US 10,846,970 B2 · Vending system with smart lock mechanisms

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating a vending system for renting carts or strollers. The methods comprise: performing tag read operations or barcode scan operations by a device disposed at a lock mechanism of the vending system to obtain a unique identifier for a cart or stroller; selecting, by a computing device of the vending system, an image from a plurality of pre-stored images based on the unique identifier; displaying, by the computing device, the selected image along with other images as part of a graphical user interface facilitating cart or stroller rental; receiving, by the computing device, at least one user input for renting a cart or stroller associated with one of the displayed images; and performing operations by the computing device to cause a release of the lock mechanism that is locking the rented cart or stroller to the vending system.

Claims48

Dependent claims

A method for operating a vending system for renting carts or strollers, comprising:

performing tag read operations or barcode scan operations by a device disposed at a lock mechanism of the vending system to obtain a unique identifier for a cart or stroller;
selecting, by a computing device of the vending system, an image from a plurality of pre-stored images based on the unique identifier;
displaying, by the computing device, the selected image along with other images as part of a graphical user interface facilitating cart or stroller rental;
receiving, by the computing device, at least one user input for renting a cart or stroller associated with one of the displayed images;
and
performing operations by the computing device to cause a release of the lock mechanism that is locking the rented cart or stroller to the vending system.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vending system with smart lock mechanisms

Life of this patent

Vending system with smart lock mechanisms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims48