WO2011149423A1

WO2011149423A1 - A method for vending at least one object using an apparatus for selecting an object to be vended and the apparatus thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011149423A1
Application number: PCT/SG2010/000193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chee Yue Ho
Original assignee: Xyz Wave Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-24
Filing date: 2010-05-24
Publication date: 2011-12-01

Abstract

There is provided a method and an apparatus for vending at least one object, including: a detector device for detecting the presence of at least one person in the vicinity of the apparatus; a display device for showing a primary content, activated from a standby mode when the presence of at least one person is detected in the vicinity of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes an image capturing device for capturing images of the gestures of atieast one person in the vicinity of the apparatus. The person detected in the vicinity of the apparatus is shown a primary content reactive to the assessed gesture, with assessing of the gestures being in relation to time markers of the primary content.

Description

A METHOD FOR VENDING AT LEAST ONE OBJECT USING AN APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AN OBJECT TO BE VENDED AND THE APPARATUS THEREOF

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of vending objects, particularly in relation to a method using an apparatus for selecting an object to be vended and an apparatus for selecting at least one object to be vended.

BACKGROUND

Vending machines are a common sight in many parts of the world. It is common to find vending machines in both indoor and outdoor locations selling items such as, for example, snacks, beverages, newspapers, cigarettes, DVDs, and so forth. The popularity of vending machines can be attributed to benefits enjoyed by both product suppliers utilising vending machines and consumers. The vending machines provide product suppliers with an avenue to sell their products on a round-the-clock basis without much human involvement/intervention other than in relation to machine maintenance and re-stocking of products. Similarly, consumers are provided with an avenue to purchase products at their convenience on a round-the-clock basis.

The primary purposes of vending machines are for the secure storage of products in a manner which ensures that the products are consumable by the consumer (for example, non-expired snacks, non-expired beverages, dry newspapers, playable DVDs, and so forth), and for providing products as per the consumer's selection. Little has changed in the primary purposes of vending machines since the earliest iterations of vending machines. Vending machines in their present form typically have little influence in relation to both attracting consumers and inducing consumers to purchase products from the vending machine. A typical practice of varying an aesthetic appearance of the vending machine (for example, plastering the vending machine with posters) to both attract consumers and induce purchasing from the consumers has limited influence in that aspect.

Thus, while vending machines are able to provide product suppliers with a round-the-clock avenue to sell their products, it would be preferable especially for the product suppliers if the vending machines could carry out a further purpose of enhancing sales of products. This may be carried out by inducing consumers to purchase products, especially for consumers who were either undecided on what product to purchase or did not even have an earlier intention to purchase any product.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided a method for vending at least one object from an apparatus for selecting objects to be vended. The method includes detecting if at least one person is present in a vicinity of the apparatus; activating a display device from a standby mode, the display device being coupled to the apparatus; showing a primary content on the display device when a presence of the at least one person is detected, with the shown primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus; assessing the gestures of the at least one person in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content; and vending the at least one object in accordance with the assessed gestures.

It is advantageous that the shown primary content is reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content being determined by the portion of the primary content that the gestures are made by the at least one person. Each portion of the plurality of portions may include an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, a non-interactive portion and so forth.

The presence of the at least one person in the vicinity of the apparatus may be detected from at least one manner such as, for example, motion of the at least one person, heat generated from the at least one person, signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person and so forth.

The display device may be either incorporated within the apparatus or separate from the apparatus. The apparatus may be for both storing and vending objects. The vending of the at least one object may be from a source other than the apparatus.

The gestures may be in at least one form such as, for example, hand gestures, facial gestures, leg movements, body movements and so forth.

In a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for selecting objects to be vended. The apparatus includes a controller for operating the apparatus; a detector device for detecting a presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the detector device being coupled to the controller; a display device for showing a primary content, the display device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for activating the display device from a standby mode when the detector device detects the presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, with the primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus; and an image capturing device for capturing images of the at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the image capturing device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for assessing gestures captured by the image capturing device, with assessing of the gestures being in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content.

