Products and processes for vending a plurality of products via defined groups
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- defining, automatically by a vending machine, and based on stored sales data and stored rules, a first inventory group and a second inventory group;
outputting, by the vending machine, a first indication of a first subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the first inventory group, wherein the outputting of the first indication comprises selectively illuminating a first set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the first set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the first subset of products;
outputting, by the vending machine, a second indication of a second subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the second inventory group, wherein the outputting of the second indication comprises selectively illuminating a second set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the second set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the second subset of products;
outputting, by the vending machine, an offer for a customer to purchase a first product from the first subset of products and a second product from the second subset of products for a single package price;
receiving an indication, by the vending machine and from the customer, of a selection of the first product;
receiving an indication, by the vending machine and from the customer, of a selection of the second product;
determining, by the vending machine, an indication of a payment, by the customer, of the single package price; and
dispensing, by the vending machine and in response to the receiving of the indication of the payment of the single package price by the customer, a unit of the first product and a unit of the second product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Products and processes are disclosed for defining at least one inventory group. This at least one inventory group includes at least two products that are available for sale by a vending machine. The vending machine outputs an indication of products that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine receiving, from a customer, a selection of a first product that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine processes a sale of a unit of the first product and a respective unit of at least one additional product for a single price.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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defining, automatically by a vending machine, and based on stored sales data and stored rules, a first inventory group and a second inventory group; outputting, by the vending machine, a first indication of a first subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the first inventory group, wherein the outputting of the first indication comprises selectively illuminating a first set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the first set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the first subset of products; outputting, by the vending machine, a second indication of a second subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the second inventory group, wherein the outputting of the second indication comprises selectively illuminating a second set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the second set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the second subset of products; outputting, by the vending machine, an offer for a customer to purchase a first product from the first subset of products and a second product from the second subset of products for a single package price; receiving an indication, by the vending machine and from the customer, of a selection of the first product; receiving an indication, by the vending machine and from the customer, of a selection of the second product; determining, by the vending machine, an indication of a payment, by the customer, of the single package price; and dispensing, by the vending machine and in response to the receiving of the indication of the payment of the single package price by the customer, a unit of the first product and a unit of the second product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vending machine, comprising:
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a processor; and a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to; define, automatically and based on a random allocation of products sold by the vending machine, a first inventory group and a second inventory group; output a first indication of a first subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the first inventory group, wherein an outputting of the first indication comprises selectively illuminating a first set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the first set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the first subset of products; output a second indication of a second subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the second inventory group, wherein an outputting of the second indication comprises selectively illuminating a second set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the second set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the second subset of products; output an offer for a customer to purchase a first product from the first subset of products and a second product from the second subset of products for a single package price; receive an indication, from the customer, of a selection of the first product; receive an indication, from the customer, of a selection of the second product; determine an indication of a payment, by the customer, of the single package price; and dispense in response to a receiving of the indication of the payment of the single package price by the customer, a unit of the first product and a unit of the second product. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to cause a vending machine to:
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define, automatically and based on stored sales data and stored rules, a first inventory group and a second inventory group; output a first indication of a first subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the first inventory group, wherein an outputting of the first indication comprises selectively illuminating a first set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the first set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the first subset of products; output a second indication of a second subset of products sold by the vending machine that are part of the second inventory group, wherein an outputting of the second indication comprises selectively illuminating a second set of LED devices, and wherein each LED device of the second set of LED devices is coupled proximately to at least one product of the second subset of products; output an offer for a customer to purchase a first product from the first subset of products and a second product from the second subset of products for a single package price; receive an indication, from the customer, of a selection of the first product; receive an indication, from the customer, of a selection of the second product; determine an indication of a payment, by the customer, of the single package price; and dispense, in response to a receiving of the indication of the payment of the single package price by the customer, a unit of the first product and a unit of the second product. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification