VENDING MACHINE HAVING AERIAL DISPLAY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A vending machine having a spherical display system, comprising:
- an aerial display system, having a plastic spherical mirror used for projecting a three-dimensional image 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 the consumer;
means for determining demographic data of the consumer;
a computer for controlling operation of the vending machine; and
a connection to a communication network.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vending or transaction-based machine having an aerial display system is provided. The aerial display system having a low-cost plastic spherical mirror includes an aerial display system having an inexpensive optical device and a high luminance liquid crystal display (LCD) imaging display to provide expensive envelope images. A display design thereof is designed to attention of potential consumers and sale advertising, promotion coupons or three-dimensional images of products. Once consumers begin to interact with the vending machine, demographic data are 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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vending machine having a spherical display system, comprising:
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an aerial display system, having a plastic spherical mirror used for projecting a three-dimensional image 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 the consumer; means for determining demographic data of the consumer; a computer for controlling operation of the vending machine; and a connection to a communication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vending machine system comprising a plurality of vending machines each including a plurality of products, a currency collection mechanism and a product dispensing mechanism, the vending machine comprising:
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a detection system determining a consumer'"'"'s selection; an aerial display system having a plastic spherical mirror used for displaying 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 a product selected by the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification