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Two-way exchange vending

  • US 10,460,547 B2
  • Filed: 01/12/2018
  • Issued: 10/29/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vending system comprising:

  • a vending unit for vending and receiving products, the vending unit comprising a communication module and a unique identifier; and

    a central computer, remote from the vending unit, the central computer comprising;

    a processor;

    a database associating the unique identifier with product information for products available at the vending unit; and

    a communication unit, the central computer being in communication with the vending unit;

    wherein the central computer is configured to receive the unique identifier indicative of the vending unit from a user vending interface running on a user interface device, the user interface device being located remotely from the vending unit;

    wherein the central computer is configured to identify the vending unit into which a received product is deposited based on the unique identifier received from the user vending interface, andwherein the central computer is configured to determine from the database the identity of products available at the vending unit in response to receiving the unique identifier from the user vending interface and to communicate an option for completing a transaction at the vending unit to the user vending interface.

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