The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 10, 2026
Filed:
Jan. 20, 2023
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Kento Kawata, Fujisawa Kanagawa, JP;
Mayuko Tsunoda, Yokohama Kanagawa, JP;
Morito Natsume, Koto Tokyo, JP;
Mikio Ito, Ota Tokyo, JP;
Taro Ando, Izunokuni Shizuoka, JP;
Takahide Matsumoto, Higashimurayama Tokyo, JP;
AI Hirai, Koto Tokyo, JP;
Kizuku Inoue, Yokohama Kanagawa, JP;
Tsuyoshi Nakai, Nara Nara, JP;
Yumiko Okuma, Koganei Tokyo, JP;
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An unattended (automated) vending apparatus includes a communication interface to connect to a server device, a container section for storing items of merchandise to be purchased, and a sensor device to detect a removal or return of an item of merchandise from or to the container section. A first display screen is provided to display information to a user. A second display screen is also provided to display information to the user. A processor is configured to identify the item of merchandise removed from the container section based on output from the sensor device, register the identified item of merchandise on a transaction list, cause the first display screen to display information relating to the registered item, and receive an indication that registration of items has been completed by the user and then display information relating to payment processing on the second display screen.