CA2891896A1 - Loyalty reward system for a vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for awarding a loyalty reward to a purchaser from a vending machine having a plurality of products for purchase. The system generates data representing products purchased, determines a loyalty reward value associated with the products purchased, and writes data to a data storage medium representing the value when dispensing the product.
To redeem the loyalty reward a reader reads an acquired or pre-purchased value recorded on the data storage medium, and if a processor determines that the value is sufficient payment toward a purchase, authorizes the purchase and deducts the value from the data storage medium presented by or associated with the purchaser.

Description

LOYALTY REWARD SYSTEM FOR A VENDING MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to vending machines, and in particular to a loyalty reward system in a vending machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Bulk products can be sold through vending machines known as "bulk venders."
A prevailing tendency is for a plurality of bulk venders to be placed at the same location in a cluster, for example so-called "islands" of multiple bulk venders mounted together or vending "kiosks" in which multiple bulk venders are contained within a single enclosure, giving the consumer a wide variety of bulk product to choose from.

[0003] There is currently no effective means of tracking consumer purchasing behaviours from a vending kiosk that identifies consumers by demographic, or when a consumer attends at various shopping locations as a follow-up to purchases from a vending kiosk, or the effectiveness of consumer advertising in a vending kiosk environment.

[0004] One or more of these deficiencies is addressed by embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vending kiosk according to the invention.

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the area surrounding the vending kiosk of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
100081 The present invention relates to a loyalty rewards system which in the preferred embodiment operates via a vending kiosk 10, illustrated in Figure 1, that vends and dispenses one or more "bulk" products. The kiosk 10 illustrated provides a plurality of venders 20 each containing a product to be vended, secured behind a door panel 16a through which the venders 20 are accessible for refilling and maintenance; a dispensing opening 17 disposed through a door panel 16b closing a compartment in which vending kiosk operating components are accessible for service and maintenance; a touchpad or video touch screen 60 for data entry by a consumer, for example types and amounts of product to be purchased; and a card/bill reader 62 for accepting any desired payment methods, which may include a slot (not shown) for coins, checks, tokens or otherwise, in addition to debit cards, credit cards and other possible payment modalities.
100091 The kiosk 10 may optionally have a video display 61 affixed to or embedded in its enclosure 12, or otherwise incorporated within the kiosk 10, that is visible from one or more positions within the area surrounding the kiosk 10, for displaying such things as video advertising, inventory, instructions, pricing etc. to a consumer. One example of the type of vending kiosk in which the present invention can be implemented, without limitation, is the vending kiosk shown and described in US Patent Publication No.
2014/0303774 published October 9, 2014 by Schwarzli et al, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
100101 While it is possible to determine certain business data from the general use of the machine by consumers, for example the most popular products, sales levels and rates, and other business information, it is not possible using current technology to isolate such data by demographic groupings, nor is it possible to determine after-market factors such as brand loyalty, consumer shopping behaviours related to a previous purchase from a bulk vender, and the like.
100111 The vast majority of adults, and many teenagers, carry cellular telephones and/or other mobile devices 2 that are equipped for wireless communications.
These types of devices 2 currently operate on various wireless standards, including cellular (e.g.

3G and 4G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), and others currently in use or to be developed in the future.
[00121 Wireless signal detection software has been developed which can detect the presence of a signal within a signal detection zone 4 around the kiosk. This provides a means of identifying an individual without collecting personal information, by the identifier dedicated to a wireless signal-based device 2 such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and associated with the signal emanating from such a device 2. An example of such software (without limitation) is Optifi (trademark) by Optifi Inc. of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (http://www.optifi.io). This software detects an RF carrier emanating from a wireless device 2 within approximately 1 meter of a signal detector 40, determines the type of signal embedded in the carrier, and extracts from the detected signal an identifier uniquely associated with the wireless device 2.
100131 Software has been developed which is capable of identifying an individual's age and gender from facial features, for example (without limitation) Cara (Trademark) facial recognition software offered by Kairos (https://www.kairos.com) of New York, NY, United States. Such software can generate from data points in a facial image the approximate age and the gender of an individual with a fairly high reliability. Equipping a vending kiosk of the invention with such software and at least one camera allows for the collection of demographic data relating to individuals within a recognition zone 6 around the kiosk and within the cumulative field of view of the various cameras.
[0014] The cameras 30 and signal detector(s) 40 may upload data to an on-board computer (not shown), or communicate data directly to a central facility via any suitable communications system including wired or wireless (cellular, satellite or other) communication. By positioning at least one wireless signal detector 40 at a suitable location within (or on, or about) the vending kiosk 10, a kiosk 10 according to the invention can record data regarding a purchase from the kiosk (for example the types and amounts of product purchased) and associate that data with 1) the unique wireless device identifier isolated from the signal emanating from the wireless device 2 that the purchaser was carrying when making the purchase, and 2) the gender and approximate age of the individual.
[0015] Where a single individual is in range of a vending kiosk according to the invention, the system of the invention can further associate the wireless identifier with an individual having that unique identifier who enters the detection zone 4 of another vending kiosk embodying the invention, for example at a different location within a shopping mall or at a different shopping mall or retail establishment, and can thus track the shopping behaviour of that individual known to be of a particular gender and within a certain age demographic. This gives a brand company an indication of, for a particular targeted consumer group (defined by age and gender), how often they purchase, the types of products that they purchase, and where they tend to purchase. This type of shopping behaviour data can allow marketers to adapt, fine tune and focus marketing efforts.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment a plurality of vending kiosks according to the invention are in communication with at least one central data collection facility to which data is communicated by each kiosk for storage and/or processing. Each time a purchase is made by a customer, the data helps to determine the degree of loyalty a customer has to a specific brand or even to an individual product. A consumer group's purchasing habits can thus be tracked globally and/or by region via a plurality of vending kiosks disposed at different geographic locations.
[0017] Furthermore, a vending machine, island, kiosk or other vending station embodying the invention can provide a gift card, reward points or other promotional vehicle that can be used in lieu of payment or partial-payment at a specific retailer. In these cases wireless signal detection software located at that retailer will detect if and when the individual associated with that particular wireless device 2, who purchased from the vending station and received the promotional reward, enters the retailer's establishment. This will assist in determining the effectiveness of the promotion, even if the gift card, reward points or other promotional vehicle is not used at the retailer.

100181 For example, in this embodiment a vending kiosk according to the invention may be adapted to print discount coupons having a bar code, Q-code or other readable unique indicia, for example on a label to be affixed to a container into which the product is dispensed or directly onto the container, or even as a separate item accompanying the purchase. The coupon (or container) can then be taken by the purchaser to the sponsoring retailer's store for redemption, which might mean a discount on an item, a free sample or otherwise. This can have the ef.E'ct of increasing store traffic for the brand being marketed. The retailer would scan the coupon at their store, which data would be communicated to the vending kiosk data collection facility and matched to the facial recognition data (gender and approximate age) and wireless device 2 identifier on file, to determine from which vending kiosk the original purchase was made from through a barcode imprint. The code printed on the dispensed container or card can optionally also be scanned at any other vending kiosk globally, to redeem the predetermined value of the gift card or discount promotion.
[00191 In a further embodiment the vending kiosk is provided with a display that displays advertising to individuals surrounding the kiosk within a viewing zone 8 in which the display is visible. In this embodiment the signal from at least one camera mounted on the kiosk for identifying gender and age, using commercially available 'eye tracking' software that identifies where an individual in the recognition zone 6 was looking, based on the position of their eyes and thus the centre of their field of view at any particular point in time, and can also determine the interval(s) during which an individual (or multiple individuals) are looking at the display. Such software is for example supplied as an integral component of the Cara (Trademark) facial recognition software offered by Kairos (https://www.kairos.com) and uses the Kinect (Trademark) sensor-based camera by Microsoft (http://www.xbox.com/en-ca/Xbox3 60/Accessories /Kinect/Home) as an input source.
[0020] This feedback data can then be used by advertisers to determine the effectiveness of an advertisement displayed at the vending station, by gender and age group. Matching the individuals determined approximate age and gender provides feedback regarding the appeal of the advertisement to individuals of one or the other gender within specific age categories. Device signature/facial recognition data collection can thus help a marketer to determine which advertisements and/or media loops are the most effective, by capturing consumers' attention span to the advertisement or loop, allowing a marketer to determine how effectively its marketing dollars are in a particular situation, or even to compare ads to determine which are the most cost effective for a particular consumer group.
100211 It will be appreciated that the cameras 30, signal detector 40 and one or more displays 61 can be positioned as desired within or about the vending station, in the example shown a vending kiosk 10, in order to maximize the functionality of the system.
In the embodiment shown the back surface 13 of the kiosk 10 is non-functional, for example where the kiosk is intended to stand against a wall, and therefore no cameras 30 or displays 61 are provided on or facing the back surface 13. In other embodiments, for example where the kiosk 10 will be located in an open area, cameras 30 and displays 61 may be provided on all of the front, back and sides of the kiosk shell 12. The number and positions of cameras 30, signal detectors 40 and displays 61, and their respective associated zones or fields of view, are illustrated solely by way of non-limiting example and are a matter of selection depending upon traffic expectations around the vending kiosk 10.
100221 In a further embodiment the vending kiosk 10 could have an RFID tag reader or other similar close-range detection system with embedded identifying data, that would identify any customer who has a compatible tag on their person, on a wristband, keychain or any other convenient location. The vending kiosk would detect and read the customer tag and charge the corresponding customer account for a purchase from the vending machine.
100231 In these embodiments the vending station may be a vehicle for the implementation of a rewards points system, for example a loyalty program, whereby loyalty reward points may awarded to the customer, for example provided on a card having a magnetic strip or chip and dispensed to the customer with the purchase of product. The loyalty reward points can be redeemed at a separate location, which may for example be another vending kiosk, a retail outlet selling the specific product purchased from the vending kiosk 10, or another retailer. The reward points may also be redeemable toward an unrelated purchase, or toward an associated purchase, for example, a vending kiosk 10 in a movie theatre might dispense reward points redeemable for a portion of the price for entry into a movie.
100241 The loyalty reward points vehicle may be a card or other data-bearing element, such as a data storage chip, or may be represented by indicia applied to a label affixed to the container before dispensing or directly to the container. In cases where the reward points are recorded on a separate card, a single card dispensing unit (for example of the type commonly used in machines that dispense tickets for paid parking locations) can be housed in the vending kiosk 10 and dispense the card alongside the container containing the product. The purchaser's information (e.g. email address or phone number) and optionally any other data can be recorded on a magnetic strip on the card prior or downloaded to a chip prior to dispensing, and simultaneously or contemporaneously sent (by wired or wireless connection) to the central facility.
[0025] In other embodiments, reward points may be provided to a customer with a purchase at a retail outlet, which points may be redeemed for free product at the vending kiosk 10. The redeemable product may be the same as the product purchased from the retailer, or a different product, for example a new product being offered by the same retailer who gets a promotional opportunity to introduce the customer to a new offering.
[0026] In embodiments where the reward points are cumulative the customer may be prompted for personal identifying information, such as an email address or telephone number, or a pseudonym, so that subsequent purchases can be identified as being made by a specific customer and the reward points added to the customer's reward points account for later redemption. In these embodiments a customer may request a loyalty card at time of purchase from the vending kiosk10, and the new fully activated card loaded with the reward points will be dispensed along with the product container.

- 8 -[0027i Similar to reward points cards, gift cards can be dispensed by a vending station such as a vending kiosk 10 embodying the invention. The display 61 can provide information regarding availability and price, and the purchaser may make payment in any manner offered by the vending kiosk 10 for the purchase of product. The gift card serves as a data storage medium and may be loaded and/or activated by the on-board card dispenser recording data on a magnetic strip or data storage chip, which data is simultaneously or contemporaneously communicated to the central facility as the gift card is dispensed from the kiosk. In preferred embodiments gift cards can be redeemed at a retailer's outlet or at any vending kiosk equipped to recognize and read the gift card.
[0028] In further embodiments a dedicated debit card specific to a product, brand, manufacturer or vending kiosk operator, can be loaded with a prepaid amount, for example at a vending kiosk 10, at a retail outlet or over the Internet. When the debit card is read by a reader provided at the vending kiosk 10 and a purchase made, the purchase value will be debited and deducted from the total on the card by recording updated data onto the card's magnetic strip or chip, which data may be communicated from the central facility, for example, to the vending kiosk 10 in response to the vending kiosk 10 transmitting to the central facility data identifying the customer account.
[0029] Instead of the loyalty rewards or gift funds being loaded onto a card or chip, a smartphone may be provided with an app which provides a barcode, Q-code or any other code-providing indicia that can be displayed on the cell phone display and scanned by a camera 30 or by a separate code-reading device such as a scanner provided at the vending kiosk 10. As with a loyalty rewards card or gift card, the purchase price is deducted from funds (or an equivalent such as points) acquired or purchased by the customer and the customer's account updated accordingly at the central facility.
100301 In these embodiments the vending system comprises, in addition to a plurality of products for purchase, a reader for reading an acquired or pre-purchased value recorded on a data storage medium, and a processor for determining that the value is sufficient payment toward a purchase, authorizing the purchase and deducting the value from a customer account.

- 9 -[00311 Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A vending system comprising a plurality of products for purchase, a data reader for reading an acquired or pre-purchased value recorded on a data storage medium, and a processor for:
determining that the value is sufficient payment toward a purchase, authorizing the purchase and deducting the value from a customer account, and writing data to a data storage medium at the time product is purchased.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the data storage medium comprises a card or other data storage chip.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a communications system for communicating data relating to the customer to a central facility.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the processor is disposed at the central facility.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the data storage medium comprises a smartphone.

6. A method of awarding loyalty points to a purchaser of product from a vending machine, comprising the steps of:
a. receiving data representing one or more of a plurality of products for purchase, b. determining a loyalty reward value associated with the products purchased, and c. in any order, i. writing data to a data storage medium representing the value, and ii. dispensing the product.

7. A method of redeeming loyalty points from a purchaser of product from a vending machine, comprising the steps of:
a. receiving data representing one or more of a plurality of products for purchase, b. reading from a data storage medium data representing an acquired or pre-purchased value, and c. in any order, i. determining that the value is sufficient payment toward a purchase, authorizing the purchase and deducting the value from the data storage medium presented by or associated with the purchaser, and dispensing the product.

8. The method of claims 6 or 7 wherein the data storage medium stores the data in association with a customer account.