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Automatic vending machine and sales method thereof

  • US 6,754,559 B2
  • Filed: 08/26/2002
  • Issued: 06/22/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An automatic vending machine comprising:

  • short range communication means for performing short range communication with a communication medium which is carried by a user;

    reader/writer means for reading from the communication medium via the short range communication means an authentication code for this communication medium and monetary amount information stored on this communication medium, and for rewriting the monetary amount information stored on the communication medium following a sale of a product;

    storage means for temporarily storing the authentication code and the monetary amount information read out from the communication medium by the reader/writer means;

    product dispensation means for dispensing a product; and

    control means in which a judgment is made as to whether or not the sale of a product is possible on the basis of the authentication code and monetary amount information read out from the communication medium by the short range communication means, whereupon, if the sale is possible, this authentication code and monetary amount information are stored in the storage means and the selection of a product is awaited, and in which the authentication code and monetary amount information of the communication medium are read for a second time by the short range communication means following the selection of a product, whereby, if the authentication code and monetary amount information read out for the second time and the authentication code and monetary amount information stored in the storage means match, the monetary amount information stored in the communication medium is updated to monetary amount information obtained by deducting a price of the selected product from the monetary amount information which was read for the second time, and, following the update of the monetary amount information, the product is dispensed by the product dispensation means.

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