BARCODE ORDERING SYSTEM

SYSTEME DE PRISE DE COMMANDES PAR CODE A BARRES

English Abstract

A label system controlled by a barcode which would be relatively
indestructible when attached to an article by some mechanical or heat
seal means it could not be easily removed or altered and when attached
to a refillable and reusable mug or container for coffee or some other
beverage will identify the container with the buyer and will place
exactly the same product within the container when requested to do so
by the buyer from the vendor of the specific product as programmed
by the bar code. The container for coffee, usually fitted with a
removable cap, shall also have the same bar codes on the cap as on the
body of the container which will allow the buyer to place the cap on a
sensor which will identify the name of the buyer and will open
compartments to allow retrieval of the products at a coffee house after
payment has been made by cash or by vendors prepaid debit system.

Claims

CLAIMS: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is
claimed are defined as follows:
1) - I claim the use of a conventional type bar-code when affixed to a
container which
may be a mug for coffee or some other beverage or a container for a specific
product will tell the vendor exactly what the owner wishes to have placed in
his container.
2) - The bar-code will also give the owners name to the attendant and other
information as required by the vendor.
3) - When used with a conventional mug for coffee the bar-code will be
provided by
the vendor and attached to the mug and sealed with a food grade clear plastic
seal
at a location which can be read by a sensor in a automatic coffee dispenser.
4) - I claim a method by which a Micro Computer in the retail outlet can be
programmed to accept the buyers bar-code information and be also connected to
the main frame company computer.
5) - I claim a method by which the bar-code information can be changed in the
Micro
Computer by the owner for the addition or deletion of any products sold by the
vendor and the bar-code will not have to be physically changed but will
register the new
information.
6) - I claim a bar code which will also have a control number or PIN number
which
will be the personal identification number of the owner and will allow the
owner
to enter the PIN number on a key pad which will by-pass the containers bar
code to obtain the
vendors product in a different container in the same semi-automatic dispenser
for the vendors
product
7) - I claim a method by which when the PIN number is punched in on a key pad
it
will produce a " loaner " container or a disposable container which would be
filled
with the same predetermined product by the vendor to the buyer.

Page (2)
8 - I claim a container with attached bar code which when placed in a special
receiver
will result in a pre-selected product mix placed in the container from the
dispenser
and any other related products as requested by the bar-code from a second
dispenser.
9) - I claim a method by which an authorized pre-payment Debit system for the
products as orders by the bar-code will show the exact cost and any balance
remaining in the owns account on a receipt slip which would exit the system
and be retrieved by
the buyer.
10) - I claim a container for a product which would have a removable cap or
cover
which would have the same bar-code attached to the surface of the cap as the
bar-
code attached to the body of the container and with similar protection.
11) - I claim a container with attached bar-code which would if desired call
for a hot
water wash of the container before the product was placed in the container.
12) - I claim a container with attached bar-code which when placed in a
dispenser will
display the buyers rime as authorized by the bar-code and where an attendant
can
then address the buyer by that name when ever necessary.
13 - I claim a container with attached bar-code which when placed in a
receiver
dispenser would cause a door or set of doors to close and prevent removal of
the
container until the buyer would place the cap of his container on a sensor
which would read the
bar-code and allow the doors to open for removal of the container and the
receipt by the buyer.
14) - I claim a container with attached bar-code and removable cap where when
the cap
is placed an the sensor to open the dispenser doors the micro computer of the
store will record the transaction and if a contest is on at that time and the
buyer meets the vendors
contest conditions then the buyers name could be displayed as a " winner " and
the buyer will be
able to claim a specific prize.

Description

CA 02346550 2001-05-O1
1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
A label system which uses a barcode, to identify the person and also the
product to be purchased, the barcode is given to a person by the vendor
of a product which would then allow the buyer t:o receive the same
product, in kind and quantity, on each occasion when the container with
the barcode attached was presented to the vendor for a product refill.
The barcode would be securely attached to the container so it could not
be altered in any way. As a practical example for the intended use of
this invention when the barcode is applied to a conventional reusable
and refillable coffee mug made of plastic or some other sanitary food
grade material the label would be semi permanently attached and heat
fused or attached by some other means at an exact position in relation
to the shape and body of the container so as when the buyer presented
the container in the proper manner to a semi automatic coffee dispenser
the barcode would be visible to a scanner in the name manner and
location on each occasion. The buyer of the conitainer to which the

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barcode was attached would be identified at each time that the product
or service was requested by the persons name or by way of a code
number given to that buyer by the vendor. Th<~ only other information
recorded would be their phone number and any other non-critical
information required by the system. The systems computer program
would then provide the same product or service, which the buyer had
ordered previously and which was recorded on the barcode of the
container. The buyers name and product selectiion would be recorded
in the vendors main central computer which would construct the
barcode and affix them to the coffee mug and carp which would be
delivered to the coffee shop and given to the customer.
Where the barcode was to be used in the case of a reusable
and refillable coffee mug with a removable cap, the barcode could be on
either side of the cap or the cap would be of clear plastic and removed
by the buyer and used later to claim their container. The cap could be
cleaned by the buyer or placed in a wash and dry area and then taken

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by the buyer to later claim the container. The buyer holding the
container by the handle would place it directly in the receiver and a
scanner would read the barcode. However, if the owner wished the
container and the cap to be washed they could invert the mug and place
it in the wash station for a hot water wash and then remove and place it
in the receiver location for the scanner to read the barcode. The
computer with a sound synthesizer would address the person by name
and ask if they wished the same order. The buyer at this time could
have several options as designed into the system and if the buyer wished
to change the program they could do so by pressing various buttons, or
the buyer would press "yes" to continue. A coded ticket would then be
extended to the buyer to show the cost to be paid or if the buyer was on
the vendors prepaid debit system the coded ticket would be marked
paid and show the balance rerr~aining. The upright container would
continue to a fill station, milk and sugar would be added if pre-
programed and then filled with the requested annount and type of coffee
and other such ingredients as requested on the 6~arcode would be added

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and the container would then be mechanically moved to a new position
behind closed clear doors where the buyers nave would be displayed to
an attendant who would address the buyer by name, if they wished any
other products. And also ask for their ticket to pay for their purchase
and to place their top with the matching barcode to a flashing sensor to
receive their purchase. These transactions wound be displayed visually
or could be done with a voice synthesizer. If the barcodes matched the
buyer would know they were receiving their personalized container
with the contents exactly as previously received, and the door to the
container location would open and the container would be removed by
the buyer and the top attached. The buyer could also request other
products by pressing a series of buttons which v~~ould automatically
release these products already bagged with a separate payment tab at
the attendants station or order directly from the attendant.
Another advantage with this barcode controlled dispensing
machine is to personalize the system by the vendlor, as they would wish,

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with a visual display or with sound, with the ovwners name at various
locations where it would be a benefit to the vendor and also the buyer.
This invention relates to a barcode 'which resembles
the conventional commercial type barcode as now used to identify a
known product and the product manufacturer :end as commonly seen
on various retail products. However, this barcode system is the direct
opposite in that, it is prepared by the vendor for a specific customer
with their name and product wanted and attached to a container for
that product. It then assures the buyer that they will receive the same
product each time and in their own personalized container.
This invention would use a microcomputer in
combination with a main frame computer with the program prepared
by the vendor to guarantee that the buyer would receive the same
product each time. The buyers name and size o:f coffee they purchased
would be recorded in the microcomputer each dime for comparing and

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verifying the barcode and debt transactions. Att some convenient
interval the vendor could have a "lucky winner'" draw where the
winner would be drawn from the number of tirr~es they purchased the
product, by using their personalized mug with the barcode, which
would then display the winners name in a visuall and vivid display at the
vendors store with various othgr promotions to promote the system and
the vendor's products. The b~rcode would be programmed to only
work in prearranged geographical locations as desired by the vendor
and the vendor's owner of the system.
The prepaid debit system would allow the buyer to make a
paid deposit with the vendor, Which would be automatically withdrawn
from the deposit when a purchase was made with the owner's barcode.
The purchase slips would show the amount spent and the balance
remaining and would save the buyer the problems of money transfer at
the time of purchasing the vendor's product. T)1e buyers cap with
barcode could at any time be displayed to a visible sensor, so marked,
to show the debit balance and ~o make a deposit in the prepaid account.

