Patents by Inventor Michael C. Hetrick

Michael C. Hetrick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Automatic transaction system with a dynamic display and methods of its operation
    Patent number: 5831862
    Abstract: An automatic transaction apparatus, such as a vending machine, containing a current inventory of products for purchase and including a display unit. The current product inventory stored in the apparatus is monitored and representations of products appearing on the display unit are changed in response to monitoring the current product inventory. Methods of operating the automatic transaction apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael C. Hetrick, Frank Mars, Robert D. Ross