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US 7,398,921 B2Granted
User-specific dispensing system
OwnerArthur J. Zito, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a system to physically dispense an item on-site from a dispenser whereby the item to be dispensed is selected by the system based on user-specific or item-specific information. In an embodiment, the system selects the dispensed item based on both user-specific and item-specific information. In another embodiment the invention comprises a system that activates gaming features in a gaming device based on user-specific information.
Claims17
A system to dispense at least one user-appropriate item on-site, said system comprising:
- a. a readable user-identifier associated with a targeted user that stores information that is specific to said targeted user, wherein said information does not include a history of items purchased by said targeted user;
- b. a reader configured for reading said user-identifier;
- c. coded instructions to interpret said user-specific information read by said reader, automatically select at least one item of a plurality of items based on said user-specific information, and automatically actuate dispensation of said selected item to said targeted user without requiring further intervention from said targeted user;
- d. at least one storage means, said storage means configured for storing said plurality of items;
- e. at least one dispensing means coupled with respective at least one storage means configured for automatically dispensing said selected item from said storage means to said targeted user based upon said user-specific information read by said reader;
- and
- f. a processor coupled to said dispensing means and to said reader, said processor configured for executing said instructions to automatically actuate said at least one dispensing means to dispense said at least one selected item based upon said interpretation of said user-specific information,
- wherein said dispensation is not actuated by an item purchased by said targeted user and
- wherein said dispensed selected item is not a redeemable voucher.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.