WO2002091103A2 - Article dispensing apparatus and system providing transaction control, and inventory and security management - Google Patents

Abstract

An article dispensing system particularly useful for sale of cigarettes either in cashier-executed transactions or self-service transactions in unattended locations, includes a dispensing unit (10) having multiple inventory storage bins (18), a locked delivery bin (20), an access control device to selectively unlock the delivery bin, a conveying device (24) a data input device (29), an interface unit (28) for communicating over a network with a cash register (30) and/or a server. For cashier-executed transactions, inventory selection commands are sent from the register to activate the conveying device. After payment, a command is entered to unlock the delivery bin. For customer-executed transactions, the dispensing unit includes a device, which verifies the patron's age before permitting a transaction to proceed.

Description

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM PROVIDING TRANSACTION CONTROL, AND INVENTORY AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/256,645, filed December 20, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of Invention The present invention relates to an article dispensing apparatus and system which provides improved transaction analysis, and inventory security features in both cashier-attended and unattended environments. The invention is particularly useful for applications in which delivery of items from an inventory is to be permitted only to authorized recipients and where the nature of the items is such that the inventory of items and actions of individuals responsible for managing the inventory must also be monitored. On such application is the sale of cigarettes from a vending machine.

The Prior Art

Vending machines are conventionally used to provide a cost-efficient method for self-service sales of small, easily storable items in unattended locations, e.g., public places such as transportation terminals, and vending machine centers. Cigarette machines were once ubiquitous, but with the advent of strict legal controls on smoking by minors, cigarette machines are now illegal in most places. As a result, sale of cigarettes in unattended locations is no longer possible.

Now, cigarettes are stored in cabinets or shelves intended to be accessible only to cashiers who check the age of potential customers. Thus, to the extent that the storage facility is not completely secure, convenience stores, supermarkets and the like face inventory losses not only due to shoplifting, as well as employee dishonesty.

Conventionally, vending machines are owned by service companies not related to the owner of the premises on which the machine is located. This business model provides reasonable protection of inventory, in part, because the machines are usually stocked and serviced by employees of the machine owner, and not the premises owner, but, of course, conventional vending machines provide no inventory management or sales analysis features. Computer controlled vending machines are known, however, which do provide such features to some degree. Such machines are shown, for example, in Home et al. U.S. Patent 5,091,713, Konsmo et al. U.S. Patent 5,844,808, and Stapp U.S. Patent 5,930,771.

In a supermarket or convenience store environment, where it would be advantageous to integrate a dispensing unit for cigarettes with the store's register system, both for inventory management and sales analysis, ownership of the dispensing units by an outside agency would not be the preferred business model. This is true even in the case of equipment providing inventory management features such as shown in the patents mentioned above. Moreover, with store employees responsible for stocking, inventory protection again becomes a problem.

Unfortunately, known equipment is not suitable for cashier controlled use, does not provide all the useful features needed in the supermarket-convenience store environment, and does not effectively protect against dishonesty by premises employees responsible for stocking the machines.

In particular, the dispensing apparatus must be conveniently controllable by the cashier, must display the product in a way that facilitates customer selection and even encourages impulse buying, and must permit convenient access by the customer to the purchased product. Thus, it is desirable that the apparatus be sufficiently compact that one can be located at each checkout station in a supermarket without interfering with other checkout activities. These features are not available in currently available vending equipment.

In terms of inventory management, inventory in the individual dispensing units should be checked daily, or in busy locations, at the end of each shift, especially if employees of the establishment itself are responsible for stocking the dispensing units.

This helps prevent inventory loss during restocking, and also allows frequent analysis of sales activity, from which the retailer can determine when to restock, as well as which brands should be stocked and in what quantities.

Current practice is either to count items in inventory by hand or to use some type of gauge to measure shelf space occupied by each brand. Computations are then done using a hand calculator. The entire process is clearly laborious in a large busy market having several checkout stations, and provides no safeguards against human error or employee dishonesty.

Thus, an improved automated device for dispensing cigarettes after a sale by a cashier, or even in an unattended location where automated age verification can be performed, would thus still have substantial utility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to avoid the problems with known vending machines and systems, and to permit convenient use of dispensing devices for cigarettes or like products both in attended and unattended locations with improved inventory management, Sales analysis, and security against employee dishonesty.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article dispensing and inventory control apparatus having an inventory storage subsystem, a transaction handling subsystem, and an inventory management subsystem, all operated by a programmable logic controller (PLC). The inventory management subsystem includes a storage area for inventory items, a locked delivery bin, an access control device to selectively unlock the delivery bin, a selector device by which inventory items can be selected, and a conveying device that transfers a selected inventory item to the delivery bin. The access control device is response to a control signal generated when selected merchandise has been paid for to unlock the delivery bin whereby a customer may remove purchased items.

The transaction handling features include verification that the user is entitled to engage in a transaction (age verification), selection of inventory items, activation of the conveying device, and generation of the control signal to operate the access control device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing device further includes one or more sensors which respond to breaches of the integrity of an outside closure, inventory sensing devices that determine the addition or removal of items from inventory, a data storage device that stores inventory and transaction information, and one or more interface devices operative to externalize stored data locally to a display unit and/or a printer, to an on-site cash register or computer, and to a remotely located server.

The PLC is also operative to determine the number of items in the inventory storage area before and after restocking, and to provide an immediate alarm in case of a discrepancy, and to prevent further operation of the machine until the discrepancy has been reconciled.. This provides protection against employee theft while the machine is being restocked.

The inventory area includes several separate bins to facilitate dispensing of multiple cigarette brands. Separate bin content sensing devices are provided for each bin whereby any restocking discrepancy can be specifically identified.

The PLC controlled interface can provide a visual display and/or a printout at each dispensing unit. When connected to a network through a network interface card or modem, the dispensing device can upload data to a remote server either in response to a command from the server, or periodically at predetermined intervals.

In attended locations, a cashier verifies the customer's age, and enters a customers selection on a suitable input device which can be part of the cashier's cash register. A conveyor then transfers the selected items from an inventory storage area to a secure delivery bin. When all items are selected and paid for, the register sends a signal which unlocks the delivery bin.

In unattended locations, the system includes a suitable authorization device which determines, for example, from an identification card, that the customer is old enough to purchase cigarettes. The customer then enters a selection on a suitable input device, and pays for the selected item. When payment has been made, the selected item is transferred to the delivery bin, and the bin is unlocked to permit customer access.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an article dispensing system which provides improved transaction control, and inventory and security management features for restricted access products such as cigarettes.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an article dispensing system which can be used in an attended location under control of a cashier or in an unattended location directly by an authorized customer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing system in which the risk of inventory loss due to petty theft or systematic dishonesty by persons responsible for inventory maintenance is minimized.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing system in which the risk of inventory loss due is minimized by operation of an inventory management subsystem which performs an inventory check when the inventory storage area is opened for restocking, and again when the inventory storage area is closed after restocking has been completed, and which issues an alarm in case of a discrepancy.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing system in which a microprocessor-controlled inventory management subsystem reports inventory and sales data to a remote location at which inventory management and other data processing functions can be performed, either in response to an external command or on a periodic basis, as well as a visual display and/or a printout at each dispensing unit. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing system in which individual dispensing units can be located at checkout counters in supermarkets, convenience stores or the like, and which are conveniently operable by a cashier and conveniently accessible to a customer.

The exact nature of the invention, and other objects thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which preferred mode of carrying out the invention will be described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view showing various features of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the programmable logic controller and ancillary devices which operate the dispensing apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a dispensing system according to the invention including a plurality of dispensing units in which transactions are executed from a single master register and inventory management and analysis of sales data is controlled by a single remote server.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a dispensing system including a plurality of dispensing units each controlled by a single register, one of which functions as a master register, and in which inventory management and sales data analysis are performed by a single remote server. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a dispensing system having a single dispensing unit controllable by any one of a plurality of registers, one of which functions as a master register, and in which inventory management and sales data analysis are performed by a single remote server. Fig 6 is flow chart illustrating the functions involved in a cashier executed transaction according to the invention.

Figs. 7A and 7B are a flow chart illustrating a cashier-executed transaction employing the dispensing apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart which illustrates the steps involved in a restocking operation, and the associated inventory protection measures.

Fig. 9 is flow chart illustrating the features of the data collection operation according to the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a dispensing system according to the invention including a plurality of unattended customer- controlled dispensing units in which inventory management and sales data analysis are performed by a single remote server.

