System and Method for Human Interface To A Vending Machine
First Claim
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1. A system for interactive use of automated vending machines comprising:
- a server computer;
one or more vending machines, wherein each of the one or more vending machines includes;
one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on an external surface of the vending machine;
a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer; and
a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device; and
one or more human interface devices capable of being held by, worn by, or carried in or on the person of a human, wherein each of the human interface devices includes;
one or more second sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on a surface while the human interface device is held, worn or carried;
a second communications device capable of communications between the human interface device and the server computer; and
a second control module coupled to at least the one or more second sensing devices and the second communications device.
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Abstract
A system and a method for human interface to a vending machine are provided. The system includes sensing devices located in a vending machine that are capable of detecting user actions such as knocking, thumping or slapping on the vending machine. The system also includes similar sensing devices in interface devices possessed by the user. The signals generated in the sensing devices located in the vending machine and the sensing devices in interface devices are compared and matched according to several criteria in a server computer. Based upon a successful match, vending services are enabled and the user is charged to an account for the products dispensed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for interactive use of automated vending machines comprising:
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a server computer; one or more vending machines, wherein each of the one or more vending machines includes; one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on an external surface of the vending machine; a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer; and a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device; and one or more human interface devices capable of being held by, worn by, or carried in or on the person of a human, wherein each of the human interface devices includes; one or more second sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on a surface while the human interface device is held, worn or carried; a second communications device capable of communications between the human interface device and the server computer; and a second control module coupled to at least the one or more second sensing devices and the second communications device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for interactive use of automated vending machines comprising:
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detecting a force exerted on an external surface of a vending machine; generating a first signal corresponding to the force; communicating the first signal from the vending machine to a server computer; receiving a second signal from the human interface device at the server computer, wherein the second signal is generated in response to the force being detected in a human interface device; detecting a match between the first signal and the second signal, wherein the match indicates an association between the vending machine, the human interface device, and the force; communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine; receiving the authorization message at the vending machine; and subsequent to receiving the authorization message, dispensing one or more selected objects the one or more objects. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for interactive use of automated vending machines comprising:
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a server computer; one or more vending machines, wherein each of the one or more vending machines includes; one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on an external surface of the vending machine, wherein when a user exerts a force on the external surface of a vending machine, the one or more sensing devices detects the force and generates a first signal indicative of the force; a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer, wherein the first communications device communicates the first signal to the server computer; and a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device, and wherein the server computer receives a second signal indicative of the force and compares the first signal to the second signal, and if there is a match between the first signal and the second signal, the server computer communicates an authorization message to the first control module authorizing the vending machine to dispense items selected by a user. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification