Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
2006-06-26
2008-03-25
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S380000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07347364
ABSTRACT:
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a promotion redeemable at a vending machine is determined. The promotion comprises an offer distinct from a general offer to sell products from the vending machine at posted prices. The promotion is output (e.g., via an output device of a vending machine, an output device of a peripheral device of a vending machine, an output device of a customer device, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, the promotion may be determined such that it satisfies the goal of increasing the profitability of the vending machine and/or the goal of conserving an inventory of coins in the vending machine. In some embodiments, determining a promotion may comprise constructing a promotion instance by populating a parameter of a promotion type with a value selected based on one or more rules.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4587984 (1986-05-01), Levasseur et al.
patent: 4654800 (1987-03-01), Hayashi et al.
patent: 5482139 (1996-01-01), Rivalto
patent: 5774868 (1998-06-01), Cragun et al.
patent: 5822736 (1998-10-01), Hartman et al.
patent: 5927541 (1999-07-01), Stoken et al.
patent: 5997928 (1999-12-01), Kaish et al.
patent: 6012834 (2000-01-01), Dueck et al.
patent: 6049777 (2000-04-01), Sheena et al.
patent: 6115649 (2000-09-01), Sakata
patent: 6119099 (2000-09-01), Walker et al.
patent: 7014108 (2006-03-01), Sorenson et al.
patent: 2006/0122885 (2006-06-01), Ota et al.
patent: 0 817 138 (1998-01-01), None
patent: WO 98/58355 (1998-12-01), None
Berk, Christina Cheddar, “Many Vending Machines Opt Out of the High-Tech Fixes”, WSJ.com, Nov. 4, 2003, 3 pp.
Breitenbach Paul T.
Gelman Geoffrey M.
Jorasch James A.
Lee Sih Y.
O'Neil V. Michael
Frech Karl D.
Walker Digital, LLC
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for managing vending machine offers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for managing vending machine offers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for managing vending machine offers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3976845