Universal interactive advertising and payment system network for public access electronic commerce and business related products and services

• US 6,604,085 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEINECKE DIAZ, SUSANNA M
• Application Number:
  US09/293,358
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/1, 705/26, 700/231-244
• US Class Current: 705/14.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0607 Regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system for networking, monitoring and controlling electronic commerce and vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network. Complete control of a vending machine'"'"'s functionality, including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission. The present invention allows a user to obtain authorization for use, pay for products and services, and configure the vending equipment with a smart card, or magnetic card (card). Magnetic cards include smart card, credit card, debit card, pre-paid, automated teller machine (ATM) or other bank or private issued card. Users can also use a hotel room key/card or other insertion type-identifying device. Additionally, biometric identification such as hand writing, voice, finger, hand, or eye (iris scan) can be utilized to control the system.

Claims

1. A vending control system for use with an interactive network and for permitting a vend of at least one product associated with at least one vending machine having one or more products, comprising:

a) a plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals, each of said plurality of terminals i) allowing a user to select said vend of said at least one product from said at least one vending machine and ii) facilitating an incentive-based vend of said at least one product through said vending machine, each said public access electronic commerce terminal including;

a controller for controlling vending by said at least one vending machine,

equipment control means interconnected with said controller for interfacing said controller to said at least one vending machine,

identification means for i) accepting at least one of a plurality of identification inputs from said user and ii) effectuating a selective dynamic identification interchange of said at least one of said plurality of identification inputs from said user,

storage means in communication with said controller for storing a plurality of incentive-based advertising referencing terms for an incentive for said user,

presentation means in communication with said controller for presenting said user with said incentive-based advertising,

comparison means for comparing said user selection to said terms for said incentive,

controlling means for controlling a delivery of said incentive to said user in response to said comparison means,

first determining means for determining whether a period of non-use of said electronic commerce terminal has occurred,

second determining means for determining if said period of non-use exceeds a predetermined time period and generating an output signal, and

generating means for generating an error message based on the output signal from said second determining means;

b) networking means for interconnecting said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals over said interactive network;

c) third determining means for determining if at least one of a system limit and an authorization limit of said user is at least one of reached and exceeded;

d) reauthorizing means for reauthorizing said user based on an output of said third determining means; and

e) reprocessing means for reprocessing said vend based on said reauthorization.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals is adapted to receive data from a user.

3. The network of claim 2, wherein at least one of said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals is adapted to store data received from a user.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein at least one of said public access electronic commerce terminals is adapted to download data to at least one universal server interconnected to said network.

5. The network of claim 4, wherein at least one of said universal servers is adapted to store data downloaded from at least one of said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals.

6. The network of claim 1, further comprising means for prompting a user to input data into at least one of said public access electronic terminals in response to text and/or graphics displayed on said public access electronic commerce terminal.

7. The network of claim 1, further comprising means for displaying text and/or graphics on at least one of said public access electronic terminals in response to data, wherein data is input into said public access electronic commerce terminal by a user and downloaded to at least one inter connected universal server.

8. The network of claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving identification data from a user,

means for matching said identification data with other identification data, and

means for using said other identification data in a commercial transaction.

9. The network of claim 1, further comprising:

means for enabling/disabling at least one interconnection between at least one of said plurality of public access electronic terminals and at least one universal server.

10. The network of claim 1, further comprising:

means for enabling and/or disabling at least one interconnection between at least one of said plurality of public access electronic terminals and at least one interconnected universal server,

means for downloading graphic and or text data from said at least one universal server to at least one of said public access electronic commerce terminals while said interconnection is enabled, and

means for, displaying said downloaded text and/or graphics data on said public access electronic commerce terminal while said interconnection is disabled.

11. The network of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of public access electronic commerce terms is addressable.

12. The network of claim 9, further comprising:

means for determining when said interconnection should be enabled or disabled.

13. The network of claim 7, wherein said incentive based advertising includes text and/or graphic data which contains data regarding timing of said display of said data.

14. The network of claim 9, wherein said at least one universal server further comprises means for data processing.

15. The network of claim 1, wherein at least one said plurality of vending machines is one of the following, copier, telephone, facsimile machine, printer, notebook computer, palmtop computer, microfiche device, projector, scanner, camera, modem, beverage type vending machine, snack type vending machine, or prepaid phone card vending machine.

16. The network of claim 14 wherein said at least one universal server is adapted to function as:

internet site, credit bureau, or service center.

17. The interactive network according to claim 1, wherein said networking means further comprises at least one of the following:

a);

a local area network interface, b) a wide area network interface, c) a modem interface, d) a wireless communication interface, e) a carrier current communication interface, and f) a hard wired interface.

18. An interactive network comprising:

a) a plurality of vending machines;

b) a plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals having i) a plurality of microcontrollers and ii) communication means for communicating with a communication network, each said public access electronic commerce terminal including;

a controller for controlling vending by said plurality of vending machines,

equipment control means interconnected with said controller for Interfacing said controller to said plurality of vending machines,

identification means for i) accepting at least one of a plurality of identification inputs from said user and ii) effectuating a selective dynamic identification interchange of said at least one of said plurality of identification inputs from said user,

storage means in communication with said controller for storing a plurality of incentive-based advertising referencing terms for an incentive for said user,

presentation means in communication with said controller for presenting said user with said incentive-based advertising,

comparison means for comparing said user selection to said terms for said incentive, and

means for controlling a delivery of said incentive to said user in response to said comparison means;

c) first determining means for determining whether a period of non-use of said electronic commerce terminal has occurred;

d) second determining means for determining if said period of non-use exceeds a predetermined time period and generating an output signal;

e) generating means for generating an error message based on the output signal from said determining means;

f) a plurality of universal servers operably linked with said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals over said communication network for managing vending transactions;

g) third determining means for determining if at least one of a system limit and an authorization limit of said user is at least one of reached and exceeded;

h) reauthorizing means for reauthorizing said user based on an output of said third determining means; and

i) reprocessing means for reprocessing said vend based on said reauthorization.

19. The interactive network according to claim 18, wherein said plurality of vending machines includes at least one of the following types of vending machines:

copier, telephone, facsimile machine, printer, data-port, laptop print station, notebook computer, palmtop computer, microfiche device, projector, scanner, camera, modem, communication access, personal computer, PC terminal, network computer, beverage type vending machine, snack type vending machine, or prepaid phone card vending machine.

20. The interactive network according to claim 18, wherein said public access terminal further comprises:

means for counting external events;

means for timing external events;

means for controlling a keyboard;

means for controlling an electronic mouse;

means for interfacing with a telephone; and

means for enabling and/or disabling usage of a printer and/or modem.

21. The interactive network according to claim 18, further comprising a means for identifying a user, the means for identifying a user including at least one of the following:

a) smart card reader;

b) magnetic card reader;

c) debit card reader;

d) pre-paid card reader;

e) means for reading a means for unlocking a doorlock;

f) means for voice recognition;

g) means for handwriting recognition;

h) bar code reader, and

i) means for reading biometric data.

22. The interactive network according to claim 21, wherein said means for reading biometric input further comprises at least one of the following:

finger print reader, palm reader, hand reader, iris scan reader, or microphone.

23. The interactive network according to claim 21, wherein said magnetic card reader is adapted for reading a credit card, automated teller card, or a bank or private issued card.

24. The interactive network according to claim 18, further comprising communication means which operates with at least one of the following network protocols:

a) wireless, b) wired, c) RS232, d) RS485, e) ethernet, f) token ring, g) TCP/IP, and h) net bouy.

25. The interactive network according to claim 18, wherein said server means performs at least one of the following functions:

a) storing said plurality of advertising data;

b) transferring said plurality of advertising data to at least one of said plurality of universal servers;

c) processing said electronic commerce transactions;

d) processing of serial card transactions; and

e) performing a dynamic identification interchange.

26. The interactive network according to claim 25, wherein said server means functions at least one of the following:

a) online service desk;

b) internet site;

c) credit bureau;

d) customer service data;

e) security system;

f) property management system;

g) point of sale system, or

h) management internet system.

27. A vending control system for use with an interactive network comprising:

a) a plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals, each of said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals i) allowing a user to select a vend of at least one product from at least one vending machine and ii) facilitating said vend of said at least one product through said vending machine, each said public access electronic commerce terminal including;

a controller for controlling vending by said at least one vending machine,

equipment control means interconnected with said controller for interfacing said controller to said at least one vending machine,

identification means for i) accepting at least one of a plurality of identification inputs from said user and ii) effectuating a selective dynamic identification interchange of said at least one of said plurality of identification inputs from said user,

storage means in communication with said controller for storing at least one of an award and special pricing as an incentive for said user,

presentation means in communication with said controller for presenting said user with said incentive,

comparison means for comparing said user selection to said terms for said incentive, and

controlling means for controlling a delivery of said incentive to said user in response to said comparison means;

b) first determining means for determining whether a period of non-use of said electronic commerce terminal has occurred;

c) second determining means for determining if said period of non-use exceeds a predetermined time period and generating an output signal;

d) generating means for generating an error message based on the output signal from said second determining means;

e) networking means for interconnecting said plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals over said interactive network;

f) third determining means for determining if at least one of a system limit and an authorization limit of said user is at least one of reached and exceeded;

g) reauthorizing means for reauthorizing said user based on an output of said third determining means; and

h) reprocessing means for reprocessing said vend based on said reauthorization.