Vending machine with user id/age verification system and associated method

A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium for offering vending machine merchandise located within a vending machine network, said computer program product comprising:

• first computer readable program codes for a host server of the vending machine network receiving from a first user, located at a primary keen merchandise vending machine in communication with the vending machine network, a request to retrieve an item;
• second computer readable program codes for, in response to receiving said request, said host server locating said item at a secondary keen merchandise vending machine remotely located from said primary keen merchandise vending machine and in communication with the vending machine network;
• third computer readable program codes for said host server communicating said request to a second user belonging to a friendship network of said first user and notifying said second user that said item is located at said secondary keen merchandise vending machine;
• fourth computer readable program codes for said host computer, in accordance with terms and conditions of said second user acceptance of said offer, said host server transmitting a temporary code to said first user for retrieving said item;
• fifth computer readable program codes for said host server receiving confirmation that said second user retrieved said item;
• sixth computer readable program codes for said host server deactivating said temporary code;
• and
• seventh computer readable program codes for said host server transmitting said confirmation to said second user.

A system for offering vending machine merchandise located within a vending machine network, said system comprising:

• a host server;
• a primary keen merchandise vending machine in communication with the vending machine network;
• a secondary keen merchandise vending machine remotely located from said primary keen merchandise vending machine and in communication with the vending machine network;
• means for said host server of the vending machine network receiving from a first user, located at said primary keen merchandise vending machine, a request to purchase a merchandise;
• means for in response to receiving said request, said host server locating said merchandise;
• means for said host server communicating said request to a second user belonging to a friendship network of said first user and notifying said second user that said merchandise is located at said secondary keen merchandise vending machine as well as notifying said second user to deliver said merchandise to said pre-defined location designated by said first user;
• means for upon receiving from said second user an acceptance to said offer request, said host server notifying said first user that said acceptance of said offer request was received;
• means for, in accordance with terms and conditions of said second user acceptance of said offer, said host server transmitting a temporary code to said first user for retrieving said item;
• means for said host server receiving confirmation that said second user delivered retrieved said merchandise item;
• means for said host server deactivating said temporary code;
• and
• means for said host server transmitting said confirmation to said first second user at said pre-defined location.