Integrated ordering system

• US 20030195816A1
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC (The Kraft Heinz Company)
• Original Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings Incorporated (The Kraft Heinz Company)
• Inventors: Bodett, Susan P., Dziaba, Michele M., Croasmun, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for allowing a user to sample and order a product using an interactive ordering system. The ordering system includes a vending station to allow a user to sample a quantity of the product, an ordering station in close proximity to the vending station to allow the user to purchase a related product, and a delivery station to delivery the purchased product to the user.

Claims

1. An ordering system enabling purchase of consumable products by a user, the system comprising:

a vending station to dispense a first product to the user for consumption by the user;

an ordering station in close proximity to the vending station to allow the user to place an order for the purchase and later delivery of a related product; and

a processing station to receive the order from the ordering station and send the related product to the user.

2. The ordering system of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises brewed coffee and the related product comprises unbrewed coffee.

3. The ordering system of claim 1, wherein the ordering station is a dedicated ordering terminal continuously displaying advertising information when not in use, and wherein the ordering station comprises a visual interface presenting a plurality of different images to the user, at least one of the images showing the product.

4. The ordering system of claim 3, wherein the ordering station comprises an audio interface directing a plurality of different sounds to the user, each different sound being associated with one or more of the plurality of different images and being effective to create an association with at least one of the products by the user.

5. The ordering system of claim 3, wherein the ordering station comprises an aromatic interface releasing a plurality of different scents, each different scent being associated with one or more of the plurality of different images and being effective to create an association with the product by the user.

6. The ordering system of claim 1, wherein the order comprises payment data and delivery data.

7. A method of marketing a consumable product to a consumer, the method comprising:

providing a vending station for dispensing a first product to a consumer;

dispensing the first product from the vending station to the consumer;

providing an ordering station in close proximity to the vending station, allowing purchase of a related second product by the consumer; and

delivering the second product to the consumer.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the product comprises coffee, and the first product comprises brewed coffee and the second product comprises unbrewed coffee.

9. A method according to claim 7, including presenting a plurality of different images to the user at the ordering station using a visual interface, at least one of the images showing the product.

10. A method according to claim 9, including directing a plurality of different sounds to the user at the ordering station using an audio interface, associating each different sound with one or more of the plurality of different images, and creating an association between at least one of the sounds and the product by the user.

11. A method according to claim 9, including releasing a plurality of different scents to the user at the ordering station using an aromatic interface, associating each different scent with one or more of the plurality of different images, creating an association between at least one of the scents and the product or the related product by the user.

12. An interface system between a user and a computer enabling interactive ordering of a product, the interface system comprising:

a visual interface presenting a plurality of different images to the user, at least one of the images comprising the product;

an audio interface directing a plurality of different sounds at the user, each different sound being associated with one or more of the plurality of different images;

an aromatic interface releasing a plurality of different scents at the user, each different scent being associated with one or more of the plurality of different images; and

a tactile interface allowing the user to change the images presented in the visual interface.

13. An interface system according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the plurality of different images comprises graphical representations for ordering a product displayed therein, the product having an associated sound and scent.

14. An interface system according to claim 13, wherein the scent is effective to create an association with the product by the user.

15. An interface system according to claim 14, wherein the product comprises coffee beans and the scent comprises a coffee smell.

16. An interface system according to claim 13, wherein the sound is effective to create an association with the product by the user.

17. An interface system according to claim 13, wherein a vending station is provided in close proximity to the tactile interface permitting the user to sample a related product prior to ordering the product.

18. An interface system according to claim 17, wherein the product comprises unbrewed coffee, and related product comprises brewed coffee.

19. A method for enabling user interface with a computer in order to purchase a product, the method comprising:

adapting a first image and a second image for display on a screen;

associating the product with the first image;

associating a first scent with the first image;

associating a second scent with the second image;

associating a first sound with the first image;

associating a second sound with the second image;

providing a tactile interface allowing the user to selectively display either the first image or the second image;

emitting the first scent and the first sound for perception by the user when the first image has been selected; and

emitting the second scent and the second sound for perception by the user when the second image has been selected.

20. A method according to claim 19, including:

providing a vending station in close proximity to the screen for dispensing a related product to the user;

dispensing the related product from the vending station to the user for sampling;

permitting the user to use the computer to place an order for the product.