Distribution network system for products and information

• US 5,701,252 A
• Filed: 01/31/1996
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniela Facchin, Paola Frau
• Original Assignee: Daniela Facchin, Paola Frau
• Inventors: Facchin, Daniela, Frau, Paola
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/591,667
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 221/88, 364/479
• US Class Current: 235/375
• 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 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• 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

The invention is a distribution network system of automatic dispensers of products and information interconnected with one another and with at least a host computer, where homogeneous groups of dispensers are suitable for exchanging information, by means of said host computer, with each dispenser connected with it and with the network node that is connected with each host computer by means of telephone lines and is provided with a transceiver section suitable for getting through to each dispenser by radio, through an antenna or a communication satellite.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing products contained in automatic dispensers belonging to a distribution network systems, wherein said dispensers comprise:

A) a plurality of automatic dispensers each of which includes;

organized spaces suitable for containing the products to be dispensed;

means for taking a selected product and conveying it out of the store;

a system for the positioning of said means;

tools fixed to the conveying means, suitable for taking hold of the selected product and for releasing it;

reading means for the identification of the selected product;

primary storage systems for storing and processing the information regarding the stored items;

secondary storage systems for managing the information received from the user or from the network with which the dispenser is connected;

means for the identification of magnetic cards or semiconductor cards;

means for connecting each dispenser and a host computer;

wireless means for connecting each dispenser to a host computer;

means for displaying information;

means for printing the information required;

B) at least a host computer connecting said plurality of automatic dispensers, each of which being connected to a network node by telecommunication means, said method comprising;

a step in which a dispenser checks if a user'"'"'s card is enabled to take products;

a step in which the products that can be selected are displayed on the video screen of said dispenser;

a step in which the user chooses the product he wants;

a step in which the dispenser checks if the product is available and, if so, takes it and delivers it to the user;

characterized in that said steps are followed by;

a step in which the request is passed from a dispenser to other dispensers connected with the network by means of the host computer through a communication satellite, if the required product is not available in said dispenser;

a step in which the answer concerning the place where the required product is available is displayed and/or printed, said piece of information concerning the place where the required product is available being transmitted by the communication satellite to the dispenser from which the request came;

a step in which the cost of the product is debited, if the product has been delivered.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution network system comprises information services which are distributed by the following steps:

a step in which the dispenser checks if the user'"'"'s card is enabled to receive information;

a step in which the offered services are displayed on the screen;

a step in which the user chooses the service he is interested in;

a step in which the dispenser is linked by cable to the host computer with which it is connected;

a step in which the request is processed by the host computer and the storage files belonging to said computer are checked;

a step in which the answers coming from the remote host are transmitted by cable from the host computer to the dispenser;

said answers are distributed through the satellite to the network node and subsequently to the host computer to which the dispenser that has made the question belongs;

a step in which the required piece of information is displayed and printed.