US 12,314,913 B2
Mobile payment and product selection modules for vending machines
Kishore Swaminathan, Willowbrook, IL (US)
Filed by Kishore Swaminathan, Willowbrook, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/635,932.
Application 18/635,932 is a continuation of application No. 17/125,621, filed on Dec. 17, 2020, granted, now 11,989,706.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/950,361, filed on Dec. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0281776 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. G06Q 20/10 (2012.01); G06Q 20/02 (2012.01); G06Q 20/18 (2012.01); G06Q 20/20 (2012.01); G06Q 20/32 (2012.01); G06Q 20/38 (2012.01); G06Q 30/0601 (2023.01); G07F 9/00 (2006.01); H04W 12/40 (2021.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01)
CPC G06Q 20/102 (2013.01) [G06Q 20/027 (2013.01); G06Q 20/18 (2013.01); G06Q 20/202 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3226 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3821 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3825 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0633 (2013.01); G07F 9/001 (2020.05); G07F 9/002 (2020.05); H04W 12/40 (2021.01); G06K 7/1417 (2013.01); G06Q 20/326 (2020.05); G06Q 20/3276 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method performed by a modular electronic device connected to a vending machine, wherein the modular electronic device enables the vending machine to communicate with a backend server of the vending machine for vending products and/or services selected by customers for purchase from the vending machine, wherein the vending machine has a unique identifier with which it can be identified and wherein the modular electronic device comprises a microprocessor control unit having at least one input port and at least one output port, the method comprising:
receiving, via an input port, signals that specify a selection of products and/or services for sale by the vending machine;
generating a payment request for the selection, wherein:
the vending machine is designated as a payee of the payment request; and
the vending machine is identified, at least in part, by its unique identifier;
sending the payment request, via an output port connected to a wide-area network, to an online payment bus, wherein said bus is configured to serve as a repository and communication channel for storing and forwarding payment messages between vending machines and customers;
receiving, via an input port connected to a wide-area network, a dispense command directing the vending machine to dispense the selection;
authenticating that the sender of the dispense command is the vending machine's backend server through one or more predetermined authentication mechanisms selected from a group consisting of:
a digital signature of the vending machine's backend server; and
a shared secret between the microprocessor control unit and the vending machine's backend server;
upon successful said authentication, sending, via an output port, signals that instruct the vending machine to dispense the products and/or services in the selection.