CA2364367A1

CA2364367A1 - Vending machine with transponder interrogator

Info

Publication number: CA2364367A1
Application number: CA002364367A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Russell J. Brooke, Jr.; Jeremy Schwartz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1999-03-03
Filing date: 2000-03-02
Publication date: 2000-09-08
Also published as: JP2002538561A; CZ20013161A3; CN1342302A; BR0008671A; AU745229B2; US20060190128A1; WO2000052655A1; US6424884B1; AU3390800A; US20020183893A1; ZA200106736B; US7031804B2; EP1159714A1; CN1155922C

Abstract

A vending machine includes a transponder interrogator. A customer carries a transponder embedded within an ornamental or useful item, such as a key chai n 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.

Description

26 02-2001; Fp009i2126:0.~anPCTlUS00/OS~~P~ DESC
. _ ,:r_--: .~__ ::~ ~.."~,...-, ;.;.is,.._.c~.,~:a:us~.."~- , 1 VENDING MACHINE WITH TR.ANSPONDER INTERROGATOR

3 Field of the Invention 4 The present invention relates to a consumer rewards system and consumer purchasing-history tracking system 6 including a customer carried transponder unit. Also, the 7 present invention relates to a vending machine for dispensing 8 goods or services, which interacts with the transponder unit.

Description of the Background Art 11 Transponder - interrogator systems are known in the 12 existing arts. In U.S. Patent 3,914,762 to Klensch, a 13 transponder interrogator generates electromagnetic energy of a 14 predetermined frequency. This energy is received by a proximate transponder tag and used to pulse modulate a 16 harmonically derived signal in accordance with a predetermined 17 digital identification code. The pulse modulated signal is 18 received by the transponder interrogator and used to uniquely 19 identify the transponder tag.
U.S. Patent 5,862,222 to Gunnarson describes a system and 21 a method for automatic fuelling of a vehicle and debiting for 22 fuel obtained. A transponder is provided on the vehicle for AMENDED SHEET
Frir~ted i 6-03 2QQ1 26 02-2001sri FppQ912'i26 O~~US00~10~4~~~ DES. ~~'--la 1 the positioning of a fueling robot and includes coded 2 information to be utilized for the debiting function.
3 In International Publication Number WO 97/24689, a PCT
4 application, Giordano et al. discloses a system and method for S providing a fuel dispenser with radio frequency customer 6 identification capabilities. The system and method determines 7 whether a transponder containing customer identification data 8 is within range of a dispenser. The dispenser has an 9 associated reader that emits radio frequency signals. Once the transponder is within range of the signals, it transmits 11 customer identification, which is received by the reader of 12 the dispenser. The customer identification data received by 13 the reader is associated with a transaction at the activated 14 dispenser. The transaction at the activation dispenser is then charged to the customer according to the customer 16 identification data.
17 Further, it is known to employ a transponder -18 interrogator system in a sales transaction. For example, in AMENDED SHEET
Punted 16'03 20~1r_2 1 U.S. Patent 5,072,380 to Randelman et al., a transponder 2 interrogator is located at a service station. The transponder 3 interrogator includes an antenna embedded near a gas pump 4 which transmits a constant electromagnetic field. A

transponder card is provided in a vehicle. When the vehicle 6 approaches the pump, the transponder is energized by the 7 electromagnetic field and responds with an identification 8 code, such as the VIN (vehicle identification number). The 9 transponder interrogato r receives the identification code and reports the same to a controller, which logs the customer's 11 transaction and bills the customer's account for the gas 12 purchased.
13 To date, a transponder - interrogator system has not 14 been employed in conjunction with a consumer rewards system or a consumer purchasing-history tracking system. Moreover, a 16 transponder - interrogator system has not been integrated 17 into a vending machine having certain data handling 18 procedures, so as to reward purchasers with incentives, debit 19 a stored credit value within the transponder, and/or track purchasing habits of individual customers.

22 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to 23 provide a beverage vending machine having a transponder 24 interrogator for interacting with a customer carried transponder.
26 Another object of the present invention is to provide a 1 vending machine which identifies a transponder and rewards a 2 customer with free services or goods in response to a 3 predetermined condition.
4 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine which determines a credit amount 6 stored within a transponder and debits a purchase price of a 7 dispensed service or good from the credit amount.
8 Still another object of the present invention is to 9 provide a consumer purchasing-history monitoring system which identifies a transponder and communicates with a database to 11 track purchasing habits of a customer associated with the 12 transponder and to reward the customer upon a predetermined 13 condition.
14 These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a beverage vending machine comprising:
16 a housing; a dispenser disposed within said housing for 17 dispensing a beverage; a transponder interrogator disposed 18 within said housing for reading a transponder unit; and a 19 controller connected to said transponder interrogator for receiving data from said transponder interrogator, said 21 controller also being connected to said dispenser and being 22 able to cause said dispenser to dispense a beverage in 23 response to the received data.
24 Also, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a beverage vending machine in 26 combination with a transponder, said combination comprising:
27 a housing; a dispenser disposed within said housing for 1 dispensing a beverage; a transponder, which is physically 2 disconnected from said housing, for transmitting data; a 3 transponder interrogator disposed within said housing for 4 reading said data of said transponder unit; and a controller connected to said transponder interrogator for receiving data 6 from said transponder interrogator, said controller also 7 being connected to said dispenser and being able to cause 8 said dispenser to dispense a beverage in response to the 9 received data.
Moreover, these and other objects are fulfilled by a 11 method of operating a vending machine, said method comprising 12 the steps of: providing a vending machine with a dispenser 13 and a transponder interrogator disposed within a housing;
14 providing a database; providing a transponder, which is physically disconnected from the housing, and which includes 16 a memory for storing identifying data; transmitting an 17 activation signal from the transponder interrogator to the 18 transponder; transmitting the identifying data from the 19 transponder to the transponder interrogator; using the identifying data to access transponder data in the database;
21 and determining whether the accessed transponder data meets a 22 predetermined condition, and communicating a dispense signal 23 from the transponder interrogator to the dispenser if ,the 24 predetermined condition is met.
Furthermore, these and other objects are fulfilled by a 26 method of operating a vending machine, said method comprising 27 the steps of: providing a vending machine with a dispenser 1 and a transponder interrogator disposed within a housing;
2 providing a transponder, which is physically disconnected 3 from the housing, and which includes a memory for storing 4 credit amount data; transmitting an activation signal from the transponder interrogator to the transponder; transmitting 6 the credit amount data from the transponder to the 7 transponder interrogator; and communicating a dispense signal 8 from the transponder interrogator to the dispenser if the 9 credit amount data, received by the transponder interrogator, exceeds a purchase price.
11 Furthermore, these and other objects are fulfilled by a 12 consumer data tracking and reward system comprising: a 13 plurality of point of potential sale or interest terminals; a 14 transponder for interacting with said terminals; a communication medium connecting each of the terminals to an 16 external database; and a processor, associated with said 17 external database, monitoring data sent by said terminals 18 representing the interaction of said transponder with said 19 terminals, and permitting a reward to be issued upon a predetermined condition.
21 Furthermore, these and other objects are fulfilled by a 22 method of tracking consumer data comprising the steps of:
23 providing a plurality of point of potential sale or interest 24 terminals, a transponder for interacting with any of said terminals, and an external database; interacting the 26 transponder with a one or more of the terminals; sending 27 identifying information concerning an interacted transponder _....e~...~
26=02-200i~~P00912126 0 and~PCT/USOOl054.I°'' DES

1 to the external database; tracking consumer data in the 2 external database relating a person associated with the 3 transponder; and rewarding the person, if the consumer data 4 satisfies a predetermined condition.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention 6 will become apparent from the detailed description given 7 hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the 8 detailed description and specific examples, while indicating 9 preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications 11 within the scope of the invention will become apparent to 12 those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

THE

The present invention will becomemore fully understood 16 from the detailed description given herein below and the 1T accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration 18 only, and thus are not limitative the present invention, of 19 and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a customer presenting a 21 transponder to a beverage vending machine, in accordance with 22 the present invention;
23 Figure 2 is a block diagram of circuitry used in the 24 transponder;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of circuitry used in a 26 transponder interrogator;
AiV~ENDED SHEET
Prm#ed j 6-03 2001 R

_7_ 1 Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating signaling 2 between the transponder and transponder interrogator of 3 Figures 2 and 3;
4 Figure 5 is a close-up perspective view of the transponder, embedded in a promotional key chain, being waved 6 in front of the transponder interrogator; and 7 Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a consumer 8 purchasing-history monitoring system and consumer rewards 9 system in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
11 Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular 12 reference to Figure 1, a beverage vending machine 10, in 13 accordance with the present invention, includes a coin and 14 bill accepting unit 11 located on a front panel 12 thereof.
The vending machine also includes conventional beverage 16 selector buttons 13 and a dispensing chute 14 for retrieving 17 a purchased beverage container. Located within or behind the 18 front panel 12 is a transponder interrogator 15. As will be 19 more fully described hereinafter, the transponder interrogator 15 interacts with a transponder 16, carried by a 21 customer C of the vending machine 10.
22 The vending machine 10 has conventional payment 23 components, such as the coin and bill-accepting unit 11, 24 and/or a smart card reader, so that the vending machine 10 may be operated by conventional payment methods. It should be 26 appreciated that a modified vending machine having no coin or _8_ 1 bill-accepting unit 11 or smart card reader could be 2 provided. Such a modified vending machine would be dedicated 3 to transactions initiated by the transponder 16 and would not 4 operate with coins, bills, or smart cards . Also, the present invention could be employed in conjunction with a vending 6 machine for dispensing beverages into cups, or in conjunction 7 with vending machines for dispensing other goods or services, 8 such as candies, cigarettes, fare cards, stamps, sandwiches, 9 gaming credits, video/pinball play credits, etc.
Referring to Figure 2, the transponder 16 includes a 11 receiver/transmitter unit 17, a transponder controller unit 12 18, a memory unit 19, and a power supply unit 20. The memory 13 unit 19 includes a program of operation for the transponder 14 controller unit 18. The units 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the transponder 16 are operational units. In constructing the 16 actual circuitry of the transponder 16, one or more 17 operational units may be performed by the same circuitry 18 component.
19 Referring to Figure 3, the transponder interrogator 15 includes an activator/transmitter/receiver unit 21, an 21 interrogator controller unit 22, a memory unit 23, and an 22 interface unit 24. The memory unit 23 includes a program of 23 operation for the interrogator controller unit 22. The 24 interrogator controller unit 22 of the transponder interrogator 15 communicates with a dispenser 25 provided 26 within the vending machine 10. Also, the interface unit 24 27 communicates with an external database 26 remote from the 1 vending machine 10. Again, the units 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the 2 transponder interrogator 15 are operational units, the 3 operations of which may be performed by common circuitry.

4 Now, with reference to Figure 4, the operation of the interrogator - transponder system will be described. The 6 activator/transmitter/receiver unit 21 includes a coil for 7 producing an electromagnetic field 27 having a predetermined 8 frequency. The- electromagnetic field 27 emanates some 9 predetermined distance away from the front panel 12 of the vending machine 10 depending upon the power supplied to the 11 activator/transmitter/receiver unit 21. For example, the 12 electromagnetic field 27 might emanate six inches to five 13 feet from the front panel 12. This electromagnetic field is 14 normally provided by the activator/transmitter/receiver unit 21 in anticipation of a customer wishing to use the 16 transponder 16 to make a purchase.

17 The receiver/transmitter unit 17 of the transponder 16 18 includes a coil for receiving the electromagnetic field 27, 19 when the transponder is placed in the vicinity of the f ront panel 12 of the vending machine 10 by the customer C. The 21 received electromagnetic field 27 is supplied to the p ower 22 supply unit 20, which may be in the form of a capacitor. The 23 power supply unit 20 powers the transponder controller unit 24 18 and the memory unit 19.

