Patent attributes
A vending system is disclosed and claimed. In particular, the disclosed vending machine system allows multiple vendors to sell food items through a vending machine. The vending machine provides multiple locked bins, each of which can authenticate to a single vendor. Also, the vending machine implements price adjustment rules, such as raising the price of a particular item during, before, and after a high traffic event. In addition, customer dietary restrictions can be tracked, and purchases of food items that would violate those dietary restrictions can be prevented. The vending system allows a consumer to perform contactless vending transactions, with the identity of the consumer being verified through biometrics and a camera. Upon verification of the consumer, the vending system transacts payment for selected items, dispenses items in a contactless manner, updates inventory of items, records the purchase history of consumer, and provides indisputable visual media evidence of the transaction.
