Vend space allocation means and method

• US 5,050,769 A
• Filed: 04/11/1989
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: COIN Acceptors Incorporated
• Original Assignee: COIN Acceptors Incorporated
• Inventors: Levasseur, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/336,348
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 221/1, 221/2, 221/6, 221/7, 221/8, 364/403, 364/479
• US Class Current: 221/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/10 two or more magazines having a common delivery chute
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A vend space allocation apparatus and method for use with a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, the vend space allocation apparatus including a vend selection monitoring portion for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, a determining portion for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and a display for communicating to authorized personnel such space allocation information.

Claims

1. Vend space allocation means for allocating a greater number of product storage areas to a lesser number of classes of selectable vendable products for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, a preferred allocation of such greater number of product storage areas to the lesser number of classes of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various classes of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination.

2. The vend space allocation means of claim 1 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means includes means for retrieving said historical demand data.

3. The vend space allocation means of claim 2 wherein said historical demand data upon which such determination is based is the historical demand data for the period of time prior to the first sellout of any class of selectable vendable product.

4. The vend space allocation means of claim 2 including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means.

5. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes vend selection entry means and said processing means is operable during vending operations to update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation.

6. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes means for monitoring the product availability status for each class of selectable vendable products and for detecting when a class of selectable vend products becomes sold out, said processing means being responsive to the detection of the first sold out condition for a class of selectable vendable products to prevent further updating during subsequent vending operations of historical demand data stored in said data storage means.

7. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein the vending system includes credit entry means and said processing means is responsive to the detection of a vend selection for which sufficient credit has been entered to effect the updating of said historical demand data.

8. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein the vending system includes vend means and said processing means is operable to effect the updating of said historical demand data when operation of the vend means is effected by said processing means.

9. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes delivery sensor means for detecting delivery of a product, said processing means being responsive to the detection of a product delivery to effect the updating of said historical demand data.

10. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein said processing means includes memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, and wherein, upon the occurrence of a terminating event, said processing means is operable to determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system.

11. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein servicing of the vending system constitutes said terminating event.

12. The vend space allocation means of claim 11 wherein the vending system is operable in a vending mode of operation and in a service mode of operation, initiation of a service mode of operation constituting said terminating event.

13. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein the vending system includes means for detecting a machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation of the vending system, said processing means operatively connected to such detecting means and responsive to detection of a machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation to determine said space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system.

14. The vend space allocation means of claim 13 wherein the means for detecting a machine condition includes status monitor means and the machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation is a vendor door open condition.

15. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein the vending system includes service information entry means for entering service information, said processing means operatively connected to the service information entry means and responsive to entry of service information to determine said space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, the entry of such service information constituting said terminating event.

16. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

17. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events.

18. The vend space allocation means of claim 17 wherein said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

19. The vend space allocation means of claim 17 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes timing means and one of said possible terminating events is the timing out of said timing means.

20. The vend space allocation means of claim 5 wherein the vending system includes credit entry means and said processing means is responsive to the first vend selection entered during a vend operation for a credit entry of an amount sufficient for the vend cost of such vend selection to update said historical demand data.

21. The vend space allocation means of claim 20 wherein said processing means includes memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, and wherein, upon the occurrence of a terminating event, said processing means is operable to determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system.

22. The vend space allocation means of claim 21 wherein servicing of the vending system constitutes said terminating event.

23. The vend space allocation means of claim 21 wherein the vending system is operable in a vending mode of operation and in a service mode of operation, initiation of a service mode of operation constituting said terminating event.

24. The vend space allocation means of claim 21 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes timing means and the timing out of said timing means constitutes said terminating event.

25. The vend space allocation means of claim 21 wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events.

26. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein said processing means is operable to calculate for each class of selectable vendable products a proportionate demand value representative of the percentage distribution by demand of such class of products and to determine therefrom vend space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system.

