Multi-media vending machine with digital docking station
First Claim
1. A vending machine comprising:
- a multi-media computer;
means for accepting payment, including;
a paper currency acceptor and a coin handler for accepting payment and structured for identifying accepting paper currency and accepted coin currency, and further structured to dispense coin currency as change from excess payment received; and
a magnetic stripe card reader for reading, decoding and identifying data stored on the magnetic stripe of a purchase card;
means for storing a plurality of multi-media products;
means for accessing multi-media products stored on a remote computer database;
means for sampling said one or more of said plurality of multi-media products prior to purchase;
means for selecting one or more of said plurality of multi-media products for purchase;
means for connecting a portable digital media player device to said vending machine; and
means for downloading said selected one or more of said plurality of multi-media products to the portable digital media player device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-media vending machine is provided with a multi-media computer, a video monitor, audio speakers, controls and visual displays. A currency accepter, coin handler and magnetic stripe card reader are provided for accepting payment using paper currency, coin currency, a credit card or a debit card. Music compositions and other multi-media products are stored in the multi-media computer. Additionally, one or more multi-media players are provided for playing a variety of media such as CD, DVD and CD ROM, to allow presentation of music, full motion video or software such as games, entertainment, productivity or other software titles. A hardware docking port allows a user to connect a digital media player and select video, software or music tracks to be purchased and downloaded to the user'"'"'s portable digital media player. A user control panel allows the user to sample tracks of the product selected, and to adjust the parameters of audio and video during sampling. A modem connects the multi-media computer to a public telephone network to enable the vending machine owner to remotely interrogate the vending machine to determine stock levels, daily activity journals, cash box contents, as well as to remotely upload or download multi-media products, including music, video and software.
111 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vending machine comprising:
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a multi-media computer;
means for accepting payment, including;
a paper currency acceptor and a coin handler for accepting payment and structured for identifying accepting paper currency and accepted coin currency, and further structured to dispense coin currency as change from excess payment received; and
a magnetic stripe card reader for reading, decoding and identifying data stored on the magnetic stripe of a purchase card;
means for storing a plurality of multi-media products;
means for accessing multi-media products stored on a remote computer database;
means for sampling said one or more of said plurality of multi-media products prior to purchase;
means for selecting one or more of said plurality of multi-media products for purchase;
means for connecting a portable digital media player device to said vending machine; and
means for downloading said selected one or more of said plurality of multi-media products to the portable digital media player device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vending machine comprising:
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a multi-media computer;
means for storing a plurality of multi-media products;
means for sampling said one or more of said plurality of multi-media products prior to purchase;
said means for sampling including at least one audio speaker and at least one video monitor;
means for selecting one or more of said plurality of multi-media products for purchase;
means for connecting a portable digital media player device to said vending machine; and
means for downloading said selected one or more of said plurality of multi-media products to the portable digital media player device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
means for accessing and selecting at least one of a plurality of multi-media products stored on a remote computer database.
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Specification