Method and apparatus for locating a nearby alternate vending machine for a desired product
US7084737B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/06
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communication network (FIG. 1) makes available, to a first vending machine (102) of a plurality of vending machines, information from nearby ones of the plurality of vending machines for coordinating product availability and vending machine location. The first vending machine then determines 502 that the desired product is no longer available at the first vending machine. Thereafter, the first vending machine obtains (504–520) the information including a location of the nearby alternate vending machine for the desired product. The first vending machine then conveys (410) the location of the nearby alternate vending machine to a customer who wishes to purchase the desired product.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.