Methods and apparatus for producing a vending machine inventory status signal

Abstract

Method and apparatus for stocking a vending device are disclosed. The vending device is structured to receive a product selection from a user via a user input device. The vending device then dispenses the selected product and determines if the inventory associated with the selected product has fallen below a predetermined threshold. If the inventory of the selected product has fallen below the predetermined threshold, the vending device may communicate with a remote host device. Alternatively, or in addition, the vending device may communicate with the remote host periodically.

1 . A dedicated electronic catalogue device for enabling a user to order goods and/or services from a remote location, including a memory storing a catalogue data base for access by the user, the catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, display means for displaying information from the catalogue data base, communication means for communicating with a remote host device for automatically placing orders, identification means for identifying authorised users of the device, user input means for enabling the user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, and processing means for controlling operation of the device.  
     
     
         2 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , the memory also storing a user data base, the user data base including information for identifying authorised users of the device.  
     
     
         3 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , the device being arranged to access user credit information to determine the credit-worthiness of a user and to deny a user order if the credit of the user is not sufficient.  
     
     
         4 . A device in accordance with  claim 3 , the user data base further including user credit information for access by the device, the device being arranged to update the user credit information in response to orders placed by the user.  
     
     
         5 . A device in accordance with any one of  claim 2 ,  3  or  4 , the device being arranged to update information in the user data base in response to data communicated from the host device via the communication means.  
     
     
         6 . A device in accordance with any preceding claim, the device being arranged to update information in the catalogue data base in response to data communicated from the host device via the communication means.  
     
     
         7 . A device in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein, in response to operation of the user input means by a user to place an order, the device is arranged to store transaction information in the memory, the transaction information including information on the identity of the user and the product and/or service ordered.  
     
     
         8 . A device in accordance with  claim 7 , being arranged to automatically upload stored transaction information to the host device, via the communication means, at predetermined time intervals.  
     
     
         9 . A device in accordance with any preceding claim, further including an information service menu stored in the memory for access by the user, the information service menu identifying information services which are available at the device and which may be selected by the user on appropriate actuation of the user input means.  
     
     
         10 . A device in accordance with  claim 9 , an information service file being stored in the device and including information service data to enable provision of an information service on selection by a user.  
     
     
         11 . A device in accordance with  claim 10 , the device being arranged to update the information service file and/or the information service menu in response to data communicated from the host device via the communication means.  
     
     
         12 . A device in accordance with any one of claims  10  or  11 , the device further including audio means for providing information in audible form, the information service file including an audio file storing audio service data for reproduction as audio information.  
     
     
         13 . A device in accordance with any one of claims  10 ,  11  or  12 , the information service file including a video file storing video service data for reproduction as video information on the display means.  
     
     
         14 . A device in accordance with any preceding claim, further including storage means for storing product on site, a catalogue data base including information on products which are available on site as well as products which are only available from a remote location.  
     
     
         15 . A dedicated remote goods/services ordering and supply system, comprising an electronic catalogue device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, and a host device located at a remote location and arranged to communicate with the electronic catalogue device via the communication means, to receive orders for goods/services placed via the electronic catalogue device and to process the orders.  
     
     
         16 . A system in accordance with  claim 15 , the host device including a processing means for controlling the host device, a memory, a user input means and a display, the host device being arranged to process an order by receiving the transaction information via the communication means and automatically producing an invoice and a delivery instruction for delivery of the goods/services to the user who generated the order at the electronic catalogue device.  
     
     
         17 . A system in accorance with  claim 15  or  claim 16 , the host device being arranged to automatically communicate with the electronic catalogue device to update data stored in the memory of the electronic catalogue device.  
     
     
         18 . A method of providing for remote ordering and supply of goods/services, comprising the steps of providing, at a first location, a processing device incorporating a memory storing a catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, and having input means to enable a user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, providing, at a second location remote from the first location, a host device, the host device being arranged to communicate with the processing device to receive and process information relating to products/services ordered, and providing a service infrastructure for delivering products/services ordered to the first location.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , including the step of the host device periodically communicating with the processing device and automatically updating via a communication means the catalogue data base.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with claim,  18  or  claim 19 , including the further step of providing information services at the remote processing device, whereby a user can request information services via the input means.  
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , including the further step of the host device providing data to the processing device to update the information services available.  
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 18  to  21  the proessing device being arranged to store user information for identifying a user of the processing device, and including the further step of the host device communicating with the processing device to update the user information.  
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 18  to  22 , including the further step of making goods available at the first location and providing the goods at the first location in response to an order for the goods.  
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 18  to  23 , including the step of enabling the processing device to be used by a plurality of different users, user information being stored in the processing device on each user.  
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 18  to  24 , including the step of positioning the processing device in a public location for access by a plurality of users.  
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance pith any one of  claims 18  to  25 , including the step of providing a plurality of processing devices for communication with the host device, each processing device being positioned in a different location.