{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8534494","patent":{"patent_number":"US-8534494","title":"Product detection system for a vending machine","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2006-10-26T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2013-09-17T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G07F","G07F","G07F"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A vending machine includes a product detection system for signaling a vending controller that a selected product has released from a product support shelf. The vending machine includes a product delivery device that, upon initiation of a vending operation, transports the selected product from the product support shelf towards a delivery area. Upon initiation of a vending operation, a motor moves a product delivery device to a position adjacent the selected product. A dispensing mechanism then releases the selected product which falls into the delivery device, imparting a downward force which is sensed at the motor. A sensor detects the downward force and signals the vending controller that the product has been received by the product delivery device. At this point, the vending controller continues with the vending operation."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Product detection system for a vending machine","description":"A vending machine includes a product detection system for signaling a vending controller that a selected product has released from a product support shelf. The vending machine includes a product deliv","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8534494","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8534494","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Product detection system for a vending machine\" (US-8534494). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8534494","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8534494","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-8534494","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T20:11:07.677Z"}