Item dispensing system

• US 6,038,492 A
• Filed: 06/03/1999
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GTECH Corporation (GTECH SpA)
• Original Assignee: Interlott Technologies Incorporated (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Perin, Joseph C. Jr., Nichols, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DILLON JR, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US09/325,082
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/7, 221/8, 700/232, 700/233, 700/235, 700/236, 705/21
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

An item dispensing system having modular and distributed components that are suitable for use at POS counter. Item dispensing units are placed beneath the counter and are electrically connected by a cable to a retailer keypad and display which, in turn, is electrically connected by a cable to a customer keypad and display. A panel having images representing the available games to be played is applied to the top of the counter surface. Thus, a customer can easily pay for and select items to be purchased. Items are automatically dispensed, collected by the retail clerk and provided to the customer.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing items from an item dispenser at a point-of-sale counter comprising:

entering into an input device of a retailer unit a payment value for a purchase of items by a customer, the retailer unit being located at the point-of-sale counter;

transmitting the payment value from the retailer unit to a customer unit in electrical communication with the retailer unit, the customer unit being located at the point-of-sale counter;

displaying the payment value from the customer unit;

entering into an input device of the customer unit a selection of a first item to be purchased using the payment value; and

dispensing the first item from the item dispenser.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a passive display providing an image of items dispensed by the item dispenser.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising deactivating the customer unit in response to a `difference value equaling zero.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying with the customer unit a difference value equal to a difference between the payment value and a value of the first item selected.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

entering into the input device of the customer unit a selection of another item to be purchased using the payment value; and

dispensing the other item from the item dispenser located with respect to the point-of-sale counter.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising repeating until the difference value equals zero the step of displaying a difference value followed by the steps of entering into the input device of the customer unit a selection of another item to be purchased and dispensing the other item from the item dispenser.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising deactivating the customer unit in response to the difference value equaling zero.