Patent · US Expired

Computer controlled system for vending personalized products

US5546316A · kind A · utility

269Cited by
212References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 6, 1992
Grant dateAug 13, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07F17/26
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A machine is disclosed which includes an enclosure with selection and payment means on the outside thereof and with storage and handling means on the inside thereof, all coupled to computer equipment which is on the inside of the enclosure. The computer equipment is programmed to facilitate a customer's creation from among types of products to be delivered and the desired mode of personalization thereof and to deliver a completed personalized product to a receptacle from which it may be removed by the customer. The machine of the invention improves customer service and availability by periodically reporting sales and other information. In addition, the machine self detects errors of operation and provides the capability of stocking new products or software programming revisions via data transmission from a remote location.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.