Method and apparatus for vending goods in conjunction with a credit card accepting fuel dispensing pump

A vending machine is usable in conjunction with a credit card accepting self service fuel dispensing gasoline pump. A credit card is initially input to the gasoline pump and approval of the credit card is obtained. A customer is then prompted to purchase a soft drink. The customer can input the quantity type of soft drink desired and coded portions of this information can be transmitted from the gas pump to the vending machine. A code can be generated in the gas pump, which is machine or human readable, and can be printed on a single receipt which further includes a total amount to be charged on a credit card corresponding to the gas dispensed and soft drink quantity purchased. This code can be entered into the vending machine where the soft drinks can be automatically dispensed without the need for further insertion of paper or coin money. Alternatively, a code number need not be issued, and the soft drinks can be automatically credited to or dispensed from the vending machine, through a customer interacting solely with the gas pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Technical Field of the Invention
 The present application is directed to an improvement in the field of
 vending machines 3 for packaged goods such as canned drinks, and is more
 specifically directed to a vending machine 3 for use in conjunction with a
 credit card accepting self service fuel dispensing gasoline pumps 1 on a
 pump island of a vehicle fueling facility, and method for vending in
 conjunction thereof.
 2. Description of Related Art
 In the past, vehicle fueling facilities such as gasoline stations included
 several fuel dispensing pumps 1 on one or more pump islands. A service
 attendant would pump the gasoline and the driver would make appropriate
 payment to complete the transaction.
 Subsequently, however, many gas stations in many states across the United
 States for example, and in many other countries, shifted from using gas or
 service station attendants to pump a customer's gas, to using self service
 fuel dispensing pumps 1. In such a self-service vehicle fueling facility,
 a customer could either pre-pay a particular amount to an attendant and
 pump his own gasoline, or a customer could pump his own gasoline and
 subsequently pay a gas station attendant an appropriate amount. By
 utilizing self service fuel dispensing pumps 1, the owner of a vehicle
 fueling facility or gas station could then reduce his overhead costs since
 fewer employees were necessary. These costs could then be passed on to the
 consumer in the form of lower prices for fuel.
 The food supplying and marketing industry then took notice of the fact that
 vehicle fueling facilities now needed only a single or a few employees,
 placed at a cash register, to collect customer fees for the amount of fuel
 dispensed at the self service fuel dispensing pumps 1. This spurred the
 creation of mini-markets at gasoline stations, wherein a customer who was
 finished pumping gas at this self service fuel dispensing pumps 1 could
 then enter an area not only housing an employee of the gas station to
 collect money for the amount of fuel dispensed, but also housing many
 staple products such as milk and bread for example, and further containing
 other more popular convenience store type items such as candy, snacks, and
 soft drinks. Therefore, by the advent of these mini-markets, a person
 could go to a vehicle fueling facility to fill up his vehicle up with
 fuel, and could further purchase items which might have to be purchased
 via a separate stop at a convenience store. The consumer therefore
 benefitted from this one-stop shopping.
 Purchases made via the credit card then became more and more popular. With
 the popularity of credit cards and with the popularity of self service
 fuel dispensing pumps 1, came the creation of the self service fuel
 dispensing pump 1 which accepted and completed credit card transactions
 without the need for any interaction between the customer and another
 individual. The customer could then dispense fuel into his car from the
 self serve fuel dispensing pumps 1 on a pump island of a vehicle fueling
 facility, and could complete the transaction via the credit card without
 the need to bother or wait for an attendant of the vehicle fueling
 facility. Such self service fuel pumps 1 operable by means of a credit
 card operated as follows.
 FIG. 1 illustrates a known vehicle fueling facility which was set up for
 operation via self service fuel dispensing pumps 1 on pump islands 24,
 with the pumps being operable by means of a credit card. The gasoline
 pumps 1 housed credit card readers, with the readers being "dumb" devices
 controlled from a central controller 20 within a building 18 of the
 vehicle fueling facility. The credit card transactions took place at the
 pump 1, and information was communicated through lines 26 to controller
 20. Line 28 further illustrated a telephone line 28 connecting controller
 20 to a credit card authorization center, for obtaining authorization of
 the credit card. An explanation of a typical credit card transaction which
 took place at a known self service gas pump 1 will be explained with
 regard to FIG. 2 of the present application.
 Initially, at step 2, the customer inserted a credit card into a credit
 card reader at a gas pump 1 such as pump 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Appropriate
 information was read off the credit card and that information was
 transferred via lines 26 to controller 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Then, in
 step 4, the controller 20 sought credit card authorization from a credit
 card authorization center, in a manner well known to those of ordinary
 skill in the art.
 In step 6, if appropriate authorization was not obtained, a customer
 message was displayed on the gas pump 1 in step 100. This message
 basically advised a customer that the card had not been accepted, and
 conveyed to the customer that the gas pump 1 was not yet operational.
 If appropriate authorization had been obtained, the controller 20, in step
 8, then requested a temporary credit hold on the credit card and
 authorized the sale. Thus, the customer was then prompted to begin pumping
 gas.
 The customer pumped the gas in step 10, and in step 12, at the end of the
 sale, the controller 20 created a record and stored this record for
 forwarding. The controller 20, in step 14, could then subsequently send a
 batch of information from stored files and records (corresponding to a
 number of transactions batched and sent together at one time from a number
 of customers, for example) to the credit card company. Finally, in step
 16, the customer's account would be debited and the retailer's account
 would be credited to thereby complete the transaction.
 Accordingly, although credit card transactions at the gas pump 1 were
 extremely convenient for the user, the retailer and owner of the vehicle
 fueling facility did not obtain all possible advantages from utilizing
 such credit card activated self service fuel dispensing pumps 1. The
 retailer, for example, who had opened a type of mini-market in the gas
 station, wished to vend other products as well as sell gasoline. Further,
 vendors who sold products to the retailer wished the retailer to vend
 their products. With credit card transactions taking place at the gas pump
 1, however, there was no need for the consumer to enter any type of
 mini-market, since he could complete his transactions at the gasoline pump
 1 itself.
 Accordingly, there remains a pressing need in the industry to combine the
 convenience and benefit of a mini-market located at a vehicle fueling
 facility with the convenience and benefits of self service fuel dispensing
 pumps 1 operable by means of a credit card.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the
 aforementioned problems by providing a machine for vending products or
 packaged goods such as canned drinks, which is usable in conjunction with
 credit card activated self service fuel dispensing pump 1 on a pump island
 of a vehicle fueling facility.
 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method by
 which a user would be prompted to purchase goods from a second good
 dispensing apparatus 3, such as a vending machine 3 vending canned drinks
 for example, through the course of normal operation with a self service
 fuel dispensing credit card operated pump 1 on a pump island of a vehicle
 fueling facility.
 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and
 apparatus in which credit card transactions with both a self service fuel
 dispensing pump 1 and a proximately located vending or goods dispensing
 apparatus are billed on a single receipt.
 It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method
 and apparatus which creates a code number, usable in a goods dispensing
 apparatus proximate to a self serve fuel dispensing pump 1, to thereby
 enable purchases in the vending machine or goods dispensing apparatus via
 the same credit card transaction as is used with the self service fuel
 dispensing pumps 1 (i.e. to avoid a separate coin or paper money
 transaction in conjunction with the vending machine 3).
 It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a method
 and apparatus for automatically dispensing goods, such as canned drinks,
 from a goods dispensing apparatus adjacent a self service fuel dispensing
 pump 1, merely through interaction between the customer and the self
 service fuel dispensing pump 1 itself.
 The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a method,
 comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting a credit card into a first goods dispensing apparatus;
 (b) prompting a user to purchase goods from a second goods dispensing
 apparatus, separate from the first goods apparatus;
 (c) activating the first goods dispensing apparatus for dispensing a first
 goods;
 (d) billing an amount for the dispensed first goods and the purchased
 second goods to the credit card; and
 (e) outputting a receipt, of the billed amount, usable for dispensing the
 second goods from the second goods dispensing apparatus.
 The objects of the present invention are further fulfilled by providing a
 method, comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting a credit card into a first goods dispensing apparatus;
 (b) prompting a user to purchase goods from a second goods dispensing
 apparatus, separate from the first goods apparatus;
 (c) activating the second goods dispensing apparatus for dispensing the
 purchased second goods;
 (d) activating the first goods dispensing apparatus for dispensing a first
 goods; and
 (e) billing an amount for the dispensed first goods and the purchased
 second goods to the credit card.
 The objects of the present invention are also fulfilled by providing a
 goods dispensing apparatus, for use in conjunction with a second goods
 dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 first means for activating and controlling the goods dispensing apparatus
 in response to a transmission from the second goods dispensing apparatus
 indicating receipt of an input credit card and receipt of an affirmative
 user response to a prompting of a user to purchase first goods from the
 goods dispensing apparatus; and
 second means, responsive to the first means, for dispensing the purchased
 first goods from the activated goods dispensing apparatus, wherein an
 amount for dispensed second goods from the second goods dispensing
 apparatus and an amount for the dispensed first goods from the goods
 dispensing apparatus are billed to the credit card input into the second
 goods dispensing apparatus.
 Still further, the objects of the present invention are fulfilled by
 providing a goods dispensing apparatus, for use in conjunction with the
 second goods dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 activation means for activating the goods dispensing apparatus in response
 to a transmission from the second goods dispensing apparatus indicating
 receipt of an input credit card and receipt of an affirmative user
 response to a prompting of a user to purchase first goods from a goods
 dispensing apparatus;
 input means, operatively connected to the activation means, for receiving
 an input code, subsequent to the goods dispensing apparatus being
 activated; and
 dispensing means, operatively connected to the input means, for dispensing
 first goods from the activated goods dispensing apparatus in response to
 the received input code, wherein an amount for the dispensed second goods
 from the second goods dispensing apparatus and an amount for the dispensed
 first goods from the goods dispensing apparatus are billed to the credit
 card input into the second goods dispensing apparatus.
 These and other objects of the present application will become more readily
 apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it
 should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples,
 while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way
 of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the
 spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in
 the art from this detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 To solve the industry need for a combining of the convenience of one-stop
 shopping and the convenience of credit card transactions at a self service
 fuel dispensing pump 1, in one embodiment of the present application, a
 method and apparatus are disclosed herein which are highly compatible with
 existing credit card operating self service fuel dispensing pumps 1.
 Another embodiment disclosed herein requires even less user interaction
 (i.e. it is a more automatic method and apparatus). A method and apparatus
 according to a first embodiment of the present application will be
 discussed subsequently.
 A first embodiment of the present application involves a first goods
 dispensing apparatus 1 and a second goods dispensing apparatus as is shown
 in FIG. 3. The first goods dispensing apparatus 1 is, for example, a self
 service fuel dispensing pump such as pump 1 as shown in FIG. 3. This pump
 includes a credit card reader 5, which can be adjacent to the pump 1 or
 incorporated within the pump 1 as is well known to those of ordinary skill
 in the art.
 The card reader 5 of FIG. 3, includes a slot wherein a credit card is input
 and further includes reading elements (not shown) internal to the gas pump
 1, for reading and storing credit card information which will subsequently
 be transmitted to a remotely located controller. Since most of the
 operations aside from the mere reading of a credit card take place
 external to the gas pump 1, via a controller 25 housed in a remotely
 located building 23 of the retailer for example, these card readers are
 known as "dumb" devices. Thus further explanation of these known "dumb"
 credit card readers will be omitted for the sake of brevity. Alternately,
 however, "smart" devices can be utilized wherein each credit card reader
 of each pump includes its own controller which performs the functions of,
 or in conjunction with, controller 25.
 Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the self service fuel dispensing pump 1
 includes a display 7 for prompting a customer by displaying various
 readable messages. Further included is a display 9 for displaying the
 number of gallons pumped for example, and a display 11 for displaying a
 total dollar amount to be charged based upon the gallons of fuel which are
 pumped. These displays 9 and 11 may be combined as a single display if
 desired. The displays are conventional and thus further description will
 be omitted.
 The self service fuel dispensing pump 1 further includes a printing device
 13 for printing and outputting a receipt to the customer, to be explained
 subsequently. This printer 13 can be any standard printer known to those
 of ordinary skill in the art, such as a printer used with a conventional
 credit card operated self service fuel dispensing pump 1, which is also
 adaptable to print additional information other than the information
 normally printed during a credit card transaction. This self service fuel
 dispensing pump 1 further includes a keypad 15, which can be an
 alphanumeric keypad for example, acting as an input device. The credit
 card reader 5, printer 13, keypad input from keypad 15, and display 7 are
 all controlled via controller 25, remotely located in a building of the
 retailer 23 for example. Each of the aforementioned devices 5, 13, 15 and
 7 can include their own CPU, memory, and control circuitry (not shown),
 which cooperate with controller 25 in a manner well known to those skilled
 in the art.
 Finally, as is shown in FIG. 3, the self service fuel dispensing pump 1
 also includes a pump hose and nozzle 19 for dispensing fuel into a
 customer's vehicle, and a lever 21 which can be used to indicate when fuel
 dispensing has begun and when fuel dispensing has ended. In other words,
 prior to a customer pumping fuel, he grasps the hose and nozzle 19, and
 raises the lever 21 to an upward position. Upon completion of the fueling
 by the customer, the customer then lowers the lever 21 to a downward
 position and places the hose and nozzle 19 back on the self service fuel
 dispensing pump 1. The upward placement of the lever 21, through
 corresponding control circuitry (not shown), sends a signal to the
 aforementioned remotely located controller 25. The controller 25 then
 activates a pumping mechanism of pump 1 to allow a customer to pump fuel.
 The downward placement of the lever 21 similarly sends a signal to
 controller 25, and controller 25 then deactivates the pumping mechanism of
 pump 1, after a customer has completed dispensing fuel into his vehicle.
 The use of such a lever 21 in conjunction with a controller 25 is well
 known to those of ordinary skill in the art in known credit card activated
 self service fuel dispensing pumps 1 for example, and thus will not be
 further described for the sake of brevity.
 FIG. 3 further illustrates a second goods dispensing apparatus, such as a
 vending machine 3 for vending packaged goods such as snacks, candy, and
 bottled or canned soft drinks. In one preferred embodiment of the present
 application, this vending machine 3 is for vending canned soft drinks.
 The second goods dispensing apparatus, such as vending machine 3, includes
 a keypad 16 which can be an alphanumeric keypad for example. The keypad 16
 further includes an internal CPU 39, memory 46 (including ROM and RAM for
 example) and control circuitry 48 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as will be
 described later in more detail. Further included is a coin slot 17 and a
 display 55. The display 55 can be used for displaying a credited quantity
 of goods purchased and not yet vended, as will be explained later. As is
 further well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the vending
 machine 3 can further optionally include a paper money reader (not shown),
 which allows for insertion of paper money such as one dollar bills and
 five dollar bills, for the purchase of a soft drink.
 Finally, the vending machine 3 includes selection bars or buttons 40, each,
 when activated, providing for selection of a particular type of kind of
 soft drink. The number of selection bars 40 on vending machine 3, the
 location of these selection bars, and the types of drinks or other
 packaged goods selectable by the use of these selection bars should not be
 considered in any way to be limiting. These bars 40 are merely shown in an
 exemplary fashion to provide a selection device for the user to select a
 particular type or kind of soft drink by pressing one of the selection
 bars 40.
 Further, these selection bars 40 can also include a type of illumination
 device or a separately located illumination device adjacent thereto, which
 can indicate to a customer which selections may be available and which
 selections or types of soft drinks may be "sold out" and thus no longer
 available. Upon the user inputting a correct code number, or upon the user
 inputting a correct amount of change through slot 17 or through an
 alternate paper money reader, the aforementioned illumination devices can
 then be activated to thereby convey to a customer which selections are
 available and to convey to the customer that the input code, coin money,
 or paper money has been accepted.
 Finally, as is shown in FIG. 3, a dispensing slot 44 is present. Through
 this dispensing slot 44, upon a transaction being completed and a
 particular selection being made via actuation of one of the buttons 40, a
 canned soft drink or other packaged good will be output from the vending
 machine 3. Thereafter, the customer can enjoy the canned drink or packaged
 good obtained from vending machine 3.
 FIG. 4 illustrates a system of one embodiment of the present application.
 This figure illustrates the adaptability of the method and apparatus of a
 first embodiment of the present application to known credit card accepting
 self service fuel dispensing pumps 1, and a control system thereof. A
 controller 25 is connected to each of the pumps 1 via lines 33 to thereby
 control and receive information from pump components such as the credit
 card reader 5, printer 13, keypad 15, and display 7 in a manner known to
 those of ordinary skill in the art. Each of the pumps 1 are shown on pump
 islands 29. Two pump islands 29 are illustrated, but this is not to be
 considered limiting in any way, since a single or plurality of pumps can
 be present on a pump island and a single or plurality of pump islands can
 be present. In addition, for the method and apparatus of the present
 application, only a single pump 1 and a single vending machine 3 need be
 present and they may or may not be located on the same pump island.
 The aforementioned controller 25 is housed within a building 23, for
 example, of the retailer or owner of the vehicle fueling facility. This
 controller 25 is connected for interaction between the various components
 of the pumps 1 via connections 31 as shown in FIG. 4, and is further
 connected to a credit card authorization center through telephone line 35,
 for example, in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
 The controller 25 is further connected to a vending machine 3, or other
 second goods dispensing apparatus, via wire 33 for example. The controller
 25 includes a CPU, memory (RAM and ROM for example), and control circuitry
 (each not shown) for communicating with the vending machine 3 and gas pump
 1 as will be explained later.
 Alternatively, however, the connections between the controller 25 and the
 pumps 1, and the connections between the vending machine 3 and the
 controller 25, can be any type of connection used to transmit information
 such as a wire, an optical connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection,
 or an infrared (IR) connection. Thus, the controller 25 can transfer
 information to and from each of fuel dispensing pumps 1 and can further
 transfer information to and from the vending machine 3 or goods dispensing
 apparatus via various mediums of transmission. It should be noted,
 however, that if various mediums such as optical transmission, RF and IR
 are used for data transmission, the pump 1, controller 25, and vending
 machine 3 will require appropriate transceiver equipment, operating under
 proper protocol, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
 When connection between controller 25 and the fuel dispensing pumps 1
 and/or the vending machine 3 is a wire connection, a 3-wire unbalanced
 serial data link can be used, with a separate transmit, receive, and
 ground wire. The transmission speed is preferably 9600 baud for
 transmitting 8 information bits, no parity bit, and 1 stop bit. The
 RS-232C interface is preferably used with standard levels of 0=+10 volts,
 1=-10 volts. No hardware handshaking is necessary.
 Alternatively, connection between controller 25, pumps 1 and/or vending
 machine 3 can be via a 2-wire balanced serial data link, wherein one wire
 is a transmit/receive+ and the other is a transmit/receive-. The
 transmission speed is again preferably 9600 baud for transmitting 8
 information bits, no parity bit and 1 stop bit. The RS-485 is preferably
 used with standard levels of 0=-5 volts (relative), 1=+5 volts (relative).
 Handshaking is used to toggle the transmitter on/off.
 The connection(s) can further alternatively be a power-line carrier serial
 data link. The transmission is then preferably 1200 baud for transmitting
 8 information bits, no parity bit, and 1 stop bit. The RS-232C interface
 is preferably used with standard levels of 0=+10 volts, 1=-10 volts.
 Handshaking is used to toggle the transmitter on/off.
 Another alternative is to use a radio carrier serial data link with a 9600
 baud transmission speed for transmitting 8 information bits, no parity
 bit, and 1 stop bit. CW modulation at 310 MHZ is preferred, wherein 0=no
 carrier, 1=carrier. Handshaking is used to toggle the transmitter on and
 off.
 The above list of alternative controller, pump, and/or vending machine
 connections is merely exemplary. One of ordinary skill should recognize
 that other types of wire, RF, IR, and optical connections are usable, with
 proper transceivers and protocol applied.
 FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the internal components of the vending machine
 3, and a receipt 45A usable in conjunction with the vending machine 3,
 respectively.
 FIG. 5A shows the keypad 16 of vending machine 3. This keypad 16 includes
 an internal keypad controller 39, memory (ROM and RAM included for
 example) 46 and control circuitry 48, each internal to the vending machine
 3, being interconnected and further being connected to other components
 internal to vending machine 3, via an internal bus 37. Information input
 through the keypad 16 can be stored and/or transferred via bus 37 to other
 internal vending machine components. The bus 37 further connects the
 keypad 16 to the selection bars 40, display 55, money receiving section 41
 (for coin and/or paper money scanning detecting and receiving) and
 dispensing section 42. Each of the display 55, group of selection bars 40,
 money receiving section 41, and dispensing section 42 includes a
 corresponding controller, memory (RAM and/or ROM), and control circuitry
 (each not shown) for connection and cooperation with internal bus 37 and
 other internal vending machine components, if necessary, as is known to
 those skilled in the art. Thus, information such as the input of an
 appropriate amount of money, detected by element 41, or information input
 via keypad 16, can be conveyed to other internal components via bus 37.
 The keypad controller 39 is a type of central processing unit (CPU) and
 cooperates with control circuitry 47 and necessary memory 45, such as
 random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing information and read
 only memory (ROM) for storing appropriate program and control information
 for controlling the CPU. The keypad controller 39 further gateways
 communication with controller 25 via line 33 (or other appropriate
 transmission medium) and performs protocol conversion between the external
 controller 25 and the internal bus 37 as will be described later.
 The dispensing section 42 is for controlling the dispensing of purchased
 and selected soft drinks through slot 44. Further discussion regarding the
 known operations such as receipt of the appropriate amount of money, the
 selection via selection bars 40, the display of display 55, and the
 dispensing via dispensing section 42, for example, will not be given for
 the sake of brevity since these processes are well known to of ordinary
 skill in the art. FIG. 5B illustrates a receipt 45A which is issued by gas
 pump 1 via printer 13. The receipt includes price information in an area
 49A for example, indicating an amount billed for first goods purchased
 from the first goods dispensing apparatus 1, and for second goods
 purchased from second goods dispensing apparatus. Further, the receipt 45A
 as shown in FIG. 5B includes a code or code number in a second area 47A.
 This code number, as will be explained later, can be input into vending
 machine 3, via keypad 16 to allow the customer access to the vending
 machine 3 to dispense packaged goods such as canned drinks, without the
 need for use of appropriate coin or paper money. These areas 47A and 49A
 are not to be considered limiting in any way since the price information
 and code information can be placed on any portion of the receipt 45A as
 shown in FIG. 5B. Areas 47A and 49A are merely given for exemplary
 purposes.
 FIG. 6A shows a vending machine or goods dispensing apparatus with an input
 device of an alternate embodiment of the present application. This vending
 machine includes each of the elements previously shown in FIG. 5A, except
 for keypad 16. Replacing keypad 16 is a type of code reading device 51.
 The code reading device 51 includes an input slot 53, and a display area
 55. This code reader can be a type of barcode reader for example, or can
 be any conventionally known type of alphanumeric character reader as would
 be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The code reader 51
 operates in a manner similar to that described regarding keypad 16, once
 the input information has been read. Thus, it also includes an internal
 CPU 39, memory 45 and control circuitry 47 and cooperates with internal
 bus 37 and controller 25 in the same manner as keypad 16.
 FIG. 6B illustrates a receipt 45B. This receipt includes an area 49B
 displaying pricing information for goods dispensed from both the first and
 second goods dispensing apparatus similar to the area of 49A as shown in
 FIG. 5B and it further includes a code in area 47B. However, while the
 code in area 47A is human readable (numeric or alphanumeric for example),
 so that a customer can read the code and manually enter the code through
 the keypad 16 of FIG. 5A, the code in area 47B of FIG. 6B is a machine
 readable code, such as a barcode for example, which can be read by code
 reader 51 upon being input into slot 53. Both the human readable code in
 area 47A of FIG. 5B and the machine readable code in area 47B of FIG. 6B
 can be generated by printer 13 in a manner well known to those of ordinary
 skill in the art. Thus, it should be understood that printer 13 for a
 first embodiment of the present application generates a human readable
 code in area 47A of receipt 45A as shown in FIG. 5B, or generates a
 machine readable code such as a barcode for example, in area 47B of
 receipt 45B as shown in FIG. 6B accordingly to an alternate first
 embodiment of the present application.
