U.S. patent application number 10/276620 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-02 for vending machines.
Invention is credited to Viglione, Dean Peter.
Application Number | 20030186732 10/276620 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25646332 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030186732 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Viglione, Dean Peter |
October 2, 2003 |
Vending machines
Abstract
A vending machine (10) has a payment receiving and change
dispensing apparatus (12), a product storage and dispensing
apparatus (11), a product selection apparatus (13), and at least
one game device (14) with a display (15) associated therewith. The
game device (14) is initiated by a user activated event to provide
a game of chance or skill to award a predetermined prize according
to the result of the game, the result of the game and/or the prize
awarded being displayed by the display (15).
Inventors: |
Viglione, Dean Peter; (NSW,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas B Teaney
Greenberg Traurig
Suite 2500
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
25646332 |
Appl. No.: |
10/276620 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 18, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU01/00574 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/7 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2000 |
AU |
PQ7566 |
Jul 7, 2000 |
AU |
PQ8617 |
Claims
1. A vending machine having a payment receiving and change
dispensing apparatus, a product storage and dispensing apparatus, a
product selection means, at least one game device with display
means associated therewith, wherein said at least one game device
is initiated by a user activated event to provide a game of chance
or skill to award a predetermined prize according to the result of
the game, the result of the game and/or the prize awarded being
displayed by the display means.
2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the game of
chance or skill is played by the user following initiation.
3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein, the game of
chance is automatically played by the game device.
4. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the game of skill involve a reflex action or
manipulation of a joystick push buttons or the like associated with
the game device, to award the prize only if a predetermined skill
level is achieved.
5. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the game of skill involves application of mental
skills.
6. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the game device is initiated by a user inserting
payment or entering payment details into the machine to purchase a
product therefrom, the game can be initiated prior to or following
selection of a particular product from the machine and as such the
product can be dispensed prior to or following the results of the
game.
7. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the predetermined prize is dispensed by the vending
machine.
8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the prize is a
product usually dispensed by the machine and therefore is dispensed
by the product storage and dispensing apparatus.
9. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the prize is
in the form of a monetary prize and is dispensed by the change
dispensing part of the payment receiving and change dispensing
apparatus.
10. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the prize is
in the form of a coupon, ticket, voucher or discount voucher and is
dispensed by the machine by a suitable means.
11. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the prize is
an entry into a further prize draw such that requisite information
or data is entered into the machine via a data entry means.
12. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the display means of the game device provides a
medium for advertising the products associated with the vending
machine.
13. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the game provides a promotional material
relationship with forthcoming events.
14. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein random or mystery jackpot prizes are awarded to
users of the vending machine.
15. The vending machine according to claim 14, wherein the awarding
of jackpot prizes is determined by the amount of use of the vending
machine.
16. The vending machine according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the vending machine(s) is/are connected remotely to
a central controller to thereby send and receive communication
signals.
17. The vending machine according to claim 16, wherein the
connection is by means of a modem or the like.
18. The vending machine according to claims 16 or 17, wherein the
central controller is used to monitor the vending machines as well
as providing instructions thereto.
19. The vending machine according to claim 18, wherein the central
controller is used to change game formats, randomly issue jackpots,
change any advertising and cross promotions and the like.
20. The vending machine according to claim 18, wherein, the central
controller also monitors the operation of the games on the vending
machine as well as monitoring stock levels.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to vending machines and, in
particular, to a vending machine and a method of operating such a
vending machine such that the vending machine offers a game of
chance, skill or the like to the user of the machine whereby prizes
can be awarded to the user or customer operating the machine
according to results of the game of chance.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Vending machines are used widely with respect of vending
products, whether they are machines for vending goods such as
drinks, confectionery or the like, or for vending tickets, cash or
the like.
[0003] There is currently no vending machine available to the
public which has the provision of a game of chance associated with
the machine suitable for awarding prizes or the like to users,
whether that prize is a monetary or free product prize. Such a
vending machine can therefore be used in situations previously not
envisaged.
