Vending machine

• US 7,085,556 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Offer, Gero
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/759,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20010034566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,027 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/406, 455/414, 455/422, 455/426, 455/558, 455/575, 455/66.1, 379/114.05, 379/114.15, 379/114.16, 379/114.17, 379/144.04, 235/380, 235/381, 700/231, 700/232, 700/236
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A system includes a communications network, a first communication device connected to the communications network, and a vending machine. The vending machine includes a retrieving device for obtaining a product from the vending machine, a second communication device connected to the communications network, and a dispensing device for dispensing the product from the vending machine. The first and second communication devices establish a connection via the communications network. The connection enables the retrieving device and the dispensing device.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a product from a vending machine using a cellular telephone, the vending machine comprising (a) a retrieving device for obtaining a product from the vending machine, (b) a communication device connected to a communication network, and (c) a dispensing device for dispensing the product from the vending machine, the method comprising:

receiving, at the communication device at a start of the method, a signal that corresponds to a call from the cellular telephone, the signal for establishing a network connection between the communication device and the cellular telephone, where the network connection can be established only if there is product in the vending machine to be dispensed;

issuing a response message from the communication device in reply to the signal, the response message indicating that the network connection has been established;

outputting an audible message for use in selecting the product from the vending machine, the audible message comprising a menu;

receiving, at the retrieving device, information indicating that the product has been selected following output of the audible message; and

dispensing the product via the dispensing device based on the information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a cost of the product from the vending machine; and

debiting an account for the cost to pay for the product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the response message comprises a visual indication that is displayed on the cellular telephone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the response message is audible and is presented via the cellular telephone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises a mobile communications network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring an amount of the product in the vending machine; and

outputting an indication when the vending machine is out of a product.

7. An apparatus for dispensing a product, comprising:

a transceiver which receives a signal that corresponds to a call from a cellular telephone, the signal for establishing a network connection between the transceiver and the cellular telephone, where the network connection can be established only if there is product in the apparatus that can be dispensed, the transceiver issuing a response message in reply to the signal, the response message indicating that the network connection has been established;

a retrieving device which receives information indicative of the product after the network connection has been established, and which generates an output signal based on the information; and

a dispensing device which dispenses the product in response to the output signal;

wherein the retrieving device receives the information via the cellular telephone or via the apparatus following output of an audible menu.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transceiver outputs a cost of the product.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the response message comprises a visual indication for display on the cellular telephone.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the response message is audible and is presented via the cellular telephone.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the network connection is via a mobile communications network.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an inventory monitoring device which monitors an amount of the product in the apparatus and which generates an output signal indicating that the apparatus is out of the product.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises a vending machine.

14. A system comprising:

a first communication device connected to a communications network; and

a vending machine comprising;

a retrieving device for obtaining a product from the vending machine;

a second communication device connected to the communications network; and

a dispensing device for dispensing the product from the vending machine;

wherein the first communication device initiates a call to the second communication device over the communications network, the call corresponding to a signal for establishing a network connection between the first communication device and the second communication device, where the network connection can established only if there is product in the vending machine to be dispensed;

wherein the second communication device issues a response message in reply to the signal, the response message indicating that the network connection has been established;

wherein the retrieving device receives information indicative of the product and generates an output signal based on the information;

wherein the dispensing device dispenses the product in response to the output signal, and

wherein the retrieving device receives the information via the first communication device or via the vending machine following output of an audible menu.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first communication device comprises a telephone.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the telephone comprises a cellular telephone.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the second communication device comprises a transceiver.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the communications network comprises a mobile radio network.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the communications network comprises:

a telephone network; and

a gateway server that connects the vending machine to the telephone network.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein a code number is associated with the vending machine and the first communication device establishes the network connection to the second communication device using the code number.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the vending machine further comprises an inventory monitoring system for monitoring the inventory of the product.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the inventory monitoring system outputs a signal when the vending machine is out of the product.