Vending data communications systems

Abstract

Vending machine circuitry adapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to provide data communications between a handheld device, preferably a wireless handheld device operated by a potential consumer, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld device providing the network communications connectivity for transmitting and receiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases, and/or servers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of dispensing a product from a vending system, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) establishing a first communication link between a vending system and a first data processing device with a first communication interface;   (b) with said first communication link, transmitting a request from said first data processing device to said vending system to dispense a product;   (c) with said first communication link, transmitting vending system data from said vending system to said first data processing device;   (d) responding to said request by one of dispensing said requested product and providing an indication of a status of said request to said first data processing device; and   (e) with a wireless cellular communication interface of said first data processing device, transmitting said vending system data from said first data processing device to a second data processing device remote from said vending system.