Vending machine having a game of chance

• US 20070026916A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IDX Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IDX Incorporated
• Inventors: Halsey, James H., Juds, Scott
• Application Number:
  US11/190,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20070026916A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/005 Details or accessories

Abstract

A machine for vending snacks, product samples, customer appreciation prizes, or time-metered services which offers a patron a game of chance. A patron receives a free fractional vend with a previously purchased product for use in a vending machine having products produced by the same manufacturer, wherein the token activates a game of chance used to determine the value of the token toward the purchase of one of the products. Alternatively, a patron receives a free token within, as part of, or attached to the package of a manufacturer'"'"'s product to activate a game of chance in a sample vending machine sponsored by the product'"'"'s manufacturer to determine which free product sample, or other higher value prize, the patron may vend from the machine. As another alternative, a patron uses a purchase receipt having barcoded information summarizing the transaction at a customer appreciation vending machine to activate a game of chance to determine which of a plurality of prizes a patron may vend from the machine. Finally, a patron uses a promotional token to activate a game of chance in a time-metered service vending machine to determine an amount of bonus service time to grant to the patron.

Claims

1. A vending machine for dispensing food or beverage items comprising

storage and vend actuation means for a plurality of food or beverage items,

currency validation means for authenticating a patron'"'"'s payment to provide credit value toward the purchase of a food or beverage item,

token validation means for authenticating a fractional vend token having at least one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the token'"'"'s sponsor,

game of chance means enabled by validation of a fractional vend token for producing a substantially random outcome used for determining which of at least two credit values, having a range from zero to one full vend to assign to a fractional vend token,

display means for providing game of chance status information to the patron and for displaying the value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the outcome of the game of chance,

item selection means for selecting an item from among offered food or beverage items,

change making means for returning surplus credit remaining after vending a food or beverage item,

token management means for rejecting a fractional vend token if a portion of the accumulated credit value was provided by validation of a prior fractional vend token and for limiting the change making means to providing change only for the portion of accumulated credit value not provided by a fractional vend token, and vending machine control means for receiving currency and token validation information, for receiving item selection information, for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means if sufficient credit value has been accumulated to enable vending of the selected item, and for determining how much change to return to the patron after the selected item has been vended.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein the range of credit values that can be assigned to the fractional vend token is further limited to values greater than zero.

3. The vending machine according to claim 2 wherein the game of chance status information includes displaying a rapid succession of different credit values prior to displaying the credit value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the outcome of the game of chance.

4. The vending machine according to claim 1 further comprising an average credit value setting means for controlling the probability distribution function of credit values that can be assigned to fractional vend tokens such that the average value of a large population of assigned credit values closely approximates the set average credit value.

5. The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein the token validation means is further adapted for identifying and rejecting a grand prize token having at least one distinguishable security feature different from that of a fractional vend token, and wherein the identification of the grand prize token is indicated by the display means.

6. A vending machine for dispensing food or beverage items comprising

storage and vend actuation means for a plurality of food or beverage items,

currency validation means for authenticating a patron'"'"'s payment to provide credit value toward the purchase of a food or beverage item,

token validation means for authenticating a fractional vend token having at least one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the token'"'"'s sponsor,

game of chance means enabled by validation of a fractional vend token for producing a substantially random outcome used for determining which of at least two credit values having a range from zero to one full vend to assign to the fractional vend token,

display means for providing game of chance status information to the patron, and for displaying the value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the outcome of the game of chance,

item selection means for selecting an item from among offered food or beverage items,

average credit value setting means for controlling the probability distribution function of credit values that can be assigned to fractional vend tokens such that the average value of a large population of assigned credit values closely approximates the set average credit value, and

vending machine control means for receiving currency and token validation information, for receiving item selection information, and for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means if sufficient credit value has been accumulated to enable vending of the selected item.

7. The vending machine according to claim 6 wherein the range of credit values that can be assigned to the fractional vend token is further limited to values greater than zero.

8. The vending machine according to claim 6 wherein the game of chance means includes first and second communication ports, the first communication port for connecting to and sharing information with the token validation means, the second communication port for connecting to and sharing information with the vending machine control means, and wherein the game of chance means mediates all communication between the vending machine control means and the token validation means.

9. The vending machine according to claim 6 wherein the token validation means is further adapted for identifying and rejecting a grand prize token having at least one distinguishable security feature different from that of a fractional vend token, and wherein the identification of the grand prize token is indicated by the display means.

10. The vending machine according to claim 6 wherein the outcome produced by the game of chance means additionally includes a probability of less than 1% that it will assign grand prize status to the fractional vend token, the vending machine further including

storage and vend actuation means for dispensing grand prize vouchers representing a grand prize item which cannot be dispensed by the machine, and

automatic selection means responsive to assignment of grand prize status to the fractional vend token for producing a vend control signal for dispensing a grand prize voucher.

11. A method of dispensing food or beverage items from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with storage and vend actuation means for a plurality of food or beverage items,

providing to a patron a free fractional vend token having at least a first distinguishable security feature identifiable with the token'"'"'s sponsor,

machine-validating the patron'"'"'s fractional vend token to enable a game of chance on the vending machine,

producing a random outcome from the game of chance to determine which of at least two credit values, having a range from zero to one full vend to assign to the fractional vend token,

displaying game of chance status information to the patron,

displaying the value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the game of chance,

machine-validating a patron'"'"'s currency to provide additional credit value toward the purchase of a food or beverage item,

rejecting a fractional vend token if a portion of the accumulated credit value was provided by validation of a prior fractional vend token,

providing change only for the portion of accumulated credit value not provided by a fractional vend token and not otherwise committed to a vend,

selecting an item from among the offered food or beverage items, and

producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means if sufficient credit value has been accumulated to enable vending of the selected item.

12. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 11 wherein the credit value provided for the fractional vend token is further limited to being always greater than zero.

13. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 11 including the further step of displaying a rapid succession of different credit values prior to displaying the credit value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the outcome of the game of chance.

14. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 11 including the further steps of

setting a predetermined average credit value for fractional vend tokens, and

setting the probability distribution function of credit values that can be assigned to fractional vend tokens such that the average value of a large population of assigned credit values closely approximates the predetermined average credit value.

15. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 11 including the further steps of

identifying and rejecting a grand prize token having at least one distinguishable security feature different from that of a fractional vend token, and

indicating that the patron has a grand prize token.

16. A method of dispensing food or beverage items from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with storage and vend actuation means for a plurality of food or beverage items,

providing to a patron a free fractional vend token having at least a first distinguishable security feature identifiable with the token'"'"'s sponsor,

machine-validating the patron'"'"'s fractional vend token to enable a game of chance on the vending machine,

producing a random outcome from the game of chance to determine which of at least two credit values having a range from zero to one full vend to assign to the fractional vend token,

displaying game of chance status information to the patron,

displaying the value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the game of chance,

machine-validating a patron'"'"'s currency to provide additional credit value toward the purchase of a food or beverage item,

setting the probability distribution function of credit values that can be assigned to fractional vend tokens such that the average value of a large population of assigned credit values closely approximates a predetermined average credit value,

selecting an item from among the offered food or beverage items, and

producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means if sufficient credit value has been accumulated to enable vending of the selected item.

17. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 16 wherein the credit value provided for the fractional vend token is further limited to being always greater than zero.

18. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 16 including the further step of displaying a rapid succession of different credit values prior to displaying the credit value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the outcome of the game of chance.

19. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 16 including the further steps of

identifying and rejecting a grand prize token having at least one distinguishable security feature different from that of a fractional vend token, and

indicating that the patron has a grand prize token.

20. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 16 wherein the step of setting the probability distribution function of credit values assigned to fractional vend tokens include the steps of

setting a predetermined average credit value (Avg) to assign to fractional vend tokens,

setting the credit value (Val) for each of a plurality of credit values that can be assigned to the fractional vend token,

determining the number (Num) of credit values within the plurality of credit values,

determining the minimum credit value (Min) within the plurality of credit values,

setting the probability of assigning a particular one of the plurality of credit values, not including the minimum credit value, equal to:

(Avg-Min)/((Val-Min)*(Num-1)), and

setting the probability of assigning the minimum credit value of the plurality of credit values equal to one minus the sum of the probabilities of assigning each of the other plurality of credit values.

21. A method of dispensing food or beverage items from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with a storage and vend actuation means for means for the food or beverage items,

providing a storage and vend actuation means for prize vouchers redeemable for a grand prize which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

providing to a patron a free token having at least a first distinguishable security feature identifiable with the token'"'"'s sponsor,

machine-validating the patron'"'"'s fractional vend token to enable a game of chance on the vending machine,

setting the probability distribution function of credit values that can be assigned to fractional vend tokens such that the average value of a large population of assigned credit values closely approximates a predetermined average credit value,

producing a random outcome from the game of chance to determine which of at least two credit values having a range from zero to one full vend to assign to the free token, or to determine if the patron has won a grand prize,

displaying game of chance status information to the patron,

displaying the value assigned to the fractional vend token as determined by the game of chance, and

dispensing a prize voucher to the patron if he has won a grand prize.

22. The method of dispensing food or beverage items according to claim 21 wherein the step of setting the probability distribution function of credit values assigned to fractional vend tokens include the steps of

setting a predetermined average credit value (Avg) to assign to fractional vend tokens,

setting the credit value (Val) for each of a plurality of credit values that can be assigned to the fractional vend token,

determining the number (Num) of credit values within the plurality of credit values,

determining the minimum credit value (Min) within the plurality of credit values,

setting the probability of assigning a particular one of the plurality of credit values, not including the minimum credit value, equal to:

(Avg-Min)/((Val-Min)*(Num-1)), and

setting the probability of assigning the minimum credit value of the plurality of credit values equal to one minus the sum of the probabilities of assigning each of the other plurality of credit values.

23. A vending machine for dispensing product samples and prize items to a patron comprising

storage and vend actuation means for multiple samples of at least two different products, each produced by the same manufacturer,

storage and vend actuation means for prize vouchers redeemable for one or more prize items having value at least 10 times higher than the product samples, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

win probability setting means for predetermining the win probability of each of the different product samples and prize items,

token validation means for authenticating a free token provided to a patron within, as part of, or attached to the package of a manufacturer'"'"'s product, the token validation means including a single use limitation means for each free token, and further including means to authenticate the patron'"'"'s free token only if the manufacturer providing the free token is also the manufacturer of the product samples,

game of chance means enabled by authentication of the patron'"'"'s free token for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined win probability for each of the different product samples and prize items to determine which subset of them will be offered to the patron for selection and for ensuring that the offered subset will always have at least one member,

display means for displaying the subset of product samples and prize items offered to the patron for selection, and

item selection means for selecting from among the offered product samples and prize items, and for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means to deliver the patron'"'"'s selection.

24. The vending machine according to claim 23 wherein the token validation means is a conventional coin or bill validator suitable for authenticating tokens having at least a one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the product sample manufacturer.

25. The vending machine according to claim 23 wherein the token validation means is one of a barcode reader and an RFID tag reader and the single use limitation means utilizes the comparison of a serial number read from the patron'"'"'s free token with a data base of previously read serial numbers to validate first use.

26. The vending machine according to claim 23 wherein the game of chance means further includes logic means for ensuring that the offered subset of product samples and prize items will always have at least two members.

27. The vending machine according to claim 23 further including display means for conveying information to prospective patrons about the recent win record of at least one prize item.

28. The vending machine according to claim 23 wherein the win probability setting means includes an algorithm for automatically calculating the win probability of each of the different product samples and prize items such that it is at least in part proportional to the inverse of its cost or value and proportional to a mean per-vend budget.

29. A method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers from a vending machine to a patron comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with multiple vendible free samples of at least two different products,

providing means to vend redeemable prize vouchers for at least one prize item having a cost at least 10 times higher than any of the free product samples, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

providing a free token to a patron within, as part of, or attached to a package of a manufacturer'"'"'s product,

machine-validating a patron'"'"'s free token to enable a game of chance on the vending machine only once for each free token and only if the manufacturer providing the free token is the same as the manufacturer of free product samples available to be dispensed from the vending machine,

associating a predetermined probability of winning with each of the different product samples and prize items,

executing a game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined probability of winning for each of the different product samples and prize items to determine which subset of them will be offered to the patron for selection,

ensuring that there is at least one member in the offered subset,

displaying the offered subset to the patron for selection, and

dispensing a free product sample or redeemable prize voucher corresponding to a selection made by the patron.

30. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 wherein the free token is one of a metal and plastic coin shaped token that is inserted into and retained by the vending machine to limit its single use by the patron.

31. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 wherein the free token is one of a serialized barcode and RFID tag, and a serial number thereof is compared with a database of serial numbers previously validated to ensure its single use by the patron.

32. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further step of ensuring there are at least two members in the offered subset.

33. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further step of setting the predetermined probability for winning a free product sample to zero if the free token came from a product that is the same as the free product sample.

34. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further step of adjusting the probability of winning prize items based on information conveyed by the free token about the relative value of the product from which it came.

35. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further step of displaying information to prospective patrons indicating how many times in a preselected period of time other patrons have won at least one of the other prize items.

36. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further step of displaying information to prospective patrons indicating when a patron last won a prize item.

37. The method of dispensing product samples and redeemable prize vouchers according to claim 29 including the further steps of

setting a mean per-vend budget for won product samples and prize items,

setting an allocated fractional share of the mean per-vend budget for each of the product samples and prize items such that the sum of all allocated fractional shares is unity, and

setting the probability of winning a product sample or prize item equal to, at least in part, the mean per-vend budget multiplied by the allocated fractional share and divided by the cost or value of the product sample or prize item.

38. A vending machine for dispensing customer appreciation prizes to patrons comprising

storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item,

storage and vend actuation means for prize vouchers redeemable for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

means for reading information from a barcode on a patron'"'"'s purchase receipt including means responsive to the read information to determine a patron'"'"'s purchase amount, means responsive to the read information to validate a patron'"'"'s purchase receipt for a single use only, and means responsive to the read information to validate a patron'"'"'s purchase receipt only if a predetermined test utilizing at least one of a) location information, b) time information, and c) transaction ID number information is satisfied,

win probability setting means for predetermining the win probability of each prize item in response to a patron'"'"'s purchase amount and to the cost or value of each prize items,

game of chance means enabled by validation of patron'"'"'s receipt for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection,

display means for displaying the offered subset of prize items a patron may select from for vending, and

selection means used by a patron for selecting from the offered subset of prize items and for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means to deliver to the patron his selection.

39. The vending machine according to claim 38 further including communication means for transmitting a transaction ID number read from a patron'"'"'s receipt and receiving purchase amount and time information in return from a remote database.

40. The vending machine according to claim 38 wherein the game of chance means further includes logic means for ensuring that the offered subset of prize items will always have at least one member if a patron'"'"'s purchase amount exceeds a predetermined purchase threshold.

41. The vending machine according to claim 38 further including display means for conveying information to prospective patrons about the recent win record of at least one prize item.

42. The vending machine according to claim 38 further including prior use reporting means for displaying at least one of a) information about when the purchase receipt was previously used to enable a game of chance, b) information about the subset of prizes offered as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the purchase receipt, and c) status information about any prize selected as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the purchase receipt.

43. The vending machine according to claim 38 wherein the game of chance means includes logic means for testing the subset of prize items to be offered to the patron such that if the subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items then at least one additional prize item of lower cost will be included in the subset of offered prize items.

44. The vending machine according to claim 38 including bonus game of chance means enabled when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset including

bonus win probability setting means for predetermining the bonus win probability of a prize item wherein the bonus win probability for a prize item is at least in part based on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance,

display means for displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for his selection,

play/decline selection means used by a patron for choosing to play or decline to play the bonus game of chance, and

bonus game win evaluation means for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined bonus win probability for a prize item for determining which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

45. A method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with a storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item and for redeemable prize vouchers for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

providing a barcoded purchase receipt to a patron including a) a transaction ID number for communication with a remote database to retrieve at least the purchase amount, or b) the purchase amount and at least one of the purchase location and the purchase time,

machine-validating the barcoded purchase receipt to enable a game of chance on the vending machine only once for each purchase receipt and only if a predetermined test utilizing at least one of a) location information, b) time information, and c) transaction ID number information is satisfied,

setting a predetermined win probability for each prize item responsive to a patron'"'"'s purchase amount, and to the cost or value of each prize item,

executing a game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection,

displaying the offered subset of prize items a patron may select from for vending, and

dispensing the prize item or redeemable prize voucher corresponding to the selection made by the patron.

46. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 wherein the step of setting the predetermined win probability for each prize item includes the steps of

setting a percentage of the purchase amount to be allocated to a budget for dispensing won items,

setting a mean total budget for dispensing an item equal to the percentage of the purchase amount allocated for dispensing won items multiplied by the patron'"'"'s purchase amount,

setting an item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean total budget for dispensing an item such that the sum of all allocated fractional shares is unity,

setting a mean item budget for each item equal to the mean total budget for dispensing an item multiplied by the item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean total budget, and

setting the probability of winning an item equal to the mean item budget divided by the cost or value of the item.

47. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 including the further step of ensuring that the offered subset will have at least one member if a patron'"'"'s purchase amount exceeds a predetermined purchase threshold.

48. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 including the further step of displaying information to prospective patrons indicating how many times in a preselected period of time other patrons have won at least one of the other prize items.

49. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 including the further step of displaying at least one of a) information about when the purchase receipt was previously used to enable a game of chance, b) information about the subset of prizes offered as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the purchase receipt, and c) status information about any prize selected as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the purchase receipt.

50. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 including the further step of including at least a second prize item of lower cost in the subset of offered prize items if the current subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items.

51. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 45 including the further steps of

enabling a bonus game of chance when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset,

setting a predetermined bonus win probability for each prize based at least in part on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of other prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance,

displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for his selection, and

receiving a play/decline selection signal from the patron to conditionally execute the bonus game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined bonus win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

52. A vending machine for dispensing customer appreciation prizes to patrons comprising

storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item,

storage and vend actuation means for prize vouchers redeemable for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

token validation means for authenticating a free token provided to a patron by a proprietor at the point of sale, the token validation means being constructed and arranged for authenticating metal or plastic coin shaped tokens having at least one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the proprietor,

win probability setting means for predetermining the win probability of each prize item in response to the cost or value of each prize item and to a predetermined mean budget for dispensing an item,

game of chance means enabled by validation of at least one free token for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection,

display means for displaying the offered subset of prize items a patron may select from for vending, and

selection means used by a patron for selecting from the offered subset of prize items and for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means to deliver to the patron his selection.

53. The vending machine according to claim 52 wherein the game of chance means further includes logic means for ensuring that the offered subset of prize items will always have at least one member.

54. The vending machine according to claim 52 further including a display means for conveying information to prospective patrons about the recent win record of at least one prize item.

55. The vending machine according to claim 52 wherein the game of chance means includes logic means to test the subset of prize items to be offered to the patron such that if the subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items then at least one additional prize item of lower cost will be included in the subset of offered prize items.

56. The vending machine according to claim 52 including bonus game of chance means enabled when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset including

bonus win probability setting means for predetermining the bonus win probability of a prize item, wherein the bonus win probability for a prize item is at least in part based on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance,

display means for displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for selection,

play/decline selection means used by a patron for choosing to play or decline to play the bonus game of chance, and

bonus game win evaluation means for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined bonus win probability for a prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

57. A method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with a storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item and for redeemable prize vouchers for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

providing a free token to a patron by a proprietor at the point of sale wherein the free token is at least one of metal and plastic, coin shaped, and has at least one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the proprietor,

machine-validating a patron'"'"'s free token to enable a game of chance on the vending machine only once for each free token and only if the token has the at least one distinguishable security feature identifiable with the proprietor,

setting a predetermined win probability for each prize item responsive to the cost or value of each prize item and to a predetermined mean budget for dispensing an item,

executing a game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron,

displaying the offered subset to the patron for selection, and

dispensing the prize item or redeemable prize voucher corresponding to the selection made by the patron.

58. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 57 wherein the step of setting the predetermined win probability for each prize item includes the steps of

setting a mean budget for dispensing an item,

setting an item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean budget for dispensing an item such that the sum of all allocated fractional shares is unity,

setting a mean item budget for each item equal to the mean budget for dispensing an item multiplied by the item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean budget, and

setting the probability of winning an item equal to the mean item budget divided by the cost or value of the item.

59. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 57 including the further step of ensuring that the offered subset has at least one member.

60. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 57 including the further step of displaying information to prospective patrons indicating how many times in a preselected period of time other patrons have won at least one of the other prize items.

61. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 57 including the further step of including at least a second prize item of lower cost in the subset of offered prize items if the current subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items.

62. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 57 including the further steps of

enabling a bonus game of chance when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset,

setting a predetermined bonus win probability for each prize based at least in part on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of other prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance, displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for selection, and

receiving a play/decline selection signal from a patron to conditionally execute the bonus game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined bonus win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

63. A vending machine for dispensing customer appreciation prizes to patrons comprising

storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item and for prize vouchers redeemable for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

customer ID validation means for machine reading a patron'"'"'s customer ID number from a customer ID carrier, the customer ID validation means including means for validating a patron'"'"'s customer ID only if the patron is a registered customer of the proprietor and only once during a predetermined period of time,

win probability setting means for predetermining the win probability of each prize item in response to the cost or value of each prize item and to a predetermined mean budget for dispensing an item,

game of chance means enabled by validation of a patron'"'"'s customer ID number for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection,

display means for displaying the offered subset of prize items a patron may select from for vending, and

selection means used by a patron for selecting from the offered subset of prize items and for producing a vend control signal for the corresponding vend actuation means to deliver to the patron his selection.

64. The vending machine according to claim 63 including communication means for transmitting a customer ID number read from patron'"'"'s customer ID carrier and receiving ID registration status information in return from a remote database.

65. The vending machine according to claim 63 wherein the game of chance means further includes logic means for ensuring that the offered subset of prize items will always have at least one member.

66. The vending machine according to claim 63 further including display means for conveying information to prospective patrons about the recent win record of at least one prize item.

67. The vending machine according to claim 63 further including prior use reporting means for conveying on the display means at least one of a) information about when the customer ID was previously used to enable a game of chance, b) information about the subset of prizes offered as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the customer ID, and c) status information about any prize selected as a result of a prior game of chance enabled by the customer ID.

68. The vending machine according to claim 63 wherein the game of chance means includes logic means to test the subset of prize items to be offered to the patron such that if the subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items then at least one additional prize item of lower cost will be included in the subset of offered prize items.

69. The vending machine according to claim 63 further including

bonus game of chance means enabled when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset,

bonus win probability setting means for predetermining the bonus win probability of a prize item, wherein the bonus win probability for a prize item is at least in part based on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance,

display means for displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for selection,

play/decline selection means used by a patron for choosing to play or decline to play the bonus game of chance, and

bonus game win evaluation means for producing a random outcome used in combination with the predetermined bonus win probability for a prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

70. A method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes from a vending machine comprising the steps of

providing a vending machine with a storage and vend actuation means for multiple units of at least one low value prize item and for redeemable prize vouchers for at least one other prize item having at least 10 times higher value than the at least one low value prize item, but which cannot be dispensed by the machine,

providing a customer ID carrier to a patron from a proprietor with the customer ID carrier having a machine-readable customer ID number registered with the proprietor,

machine-validating a customer ID number to enable a game of chance on the vending machine only once during a predetermined period of time,

setting a predetermined win probability for each prize item responsive to the cost or value of each prize item and to a predetermined mean budget for dispensing an item,

executing a game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection,

displaying the offered subset to the patron for selection, and

dispensing the prize item or redeemable prize voucher corresponding to the selection made by the patron.

71. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 70 wherein the step of setting the predetermined win probability for each prize item includes the steps of

setting a mean budget for dispensing an item,

setting an item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean budget for dispensing an item such that the sum of all allocated fractional shares is unity,

setting a mean item budget for each item equal to the mean budget for dispensing an item multiplied by the item'"'"'s allocated fractional share of the mean budget, and

setting the probability of winning an item equal to the mean item budget divided by the cost or value of the item.

72. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 70 including the further step of ensuring that the offered subset will have at least one member.

73. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 70 including the further step of displaying information to prospective patrons indicating how many times in a preselected period of time other patrons have won at least one of the other prize items.

74. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 70 including the further step of including at least a second prize item of lower cost in the subset of offered prize items if the current subset of offered prize items does not contain the lowest cost of all available prize items.

75. The method of dispensing customer appreciation prizes according to claim 70 including the further steps of

enabling a bonus game of chance when the subset of prizes offered to a patron for selection is not an empty subset,

setting a predetermined bonus win probability for each prize based at least in part on a) the ratio of cost between the prize item and the cost of the highest valued prize item in the current subset of prize items offered to the patron and b) the number of other prizes to be included in the bonus game of chance,

displaying to a patron the probability of winning a prize of higher value than those currently offered for his selection, and

receiving a play/decline selection signal from the patron to conditionally execute the bonus game of chance to produce a random outcome used in conjunction with the predetermined bonus win probability for each prize item to determine which subset of prize items will be offered to the patron for selection.

76. A vending machine for providing time-metered services to a patron comprising

display-timer means for providing a time-metered output signal to enable one of a plurality of services,

currency validation means for providing credit value towards vending a service,

token validation means for authenticating a promotional token having at least one security feature distinguishable by the token validation means for identifying it as an authentic promotional token,

time/value computation means for providing a predetermined amount of service time per a predetermined amount of credit value,

game of chance means enabled by validating a promotional token for producing a substantially random outcome,

bonus time computation means responsive to the game of chance outcome means for determining a bonus time amount to assign to the promotional token from among a plurality of values between a predetermined minimum and predetermined maximum amount of time, wherein the plurality of values have a probability distribution function such that the average value of a large population of assigned bonus time values closely approximates a predetermined average bonus time value,

service selection means for a patron to select from among the services, and

display means for displaying the total time remaining for vending an enabled service, for displaying the bonus time amount assigned to the promotional token, and for providing game of chance status information to the patron wherein the game of chance status information includes displaying a rapid succession of different bonus time values prior to displaying the bonus time amount assigned to the promotional token.

77. The vending machine according to claim 76 further comprising a choice indicating means used by the patron for indicating his choice to participate, or not to participate, in the game of chance, wherein enablement of the game of chance if further conditioned on the patron making an affirmative choice by activating the choice indicating means.

78. A vending machine for providing time-metered services to a patron comprising

display-timer means for providing a time-metered output signal to enable one of a plurality of services,

currency validation means for providing credit value towards vending a service,

time/value computation means for providing a predetermined amount of service time per a predetermined amount of credit value,

game of chance means for producing a substantially random outcome enabled when the accumulated credit value meets or exceeds a predetermined bonus threshold value,

bonus time computation means responsive to the game of chance outcome for determining a bonus time amount to grant from among a plurality of values between a predetermined minimum and predetermined maximum amount of time, and wherein the plurality of values has a probability distribution function such that the average value of a large population of granted bonus time values closely approximates a predetermined average bonus time value,

service selection means for a patron to select from among the services, and

display means for displaying the total time remaining for vending an enabled service, for displaying the granted bonus time amount, and for providing game of chance status information to the patron wherein the game of chance status information includes displaying a rapid succession of different bonus time values prior to displaying the bonus time amount granted.

