Method and apparatus for controlling a vending machine

A vending apparatus, comprising:

• at least one storage area being operable to store packaged goods for sale;
• at least one retrieving device operable to retrieve the goods from the storage area and to dispense the goods from the vending apparatus;
• a processing unit which is programmed before delivery to a purchaser of the vending apparatus to be operable so as to,
• (i) permit the dispensing of goods from the vending apparatus for an interval,
• (ii) partially disable the vending apparatus from dispensing at least some of the goods at an end of the interval, and
• (iii) not at least partially disable the vending apparatus at the end of the interval if a continuation code is received by the vending apparatus before the end of the interval, wherein:
• the interval represents at least one of:
• (i) one or more predefined periods of time;
• (ii) one or more predefined numbers of vends of goods from the vending apparatus;
• (iii) one or more predefined quanta of sales by the vending apparatus, and
• wherein the processing unit is further operable to at least one of reset and modify the interval in response to the vending apparatus receiving the continuation code.

A vending apparatus, comprising:

• at least one storage area being operable to store packaged goods for sale;
• at least one retrieving device operable to retrieve the goods from the storage area and to dispense the goods from the vending apparatus;
• a processing unit which is programmed before delivery to a purchaser of the vending apparatus to be operable so as to,
• (i) permit the dispensing of the goods from the vending apparatus, and (ii) at least partially disable the vending apparatus from dispensing at least some of the goods when an externally generated disable code is received by the vending apparatus.

A processing system, comprising:

• a data processor at a remote site from at least one vending apparatus and operable to receive data from the vending apparatus concerning sales of goods from the vending apparatus;
• and
• a database at the remote site operable to store at least some of the data,
• wherein the data include at least one of (i) information concerning vending or attempts at vending unauthorized goods from the vending apparatus;
• (ii) information concerning the sales of goods from the vending apparatus;
• and (iii) information concerning any limitations under which the vending apparatus vends the goods;
• and
• wherein the data processor is further operable to produce at least one of a continuation code, a disable code, and a re-enable code, based on at least some of the data received from the vending apparatus, wherein the continuation code is for use by the vending apparatus to remain in an enabled state such that at least some of the goods may be dispensed therefrom, the disable code is for use in disabling the vending apparatus from dispensing at least some of the goods, and the re-enable code is for use in re-enabling the vending apparatus such that at least some of the goods may be dispensed therefrom after that vending apparatus has been at least partially disabled.