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Apparatus, systems and methods for wireless purchase and on-line inventory management in vending machines

Summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for wireless purchase of merchandise from a vending machine by using a cellular mobile phone. The present invention permits a cellular mobile phone user to dial a sequence of code on the phone to invoke the vending machine to dispense merchandise, where payment is charged to the mobile phone account. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and a method for on-line inventory management. With on-line inventory management, the present invention provides high efficient operation, reduced operation cost, and just-in-time service and merchandise delivery. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and a method that allow both on-line inventory management and wireless purchase of merchandise in a vending machine.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: TW554298B
Application Number: TW2002104232A
Inventor: YUNG HON CHING | LAI HON SENG | LEUNG KWONG KEUNG
Priority Date: 12 Mar 2001
Priority Number: TW554298B
Application Date: 7 Mar 2002
Publication Date: 21 Sep 2003
IPC Current: G07F000702 | G06Q001008 | G06Q002016 | G06Q002032 | G06Q003006 | G07F000518 | G07F000710 | G07F000900 | G07F000902
Assignee Applicant: The University of Hong Kong
Title: Apparatus, systems and methods for wireless purchase and on-line inventory management in vending machines
Usefulness: Apparatus, systems and methods for wireless purchase and on-line inventory management in vending machines
Summary: For controlling wireless purchase of merchandise from electronic and mechanical type vending machines using cellular phone.
Novelty: Wireless purchase controlling apparatus transmits transaction information of vending operation to central computer in response to reception of short message from cellular phone of purchaser

Industry

ICT/Telecom

Sub Category

Software/Application

Country/Region

Hong Kong