27. The vend space allocation means of claim 26 wherein said processing means is operable to effect communication to authorized personnel of said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration by said means for communicating.

28. The vend space allocation means of claim 27 wherein said means for communicating includes means for visually indicating said space allocation information.

29. The vend space allocation means of claim 28 wherein said means for visually indicating said space allocation information includes light means.

30. The vend space allocation monitor means of claim 29 wherein said light means includes a plurality of lights, each product storage area having a light associated therewith.

31. The vend space allocation means of claim 28 wherein said means for visually indicating said space allocation information includes alphanumeric display means for displaying said space allocation information.

32. The vend space allocation means of claim 27 wherein said means for communicating includes audio means.

33. The vend space allocation means of claim 27 wherein said means for communicating includes means operable by authorized personnel to effect such communication of said space allocation information.

34. The vend space allocation means of claim 10 wherein the vending system includes means operable to place such system in a service mode of operation, said processing means operable when the vending system is in a service mode of operation to effect, based upon said stored historical demand data and said stored system design data, communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said vend space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system.

35. The vend space allocation means of claim 34 wherein the vending system includes data entry means operable by authorized personnel while the vending system is in a service mode of operation to provide data to said processing means and wherein said processing means is responsive to the receipt of such data to effect such communication of said space allocation information.

36. The vend space allocation means of claim 35 wherein said means for communicating includes a display means.

37. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein said processing means includes memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a Portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, said processing means also including a microprocessor programmed to:

(A) update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation while the vending system is in a vending mode of operation until the occurrence of a terminating event,

(B) respond to the occurrence of a terminating event to prevent further updating of historical demand data stored in said data storage means,

(C) determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system,

(D) effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration.

38. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein servicing of the vending system constitutes said terminating event.

39. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein the vending system includes service information entry means for entering service information, said processing means operatively connected to the service information entry means and responsive to entry of service information to determine said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration, the entry of such service information constituting said terminating event.

40. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

41. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events.

42. The vend space allocation means of claim 41 wherein said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

43. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein said selection monitoring means includes timing means and one of said possible terminating events is the timing out of said timing means.

44. The vend space allocation means of claim 37 wherein said microprocessor is programmed in performing step (C) to:

(1) calculate for each class of selectable vendable products a proportionate demand value representative of the percentage distribution by demand for such class of selectable vendable products, and

(2) determine from said proportionate demand values and from said system design data said space allocation information.

45. The vend space allocation means of claim 44 wherein result data is obtained in the performance of step (2), said result data being indicative of the allocation of specific product storage areas for storage of specific classes of products.

46. The vend space allocation monitor means of claim 45 wherein said microprocessor is programmed in performing step (D) to effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said result data.

47. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein said processing means includes memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, said processing means also including a microprocessor programmed to operate, first, during a vending mode of operation, to:

(A) update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation until any class of selectable vendable products has first become sold out, and

(B) respond to any detection of a first sold out condition for a class of selectable vendable products to prevent further updating during subsequent vending operations of historical demand data stored in said means for storing historical demand data,

and, subsequently, during a service mode of operation, to;

(C) determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration, and

(D) effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said space allocation information.

48. The vend space allocation means of claim 47 wherein the vending system includes means for detecting a machine condition indicative of a service mode status and said processing means is operatively connected to such detecting means, and wherein said processing means is responsive to detection of a machine condition indicative of a service mode status to cause the vending system to enter a service mode of operation.

49. The vend space allocation means of claim 48 wherein the means for detecting a machine condition includes status monitor means and the machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation is a vendor door open condition.

50. The vend space allocation means of claim 47 wherein the vending system includes data entry means operable by authorized personnel to enter service information and said processing means is operatively connected to the data entry means, and wherein said processing means is responsive to service information entered at the data entry means to cause the vending system to enter a service mode of operation.

51. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein the vending system includes vend means and said processing means is operable to effect the updating of said historical demand data when operation of the vend means is effected by said processing means.

52. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes delivery sensor means for detecting delivery of a product, said processing means being responsive to the detection of a product delivery to effect the updating of said historical demand data.

53. The vend space allocation means of claim 4 wherein said processing means includes memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, and wherein, upon the occurrence of a terminating event, said processing means is operable to determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration.

54. The vend space allocation means of claim 53 wherein said processing means is operable to calculate for each class of selectable vendable products a proportionate demand value representative of the percentage distribution by demand of such class of selectable vendable products and to determine therefrom result data indicative of the allocation of specific product storage areas for storage of specific classes of products.

55. The vend space allocation means of claim 53 wherein the vending system includes means operable to place such system in a service mode of operation, said processing means operable when the vending system is in a service mode of operation to effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said space allocation information.

56. Vend space allocation means for allocating based upon historical demand product storage areas in a vending system that has a plurality of distinguishable product storage areas for storage prior to bending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of distinguishable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the distinguishable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including means operable to establish and form from the plurality of distinguishable product storage areas a plurality of product storage compartments, each such storage compartment adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, means for dispensing from each such storage compartment the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, said vend space allocation means comprising information entry means operable to effect a vend space allocation operation, processing means operatively connected to said information entry means to be response to such operation of said information entry means and operatively connected to the means for storing historical demand data to retrieve historical demand data therefrom, and display means, said processing means responsive to an initial authorized operation of said information entry means to initiate a vend space allocation operation, said processing means thereafter operable to determine for each type of distinguishable product a proportionate demand value based upon the historical demand data stored in said data storage means, to determine for each type of distinguishable product based upon such proportionate demand values space allocation information identifying one or more product storage areas configurable to form a product storage compartment therefor, and to effect the display by said display means of such space allocation information, wherein such space allocation information determines a preferred allocation of such number of distinguishable product storage areas to the number of distinguishable types of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various types of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand.

57. The vend space allocation means of claim 56 wherein said information entry means is operable during a vend space allocation operation to enter selected information thereat and wherein said processing means is responsive to the entry of such selected information to determine revised space allocation information dependent upon the selected information entered and to effect the display by said display means of such revised space allocation information.

58. The vend space allocation means of claim 56 including allocation information storage means for storing allocation information determined by said processing means, the means for controlling the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product being operatively connected to retrieve allocation information from said allocation information storage means.

59. The vend space allocation means of claim 56 including configuration variation data storage means for storing configuration variation data particular to the vending system and indicative of various possible configuration variations for the plurality of vend storage areas of such vending system, said processing means being operatively connected to retrieve configuration variation data from the configuration variation data storage means, said processing means operable to retrieve from said configuration variation data storage means specific configuration variation data representative of a possible vending system configuration in accordance with the particular proportionate demand values determined by said processing means during the vend space allocation operation.

60. The vend space allocation means of claim 59 wherein the stored configuration variation data comprises a look-up table.

61. The vend space allocation means of claim 56 wherein said processing means includes a microprocessor.

62. The vend space allocation means of claim 61 including configuration variation data storage means for storing configuration variation data particular to the vending system and indicative of various possible configuration variations for the plurality of vend storage areas of such vending system, said processing means being operatively connected to retrieve configuration variation data from the configuration variation data storage means, and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to perform during a vend space allocation operation the steps of:

(A) retrieving the historical demand data for each type of distinguishable product and calculating therefrom a proportionate demand value for each type of distinguishable product corresponding to the demand for such given type of distinguishable product during a period of time divided by the total demand for all types of distinguishable products during such period of time,

(B) retrieving from said configuration variation data storage means specific configuration variation data representative of a possible vending system configuration in accordance with the particular proportionate demand values calculated in step (A),

(C) effecting the display by said display means of such specific configuration variation data.

