Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"REMOTE ELECTRONIC RETAILING"
The present invention relates generally to the
automated provision of goods/services and, particularly, to
electronic retailing and vending and the provision of
goods/services at vending site and/or over a communications
media.
The present applicants have developed electronic
vending apparatus and also apparatus for facilitating
electronic retailing over networks such as the Internet.
Examples of prior systems are disclosed in applicant's
International patent applications numbers PCT/AU93/00416
(W094/04446), PCT/AU95/00154 (W095/26004) and
PCT/AU97/00058. The disclosures of these documents are
incorporated herein by reference. PCT/AU93/00416 relates
to a vending machine which facilitates recycling of complex
articles, such as printer and toner cartridges.
PCT/AU95/00154 discloses an electronic catalogue device and
system for enabling remote ordering of goods/services.
PCT/AU97/00058 discloses a system for the electronic remote
ordering of goods/services comprising a network of
electronic vending machines and/or PC's and/or dedicated
ordering kiosks via which products (goods and/or services)
can be electronically ordered remotely, and via which
stocking of vending machines can be monitored and
controlled.
It is known to retail goods and services over
communications networks such as the Internet. For example,
a user may purchase information services by logging onto
the Internet and accessing a site from which services such
as information, computer software, etc. can be purchased.
There are a number of problems with this system.
Firstly, there are no or limited controls to control
access to purchase of products over the Internet. For
example, there are really no adequate controls preventing
young people from accessing and obtaining information which
is normally of a category restricted for minors. This is
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also a problem with presently available vending machines.
There is generally no adequate security which can prevent a
minor purchasing alcohol, cigarettes, etc. if they are
available via a vending device which is not placed in a
secure, manned location.
Another problem with purchasing of goods/services over
a network such as the Internet, is the control of tax and
duty payments. The Internet extends across state and
national borders. It is very difficult for states and
governments to monitor goods/services which have been
purchased over the Internet and provided from another,
cross-border, location. It is therefore quite easy,
generally, for tax and duty to be evaded.
Yet another problem relates to payment methods and
security of users accounts. For example, people are
generally quite reluctant to give their credit card details
on the Internet because the Internet is not secure and the
credit card details may be fraudulently obtained and used
for theft.
From a first aspect, the present invention provides a
product ordering apparatus, including a control means for
controlling ordering of products, input means by which a
user may select product, and security identification means
for obtaining security related information from a user and
means for enabling or disabling delivery of products
depending on the security information.
The products obtainable may include goods and/or
services.
The apparatus also preferably includes communication
means for communicating with a communications network over
which products may be obtained or ordered. The
communications network may be the Internet, but may be any
other form of network.
The type of security related information that the
security identification means obtains can be any type, but
in one embodiment the security identification means is
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arranged to establish the age of a person using the
apparatus and the means for enabling is arranged to
determine whether the person is old enough to obtain the
goods/services that they wish to order. Where the products
being ordered are security sensitive, such as passports,
tickets, licenses or the like, the security identification
means may need to establish the exact identity of the
person. The security means in this case may require
information such as a driver's license and PIN number and
other security information, in a similar way to the way a
bank requires exact identity information.
Preferably, a sensing device is provided for reading a
driver's license, identity card, bar code or other ID
device which contains the required security information.
Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus may have
access to a database which contains information enabling
verification of security information, such as age or other
authorisation characteristics, once a user of the machine
has been identified. In such a case the security
identification means may merely establish the identity of
the person by reading a credit card for example or
smartcard/PIN number combination. The database is then
accessed to obtain further security information.
The ordering apparatus may, alternatively or
additionally to the communication means, also include a
means for delivering goods on site such as described in the
applicant's previous applications. The delivery of the
goods on site will be controlled depending upon the
security information, as with services, goods, information,
etc. ordered over the communications network.
In other words the apparatus may operate as a vending
machine. The vending machine may be stand-alone, or may be
connectable to a communications network over which
goods/services can be ordered for delivery in addition to
the local vending operation.
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The ordering apparatus may comprise an appropriately
configured PC. Product ordered from the PC may be
delivered later (or delivered on-line where it is on line
deliverable).
As an alternative to the product being delivered
later, it may be stored in a vending device and the PC user
may be given the address of the vending device.
A security code or means may be provided to the user
for access to the vending apparatus.
This may include a PIN code, for example, or the like.
It may include a smartcard, magnetic stripe code or the
like. The user can then go to the location where the
product is held and use the security code to obtain the
product.
The present invention further provides a product
ordering apparatus, comprising a control means for
controlling ordering of products, input means by which a
user may select product, means for providing information on
tax or duty applicable in the geographic location where the
product is located, and means for adjusting the sales price
of products offered in accordance with the tax or duty
information for that locality.
The ordering apparatus may comprise a combined
ordering apparatus and vending machine, so that product may
be vended locally on site. Alternatively, the ordering
apparatus may comprise an appropriately configured PC. The
PC provides information on the locality of the product
which is being ordered by the user. The user can then
attend at that locality to obtain the product . The PC is
preferably connected to a network, which may the Internet,
but can be any type of network. Information on the
location of products may be obtained over the network.
Payment may also be effected over the network. For
example, payment may be effected over the "Web". Where
payment is effected over the Web, via the PC, tax or duty
is levied appropriately according to the location of the
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product, on payment.
The product ordering apparatus may also include
dedicated kiosk, which is also connectable to a
communications network such as the Internet. Where the
ordering apparatus includes combined ordering apparatus and
vending device, the device may also be connected to a
communications network (eg. Internet) and products
available at other locations may be ordered from the
ordering apparatus. Information on the locality of the
product will be provided to the user and the tax and duty
will be levied in accordance with that locality.
Even where goods are ordered over the Internet,
therefore, across a state border or even worldwide, the
appropriate tax or duty rate can be levied at the delivery
location/apparatus. The means for enabling payment
preferably comprises a card reader or the like for reading
details of a credit card or bankcard. Preferably, payment
is effected by way of a separate payment network, such as
an EFT network or the like or e.g. via the Internet any set
standard.
Alternatively, a means for payment may be provided at
the delivery apparatus itself, i.e. at the location where
the product is available. A person may be able to order
and secure product by ordering at a remote ordering
apparatus, and attend the location where the product is
held and pay at that location. In this case, the delivery
apparatus (which may be a combined ordering/vending
apparatus) includes information on the appropriate tax or
duty to be levied.
When the user orders the product and secures it before
attending the locality where the product is, the user may
be provided with security means, such as a PIN number. The
user then attends at the device where the product is held
and enters the PIN number or other security means to enable
the product to be released to him. Payment can be effected
either at the original ordering device (which may be a PC
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connected to the Web, or a kiosk, a combined ordering
apparatus, vending device, etc.).
Preferably, payment of the tax/duty is required before
the product will be released/delivered.
Where goods are ordered across a state or country
border, tax/duty can be levied appropriately e.g. tax/duty
may be levied if the product is to be imported into a
state/country, according to the amount of tax/duty that the
importing state/country would normally apply. And any
tax/duty the exporting state/country may apply i.e.
according to the location of product, where product is to
be delivered, etc.
From a further aspect the present invention provides a
delivery device, comprising means for storing product to be
vended, input means by which a user may select or identify
product, and means for providing information on tax or duty
applicable in the geographic location where the product is
located, and means for adjusting the sales price of
products offered in accordance with the tax or duty
information for that locality.
The delivery device may be connected to a
communications network, such as the Internet, or the like.
In the aspects of the invention discussed above the
means for providing information on tax or duty is
preferably a database which the ordering and/or delivery
apparatus has access to. The database may be stored within
the ordering/delivery apparatus itself or may be available
from a host over a communications network.
Preferably, the database is updateable to change the
rate of the tax or duty, and is preferably updateable from
a host processor or may also be updateable locally at the
apparatus location.
An alternative is to utilise tax/duty information
available over the Internet (e. g, from Government/business
websites), and to access this information on-line to add
the appropriate tax/duty to the product or to maintain a
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database of leviable tax/duty.
Preferably, the ordering apparatus may be only of any
type discussed in the applicant's earlier patent
' applications referenced above.
From a further aspect the present invention provides a
method of applying tax or duty in remote retailing of
products, comprising the steps of storing information on
tax or duty and enabling access by an ordering apparatus to
that information, and adjusting the sales price of products
offered for order at the ordering apparatus in accordance
with the tax or duty information; relating to the location
of the products.
Preferably, the method also includes the step of only
enabling sale or order of product when tax or duty has been
applied.
From yet a further aspect, the present invention
provides a product ordering apparatus, including a control
means for controlling ordering of products, services, input
means by which a user may select product, and payment
processing means for processing payment by a user by a
separate and secure payment processing network, the payment
processing means including an input means for inputting
secure user account information, and means for enabling or
disabling an order on processing of a user payment via the
separate network.
The separate network may be an EFT or the like type
payment processing network. The advantage of using a
secure, separate network for processing payments is that
the chances of fraud or theft are reduced.
The apparatus preferably includes a communication
means for connection to a communications network such as
the Internet, for example. Via the communications network
goods/services can be ordered over the network but there is
no need for payment to be made over the network, as payment
is made by the separate, secure network. The apparatus
preferably controls whether or not product order is placed,
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_g_
depending upon whether the payment has been positively
processed by the separate network. The apparatus thus
controls the ordering of the goods/services. The payment
to the service/goods provider will be made separately by
the owner of the apparatus, for example.
Preferably, the input means is a card reader or the
like for reading credit card details, bankcard details,
etc. An interface is provided between the payment
processing network and the ordering apparatus, and is
arranged to either enable or disable an order over the
communications network or locally at the apparatus
depending upon the result of the payment processing.
From a further aspect, the present invention provides
a method of payment processing for products ordered over a
communications network such as the Internet, comprising the
steps of requesting account information from a user of the
network and then processing a payment using the account
information and using a separate, secure network, and
enabling the ordering of products over the communications
network depending on the result of the payment processing
via the separate secure payment processing network.
The present invention allows a user, for example, to
order goods on a network such as the Internet, but pay for
the goods using a separate network such as EFT.
Conventionally, the purchase of goods over the net requires
details of a credit card or other user identification
details to be transmitted over the net. With the present
invention, a peripheral device is provided which enables a
user to swipe a credit card, bank card or the like and
obtain payment approval over a separate, secure, payment
network, such as EFT. Software interface on the PC between
the network and the secure payment transaction device,
provides a transaction approved signal or number to the
Internet or other network, confirming the transaction has
been approved so that the product can be provided.
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In the present invention, two separate networks are
being accessed, one for obtaining a product and the other
for obtaining payment approval. The software interface
effectively interfaces between the two networks, to confirm
that a transaction has been approved, to the product
providing network.
Features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of
embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ordering
apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, shown connected in a network within a system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ordering
apparatus illustrating various components;
Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing various operations
of the apparatus;
Figure 4 schematically illustrates a payment
processing system and a method in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 5 is a block diagram of architecture of the
apparatus of Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 1, a "one stop shop" remote
ordering device 100 is illustrated schematically in block
form. The device is arranged to enable a user to purchase
a product which may be vended on site or which may be
ordered from a host 101 to which the device 101 is
connectable by a communications 102 (which may be a
telephone connection, for example, a dedicated line, or
other type of network connection, such as the Internet),
for later delivery. The device also enables the user to
enter and purchase information or goods (eg from a
connection 105 to the Internet 106) and is operable without
cash. Instead the users credit may be checked by
connection 104 to a bank network 103 (eg EFT).
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Host 101 and remote ordering device 100 together
comprise a remote ordering/vending system.
The device may be positioned at any convenient
location, in a store, an office, an office foyer, a
factory, a shopping centre, on a street corner, for
example, to enable multiple users access to the automated
"one stop shop" facility offered by the device and system.
The remote ordering device 100 includes a control
means 110, which comprises a computer for controlling local
operation of the device. The computer includes appropriate
software for controlling the device. The device 100
further comprises a card reader 111 for identifying a user
by means of magnetic card swipe and for use for obtaining
account details for a payment processing transaction; a
data entry means 112, which may comprise any means for
entering data, such as a keypad, audio interface for
digitising voice, a printer 113; a video display 114 (which
in this embodiment is a touch-screen and therefore also
operates as a data entry means 112); a database 115, which
may contain product information, information on users etc.,
(in this embodiment the database 115 is in memory in the
device 100, and will in fact be stored in the computers
memory where the control means 110 comprises a computer,
but the database 115 or part of the database, such as user
information, for example, may be stored off-site, at the
host device 101, for example, and the device 100 may have
access to the database, with only an amount of the database
that is required for immediate use of the device 100 being
maintained on site); a storage and dispensing means 116 for
storing and dispensing product locally on site; a product
identification means 117 arranged to identify an article so
that a product associated with the article can be
determined. The article may be a bar code, magnetic card,
an object, a returned product etc.; and a communications
means 118 for interfacing with communications connection to
the host 101, bank network 104, Internet 106 and any other
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required connection.
Alternative embodiments of the device are arranged to
dispense products from storage chambers or storage racks
into a small product outlet bin.
Other devices 200, 300, 400 may be connected in the
system to the host 101. These devices may be the same and
offer the same functions as the device 100 or may offer
varying functions. For example they may offer different
types of products. One or more devices may not offer a
vending facility, but will offer an electronic ordering
facility.
The device may in one embodiment be a simple ~PC based
device which does not provide a vending facility, and
allows a user to order services/goods over the Internet,
for example, from the host or from any other retail site
available over the Internet.
Figure 2 is a front view of a device in accordance
with figure 1, illustrating the hardware configuration.
Preferably, the hardware comprises the following
components, reference numerals included in brackets
indicate how the components relate to functional blocks of
figure 1.
A magnetic card reader 210a (card reader 111) is
provided for user identification. Note that a smart card
reader or the like may be provided in the alternative or in
addition to the card reader 210A. A VDU (visual display
unit) 210 (display 114), is provided to provide information
to the user relating to operation of the device. In the
preferred embodiment, a colour monitor 210 has a touch-
screen facility so that the data entry means 112 also
comprises a touch-screen input. This facilitates
interaction with the customer. A customised pin pad 208
and interface buttons 208a are also provided in the
illustrated embodiment, but all the functionality of the
pin pad 208 and button 208A may be replaced by the touch-
screen 210 in other embodiments and the pin pad 208 and
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buttons 208a may be dispensed with.
Storage means are provided in the form of compartments
201 (116), each having a separately lockable door (116).
It will be appreciated that the storage means could have
many other configurations (see applicants earlier PCT
application PCT/AU93/00416). In this embodiment each
compartment 201 door includes a latch which is controllable
by the control means 110 to release the door so that it can
be opened so that a user can take a product stored therein
or replace a returned product in the compartment and then
shut the door. An appropriate mechanism for retaining and
opening the doors is described in PCT/AU93/00416, and will
not be described any further here. Further, other types of
storage means may be provided than compartments with doors,
although these are the preferred storage means. For
example, a product may be delivered by way of a chute (see
earlier PCT application PCT/AU93/00416) from a stack of
products. The device also mounts a computer module 220
(control means 110). The computer module 220 is inside the
cabinet and inaccessible to the user except via the user
input means. Components of the computer module 220 are
schematically illustrated. A person skilled in the art
will be able to realise an appropriate configuration of the
computer module 220 components from this description.
Computer module 220 comprises an INTEL based "pentium"
processor 221; a 33,300 baud external modem 222
(communication means 118) for communication with the host
device 300; 420 to 2200 MB hard disc drive 223, 3.5 inch
floppy diskette drive and CDROM 224 and 4 to 64 megabyte of
RAM 225, constituting a memory for the computer 220. A
sound card 226 for the reproduction of audio files is
provided. A suitable audio means is provided to reproduce
sound including a speaker (not shown in the drawing). A
video capability such as MPEG or quicktime for video images
is also provided. An input and output controller card 227
is provided for receiving signals indicative of products
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being removed from and placed in the compartments 201
(disclosure of detectors for detecting the opening of a
compartment door and the placing of a product therein or
removal of a product therefrom are disclosed in the above-
mentioned PCT application, which is published and
incorporated herein by reference and no further description
will be given herein). The input and output controller
card 227 detects whether a product is returned or removed
from a compartment and provides appropriate signals to the
processor 221. A receipt printer 228 (221) is also
provided for printing user receipts.
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.
A bar code scanner 229 is also provided for scanning
bar codes to identify products, (product identification
means 117).
It will be appreciated that much of the control of the
device-will be implemented in software, for control of
operation of the hardware of the device in accordance with
this embodiment. A detailed description of the software
configuration is not necessary. The functionality of this
device may be software implemented in any number of ways,
using standard software tools available to the skilled
software engineer. This description describes functional
requirements for the device and is sufficient to enable a
skilled person to implement appropriate software.
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The device described with reference to Figures 1 and 2
has many features of similar devices disclosed in
applicant's earlier patent application PCT/AU97/00058. In
accordance with the present invention, however, there have
been some additions and modifications as follows.
A security identification means 119 is provided to
obtain security information from a user of the device,
which will be used either to enable or disable an order.
As discussed in the preamble of the specification there are
a number of products which it is essential to restrict
distribution of and only to limit to persons who are
legally entitled to obtain and use the goods/services.
Examples, of course, are liquor and tobacco. The security
identification means requires the provision of security
information and may include a card reader for reading
details from a driving license, for example, so as to
adequately identify the user and determine characteristics
of the user such as the user's age, for example. Once the
user's age is known, and once the product that the user
requires is known, the control means 110 can then make a
judgement whether the user is old enough to be provided
with the product. If the user is not old enough, then
ordering of the product will not be enabled.
Other characteristics than age of the user may be
identified to enable or disable product
dispensing/delivery. Preferably, the database 115 includes
information on users so that when a user has been
identified the information on a database can be accessed to
see whether or not this user should be denied or provided
with a particular product. The separate security
identification means for reading driving licenses or the
like 119, may not be needed where a database of information
on the users is kept, as a credit card or bankcard reader
111 may be sufficient to identify the user. The user's
age, other characteristics, may then be obtained from the
database and product ordering controlled accordingly.
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The security identification feature is particularly
effective for controlling the ordering and delivery of
products over the Internet, where before there has
previously been little or no effective security for
controlling the product delivery. The apparatus in
accordance with the present invention acts as an
intelligent delivery device, which can determine whether or
not any user is entitled to receive a particular product.
Where a vending facility is also provided, as it is in
the case of the described embodiment, the security
identification means is useful in determining whether or
not a particular product should be vended to a particular
person.
A database containing security information may not be
kept and all the security information may be obtained from
an ID means (such as a driving license) scanned by the
security identification means 119. Any person with the
required ID means could then access the device, order goods
over the network (Internet), etc.
The security identification feature may also be
applied to a stand-alone vending device to enable/disable
product delivery (i.e. by "stand-alone" is meant a device
not connected to a network).
As also discussed in the preamble, another problem
with presently available automated vending systems and in
particular for commerce carried out over communications
networks such as the Internet, there is the possibility of
avoidance of tax or duty when the electronic ordering takes
place across state and/or country borders. In this
embodiment of the invention, the database I15 includes a
database on tax and duty information for the particular
locality where the device 100 is installed. The amount of
tax and duty for the particular locality is added by the
control means to the pricing of the particular products
which are able to be ordered or vended via the machine.
Once a product has been ordered over the Internet, for
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example, the control means will add the appropriate amount
of tax and duty before payment is processed via the secure
payment processing network 104. The owner of the system
can then pay the appropriate tax and duty on products
ordered, to the administration. Alternatively, duty may be
calculated and charged (and payment made at the delivery
location. The ordering apparatus may, as discussed above,
comprise a PC or kiosk which may not be at the location
where the product is. The location of the product will be
advised to the user. Where payment is made at the kiosk or
PC or other type of ordering apparatus, the amount of tax
or duty excised will correspond to the tax or duty
appropriate for the location where the product is held
and/or to be delivered, to ensure the appropriate duty is
levied.
The database can be updated at regular intervals over
the communications network from the host, to take into
account changes in the tax and duty information.
In an alternative embodiment the database 115 may be
maintained at the host and the apparatus 100 would obtain
the required information on-line by communicating with the
host 101. Alternatively, duty information may be obtained
from a service provide or webpage and used to update the
database or on line to calculate amount payable.
Again, this feature has particular application for
products to be ordered over the Internet. It prevents the
possibility of tax avoidance by providing a controlled
outlet for goods ordered over the Internet which is
operable to ensure the appropriate amount of tax and duty
is added to the price of products ordered via the device.
Another aspect of the present invention, is a method
of payment of goods ordered over the Internet via a
separate payment processing network, the separate payment
processing network providing security of payment and
account details.
