transmit status messages responsive to an occurrence of one of a plurality of defined events, and to receive command messages; and a dispensing unit controller system operable to communicate through the communications network, the dispensing unit controller system operable to receive status messages from each of the plurality of dispensing units, to process the status messages, and to transmit command messages to each of the plurality of dispensing units, wherein one command message comprises an instruction to a dispensing unit to download a software module to update an existing software module in the controller subsystem of the dispensing unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dispensing unit, comprising:
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a plurality of bins each operable to hold a quantity of product; a plurality of reference level sensors, each reference level sensor coupled to an associated bin, and each reference level sensor operable to determine when the quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; and a controller subsystem coupled to the plurality of bins and to the plurality of reference level sensors, the controller subsystem operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit, to transmit status messages through a communications network responsive to an occurrence of one of a plurality of defined events, and to receive command messages from the communications network, wherein one command message comprises an instruction to the dispensing unit to download a software module to update an existing software module in the controller subsystem of the dispensing unit, and wherein one of the plurality of defined events comprises a reference level sensor determining that the quantity of product in an associated bin has dropped below the reference level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A retrofit kit for installation in a dispensing unit having a plurality of bins, each bin operable to hold a quantity of product, the retrofit kit comprising:
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a controller operable to process information representing monitored conditions of the dispensing unit; a communication interface coupled to the controller; a plurality of reference level sensors coupled to the controller, each reference level sensor operable to couple to an associated bin and further operable to determine when a quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; and a plurality of status sensors coupled to the controller, each status sensor operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit; wherein each of the plurality of bins comprises a serpentine bin and each of the plurality of reference level sensors is operable to sense the quantity of product with respect to the reference level of the associated bin; and wherein at least one reference level sensor comprises; a spacer; a fastening means operable to extend through a drilled hole in a plastic flange proximate the associated bin and to couple the spacer to the plastic flange; and a mechanical actuator coupled to the spacer and having a trigger, the mechanical actuator operable to generate a signal responsive to movement of the trigger caused by product in the associated bin dropping below the reference level.
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19. A retrofit kit for installation in a dispensing unit having a plurality of bins, each bin operable to hold a quantity of product, the retrofit kit comprising:
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a controller operable to process information representing monitored conditions of the dispensing unit; a communication interface coupled to the controller; a plurality of reference level sensors coupled to the controller, each reference level sensor operable to couple to an associated bin and further operable to determine when a quantity of product in the associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; and a plurality of status sensors coupled to the controller, each status sensor operable to monitor conditions of the dispensing unit; wherein each of the plurality of bins comprises a serpentine bin and each of the plurality of reference level sensors is operable to sense the quantity of product with respect to the reference level of the associated bin; and wherein at least one reference level sensor comprises; a spacer; a fastening means operable to span an existing hole in a plastic flange proximate the associated bin and to couple the spacer to the plastic flange; and a mechanical actuator coupled to the spacer and having a trigger, the mechanical actuator operable to generate a signal responsive to movement of the trigger caused by product in the associated bin dropping below the reference level.
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20. A method of managing multiple dispensing units, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a plurality of reference level sensors in each dispensing unit such that each reference level sensor is operable to determine when a quantity of product in an associated bin drops below a reference level that is higher than an out of stock level of the associated bin; defining a plurality of triggering events, wherein one of the plurality of triggering events comprises a reference level sensor determining that the quantity of product in an associated bin has dropped below the reference level; monitoring conditions of a plurality of dispensing units; transmitting a command message to at least one dispensing unit, wherein the command message instructs the at least one dispensing unit to download software to update existing software in a controller subsystem of the at least one dispensing unit; determining for each dispensing unit when the conditions of the dispensing unit indicate a triggering event has occurred; transmitting a status message from each dispensing unit to a central facility through a communications network responsive to an occurrence of a triggering event with respect to the dispensing unit; collecting status messages from the plurality of dispensing units at the central facility; processing the status messages to generate restocking and repair orders for the plurality of dispensing units. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification