Patent ID: 6584309
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A system for facilitating a credit-based purchase of a product by a consumer from a vending machine absent a dedicated online connection between the vending machine and a financial institution, the system comprising:a vending machine that has the product available for sale, wherein the vending machine comprises: a local receiver for receiving a vend code from the consumer via a local link; and means for dispensing the product in response to the receipt of the vend code; a server remote from and not in communication with the vending machine and accessible via a telephone network by a cellular telephone operated by the consumer; wherein the server receives from the cellular telephone via the telephone network a request for the purchase of the product from the vending machine, creates a transaction record for the request, and communicates the vend code to the cellular telephone, whereby the consumer may then transmit the vend code to the local receiver of the vending machine via the local link in order to authorize the vending machine to dispense the product without currency being provided to the vending machine.