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Referring to Figure 4, a payment processing method in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. The apparatus includes a card reader 111 for
reading credit card, smartcard or bankcard details. The
architecture of the device (Figure 5) also includes payment
authorisation and processing software, which interfaces
with the card reader and also interfaces with a payment
processing module 120 which is arranged to carry out a
payment approval transaction or payment transaction via the
secure payment processing network. The payment processing
module 120 is in effect a peripheral of the device 100 and
can provide all the bank security, etc, normally required
by secure payment processing networks, such as EFT. For
example, the payment processing module may be commissioned
by an account acquirer such as a bank and may include
security information, encryption, etc. The payment
authorisation processing software in the device 100
interfaces with the device to either enable or disable
ordering and/or delivery of goods depending on the result
of the payment processing transaction. Again, this feature
particularly suits the payment of goods/services ordered
over relatively insecure communications networks such as
the Internet 106. At present, users are generally required
to give their credit card details on the Internet and this
can result in theft and fraud.
In operation, a user 500 accesses the machine 100 and
selects goods/services, which may be selected and ordered
over the Internet 106 or over other communications
networks. He is then required to make payment via the card
reader 111 and payment processing module 120. The payment
processing module makes a local phone call to obtain
approval or cause the transaction to occur and funds are
collected from the user's bank 100 (or collected at a later
date if the transaction is not real time) . The funds are
passed on to the host 101 from whence they will be used to
settle with a vendor or merchant providing the goods 502.
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If the merchant is on the Internet the merchant may have a
web server 503 to which the apparatus 100 has access.
An example of operation of the device will now be
described generally with reference to figure 3.
The control means 110 is adapted to control the
display means 114 to produce a number of screens, depending
upon user operation of the device 100. As an initial step,
an "introduction screen" 801 is displayed by display means
114. The introduction screen may give information to the
user as to how to access the device, e. g. , where to place
his identification means in order to proceed with a
transaction.
After reviewing the introduction screen 801, the user
proceeds to step 802 and inserts his magnetic card into
card reader 210A, to enable the device to identify him.
Where a separate security identification means 119 is
provided, the user may be requested to provide security
identification, such as by having the means 119 scan a
driving license, for example. Alternatively, information
from the magnetic card reader may be sufficient together
with information stored on the user in the database 115 to
provide the required security information.
After the user has been identified 803, the control
means 110 controls the display to display a "main menu"
804. This may comprise a single screen or, alternatively,
a number of screens through which the user may scroll,
providing the user with a number of choices of
goods/services available for order, and may indicate
whether goods are "on-site" in storage locations 201 or
only available from remote site. Alternatively, this
indication may not be given until later on in operation of
the device. The display means may provide high definition
graphical images of catalogue products (depending on
software).
An example of electronic catalogue menus are described
in applicant's previously applications and no further
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description will be given here.
In the next step 805, the user selects the product he
requires (either goods/services or both) by actuation of
the input means 112 (which is a touch-screen in the
preferred embodiment). Alternatively, the user enters a
card and/or PIN number unique order number to reference a
previously placed order where stock may be reserved and is
being held for the user for a specified time period.
The control means 110 then makes a decision, from the
security information available for the user, and from
knowledge of the product, whether the particular product
that has been selected should be supplied to the user, step
900). If the user should not be supplied with the product,
if he is under age, for example, then the process is
referred back to step 805 and the user is given a chance to
select an alternative product. If the security information
is adequate for the product to be provided to the user, the
process proceeds onto the payment processing step 901. If
an order has been placed using a PC attached to the
Internet and recorded and communicated to the device, where
the order is prepaid or where payment is authorised, the
payment processing step is avoided. Whether the product is
purchased over the Internet (or other communications
network) or is vended locally at the device the payment
processing transaction is the same, by way of the secure
network described above. Once payment approval has been
received the control means makes determination as to
whether the product is available locally or remotely, step
806.
If the product is available locally, in the next step
807 the product is dispensed from one of the storage
locations 201, the control unit operating a latch mechanism
to the particular storage location 201 to enable the user
to open the specified door or to access the delivery bin
where products are dispensed from the storage chamber
within the device. The user then takes the product. A
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suitable latch mechanism and configuration of the storage
location is described in the earlier PCT application
referred to above (PCT/AU93/00416).