63. Vend space allocation means for allocating based upon historical demand product vend storage areas in a vending system that has a plurality of separable product storage areas for storage prior to vending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of separable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the separable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including configuration means operable to establish and form from the plurality of separable product storage areas a plurality of product storage compartments, each such storage compartment adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, means for dispensing from each such storage compartment the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, said vend space allocation means comprising information entry means operable by authorized personnel to effect a vend space allocation operation, processing means operatively connected to said information entry means to be responsive to such operation of said information entry means and operatively connected to the means for storing historical demand data to retrieve historical demand data therefrom, said processing means responsive to an initial authorized operation of said information entry means to initiate a vend space allocation operation, said processing means thereafter operable to establish based upon said historical demand data a preferred vend space allocation configuration whereby each distinguishable type of vendable product has associated therewith one or more product storage areas configurable to form a product storage compartment therefor and maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various types of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand.

64. Vend space allocation means for a vending system that has a plurality of distinguishable product storage areas for storage prior to vending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of distinguishable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the distinguishable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including means operable by authorized personnel to establish and form from the plurality of distinguishable product storage areas a plurality of product storage allocation areas, each such product storage allocation area adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, the plurality of product storage allocation areas so established defining an established vend space allocation configuration, means for dispensing from each such product storage allocation area the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, said vend space allocation monitor means comprising vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various types of vendable products, processing means operatively connected to said vend selection monitoring means and said data storage means and operable as product demand is monitored to update said historical demand data stored in said data storage means to refelct teh historical demand for the various types of vendable products, and communication means, said processing means operable in response to a terminating event for the time period to determine, based upon the historical demand data stored in said data storage means, a preferred allocation of such greater number of product storage are as to the lesser number of types of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various types of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand, and to effect the communication to authorized personnel by said communication means of information indicative of such determination.

65. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein servicing of the vending system constitutes said terminating event.

66. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein the vending system is operable in a vending mode of operation and in a service mode of operation, initiation of a service mode of operation constituting said terminating event.

67. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein the vending system includes means for detecting a machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation of the vending system, said processing means operatively connected to such detecting means and responsive to detection of a machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation to determine said preferred allocation.

68. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein the vending system includes service information entry means for entering service information, said processing means operatively connected to the service information entry means and responsive to entry of service information to determine said preferred allocation, the entry of such service information constituting said terminating event.

69. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

70. The vend space allocation means of claim 64 wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events.

71. The vend space allocation means of claim 70 wherein said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

72. The vend space allocation means of claim 70 wherein said vend selection monitoring means includes timing means and one of said possible terminating events is the timing out of said timing means.

73. A method for determining and for communicating to authorized personnel a preferred vend space allocation configuration allocating a greater number of product storage area to a lesser number of classes of selectable vendable products for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage, an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, and communication means, comprising the steps of:

(A) recording and updating for product vend operations as products are vended over a period of time the product demand by class of product,

(B) determining from said recorded product demand for such period of time a preferred allocation of such greater number of product storage areas to the lesser number of classes of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various classes of products by such ending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand, and

(C) effecting communication by such communication means of space allocation information identifying said preferred allocation to authorized personnel.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein step (A) is terminated by the occurrence of a terminating event.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein servicing of the vending system constitutes said terminating event.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein the vending system is operable in a vending mode of operation and in a service mode of operation, initiation of a service mode of operation constituting said terminating event.

77. The method of claim 74 wherein the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

78. The method of claim 74 wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein said selection monitoring includes timing means and one of said possible terminating events is the timing out of said timing means.

81. A method for determining and for communicating to authorized personnel a preferred vend space allocation configuration allocating a greater number of product storage area to a lesser number of classes of selectable vendable products for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, comprising the steps of:

(A) providing means for monitoring and recording product demand and for communicating information to authorized personnel.

(B) monitoring the demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products over a period of time and recording such historical demand,

(C) determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, a preferred allocation of such greater number of product storage areas to the lesser number of classes of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various classes of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand, and

(D) communicating such determination to authorized personnel.

