Interactive and 3-D multi-senor touch selection interface for an automated retail store, vending machine, digital sign, or retail display
First Claim
1. A vending system for vending machines, retail displays, and automated retail stores, the system comprising:
- a lighting display module comprising;
a rigid display case that provides a housing;
an array of primary product display tubes disposed within the housing containing products offered for vending, the display tubes visibly associated with the console and arranged in a geometric pattern of rows and columns;
lighting means for selectively illuminating display tubes;
selection sensor means associated with each product display tube for detecting customer selections;
proximity sensor means for detecting the proximity of a customer or potential customera plurality of touchable product viewing areas, one viewing area associated with each product display tube so that a user can initiate a vend by touching a viewing area proximate a displayed product associated with a selected display tube to be selected thereby actuating said selection sensor means;
a computer for activating and controlling the display module to respond to said selection sensor means and/or said proximity sensor means to initiate varying lighting effects in response, the computer comprising a touch screen;
software for controlling said computer and said touch screen such that the touch screen can enable selection of a product in addition to said selection sensor means and the module can detect the presence of a customer or potential customer; and
,means for actuating said lighting means in response to said software.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Vending machines, automated retail stores, and retail displays with a computer controlled, activation system that senses either the gesture of a customer proximate product display tubes or a touch-screen selection on a computer screen. Item-based lighting produces variable visual effects in conjunction with actual or potential vends to provide an enhanced vending experience. Offered products are stored within display tubes that are arranged in orderly geometric arrays. RGB lighting through a plurality of LED banks associated with each display tube are controlled by the activation system Combinations of differently colored LED'"'"'s are computer controlled on a per product basis to artistically illuminate available products and assist customers. Pre-programmed lighting sequences can switch LEDs off and on, vary their intensity, and alter resultant colors.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vending system for vending machines, retail displays, and automated retail stores, the system comprising:
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a lighting display module comprising; a rigid display case that provides a housing; an array of primary product display tubes disposed within the housing containing products offered for vending, the display tubes visibly associated with the console and arranged in a geometric pattern of rows and columns; lighting means for selectively illuminating display tubes; selection sensor means associated with each product display tube for detecting customer selections; proximity sensor means for detecting the proximity of a customer or potential customer a plurality of touchable product viewing areas, one viewing area associated with each product display tube so that a user can initiate a vend by touching a viewing area proximate a displayed product associated with a selected display tube to be selected thereby actuating said selection sensor means; a computer for activating and controlling the display module to respond to said selection sensor means and/or said proximity sensor means to initiate varying lighting effects in response, the computer comprising a touch screen; software for controlling said computer and said touch screen such that the touch screen can enable selection of a product in addition to said selection sensor means and the module can detect the presence of a customer or potential customer; and
,means for actuating said lighting means in response to said software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vending display for vending machines, retail displays, and/or automated retail stores that comprise a supply of selectable items to be vended, the display comprising:
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a lighting display module in the form of a door coupled to a vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store, the display module comprising means for effectuating vending transactions, the display module comprising; a rigid display case that provides a housing; an array of primary product display tubes disposed within the housing containing products offered for vending, the display tubes visibly associated with the display case and arranged in a geometric pattern of orderly rows and columns; an array of LEDs for illuminating each primary display tube with colored light, the LEDs daisy chained together and comprising an address, a plurality of touchable product viewing areas, one viewing area associated with each primary product display tube; sensor means associated with each product viewing area for detecting customer selections; a computer for activating and controlling the display module to respond to said sensors and initiate varying lighting effects; software for controlling said computer, the software recognizing the selection of products to be vended and associating predefined lighting events with products to be vended; and
,a DMX controller driven by said computer for addressing and activating combinations of LEDs to illuminate specific product display tubes by implementing said predefined lighting events within said primary lighting tubes associated with selected products. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. In a vending machine comprising an upright cabinet, a supply of selectable items to be vended, a control column for customer operation of said vending machine, and means for physically discharging selected products for a vend, the improvement comprising:
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a lighting display module in the form of a door coupled to said vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store, the display module comprising means for effectuating vending transactions, the display module comprising; a rigid display case that provides a housing; an array of primary product display tubes disposed within the housing containing products offered for vending, the display tubes visibly associated with the display case and arranged in a geometric pattern of orderly rows and columns; LEDs illuminating each primary display tube with colored light, comprising a plurality of red, green and blue LEDs, the LEDs daisy chained together forming an addressable network with addressable network addresses; a plurality of touchable product viewing areas, one viewing area associated with each primary product display tube; selection sensor means associated with each product display tube for detecting customer selections; proximity sensor means for detecting the proximity of a customer or potential customer; a computer for activating and controlling the display module to respond to said selection sensor means and said proximity sensor means to initiate lighting effects; software for controlling said computer, the software recognizing the selection of products to be vended and predefined lighting events with products to be vended; and
,a DMX controller driven by said computer for addressing and activating combinations of LEDs to illuminate specific product display tubes by implementing predefined lighting events within said primary display tubes associated with selected products. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification