Vending machine for vending age-restricted products using an authorization card and associated methods

• US 6,792,334 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chesterfield Holdings LLC (Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Chesterfield Holdings LLC (Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barth, Merlyn W., Metcalf, Jonathan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US09/836,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 705/41, 705/26, 700/237, 239/379
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/00 Alarm indicators, e.g. bells

Abstract

A method and system for verifying the age of a purchaser prior to his purchase of age-restricted items from a vending machine. An authorization card is issued to a customer containing a password when the customer presents identification material identifying the customer as being of at least a predetermined age. The customer inputs the authorization card into the vending machine, and a comparison of the password on the card is made to the password stored in a microprocessor in the vending machine. If the passwords match, the vending machine is enabled to accept payment from the customer and to vend the age-restricted product.

Claims

1. A method of vending an age-restricted product from a vending machine using an authorization card, comprising:

issuing an authorization card upon verification of a customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase the age restricted products;

inputting a first password from the authorization card into the vending machine by inputting the authorization card into a card reader located on the vending machine, wherein the authorization card contains integrated circuits which contain the first password;

comparing the first password with a second password stored in the vending machine;

enabling the vending machine to vend the product if the first and second passwords match; and

vending the product to the customer in response to the customer entering payment into the vending machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enabling the vending machine further includes enabling the vending machine to accept payment from the customer if the first and second passwords match.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the authorization card includes first additional data, and further comprising the steps of:

inputting first additional data from the authorization card into the vending machine, wherein the first additional data corresponds to second additional data encoded on a second card;

inputting the second card into the vending machine;

comparing the first and second additional data; and

enabling the vending machine to vend a product to the customer if the first and second additional data match.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second card is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card, debit card, and drivers license.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first or second additional data is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card number, debit card number, drivers license number, social security number, address, name, and phone number.

6. A method for allowing a customer to purchase a product from a vending machine system, comprising:

inputting an authorization card into the vending machine system;

determining first information stored on the authorization card;

determining whether the authorization card contains additional information requiring verification for the purchase; and

if additional information is required for verification for the purchase, inputting a second card containing such additional information and allowing the purchase of the product if the additional information on the authorization card and additional information on the second card match.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the authorization card is issued upon verification of the customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase age-restricted products.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first information is a password.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of allowing the purchase further includes enabling the vending machine to accept payment from the customer if the additional information on the authorization card and the additional information on the second card match.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first or additional information is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card number, debit card number, drivers license number, social security number, address, name, and phone number.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the second card is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card, debit card, and drivers license.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the authorization card has a magnetic strip containing the password.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the authorization card contains integrated circuits which contain the password.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the second card has a magnetic strip containing the additional information.

15. A method of vending an age-restricted product from a vending machine using an authorization card, comprising:

issuing a first authorization card upon verification of a customer'"'"'s age as suitable to purchase the age restricted products;

inputting the first authorization card into the vending machine;

determining if the first authorization card requires further authentication; and

if the first authorization card requires further authentication, providing the further authentication to the vending machine by inputting a second card into the vending machine and enabling the vending machine to vend the product after authentication of the second card.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of enabling the vending machine further includes enabling the vending machine to accept payment from the customer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of inputting the first authorization card comprises inputting the first authorization card into a card reader located on the vending machine.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first information comprises a first password.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first password is stored on a magnetic strip or in integrated circuits on the first authorization card.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising inputting a password on a key pad on the vending machine.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the second card is selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card, debit card, and drivers license.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein authentication of the second card comprises an analysis of data selected from the group consisting of the customer'"'"'s credit card number, debit card number, drivers license number, social security number, address, name, and phone number.