Methods to broadcast status of a self-service dispensing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a server operatively connected to a plurality of self-service dispensing devices, the method comprising:
- receiving a request from a user who is at a first location to reserve a particular item at a particular self-service dispensing device at a second location which is different and remote from the first location;
transmitting the request to the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location;
receiving an indication that an error has occurred on the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location causing the particular self-service dispensing device to be unable to dispense the particular item; and
transmitting a message to a user device separate from the plurality of self-service dispensing devices indicating to the user who is later at a third location which is other than the second location and which is different and remote from the first location that the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location is unable to provide the particular item to the user.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided to that allows for the broadcast the status of a self-service dispensing device that a user is likely or scheduled to visit. A diagnostic program may be installed on a self-service dispensing device and/or a central server. The diagnostic program monitors the health and status of the self-service dispensing device. If a problem is detected by the diagnostic program, the self-service dispensing device or the central server proactively contacts likely visitors to the device as well as creates a service call to support personnel in order to have the problem repaired.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a server operatively connected to a plurality of self-service dispensing devices, the method comprising:
-
receiving a request from a user who is at a first location to reserve a particular item at a particular self-service dispensing device at a second location which is different and remote from the first location; transmitting the request to the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location; receiving an indication that an error has occurred on the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location causing the particular self-service dispensing device to be unable to dispense the particular item; and transmitting a message to a user device separate from the plurality of self-service dispensing devices indicating to the user who is later at a third location which is other than the second location and which is different and remote from the first location that the particular self-service dispensing device at the second location is unable to provide the particular item to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13)
-
-
7. A method of operating a self-service dispensing device, the method comprising:
-
receiving from a server, a request that each of a plurality of users has reserved a corresponding particular item in available inventory; receiving from the server, a request that each of the plurality of users desires to be notified of status of the particular self-service dispensing device; determining that an error has occurred causing the particular self-service dispensing device to be unable to dispense the particular items to the plurality of users; and broadcasting a message to a plurality of user devices separate from the particular self-service dispensing device to notify each of the users that the particular self-service dispensing device is unable to provide the corresponding particular item to the user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
-
-
15. A system comprising:
-
one or more self-service dispensing devices; and a server; wherein (i) a first diagnostic program is installed and configured on at least one self-service dispensing device, (ii) a second diagnostic program installed and configured on the server for monitoring the one or more self-service dispensing devices for errors, (iii) a particular self-service dispensing device of the one or more self-service dispensing devices communicating with the server of any errors found by the first diagnostic program, and (iv) the server transmitting a message to one or more separate user devices of the one or more users who have previously reserved an item for pick up on the particular self-service dispensing device, the message comprising information for indicating the particular self-service dispensing device has experienced an error and/or is now unable to dispense the previously reserved item and instructions the one or more users to fulfill or cancel the reservation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification