SYSTEM FOR VENDING PHYSICAL AND INFORMATION ITEMS

• US 20100004781A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Jay S. Walker
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Jay S. Walker
• Inventors: WALKER, JAY S., Tedesco, Daniel E.
• Application Number:
  US12/537,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20100004781A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/004 Restocking arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• 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 handles a purchase transaction by receiving a payment, receiving a product selection from the customer, and dispensing the product indicated by the product selection. As part of the same transaction, the vending machine offers an information item such as an audio recording or a video recording. The vending machine also receives from the customer a destination address, which may be an e-mail address. The vending machine or a system of which it is part transmits the information item to the received destination address.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vending machine, comprising:

receiving a payment;

receiving a product selection;

offering an information item;

receiving a destination address;

dispensing a product indicated by the product selection; and

transmitting the information item to a location specified by the received destination address.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the information item before said offering step.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said selecting the information item is based on the received product selection.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said payment is received in the form of currency.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said product selection is received via a push button on the vending machine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said offering occurs before said receiving the payment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said offering occurs after said dispensing.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing change only if said information item is not accepted.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information item is a video recording.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information item is an audio recording.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is one of a beverage and a snack.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination address is an e-mail address.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said offering includes displaying a notice at said vending machine.