Sensor and lockout for merchandise dispensing system

Abstract

A merchandise dispensing system includes one or more dispensers. Each dispenser includes a support member extending in a first direction from a first end to a second end and configured to support a merchandise item. A dispensing member is attached to the support member and operable to selectively bias the merchandise item in the first direction along the support member. A housing is attached to the dispensing member and has a backside facing the second end of the support member. The housing includes (i) a sensor operable to monitor a space between the backside of the housing and the second end of the support member to detect when a merchandise item is dispensed, and (ii) an electronic controller operable to generate a first dispensing signal when the sensor detects a merchandise item is dispensed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A merchandise dispensing system comprising:
 one or more dispensers each including:
 a support member extending in a first direction from a first end to a second end and configured to support a merchandise item; 
 a dispensing member attached to the support member and operable to selectively bias the merchandise item in the first direction along the support member; and 
 a housing attached to the dispensing member and having a backside facing the second end of the support member, the housing including (i) a sensor operable to monitor a space between the backside of the housing and the second end of the support member to detect when a merchandise item is dispensed, and (ii) electronic controller operable to generate a first dispensing signal when the sensor detects a merchandise item is dispensed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an opto-electric sensor attached to the backside of the housing and faces the second end of the support member. 
     
     
         3 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central controller in electrical communication with the electronic controller and operable to receive the first dispensing signal. 
     
     
         4 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the central controller is operable to generate at least one of an audio indication or a visual indication upon receipt of the first dispensing signal. 
     
     
         5 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more dispensers includes a first dispenser having a first electronic controller in communication with the central controller and a second dispenser having a second electronic controller in communication with the central controller. 
     
     
         6 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 5 , wherein the first electronic controller is operable to electrically notify the central controller upon dispensation of the merchandise item, the central controller is configured to electrically communicate with the second electronic controller upon dispensation of the merchandise item, and the second electronic controller is operable to prevent movement of the dispensing member of the second dispenser upon dispensation of the merchandise item. 
     
     
         7 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the central controller is configured to execute operations comprising:
 receiving a dispensing signal from the electronic controller of a first one of the dispensers upon dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers; and   notifying a second one of the dispensers of the dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers.   
     
     
         8 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more dispensers further includes a battery disposed within the housing and configured to power the electronic controller and the sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A merchandise dispensing system comprising:
 one or more dispensers each including:
 a support member extending in a first direction from a first end to a second end and configured to support a merchandise item; and 
 a housing attached to the dispenser and having a backside facing the second end of the support member, the housing including (i) a sensor operable to monitor a space between the backside of the housing and the second end of the support member to detect when an merchandise item is dispensed, and (ii) electronic controller operable to generate a first dispensing signal when the sensor detects a merchandise item is dispensed. 
   
     
     
         10 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is an opto-electric sensor attached to the backside of the housing and faces the second end of the support member. 
     
     
         11 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 9 , further comprising a central controller in electrical communication with the electronic controller and operable to receive the first dispensing signal. 
     
     
         12 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the central controller is operable to generate at least one of an audio indication or a visual indication upon receipt of the first dispensing signal. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more dispensers includes a first dispenser having a first electronic controller in communication with the central controller and a second dispenser having a second electronic controller in communication with the central controller. 
     
     
         14 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the central controller is configured to execute operations comprising:
 receiving a dispensing signal from the electronic controller of a first one of the dispensers upon dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers; and   notifying a second one of the dispensers of the dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers.   
     
     
         15 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more dispensers further includes a battery disposed within the housing and configured to power the electronic controller and the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A merchandise dispensing system comprising:
 one or more dispensers each having a support member and an opto-electrical sensor operable to monitor a space between a first end of the support member and a second end of the support member;   data processing hardware; and   memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
 monitoring, using the opto-electrical sensor, a space between a first end of the support member and the second end of the support member; 
 detecting, using the opto-electrical sensor, when a merchandise item is dispensed from the dispensing system; 
 when the merchandise item is dispensed from the dispensing system, generating a dispensing signal; and 
 transmitting the dispensing signal to a central controller. 
   
     
     
         17 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 16 , wherein the support member extends along a first direction from a first end to a second end and the opto-electrical sensor faces the second end. 
     
     
         18 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 16 , further comprising a central controller configured to execute operations comprising:
 receiving the dispensing signal from a first one of the dispensers upon dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers; and   notifying a second one of the dispensers of the dispensation of the merchandise item from the first one of the dispensers.   
     
     
         19 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 18 , wherein the central controller is operable to generate at least one of an audio indication or a visual indication upon receipt of the dispensing signal. 
     
     
         20 . The merchandise dispensing system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more dispensers further includes a battery configured to power the opto-electrical sensor.