Programmable snack dispenser and method
First Claim
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1. A programmable snack dispenser comprising:
- a snack dispenser apparatus adapted to contain a plurality of snack items, the snack dispenser apparatus being adapted and configured to be altered between a snack inaccessible condition and a snack accessible condition, the snack dispenser in the snack inaccessible condition resisting access to the snack items, the snack dispenser in the snack accessible condition facilitating access to at least one of the snack items;
an input receiving mechanism operatively connected to the snack dispenser apparatus, the input receiving mechanism being adapted to enable a user to input identification information into the input receiving mechanism;
an electronic storage apparatus connected to the snack dispenser apparatus and in communication with the input receiving mechanism, the electronic storage apparatus being adapted and configured for storage of credit information, the credit information being indicative of a credit amount associated with the identification information; and
the snack dispenser being adapted and configured to alter the snack dispenser apparatus from the snack inaccessible condition to the snack accessible condition upon a user inputting the identification information into the input receiving mechanism and the credit information equaling or exceeding a predetermined value.
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Abstract
A unique payment acceptance and dispensing system is disclosed for use in vending machines. The invention allows for vending machines such as snack dispensers to store credit information associated with a plurality of consumer identification codes or key codes internally. This eliminates the need to provide such snack dispensers with means for connecting to an external database for verifying credit information. The invention also allows for snack dispensers and other types of vending machines to be manufactured relatively inexpensively without sacrificing advantageous features.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A programmable snack dispenser comprising:
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a snack dispenser apparatus adapted to contain a plurality of snack items, the snack dispenser apparatus being adapted and configured to be altered between a snack inaccessible condition and a snack accessible condition, the snack dispenser in the snack inaccessible condition resisting access to the snack items, the snack dispenser in the snack accessible condition facilitating access to at least one of the snack items;
an input receiving mechanism operatively connected to the snack dispenser apparatus, the input receiving mechanism being adapted to enable a user to input identification information into the input receiving mechanism;
an electronic storage apparatus connected to the snack dispenser apparatus and in communication with the input receiving mechanism, the electronic storage apparatus being adapted and configured for storage of credit information, the credit information being indicative of a credit amount associated with the identification information; and
the snack dispenser being adapted and configured to alter the snack dispenser apparatus from the snack inaccessible condition to the snack accessible condition upon a user inputting the identification information into the input receiving mechanism and the credit information equaling or exceeding a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein:
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the key reader comprises a card reader;
the first key comprises a first card; and
the second key comprises a second card.
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13. A method comprising:
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providing a vending key to a user, the vending key including electronically readable identification information relating to the user;
providing a programmable snack dispenser, the snack dispenser including a key reader adapted to read the identification information on the vending key;
programming the snack dispenser with credit information associated with the vending key;
configuring the snack dispenser such that when the user positions the vending key relative to the key reader in a manner to enable the vending key to be read by the key reader, then the programmable snack dispenser determines whether the credit information is sufficient to warrant dispensing of a snack from the snack dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method comprising:
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accessing a snack dispenser having a key reader adapted to read a vending key, the snack dispenser being adapted to determine whether to permit vending of a snack item from the snack dispenser by comparing information on the vending key to information which is stored in the snack dispenser and associated with the vending key; and
placing the vending key adjacent the key reader in a manner to enable the snack dispenser to vend the snack item. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A snack dispensing method comprising:
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providing first and second vending keys, the first key having electronically-readable first identification information stored thereon, the second key having electronically-readable second identification information stored thereon, the second identification information being different than the first identification information;
providing a programmable snack dispenser, the snack dispenser including a key reader, the key reader being adapted to read the first identification information stored on the first key when the first key is positioned in communication with the key reader, the key reader being adapted to read the second identification information stored on the second key when the second key is positioned in communication with the key reader, the snack dispenser containing a plurality of snack items, the snack dispenser being alterable between a snack inaccessible condition and a snack accessible condition, the snack dispenser in the snack inaccessible condition resisting access to the snack items, the snack dispenser in the snack accessible condition facilitating access to at least one of the snack items, the snack dispenser further comprising an electronic storage apparatus adapted and configured for storage of first credit information and second credit information, the first credit information being indicative of a credit amount associated with the first key, the second credit information being indicative of a credit value associated with the second key, the snack dispenser being adapted and configured to alter the snack dispenser from the snack inaccessible condition to the snack accessible condition upon the key reader reading the first identification information and the first credit information equaling or exceeding a predetermined value, the snack dispenser being adapted and configured to alter the snack dispenser from the snack inaccessible condition to the snack accessible condition upon the key reader reading the second identification information and the second credit information equaling or exceeding a predetermined value;
storing the first credit information in the snack dispenser; and
storing the second credit information in the snack dispenser.
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Specification