[0004] It is therefore seen to be desirable to have a vending
machine which has the provision of games of chance for awarding
prizes which allows the suppliers of goods and services through
vending machines the opportunity to increase the use of their
machines by attracting customers to the machines and their goods in
particular.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
vending machine and a method of operating same which has the
provision of awarding prizes to users of the machine. At the very
least, the object of the invention is to provide an alternative to
known vending machines and their methods of operation.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a vending machine having a payment receiving and change
dispensing apparatus, a product storage and dispensing apparatus, a
product selection means, at least one game device with display
means associated therewith, wherein said at least one game device
is initiated by a user activated event to provide a game of chance
or skill to award a predetermined prize according to the result of
the game, the result of the game and/or the prize awarded being
displayed by the display means.
[0007] Preferably, the game of chance or skill is played by the
user following initiation. In other preferred forms, the game of
chance is automatically played by the game device.
[0008] Preferably the game of skill involve a reflex action or
manipulation of a joystick, push buttons or the like associated
with the game device, to award the prize only if a predetermined
skill level is achieved. In other preferred forms, the game of
skill involves application of mental skills.
[0009] Preferably, the game device is initiated by a user inserting
payment or entering payment details into the machine to purchase a
product therefrom. The game can be initiated prior to or following
selection of a particular product from the machine and as such the
product can be dispensed prior to or following the results of the
game.
[0010] Preferably, the predetermined prize is dispensed by the
vending machine. In one preferred form, the prize is a product
usually dispensed by the machine and therefore is dispensed by the
product storage and dispensing apparatus. In another preferred
form, the prize is in the form of a monetary prize and is dispensed
by the change dispensing part of the payment receiving and change
dispensing apparatus. In a further preferred form, the prize is in
the form of a coupon, ticket, voucher or discount voucher and is
dispensed by the machine by a suitable means.
[0011] In further preferred forms, the prize is an entry into a
further prize draw such that requisite information or data is
entered into the machine via a data entry means.
[0012] Preferably, the display means of the game device provides a
medium for advertising the products associated with the vending
machine.
[0013] Preferably, the game provides a promotional material
relationship with forthcoming events.
[0014] In preferred forms of the invention, random or mystery
jackpot prizes are awarded to users of the vending machine. The
awarding of jackpot prizes is determined by the amount of use of
the vending machine.
[0015] Preferably, the vending machine(s) is/are connected remotely
to a central controller to thereby send and receive communication
signals. Preferably the connection is by means of a modem or the
like, but can be formed by any suitable means. The central
controller is used to monitor the vending machines as well as
providing instructions thereto. For example, the central controller
is used to change game formats, randomly issue jackpots, change any
advertising and cross promotions, etc. Preferably, the central
controller also monitors the operation of the games on the vending
machine as well as monitoring stock levels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will be now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to
one embodiment of the present invention, and
[0018] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method of operation of vending
machine of the FIG. 1.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] The general arrangement of a vending machine 10 of a
preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 which shows the vending
machine 10 having a product storage and dispensing apparatus 11, a
payment receipt and change dispensing apparatus 12 and a product
selection apparatus 13 as used in the conventional manner. This
vending machine further includes a game device 14 having a display
monitor 15 associated therewith for displaying data associated with
games played by the device 14.
[0020] The vending machine 10 of the preferred embodiment of the
invention provides incentive to potential customers to use the
machine to purchase products which are being dispensed therefrom,
by enabling the customer or user of the machine 10 to play a game
of chance programmed into the gaming device 14 and be awarded
prizes predetermined by the gaming device 14 according to the
results of the gamed played thereon.
[0021] As seen in the flow chart of FIG. 2, the games to be played
when a product is purchased or selected are set or programmed into
the device 14 in step 1. In step 2, prizes are predetermined
according to the results of each game being played. It should be
noted that in this embodiment, prizes are not awarded for all the
results of the games being played. In step 3, after payment, if a
preselected product is selected or purchased, the game is played as
seen in the next step 4, while if a preselected product is not
selected, the machine 10 awaits the next input of payment.