When the transponder controller unit 18 is initi ally 26 powered, it executes a programming step whereby it 27 automatically retrieves a code from the memory unit 19. The -10- _ 1 code is sent from the transponder controller unit 18 to the 2 receiver/transmitter unit 17, whereupon the 3 receiver/transmitter unit 17 responds by sending out this 4 code via an electromagnetic signal 28.
The code stored in the memory unit 19 is a unique 6 identifying code. In other words, a plurality of transponders 7 would be distributed or sold to members of the public, 8 wherein each transponder's memory unit 19 would have a pre-9 stored unique identifying code. An electrically erasable, programmable,~read only memory (EEPROM) is particularly well 11 suited for the memory unit 19. Also, it is important to note 12 that the transponder 16 does not necessarily need a power 13 supply unit 20. The receiver/transmitter unit 17, transponder 14 controller unit 18 and memory unit 19 can be powered directly from the received electromagnetic field 27.
16 The electromagnetic signal 28 is received by the 17 activator/transmitter/receiver unit 21 of the transponder 18 interrogator 15. The received signal is then communicated to 19 the interrogator controller unit 22. The interrogator controller unit 22 relays the identifying code to the 21 interface unit 24. The interface unit 24 relays the 22 identifying code to a central, external database 26.
23 Communications between the interface unit 24 and the external 24 database 26 may be accomplished via a hardwired connection, such as by using telephone lines. It is also envisioned that 26 the communications could occur over a wireless medium, such 27 as by cellular transmissions, microwave signals, or satellite 26-02-2001- ~P00912~2fi.0 and PCT/US001054~0~ DES
.. ._ _. . _ ,. ._ _.;.._ __<;.~t-.~._:_:::a.-.:...:.~,,.~~.,:~"r x 1 communications. Preferably, an encryptioa scheme would be 2 applied to the communications to protect privacy and to reduce 3 the likelihood of fraud. .
4 It is also envisioned that all or part of the communication would occur over the internet. The communication 6 of the identifying code could be sent, via an e-mail, to the 7 central, external database 26. The vending machine 10 could 8 also include audio/video capture and display devices. If such 9 devices are included, the email sent to the central, external database 26 could include an image or sound bite of the 11 customer. Also, the signal returned from the central, external 12 database 26 could include images and/or sounds for 13 presentation to the customer.
14 The external database 26 has the ability to track the purchase times, prices, and locations for each transaction 16 relative to each individual transponder 16. If the transponder 17 16 is registered to an individual customer C, then the 18 transactions of the individual transponder 16 can be used to 19 approximate the purchasing habits for that individual customer C .
21 Referring back to Figure 4, the interrogator controller 22 unit 22 must now decide whether the customer s transponder 16 23 is authorized to cause a vending operation. If so, the 24 interrogator controller unit 22 will issue a vend signal to the dispenser 25 causing the dispenser 25 to vend a beve rage.
26 If not, the interrogator controller unit 22 will not issue a 27 vend signal to the dispenser, but rather will issue a command - APAEPJDED SHEET
Printed 1 fi-03-2001 1 to a display 29 (See Figure 5) located on the front panel 12 2 of the vending machine 10, informing the customer C that the 3 transponder 16 is not enabled to cause a vending operation.
4 Now, the manner by which the interrogator controller unit 22 decides whether a vending operation will be allowed 6 will be described. In a first embodiment, the memory unit 19 7 of the transponder 16 stores a credit amount. The credit 8 amount relates to the purchasing power of the transponder.
9 For example, the transponder 16 could have ten dollars worth of credit. The credit amount could be initialed stored in the 11 transponder 16 at the time the customer C takes possession of 12 the transponder 16, or the credit amount could be 13 subsequently added to the transponder 16 at a special credit 14 purchasing machine or at the vending machine.
In the first embodiment, the electromagnetic signal 28, 16 initially sent by the receiver/transmitter unit 17 includes 17 not only the identifying code, but also this credit amount.
18 The interrogator controller unit 22 evaluates the credit 19 amount. If the credit amount is greater than the purchase price of the beverage selected by the customer C, the 21 purchase is allowed. If not, the purchase is denied.
22 Referring to Figure 5, the display 29 is a particularly 23 advantageous way of informing the customer C of the remaining 24 credit amount stored within the transponder 16.
Once the interrogator controller unit 22 establishes 26 that the credit amount exceeds the purchase price, the 27 interrogator controller unit 22 transmits an electromagnetic 1 signal 30. The electromagnetic signal 30 informs the 2 transponder 16 of its new credit amount, which equals the old 3 credit amount minus the purchase price. The new credit amount 4 is received by the receiver/transmitter unit 17, processed by the transponder controller unit 18, and stored in the memory 6 unit 19. Thus, the transponder 16 is a read/write type of 7 transponder.
8 Once stored, the transponder controller unit 18 causes 9 the receiver/transmitter unit 17 to transmit the unique identification code and the new credit amount. When the 11 interrogator controller unit 22 verifies that the new credit 12 amount is stored within the memory unit 19 of the transponder 13 16, the interrogator controller unit 22 causes a dispense 14 signal to be sent to the dispenser 25.
Now, a second embodiment by which the interrogator 16 controller unit 22 decides whether a vending operation will 17 be allowed will be described. In the second embodiment, the 18 external database 26 stores the credit amounts associated 19 with the individual, uniquely identified, transponders 16.
Therefore, the credit amount, which was stored in the memory 21 unit 19, in the first embodiment, will now be stored in the 22 external database 26, and the transponder 16 can be a read-23 only type of transponder.
24 The second embodiment has the following advantages.
First, the memory unit 19 of the transponder 16 can be a 26 read-only memory and can be smaller and less expensive.
27 Second, when the transaction data is being sent to the 1 external database 26, as described above, the external 2 database 26 can respond with the credit amount associated 3 with the identified transponder 16.IThird, storing the credit 4 amount in the external database eliminates the possibility of fraudulent purchases being made by using an unauthorized 6 electronic device which replicates the transponder's credit 7 signals. One drawback is that when the external database 26 8 is inaccessible, the purchase of the beverage using the 9 transponder 16 will not be allowed, since the interrogator controller unit 22 will be unable to verify that a sufficient 11 credit amount exists. All other aspects of the dispensing 12 operation are similar to those describe in relation to the 13 first embodiment.
14 In both the first and second embodiments, the external database 26 can be, or is, contacted and supplied with the 16 unique identifying code for the transponder 16, respectively.
17 One particular advantage of contacting the external database 18 26 is that data can be transmitted from the external database 19 26 to the interrogator controller unit 22. The interrogator controller unit 22 can evaluate this data and reward the 21 customer with incentives.
22 For example, if the present purchase is the first time 23 the customer C has used the transponder 16, the interrogator 24 controller unit 22 can reward the customer with a free beverage, or a reduced price beverage (i.e. debit the stored 26 credit amount some value less than the purchase price). As 27 another example, the interrogator controller unit 22 can 26 02-20p~~ ~p009~2, 2~.Oat~d--,~v .T~USD%.~' DE~~'' ~..-~.~ ~.:~,;. :..rx:.

1 reward the customer C with a free beverage, or reduced price 2 beverage, after a predetermined number of beverages have been 3 purchased using that particular transpoader 16. It is also 4 envisioned that a random number generator could be employed, whereby random transponder-using customers C are rewarded with 6 free beverages.
7 Another advantage of the external database 26 is that 8 each purchaser of a transponder 16 can be registered. During 9 registration the purchaser of the transponder submits various information, such as their name, address, age, birth date, 11 occupation, etc. Such information can be used to track the 12 purchasing habits of particular population segments, and can 13 prove useful for promotions and advertising purposes. As an 14 incentive for filling out the registration information, the IS external database 26 might analyze the birth date, associated 16 with the registered transponder owner, and if the birth date 17 corresponds to the present date, the interrogator controller 18 unit 22 would reward the customer C with a free beverage.
I9 It is also envisioned that the memory unit 19, within the transponder 16, could store transaction data (e.g. track the 21 number of times the transponder 16 has been used to make a 22 purchase), and/or customer registration data (e. g. name, birth 23 date). In this embodiment, the transponder 16 would transmit 24 this data directly to the transponder interrogator 15 when a purchase is to be made. The transponder interrogator 15 would 26 process the data, as described above, and reward the customer 27 C with free beverages as appropriate.
AP~iENDED SHEE'~
Printed 16 03 2001 1 In this embodiment, the vending machine 10 would not need to 2 be linked to the external database 26.
3 It is envisioned that the transponders 16 would be 4 reusable and embedded in ornamental items or useful items, such as a key chain attachment, a fob, a watch, a ring, a 6 necklace locket, other jewelry, a small flashlight, a pocket 7 knife, or various other types of frequently carried items.
8 These items would be sold to the public, or given to the 9 public as a promotion.
A machine would be provided for supplementing a credit 11 amount to the transponder 16, this making the transponder 16 12 reusable. The machine would include a money acceptance and 13 verification section and would either establish communication 14 with the transponder 16 in order to rewrite the credit amount stored within the memory unit 19, or contact the external 16 database 26 and rewrite the credit amount stored therein.
17 It would also be possible to use the vending machine 10 18 to rewrite the credit amount stored within the memory unit 19 19 or stored within the external database 26. Under this approach, a customer C would insert money into the coin or 21 bill acceptor 11 or insert a smart card into the smart card 22 reader, present the transponder 16 to the transponder 23 interrogator 15, and use selection buttons to instruct the 24 vending machine 10 to credit the customer's transponder 16 a desired amount.
26 As an alternative to a reusable transponder 16, the 27 transponders 16 could be disposable. In this alternative, 1 transponders 16, having a pre-stored credit amount, would be 2 sold to the public. When the credit amount of the transponder 3 16 was depleted through purchases, the transponder 16 would 4 be discarded.
Now, with reference to Figure 6, a broader aspect of the 6 present invention, concerning the processing of consumer 7 data, will be described. In the broader aspect of the present 8 invention, the purchasing power of the transponder 16 is not 9 required. In other words, the transponders 16 can include a credit amount associated therewith, as described in relation 11 to Figures 1-5 above, or the transponders 16 may simply be 12 used as an identification tool to uniquely identify the 13 customer owning the transponder.
14 In Figure 6, transponder interrogators 15 are placed in terminals at various points of potential sale or interest.
16 For example, the terminals could be placed at various cash 17 registers CW, vending machines VX, automatic teller machines 18 (ATMs) Ay, and points of customer interest IZ. The terminals 19 could be contained in separate housings or integrated into existing structures associated with the various points of 21 potential sale or interest. The points of potential sale or 22 interest would be dispersed over a large network which could 23 spread within a city, over a state, or entirely across the 24 United States and/or foreign countries.
The cash registers CW would be typical cash registers, 26 as located at grocery stores, convenience stores, department 27 stores, gas stations, etc. The ATMs Ay could be located at -lg 1 banks or at remote service areas, such as inside shopping 2 malls, at amusement parks, etc. The vending machines VX could 3 be beverage vending machines, as well as vending machines for 4 dispensing other goods or services, such as candies, cigarettes, fare cards, stamps, sandwiches, gaming credits, 6 video/pinball play credits, etc. The points of customer 7 interest IZ could be parks, fairs, concert pavilions, car 8 sales lots, real estate agencies, travel agencies, etc.
9 Each terminal would be linked to an external processor P
and database D, via a communication medium M. The 11 communication medium M could be hardwired or wireless, such 12 as via telephone lines, the Internet, cellular channels, 13 satellite channels, microwave channels, etc. Preferably, an 14 encryption scheme would be applied to the communications occurring over the communication medium M to protect privacy 16 and to reduce the likelihood of fraud.
17 The processor P would receive information from a 18 terminal when a transponder 16 is presented to that terminal.
19 The information would uniquely identify the transponder 16 and could also indicate transaction information. The 21 transaction information could include the location of the 22 terminal, the date. and time the transponder 16 was presented, 23 the amount of dollars spent, the goods or service purchased, 24 etc.
The processor P would access a look-up table, in the 26 database D, associating the uniquely identified transponder 27 16 to a person, presumably the registered owner of the 1 transponder 16. As information is received from the various 2 terminals, the processor P logs the information into the 3 database D. This information could be useful in tracking a 4 customer's purchasing habits, and could be used in market research, advertisements, and promotions.
6 A customer would have the opportunity to present their 7 transponder 16 to any or all of the terminals. In order to 8 entice the customer to present their transponder 16, a 9 program would be established to reward customers based upon the purchases made at various points of potential sale or 11 interest, and/or the mere act of presenting the transponder 12 16 at the various points of potential sale or interest.
13 One such program would be an instant rewards program. In 14 the instant rewards program, customers could receive reduced prices on one or more of the products purchased. Also, as 16 part of the instant rewards program, the processor P could 17 communicate back to the terminals. If the customer's 18 transaction met a predetermined condition, a reward would be 19 given to the customer on the spot or at a later date. For example, if the customer purchases a case of beverages and 21 two bags of chips, when using the transponder 16, the 22 customer is given a free T-shirt or a hat. The predetermined 23 condition could also be met on a random basis, regardless of 24 the purchases made. For example, if a customer makes a purchase and presents the transponder 16, the customer could 26 possibly win a vacation trip to Hawaii, a stereo, etc. The 27 reward would be presented, or indicated, to the customer on WO 00/52655 PCTlUS00/05419 1 the spot, or indicated to the customer at a later date, such 2 as by mail.
3 Another such program would be a points reward program.
4 In the points reward program, it is not necessary for the processor P to communicate back to the terminals. Points 6 would be rewarded to the customers each time the transponder 7 16 is presented to a terminal. Points could be awarded for 8 the simple act of presenting the transponder 16 to one of the 9 terminals, and/or for the act of making a purchase at one of the terminals. The number of points could be based upon the 11 location of the terminal, the product or service purchased or 12 the amount spent. For example, five points could be awarded 13 for the presentation of the transponder 16; one point could 14 be awarded for each dollar spent; and ten points could be awarded for the purchase of a specified product. In addition, 16 the points system could have certain bonus incentives. For 17 example, purchases made at a certain location or at certain 18 hours could earn double points; every tenth purchase could 19 earn triple points; or bonus points could be awarded randomly.

