Networked vendor for workplace or controlled environment
First Claim
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1. A system for managing a networked vending machine, the system comprising:
- a vending machine comprising;
at least one rack in an interior area, the at least one rack configured to hold at least one insert, the insert comprising a plurality of soft drink products arranged in a linear direction from a front end of the insert to a rear end of the insert,a door configured to give a consumer access to the soft drink products,at least one insert sensor configured to read identification data on the at least one insert, the identification data comprising information related to at least one of;
a characteristic of the soft drink products held within the insert and the insert itself,at least one weight sensor configured to determine weight data for the at least one insert, anda processor coupled to the at least one insert sensor, the at least one weight sensor, the consumer input device, and a network, and configured to receive and transmit data over the network; and
a controller comprising computer-executable instructions configured to;
manage inventory for the vending machine based on at least one of the weight data and the identification data, andreceive a user'"'"'s order for additional inserts containing a plurality of soft drink products.
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Abstract
Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine.
71 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for managing a networked vending machine, the system comprising:
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a vending machine comprising; at least one rack in an interior area, the at least one rack configured to hold at least one insert, the insert comprising a plurality of soft drink products arranged in a linear direction from a front end of the insert to a rear end of the insert, a door configured to give a consumer access to the soft drink products, at least one insert sensor configured to read identification data on the at least one insert, the identification data comprising information related to at least one of;
a characteristic of the soft drink products held within the insert and the insert itself,at least one weight sensor configured to determine weight data for the at least one insert, and a processor coupled to the at least one insert sensor, the at least one weight sensor, the consumer input device, and a network, and configured to receive and transmit data over the network; and a controller comprising computer-executable instructions configured to; manage inventory for the vending machine based on at least one of the weight data and the identification data, and receive a user'"'"'s order for additional inserts containing a plurality of soft drink products. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing a networked vending machine, the vending machine comprising at least one insert holding a plurality of soft drink products and a door configured to give a consumer access to the soft drink products, the method comprising:
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determining, by a weight sensor in communication with a processor, a first weight of the at least one insert before a soft drink product is removed; determining, by the weight sensor in communication with the processor, a second weight of the at least one insert after the soft drink product is removed; receiving, at the processor, the first weight and the second weight; reading identification data displayed on the at least one insert with an insert sensor coupled to the vending machine, the identification data comprising information related to at least one of;
a characteristic of the soft drink products held within the insert and the insert itself;transmitting the first weight, the second weight, and the identification data to a controller configured to manage the inventory of the networked vending machine based on at least one of the first weight and the second weight, and the identification data; and ordering, via the controller, additional inserts containing a plurality of soft drink products. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for managing a networked vending machine, the system comprising:
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a vending machine comprising; at least one rack in an interior area, the at least one rack configured to hold at least one insert for holding a plurality of vending products, the vending products comprising one or more food or beverage products, wherein the insert comprises an open top, an open front end, a rear end, and a shape configured to hold the plurality of vending products in a linear arrangement from the open front end to the rear end of the insert, wherein the open front end comprises a shape that allows vending products to be accessed by a consumer, a door configured to give a consumer access to the vending products, at least one insert sensor configured to read identification data on the at least one insert, the identification data comprising information related to at least one of;
a characteristic of a product held within the insert and the insert itself,at least one weight sensor configured to determine weight data for the at least one insert, and a processor coupled to the at least one insert sensor, the at least one weight sensor, the consumer input device, and a network, and configured to receive and transmit data over the network; and a controller comprising computer-executable instructions configured to; manage inventory for the vending machine based on at least one of the weight data and the identification data, and receive a user'"'"'s order for additional inserts containing a plurality of vending products.
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Specification