VENDING MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENCOURAGING THE PURCHASE OF PROFITABLE ITEMS

• US 20060241965A1
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew S., Tedesco, Daniel E., Bemer, Keith, WALKER, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,451,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/237
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk
• 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

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering products-on-demand to individuals and, more particularly, to delivery via vending machines. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method of the instant invention is initiated when a customer makes an initial product selection. Based the customer'"'"'s product choice, a determination is made as to whether or not that product qualifies for an alternate product offer. If it does not so qualify, the customer'"'"'s original selection will be dispensed and the transaction ends. On the other hand, if the product does so qualify, the customer will be presented with an offer message that suggests that he or she should try an alternative product. Typically, the product that is offered as an alternative will be the one whose sale is most beneficial to the vending machine operator, e.g., the one yielding the greatest profit. If the customer accepts the alternate offer, the alternate product will be dispensed. However, if the customer declines the alternate product offer, the originally requested item will be vended. The particular circumstances under which an alternate product offer is presented to the customer are quantified by representing them as a collection of rules, the evaluation of which depends preferably on previously collected sales data.

Claims

1. A method of automatically dispensing a product to a customer, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a product selection from the customer;

(b) determining whether said product selection qualifies for an alternate product offer;

(c) presenting an alternate product offer message if said product selection so qualifies;

(d) determining if the customer has accepted said alternate product offer; and

,

(e) dispensing a first product that corresponds to said alternate product offer if the customer has so accepted, or,

(f) dispensing a second product that corresponds to said product selection if the customer has not so accepted.

2-42. -42. (canceled)