21 Points could be redeemed for rewards in the form of 22 money, goods, or services. In one embodiment, the rewards 23 could be given automatically to the customer, at the point of 24 potential sale or interest, once sufficient points are accumulated. In this embodiment, the processor P communicates 26 back to the terminals to inform a store clerk to reward the 27 customer on the spot, e.g. present the customer with a T-26-fl2-2001 a FP00912126.0 and P, CTlUS00/05410 ~ DESC
.__ ._. , _. ... . ~".:.~~: ~. __ ,~ :_~.~.~:.,~~ ~ ".,_,..,~_ 1 shirt, a coupon, or a gift certificate.
2 In another embodiment, the customer can select from 3 various rewards for various attained point levels. Selection 4 could occur at one of the terminals, by responding to a catalogue order form, or over the Internet. For example, a 6 customer could visit a web site, enter their transponder's 7 serial number, enter a PIN number, access their accumulated 8 points balance, and then select from various possible 9 rewards..
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious 11 that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are 12 not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the 13 invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to 14 one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. For example, the external 16 database 26 may be provided within the vending machine 10. In 17 this instance, the vending machine 10 would be a standalone 18 system, and would not need to resort to the use of hardwired 19 or wireless communication channels in order to access information concerning the transponder 16.
21 Please note, "Coca-Cola"", and the Contour Bottle Shape 22 used in the drawings are registered trademarks of The Coca-23 Cola Company.
PMENutv anG~'~
Printed:l 6-03-2001: v

Claims

What is Claimed Is:

1. A beverage vending machine comprising:
a housing;
a dispenser disposed within said housing for dispensing a beverage;
a transponder interrogator disposed within said housing for reading a transponder unit; and a controller connected to said transponder interrogator for receiving data from said transponder interrogator, said controller also being connected to said dispenser and being able to cause said dispenser to dispense a beverage in response to the received data.
2. The beverage 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 a beverage when the accessed data meets a pre-determined condition.
3. The beverage vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said memory is located outside said housing.

4. The beverage vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said memory is located within said housing.
5. A beverage vending machine in combination with a transponder, said combination comprising:
a housing;
a dispenser disposed within said housing for dispensing a beverage;
a transponder, which is physically disconnected from said housing, for transmitting data;
a transponder interrogator disposed within said housing for reading said data of said transponder unit; and a controller connected to said transponder interrogator for receiving data from said transponder interrogator, said controller also being connected to said dispenser and being able to cause said dispenser to dispense a beverage in response to the received data.
6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said transponder is embedded in a key chain ornament.
7. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said transponder interrogator outputs an electromagnetic activation signal, and said transponder receives said electromagnetic activation signal.

8. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said transponder includes a read-only memory.
9. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said transponder interrogator includes a transmitter for transmitting data to said transponder, said transponder includes a read-write memory and receives said data and alters the contents of said read-write memory in response to said data.
10. A method of operating a vending machine, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a vending machine with a dispenser and a transponder interrogator disposed within a housing;
providing a database;
providing a transponder, which is physically disconnected from the housing, and which includes a memory for storing a first set of data;
transmitting an activation signal from the transponder interrogator to the transponder;
transmitting the first set of data from the transponder to the transponder interrogator;
determining, using the first set of data, whether a predetermined condition has been met;

in response to the condition having been met, communicating a dispense signal from the transponder interrogator to the dispenser; and dispensing a good or service from the vending machine.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the good is a container filled with a beverage.
12. The method according to claim 33, wherein the accessed transponder data comprises a credit amount associated with the identifying data of the transponder, and wherein said step of determining comprises determining whether the credit amount exceeds a purchase price.
13. The method according to claim 33, wherein the accessed transponder data comprises customer profile data associated with the identifying data, the customer profile data comprising a number of purchases made by the customer, and wherein said step of determining comprises determining whether the number of purchases made equals a predetermined number.
14. The method according to claim 33, wherein the database is external to the housing and communications between the database and the transponder interrogator take place via a satellite.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first data set is credit amount data, and wherein said step of determining comprises determining whether the credit amount data received by the transponder interrogator exceeds a purchase price.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the memory of the transponder also comprises identifying data, wherein said step of transmitting the credit amount data from the transponder to the transponder interrogator further comprises transmitting the identifying data to the transponder interrogator; and wherein said step of determining comprises:
using the identifying data, received by the transponder interrogator, to access transponder data in the database; and determining whether the accessed transponder data meets a predetermined condition.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the transponder data comprises customer profile data associated with the identifying data, the customer profile data comprises a number of purchases made by the customer, and wherein said step of determining comprises determining whether the number of purchases made equals a predetermined number.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the database is external to the housing and communications between the database and the transponder interrogator take place via a satellite.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the memory of the transponder also comprises identifying data, wherein said step of transmitting the credit amount data from the transponder to the transponder interrogator further comprises transmitting the identifying data to the transponder interrogator; and wherein said step of determining comprises:
analyzing the identifying data using the transponder interrogator; and determining whether the identifying data meets a predetermined condition.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the identifying data comprises a number of purchases made by the customer, and wherein said step of determining comprises determining whether the number of purchases made equals a predetermined number.
21. The combination according to claim 5, further comprising:
a communication medium connecting the controller to an external database; and a processor, associated with said external database, monitoring data sent by said controller representing the interaction of said transponder with said transponder interrogator, and permitting a reward to be issued upon a predetermined condition.
25. The method according to claim 21, wherein said external database is connected to the Internet.
26. A method of tracking consumer data comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of beverage vending machines, each of said machines comprising:
a housing, a dispenser disposed within said housing for dispensing a beverage, a transponder interrogator disposed within said housing for reading a transponder unit, a controller connected to said transponder interrogator for receiving data from said transponder interrogator, a transponder for interacting with any of said transponder interrogators of said beverage vending machines, and an external database, interacting the transponder with a one or more of the transponder interrogators;
sending identifying information concerning an interacted transponder to the external database;
tracking consumer data in the external database relating a person associated with the transponder; and rewarding the person, if the consumer data satisfies a predetermined condition.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said step of rewarding the person includes providing money, goods or services to the person at one of said beverage vending machines, after the transponder has been interacted with the transponder interrogator of the beverage vending machine.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

sending purchasing information obtained from the transponder interrogator of said beverage vending machine interacting with the transponder, concerning purchases made by the person, to the external database, wherein said step of tracking consumer data includes monitoring the purchasing information.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the predetermined condition is the accumulation of purchase amounts above a given total, or accumulation of purchases of given goods or services.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein said step of tracking consumer data includes accumulating points and associating the points with the person.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the points are based upon purchase amounts made by the person, the type of goods or services purchased by the person, the location of the beverage vending machine, or randomly awarded, when the person interacts the transponder with one of the transponder interrogators of said beverage vending machines.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the number of accumulated points can be accessed by the person online via an internet connection, and the person can chose a reward based upon the total number of points that person has accumulated.

33. The method of claim 11, wherein the first set of data is identifying data, and wherein the determining step comprises:
using the identifying data to access transponder data in the database; and determining whether the accessed transponder data meets a predetermined condition.