System for controlling access to and segregating dispensed items
US7860605B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG16H20/13
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one embodiment, a system for controlling access to and segregating dispensable items comprises a vending machine that contains the dispensable items to be vended. The vending machine includes an access control mechanism responsive to selection of one of the dispensable items for causing the vending machine to activate and vend the selected item. Transaction information associated with each of the vended items is stored in memory. The vending machine further includes a port on an exterior of the machine and adapted to receive items previously vended from the vending machine for return. A repository is located on the interior of the machine and operably connected to the port for quarantining the returned items, whereby the returned items are separated from the items to be vended. A sensor may be provided for sensing the returned items and causing the system to update transaction information to indicate that the sensed item has been returned to the machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.