Vending machine
First Claim
1. A method for enticing a further purchase at one or more vending machines, comprising the steps of:
- a) selectively dispensing a proof-of-purchase (POP) identifier in response to a first purchase from a first vending machine;
b) in the further purchase, selectively receiving the POP identifier at a second vending machine which vends a specific item at a price;
c) receiving money at the second vending machine for the further purchase; and
d) vending the specific item from the second vending machine for less than said price if the POP identifier was received and if sufficient money was received at the second vending machine for the further purchase.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vending machine that can dispense an item at multiple price points is described. The vending machine dispenses one or more items, each ordinarily having a predetermined price. The vending machine receives a proof-of-purchase (POP) identifier, and has a processor configured to permit at least one of the items in the machine to be dispensed for less than the predetermined price if the POP identifier was received. A method for enticing a further sale at one or more vending machines is also described in which a random customer is provided with a POP identifier in response to a purchase from a first vending machine. The POP identifier is thereafter received at a second vending machine that ordinarily vends each of its items at respective predetermined prices. A particular item is vended from the second vending machine for less than its predetermined price in response to at least one predetermined criterion such as the receipt of the POP identifier.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for enticing a further purchase at one or more vending machines, comprising the steps of:
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a) selectively dispensing a proof-of-purchase (POP) identifier in response to a first purchase from a first vending machine;
b) in the further purchase, selectively receiving the POP identifier at a second vending machine which vends a specific item at a price;
c) receiving money at the second vending machine for the further purchase; and
d) vending the specific item from the second vending machine for less than said price if the POP identifier was received and if sufficient money was received at the second vending machine for the further purchase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20)
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15. In a vending machine of the type which dispenses one or more items in a purchase made at the vending machine, each item being dispensed for a predetermined price, the improvement comprising:
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a) means for receiving a first proof-of-purchase (POP) identifier;
b) means for receiving money;
c) a processor configured to permit a user selected one of said items to be dispensed by the vending machine for less than the predetermined price if the first POP identifier is received and if sufficient money was received for the purchase; and
d) means for selectively dispensing a second POP identifier for use in a further purchase, said dispensing means being governed by a rule base which determines whether to dispense the second POP identifier as a function of the user selected item. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification