MERCHANDISING ARRANGEMENT UTILIZING A CODED CHECK

• US 3,824,544 A
• Filed: 04/13/1973
• Issued: 07/16/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Luther G. Simjian
• Original Assignee: Luther G. Simjian
• Inventors: Simjian, Luther G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US05/350,902
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/149A,147A 237/61.7B 186/1B,1R
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

The invention concerns a merchandising arrangement in which a coded check is used. Upon the issuance of the check the code of the check is stored in a storage means. For obtaining purchased articles of merchandise the check is presented to a decoding means which sends a signal corresponding to the code to the storage means. If the storage means contains the code, the check is validated and the code is erased from the storage means. Random number generators and other features are disclosed to make the code unpredictable or not available to unauthorized personnel.

Claims

1. A merchandising arrangement comprising:

A a payment station which includes;

A-1. encoding means for receiving a check adapted to be encoded with an identifying code at a first location on the check and with a code denoting an article of merchandise at a second location on the check, and A-2. input control means coupled to said encoding means for encoding the check at said second location;

B. a code bank means which includes;

B-1. code indicia generating means;

B-2 code storage means, and B-3 control means coupled to said indicia generating means and said storage means;

C a dispensing station which includes;

C-1. decoding means for receiving a check encoded at said payment station, and C-2. article storage and vending means;

D. means coupling said code bank means to said payment station for causing responsive to the receipt of a check by said encoding means said control means to actuate said encoding means for encoding said check at said first location with code indicia generated by said indicia generating means, and to cause said code indicia to be stored in said code storage means;

E. means coupling said dispensing station to said code bank means for transmitting responsive to the receipt by said decoding means of a check encoded at said encoding means an interrogation signal commensurate with the identifying code at said first location to said code bank means and, responsive to the storage of such identifying code in said storage means, said control means causing the transmittal of a validation signal to said dispensing Station for causing said dispensing station to provide a release signal to said article storage and vending means for effecting the vending of an article commensurate with the code at said second location, and F. erasing means coupled to said code storage means and operative responsive to the transmittal of said validation signal for causing said identifying code to be erased from said storage means.

2. A merchandising arrangement as set forth in claim 1, said article storage and vending means including a plurality of compartments for storing different kinds of articles.

3. A merchandising arrangement as set forth in claim 1, said check being in the form of a card and including means for being encoded magnetically.

4. A merchandising arrangement as set forth in claim 1, said input control means comprising manually operable means.