Method and system for managing vending operations based on wireless data
First Claim
1. A method for managing a plurality of vending machines that are geographically dispersed, comprising the steps of:
- receiving data transmitted via cellular communication from transceivers that each monitors a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines;
storing the received data in a database; and
with an analytics module that subjects the stored data to computer processing;
outputting an operational recommendation for one or more vending machines in the plurality of vending machines by comparing the stored data of at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines to the stored data of at least one other vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; and
identifying vending machines in the plurality of vending machines that outperform other vending machines in the plurality of vending machines.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for managing a plurality of vending machines that are geographically dispersed, comprising the steps of:
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receiving data transmitted via cellular communication from transceivers that each monitors a respective vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; storing the received data in a database; and with an analytics module that subjects the stored data to computer processing; outputting an operational recommendation for one or more vending machines in the plurality of vending machines by comparing the stored data of at least one vending machine in the plurality of vending machines to the stored data of at least one other vending machine in the plurality of vending machines; and identifying 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)
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9. A method for managing vending machines that are geographically dispersed, comprising the steps of:
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receiving wireless transmissions from the vending machines, each wireless transmission conveying monitored data of a respective vending machine; storing the monitored data in a database; and by processing the stored monitored data with a computing system, identifying at least one of the vending machines that is underperforming relative to at least one other of the vending machines and determining whether geographical location is contributing to said underperformance of the at least one of the vending machines. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for managing vending machines that are geographically dispersed, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving wireless transmissions originating at the vending machines, the wireless transmissions conveying vending sales data from the vending machines; storing the conveyed vending sales data in a database; and based on processing the stored vending sales data with a computing system, identifying at least one of the vending machines that is outperforming at least one other of the vending machines and determining whether geographical location is contributing to said outperformance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for managing a geographically dispersed system of vending machines, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving vending data for each of the vending machines, each comprising a wireless transmitter for sending the vending data over a cellular communication system; storing the received vending sales data in a database; and optimizing vending locations for the vending machines by processing the stored vending sales data with an analytics module executing on a computer processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for managing a system of vending machines disposed at different geographic locations, comprising the steps of:
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receiving from the vending machines data that has transmitted over a cellular communication system; and responsive to processing the received data with a computer, correlating performances of the vending machines to geographic locations of the vending machines and outputting an operational recommendation regarding at least one of the vending machines. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification