User-specific dispensing system

• US 20060106489A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zito LLC
• Original Assignee: Zito LLC
• Inventors: Zito, Arthur J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,443,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0035 Participation in a loyalty or discount scheme data processing for shopping and discounts G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 9/00 Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus coin inlet arrangements G07F1/00; coin-actuated mechanisms, interlocks G07F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/006 Details of the software used for the vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

The invention provides a system to physically dispense an item, including tangible items and/or services or features, on-site from a dispenser whereby the item to be dispensed is selected by the system based on user-specific or item-specific information. In an embodiment, the system selects the dispensed item based on both user-specific and item-specific information. In another embodiment the invention comprises a system that activates gaming features in a gaming device based on user-specific information. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a system incorporated into an interactive amusement system to activate features of a playfield based on user-specific information.

Claims

1. A system to dispense at least one user-appropriate item on-site, said system comprising:

a. a user-identifier associated with a user comprising user-specific information;

b. a reader capable of reading said user-specific information;

c. coded instructions to dispense an item based on predetermined criteria and said user-specific information;

d. at least one storage means, said means capable of storing a plurality of items;

e. a dispensing means coupled with respective at least one storage means; and

f. a processor coupled to said dispensing means and to said reader, said processor capable of executing said instructions to actuate at least one dispensing means to dispense at least one item based on said user-specific information and said predetermined criteria.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor further actuates said dispensing means based on information associated with said items.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is a vending machine.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means for reading item-specific information, said means to read item specific information coupled with the processor, and said processor further capable of executing said instructions to actuate at least one dispensing means to dispense at least one item based on said item-specific information.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means comprises a flange coupled with a solenoid, said solenoid coupled with said processor;

or a shooting solenoid operable to accelerate said items out of the system.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said item-specific information is a number of said items dispensed by the system.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein said item-specific information is a number of said items remaining in the system.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein said item-specific information is a weight of said items remaining in the system.

13. The system of claim 1 or 10, wherein said item comprises a service, a music clip, a multi-media clip, or a combination thereof.

24. The system of claim 1, 10, or 14 wherein said information comprises said user'"'"'s name, address, age, gender, usage history, personal characteristics, user-feedback, or a combination thereof.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein a provider of said system has access to said user-feedback.

26. The system of claim 1, 10, or 14 further comprising a payment accepting means coupled with said processor, and said instructions further comprising instructions to actuate dispensing means upon the user inserting an appropriate amount of currency into the system.

27. The system of claim 1, 10, or 14 wherein said information is updated at least once or periodically by at least one of the following:

a. said user;

b. a provider of said system;

c. a usage history of said system by said user;

d. a user-feedback;

or

e. a combination thereof.

10. A gaming system having user-specific gaming features, said system comprising:

a a user-identifier associated with a user comprising user-specific information;

b. a reader capable of reading said user-specific information;

c. coded instructions to dispense an item based on predetermined criteria and said user-specific information;

d. a gaming feature; and

e. a processor coupled to said dispensing means and to said reader, said processor capable of executing said instructions to actuate said gaming feature based on said user-specific information and said predetermined criteria.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said activation is deactivation of said gaming feature.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said gaming system is selected from the group comprising a pinball machine, a video game, and a slot machine.

14. An interactive amusement system, said system comprising:

a. an amusement area comprising a playfield, said playfield comprising at least one feature; and

b. at least one station located on said playfield, each said at least one station comprising;

i. a user-identifier comprising at least one of the following;

(a) user-specific information;

(b) playfield information;

or

(c) a combination thereof;

ii. a reader capable of reading said user identifier;

iii. coded instructions to dispense an item based on predetermined criteria and said user-specific or said playfield information;

iv. a dispensing means coupled with at least one playfield feature;

v. a processor coupled to said dispensing means and to said reader, said processor capable of executing said instructions to actuate at least one said dispensing means to activate said playfield feature based on said user-identifier information and said predetermined criteria.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said amusement area further comprises an entrance, an exit, or both.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein at least one of said playfield features is stored at at least one of said stations.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said user is at least two users.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said stations are located at at least one of the following:

a. said amusement area entrance;

b. said amusement area exit;

or

c. said playfield.

19. The system of claim 14 or 16 wherein said feature is an item.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein said feature is one of the following:

a. a wall;

b. a door;

c. a passageway;

d. a stairwell;

e. a tunnel;

f. a tool for use in said interactive amusement system;

g. information for use in said interactive amusement system;

h. a ramp;

i. a service;

or

j. a combination thereof.

21. The system of claim 14 further comprising a computer memory means to maintain a log of information relating to play in said interactive amusement system.

22. The system of claim 14 further comprising a means for recording.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein at least two stations are interlinked.