Cloud-based vending control system and method

A cloud-based method for dispensing inventory items using remote dispensing devices, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a cloud-based server, a user-initiated dispensing request from a web or mobile interface, wherein the dispensing request includes a selected inventory item;
• identifying a remote dispensing device associated with a control circuit and a unique identifier, wherein the dispensing device comprises a control circuit coupled to a memory storing a unique identifier associated with a dispensing mechanism and machine type based on the dispensing device the control circuit is assigned to, wherein the control circuit being dynamically reassignable to a dispensing device;
• detect, the type of dispensing device and the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing device;
• select operational instructions based on the dispensing device type to operate the dispensing mechanism, wherein the operational instructions differ based on the dispensing mechanism;
• based on the dispensing device type, transmitting, from the cloud-based server to the identified dispensing device, the operational instructions to the control circuit of the identified dispensing device to actuate the dispensing mechanism for releasing the selected inventory item stored in the dispensing device;
• and
• receiving, at the cloud-based server, a confirmation message from the control circuit indicating that the dispensing has occurred.

A cloud-based vending control system, comprising:

• a cloud-based server to communicate with a remote dispensing device over a network;
• the remote dispensing device comprising:
• a dispensing mechanism;
• a memory storing a unique identifier associated with the dispensing mechanism and dispensing device type based on the dispensing device the control circuit is assigned to, wherein the dispensing mechanism is one of a helix, lock, or door;
• a control circuit coupled to the memory, wherein the control circuit is operable to:
• execute operational instructions from the cloud-based server, wherein the control circuit being dynamically reassignable to a dispensing device;
• wherein the cloud-based server is operable to:
• obtain the unique identifier from the dispensing device;
• associate the unique identifier with a customer account and the dispensing device;
• detect, the type of dispensing device and the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing device;
• select operational instructions based on the dispensing device type to operate the dispensing mechanism, wherein the operational instructions differ based on the dispensing mechanism;
• receive a dispensing request initiated by a user via a mobile or web-based interface, wherein the dispensing request comprises a selection of an inventory item;
• based on the dispensing device type, transmit the operational instructions to the control circuit of the dispensing device to actuate the dispensing mechanism for releasing the selected inventory item stored in the dispensing device;
• and
• receive a confirmation signal from the control circuit indicating completion of the dispensing.