GB2362641A - Automatic distributer for pre-payment products - Google Patents
Automatic distributer for pre-payment products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2362641A GB2362641A GB0101032A GB0101032A GB2362641A GB 2362641 A GB2362641 A GB 2362641A GB 0101032 A GB0101032 A GB 0101032A GB 0101032 A GB0101032 A GB 0101032A GB 2362641 A GB2362641 A GB 2362641A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- transaction
- distributor
- payment
- consumer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G3/00—Alarm indicators, e.g. bells
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/42—Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/005—Details or accessories
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
- Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
Abstract
In this automatic distributor, of the type which comprises a closed container (1) which contains products (2) offered for sale, a selection device (4) being able to be activated from the exterior of the container, in order to allow a consumer to select at least one product from amongst the said products, at least one payment device (3) which can receive a means for payment, a distribution mechanism (5) which can dispense the products contained in the container, and a control unit (6) which is connected to the selection device and to the payment device, and which controls the distribution mechanism such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) selected and paid for by the latter, a detection device (7) is provided, which can detect the start of a transaction, and can produce a signal which is designed to warn an operator of the distributor that a transaction is in progress, such that the said transaction can be cancelled if the consumer is not of the requisite age to purchase the products offered for sale, the cancellation being controlled either deliberately by the operator, or automatically at the end of a pre-defined time after production of the said signal.
Description
2362641 1 AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR FOR PRE-PAYMENT PRODUCTS The present
invention relates to an automatic distributor of the type comprising a closed container which contains products offered for sale, a selection device which can be activated from the exterior of the container, in order to allow a consumer to select at least one product from amongst the said products, at least one payment device which can receive a means for payment, a distribution mechanism which can dispense the products contained in the container, and a control unit which is connected to the selection device and to the payment device, and which controls the distribution mechanism such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) selected and paid for by the latter.
Many automatic distributors are now used throughout the world to sell an increasingly large number of products. According to the regulations in force, some of these products cannot be sold to certain categories of people. This is for example the case in England, where lottery products cannot be sold to people aged less than 16, which makes it difficult to use automatic distributors in this context. This can also be the case in countries where alcoholic drinks cannot be sold to minors, or to people younger than a pre-defined age.
At present, to the knowledge of the applicant, no system makes it possible to solve this problem. The only possibility is for the operator of the automatic distributor to supervise its use. Apart from the fact that this is not always physically possible (the automatic distributor can be difficult to see from the place where the operator is positioned), this would require constant supervision by the operator. Constant supervision of this type is virtually impossible in an ordinary working environment, and, in addition, if this were to be carried out, it would eliminate much of the advantage of the automatic distributor.
2 The object of the present invention is thus to provide an automatic distributor of the aforementioned type, by means of which it is possible to prevent the distribution of products, the sale of which is subject to regulations, without the operator of the said distributor having to carry out constant supervision of the said distributor.
For this purpose, the distributor according to the invention is characterised in that, in the container, it additionally comprises a detection device, which can detect the start of a transaction, and can produce a first signal which is designed to warn an operator of the distributor that a transaction is in progress.
In the present context, "start of a transaction" means the fact that a consumer starts to use the automatic distributor in order to obtain one or a plurality of products offered for sale by the distributor. In practice, this can involve the fact of the consumer introducing a means for payment into the payment device of the distributor, and/or the fact that the consumer takes action on the selection device of the distributor in order to select one or a plurality of products offered for sale.
Thus, in its broadest sense, each time a consumer starts to use the distributor, the automatic distributor according to the invention makes it possible to warn the operator on whose premises the distributor is installed, such that the operator does not need to carry out constant supervision. Each time the operator is warned that the distributor is starting to be used (start of transaction), he can then check visually the consumer who is using the distributor, either directly if the distributor is close to where the operator is positioned, or by means of a remote monitoring system, if the operator does not have a direct view of the distributor, and if the premises where the latter is located are equipped with a system of this type. After having checked the consumer visually, the operator can then either allow the transaction to 3 continue, if the consumer appears to him to be of the requisite age, or intervene with the consumer in order to check his age, and if necessary ask him to cancel the transaction.