82. A method of allocating, based upon historical demand, product vend storage areas in a vending system that has a plurality of distinguishable product storage areas for storage prior to vending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of distinguishable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the distinguishable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including configuration means operable to establish and form from the plurality of distinguishable product storage areas a plurality of product storage compartments, each such storage compartment adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, means for dispensing from each such storage compartment the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, including the steps of

(A) accumulating and storing over a period of time historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product,

(B) retrieving the historical demand data for each type of distinguishable product and calculating therefrom a proportionate demand value for each type of distinguishable product,

(C) determining a preferred space allocation configuration based upon the particular proportionate demand values calculated in step (B), which allocation configuration allocates such greater number of product storage areas to the lesser number of classes of vendable products whereby maximally contemporaneous sellout of the various classes of products by such vending system would be anticipated for substantially fully loaded storage areas and a continuing unchanged product demand.

(D) effecting operation of the configuration means to configure the vending system to the desired vending system configuration.

83. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said vend selection monitoring means including vend selection entry means and said processing means being operable during vending operations to update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation, said vend selection monitoring means also including means for monitoring the product availability status for each class of selectable vendable products and for detecting when a class of selectable vend products becomes sold out, said processing means being responsive to the detection of the first sold out condition for a class of selectable vendable products to prevent further updating during subsequent vending operations of historical demand data stored in said data storage means.

84. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said vend selection monitoring means including vend selection entry means and said processing means being operable during vending operations to update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation, said processing means including memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, and wherein, upon the occurrence of a terminating event, said processing means is operable to determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constituting said terminating event.

85. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said vend selection monitoring means including vend selection entry means and said processing means being operable during vending operations to update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation, said processing means including memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, and wherein, upon the occurrence of a terminating event, said processing means is operable to determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, said terminating event for a given period of time being the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events wherein said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

86. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said processing means including memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, said processing means also including a microprocessor programmed to:

(A) update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation while the vending system is in a vending mode of operation until the occurrence of a terminating event,

(B) respond to the occurrence of a terminating event to prevent further updating of historical demand data stored in said data storage means,

(C) determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system,

(D) effect communication to authorized by said means for communicating of said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration,

and wherein the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

87. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said processing means including memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, said processing means also including a microprocessor programmed to:

(A) update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation while the vending system is in a vending mode of operation until the occurrence of a terminating event,

(B) respond to the occurrence of a terminating event to prevent further updating of historical demand data stored in said data storage means,

(C) determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system,

(D) effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communication of said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration.

and wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events, said possible terminating events including both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

88. Vend space allocation means for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage and an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, said vend space allocation means comprising a vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various classes of selectable vendable products, means for determining, based at least in part upon said historical demand, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for the vending system, and means for communicating to authorized personnel such determination, said vend selection monitoring means including data storage means for storing historical demand data representative of the historical demand over the period of time for the plurality of classes of selectable vendable products and said determining means including means for retrieving said historical demand data, said vend space allocation means further including a processing means, said processing means forming portions of said vend selection monitoring means and said determining means, said processing means including memory means for storing data therein and means for retrieving such data therefrom, said data storage means for storing historical demand data forming a portion of said memory means, said memory means also including a portion thereof for storing system design data, said processing means also including a microprocessor programmed to operate, first, during a vending mode of operation, to:

(A) update the historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the vend selection for each product vend operation until any class of selectable vendable products has first become sold out, and

(B) respond to any detection of a first sold out condition for a class of selectable vendable products to prevent further updating during subsequent vending operations of historical demand data stored in said means for storing historical demand data,

and, subsequently, during a service mode of operation, to;

(C) determine from said historical demand data and from said system design data stored in said memory means said space allocation information indicative of said preferred vend space allocation configuration, and

(D) effect communication to authorized personnel by said means for communicating of said space allocation information.

89. The vend space allocation means of claim 88 wherein the vending system includes means for detecting a machine condition indicative of a service mode status and said processing means is operatively means is responsive to detection of a machine condition indicative of a service mode status to cause the vending system to enter a service mode of operation.

