User-specific dispensing system

• US 7,398,921 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zito LLC
• Original Assignee: Arthur J. Zito, Jr.
• Inventors: Zito, Jr., Arthur J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US10/990,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/383, 705/14, 705/16
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0035 Participation in a loyalty or discount scheme data processing for shopping and discounts G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 9/00 Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus coin inlet arrangements G07F1/00; coin-actuated mechanisms, interlocks G07F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/006 Details of the software used for the vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

The invention provides a system to physically dispense an item on-site from a dispenser whereby the item to be dispensed is selected by the system based on user-specific or item-specific information. In an embodiment, the system selects the dispensed item based on both user-specific and item-specific information. In another embodiment the invention comprises a system that activates gaming features in a gaming device based on user-specific information.

Claims

1. A system to dispense at least one user-appropriate item on-site, said system comprising:

a. a readable user-identifier associated with a targeted user that stores information that is specific to said targeted user, wherein said information does not include a history of items purchased by said targeted user;

b. a reader configured for reading said user-identifier;

c. coded instructions to interpret said user-specific information read by said reader, automatically select at least one item of a plurality of items based on said user-specific information, and automatically actuate dispensation of said selected item to said targeted user without requiring further intervention from said targeted user;

d. at least one storage means, said storage means configured for storing said plurality of items;

e. at least one dispensing means coupled with respective at least one storage means configured for automatically dispensing said selected item from said storage means to said targeted user based upon said user-specific information read by said reader; and

f. a processor coupled to said dispensing means and to said reader, said processor configured for executing said instructions to automatically actuate said at least one dispensing means to dispense said at least one selected item based upon said interpretation of said user-specific information,

wherein said dispensation is not actuated by an item purchased by said targeted user and

wherein said dispensed selected item is not a redeemable voucher.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is incorporated into a vending machine.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means configured for reading item-specific information coupled with said processor, and said processor further configured for executing said instructions to automatically actuate said at least one dispensing means to dispense said at least one selected item based upon information associated with items stored in said storage means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said item-specific information is a number of said items previously dispensed from at least one said storage means.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said item-specific information is a number of said items remaining in at least one of said storage means.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said item-specific information is a weight of said items remaining in at least one of said storage means.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said dispensing means comprises a flange coupled with a solenoid, said solenoid coupled with said processor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said dispensing means comprises a shooting solenoid operable to accelerate said items out of the system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said information is said user'"'"'s name.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said information is said user'"'"'s address.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said information is said user'"'"'s age.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said information is said user'"'"'s gender.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said information is said user'"'"'s personal characteristics.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a currency accepting means coupled with said processor, and said instructions further comprising instructions to activate said dispensing means upon the user inserting an appropriate amount of currency into said currency accepting means.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said item is a service.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said item is a music clip.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said item is a multi-media clip.