In a more sophisticated version of the distributor according to the invention, the said distributor can additionally comprise:
at a distance from the container, in the vicinity of the said operator, a control device comprising a means for control, which can be activated by the operator, in response to production of the first signal, in order to produce a second signal; and in the container, means for validation/cancellation of a transaction, which can receive the second signal, and which validatelcancel the transaction in progress according to the second signal.
Thus, when the consumer has been checked visually, the operator can intervene from the place where he is positioned, at a distance from the distributor, in order to authorise andlor prevent completion of the transaction in progress.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the said second validation signal and the said means for valid ation/cancel lation of a transaction are designed to validate the transaction in progress and authorise distribution of the product(s) selected and paid for, if they receive the second signal, and to cancel the said transaction and prevent distribution of the product(s) if the second signal is not received within a pre-defined time after the first signal.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the said second signal is a cancellation signal, and the said means for valid ation/ca ncellation of a transaction are designed to cancel the transaction in progress and prevent the distribution of the product(s) selected and paid for, if they receive the second signal, and to validate the said transaction and authorise distribution of the 4 said product(s), if the second signal is not received within a pre- defined time after the first signal.
The distributor according to the invention can also have one or a plurality of the following characteristics:
the said pre-defined time can be parameterised; the detection device is designed to detect payment information produced by the payment device, in response to introduction of a means for payment into the payment device, and to produce the said first signal in response to the said payment information; the detection device is designed to detect selection information produced by the said selection device, in response to a selection made by the consumer using the selection device, and to produce the said first signal in response to the detection of the said selection information; the detection device comprises a module for emission of the first signal, and a module for reception of the second signal, and the control device comprises a module for reception of the first signal, and a module for emission of the second signal, which reacts to activation of the means for control; the control device comprises a means which can produce a warning signal which can be perceived by the operator, in response to reception of the first signal by the reception module of the control device; and the control device additionally comprises a camera which can provide an image of the consumer who is using the distributor, and the control device additionally comprises a monitor which can display the image provided by the camera.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention provided by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a functional diagram of an automatic distributor according to the invention; figure 2 is a functional diagram of a detection device which forms part of the distributor shown in figure 11; and figure 3 is a functional diagram of a control device which forms part of the distributor shown in figure 1.
With reference firstly to figure 1, which shows schematically an embodiment of the automatic distributor according to the invention, it can be seen that this distributor comprises a container 1, which contains a series of products 2, at least some of which are products of which the sale is regulated, and in particular products which cannot be sold to people younger than a pre- defined age.
The distributor additionally comprises, in a conventional manner, at least the following elements in the container 1:
a) at least one payment device 3, which makes it possible to pay for the products or goods offered by the distributor. This payment device can for example be a coin machine, a note reader, a bank card reader, a smart card reader, a card for exclusive rights, or another similar payment device; b) a selection device 4, which allows the consumer to select one or a plurality of the products offered by the distributor. This selection device can consist of a keyboard, a series of keys, a touch screen, a screen associated 6 with an electronic pencil, or any other device which allows a consumer to make a choice; c) a distribution mechanism 5 which can dispense the products selected and paid for by a consumer; and d) a control unit 6, which controls the functioning of the distributor. This control unit can for example consist of a microprocessor associated with a programme memory and a data memory.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention which is described here, the distributor additionally comprises:
e) a detection device 7 which is placed in the container 1, between the payment device 3 and the control unit 6, and/or between the selection device 4 and the said control unit 6; f) a control device 8 which is placed at a distance from the enclosure 1, in the vicinity of a person using the distributor; and g) means for validation/cancellation of a transaction 9, which are placed in the container 1, and are connected to the control device 8 by means of a communication connection 10.
As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the detection device 7 can also be connected to the control device 8 by the communication connection 10, and means for validation/cancellation of a transaction can also be integrated in the detection device 7.
The function of the detection device 7 is substantially to detect the start of a transaction, and, in response to the start of a transaction detected, to produce a first signal which is designed to warn the operator of the distributor that a transaction is in progress. For this purpose, the detection device 7 is designed 7 to intercept payment information issued by the payment device 3, and/or selection information issued by the selection device 4, and, in response to detection of one and/or the other of these two pieces of information, it produces the said first signal, which is indicative of the start of a transaction. This first signal can be converted at the container 1 into a warning signal which can be perceived by the operator of the distributor, for an example a light-up signal, a sound signal, or both at once.
As a variant or in addition, in particular if the operator cannot check the distributor directly visually, the first signal is transmitted, for example by the communication connection 10, to the control device 8, where this first signal can also be converted into a warning signal which can be perceived by the operator. In this case also, the warning signal can be a light-up signal, a sound signal, or both at once. In addition, if the control device 8 is a portable device, the warning signal can also be a mechanical vibration generated by a vibrator, which is activated in response to reception of the first signal by the control device 8.
In a simple version of the invention, the control device can simply be informative, i.e. its function can simply be to produce the aforementioned warning signal in response to the first signal which indicates the start of a transaction.
In a more sophisticated version of the distributor according to the invention, the control device 8 comprises a means for control which, when R is activated by the operator, can produce a second signal which is transmitted by the communication connection 10 to the means 9 for validation/cancellation of a transaction, located in the container 1.
In one embodiment of the invention, this second signal can be a validation signal. In this case, as soon as it receives the validation signal, the means 9 for validation/cancellation of a transaction validates the transaction. For this 8 purpose, for example, the means for validation/cancellation authorises the transmission of payment information issued by the payment device 3, and transmission of selection information issued by the selection device 4 to the control unit 6, such that this control unit 6 can then function conventionally, by controlling the distribution mechanism 5 such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) he has selected and paid for.
However, if the operator deliberately refrains from activating the means for control of the control device 8, in order to prevent the validation signal from being emitted, for example because the operator has been able to check visually that the consumer using the distributor is not of the requisite age, the means for validation/cancellation of the transaction are preferably designed to cancel the transaction and prevent the distribution of the product(s) selected by the consumer, if the second signal, i.e. the validation signal, is not received within a pre-defined time, which is preferably adjustable, after the first signal has been issued. This makes it possible to prevent the consumer from expecting in vain the products he has selected and may have paid for. For this purpose, in order to cancel the transaction, the means 9 for validation/cancellation give rise to emission of a visual or vocal message, which warns the consumer that the transaction has been cancelled, and, if the consumer has already credited the amount corresponding to the product selected, this amount is refunded to him.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second signal produced by the means for control of the control device 8 is a cancellation signal. In this case, when the cancellation signal is received, the means 9 for validation/cancellation of the transaction are designed to prevent distribution of the product(s) selected by the consumer, and to cancel the said transaction in a manner similar to that indicated with reference to the previous embodiment.
9 However, in order to prevent the consumer waiting in vain in front of the distributor, if the operator refrains deliberately from activating the means for control of the control device 8, in order to prevent the cancellation signal from being emitted, for example because he has been able to check visually that the consumer is of the requisite age to purchase the products offered by the distributor, the means 9 for validation/cancellation of a transaction are preferably designed to validate the transaction and authorise distribution of the product(s) selected by the consumer, if the second signal, i.e. the cancellation signal, is not received within a pre- defined time, which is preferably adjustable, after the first signal, which indicates the start of the transaction, has been emitted.
The two above-described embodiments can be combined. For example, the means for control of the control device 8 can be designed such that, at the choice of the operator, the second signal can assume two different values, corresponding respectively to a validation signal and a cancellation signal. In this case, the means for validation/cancellation of a transaction can be designed to give rise either to validation of the transaction or cancellation of the transaction, according to whether the second signal has the first or the second value.
