Vending kit and method
US9934657B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0267
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One variation of a method for controlling access to products from a vending machine includes: locking a door of the vending machine; recording an initial inventory of products arranged within the vending machine based on signals received by a radio antenna arranged within the vending machine and read by a radio frequency identification reader; initiating a transaction in response to receiving a cashless payment mechanism from a patron; unlocking the door in response to authentication of the cashless payment mechanism; in response to closure of the door, recording a final inventory of products within the vending machine based on signals received by the radio antenna and read by the radio frequency identification reader; and initiating a payment with the cashless payment mechanism for a difference between the initial inventory and the final inventory to complete the transaction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.