System for monitoring a vending machine

Abstract

A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver. The server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce the mobile device to be transported to within the first distance from the vending machine.

1 . A system for monitoring a vending machine comprising:
 a vending machine having a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the vending machine having a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance;   a plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver;   a second long range transceiver;   a server coupled to the second long range transceiver, the server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce a user of the mobile device to transport the mobile device within the first distance from the vending machine.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the signal is one of an offer for a free product from the vending machine, and location information of the nearest participating vending machine. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein the plurality of mobile devices comprise software configured to function as a digital wallet. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein the digital wallet is configured to send a signal from the server to incentivize the user of the mobile device to go within a predetermined range of the vending machine. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4  wherein the server sends the mobile device a signal indicative of a reduce price free product at a vending machine. 
     
     
         6 . A system for monitoring a vending machine comprising:
 a one of a micromarket or a vending machine having a controller configured to store information associated with the condition of the micromarket or vending machine, the micromarket or vending machine having a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance;   a plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the micromarket or vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver;   a second long range transceiver;   a server coupled to the second long range transceiver, the server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the micromarket or vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce the user of the mobile device to transport the mobile device within the first distance from the micromarket or vending machine.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the signal is an offer for a free product from the micromarket or vending machine. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein the plurality of mobile devices comprise software configured to function as a digital wallet. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8  wherein the digital wallet is configured to send a signal from the server to incentivize the user of the mobile device to go within a predetermined range of the vending machine. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the server sends the mobile device and signal indicative of a reduce price free product at a vending machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method of transferring information related to the status of a vending machine comprising:
 providing a vending machine having a controller configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the vending machine having a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance;   providing a mobile device having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile device being configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver;   providing a second long range transceiver coupled to a server, the second long range transceiver configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to the second long range transceiver for transmission to the mobile device to induce the user of the mobile device to transport the mobile device within the first distance from the vending machine;   transmitting the information associated with the condition of the vending machine with the first short range transceiver;   receiving the information associated with the condition of the vending machine with the second short range transceiver;   transmitting the information associated with the condition of the vending machine with the first long range transceiver;   receiving the information associated with the condition of the vending machine with the second long range transceiver; and   storing the information associated with the condition of the vending machine within the server.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising transmitting a signal which is displayed on the mobile device as an offer for a free product from the vending machine. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the mobile device comprises software configured to function as a digital wallet. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the digital wallet is configured to send the signal from the server to incentivize the user of the mobile device to go within a predetermined range of the vending machine.