 Elements shown in FIG. 5A corresponding to like elements (with the same
 reference numeral) shown in FIG. 6A will not be further explained for the
 sake of brevity. Operation interaction of the elements which differ
 between the system of FIG. 5A and the system of FIG. 5B, however, will be
 separately explained in a description of operation of both alternate
 formats of the first embodiment of the present application, with regard to
 FIGS. 7-9 of the present application.
 Operation of a first embodiment of the present application will be
 discussed with regard to FIGS. 7-9. This embodiment involves some manual
 interaction between a customer and a vending machine 3, as well as the gas
 pump 1. However, although this first embodiment may involve some manual
 interaction between vending machine 3 and the customer, it is easily
 adaptable to the self service fuel dispensing pumps usable in conjunction
 with credit cards which already are in existence today and which are well
 known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A second embodiment will
 subsequently be discussed, with regard to FIGS. 10-12, which involves a
 more automatic vending of goods from a second goods dispensing apparatus
 such as a vending machine 3, via customer interaction with the self
 service fuel dispensing pump 1.
 FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a first embodiment of the present application
 from the viewpoint of a customer. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the first
 embodiment of the present application from the viewpoint of controller 25.
 Finally, FIG. 9 illustrates a first embodiment of the present application
 from the viewpoint of keypad controller 39, corresponding to keypad 16 or
 machine readable code reader 51 housed within a vending machine 3 for
 example. The steps present in these five figures will be discussed
 together.
 As shown in FIG. 8A, in step 81, a controller 25 initially controls a
 display 7 to display a prompt requesting credit card input. This is
 displayed on the fuel dispensing pump or first goods dispensing apparatus
 1 as is shown in FIG. 3. From the viewpoint of the customer, the customer
 is prompted to input his credit card into card reader 5 in a slot in gas
 pump 1, as is illustrated by step 61 of FIG. 7A.
 In step 83 of FIG. 8A, the controller 25 then obtains credit card
 information from the card reader 5. Authorization is requested via
 telephone line 35 to the credit card authorization center in a manner well
 known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The authorization is checked
 in step 85 of FIG. 8A. If authorization is not received, a customer
 message will appear in display 7 of pump 1 as is shown in step 87 of FIG.
 8A. This customer message will convey to the user that the card has not
 been accepted and will further convey to the user that the pump has not
 been activated at this time. The user can either use an alternate method
 of payment, can insert a new credit card, or can leave the fuel dispensing
 facility.
 From the viewpoint of the customer, the customer merely awaits card
 information verification in step 63 of FIG. 7A, which is obtained via
 controller 25 as previously described with regard to FIG. 8A.
 Upon the appropriate authorization being received, the controller 25 then
 moves to step 89 as shown in FIG. 8A. In step 89, the controller 25
 controls display 7 to display a message prompting the customer to purchase
 a soft drink from the vending machine 3 for example, which is proximately
 located to the gas pump 1. For instance, a message such as "Would you like
 to purchase an ice cold soft drink from Coca-Cola? YES NO" is displayed on
 display area 7 of pump 1. From the customer's point of view, as is shown
 in step 65 of FIG. 7A, the customer views this displayed information which
 prompts him to purchase a soft drink from vending machine 3.
 As shown in FIG. 8A, the controller 25 then moves to step 91 and awaits an
 answer to the inquiry regarding the purchase of a soft drink from the
 proximately located vending machine 3. If the customer does not wish to
 purchase a soft drink, the controller in step 93 then moves to step 107 as
 shown in FIG. 8B, to allow the customer to pump gas via this credit card
 transaction in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
 From the customer's point of view, the customer merely enters an answer to
 the prompted message, by hitting a Yes or No button located on keypad 15
 for example, or by hitting a number or letter representing Yes or No, such
 as a Y for Yes or an N for No for example. If the customer does not wish
 to purchase a soft drink, the flow chart in FIG. 7A moves from step 67 to
 step 75 of FIG. 7B, wherein the customer is prompted to being pumping gas
 via his credit card transaction in a manner well known to those of
 ordinary skill in the art.
 If the customer indicates that he would like to purchase a soft drink or
 other packaged goods from vending machine 3, the controller 25 temporarily
 stores this positive or affirmative response in step 95 of FIG. 8A. This
 response can be stored in a memory (not shown) such as a type of RAM for
 example, of controller 25. Controller 25, in step 97 of FIG. 8A, then
 controls display 7 to display a message prompting the customer to input a
 desired quantity of soft drinks via keypad 15. In other words, from the
 customer's point of view, the customer is prompted regarding the quantity
 of soft drinks in step 69 as shown in FIG. 7A. A message such as "How many
 drinks would you like? Please enter number on keypad" can be such a
 display prompting the customer regarding the quantity of soft drinks
 desired.
 In step 71 of FIG. 7B, the customer can then enter the desired quantity of
 soft drinks through keypad 15. Alternately, other input devices such as a
 touch-screen, for example, can be used. The input quantity is then stored
 by controller 25 in step 99 of FIG. 8A, in RAM for example.
 In step 101 of FIG. 8A, the controller 25 then generates a code number or
 credit code based upon the stored input quantity (it could also be
 generated corresponding to type, price, etc.). Further, it should be noted
 that the prestored information need not be dependent upon the type of code
 (i.e. human-readable, barcode, etc.) to be generated since the printer can
 convert the generated code to a printed human-readable or bar code. One
 example of code generation is as follows.
 A credit code is encoded in controller 25 subsequent to a user quantity
 input being received by controller 25 and stored in RAM for example.
 Initially, a two (2) digit random number is generated (since random number
 generation, in general, is known, no further explanation will be given for
 the sake of brevity). It should be noted that all numeric characters are
 ASCII digits; i.e. 1=$31=`1`. The random number is then assigned a check
 digit. One example of check digit calculation is as follows.
 Check digit calculation can be a simple modification of the standard mod 10
 check digit used on most credit cards. Initially, all of the digits of the
 number to be check digited are added. This is preferably done using the
 binary value of the numbers, not the ASCII value.
 Next, the sum is taken, modulo 10. This produces a number between 0 and 9.
 This number is then subtracted from 9 to produce a number between 0 and 9.
 This number is converted back to ASCII to produce the check digit.
 The random number, now provided with the check digit can then be
 transmitted from controller 25 to the vending machine 3 (specifically to a
 VIM, which is a vending machine interface as will be later described)
 using an Open Transaction packet as will be described later. The random
 number (now consisting of a 3 digit code) is preferably transmitted rather
 than the complete code number for security reasons. When the transmitted
 random number does not match an input number, it is more difficult to
 determine a valid code number as will be apparent hereinafter.
 The quantity of drinks is then added to the 2 digit random number thereby
 providing a third digit, with the calculated check digit actually
 providing a fourth digit. Finally, a random number between 0 and 9 is
 generated. This random number becomes a format indicator and is preferably
 used as the first digit of a customer code number or credit code. The
 format indicator digit can be preferably used, for example, to rearrange
 the previous digits according to a predetermined formula or table
 prestored in ROM of controller 25.
 The resulting 5 digit credit code number is displayed to the user and
 printed on the receipt in human readable form on the receipt of FIG. 5A,
 or in machine readable form on the receipt of FIG. 5B for example. It
 should be clear that the aforementioned credit code encoding scheme is
 merely exemplary. Further, the use of a 5 digit credit code should not be
 considered limiting as other code lengths, containing information
 pertaining to quantity, which can be adequately decoded and which is
 reasonably secure can be so utilized.
 Similarly, if a machine-readable code is to be generated, the same approach
 can be used. Instead of outputting a receipt with a 5 digit credit code
 printed in human-readable form, a bar-code representing the 5 digit credit
 code can be generated. As long as code reader 53 can then decipher the bar
 code, keypad controller 39 will be able to obtain the quantity of drinks
 desired by the user based on the input 5 digit credit code barcode in a
 manner similar to that previously described.
 The controller 25 transmits a 3-digit generated code number (random numbers
 plus check digit) to keypad controller 39 in step 103, prior to actually
 completing generation of the 5 digit credit code. The controller 25, which
 is a store master controller (SMC) and which starts all transmission
 sessions, sends an Open Transaction packet to VIM (Vender interface
 module), which is a slave and can only respond to polls, of the vending
 machine keypad controller 39 (the VIM is not shown). The protocol of the
 SMC{character pullout}VIM transmission for the Open Transaction packet is
 as follows:
 Open Transaction Packet
 SMC sends the Open Transaction packet as follows:

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 1 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII transaction #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII can count
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 3-char ASCII credit code #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 wherein SOH has a hex value of $01 and a decimal value of 1 and EOT (end of
 transmission) has a hex value of $04 and a decimal value of 4.
 If the packet received is OK, and contains a unique transaction #, the VIM
 sends an acknowledgement signal to SMC:
 SMC.rarw.ACK --- VIM
 wherein ACK has a hex value $06 and a decimal value 6. However, if the
 packet received has a bad check digit, the VIM identifies this to the SMC:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 wherein NAK has a hex value of $15 and a decimal value of a 21. The SMC
 then retransmits Open Transaction packet. Finally, if the packet is
 received, but the transaction # has already been used, the VIM sends an
 EOT signal to the SMC:
 SMC.rarw.EOT --- VIM
 The SMC calculates a new transaction #. The SMC then retransmits another
 Open Transaction packet.
 This transmission acts to allow or deny access to the vending machine 3.
 The VIM of keypad controller 39 creates a new memory structure in memory
 46 and validates the transaction number (#) as unique. Once this is done,
 the transaction number (#) is stored along with the 3 digit credit code
 number (#) in memory 46.
 It should be noted that when using a barcode reader, for example, there is
 less security necessary, since a user cannot randomly input numbers via a
 keypad. Thus, the security steps taken above may be relaxed in such a
 situation if desired. Access to a quantity of goods need only be permitted
 based on an input bar code corresponding to a transmitted 5 digit credit
 code number for example, in a manner which will be described subsequently,
 without transmission of an initial 3 digit credit code.
 From the viewpoint of the vending machine 3, the VIM of keypad controller
 39 of the vending machine 3 receives the 3 digit code number from
 controller 25 via line 33, or via a type of RF or IR transmission for
 example. As would be known to those of ordinary skill, if RF or IR
 technology is utilized, appropriate transceivers would be used for data
 transmission and reception. This occurs in step 121 as shown in FIG. 9.
 The VIM then validates the transaction # as unique and stores the
 transaction # and 3 digit credit code number in a temporary RAM memory for
 example, in step 123 of FIG. 9.
 As shown in FIG. 8B, the controller 25, in step 105, then controls display
 7 to display a message prompting the customer to enter the aforementioned
 5 digit credit code number into vending machine 3. The 5 digit credit code
 number need not be displayed at this point, but alternatively the 5 digit
 credit code number itself could be displayed since it has been generated
 by controller 25 by this time. From the viewpoint of the customer, as is
 shown in step 73 of FIG. 7B, the customer is prompted to enter the 5 digit
 credit code number, which will be printed on a receipt output from the gas
 pump 1, into vending machine 3. A message such as "Enter the code number
 on your receipt in the Coke machine and select your product(s)" can be
 displayed on display 7 of the fuel pump 1 for example.
 Subsequently, the customer is prompted to begin pumping gas in step 75 of
 FIG. 7B. This occurs, as shown in FIG. 8B, in step 107 where the
 controller 25 activates gas pump 1 for pumping gas and controls display 7
 to display a message prompting the customer to pump gas. A message such as
 "Remove nozzle, lift handle, and begin pumping. Replace nozzle when
 finished." is displayed on display 7. In actuality, the message prompting
 the customer to pump gas is displayed initially on display 7, and upon the
 customer removing nozzle 19 and lifting handle or lever 21, then
 controller 25 activates gas pump 1 for pumping gas. Controller 25, as
 previously explained, is connected in a manner well known to those of
 ordinary skill in the art so as to detect the lifting of the handle or
 lever 21 so that it can subsequently send a signal via line 31 to pump 1
 to activate gas pump 1 for pumping gas.
 In step 109 of FIG. 8B, the controller 25 then detects the end of gas
 pumping, in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art,
 upon the user lowering handle or lever 21, and replacing gas nozzle 19 to
 the position shown in FIG. 3 of the present application, for example. The
 controller 25, either during the pumping of the gas or subsequent to the
 detection of the end of gas pumping in step 109, then calculates an amount
 to be charged to the customer's credit card in step 111. This amount to be
 charged corresponds not only to the gas dispensed, which is calculated
 based upon the number of gallons pumped and the prestored price per
 gallon, but also includes a charge for the quantity of soft drinks which
 the customer previously entered via keypad 15. Thus, only a single receipt
 need be issued.
 Alternatively, the VIM of the vending machine can be polled, as will be
 explained subsequently, and the VIM replies with a total credit/debit for
 the entire transaction, which corresponds to the actual quantity of goods
 vended from machine 3. A prestored or polled price per can or unit of
 packaged goods can then be used to calculate an amount to be charged on
 the credit card in step 111. In this case, a receipt is eventually issued
 which can be only a single receipt containing the 5 digit code number and
 the total cost (gas vended and soft drink quantity input). Then, if all
 soft drinks which have been paid for are not vended (because there is a
 failure or a customer decides to change his mind due to an unavailable
 selection), the controller 25 can then poll the VIM of vending machine 3
 to obtain a total credit/debit for the entire transaction and issue a
 corrected receipt prior to the transaction ending.
 A further alternative is to issue only a single receipt with a disclaimer
 stating "In the event that product is not delivered, an amount
 corresponding to non-delivered product will be deducted from your charge
 or posted to your account." Then, when controller 25 polls the VIM of
 vending machine 3 to obtain a total credit/debit for the entire
 transaction, it can adjust the retailer's and customer's accounts
 accordingly.
 Finally, in another alternative embodiment, a separate receipt with 5 digit
 code number can be issued. A separate total receipt for the amount of gas
 vended and soft drinks vended can be later prepared.
 FIG. 8B then moves to step 113 where the controller 25 creates a record and
 stores this record for forwarding in a conventional manner similar to that
 described regarding FIG. 2. The controller 25 subsequently sends a batch
 of records or files to the credit card company, so that the customer's
 account will be debited for an amount corresponding to the gas dispensed
 and soft drink quantity vended and purchased, and the retailer's account
 can be credited accordingly. In step 115, the controller 25 then controls
 printer 13 to print receipt 45A. The receipt includes not only the total
 price for gas dispensed and soft drinks purchased in area 49A or 49B as
 shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, respectively, but further include the generated
 5 digit credit code number in area 47A of 47B, as shown in FIGS. 5B and
 6B, respectively. As previously discussed, the code printed on the receipt
 45 can be a human readable code in area 47A as shown in FIG. 5B, or can be
 a machine readable code as shown in area 47B of FIG. 6B of the present
 application.
 Finally, in step 117, the controller 25 then controls display 7 to display
 a reminder message prompt to the customer. From the customer's point of
 view, as is shown in step 77 of FIG. 7B, the customer is actually
 reminded, via a prompt on the gas pump 1, to pick up his receipt from
 printer 13, and to obtain his soft drinks from vending machine 3. A
 message such as "Thank you for your business. Please pick up your receipt
 and enjoy your Coca-Cola products." can be displayed on display 7 for
 example. Thus, from the customer's viewpoint, a receipt with a 5 digit
 credit code number, of either a machine readable code or a human readable
 code, and a total cost for the quantity of soft drinks purchased and the
 gas dispensed is issued in step 79. Thus, whether or not two receipts are
 eventually issued, the customer will eventually have a single receipt
 indicating payment of both soft drinks and gas dispensed is issued to a
 customer, thereby alleviating any need for the customer to insert separate
 change or paper money into the vending machine 3 to purchase any desired
 soft drinks. The controller 25, upon the user taking his receipt from
 printer 13, then controls display 7 to display a prompt requesting input
 of a credit card by a user as shown in step 81 of FIG. 8A for example.
 As previously stated with regard to FIG. 9 of the present application, the
 VIM of the keypad controller 39 of the vending machine 3 initially
 receives a 3 digit code number from controller 25 in step 121 and stores
 the received transaction number (#) and 3 digit code number in step 123.
 The customer then takes his receipt, and either enters the 5 digit credit
 code number via keypad 16 as shown on the vending machine in FIG. 3 if the
 code is a human readable code shown in area 47A of FIG. 5B, or
 alternatively inputs a receipt 45B containing a machine readable code in
 area 47B into a machine readable code reader 51 through slot 53 as shown
 in FIG. 6A.
 The resulting 5 digit credit code, when entered into the Coke or vending
 machine 3 by the user via keypad 16 or bar code reader 51, is initially
 unformatted. The VIM sends a start session signal to VMC (vendor master
 controller) of keypad controller 39. The VMC then begins the unformatting
 process. This is done using the first digit of the 5 digit credit code as
 a format indicator digit. A predetermined formula or table prestored in
 ROM 46, which corresponds to the predetermined formula or table stored in
 ROM of controller 25, is then accessed using the first (format indicator)
 digit. The table or formula, depending on the first digit, then unformats
 the remaining 4 digits of the 5 digit credit code to identify which digit
 corresponds to each of the two random numbers, the quantity, and check
 digit. The unformatted 5 character credit code is then checked for a
 correct check digit in step 129 against that sent from controller 25 in
 step 121 (one digit of the 3 digit code). The random numbers are then
 extracted and compared in step 129 against the queue (the remaining two
 digits of the previously stored 3 digit code number from controller 25) in
 memory. If both of the aforementioned tests or comparisons are passed, the
 user input 5 digit credit code is accepted in step 131. An accepted number
 is immediately erased from the queue to prevent reuse. No numbers,
 however, are erased when an invalid entry is made. This provides for user
 mistakes made during key input, for example, and allows the user to retry
 input of his credit code number. The VMC can then extract the input
 quantity from the unformatted 5 digit credit code.
