Patent ID: 8712872
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method of utilization of inventory space for a plurality of articles in an article dispensing machine, the article dispensing machine comprising a user interface, a processor in communication with the user interface, and a non-removable storage unit for holding the plurality of articles in a plurality of slots, the method comprising: receiving, at the processor, a list identifying a subset of the plurality of articles, the subset targeted for removal from the article dispensing machine, wherein the plurality of articles comprise consumer goods articles; using the processor, causing the article dispensing machine to automatically move the subset of the plurality of articles from a consumer inventory management section of the non-removable storage unit to a predetermined area of the article dispensing machine, wherein the predetermined area is reserved for non-consumer inventory management and the predetermined area is capable of holding the subset of the plurality of articles; receiving a command signal at the processor through the user interface adapted to be initiated by a field service representative, the command signal for initiating the non-consumer inventory management of the article dispensing machine to manually remove the subset of the plurality of articles from the predetermined area to outside of the article dispensing machine and to manually load at least one article from outside of the article dispensing machine into the predetermined area; receiving a removal confirmation signal at the processor through the user interface adapted to be initiated by the field service representative, the removal confirmation signal indicating that the subset of the plurality of articles has been removed from the predetermined area; receiving a load confirmation signal at the processor through the user interface adapted to be initiated by the field service representative, the load confirmation signal indicating that the at least one article has been loaded into the predetermined area; and subsequent to receiving the load confirmation signal, using the processor, causing the article dispensing machine to automatically move the at least one article from the predetermined area to the non-removable storage unit, wherein the predetermined area is capable of holding the at least one article.