Vending machine with transponder interrogator

• US 7,031,804 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jeremy Schwartz, Russell J. Brooke Jr
• Original Assignee: Jeremy Schwartz, Russell J. Brooke Jr
• Inventors: Schwartz, Jeremy, Brooke, Russell J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US10/200,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 700/232, 700/236, 700/237, 700/238, 700/240, 700/241, 700/242, 700/244, 700/245, 235/375, 235/380, 235381-383, 235/385, 235/379, 186/36, 186/53, 186/55, 186/56, 221 9- 14
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• 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 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0893 the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A vending machine includes a transponder interrogator. A customer carries a transponder embedded within an ornamental or useful item, such as a key chain ornament. When the customer desires to make a purchase from the vending machine, the customer presents the transponder to the transponder interrogator. The transponder is identified and a credit amount associated with that transponder is debited the purchase price. The system enables the vending machine operator to track the purchasing habits of the transponder user, and to provide instant incentives to purchasers using the transponder, based upon the customer'"'"'s profile or purchasing habits.

Claims

1. A vending machine for storing and dispensing a good or service, comprising:

a dispenser housing;

a dispenser disposed within said dispenser housing for dispensing said good or service;

a transponder interrogator disposed within said dispenser housing for communicating with a transponder unit; and

a controller connected to said transponder interrogator and to said dispenser;

said controller being able to cause said dispenser to dispense said good or service in response to data received from said transponder interrogator.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory having pre-stored data connected to said controller, wherein said controller uses the data received from said transponder interrogator to access said pre-stored data and causes said dispenser to dispense said good or service when the accessed data meets a pre-determined condition.

3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said memory is located outside said dispenser housing.

4. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said memory is located within said dispenser housing.