Vending machine with transponder interrogator

• US 20060190128A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Schwartz, Jeremy, Brooke, Russell J. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/334,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20060190128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• 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 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0893 the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A vending machine includes a transponder interrogator. A customer carries a transponder embedded within an ornamental or useful item, such as a key chain ornament. When the customer desires to make a purchase from the vending machine, the customer presents the transponder to the transponder interrogator. The transponder is identified and a credit amount associated with that transponder is debited the purchase price. The system enables the vending machine operator to track the purchasing habits of the transponder user, and to provide instant incentives to purchasers using the transponder, based upon the customer'"'"'s profile or purchasing habits.

Claims

1-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A consumer data tracking system comprising:

a plurality of vending machines, each of said machines comprising;

a dispenser housing;

a dispenser disposed with said dispenser housing for dispensing a good or service;

a transponder interrogator disposed with said dispenser housing;

a transponder for interacting with said transponder interrogator; and

a communication medium connecting the transponder interrogator to an external database for monitoring the interaction of said transponder with said transponder interrogator.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said external database is connected to the Internet.

35. A method of tracking consumer data comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of vending machines, each of said machines comprising;

a dispenser housing;

a dispenser disposed within said dispenser housing for dispensing a product; and

a transponder interrogator disposed with said dispenser housing for reading a plurality of transponder units;

reading one of said plurality of transponder units by said transponder interrogator; and

sending identifying information concerning said one of said plurality of transponder units to an external database.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of using said identifying information concerning said one of said plurality of transponder units to track consumer data in said external database.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of providing a reward if said consumer data satisfies a predetermined condition.