It is advantageous that the shown primary content is reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content being determined by the portion of the primary content that the gestures are made by the at least one person. Each portion of the plurality of portions may be selected from, for example, an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, a non-interactive portion and so forth. The detector device may detect the presence of at least one person using at least one manner such as, for example, motion of the at least one person, heat generated from the at least one person, signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person and so forth.

The display device may be either incorporated within the apparatus or separate from the apparatus.

The apparatus may be for both storing and vending objects. Vending of the selected object may also be from a source other than the apparatus. The image capturing device may include more than one image capturing apparatus.

In a third aspect, there is provided another apparatus for selecting objects to be vended. The apparatus includes a controller for operating the apparatus; a image capturing device for both capturing images and detecting a presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the image capturing device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for assessing images captured by the image capturing device; and a display device for showing a primary content, the display device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for activating the display device from a standby mode when the image capturing device detects the presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, with the primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus.

Preferably, assessing of the images includes gestures by the at least one person is in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content and advantageously, the shown primary content is reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content being determined by the portion of the primary content that the gestures are made by the at least one person. Each portion of the plurality of portions may be selected from for example, an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, a non-interactive portion and so forth.

The image capturing device may detect the presence of at least one person by locating the at least one person in captured images. The image capturing device may include more than one image capturing apparatus.

The apparatus may be for both storing and vending objects. However, vending of the selected object may be from a source other than the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Figure 1 shows a process flow for a method of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram for an apparatus of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a first example of an interactive portion of a primary content of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a second example of an interactive portion of the primary content of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a third example of an interactive portion of the primary content of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows an example of an object selection portion of the primary content of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows an example of a limited period promotion portion of the primary content of the present invention.

Figure 8 shows an example of a non-interactive portion of the primary content of the present invention. Figure 9 shows an example of time markers of the primary content of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows a front view of an example of a physical embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 2.

Figure 11 shows a side view of the physical embodiment of Figure 10. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described with reference to the separate method and apparatus aspects simultaneously for the sake of clarity. As such, reference to any one of Figures 1 - 11 may be made in the subsequent paragraphs when describing both the aforementioned aspects. However, it should be appreciated that this should not exclude the method and apparatus aspects from being viewed as standalone inventions, albeit with common traits.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a method 20 for vending at least one object from an apparatus 50 for selecting objects to be vended. The apparatus 50 may be for both storing and vending objects. The at least one object may include, for example, snacks, beverages, newspapers, cigarettes, DVDs, and so forth. It should be appreciated that the method 20 and the apparatus 50 may be deployed either indoors or outdoors.

In certain circumstances, the apparatus 50 need not be for storing and vending objects. A possible circumstance may be when the apparatus 50 is used to vend digital objects, such as, for example, digital audio files, digital video files, digital image files, digital e-book files, and so forth. It is appreciated that the apparatus 50 need not store and vend objects as the digital objects may be stored at a central repository and distributed via a data network from the central repository after purchase of the digital objects. Typically, the transmission of the digital objects (after receiving instructions from the apparatus 50) via the data network may be instantaneous even if the digital objects are not stored and vended at the apparatus 50. In this regard, the apparatus 50 is still able to fulfill a premise of an on-the-spot purchase in relation to the purchase of digital objects. However, it should also be appreciated that the apparatus 50 may include a storage module for storing digital content, and digital content may be transmitted directly from the apparatus 50.