90. The vend space allocation means of claim 89 wherein the means for detecting a machine condition includes status monitor means and the machine condition indicative of a service mode of operation is a vendor door open condition.

91. The vend space allocation means of claim 88 wherein the vending system includes data entry means operable by authorized personnel to enter service information and said processing means is operatively connected to the data entry means, and wherein said processing means is responsive to service information entered at the data entry means to cause the vending system to enter a service mode of operation.

92. Vend space allocation means for a vending system that has a plurality of distinguishable product storage areas for storage prior to vending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of distinguishable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the distinguishable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including means operable by authorized personnel to establish and form from the plurality of distinguishable product storage areas a plurality of product storage allocation areas, each such product storage allocation area adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, the plurality of product storage allocation areas so established defining an established vend space allocation configuration, means for dispensing from each such product storage allocation area the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, said vend space allocation monitor means comprising vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various types of vendable products, processing means operatively connected to said vend selection monitoring means and said data storage means and operable as product demand is monitored to update said historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the historical demand for the various types of vendable products, and communication means, said processing means operable in response to a terminating event for the time period to determine, based upon the historical demand data stored in said data storage means, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration, and to effect the communication to authorized personnel by said communication means of information indicative of such determination, the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constituting said terminating event.

93. Vend space allocation means for a vending system that has a plurality of distinguishable product storage areas for storage prior to vending of a plurality of distinguishable types of vendable products, wherein the number of distinguishable product storage areas exceeds the number of distinguishable types of vendable products intended to be vended by such vending system and wherein at least certain of the distinguishable product storage areas are configurable with one another to permit the vending of a common type of vendable product therefrom, such vending system including means operable by authorized personnel to establish and form from the plurality of distinguishable product storage areas a plurality of product storage allocation areas, each such product storage allocation area adapted to hold therein a plurality of products of a given type, the plurality of product storage allocation areas so established defining an established vend space allocation configuration, means for dispensing from each such product storage allocation area the products stored therein, means for controlling in response to an authorized request the dispensing of a requested distinguishable type of vendable product, and data storage means for storing historical demand data for each distinguishable type of vendable product, said vend space allocation monitor means comprising vend selection monitoring means for monitoring over a period of time the historical demand for the various types of vendable products, processing means operatively connected to said vend selection monitoring means and said data storage means and operable as product demand is monitored to update said historical demand data stored in said data storage means to reflect the historical demand for the various types of vendable products, and communication means, said processing means operable in response to a terminating event for the time period to determine, based upon the historical demand data stored in said data storage means, space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration, and to effect the communication to authorized personnel by said communication means of information indicative of such determination, wherein said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events, said possible terminating events including both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.

94. A method for determining and for communication to authorized personnel space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage, an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, and communication means, comprising the steps of:

(A) recording and updating for product vend operations as products are vended over a period of time the product demand by class of product,

(B) determining from said recorded product demand for such period of time space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for such vending system, and

(C) effecting communication by such communication means of such space allocation information to authorized personnel,

wherein step (A) is terminated by the occurrence of a terminating event and the first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products constitutes said terminating event.

95. A method for determining and for communicating to authorized personnel space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for a vending system capable of vending from along a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products a product from a selected product class, which vending system has a plurality of product storage areas for vend product storage, an established vend space allocation configuration allocating the product storage areas to the classes of selectable vendable products, and communication means, comprising the steps of:

(A) recording and updating for product vend operations as products are vended over a period of time the product demand by class of product,

(B) determining from said recorded product demand for such period of time space allocation information indicative of a preferred vend space allocation configuration for such vending system, and

(C) effecting communication by such communication means of such space allocation information to authorized personnel,

wherein step (A) is terminated by the occurrence of a terminating event, said terminating event for a given period of time is the first event to occur from among a plurality of possible terminating events, and said possible terminating events include both first sellout of a class of selectable vendable products and servicing of the vending system.