Vending track for pushable vehicle
AssigneeSmarte Carte, Inc.
InventorsBoerge Johan Svaeren, Daniel Leigh Otterson, Chrisatopher Jay Rogney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One or more vending tracks (e.g., for strollers, carts, or other such vehicles) can be indirectly coupled (e.g., wirelessly coupled) to a single kiosk managing the rental transaction. The kiosk does not store instructions or other data for operating the vending tracks. Rather, management of the vending tracks is handled by a controller that is external of the kiosk. The controller may be mounted to an exterior of the kiosk, to one of the tracks, or elsewhere. The controller connects (e.g., wirelessly couples) to a respective communications unit of each vending track.
Claims20
A storage track for use with a vending system, the storage track comprising:
- a storage track body extending along a length between a dispenser end and a return end, the storage track body defining a channel extending along the length;
- a dispenser disposed at the dispenser end of the storage track body, the dispenser being configured to, upon actuation, release the wheeled pushable vehicles from the storage track one at a time;
- and
- a track controller including a track controller circuit board arrangement having a track controller processor, a track controller memory, and a communication interface, the track controller memory storing instructions for operating the dispenser, the communication interface being configured to receive a rental indication from the vending system, the track controller processor being electronically coupled to the communication interface and to the track controller memory to actuate the dispenser in accordance with the instructions for operating the dispenser in response to receipt of the rental indication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.