The communication connection 10 can be a wired connection (by electric cable or optical cable), a radio connection, an infrared connection, or any other appropriate connection.
An embodiment of the detection device 7 will now be described with reference to figure 2. The detection device 7 can comprise a module 12 which acts as an interface with the payment device 3, a module 13 which acts as an interface with the selection device 4, a module 14 for emission of the first signal, which indicates the start of a transaction, a module 15 for reception of the second signal (validation and/or transaction cancellation signal), a communication module 16, which is connected firstly to the modules 14 and 15, and secondly, via the communication connection 10, to the control device 8, a module 17 which acts as an interface with a consumer who is using the distributor, a module 18 which acts as an interface with the control unit 6 of the distributor, a processing module 19, and, optionally, a camera control module 20 and a camera 21, which is disposed such as to be able to supply an image of a consumer who is using the distributor.
The modules 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are connected to an internal bus 22, by means of which they exchange information and commands between one another. When it is present, the camera 21 is connected to the control device 8, either via the communication module 16 and the communication connection 10, or via a communication line 23 of its own.
The processing module 19 consists for example of a processor associated with a programme memory and a data memory, and of a timing device which can be parameterised. The processing module 19 is responsible for controlling the functioning of the other modules of the detection device 7.
The interface module 12 is designed for each type of means for payment which can be used with the payment device(s) 3 of the distributor. For example, the interface module 12 can be a connection of the serial type (for a payment device consisting of a bank card reader, a smart card, or a card for exclusive rights or the like), a connection of the channel type (one channel per type of note or per type of coin, for a payment device which consists of note readers and/or coin machines), or any other interface appropr iate for the means for payment, which can be used with the distributor. When a consumer introduces a means for payment into the payment device 3, the interface module 12 detects, then stores, the amount credited by the consumer. The payment information is then transmitted via the bus 22 to the processing module 19.
The function of the interface module 13 is to detect and store a selection made by a consumer by means of the selection device 4 of the distributor, and to transmit the selection information via the bus 22 to the processing module 19. The type of interface used for the interface module 13 depends on the selection device 4 which is integrated in the distributor (keyboard, key, touch screen, electronic pencil, etc).
When it receives payment information and/or selection information, the processing module 19 activates the emission module 14, which then generates the first signal which is indicative of the start of a transaction. This first signal is transmitted, via the communication module 16 and the communication connection 10, to the control device 8. At the same time, the processing module 19 triggers its internal timing device.
If, in response to the first signal, within a pre-determined time defined by the timing device, the operator of the distributor sends back the second signal, i.e.
the validation/cancellation signal, in a manner which will be described hereinafter, this signal is received via the communication connection 10 and the communication module 16, by the reception module 15, which transmits it to the processing module 19.
If the second signal is a validation signal, the processing module 19 transmits, via the bus 22, the payment information and the selection information which is issued respectively by the payment device 3 and the selection device 4, and is stored respectively in the modules 12 and 13, to the interface module 18.
This latter module transmits this information to the control unit 6 of the distributor, so that the latter controls the distribution mechanism 5 such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) which he has selected and paid for.
If the validation signal is not received by the reception module 15 within the pre-determined time defined by the timing device, the processing module 19 activates the consumer interface module 17, such that the latter generates a 12 visual message on a display unit and/or a vocal message via a loudspeaker, thus warning the consumer that the transaction has been cancelled. At the same time, depending on the case, the processing module 19 commands via the interface module 12 the refunding of the notes or coins which the consumer had inserted in the payment device 3, or the bank card, the smart card or the card for exclusive rights is not debited with the amount for the transaction.
If the second signal is a cancellation signal, the processing module 19 activates the consumer interface module 17 in a manner similar to that previously described with reference to the case in which the validation signal is not received within the pre-determined time defined by the timing device, and, via the interface module 12, it controls the payment device 3 such that the latter refunds to the consumer the amounts paid, or such that the payment device 3 does not debit the bank card, the smart card, or the card for exclusive rights of the consumer.
On the other hand, if the cancellation signal is not received by the reception module 15 within the time pre-defined by the timing device, the processing module 19 informs the control unit 6 of the distributor of this fact via the bus 22 and the interface module 18, so that the control unit 6 controls the distribution mechanism 5, such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) selected and paid for by the latter.
If the camera 21 is present, it can be controlled such as to function either permanently, or only when a transaction is in progress. in this lafter case, when the processing module 19 receives the payment information obtained from the interface module 12, and/or the selection information obtained from the interface module 13, it activates the camera controller module 20, which puts the camera 21 into service. The image supplied by the camera 21 is then transmitted to the control device 8, via the communication module 16 and the 13 communication module 10, or via a communication connection 23 of its own. On receipt of the validation/cancellation signal by the reception module 15, or in the absence of reception of this signal, at the end of the pre- determined time defined by the timing device, the camera control module 20 puts the camera 21 out of service.
An embodiment of the control device 8 will now be described with reference to figure 3.
The control device 8 can comprise a communication module 24, which, like the communication module 16 of the detection device 7, is designed for the type of communication connection 10 (wired, radio, infrared, etc), and is connected to a reception module 25 for the first signal emitted by the detection device 7, an interface module 26 which makes it possible to warn the operator of the distributor that a consumer is using the said distributor, an interface control module 27, which allows the operator to accept or reject the transaction in progress, a module 28 for emission of the second transaction validation/cancellation signal, which is connected to the communication module 24, a processing module 29, and, optionally, a monitor control module 30 and a monitor 31. The modules 25 to 30 are connected to a bus, via which they exchange signals or commands.
The processing module 29 can for example consist of a processor which is associated with a programme memory and a data memory, and it can also comprise a timing device which is identical to the timing device of the processing module 19 of the detection device 7. The processing module 29 controls the functioning of the control device 8 in the following manner. When the reception module 25 receives the first signal, which is indicative of the start of a transaction obtained from the detection device 7, via the communication connection 10 and the communication module 24, it informs the processing module 29, which then activates the operator interface module 14 26. This module then generates a warning signal which can be perceived by the operator of the distributor. This warning signal can for example be a vocal signal and/or a sound signal and/or a light-up signal, or the control device 8 is produced in the form of a portable device, i.e. a mechanical vibrator. At the same time, if the control device 8 is equipped with the monitor 31, the processing module 29 triggers its internal timing device and activates the monitor controller module 30, in order to put into service the monitor 31, by means of which the operator can check visually the consumer who is using the distributor, if he cannot check the said consumer directly visually.
After having checked the consumer visually, the operator sends back to the detection device 7 the second transaction validation/cancellation signal. For this purpose, he takes action on the control interface module 27, which can for example consist of a keyboard, containing at least one "transaction acceptance" key and/or a "transaction rejection" key, or it can consist of any other appropriate means, for example a vocal interface. The signal generated by the control interface module 27 is transmitted via the bus 32 to the emission module 28, which then generates the second transaction validation/cancellation signal, which signal is transmitted, via the communication module 24 and the communication connection 10, to the detection device 7, where it is processed in the manner previously described.
At the same time, the signal generated by the control interface module 27 is transmitted via the bus 32 to the processing module 29, which, via the bus 32, activates the monitor controller module 30, such that the latter puts the monitor 31 out of service. If the operator has not taken action on the control interface module 27, within the pre-determined time defined by the timing device of the processing module 29, the latter activates the monitor controller module 30, such that it puts the monitor 31 out of service.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment previously described of the invention has been provided purely by way of indicative, non-limiting example, and many modifications can easily be made by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the context of the invention. Thus, in particular, at least part of the detection device 7 can be integrated in the control unit 6 of the distributor, and the corresponding functions can be processed by software instead of by hardware.
16
Claims (11)
1. Automatic distributor of the type comprising a closed container which contains products offered for sale, a selection device which can be activated from the exterior of the container, in order to allow a consumer to select at least one product from amongst the said products, at least one payment device which can receive a means for payment, a distribution mechanism which can dispense the products contained in the container, and a control unit which is connected to the selection device and to the payment device, and which controls the distribution mechanism such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) selected and paid for by the latter, and additionally comprising, in the container, a detection device, which can detect the start of a transaction, and can produce a first signal which is designed to warn an operator of the distributor that a transaction is in progress, as well as, at a distance from the container, in the vicinity of the said operator, a control device comprising a means for control, which can be activated by the operator, in response to production of the first signal, in order to produce a second signal, and, in the container, means for validation/cancellation of a transaction, which can receive the second signal, and which validatelcancel the transaction in progress according to the second signal, the said means for validation/cancellation are additionally designed to cancel or validate the transaction in progress and respectively to prevent or authorise distribution of the said product(s), if the second signal is not received within a pre-defined time after the first signal.
2. Distributor according to claim 1, in which the said second signal is a validation signal, and in that the said means for validation/cancellation of a transaction are designed to validate the transaction in progress and authorise distribution of the product(s) selected and paid for, if they receive the second signal, and to cancel the said transaction and prevent distribution of the said 17 product(s) if the second signal is not received within a pre-defined time after the first signal.
3. Distributor according to claim 1, in which the said second signal is a cancellation signal, and in that the said means for validation/cancellation of a transaction are designed to cancel the transaction in progress and prevent distribution of the product(s) selected and paid for, if they receive the second signal, and to validate the said transaction and authorise distribution of the said product(s) if the second signal is not received within a pre-defined time after the first signal.
4. Distributor according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the pre-defined time can be parameterised.
5. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device is designed to detect payment information produced by the payment device, in response to introduction of a means for payment into the payment device, and to produce the said first signal in response to the said payment information.
6. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device is designed to detect selection information in response to a selection made by the consumer using the selection device, and to produce the said first signal in response to the detection of the said selection information.
7. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device comprises a module for emission of the first signal, and a module for reception of the second signal, and in that the control device comprises a module for reception of the first signal, and a module for emission of the second signal, which reacts to activation of the means for control.
18
8. Distributor according to claim 7, in which the control device comprises a means which can produce a warning signal which can be perceived by the operator, in response to reception of the first signal by the reception module of the control device.
9. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device additionally comprises a camera which is disposed such that it can provide an image of the consumer who is using the distributor, and in that the control device additionally comprises a monitor which can display the image provided by the camera.
10. Automatic distributor of the type comprising a closed container which contains products offered for sale, a selection device which can be activated from the exterior of the container, in order to allow a consumer to select at least one product from amongst the said products, at least one payment device which can receive a means for payment, a distribution mechanism which can dispense the products contained in the container, and a control unit which is connected to the selection device and to the payment device, and which controls the distribution mechanism such that it dispenses to the consumer the product(s) selected and paid for by the latter, and additionally comprising, in the container, a detection device, which can detect the start of a transaction, and can produce a first signal which is designed to warn an operator of the distributor that a transaction is in progress.
