US 6,854,642 B2 · System for vending products and services using an identification card and associated methods

Abstract

A highly integrated and flexible system for vending products and services to consumers. The system receives information in advance of the vend by having the consumer insert an identification (ID) card, preferably a driver's license, into a point-of-purchase terminal (referred to as an OSU device). The OSU device preferably contains an Optical Scanning Unit (OSU), capable of scanning the textual information on the ID card. In one embodiment, the scanned information is compared against optical templates present in the system to discern or verify the information on the ID card, and is then used by the system to enable or disable the vending transaction, and/or to allow access to several preregistered system accounts.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method for allowing a consumer to pay for a good or service having a purchase price at a vending machine using a system, the method comprising:

(a) receiving at the system consumer account registration information to establish at least one electronic consumer account accessible by the system;
(b) receiving a form containing information about the consumer into the vending machine, wherein the form constitutes one of a plurality of forms receivable by the system;
(c) optically analyzing the form to electrically determine which one of the plurality of different types of forms has been received at the system and to determine information about the consumer;
and
(d) using the information to electronically charge the purchase price from the at least one consumer account.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for vending products and services using an identification card and associated methods

Life of this patent

System for vending products and services using an identification card and associated methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23