Dynamic device and method for dispensing machines

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to dispensing machines and methods and, more particularly, to dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation and methods of using dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation. The dispensing machine includes a content display unit that communicates with a display controller, visually displaying dynamic-content. The controller may comprise a timing means, altering the visual display as a function of the timing means. The display controller adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, comprising a hierarchical control scheme to select dynamic-content from one server of the plurality of servers for display. The device may comprise a plurality of display controllers, each display controller having a type identifier, wherein each selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of the type identifier.

1 . A dispensing machine device comprising: 
 a server;    a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive and display dynamic-content from said server; and    at least one passive content display unit in communication with said display controller, wherein said at least one passive content display unit visually displays the information from said dynamic-content.    
   
   
       2 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 1 , wherein said passive content-display unit comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       3 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 1 , wherein said passive content-display unit comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       4 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 1 , wherein said display controller comprises a timing means, said display controller altering the visual display of said at least one passive content display unit as a function of the time from said timing means.  
   
   
       5 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 1 , wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of said plurality of servers for display on said content display unit.  
   
   
       6 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 4 , wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of said plurality of servers for display on said content display unit.  
   
   
       7 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 4  comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.  
   
   
       8 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 6  comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.  
   
   
       9 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       10 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       11 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       12 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       13 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       14 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       15 . A dispensing machine device comprising: 
 a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive and display dynamic-content; and    at least one passive content display unit in communication with said display controller, wherein said at least one passive content display unit visually displays the information from said dynamic-content.    
   
   
       16 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 15 , wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of sources, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one source of said plurality of sources for display on said content display unit.  
   
   
       17 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 15  comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.  
   
   
       18 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 16  comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.  
   
   
       19 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       20 . The dispensing machine device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       21 .- 37 . (canceled)