Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Patent
1998-09-14
2000-12-12
Ellis, Christopher P.
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
700231, 700236, 235381, 705 14, G06F 1700
Patent
active
061610593
ABSTRACT:
A vending machine method and apparatus are disclosed for encouraging vending machine customers to review a marketing promotion or to participate in a survey while making a purchase. Customers are immediately rewarded for providing responses about about the marketing promotion that was previously presented or their preferences or opinions. The reward may be, for example, a supplementary product, a discount on the customer's current purchase or a subsequent purchase, or a rebate. The vending machine ensures that it contains sufficient currency and products to meet the requirements of all active reward offers. The vending machine ensures that buyers are committed to making a purchase, before offering a reward to a customer. Unscrupulous customers are discouraged from using repeatedly participating in a marketing promotion, merely to collect rewards or influence the results of a survey. The marketing promotion presented to a customer can be based on the customer's current or previous product selection(s) or purchase history.
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Jorasch James A.
Tedesco Daniel E.
Walker Jay S.
Alderucci Dean
Dugan Brian M.
Ellis Christopher P.
Talwalker Nandu A.
Tran Khoi H.
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