Fig 11 is flow chart illustrating the functions involved in a user-controlled transaction at an unattended site according to the invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a variation of the fourth embodiment of a dispensing system including a plurality of unattended customer-controlled dispensing units and a single remote server, and having an on-site master register which serves as an intermediary between the dispensing units and the remote server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate schematically the major components of a vending apparatus according to the invention. The vending unit, generally denoted at 10, comprises an outer cabinet 12 including a front face 11 (removed in Fig. 1 to reveal the components within the enclosure), and a key-lockable rear closure 14 which may be opened for restocking or servicing. One or more enclosure integrity sensors, representatively illustrated at 15 are provided to detect attempted vandalism or other improper breach of the security of enclosure 12, or unauthorized movement of dispensing unit 10, and to trigger an alarm.

Dispensing unit 10 also includes an inventory storage area 16 including a plurality of bins 18, a delivery bin 20 and a plurality of linear conveyors 24 respectively associated with each of bins 18.

Delivery bin 20 is fitted with a lockable sliding front closure door 22, which is normally maintained in a locked condition by a relay-actuated locking mechanism 23 or the like. Door 22 may alternatively be hinged at the top or bottom. In any event, a suitable spring closure mechanism or the like, not shown, is provided to return door 22 to the closed position when it released after being opened. As will be appreciated, door 22 provides additional security against vandalism and theft, and is thus locking mechanism 23 is designed fail in the locked position, i.e., power must be applied to unlock door 22.

Also located within enclosure 12 are a local data interface unit 28 which may be comprised of a touch screen or a keypad and a liquid crystal display panel, a printer 29, and a control unit 30 including a programmable logic controller (PLC) and ancillary components which controls the various functions of the dispensing apparatus as described in detail below.

In the illustrated dispensing unit, 15 separate bins 18 are provided, each constructed to hold 15 individual cigarette packs 32. The 15 bins are arranged in three vertically spaced groups, each group comprised of five side-by-side bins. The front face 11 of enclosure 12 may include clear shatter-proof windows aligned with each of bins

18 permitting a customer to view the contents of the individual bins, or any other suitable display may be provided to identify the available products. In the interest of clarity, only one bin (18a) has been shown in Fig. 2. Bin 18a, like all of bins 18, and is U-shaped, with laterally spaced vertical sides 49, one of which is shown in Fig. 2, and a connecting bottom member 50. Individual cigarette packs 32 are aligned front to back within the bin. Linear conveyor 24a includes a drive screw 34 and an upwardly extending paddle or pusher 36 which projects across bin 18a between side walls 49 through a longitudinal slot (not shown) in bottom member 50. Drive screw 34 is positioned below bin bottom member 50, and is supported at its front end by a suitable bearing 35. At its rear end, drive screw 34 is coupled to a rotating actuator 37. Paddle 36 includes a threaded opening 40 which engages with screw 34 so that rotation of the screw causes the paddle to move forward or backward along the interior of bin 18a. As will be appreciated, the rest of linear conveyors 24 are of the same construction and linear conveyor 24a.

In its operative position, paddle 36 bears against rearmost pack 40 in bin 18a. Thus, when paddle 36 moves forward, i.e., to the right in Fig. 2, it pushes the frontmost pack 44 off the front end 38 of the bin into a passage 46 which communicates with delivery bin 20. When rotation of screw 34 causes paddle 36 to move rearward, a space opens behind rearmost pack 40 for receiving additional cigarette packs when the bin is restocked, as described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the front end 38 of bin 18a is fitted with a pair of vertical guide plates 48a and 48b which engage the front face of front-most pack 44. Guide plates 48a and 48b, may be formed of resilient plastic, and are attached at their respective outer vertical edges to the front ends of side walls 49 of bins 18a. Alternatively, guide plates 48a and 48b may formed of a suitable rigid material and attached to side walls 49 by suitable spring hinges.

Guide plates 48a and 48b are positioned to apply slight rearward pressure on front pack 44. The resulting force is sufficient to prevent the packs from falling off the fronts of the bin, but is easily overcome by the force applied by paddle 36. When a cigarette pack is to be released from the bin as described below, actuator 37 and screw 34 move paddle 36 forward by only the thickness of a single pack, and thus guide panels 48a and 48b prevent more than one pack from being released at a time.

At the bottom of delivery passage 46, just above delivery bin 20, may be provided a bar code sensing station 52 including two opposed bar code readers 54a and

54b. A bar code is printed on one of the narrow faces of each cigarette pack. As the pack falls through sensing station 52 into delivery bin 20, the printed bar code passes in front of one of readers 54a or 54b, and the bar code may be read. As explained below, this provides the facility for verifying that the bins were properly stocked by checking that the brand of cigarette actually requested was in fact transferred to delivery bin 20.

Fig. 3 illustrates in block diagram form the functional features and interrelationship of interface unit 28, printer 29, control unit 30, and the various actuators and sensors required for operation of dispensing unit 10. These components, collectively denoted at 70, include a programmable logic controller (PLC) 72, an associated data storage device 74 such as a hard drive, a working memory 76, manual data input interface unit 28, comprised, as noted above, of a touch screen or a keyboard and an liquid ciystal display panel, and printer 29. When the dispensing unit is used in an unattended environment, a suitable identification card reader 78 is also provided. Transfer of data to and from a cash register for cashier executed transactions, and uploading of data to a remote server for inventory management and/or sales data analysis is provided through a network interface device 86 such as a LAN interface card or a modem.

PLC 72 is also connected to provide operating commands for the various dispensing unit actuators, collectively denoted at 82, including the 15 screw conveyor actuators 37, and door unlocking mechanism 23. In addition, PLC 72 receive data inputs from enclosure integrity sensor 15 and from the bin inventory sensing devices described below. PLC 72 manages the operating functions of the dispensing unit in response to inventory selection and data upload commands from an associated register or store computer, and provides local data outputs for the display screen and printer located at the display unit. It will be appreciated that a suitably programmed general purpose computer can be employed instead of a specially constructed PLC.

With regard to the data stored in hard drive 74, separate data storage areas may be provided for short-term and running total storage. The former provides temporary storage of data for transactions which have taken place since the previous time that data was uploaded to the server, while the latter provides perpetual storage of running data totals.

According to the invention, groups of dispensing units are networked in various system configurations. Some of these are designed to accommodate cashier executed (attended) transactions in supermarkets, convenience stores or the like. Other system configurations are for unattended use in public places such as transportation terminals, and vending machine centers, and in robotically operated markets now being deployed.

In such markets, patrons select items from open stock and bring the selected items to an automated checkout station at which bar codes on the items are machine-scanned and payment is made by credit or debit card, or even using cash inserted into bill and coin sensors. Figures 4 through 6 illustrate various system configurations employing dispensing units 10 illustrated in Figures 1-3. In Figure 4, there is shown a system for use in an attended environment in which a plurality of dispensing units are controlled by a single master register operated by a cashier. In the illustrated configuration, a plurality of n dispensing units 100a through 1 OOn are connected to a master register 102 through a local area network (LAN) 104. Master register 102 includes a suitable microprocessor controlled keypad (not shown) through which product delivery commands are sent to dispensing units 100a - lOOn. A server 106 cooperating with master register 102 through a communication chamiel 108 receives inventory and sales data uploaded from the individual dispensing units 100a - lOOn, as described below. Generally, server 106 will be at a location remote from dispensing units 100a - lOOn and master register 102. In that case, communication channel 108 may be a public telephone line and master register 102 and server 106 are connected thereto by suitable modems. If server 106 is located on the same premises as master register 102, server 106 can be connected to LAN 104 using a LAN interface card instead of a modem.

Figure 5 shows a system arrangement in which n dispensing units 110a - 1 lOn are respectively associated with individual cash registers 112a - 112n. Register 112a may function as a master register for data storage and programming purposes while registers 112b - 112n, respectively associated with dispensing units 110b - 1 lOn, serve as secondary registers.

As illustrated, all of the distribution units 110a - 1 lOn and registers 112a - 112n are connected to a LAN 114. The programming si such that transactions involving distribution unit 110a are executed only at register 112a. Similarly, transactions involving dispensing units 110b - 1 lOn are executed only at respective registers 112b - 112n.

A server 118 is connected to master register 112a through a communication channel 120. As in the case of the system shown in Figure 4, if server 118 is located remotely from master register 112a, communication channel 120 may be a public telephone network. If server 118 and master register 112a are located at the same premises, server 118 may be connected to LAN 114, and communication channel 120 will not be necessary. Figure 6 shows yet another system arrangement suitable for cashier executed transactions. Here, a single distribution unit 130 is connected to a master register 132, and to a plurality of slave registers 134a - 134n through a LAN 136. A server 138 is connected to master register 132 by means of a communication channel 140 which may be a public telephone network. Again, if server 138 and master register 132 are located at the same premises, server 138 may be connected to LAN 136 and communication channel 140 will not be required.

Turning now to Figures 7A and 7B, there is shown a flow chart representing the programming of the controlling register and the programmable logic controller in the vending unit for a cashier executed transaction. For purposes of illustration, the illustrated flow chart is applicable to the system configuration of Figure 5.

A transaction begins with a customer communicating an order to a cashier (step

S150). The cashier then verifies the customer's age (step S155) by checking a driver's license or in any other suitable manner. If the customer is not old enough to purchase cigarettes, the transaction is refused (step S 160) and the process ends goes to step S 165, where it ends.

If the customer is old enough to buy cigarettes, the transaction proceeds to step

SI 70 at which the cashier enters the details of the customer's order at the register. This can be done by means of an auxiliary keypad or touch screen or in any other desired or convenient manner. While the order is being entered, errors can be corrected or changes made in the order by means of a backspace or delete function.

When the order is completed, the register transmits a selection command to the dispensing unit which includes identification of the item(s) and quantity selected (Step S175).

When the selection command is received at the dispensing unit, the programmable logic controller operates the linear conveyor associated with a bin containing the desired brand to dispense one or more of the selected items out of the bin through passage 46 into delivery bin 20 (Step SI 80). As a selected cigarette pack passes the barcode reader, the brand is identified and compared with the order (Step S 185). If there is no error, the process passes to Step SI 90 at which a record is made of the transaction in a temporary data storage area in hard drive 74 (see Fig.3). The process then passes to Step SI 95. If the brand ordered is not the brand identified by the barcode reader, this indicates that the selected bin was improperly stocked. In that case, the stocking error is recorded and reported to the cashier (Step S200) and the customer is given the opportunity to enter a new order. If a new order is desired, the process returns to Step S175. If the customer does not wish to place a new order, the cashier opens door 22 on delivery bin 20, for example with a command from the register, or by means of a key (Step S210), and retrieves the unwanted item (Step S215). The cashier then activates the touch screen 28 on the dispensing unit and an error record is printed by printer 29 (Step S220). The printed record and the unwanted cigarettes retrieved by the cashier are then delivered to the supervisor at the appropriate time for inventory reconciliation.

After the record has been printed, the process ends at Step SI 65.

If the transaction has been properly entered and executed, then the customer is ready to complete the transaction by tendering payment. However, before this, the customer has an opportunity to change the order. If the customer wishes to do so, an appropriate command is issued at Step SI 95 to place the program in an order change mode, the cashier corrects the order at Step S225, the order correction is recorded at the distribution unit (Step S230) and the programming returns to Step SI 75.

If the customer does not change the order, payment is tendered at Step S235, the cashier opens the register drawer (Step S240) and the completed transaction is recorded at the register (Step S245).

When the cash register drawer opens, a signal is sent to the delivery unit to unlock delivery bin door 22 (Step S250) and the customer collects the purchased items from the delivery bin (Step S255).

Finally, if the order was executed in such a manner that an unwanted item was released to delivery bin 20 the process proceeds to Step S215 where, as in the case of a stocking error, the cashier retrieves the unwanted item and then, at Step S220, obtains a printed error record. Thereafter, the process ends at Step SI 65. In the event of no error, the process proceeds immediately to Step SI 65 and ends after retrieval of the ordered product by the customer, and reclosure of delivery bin door 22.

Figure 8 illustrates the programming and functional features associated with a restocking operation. These minimize the risk of inventory loss during restocking of the dispensing units. As illustrated, the restocking process begins at Step S300 when the outer door 14 of the dispensing unit is opened. To restock a particular bin 16, the screw conveyor paddle 36 for that bin must be retracted to its rearmost position. This may be done manually, for example, by engaging a switch which operates all of conveyor actuators 37 simultaneously. Preferably, however, all of paddles 36 retract automatically whenever door 14 is opened. This assures that the contents of all bins are inventoried each time door 14 is opened for any reason.

As paddles 36 retract, a preload inventory count is taken. Referring to Figure 2, attached to each paddle 36 is a sensing unit 26 such as a photo detector. Sensor 26 is mounted on the outside of bin side member 49, and is aligned with a series of openings 51 , one of which corresponds to the position of each cigarette pack 40 which may be loaded into the bin. Attached to the opposite side face 49 of the bin, are a series of light emitters such LED's aligned with each of openings 51. As will be appreciated, when a particular position in bin 18a contains a cigarette pack 32, the pack obstructs passage of light from the LED to the aligned opposed opening 51. At an empty position in the bin, however, the light passes through the aligned opening 51. Accordingly, as paddle 36 carries light sensor 26 toward the rear of the machine, the number of unoccupied positions in the bin is determined by counting the number of light pulses. That count, subtracted from the total capacity of the bin represents the preload inventory of that bin. The counting mechanism described above may alternatively be constructed using a single LED and a single sensor, both carried along the opposed outer bin walls 39 by paddle 36. In such a construction, both bin walls would be provided with openings 51 and the number of light pulses received by sensor 26 as the opposed LED passed the aligned openings at the unoccupied bin positions would be counted and subtracted from the total bin capacity to determine the preload inventory.

Returning to Fig. 8, after the preload inventory is taken and recorded at Step S310, the bins are loaded with the desired number of cigarette packs (Step S315). Then, at Step S320 the bins are restored to the operating position. This may be done, for example by issuing a command by means of a push button or switch, or by closing door 14. In response, PLC 72 activates each of the screw conveyors 34 to move the respective paddles 36 forward until contact is made with the rear pack at 40 in all of the bins. As the paddle moves forward, light pulses are generated as the light sensor passes each opening 51 corresponding to an unoccupied bin position. As in the case of the preload inventory, the number of light pulses generated for a particular bin represent the number of unoccupied bin positions, and subtraction of this number from the total bin capacity yields a post load inventory number.

When all of the paddles have come into position against the rearmost pack in the respective bins, the preload and post load inventory numbers are compared at Step

S330. If there are at least as many packs in a bin as there were before the restocking process began, then it is considered that the dispensing unit was properly restocked. In that event, a printout of the new inventory is generated (Step S335), the dispensing unit is reactivated (Step S340) and the restocking process ends at Step S345. On the other hand, if any bin contains fewer packs at the end of the restocking than it did at the beginning, this is likely to have resulted from an unauthorized removal of items by the person performing the restocking. In that case, it is considered that the security of the dispensing unit has been breached, and the unit is disabled (Step S350), an alarm is sent to the register (Step S355), and an out of order indicator is displayed on the dispensing unit (Step S360). The process then goes to Step S345 and ends.

Figure 9 illustrates the data uploading functions applicable to a system in which one server is associated with a plurality of master registers, each of which is associated with a plurality of dispensing units. As illustrated, the process begins when the operator logs in at the server (Step S400). Then, using a display screen and data input device, the operator selects the first of the associated master registers (Step S405) and issues a command to access the selected master register (Step S410). When the selected master register has been accessed, the operator selects the first dispensing unit associated with that master register (Step S415). The selected dispensing unit is then accessed (Step S420) and records of transactions since the last reporting cycle are uploaded from the dispensing unit to the associated master register (Step S425). After the data has been uploaded, the temporary data storage area of hard drive 74 in which current transaction data was stored is reset (Step S430).

A determination is then made as to whether there are additional dispensing units associated with the selected master register from which data has not been uploaded (Step S435). If there are such additional dispensing units, the next dispensing unit is selected (Step S440) and the process returns to Step S420. If not, the data from all of the polled dispensing units is collated (Step S445) and the collated data is uploaded to the server (Step S450).

Then, a determination is made as to whether there are further unpolled master registers (Step S455). If not, the process ends at Step S465. If there are further unpolled master registers associated with the server, the next master register is selected (Step S460) and the process returns to Step S410. The process then repeats until there are no further unpolled dispensing units and unpolled master registers.

The data uploaded to the server can be used for a variety of purposes such revenue accounting, to alert store personnel of the need to restock machines having low inventory levels, and to trigger reordering of merchandise as needed. The data can also be used for various sales analysis purposes.

Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a system suitable for use at an unattended location. Here a plurality of dispensing units 500a - 500n are connected through respective network interface units 502a - 02n and a network 504 to a remote server 506 which performs all of the inventory management and analysis functions previously described. In the case of dispensing units 500a - 500n, however, the entire transaction takes place without cashier intervention. To this end, each of the dispensing units includes a suitable patron identification device such and an identification card reader with which the potential customer must interact before a transaction is allowed to proceed.

Figure 11 shows a flow diagram for a transaction accomplished using one of dispensing units 500a - 500n shown in Figure 10.

As illustrated, a customer initiates a transaction by suitably activating the touch screen or other manual data input device (Step S520), age verification is then performed

(Step S525). If the customer cannot demonstrate that he or she is of the proper age, the transaction is refused (Step S530) and the transaction ends at Step S535. If the customer can demonstrate the proper age, he or she is permitted to enter an order, again, using the data input interface at the dispensing unit (Step S540). After the order has been entered, the customer tenders payment (using a credit card, debit card or currency) at Step S545 and the transaction is recorded in the temporary data storage facility in the dispensing unit (Step S550). Purchased items are then released to the delivery bin (Step S555) and the delivery bin opens (Step S560). The customer is then able to retrieve the order (Step S565) and the transaction ends (Step S535). Thus, by incorporating a suitably reliable age verification device in the dispensing unit, a system according to the present invention permits the currently unavailable benefits of a vending machine for cigarettes in an unattended location to be realized. In addition, since the dispensing units provide the inventory protection features described above during restocking, and allow networked inventory management and transaction analysis, benefits far beyond those available in previously employed vending machines can now be achieved.

A variation of the network configuration embodiment of Figure 10 is shown in Figure 12. Here, dispensing units 500a - 500n are connected through suitable network interfaces 502a - 502n to a network 504, but in addition, there is provided an onsite master register 508. This, in turn, is connected to a remote server 506 through a communication channel 510.

The configuration illustrated in Figure 12 is useful in an environment where an onsite master register is available for other purposes and permits the use of the unattended dispensing units in a remote portion of the premises while cashier controlled transactions take place elsewhere on the premises. In such an environment, network 504 will be a local area network and the network interface devices 502a - 502n will be LAN interface cards. In addition, since server 506 is assumed to be at some remote location, the master register and the server will be modem-connected over a public communication system.

A preferred form of the dispensing unit and various embodiments of systems for employing the dispensing unit have been disclosed for both cashier-executed and customer-executed transactions. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, variations in the design of the dispensing unit and of the system configurations is possible within the scope of the invention. In addition, variations in operational processes for transactions, restocking, and information uploading are also possible within the scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An article dispensing and inventory control apparatus comprised of: an inventory storage subsystem including: a storage area for inventory items; a delivery area; an access device operative to selectively permit access by a user to the delivery area; a selector device by which items stored in the inventory storage area can be selected; a conveying device that transfers a selected item from the inventory storage area to the delivery area; and an access control device response to a control signal to operate the access device whereby the user may remove items from the delivery area; and a transaction handling subsystem, the transaction handling device being operative to: verify that the user is entitled to engage in a transaction using the apparatus; permit selection of items stored in the inventory storage area; activate the conveying device; and operate the access control device when a user ' s entitlement has been verified; and an inventory management subsystem including: a microprocessor that controls operation of the inventory management subsystem; an inventory sensing device that determines the addition or removal of items from the inventory storage area; a data storage device that stores inventory information; and an interface device operative to externalize information from the inventory management subsystem, the microprocessor being operative to: register data in the data storage area reflecting selection and removal of items from the inventory storage area; to determine the proper execution of addition of items to the inventory storage area and to provide a security response when addition of items to the inventory has been improperly executed; deliver data to the interface device; and operate the interface device to externalize information therefrom.

2.. An article dispenser and inventory control apparatus comprised of: a dispensing unit including: means for storing an inventory of articles to be dispensed; means for selecting items to be dispensed from the stored inventory; a secure delivery area; means for conveying a selected item from the inventory storage means to the delivery area; and access control means operative in response to a control signal to permit access by a customer to the secure delivery area; and means for storing data concerning transactions executed by the apparatus; and interface means for transferring stored transaction data to a remote location.

3. An article dispensing apparatus comprised of: a storage area for inventory items; a lockable delivery area; 55 an access device operative to selectively unlock the delivery area to permit access thereto by a user; a selector device operative to select items stored in the inventory storage area; a conveying device that transfers a selected item from the inventory 60 storage area to the delivery area; a data storage device for storage of information concerning executed transactions; and an interface device operative to upload information from the data storage device to a remote location