METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTS
A method and apparatus for delivering a plurality of products from a vending machine is disclosed. The method generally allows an offer for a package to be output, in which the package defines a plurality of products, including a selected product. An apparatus is also disclosed to carry out the method steps of the present invention.
1 . A method, comprising:
defining a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein the defining comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products;
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
calculating, if it is determined that the package is available, a package price for the package; and
outputting, to the customer, an indication of the package price.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from the customer, a request to purchase the package;
receiving an indication of a payment of the package price by the customer; and
dispensing the package of the two or more products.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the dispensing comprises:
dispensing a first one of the two or more products from the vending machine; and
dispensing a second one of the two or more products from another vending machine.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining is conducted by the vending machine.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the outputting is conducted by the vending machine.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining is conducted remote from the vending machine, further comprising:
outputting, to the customer, a code that identifies the customer.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the code further identifies the package.
8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
receiving, by the vending machine and from the customer, an indication of the code; and
dispensing, based on the receiving of the code, the package of the two or more products.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining is conducted remote from the vending machine, further comprising:
outputting, to the customer, a code that identifies the package.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the code further identifies the customer.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving, by the vending machine and from the customer, an indication of the code; and
dispensing, based on the receiving of the code, the package of the two or more products.
12 . A method, comprising:
defining a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein the defining comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products; and
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
outputting, to the customer and in the case that the package is determined to be unavailable, an indication that the package defined by the customer is not available.
13 . An apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and
a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to:
define a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein a defining of the package comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products;
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
calculating, if it is determined that the package is available, a package price for the package; and
output, to the customer, an indication of the package price.
14 . A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:
define a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein a defining of the package comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products;
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
calculating, if it is determined that the package is available, a package price for the package; and
output, to the customer, an indication of the package price.
15 . An apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and
a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to:
define a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein a defining of the package comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products; and
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
output, to the customer and in the case that the package is determined to be unavailable, an indication that the package defined by the customer is not available.
16 . A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:
define a package of two or more products sold via a vending machine, wherein a defining of the package comprises:
receiving a request from a customer of the vending machine to define the package;
receiving, from the customer, package data defining the package, wherein the package data at least comprises a first component product identifier of a first one of the two or more products and a second component product identifier of a second one of the two or more products;
retrieving inventory data for each of the first and second ones of the two or more products; and
determining, based on the inventory data, whether the package is available; and
output, to the customer and in the case that the package is determined to be unavailable, an indication that the package defined by the customer is not available.