Methods and system for managing vending operations based on wireless data
First Claim
1. A system for managing of a plurality of vending machines comprising:
- a plurality of monitors, each coupled to a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines;
a plurality of transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of the monitors;
a communication gateway coupled to the plurality of transceivers via a cellular telephone system; and
an electrical data link between the communication gateway and a data processing system that comprises;
a database that stores data from the plurality of monitors;
a computer coupled to the database; and
software, stored in a memory storage device and executable by said computer, comprising;
a gateway communications program that manages data transfer between the communication gateway and the data processing system; and
an analytics module that processes the stored data and outputs an operational recommendation for at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines based on comparing data from at least one monitor in the plurality of monitors to data from at least one other monitor in the plurality of monitors, wherein the analytics module identifies vending machines in the plurality of vending machines that outperform other vending machines in the plurality of vending machines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.
396 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for managing of a plurality of vending machines comprising:
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a plurality of monitors, each coupled to a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; a plurality of transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of the monitors; a communication gateway coupled to the plurality of transceivers via a cellular telephone system; and an electrical data link between the communication gateway and a data processing system that comprises; a database that stores data from the plurality of monitors; a computer coupled to the database; and software, stored in a memory storage device and executable by said computer, comprising; a gateway communications program that manages data transfer between the communication gateway and the data processing system; and an analytics module that processes the stored data and outputs an operational recommendation for at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines based on comparing data from at least one monitor in the plurality of monitors to data from at least one other monitor in the plurality of monitors, wherein the analytics module identifies vending machines in the plurality of vending machines that outperform other vending machines in the plurality of vending machines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for managing vending sales comprising:
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sending a request for vending data for receipt by a plurality of vending machines; receiving the requested vending data via a wireless radio communication network; processing the requested, received vending data to identify a deviation at one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines relative to other vending machines in the plurality of vending machines; and generating a message in response to identifying the deviation, wherein the message comprises a desirable characteristic for a new site for the one vending machine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for managing of a plurality of vending machines comprising:
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a plurality of monitors, each coupled to a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; a plurality of transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of the monitors; a communication gateway coupled to the plurality of transceivers via a cellular telephone system; and an electrical data link between the communication gateway and a data processing system that comprises; a database that stores data from the plurality of monitors; a computer coupled to the database; and software, stored in a memory storage device and executable by said computer, comprising; a gateway communications program that manages data transfer between the communication gateway and the data processing system; and an analytics module that processes the stored data and outputs an operational recommendation for at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines based on comparing data from at least one monitor in the plurality of monitors to data from at least one other monitor in the plurality of monitors, wherein the analytics module analyzes market data to determine if geographic location is contributing to underperformance of the at least one vending machine.
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24. A system for managing of a plurality of vending machines comprising:
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a plurality of monitors, each coupled to a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; a plurality of transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of the monitors; a communication gateway coupled to the plurality of transceivers via a cellular telephone system; and an electrical data link between the communication gateway and a data processing system that comprises; a database that stores data from the plurality of monitors; a computer coupled to the database; and software, stored in a memory storage device and executable by said computer, comprising; a gateway communications program that manages data transfer between the communication gateway and the data processing system; and an analytics module that processes the stored data and outputs an operational recommendation for at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines based on comparing data from at least one monitor in the plurality of monitors to data from at least one other monitor in the plurality of monitors, wherein the analytics module correlates vending machine performance to vending machine geographic location.
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25. A method for managing vending sales comprising:
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generating a message requesting data from a plurality of vending machines, for transmission to the plurality of vending machines over a cellular communication system; receiving the requested data from the plurality of vending machines; processing the received, requested data with a computing system to identify at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines exhibiting a performance difference relative to at least one other vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; and outputting a characteristic of the at least one vending machine attributable to the identified performance difference. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification