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Processing method for vending machine with substitutable magazines

  • US 6,644,495 B2
  • Filed: 04/08/2002
  • Issued: 11/11/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for processing vending machine removable, good-holding magazines in connection with a plurality of vending sites, each site having at least one of said vending machines, said method comprising the steps of:

  • assigning to each magazine an identification code;

    marking said magazine with said code;

    establishing a plurality of price-and-location menus for said magazines, each of said menus listing the locations in a magazine of a series of goods and the sale price of each of said goods;

    filling said magazines in accordance with said menus;

    keeping a record of each of said magazines by identification numbers and related menus;

    assigning a set of said magazines to a route including a number of said sites;

    recording on a machine-readable medium, a route distribution database including magazine identification codes, menus and site identification codes;

    transporting said magazines to their respective sites;

    at each of said sites and in at least one of said vending machines, compiling an account of selling transactions out of a magazine previously installed in said vending machine;

    replacing said previously installed magazine with one of said transported magazines;

    downloading from said vending machine and onto said machine-readable medium, said compiled account;

    reading from said machine-readable medium and writing into said machine, a menu corresponding to said identification code;

    returning said previously installed magazine to a processing center;

    at said processing center, inventorying the contents of said previously installed magazine; and

    reconciling said contents with said downloaded, compiled account.

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