Methods and system for managing vending operations based on wireless data
US8214247B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W8/18
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.