11. Automatic distributor substantially as shown in or as described with respect to any of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR0000495A FR2803934A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-01-14 | Automatic distributor for prepaid products, uses alert signal when restricted transactions are initiated to allow confirmation that user is permitted to receive the selected product |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0101032D0 GB0101032D0 (en) | 2001-02-28 |
| GB2362641A true GB2362641A (en) | 2001-11-28 |
Family
ID=8845948
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0101032A Withdrawn GB2362641A (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2001-01-15 | Automatic distributer for pre-payment products |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| FR (1) | FR2803934A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2362641A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012138208A1 (en) * | 2011-04-08 | 2012-10-11 | Burlacu Dumitru | Process of selling controlled items through a vending machine |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP7451998B2 (en) * | 2019-12-24 | 2024-03-19 | 富士電機株式会社 | Vending machines and vending machine systems |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4589069A (en) * | 1982-09-18 | 1986-05-13 | Tokyo Tatsuno Co., Ltd. | Data input/output system for gasoline stations |
| EP0531254A2 (en) * | 1991-09-02 | 1993-03-10 | Ascom Autelca Ag | Method for presenting, ordering and/or dispensing services, permits and/or products by means of a vending machine and device to implement this method |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS56111967A (en) * | 1980-02-07 | 1981-09-04 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Transaction process system |
| DE3807727A1 (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1989-09-21 | Robot Foto Electr Kg | MONITORING DEVICE FOR SECURING AUTOMATES |
| GB9422959D0 (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1995-01-04 | Int Computers Ltd | Security monitoring arrangement for a computer system |
| US5482139A (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1996-01-09 | M.A. Rivalto Inc. | Automated drive-up vending facility |
| US5722526A (en) * | 1995-11-13 | 1998-03-03 | Sharrard; Robert C. | Dispensing security system for a vending machine |
| US6119932A (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2000-09-19 | Protech Video Security, Inc. | Identification verification apparatus and method |
-
2000
- 2000-01-14 FR FR0000495A patent/FR2803934A1/en active Pending
-
2001
- 2001-01-15 GB GB0101032A patent/GB2362641A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4589069A (en) * | 1982-09-18 | 1986-05-13 | Tokyo Tatsuno Co., Ltd. | Data input/output system for gasoline stations |
| EP0531254A2 (en) * | 1991-09-02 | 1993-03-10 | Ascom Autelca Ag | Method for presenting, ordering and/or dispensing services, permits and/or products by means of a vending machine and device to implement this method |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012138208A1 (en) * | 2011-04-08 | 2012-10-11 | Burlacu Dumitru | Process of selling controlled items through a vending machine |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0101032D0 (en) | 2001-02-28 |
| FR2803934A1 (en) | 2001-07-20 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US10504328B2 (en) | Gaming device with a secure interface | |
| US7121463B2 (en) | System and method for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout | |
| US7047104B2 (en) | Item vending machine and method | |
| EP0653735B1 (en) | Prize awarding system | |
| US7548797B2 (en) | Item vending machine and method | |
| GB2362641A (en) | Automatic distributer for pre-payment products | |
| DE59209336D1 (en) | Device for the fraud-protected payment of winnings in gaming machines | |
| ITPN940034A1 (en) | AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR WITH MULTI-MEDIUM INTERFACE DEVICE | |
| WO1996007134A1 (en) | System and method for networking and controlling vending machines | |
| KR100480014B1 (en) | System for selling the electronic lottery | |
| WO1999000757A1 (en) | Coin-operated computer terminal | |
| EP1325478A1 (en) | Dispensing machine and method | |
| KR20050015833A (en) | Lotto lottery vending machine | |
| KR20000000441A (en) | lottery system using cash register | |
| JP2002366783A (en) | Method/program for radio communication, storage medium and automatic vending machine using them | |
| JPH09299606A (en) | Game prize exchange system | |
| KR0158252B1 (en) | Automatic vending machine | |
| JPS6227977Y2 (en) | ||
| GB2378303A (en) | Self-service lottery terminal | |
| JP2003051756A (en) | Communication equipment, medium terminal, and communication system employing them | |
| GB2300956A (en) | System for placing bets | |
| KR20010054449A (en) | Vending machines with function of lottery and electronic advertisement | |
| KR20050028768A (en) | On-spot-lottery type game apparatus | |
| JP2679303B2 (en) | Bar code type vending machine system | |
| GB2421693A (en) | Reverse auction betting system |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT | Applications terminated before publication under section 16(1) | ||
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |