Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
  • G07G1/00—Cash registers
  • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
  • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
  • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
  • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a retailing system and in particular to an electronic retailing system, particularly for facilitating the remote electronic ordering of goods/services and provision of goods/services (products) .
• a manufacturer or distributor cannot use a known vending machine as an integral part of an electronic retailing network that can present and collect information.
• the keypad 208, 208A may be any convenient type of keypad which will enable a user to carry out operation of the device in accordance with the following description. Generally, it will comprise numeric keys 0 to 9, scroll keys, to enable scrolling of a display appearing on the screen 210 and selection keys 208A to make a selection of a particular item appearing on the screen next to the particular key 208A. As discussed above, where a touch-screen interface is provided, as it is in the preferred embodiment, some keys may not be necessary or the keyboard may even be dispensed with entirely.
• All transaction information may be downloaded to the host 101 so that the service provider can keep track of all transactions, virtually, if not absolutely, in real time , and use this information for marketing/sales/accounting.
• the information, together with the identity of the user (and any other information which may be required by the service provider) will then be loaded into a transaction file "see later" for communication to the host device 101.
• the update will be on the basis of transaction information and input user information. It will also be necessary at times for the catalogue database to be updated to reflect availability of product/addition of new products/price changes for products. User information may also be updated, as to what products a user buys, what his personal details are (if they had changed or if it is a new user) etc.
• Automatic accounting is a possibility 108 and the host may notify the accountant on his computer screen of the remote ordering device status and what action is required. At night the host prints daily transactions and directs the remote ordering device to clear the transaction file 109.
• the host will automatically link to the company's accounting system which will automatically generate an invoice (which may not be required where there is an EFT system) and packing slip on the Warehouse Manager's printer.
• an animated attract loop (figure 10a) will appear which will invite passers by to touch the screen.
• This animated attract loop may include advertising and promotional information of particular product providers.
• the customer requires a particular printer cartridge which is listed under the "take now" when (so that it is available at the machine) .
• the customer hits the item name (or alternatively their may be a picture of the item in the column which the customer will touch) .
• Screen lOd appears and the customer is requested to type in the quantity of this particular printer cartridge which is required.
• Goods/services providers 6 may be any supplier of any goods/services e.g., office consumables, food, drink, and generally anything that may be purchased or provided.
• the vending machines may comprise vending/recycling machines as disclosed in applicant patent application number PCT/AU93/00416. In such a case the machine is arranged to provide information on goods returned for recycling so that the host can coordinate transactions involving recycling.
• the system may also include remote ordering devices of the following different types.
• the ordering means comprises a combination of software and hardware which includes a product database and communication means for communicating orders from the remote ordering device to the host device.
• Parts of the ordering means may be provided on the remote ordering device and other elements at the host device. It is common, for example, in some cases the product database may be provided actually in memory at the remote ordering device and in other cases it may be provided by on line access to the host, the product database being stored in the host memory.
• the ordering means may be a separate entity which is available for access on the network.
• it may be provided at the host by on-line communications, or it may be provided as a web page on the Internet to enable access by standard PC's, local area networks, devices such as described above which do not include an on-board ordering means, etc.
• the ordering means comprises a user interface, which enables a user to review the product database 51 and also enter product orders.
• the user interface may be similar to the user interface described in the above-example in relation to the proceeding embodiment of this invention.
• An ordering engine 52 operates to remotely order desired products from the host (or where information from the Internet is provided, by the Internet) .
• a user database 53 is also provided which includes user information and which can be accessed to vary operation of a user interface 50, as discussed above in relation to the proceeding embodiment.
• the ordering means allows placement of orders and also allows the user to move through the database 53 and identify goods/services required.
• the communications 10 between the components of the system may be any type and combination of available communications. In fact, it is envisaged that any system would usually utilise different communications pathways.

Landscapes

• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Economics (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Development Economics (AREA)
• Strategic Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
• Marketing (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
• Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
• Operations Research (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
• Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
• Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=25645108

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (65)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1997
  • 1997-02-03 JP JP9527186A patent/JP2000504447A/ja active Pending
  • 1997-02-03 EP EP97902092A patent/EP0956544A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-02-03 WO PCT/AU1997/000058 patent/WO1997028510A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1997-02-03 CA CA002254951A patent/CA2254951A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (1)

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