RFID-based method for a networked cashless vending system
US7455223B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q20/18
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A cashless vending system, comprising, a plurality of vending machines, wherein each vending machine comprises a Vending Machine Controller that supports the international Multi-Drop Bus/Internal Communication Protocol standard; wherein each vending machine includes a NetVend interface, wherein each NetVend interface communicates, via a Multi-Drop Bus/Internal Communication Protocol interface, with the Vending Machine Controller; wherein each NetVend interface communicates with at least one central server, wherein the central server contains a database for storing user Identifiers and an associated allowable credit or available cash data for each user Identifier, wherein the central server is capable of authenticating users for granting/denying access to a vending machine, receiving transaction data, and monitoring and controlling each of the plurality of vending machines; and wherein each vending machine includes a display/reader.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.