The preferred embodiment incorporates a recycling
function as well as a vending function (see earlier PCT
application and also co-pending provisional application PO
4828 LODGED 6 August 1007). It enables the user to recycle
complex items, such as toner cartridges for laser printers,
etc. Step 808 enables a user to return a used product to
an appropriate storage location 201 for recycling. Damaged
and unwanted goods may also be returned. This option need
not be included, but is preferred. At step 809, a receipt
is printed and provided through slot 228 to the user. The
receipt gives details of the user transaction for his
information.
If the result of the decision at step 806 is that a
product is not available locally, then the device may via a
communications link, advise of the nearest device that has
product available, then at step 810 the display requires
the user to indicate whether his order is confirmed. If
the order is confirmed the control unit requests the order
from the host device by way of communications link 102, at
step 811.
Alternatively, if the product is ordered over the
Internet, then the order will be placed with the web server
of the Internet provider.
At step 812 receipt is printed for the user through
slot 211, giving details of the delivery.
Details of user account transactions are periodically
up-loaded to the host device 101 via the communications
link 102 (step 813) to assist in administration of the
system (819).
The device may include many other features as already
previously described in applicant's earlier applications,
and no further description will be given here.
Figure 5 discloses an example architecture for the
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device. The architecture includes payment authorisation
and processing software 600, which has been described
above. The architecture also includes OLE automation which
utilises Microsoft~ message passing standard facilitates
non-call module removal and replacement. It also includes
a user interface which has already been somewhat described
above and is described in previous applications,
controlling interfacing with the user. The software
architecture allows for multiple user interfaces e.g. a
consumer user interface is the default, however, a
restockist user interface may appear when a restockist
enters his card, a technician interface may appear when the
technician card is inserted. A data manager performs all
user interface database operations, including interface of
security information with the control means 110. An event
manager controls processes within the device facilitates
changes to process sequences by using a state-transition
table. The shopping basket service architecture maintains
a customer selected products requests card authorisation,
prints receipts and requests that "take now" (vended on
site) items be dispensed from the storage and dispensing
means 116. The device manager controls interaction with
the apparatus peripherals, e.g. the card reader and door
sensors and facilitates peripheral removal and replacement.
The communication manager connects the apparatus to the
host and downloads data from the host to the device and
also uploads data from the host to the device. The watch
dog monitors the operation of the apparatus and intercepts
software, performs error housekeeping, gathers error
information and re-boots the system when required.
Although the present invention has been described in
relation to a complex delivery apparatus which also
includes a vending function, it will be appreciated that a
PC based apparatus without a vending function could still
incorporate features of the present invention. The present
invention is not limited to a device which must also
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incorporate a vending function. Applicants of earlier
Application PCT/AU97/00058 discloses a retailing system
which incorporates many different device types, such as
kiosks, PC-based devices having access to the network via a
local area network, etc. Any of these types of devices may
incorporate features of the present invention.
The software system is structured such that ther is an
API (Application Programmable Interface) between the user
interface and the OLE Automation layer. This allows for
third party development of user interface software for
vending machines and kiosks, whilst retaining the same
program code for payment processing, hardware device
control, communications, shopping basket, etc. Similarly
each of the modules identified can be modified in their own
right (e. g., device manager to support alternative hardware
devices, or Communications Manager to support additional
alternative communications methods) without the need to
modify or re-test the other functional modules within the
system. The defined structure of each operating part of
the vending machine or kiosk or PC based software even
allows for each software module to be written in a
different operating language, without affecting operation
of other parts of the system. This allows developers of
ordering software to create their own shopping basket on a
Web server and allow the transaction amount to be passed to
the payment processing module for authorisation and the
payment processing module can request the user to insert
their credit card into the card reader which is controlled
by the device manager which reads the credit card
information for the payment processing module. All
activities are controlled by the event manager with all the
information controlled by the data manager and all user
interaction controlled through the user interface.
The embodiments of the present invention may be
utilised to enable ordering of product from web pages on
the Internet, enabling security to be applied, tax/duty for
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the location of delivery of product, and secure payment.
Variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as
broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore,
to be considered in all respects as illustrated and not
restrictive.
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