초록 ▼

A dispensing device, such as a vending machine, is equipped to monitor product demand and consumer traffic that passes by the machine. The dispensing device collects and analyzes product demand data to determine optimal product stocking, to offer products to undecided consumers and to offer substitu

A dispensing device, such as a vending machine, is equipped to monitor product demand and consumer traffic that passes by the machine. The dispensing device collects and analyzes product demand data to determine optimal product stocking, to offer products to undecided consumers and to offer substitute products when a selected product is out of stock. The substitute product may be determined according to which alternate product historically has the highest demand when a particular selected product is unavailable. Alternatively, the substitute product may be determined according to which stocked item has an imminent expiration date. Also, the substitute product may be predetermined by an operator of a vending machine or may be determined by other factors. The substitute product may further be offered to the customer at a discounted price.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A computerized method of dispensing a substitute product from a vending machine that includes a processor, comprising:detecting a purchaser;receiving an amount of money from the purchaser;measuring a time between a detection and a receipt of the amount of money from the purchaser

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A computerized method of dispensing a substitute product from a vending machine that includes a processor, comprising:detecting a purchaser;receiving an amount of money from the purchaser;measuring a time between a detection and a receipt of the amount of money from the purchaser;storing a value corresponding to the time;receiving at the processor a selection of a first product from the purchaser; and if the first product is not available,retrieving a substitute product identifier corresponding to a substitute product;offering the substitute product to the purchaser; anddispensing the substitute product.