[0022] In step 5, if the result of the game being played by the
selection of the preselected product is that a prize is to be
awarded, the prize is awarded in the next step 6, or if no prize is
to be awarded, the machine 10 then awaits the next input of
payment.
[0023] Once the prize has been awarded as seen in step 6, the
machine either awaits the next input of payment or ends its
operation depending on whether further prizes as seen in step 7,
are to be awarded. In such circumstances there may be a limited
number of prizes to be awarded in any one promotion or use of the
machine 10.
[0024] The display monitor 15 of the vending machine 10 of the
preferred embodiment is used to show the game being played, as it
is being played as well as providing information regarding the
results of the game and the prizes being awaiting according to the
result. The display monitor is preferably a video display
device.
[0025] The game being played could be a reel type game whereby like
icons are to be aligned for a resulting win. All other types of
games such as prize wheels, roulette, dice games etc can also be
played, there being no or little limit to the type of game able to
be played.
[0026] The above games are basically games of chance, and other
games such as games of skill, either reflex games such as space
invaders or the like or blackjack can be played. A joystick or
other forms of moving a pointer or cursor can be incorporated into
the machine.
[0027] In the embodiment described above, the game is initiated by
a user inserting payment and selecting a product. In other
embodiments, the game can be initiated prior to or following
selection of a particular product from the machine and as such the
product can be dispensed prior to or following the results of the
game.
[0028] In a preferred arrangement, the predetermined prize is
dispensed by the vending machine 10. If the prize is a product
usually dispensed by the machine it is dispensed by the product
storage and dispensing apparatus 11. In another preferred
arrangement, the prize is in the form of a monetary prize and is
therefore dispensed by the change dispensing part of the payment
receiving and change dispensing apparatus 12. In a further
preferred arrangement the prize is in the form of a coupon, ticket,
or discount voucher and is dispensed by the machine by a suitable
device (not illustrated).
[0029] In further preferred forms, the prize is an entry into a
further prize draw such that requisite information or data is
entered into the machine via a data entry means (not
illustrated).
[0030] The display monitor 15 of the game device 14 provides a
medium for advertising the products associated with the vending
machine.
[0031] Preferably, the game provides a promotional material
relationship with forthcoming events.
[0032] In preferred forms of the invention, random or mystery
jackpot prizes are awarded to users of the vending machine 10. The
awarding of jackpot prizes is determined by the amount of use of
the vending machine 10.
[0033] Prizes which can be awarded by the games include, "win a
further product for free", "receive your money back", "receive a
collectable coupon to be redeemed for another prize", "be in a
chance to win a Holiday", "receive an instant money prize", "win a
movie ticket", "receive a discount coupon" and many more.
[0034] The vending machine(s) 10 is/are connected remotely to a
central controller (not illustrated) to thereby send and receive
communication signals. In the preferred embodiment, the connection
is by means of a modem or the like (not illustrated), but can be
formed by any suitable means. The central controller is used to
monitor the vending machines 10 as well as providing instructions
thereto. For example, the central controller is used to change game
formats, randomly issue jackpots, change any advertising and cross
promotions, etc. Preferably, the central controller also monitors
the operation of the games on the vending machine as well as
monitoring stock levels.
[0035] The operation of the communication of the machine 10 to a
central controller provides instant direct feedback. Each campaign
and game format can be easily changed without incurring significant
costs.
[0036] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present
invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art
can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0037] For example, the vending machine can take the form of an
Automated Teller Machine or ATM which provides games to people
withdrawing money from the ATM using various accounts. The games
can be simple prizes awarded by random selection or can require the
person withdrawing the money to "play" a game or the like. Jackpot
prizes can also be awarded to users of EFTPOS machines in a similar
manner.
* * * * *