System and method for dispensing consumer products

• US 20050251287A1
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. (Provision Holding, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: a California corporation, Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. (Provision Holding, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thornton, Curtis L., Ostrander, Robert, Vrachan, Jeffery L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A system and method for selling and/or dispensing consumer products from a vending or transactional-based machine is disclosed. The vending or transactional-based machine comprises an aerial display device that displays an aerial image designed to attract the attention of potential consumers and sell advertising, special promotions or certain products. Once a consumer begins to interact with the vending machine, demographic data is collected or correlated with the product purchased or dispensed. The consumer can initiate and conclude a purchase by merely pointing at the desired product. A mechanism is provided that accepts payment by currency, credit card or electronically.

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising:

an aerial display for projecting an aerial images of a product;

a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product in response to a purchase decision by a consumer;

a motion detector for determining the product selected by said consumer;

means for determining demographics data of said consumer;

a computer for controlling operation of the vending machine; and

a connection to a communication network.

2. The vending machine of claim 1 further comprising a server machine coupled to said vending machine by said communication network.

3. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said server is adapted to transfer content, in addition to displaying said products, for display to a consumer by said aerial display device.

4. The vending machine of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of vending machines coupled to said server by said communication means.

5. The vending machine of claim 2 further comprising a non-contact means for selecting a product.

6. The vending machine of claim 2 further comprising means for selecting a product by providing motion in a defined volumetric location.

7. A method for operating a system of vending machines comprising the steps of:

Downloading content to each vending machine;

Displaying selected portions of said content;

Detecting the presence of a potential consumer;

Determining a consumer purchase selection; and

Concluding a purchase in response to said consumer selection.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of detecting demographics data regarding said consumer.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of detecting a consumer request to examine an image of a selected product.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of prompting the consumer to indicate the selection of a product.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of detecting a gesture by a consumer to indicate a selection.

12. A computer to implement the method of claim 7.

13. A computer-readable medium having instructions for assisting in the implementation of the method of claim 7.

14. A vending machine system wherein a plurality of vending machines each have a plurality of product, a currency collection mechanism and a product dispensing mechanism, said vending machine comprising:

a detection system that determines a consumer'"'"'s selection;

an aerial display system for displaying a changing, three-dimensional aerial image of products being sold; and

a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for;

receiving content for display by aerial imaging system;

displaying the content to attract consumers;

displaying content in response to a consumer selection; and

dispensing product selected by the consumer.

15. The vending machine system of claim 14 wherein said product dispensing mechanism is a printer for printing transactional receipts.

16. The vending machine system of claim 14 wherein said product dispensing mechanism is a plastic card bearing encoded information.

17. The vending machine system of claim 14 further comprising a communication network that couples each vending machine in the system to at least one server computer.

18. The vending machine system of claim 17 wherein said server computer receives sales data from each vending machine and delivers media content to each vending machine for display to consumers.

19. The vending machine system of claim 18 wherein said media content comprises promotional coupons.

20. The vending machine system of claim 19 wherein said product is dispensed in response a consumer gesture.

21. The vending machine system of claim 19 wherein said product is dispensed in response to estimated biometric data obtained from said customer.

22. The vending machine system of claim wherein the display of said content is determined by recognition of said consumer.