Vending machine for vending age-restricted products using an authorization card and associated methods

• US 20010047223A1
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chesterfield Holdings LLC (Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Chesterfield Holdings LLC (Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barth, Merlyn W., Metcalf, Jonathan H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/00 Alarm indicators, e.g. bells

Abstract

A method and system for verifying the age of a purchaser prior to his purchase of age-restricted items from a vending machine. An authorization card is issued to a customer containing a password when the customer presents identification material identifying the customer as being of at least a predetermined age. The customer inputs the authorization card into the vending machine, and a comparison of the password on the card is made to the password stored in a microprocessor in the vending machine. If the passwords match, the vending machine is enabled to accept payment from the customer and to vend the age-restricted product.

Claims

1. A method of vending an age-restricted product from a vending machine using an authorization card, the authorization card being issued upon verification of a customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase the age-restricted products, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting a first password from the authorization card into the vending machine,

comparing the first password with a second password stored in the vending machine;

enabling the vending machine to vend the product if the first and second passwords match; and

vending the product to the customer in response to the customer entering payment into the vending machine.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the step of enabling the vending machine further includes enabling the vending machine to accept payment from the customer if the first and second passwords match.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the step of inputting the first password from the authorization card includes inputting the authorization card into a card reader located on the vending machine.

4. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the authorization card has a magnetic strip containing the first password.

5. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the authorization card contains integrated circuits which contain the first password.

6. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the step of inputting the first password from the authorization card includes entering the password on a key pad on the vending machine.

7. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the authorization card includes first additional data, and further comprising the steps of:

inputting first additional data from the authorization card into the vending machine, wherein the first additional data corresponds to second additional data encoded on a second card;

inputting the second card into the vending machine;

comparing the first and second additional data; and

enabling the vending machine to vend a product to the customer if the first and second additional data match.

8. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the second card is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card, debit card, and drivers license.

9. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the first or second additional data is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card number, debit card number, drivers license number, social security number, address, name, and phone number.

10. A vending machine for vending age-restricted products using an authorization card, the authorization card being issued upon verification of the customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase the age-restricted products, comprising:

an input device for receiving a first password from the authorization card; and

a microprocessor for storing a second password, and for comparing the first and second passwords to enable the purchase of an age-restricted product in the event of a match.

11. The vending machine of

claim 10

, wherein the input device comprises a key pad.

12. The vending machine of

claim 10

, wherein the input device comprises a card reader capable of reading a magnetic strip on the authorization card encoding the first password.

13. The vending machine of

claim 12

, wherein the microprocessor is located within the card reader.

14. The vending machine of

claim 10

, further comprising a connector capable of receiving signals for storing the second password in the microprocessor.

15. The vending machine of

claim 10

, wherein the authorization card contains integrated circuits which contain the first password.

16. A vending machine for vending age-restricted products using an authorization card, the authorization card being issued upon verification of the customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase the age-restricted products, comprising:

an input device for receiving a first password from the authorization card, wherein the input device includes a microprocessor for storing a second password and for comparing the first and second passwords; and

a central processing unit coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the central processing unit enables the purchase of an age-restricted product in the event of a match between the first and second passwords.

17. The vending machine of

claim 16

, wherein the input device comprises a key pad.

18. The vending machine of

claim 16

, wherein the input device comprises a card reader capable of reading a magnetic strip on the authorization card encoding the first password.

19. The vending machine of

claim 16

, further comprising a connector capable of receiving signals for storing the second password in the microprocessor.

20. The vending machine of

claim 16

, wherein the authorization card contains integrated circuits which contain the first password.