Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Information location or remote operator actuated control – Selective addressing of storage medium
Patent
1989-01-25
1992-05-26
Richardson, Robert L.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Information location or remote operator actuated control
Selective addressing of storage medium
369 32, 360 12, G07F 702, G08B 2300
Patent
active
051174073
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to means for dispensing merchandise and in particular improvements in the means for announcing to prospective consumers of a product descriptions of the merchandise on offer. The invention finds particular application to vending machines and jukeboxes.
BACKGROUND ART
A wide variety of vending machines are in use for diverse products, however the means of advertising the particular products from which the purchaser can select has hitherto been limited to static advertisements such as printed images and words fixed to the machine. Much reliance is placed on the public's knowledge of brand names as a basis for choice, and in the event that a potential purchaser is confronted with unfamiliar items, a sale can be lost. It is therefore desirable that the vending machine offer as much product information as possible. A variation of the vending machine, in which the merchandise on offer is music, is known as the jukebox, and in this case also it is desirable to offer information descriptive of the available musical selections in order to induce the purchaser to select unfamiliar titles.
The present invention is directed to providing dispensers including vending machines and jukeboxes which deliver to potential customers informative and interesting messages describing the merchandise on offer.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided dispenser means comprising means for storing merchandise; means for dispensing merchandise; means for initiating delivery of merchandise; means for storing messages, said messages relating to said stored merchandise; means for initiating delivery of said messages; and means for delivering said messages.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention the means for storing messages comprises audio message storage means, such as a tape or disc recording carrying messages describing different items of merchandise available.
In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the means for storing messages comprises video recording storage means, such as a tape or disc recording carring images describing different items of merchandise available.
In other embodiments both audio and video messages are provided.
In some embodiments of the invention, the means for initiating delivery of said messages comprises a plurality of switches visually linked to product lines and arranged to cause corresponding recorded messages to be played when activated by a potential purchaser.
Another inventive feature which may be used in some embodiments of the invention is additionally the provision of audio synthesis means adapted to receive as an input data from the message storage means and to generate as an output an audible signal. In some embodiments the generated audible signal can be a synthesised voice which is responsive to data stored by the message storage means.
A further inventive feature which may be used in some embodiments of the invention is additionally the provision of video synthesis means adapted to receive as an input data from the message storage means and to generate as an output video signals and provision of video display means. In some embodiments the generated video output signals can be representative of a person and if desired this person can be made to appear to be speaking a message.
According to one beneficial application of the invention, the dispenser takes the form of a music jukebox in which the merchandise dispensed is musical selections and the stored messages are responsive to selections made and the operational status of the jukebox. In some embodiments the stored messages can include patter similar to that delivered by disc jockeys, exhortations to make further selections or insert coins, or messages selected by a customer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features, extensions, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whic
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