79. The vending machine according to claim 78 further comprising a choice indicating means used by the patron for indicating his choice to participate, or not to participate, in the game of chance, wherein enablement of the game of chance if further conditioned on the patron making an affirmative choice by activating the choice indicating means.

80. A method of vending time-metered services comprising the steps of

detecting that a patron has provided an amount of payment for vending time-metered services,

providing a predetermined amount of service vending time per a predetermined amount of payment,

setting the probability distribution function of bonus time values that can be granted such that the average value of a large population of granted bonus time values closely approximates a predetermined average bonus time value,

enabling a game of chance for producing a substantially random outcome when the total payment for vending time-metered services meets or exceeds a predetermined bonus threshold value,

determining a bonus time amount to grant from among a plurality of values wherein the game of chance outcome and the probability distribution function of bonus time values are two factors used in the determination,

displaying a rapid succession of different values prior to displaying the bonus time amount granted,

adding the granted bonus time amount to the service vending time provided by payment, and

displaying the total time remaining for vending a service.

81. The method of vending time-metered services according to claim 80 including the further step of limiting the granted bonus time amount to values between a predetermined minimum value greater than zero and a predetermined maximum value.

82. The method of vending time-metered services according to claim 80 wherein the step of setting the probability distribution function of bonus time values that can be granted include the steps of

setting a predetermined average bonus time value (Avg) to grant,

setting a bonus time value (Val) for each of a plurality of bonus time values that can be granted,

determining the number (Num) of bonus time values within the plurality of bonus time values,

determining the minimum bonus time value (Min) within the plurality of bonus time values,

setting the probability of granting a particular one of the plurality of bonus time values, not including the minimum bonus time value, equal to:

(Avg-Min)/((Val-Min)*(Num-1)), and

setting the probability of granting the minimum bonus time value of the plurality of bonus time values equal to one minus the sum of the probabilities of granting each of the other plurality of bonus time values.

83. A method of vending time-metered services comprising the steps of

detecting that a patron has provided an amount of payment for vending time-metered services,

providing a predetermined amount of service vending time per a predetermined amount of payment,

setting the probability distribution function of bonus time values that can be granted such that the average value of a large population of granted bonus time values closely approximates a predetermined average bonus time value,

providing a patron with a promotional token having at least one machine readable security feature to identify it as an authentic promotional token,

machine-validating a patron'"'"'s promotional token to enable a game of chance for producing a substantially random outcome,

determining a bonus time amount to grant from among a plurality of values wherein the game of chance outcome and the probability distribution function of bonus time values are two factors used in the determination,

displaying a rapid succession of different values prior to displaying the bonus time amount granted,

adding the granted bonus time amount to the service vending time provided by payment, and

displaying the total time remaining for vending a service.

84. The method of vending time-metered services according to claim 83 including the further step of limiting the granted bonus time amount to values between a predetermined minimum value greater than zero and a predetermined maximum value.

85. The method of vending time-metered services according to claim 83 wherein the step of setting the probability distribution function of bonus time values that can be granted include the steps of

setting a predetermined average bonus time value (Avg) to grant,

setting a bonus time value (Val) for each of a plurality of bonus time values that can be granted,

determining the number (Num) of bonus time values within the plurality of bonus time values,

determining the minimum bonus time value (Min) within the plurality of bonus time values,

setting the probability of granting a particular one of the plurality of bonus time values, not including the minimum bonus time value, equal to:

(Avg-Min)/((Val-Min)*(Num-1)), and

setting the probability of granting the minimum bonus time value of the plurality of bonus time values equal to one minus the sum of the probabilities of granting each of the other plurality of bonus time values.