Method and system for managing vending operations based on wireless data

US8484070B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Numerex Corp. · US

Inventors

• Tomás Murray · Atlanta, US
• Edward R. Jansson · Canton, US
• Edward I. Comer · Brevard, US
• Alexander Nicolaides · Sarasota, US
• Juan Manuel Garcia Peralta · Listowel, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W8/18
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical 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.