 Display 55 of FIG. 6A can then display to the user, for example, and
 indication of whether or not the input code or bar coded receipt is a
 valid entry, by lighting a green light for example. Further, display 55
 can display the quantity of soft drinks to be dispensed, based on the
 quantity extracted from a valid 5 digit credit code number input by the
 customer. A similar type display 55, displaying quantity of soft drinks to
 be dispensed, for example, can also be used in the manual input embodiment
 shown in FIG. 5A of the present application.
 If the extracted numbers do not match those stored in memory, a customer
 message is displayed (or a red light is lit) in step 133 on a display 55
 or a similar type of display, thereby denying access to a customer. The
 customer can then either re-input the 5 digit credit code number via
 keypad 16, or can re-insert the machine readable receipt 45B into slot 53
 as shown in FIG. 6A. An appropriate number of attempts, such as three for
 example, could be provided to the user before the vending machine 3 will
 no longer accept an input code number. This again acts to prevent access
 via random number input and in the machine-readable code embodiment for
 example, can be optional.
 The SMC 25 continuously polls the VIM of keypad controller 39 at this time,
 awaiting a total debit/credit for the quantity of goods vended by vending
 machine 3. The SMC 25 sends a Poll Transaction packet as follows:
 Poll Transaction Packet
 SMC sends Poll Transaction packet

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 4 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII transaction #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 If the packet received is OK, the VIM will indicate (at this time) that the
 transaction is still in progress (or not yet started), i.e. the machine 3
 has not yet vended any products:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 If the packet has been received with a bad check digit, the VIM will notify
 the SMC as follows:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 The SMC then retransmits the Poll Transaction packet.
 If the appropriate portions (3 of 5 digits of credit code numbers) of the
 keyed in or machine read input code matches the stored 3 digit code number
 received from controller 25, the keypad controller 39 then moves to step
 135 of FIG. 9. In this step, the keypad controller 39, via bus 37, sends a
 signal requesting the display section controller to activate selection
 buttons 40, thereby prompting a user to select one of a variety of types
 of soft drinks or flavors of soft drinks. The selection buttons 40 can be
 controlled to be illuminated by a display section controller for example,
 upon keypad controller 39 determining a match in step 131, or separate
 display lights (not shown) can be activated next to each of the selection
 buttons 40.
 In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the number of cans
 or packaged goods remaining in the machine, corresponding to each of the
 selection buttons 40, can be monitored. Upon the keypad controller 39
 detecting, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art, that a
 particular selection or type of soft drink is unavailable with no more of
 that soft drink remaining in the machine, the keypad controller 39 then
 could activate only available selections or selection buttons 40 in step
 135. This could avoid unsuccessful vends. Further, if no more products
 remain in the vending machine 3, the keypad controller 39, upon being
 polled by SMC 25, could transfer this information to the retail controller
 25 whereupon steps prompting a customer to purchase a soft drink could be
 skipped until the vending machine 3 is supplied with more soft drinks.
 Also, keypad controller 39 could also transfer information on all "sold
 out" selections to controller 25, as will be explained later. The SMC 25
 sends a Product Inquiry packet as follows:
 Product Inguiry Packet
 SMC sends Product Inquiry packet

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 2 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII slot #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 If the packet is received with bad check digit, the VIM notifies the SMC.
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 The SMC then retransmits the Product Inquiry packet. However, if the packet
 received is OK, but the inquiry corresponds to an invalid slot number or
 unprogrammed slot, the SMC is notified.
 SMC.rarw.DLE --- VIM
 Finally, if the packet is received, the inquiry for each slot is processed
 and the VIM can then notify the SMC of all "sold out" selections (one
 packet sent for each selection).

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 9 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM transaction #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 If the packet received is OK, the transaction is closed:
 SMC.rarw.ACK --- VIM
 The VIM then deletes the memory structure for that transaction. However, if
 the packet is received with a bad check digit:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 The SMC then retransmits the End Transaction packet. Finally, if the packet
 received is OK, and the transaction still in progress:
 SMC.rarw.DLE --- VIM
 To properly terminate, the SMC must poll for an end of transaction and then
 the SMC must resend and End Transaction packet.
 In some instances, a transaction may be cancelled. The "Cancel Transaction"
 packet is as follows:
 Cancel Transaction Packet
 The SMC 25 sends a Cancel Transaction packet.

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 8 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII transaction #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 If the packet received is OK, the transaction is closed.
 SMC.rarw.ACK --- VIM
 The VIM deletes the memory structure for that transaction and sends a
 signal to SMC 25 acknowledging cancellation. However, if the packet is
 received with a bad check digit:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 The SMC then retransmits the Cancel Transaction packet. Finally, if the
 packet received is OK, and the transaction is partially executed:
 SMC.rarw.DLE --- VIM
 The VIM marks the transaction as cancelled, but does not delete it. No
 further vends on this transaction will be allowed. To cancel anyway, the
 SMC retransmits the Cancel Transaction packet. Further, to get
 credit/debit amounts for the transaction, the SMC sends a Poll Transaction
 packet, and then the SMC sends an End Transaction packet to terminate the
 transaction.
 The SMC can obtain both price and quantity (debited amount) from the keypad
 controller 39. Alternatively, the SMC 39 can inquire into the price of
 goods to be vended as follows:
 The SMC sends a Price Inquiry packet.

SMC --- SOH ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- 3 ---&gt; VIM command code
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM 2-char ASCII slot #
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM
 SMC --- # ---&gt; VIM ASCII mod 10 check digit
 SMC --- EOT ---&gt; VIM
 If the packet is received with a bad check digit:
 SMC.rarw.NAK --- VIM
 The SMC then retransmits the Price Inquiry packet. However, if the packet
 received is OK, but corresponds to an invalid slot number or an
 unprogrammed slot:
 SMC.rarw.DLE --- VIM
 The VIM sends a return signal deleting the inquiry, wherein DLE has a hex
 value $10 and a decimal value 16. Finally, if the packet received is OK,
 the inquiry is processed as follows: