Apparatus and method for providing point of purchase products

An automated checkout device comprising:

• a surface for allowing a customer to place a plurality of items to be purchased;
• a scanner for allowing the customer to accumulate a cost for the items;
• a second surface to support the items after they are scanned;
• a point of purchase device that dispenses a point of purchase product onto the second surface upon request of the consumer;
• and
• the cost of the point of purchase product is added to the cost of the plurality of items automatically.

A device allowing a consumer to purchase product without the need for a cashier comprising:

• a body having an interior;
• a controller coupled to the body;
• a scanning device that communicates with and is coupled to the controller, the scanning device allowing a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and accumulate a cost for the items;
• a product maintained within the interior of the body;
• and
• the body including a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a request for product by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items.

A point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device that allows a consumer to purchase items without the need for a cashier, accumulating a cost for the items and allowing the consumer to pay for a product, the point of purchase device comprising:

• a body housing the product;
• a controller coupled to the body;
• and
• a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a signal from the controller, the signal initiated by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items.

A point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device that allows a retail operator to input purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the purchasable items, the point of purchase device comprising:

• a body housing a stock of product;
• a controller maintained within the body;
• and
• a dispenser within the body that dispenses a product from the stock upon a signal from the controller, the signal initiated by the retail operator, wherein a cost for the product is automatically added to the cost for the purchasable items by the controller.

A method of operating an automated checkout comprising:

• allowing a consumer to bring purchasable items to an automated checkout device;
• allowing the consumer to scan the purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the scanned items on a display;
• allowing the consumer to select a product from a dispensing device located in juxtaposition to the automated checkout;
• automatically dispensing the product from the dispensing device in response to the consumer's selection;
• and
• automatically adding a cost of the product to the cost for the scanned items on the display.

A method of operating a checkout station comprising:

• allowing a consumer to bring purchasable items to a store operator;
• allowing the operator to scan the purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the scanned items;
• allowing the consumer to independently purchase a product by touching a screen coupled to a dispensing device;
• dispensing the product from the dispensing device in response to the consumer touching the screen;
• and
• automatically adding a cost of the dispensed product to the cost for the scanned items.

A method of operating a checkout station comprising:

• employing an operator to input purchasable items into a device and accumulate a cost for the purchasable items;
• prompting a consumer to purchase a product from a dispensing device;
• automatically dispensing the product from the dispensing device upon the consumer's request;
• and
• automatically adding a cost of the product to the cost for the purchasable items.

A method for providing a point of purchase product without the need for a cashier comprising:

• providing a checkout area for the consumer to bring items for purchase;
• accumulating a cost associated with the items the consumer wants;
• providing a product at the point of purchase;
• prompting the consumer that other product is available at the point of purchase;
• dispensing the product to the consumer at the point of purchase upon a request by the consumer to purchase the product;
• and
• automatically, without need for a cashier, adding to the cost associated with other items purchased any additional cost for the product.

A method for providing different products at a point of purchase comprising:

• stocking a plurality of different products at the point of purchase;
• automatically prompting the consumer that the products are available at the point of purchase;
• automatically accepting an approval by the consumer to purchase at least one of the products;
• automatically dispensing the at least one the product to the consumer at the point of purchase;
• and
• automatically adding to the cost of the product to the cost of any other items that are being purchased.

A method for providing consumable and non-consumable products at the same location comprising:

• stocking consumable and non-consumable products in a single device;
• allowing a consumer to purchase a consumable product from the single device without the need for a cashier;
• allowing the consumer to purchase a non-consumable product from the single device without the need for a cashier;
• dispensing the consumable and non-consumable product to the consumer at the same location in the device;
• and
• allowing the consumer to pay for the consumable and non-consumable product without the need for money.

A method for purchasing items comprising the steps of:

• transporting a plurality of items to a checkout station;
• using a device that identifies costs for the items to create a purchase price for the plurality of items;
• prompting a consumer to purchase a point of purchase product;
• dispensing from a dispenser the point of purchase product;
• and
• automatically, without the need for a human operator, adding the cost of the point of purchase product to the purchase price.

A method for dispensing a point of purchase product comprising the steps of:

• providing a purchasable item and a point of purchase product for sale to a retail customer;
• inputting a customer selection for the point of purchase product to a retail customer terminal proximate a point of purchase location for the purchasable item, the retail customer terminal adapted to process the customer selection for the point of purchase product and a customer selection for the purchasable item;
• processing the customer selection for the point of purchase product for electrical communication with a point of purchase dispenser proximate the point of purchase location for the purchasable item;
• and
• dispensing the point of purchase product to the customer from the point of purchase dispenser responsive to the electrical communication.