The method 20 includes detecting if at least one person is present in a vicinity of the apparatus 50 (22). The apparatus 50 may include a detector device 56 coupled to a controller 52 of the apparatus 50 for detecting a presence of the at least one person. The presence of the at least one person in the vicinity of the apparatus may be detected from at least one of the manners such as, for example, motion of the at least one person (the detector device 56 is a motion detector), heat generated from the at least one person (the detector device 56 is an infra-red signal detector), signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person (the detector device 56 is a wireless signal detector) and so forth. It should be appreciated that the wireless communications module resides in a mobile device in the possession of the at least one person, the mobile device being, for example, a mobile phone, a media player, a portable computer, and so forth. It shall also be described in subsequent paragraphs that an image capturing device 54 rather than the detector device 56 may be used to detect the presence of the at least one person.

In the method 20, when the at least one person is detected in the vicinity of the apparatus 50 either by the detector device 56 or the image capturing device 54, a display device 60 of the apparatus 50 is activated from a standby mode (24). The display device 60 is coupled to the apparatus 50, and the display device 60 may be either incorporated within the apparatus 50 or separate from the apparatus 50. The display device 60 may be separate from the apparatus 50 in instances where existing vending machines are retrofitted with the display device 60. The display device 60 may be in a form such as, for example, an LCD panel, a projector-screen combo, a 3D image panel, and so forth. It is preferable if the display device 60 is energy efficient during both the standby and operation modes. This may favourably lower power consumption of the apparatus 50 during use. Subsequent to the activation of the display device 60, primary content 80 is shown on the display device 60 (26). The shown primary content 80 may be for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus 50. The theme may relate to, for example, movie tie-ins, sporting event tie-ins, live performance event tie-ins and so forth. The shown primary content 80 may entice people who would not otherwise notice the apparatus 50 towards the apparatus 50 and correspondingly increase product sales at the apparatus 50.

In the method 20, there is also an assessment of gestures of the at least one person in relation to time markers (TO, T1 , T2, T3, T4 in Figure 9) of the primary content 80 (28). The time markers (TO, T1 , T2, T3, T4 in Figure 9) may be used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content. The time markers of the primary content 80 will be described in a subsequent section with reference to Figure 9. The plurality of portions of the primary content 80 may include, for example, an interactive portion (as shown in Figures 3 - 5), an object selection portion (as shown in Figure 6), a limited period promotion portion (as shown in Figure 7), and a non-interactive portion (as shown in Figure 8).

The gestures may be captured by the image capturing device 54 of the apparatus 50. The image capturing device 54 may be separate from the apparatus 50 in instances where existing vending machines are retro-fitted with the image capturing device 54. The image capturing device 54 captures images of the at least one person when interacting with the primary content 80. The image capturing device 54 may include more than one image capturing apparatus. For example, in an instance when the image capturing device 54 includes an image capturing apparatus array, one of the image capturing apparatus may be usable in low lighting conditions, another of the image capturing apparatus may be usable for the capture of fast motion movement sequences, and so forth.

During interaction with the primary content 80, the at least one person may initiate at least one form of gesturing, such as, for example, hand gestures, facial gestures, leg movements, body movements and so forth. The gestures may be interpreted and translated into various parameters such as, for example, distance, speed, force, and so forth. Correspondingly, an outcome of the gestures may depend on the assessment of the various parameters. It is appreciated that interaction with the primary content 80 may be deemed to be enjoyable and may be useful in enticing people towards the apparatus 50.

The images captured by the image capturing device 54 are assessed by the controller 52 of the apparatus 50. The assessment of the images by the controller 52 may be in the form of assessing sequential images to ascertain gesturing actions carried out by the at least one person. The shown primary content 80 may be reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content 80 being determined by the portion of the primary content 80 that the gestures are made by the at least one person. For example, if the at least one person makes gesturing actions during the non-interactive portion of the primary content 80, there is no effect on the primary content 80 being shown.

The primary content 80 may be described further with reference to Figures 3 - 8. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a first example of the interactive portion of the primary content 80. In this first example, the interactive portion of the primary content 80 relates to a soccer game, specifically a penalty kick game. In this instance, the primary content 80 may be related to the World Cup tournament. The game may have a time limit 82, and the objective of the game would be to accumulate goals 84 against a goalkeeper 88 guarding a goal 86. In this example, the at least one person may carry out leg movements to "kick a ball" towards the goalkeeper 88. The game may be for entertaining the at least one person either without any bearing or with a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 by the at least one person. Examples of the game having a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 may include the at least one person being able to obtain a gift when purchasing the object after scoring more than a pre-determined number of goals, the at least one person being able to purchase a limited edition of the object after scoring more than a pre-determined number of goals, the at least one person being able to purchase the object at a discounted price after scoring more than a pre-determined number of goals and so forth. As such, it should be appreciated that the interactive portion of the primary content 80 may incentivize the at least one person to purchase the object.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a second example of the interactive portion of the primary content 80. In this second example, the interactive portion of the primary content 80 relates to a baseball game, specifically a ball pitching game. In this instance, the primary content 80 may be related to the World Series tournament. The game may have a time limit 82, and the objective of the game would be to accumulate strikeouts 94 against a batter 98 in a pen 96. In this example, the at least one person may carry out arm movements to "throw a ball" towards the batter 98. The game may be for entertaining the at least one person either without any bearing or with a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 by the at least one person. Examples of the game having a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 may include the at least one person being able to obtain a gift when purchasing the object after scoring more than a pre-determined number of strikeouts, the at least one person being able to purchase a limited edition of the object after scoring more than a pre-determined number of strikeouts, the at least one person being able to purchase the object at a discounted price after scoring more than a pre-determined number of strikeouts and so forth. As such, it should be appreciated that the interactive portion of the primary content 80 may incentivize the at least one person to purchase the object.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a third example of the interactive portion of the primary content 80. In this second example, the interactive portion of the primary content 80 relates to a driving game, specifically a car racing game. In this instance, the primary content 80 may be related to a movie depicting classic car racing. It should be appreciated that the third example is provided to illustrate how the primary content 80 need not relate to sporting event tie-ups. The game may have a time limit 82, and the objective of the game would be to control a representative car 110 and overtake as many other cars 108, 112 as possible on a race track 106. In this example, the at least one person may carry out arm movements to "drive" the representative car 110 on the race track 106. The game may be for entertaining the at least one person either without any bearing or with a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 by the at least one person. Examples of the game having a bearing on the object purchased from the apparatus 50 may include the at least one person being able to obtain a gift when purchasing the object after overtaking more than a pre-determined number of cars, the at least one person being able to purchase a limited edition of the object after overtaking more than a pre-determined number of cars, the at least one person being able to purchase the object at a discounted price after overtaking more than a pre-determined number of cars and so forth. As such, it should be appreciated that the interactive portion of the primary content 80 may incentivize the at least one person to purchase the object.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown an example of an object selection portion of the primary content 80. The at least one person is able to select a product for purchase from the object selection portion of the primary content 80. A can of soda 120 shown in the object selection portion shows a present object that will be selected if the at least one person acknowledges selection. The acknowledgement of selection may occur when the at least one user provides a gesture of acceptance. The gesture of acceptance from the at least one user may include, for example, a thumbs up from either hand, a nod of the head, a fist pump from either hand, a push-in action from either hand, and so forth. A sweep of either hand in the direction of the arrows 122 of the object selection portion would cause objects other than the can of soda 120 to appear. For example, a sweep of a hand either leftwards or rightwards would cause other cans of sodas to appear. Furthermore, a sweep of a hand upwards would cause a can of fruit juice to appear while a sweep of a hand downwards would cause a can of hot beverage to appear. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned example is merely illustrative and is not limiting in any manner. With reference to Figure 7, there is shown an example of a limited period promotion portion of the primary content 80. The at least one person is informed of any promotions during a limited period 82 shown in the limited period promotion portion. In this instance, the at least one person is informed 90 of a free gift being vended when "XYZ Beer" is purchased from the object selection portion of the primary content 80 during the limited period 82.

