Vending accommodation and accessibility

Abstract

Vending accommodation and accessibility is described in connection with completing transactions by a machine. In certain aspects, the method includes entering an accommodation mode based on a user selection, displaying an accommodation menu comprising at least one selection button and a list of items available for vending, and announcing a selected item of the list of items available for vending. In other aspects, the method includes determining whether an item has been selected for vending based on touching at least one selection button according to instructions to a relative position of the selection button on a display screen. When determining that an item has been selected for vending, the method further includes prompting for payment to complete a transaction for the item.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for accommodation and accessibility, comprising:
 a display screen having a substantially smooth surface that displays items available for selecting;   a bezel surrounding the display screen, wherein the display screen and the bezel are generally free from tactile or other relative or absolute indicators of position;   a speaker; and   a control system configured to
 operate the apparatus in a primary mode, 
 operate the apparatus in an accommodation mode, wherein the accommodation mode is an alternative mode of operation from the primary mode designed to accommodate persons having disabilities, and 
 monitor an accommodation mode selection area on the display screen for entry into the accommodation mode, wherein the accommodation mode selection area is hidden on the display screen. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to
 monitor an item selection area on the display screen, wherein the item selection area enables selection of a highlighted item on a list, and   monitor a non-selection area on the display screen, wherein the non-selection area highlights the next item available in the list, and wherein the item selection area and the non-selection area are disposed is separate corners of the display screen.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to
 upon entry into the accommodation mode, provide instructions for selection and non-selection of at least one item, and   monitor selection and non-selection areas proximate to two corners of the display screen for a multiple-press.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to enter the accommodation mode based on a single touch from a user in the accommodation mode selection area. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to enter the accommodation mode based on a multi-press from a user in the accommodation mode selection area. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the multiple-press comprises at least two successive and independent touches of the display screen at a substantially same location on the display screen within a certain threshold time period. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the accommodation mode selection area begins at a predetermined distance from a side edge of the display screen and a predetermined distance from a bottom edge of the display screen. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the accommodation mode selection area is positioned proximate to a corner of the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen is recessed into the apparatus, wherein the recess enables a user to ascertain a general dimension of the display screen so instructions relative to a location of the selection area on the display screen is understood. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the bezel forms the recess. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bezel comprises a depth from about 0 to 3 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bezel comprises substantially curved, angled, or chamfered corners. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the bezel is substantially orthogonal to a surface of the apparatus and a surface of the display screen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bezel comprises a surface that is curved or chamfered from a surface of the apparatus to a surface of the display screen. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen is substantially flush with a front surface of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the front surface of the apparatus and the display screen comprise different materials so that a user can determine a position and an extent of the display screen based on a difference in the materials of the display screen and the front surface of the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an edge or groove where the display screen meets a front surface of the apparatus, wherein a user can determine a position and an extent of the display screen based on the edge or groove where the display screen meets the front surface of the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for accommodation and accessibility, comprising:
 a display screen having a substantially smooth surface that is generally free from tactile or other relative or absolute indicators of position and that displays items available for selection;   a speaker; and   a control system configured to
 operate the apparatus in a primary mode, 
 operate the apparatus in an accommodation mode, wherein the accommodation mode is an alternative mode of operation from the primary mode designed to accommodate persons having disabilities, and 
 monitor an accommodation mode selection area on the display screen for entry into the accommodation mode, wherein the accommodation mode selection area is hidden on the display screen. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the control system is further configured to
 monitor an item selection area on the display screen, wherein the item selection area enables selection of a highlighted item on a list, and   monitor a non-selection area on the display screen, wherein the non-selection area highlights the next item available in the list, and wherein the item selection area and the non-selection area are disposed is separate corners of the display screen.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for accommodation and accessibility, comprising:
 a display screen having a substantially smooth surface that displays items available for selection, wherein the display screen is recessed into the apparatus, and wherein the recess enables a user to ascertain a general dimension of the display screen so instructions relative to a location of a selection area on the display screen is understood;   a bezel surrounding the display screen, wherein the display screen and the bezel are generally free from tactile or other relative or absolute indicators of position, and wherein the bezel forms the recess;   a speaker; and   a control system configured to
 operate the apparatus in a primary mode, 
 operate the apparatus in an accommodation mode, wherein the accommodation mode is an alternative mode of operation from the primary mode designed to accommodate persons having disabilities, and 
 monitor an accommodation mode selection area on the display screen for entry into the accommodation mode of operation, wherein the accommodation mode selection area is hidden on the display screen.