Vend space allocation monitor means and method
US5029098A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/10
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vend space allocation monitor apparatus and method for use with a vending system capable of vending from among a plurality of classes of selectable vendable products of 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 monitor 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, whether such established vend space allocation configuration is consistent with selection demand norms, and a display communciating to authorized personnel such determination, whereby such authorized personnel may, if they so desire, undertake a re-configuration of vend space allocation for such vending system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.