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The semi-automatic dispensing system as indicated in the
drawings as a combined unit could also be made in separate units.
The unit as shown in Figure 5 would be a separate or independent type
unit and could be placed at various locations in the vender's shop to
increase traffic flow and customer convenience. These separate or
combined units with the prepaid debit system will also function as
"drive through" units in a coffge shop or other quick order location
which will allow the vender more flexibility in placing the units for
increased customer satisfaction. The "in and out" refill dispensing
station as shown in Figure 5 allows the buyer to place his container with
the barcode inside the unit through the open doors and the inside sensor
will read his barcode and fill his container as requested and issue a
payment slip for the prepaid dgbit system which will allow the doors to
open when activated by the cap barcode and they container can then be
removed by the buyer. The buyers name is also displayed and any other
functions such as a pre-timed quick wash are possible by pressing
certain pre-programmed buttons as the system would require.

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2) CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS:
This information and details to follow on our formal
application.
3) DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART:
This information and details to follow on our formal
application.

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4) OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are a
means which will allow an individual buyer to tie personally recognized
and to enter a contest by the frequency of his purchasing and by the
way the winner can be recognized at the vendor's shop. The use of a
barcode on the coffee mug and the cap assures l:he buyer of personalized
service with his own coffee mug and the same purchase each time with a
cash payment or a integrated prepaid debit payment system.
5) CLAIMS: To follow later.

CA 02346550 2001-05-O1
6) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~~WINGS:
This provisional patent application will now be described merely by way
of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 - Is an isometric view of the refillable and reusable
coffee mug l, with the outside shell 2, and bottom 3, and inside liner wall
4, and handle 5, with an advertising area 6, with ahe vendor's barcode 10
semi-permanently attached to the coffee mug with a heat sealed layer 9,
opposite the handle 5. The cap or top 20 is as shown with the top lip 21 and
rim 22 and bottom surface 23 and drinking hole 24 and vent 25. The buyers
bar code 27 is attached to the topside or underside .and sealed with the fused
disk 26 to the bottom as shown of the cap 20.
FIGURE 2 - Is a side view of the coffE;e mug l, with the top or
cap removed and inverted and placed over a hot wavter wash spray head
32, supported on a water supply pipe 31 in the wash area 32 with

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drain holes 33 and retained in place by locator rods 34. The barcode 10 is
under the plastic disc 9 The sensor 35 can read the bar code 10 if the owner
wishes an extra hot rinse and the lever 36 activates the wash to turn it on or
off. The front area 37 can be used for washing the cap of the container.
FIGURE 3 - Is a side view of a conventional coffee mug l, as
manufactured by Aladdin under patent number STS 5916470. The ou~e~ shell
2 protects and insulates the inner shell 4 from the hot beverage, handle 5
and advertising label 6 and bott4m 3 and removable cap 20, as shown.
FIGURE 4 - Is a possible layout of a semi automatic coffee
dispensing combination station 40 where the buyers coffee mug can or
cannot be hot water washed 41 and the cap is removed and placed in a wash
area 45, the mug is inverted and placed through the vinyl strip curtain 49 or
the coffee mug, if clean can be placed directly in the receiving area 42 by
the
buyer where a sensor would read the buyers bar co<ie and the system would
guide the mug through a filling area 44 for the pre-programmed contents to

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be placed in the mug, napkin dispensers 46 could be located as shown. A
payment tab 51 would exit the system for the buyer. The buyer can change
his order by buttons 50, and the buyers name would show at 48, and the
attendant could then address the buyer by name and offer any additional
products at the display station 54 or they can order prepackaged products by
pressing buttons 53 which would cause a second ta.g 55 to exit at station 54.
The prepackaged products would exit at 56 and the: doors 57 would open
when the buyer would place his cap on the cap sensor after he made
payment and the doors 47 to the exit station 45 would open for the buyer to
retrieve his purchase.
FIGURE 5 - Is a front view of a possible single function
dispensing station 60 at a "drive thru" for dispensing a beverage and napkins
69 and the buyers mug 63 is placed 62 through the doors 64 the sensor (not
shown) reads the buyers barcode and the payment debit tab 67 exits and the
buyers name can show at 70 and the sensor 66 will read the buyer's cap to
open the doors 64. Button 68 could give the invertf;d mug 63 a quick wash.

Representative Drawing