Smart vending machine with modular control assembly
US11640742B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2645
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vending machine includes a product storage cabinet having a housing defining a storage compartment for storing a product and a door movably connected to the housing. A product sensor is configured to detect removal of the product from the storage compartment. The vending machine further includes a control assembly configured to control operation of the vending machine. The control assembly includes a support structure, a control unit mounted on the support structure, a transceiver mounted on the support structure, and a power supply mounted on the support structure. The control assembly is configured to receive information from collected by the product sensor to determine an identity of the product removed from the storage compartment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.