Method and Apparatus for Purchasing and Dispensing Products

Abstract

A system for purchasing a product that does not need to be physically present at a point-of-sale includes a point-of-sale device, a product-selection device, a data-analyzing device, an inventory-managing device, and a dispensing machine. The point-of-sale device includes apparatus for scanning or otherwise inputting a first product that is physically present at the point-of-sale. The product-selection device includes apparatus for selecting a second product that does not need to be physically present at the point-of-sale by a characteristic other than by a standardized product identification number corresponding to the second product, controller and memory apparatus for retrieving a standardized product identification number corresponding to the second product, and communication apparatus for sending the standardized product identification number of the selected second product to the point-of-sale device. The data-analyzing device receives completed purchase transaction data from the point-of-sale device and identifies the selected second product from that data. The data-analyzing device thereafter sends instructions to the dispensing machine for dispensing the second product. The inventory-managing device communicates with the product-selection device, data-analyzing device, and dispensing machine to inform customers of product availability, reserve products for customers, and maintain inventory of products.

1 . A method of purchasing a product that is not physically present at a point of sale, comprising:
 selecting a product that is not physically present;   identifying said selected product by a characteristic other than by a standardized product identification number corresponding to said product;   retrieving said standardized product identification number corresponding to said selected product; and   transmitting said standardized product identification number corresponding to said selected product to a point-of-sale device.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step occurs proximate to said point-of-sale device. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step occurs distal from said point-of-sale device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step occurs via a telecommunication device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said retrieving step further comprises retrieving a non-product number and wherein said transmitting step further comprises transmitting said non-product number to said point-of-sale device. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step includes operation of an interactive device. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step includes collecting a token corresponding to said selected product. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step includes engaging a product-selection device with one of an identification card and a personal portable device. 
   
   
       9 . A method of dispensing a purchased product to a customer, comprising:
 receiving data from a point-of-sale device, said received data corresponding to a completed sale transaction;   identifying, from said received data, a purchased product that is housed in a dispensing machine; and   transmitting to said dispensing machine instructions for dispensing said purchased product to a customer.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said instructions for dispensing said purchased product include data corresponding to the identity of said customer and wherein said method further comprises verifying the identity of said customer at said dispensing machine. 
   
   
       11 . A system for dispensing a purchased product, comprising:
 a point-of-sale device for executing the sale of a product;   a dispensing machine for dispensing said purchased product; and   a data-analyzing device configured to receive completed sale transaction data from said point-of-sale device, said data-analyzing device further configured to identify, from said data, said purchased product that is housed in said dispensing machine and to transmit dispensing instructions to said dispensing machine corresponding to said purchased product.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 a transaction number unique to said sale of said purchased product is generated by one of said point-of-sale device and said data-analyzing device;   said dispensing instructions include said transaction number; and   said dispensing machine is configured to dispense said purchased product upon presentment of said transaction number.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said dispensing machine is configured to dispense said purchased product upon presentment of one of a PIN number, customer identification, biometric identification, government identification, authorization code, credit card used for said sale, debit card used for sale, and stored-value card used for said sale. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said dispensing machine is configured to transmit inventory data to said data-analyzing device. 
   
   
       15 . A method of selling and dispensing a product to a customer at two different locations comprising:
 requiring a first set of biometric data of a customer upon purchase of a product;   receiving data from a point-of-sale device, said received data corresponding to a completed sale transaction;   identifying, from said received data, a purchased product that is housed in a dispensing machine;   transmitting to said dispensing machine instructions for dispensing said purchased product to a customer, said instructions including said first set of biometric data;   requiring a second set of biometric data prior to dispensing said product; and   dispensing said product only if said first and second sets of biometric data are substantially similar.