Vending store inventory management and reporting system
First Claim
1. A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers from a plurality of vending stores each comprising a computer system and an interface for communicating with the data center over the network system, the data center comprising:
- one or more data stores for storing inventory information corresponding to inventory in the plurality of vending stores, wherein the inventory is owned by one or more brand owners,one or more modules for receiving the inventory information from the plurality of vending stores and processing the inventory information to control inventory in the plurality of vending stores, the one or more modules configured to provide a first brand owner access to the inventory information associated with the inventory owned by the first brand owner, wherein the one or more modules are configured to be operated by a vending store operator, and wherein the vending store operator is not the first brand owner, anda network interface for connecting to the network system,wherein the data center is configured to connect to network interfaces of the plurality of vending stores over a network,wherein the data center is configured to deliver inventory management information to each of the plurality of vending stores for displaying on user interfaces of the plurality of vending stores, andwherein the data center is configured to provide the one or more brand owners an application to remotely configure a plurality of product presentations for a plurality of products located within the plurality of vending stores, the data center being configured to provide the plurality of product presentations to the plurality of vending stores for display at the plurality of vending stores, wherein a product presentation for a product is provided for display at a vending store responsive to a request to display a product information page for the product, the request being received via the user interface of the vending store.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers from a plurality of vending stores each comprising a computer system and an interface for communicating with the data center over the network system, the data center comprising:
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one or more data stores for storing inventory information corresponding to inventory in the plurality of vending stores, wherein the inventory is owned by one or more brand owners, one or more modules for receiving the inventory information from the plurality of vending stores and processing the inventory information to control inventory in the plurality of vending stores, the one or more modules configured to provide a first brand owner access to the inventory information associated with the inventory owned by the first brand owner, wherein the one or more modules are configured to be operated by a vending store operator, and wherein the vending store operator is not the first brand owner, and a network interface for connecting to the network system, wherein the data center is configured to connect to network interfaces of the plurality of vending stores over a network, wherein the data center is configured to deliver inventory management information to each of the plurality of vending stores for displaying on user interfaces of the plurality of vending stores, and wherein the data center is configured to provide the one or more brand owners an application to remotely configure a plurality of product presentations for a plurality of products located within the plurality of vending stores, the data center being configured to provide the plurality of product presentations to the plurality of vending stores for display at the plurality of vending stores, wherein a product presentation for a product is provided for display at a vending store responsive to a request to display a product information page for the product, the request being received via the user interface of the vending store. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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17. The data center of 16, wherein the enterprise resource planning module is configured to send and receive external inventory information between the data center and a third party logistic system.
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18. The data center of 17, wherein the external inventory information sent by the third party logistic system comprises vending store identification data, product identification data, product quantity data, and/or a receiving time period.
Specification