Referring to Figure 8, there is shown an example of a non-interactive portion of the primary content 80. The non-interactive portion may include matter 78 such as, for example, movie trailers, product advertisements, short films, product placement snippets, RSS news updates, videos of prior persons interacting with the apparatus 50, and so forth. It should be appreciated that if the at least one person makes gesturing actions during the non-interactive portion of the primary content 80, there is no effect on the matter 78 being shown. The matter 78 of the non- mteractive portion of the primary content 80 would be solely for conveying information to the at least one person and may also induce the at least one person to purchase an object from the apparatus 50.

Reference is now made to Figure 9 which shows an example of time markers (TO, T1 , T2, T3, T4) of the primary content 80. The time markers (TO, T1 , T2, T3, T4) may indicate a transition time juncture of the various portions of the primary content 80. For example, the portion between TO and T1 relates to the interactive portion, the portion between T1 and T2 relates to the object selection portion, the portion between T2 and T3 relates to the limited period promotion portion, the portion between T3 and T4 relates to the non- interactive portion and so forth. It should be appreciated that the primary content 80 need not be in the order as shown in Figure 9 and need not include all the portions as stated. In this regard, gestures detected in the portion between TO and T1 are deemed to be carried out in the interactive portion, gestures detected in the portion between T1 and T2 are deemed to be carried out in the object selection portion, gestures detected in the portion between T2 and T3 are deemed to be carried out in the limited period promotion portion, gestures detected in the portion between T3 and T4 are deemed to be carried out in the non-interactive portion and so forth.

The method 20 finally includes vending the at least one object in accordance with the assessed gestures (30). The assessed gestures may include the gestures carried out by the at least one person when interacting with the various portions of the primary content 80 shown on the display device 60, particularly the interactive portion and the object selection portion of the primary content 80. It should be appreciated that an aspect relating to the vending of at least one selected/appropriate object is carried out using known vending mechanisms 58 employed in existing vending machines. As mentioned in a preceding paragraph, the vending of the at least one object, particularly digital objects, need not be done from the apparatus 50.

It should also be appreciated that forms of payment/transactions are not referred to for the method 20 for the purchase of the object as all known forms of payment/transactions usable with existing vending machines may be used with the method 20.

In view of the preceding paragraphs, it is appreciated that the method 20 is advantageous in the manner where at least one person who is in the vicinity of the apparatus 50 may be induced to purchase at least one object from the apparatus 50 subsequent to interacting with the primary content 80, even in instances when the at least one person did not initially have an intention to purchase at least one object from the apparatus 50. As mentioned in some earlier paragraphs, the at least one person may purchase at least one object under circumstances such as, for example, after completing the interactive portion of the primary content 80 in view of an incentive provided with the interactive portion of the primary content 80, after being enticed by the limited period promotion portion of the primary content 80, after being influenced by the non-interactive portion of the primary content 80, and so forth.

Referring to Figures 2, 10 and 11 , the apparatus 50 as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs will be described in greater detail. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the apparatus 50, while Figures 10 and 11 show a front and a side view of a possible physical representation of the apparatus 50 respectively. The apparatus 50 may be for both storing and vending objects. The apparatus 50 may also be known as a vending machine. The at least one object may include, for example, snacks, beverages, newspapers, cigarettes, DVDs, and so forth. It should be appreciated that apparatus 50 may be deployed either indoors or outdoors.

The apparatus 50 includes a controller 52 for operating the apparatus 50. The controller 52 may be a data processor which is able to control the apparatus 50 in a manner which it is supposed to operate. The apparatus 50 may include a detector device 56 coupled to a controller 52 of the apparatus 50 for detecting a presence of the at least one person. The presence of the at least one person in the vicinity of the apparatus may be detected from at least one of the manners such as, for example, motion of the at least one person (the detector device 56 is a motion detector), heat generated from the at least one person (the detector device 56 is an infra-red signal detector), signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person (the detector device 56 is a wireless signal detector) and so forth. It should be appreciated that the wireless communications module resides in a mobile device in the possession of the at least one person, the mobile device being, for example, a mobile phone, a media player, a portable computer, and so forth. The detector device 56 may be coupled to the controller 52 such that the detector device 56 is able to transmit signals to the controller 52.

It should be noted that the detector device 56 may not be required in the apparatus 50. An image capturing device 54 coupled to the controller 52 instead of the detector device 56 may be used to detect the presence of the at least one person. This may be carried out by assessment by the controller 52 of sequential images captured by the image capturing device 54, where the controller 52 is able to identify the presence of the at least one person by using known techniques of digital imaging involving region-based image recognition such as, for example, face identification, skin identification, and so forth. The image capturing device 54 may include more than one image capturing apparatus. For example, in an instance when the image capturing device 54 includes an image capturing apparatus array, one of the image capturing apparatus may be usable in low lighting conditions, another of the image capturing apparatus may be usable for the capture of fast motion movement sequences, and so forth.

The apparatus 50 may also include a display device 60 for showing the primary content 80 (as described in detail in preceding paragraphs) with the display device 60 being coupled to the controller 52. The controller 52 may be for activating the display device 60 from a standby mode when either the detector device 56 or the image capturing device 54 detects the presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus 50. The primary content 80 may be for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus 50. The display device 60 may be either incorporated within the apparatus 50 or separate from the apparatus 50. The display device 60 may be separate from the apparatus 50 in instances where existing vending machines are retro-fitted with the display device 60. The display device 60 may be in a form such as, for example, an LCD panel, a projector-screen combo, a 3D image panel, and so forth. It is preferable if the display device 60 is energy efficient during both the standby and operation modes. This may favourably lower power consumption of the apparatus 50 during use.

The image capturing device 54 may also be for capturing images of the at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus 50, with the controller 52 being for assessing gestures captured by the image capturing device 54. The assessment of the gestures may be in relation to time markers (TO, T1, T2, T3, T4 as described earlier with reference to Figure 9) of the primary content 80. The image capturing device 54 may be separate from the apparatus 50 in instances where existing vending machines are retro-fitted with the image capturing device 54. The image capturing device 54 captures images of the at least one person when interacting with the primary content 80. During interaction with the primary content 80, the at least one person may initiate at least one form of gesturing, such as, for example, hand gestures, facial gestures, leg movements, body movements and so forth. The gestures may be interpreted and translated into various parameters such as, for example, distance, speed, force, and so forth. Correspondingly, an outcome of the gestures may depend on the assessment of the various parameters. It is appreciated that interaction with the primary content 80 may be deemed to be enjoyable and may be useful in enticing people towards the apparatus 50.

The images captured by the image capturing device 54 are assessed by the controller 52 of the apparatus 50. The assessment of the images by the controller 52 may be in the form of assessing sequential images to ascertain gesturing actions carried out by the at least one person. The shown primary content 80 may be reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content 80 being determined by the various portions of the primary content 80 that the gestures are made by the at least one person. For example, if the at least one person makes gesturing actions during the non-interactive portion of the primary content 80, there is no effect on the primary content 80 being shown. The apparatus 50 may also include a vending mechanism 58 for vending the at least one object. The vending mechanism 58 may be coupled to the controller 52, the controller 52 being for controlling at least one vending outlet of the vending mechanism 58. It should be appreciated that the vending mechanism 58 is similar to those employed in existing vending machines. In instances when the apparatus 50 vends digital content from the central repository via a data network, the apparatus 50 may also include a network connector 53 coupled to the controller 52 to enable communications to the central repository.

It should also be appreciated that modules facilitating payment/transactions to enable the purchase of the object are not referred to for the apparatus 50 as all known forms of payment/transaction modules usable with existing vending machines may be used with the apparatus 50.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 , there are vents 57 visible in both the Figures. It should be appreciated that the vents 57 may be to enable cooling of the internal components of the apparatus 50, or there may be speakers which transmit audio through the vents 57. Furthermore, it should be noted from Figure that the image capturing device 54 is pointed towards a location which the at least one person is located at when using the apparatus 50,

In view of the preceding paragraphs, it is appreciated that the apparatus 50 is advantageous in the manner where at least one person who is in the vicinity of the apparatus 50 may be induced to purchase at least one object from the apparatus 50 subsequent to interacting with the primary content 80, even in instances when the at least one person did not initially have an intention to purchase at least one object from the apparatus 50. As mentioned in some earlier paragraphs, the at least one person may purchase at least one object under circumstances such as, for example, after completing the interactive portion of the primary content 80 in view of an incentive provided with the interactive portion of the primary content 80, after being enticed by the limited period promotion portion of the primary content 80, after being influenced by the non-interactive portion of the primary content 80, and so forth.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for vending at least one object from an apparatus for selecting objects to be vended, the method including:

detecting if at least one person is present in a vicinity of the apparatus; activating a display device from a standby mode, the display device being coupled to the apparatus;

showing a primary content on the display device when a presence of the at least one person is detected, with the shown primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus;

assessing the gestures of the at least one person in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content; and

vending the at least one object in accordance with the assessed gestures,

wherein the shown primary content is reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content being determined by the portion of the primary content that the gestures are made by the at least one person.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the presence of the at least one person in the vicinity of the apparatus is detected from at least one manner selected from a group consisting of: motion of the at least one person, heat generated from the at least one person, and signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the display device is either incorporated within the apparatus or separate from the apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each portion of the plurality of portions is selected from a group consisting of: an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, and a non-interactive portion.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gestures are at least one form from a group consisting of: hand gestures, facial gestures, leg movements, and body movements.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is for both storing and vending objects.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vending of the at least one object is from a source other than the apparatus.

8. An apparatus for selecting objects to be vended, the apparatus including:

a controller for operating the apparatus;

a detector device for detecting a presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the detector device being coupled to the controller; a display device for showing a primary content, the display device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for activating the display device from a standby mode when the detector device detects the presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, with the primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus; and

an image capturing device for capturing images of the at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the image capturing device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for assessing gestures captured by the image capturing device, with assessing of the gestures being in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content;

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detector device detects the presence of at least one person using at least one manner selected from a group consisting of: motion of the at least one person, heat generated from the at least one person, and signals transmitted from a wireless communications module of the at least one person.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the display device is either incorporated within the apparatus or separate from the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each portion of the plurality of portions is selected from a group consisting of: an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, and a non- interactive portion. 2. The apparatus of claim 8 being for both storing and vending objects. 3. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the image capturing device includes more than one image capturing apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein vending of the selected object is from a source other than the apparatus.

15. An apparatus for selecting objects to be vended, the apparatus including:

a controller for operating the apparatus;

a image capturing device for both capturing images and detecting a presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, the image capturing device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for assessing images captured by the image capturing device; and

a display device for showing a primary content, the display device being coupled to the controller, the controller being for activating the display device from a standby mode when the image capturing device detects the presence of at least one person in a vicinity of the apparatus, with the primary content being for providing a theme for the objects selectable using the apparatus;

wherein assessing of the images includes gestures by the at least one person is in relation to time markers of the primary content, the time markers being used to define a plurality of portions of the primary content and wherein the shown primary content is reactive to the assessed gestures of the at least one person, with the shown primary content being determined by the portion of the primary content that the gestures are made by the at least one person.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the image capturing device detects the presence of at least one person by locating the at least one person in captured images.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display device is either incorporated within the apparatus or separate from the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each portion of the plurality of portions is selected from a group consisting of: an interactive portion, an object selection portion, a limited period promotion portion, and a non- interactive portion. 9. The apparatus of claim 15 being for both storing and vending objects.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the image capturing device includes more than one image capturing apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein vending of the selected object is from a source other than the apparatus.