Loyalty automatic merchandiser system

• US 20050205666A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: COIN Acceptors Incorporated
• Original Assignee: COIN Acceptors Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoormann, Ronald A., Ward, Kevin B.
• Application Number:
  US11/080,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20050205666A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A loyalty automatic merchandiser system comprises a vending machine capable of vending product, the vending machine having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine, and a transaction controller for storing and transmitting information concerning identification information and product purchased, and a loyalty tracking system for registering a customer and assigning identification information for a customer, for receiving identification information and product purchased from the transaction controller, and for awarding points based on product purchased.

Claims

1. A loyalty automatic merchandiser system comprising:

a vending machine capable of vending product, the vending machine having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine, and a transaction controller for storing and transmitting information concerning identification information and product purchased; and

a loyalty tracking system for registering a customer and assigning identification information for a customer, for receiving identification information and product purchased from the transaction controller, and for awarding points based on product purchased.

2. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the input device is a smart card reader.

3. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the input device is a card reader.

4. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the input device is a bill validator.

5. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the input device is a coin changer.

6. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the vending machine is capable of vending a free product based upon a lottery system upon receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine.

7. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 wherein the vending machine is capable of vending product at a discount based upon receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine.

8. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 1 further comprising a second vending machine capable of vending product, the second vending machine having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the second vending machine, a transaction controller for storing and transmitting information concerning identification information and product purchased, and a data transfer connector for transferring stored information concerning identification information and product purchased to a hand held data transfer device.

9. A loyalty automatic merchandiser system comprising:

a vending machine capable of vending product, the vending machine having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine;

a transaction controller connected to the vending machine, the transaction controller for storing and transmitting information concerning identification information and product purchased; and

a loyalty tracking system for registering a customer and assigning identification information for a customer, for receiving identification information and product purchased from the transaction controller, and for awarding points based on product purchased.

10. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein the identification information is stored on a magnetic stripe card.

11. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein the identification information is stored on a smart card.

12. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 further comprising a second vending machine capable of vending product, the second vending machine having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the second vending machine and the second vending machine being connected to the transaction controller.

13. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein the input device is a smart card reader.

14. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein the input device is a bill validator.

15. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein the input device is a coin changer.

16. The loyalty automatic merchandiser of claim 9 wherein a customer may access the loyalty tracking system to determine the number of points awarded.

17. A loyalty automatic merchandiser system comprising:

a vending machine capable of vending product, the vending machine having a transaction controller, the transaction controller having an input device for receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine with the transaction controller for storing and transmitting information concerning identification information and product purchased; and

a loyalty tracking system for registering a customer and assigning identification information for a customer, for receiving identification information and product purchased from the transaction controller, and for awarding points based on product purchased.

18. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 17 wherein the vending machine is capable of vending a free product based upon a lottery system upon receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine.

19. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 17 wherein the vending machine is capable of vending product at a discount based upon receiving identification information of a customer purchasing product from the vending machine.

20. The loyalty automatic merchandiser system of claim 17 wherein a customer may access the loyalty tracking system to determine the number of points awarded.