Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of dispensing a number of mobile phone accessory products from a vending machine by use of a uniform, standardized package. The vending machine may have a number of shelves and a number of individual column on each shelf. The user selects a product to be purchased by shelf and column, and the vending machine delivers the selected product by a mechanical operation to a receptacle where the user obtains the purchased product. The vending machine keeps track of inventory as well as purchasing remotely. Also, the vending machine is capable of referral to a website where the user obtains additional information on which phone the user has so the proper selection can be made.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/886,232, now pending, filed on May 2, 2013. The entire prior application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention is directed toward the sales of phone accessories in a vending machine by use of enclosing the phone accessories in a standard uniform package or container. 
         [0006]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    Many vending machines have a front door with a glass to allow a potential customer to see the products stored within. Such a windowed door allows for storing the products in a first in, first out (“FIFO) fashion and also allows for the product aesthetics to be viewed. Such FIFO rotation ensures that the products therein are dispensed in a timely and efficient manner. Further, glass front venders allow the customer (or consumer) to select among the presented products by location. That is, by selecting a row and column as in a grid format. 
         [0008]    Some moderately higher end products are currently sold in malls and other ‘in store areas’ where a vendor provides a boutique product on an island sales platform where the specialized item does not justify the renting out a store space. These types of products are expensive enough and profitable enough to be sold with the assistance of a salesperson who attends the booth and often provides a minimal amount of assistance. 
         [0009]    Mobile phone accessories are one of the items commonly sold on an island platform. They are a higher end product and specialized in the sense that they require that the sales person have some minimal knowledge about mobile phones, and provide assistance to consumers about what products are applicable to their phone. 
         [0010]    A salesperson can confirm a few basic facts that are important to the consumer such as: 
         [0011]    1. The product will fit (such as an outer decorative case) or is suitable for their phone model 
         [0012]    2. Answer basic questions about product specifications—in detail if asked for. 
         [0013]    3. Take a return product if defective or unsatisfactory. 
         [0014]    A vending machine could potentially replace the island sales platform if important consumer issues can be addressed such as 
         [0015]    1. Answering technical questions 
         [0016]    2. Being able to see what is being offered 
         [0017]    3. Being able to complete a transaction 
         [0018]    4. Having confidence that the product purchased is suitable for their mobile phone 
         [0019]    5. Maintaining inventory in the vending machine 
         [0020]    6. Obtain detailed information about the product 
         [0021]    7. Having a method to return the product, such as a sales receipt 
         [0022]    Some common mobile phone accessories that are saleable in a vending include: decorative cases, ear buds, music gift cards, 110 VAC charging cords, blue tooth items, communication cables, automotive charging cords, and the like. The consumer can purchase these items with little or no technical assistance from a salesperson if their questions are answerable via a self-help methodology, such as an accessible website, and the consumer can proceed with a self-initiated vending machine sales transaction. 
         [0023]    One particular issue is assisting the user in identifying their type of phone. Surprisingly, it is a frequent issue that potential customers are unable/not confident of which type of phone (i.e. manufacturer or model number) they are using. Though the manufacturer name may be stamped on the back of their phone (or available somewhere in the phone software), it is common for the user to be unsure of which exact phone type or model they have. This lack of confidence for those that are unsure is a significant barrier to potential sales. 
         [0024]    Another difficulty to selling mobile phone accessories in a vending machine is lack of a uniform outer package or container. It is difficult to design a vending machine for a variety of products where the products can be dispensed reliably if the package/shape of the dispensed item is non-uniform. 
         [0025]    It is also of interest to the vending machine supplier to keep track of inventory and sales. Although it is possible to check the vending machine on a frequent basis by visiting a machine in person on a schedule, it is an undesirable method. Also, if a fashion accessory is being sold (such as a mobile phone outer case) it is difficult to keep track of trends and have the correct inventory in stock. Sales are lost while trying to keep up with current trends. It is important for a successful operation from a supplier standpoint and to some extent for a buyer&#39;s perspective, for the inventory to optimally match the desire of the customer. To that end, it is desirable for the inventory to be tracked by a remote means. 
         [0026]    There is a potential market, therefore, for improved a vending machine designed and tailored specifically for the needs of a mobile phone market. The vending machine also preferably displays the products in a prominent and attractive manner so as to gain the consumer&#39;s attention and interest. 
         [0027]    A vending machine is needed to affordably and economically service this market, and needs to address the issues identified. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    A standardized outer container is designed to house mobile phone accessory products and delivered via a vending machine. The vending machine is self-contained and provides important information to the consumer about their potential purchase. To ensure the user is knowledgeable about their phone type, they are informed by either a scan-able bar code directing them to a web site that will automatically detect their phone type, or they can compare their phone to a picture. The unified, standardized outer package provides a basis for a reliable vending machine delivery system. Payments can be made by electronic methods such as by a purchasing card, credit card, bank card, an electronic funds transfer, or by a cash payment. Inventory is done by a remote monitoring system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows the front of a vending machine designed to dispense mobile phone accessory products. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows the side of the vending machine in  FIG. 1  if a second similar vending machine is back to back with the vending machine in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a uniform outer package housing a mobile phone case used in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  shows the front right side door open of the vending machine in  FIG. 1  to show important components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    In  FIG. 1 , the vending machine  101  includes a left front door  113  (left door hinges  115 ) and a right front door  114  (right door hinges  116 ). The left front door  113  has a panel made of glass or other transparent material to allow the consumer to see the products on display for purchase. The vending machine  101  includes a product end dispenser  111 . The consumer grasps and pulls the dispensed product out after it is placed in the product end dispenser  111 . More than one product end dispenser can be used. The vending machine  101  includes a selection panel or product selector  110 . The product selector panel  110  is an alpha numeric keypad which the consumer uses to select the particular row and column of the product. For example, the product in the upper left corner would be A1 and the product in the lower right corner would be E9. Where the letter represents the horizontal row and the number is the column counting from the left. Alternately, the row is a number and the column is a letter. The correct alphanumeric number is preferably displayed underneath each product to aid in helping the consumer understand which numeric code to key in. 
         [0034]    To purchase a packaged product  102 , the consumer selects an item on the product selector using the alpha numeric keypad on the product selector panel  110 . The alphanumeric keypad is used to select a product shelf  104  (i.e. row) and a product column in any order. The amount for the item appears on the cash/money sales device  109  and the consumer pays for the item by supplying a credit card, debit card, cash, or other acceptable payment. The vending machine verifies the payment and then moves the product transfer unit  112  to the correct row and column. The moving side tab  106  and moving side tab support  107  are then activated to withdraw horizontally (i.e. narrow) which allows the purchased product to pass forward into the product transfer unit. The center fixed tab support  108  holds the moving side tab and moving side tab support. The center fixed tab support  108  does not narrow and is fixed in place. A moving transfer conveyor  103  under the product moves the product forward into the product transfer unit  112 . The product transfer unit then moves downwardly and to the right to dispense the selected product into the product end dispenser  111  where the consumer may grasp it from the vending machine. The moving transfer conveyors  103  under each product column are supported by fixed product shelves  104 . 
         [0035]    When the mobile phone accessory product is dispensed, a sensor (see  FIG. 4 ) monitors the product end dispenser  111  to ensure that the product is successfully moved from the product shelf to the consumer. This verifies that the machine has performed satisfactorily and ensures that the customer receives the item before billing occurs. There is a door in the product end dispenser which opens for the customer to obtain the item and then closes to prevent vending machine tampering. 
         [0036]    In an alternate embodiment, the vending machine utilizes a horizontal shelf and dispenses products only by moving product forward onto the shelf and lowering the shelf to a dispensing area where the consumer may grasp the product. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, a touch monitor  117  is available for the consumer&#39;s viewing. The monitor provides three important services: 
         [0038]    1. A display of the product selected. 
         [0039]    2. A display of how the selected product will look like when it is used with the consumer&#39;s phone. This is especially helpful when a decorative phone case is selected. 
         [0040]    3. A display of the consumer&#39;s phone type. 
         [0041]    The monitor is preferably touch screen or alternately it is accessible through a consumer interface such as a keypad. In a preferred embodiment, the display shows the products from various angles and includes a rotatable view showing the mobile phone accessory product for a full  360  degree rotation about at least one axis. 
         [0042]    The operation of the vending machine is controlled by a microprocessor type of controller. The controller is preferably a programmable microprocessor or similar computerized system that includes a CPU, memory, hard drive or flash drive storage, user interface, input and outputs, communication with vending machine components, and a consumer display. Preferably the microprocessor uses a wireless device, a cell phone system communication device, internet connection, or similar electronic communication device to remotely communicate with the vending machine operator for the purpose supplying information related to the vending machine condition, inventory, error codes, etc. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows the side of the vending machine in  FIG. 1 . The company logo  201  is prominently displayed. As seen, pictures of popular mobile phones  202  are used to identify the particular type of phone the consumer is using along with instructions of how the consumer&#39;s phone type can be detected  203 . In another embodiment, a phone number (not shown) is available to call so that the consumer may find out (via an automated system) which type of phone the consumer is using. Finally, a website is accessible by using a standardized bar code  204  that provides the user access to information about their phone/operating system so that the consumer may be informed as to which phone they are holding. It should be noted that the automated systems of phone detection only work if the phone permits identification. If there is a user privacy setting, or an operating system setting that prevents identification, the consumer will have to be directed to the settings on their phone so they can identify their phone type by accessing the features of their phone. Additional space on the side(s) is available for advertising and product promotion  206 . 
         [0044]    In the case that two vending machines are placed back to back, and are additionally set up to dispense accessories two different phone systems, a direction information area  205  informs the consumer as to which vending machine is to be used for which phone. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a uniform outer package (or container) as seen previously in  FIG. 1  which is housing a mobile phone case. In this example, a mobile phone case  301  is housed inside a transparent uniform outer cylinder package  302  comprising a cylinder top  303 , cylinder middle  304 , and cylinder bottom  305 . The uniform outer cylinder package is preferably made from a disposable transparent material so that the consumer will easily see what product is being purchased. The cylinder bottom is preferably glued or pressed into the cylinder middle, while the cylinder top is a tight or tolerance fit so as to allow a consumer to easily pull it off. A wide variety of mobile phone accessory products will fit inside this package shape. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows the front right side door open of the vending machine in  FIG. 1 . A microprocessor  401  communicates with the consumer keypad interface  110 , a payment device  109 , a remote electronic communication module  402 , and an input/output module  403 . An input/output module communicates with the machine components of the vending machine and so as to actuate the motors, solenoids, etc. to move the product from the inventory location to the dispensing area. It also receives input from sensors as needed to verify motion and dispensing of the product. It also provides convenience lighting, handles advertising needs, performs administrative functions such as inventory (and item out of stock), and provides consumer instructions. The microprocessor incorporates a CPU, memory, hard drive storage or flash drive storage, operator interface, and remote communication as previously described. In another embodiment, the input/output module and the CPU could equally be incorporated onto a single printed circuit board. 
         [0047]    The lighting in the vending machine may be selected from a number of available commercially lighting bulbs. In a preferred embodiment, a cool white LED color, 6000+ degrees Kelvin is used. This is a bluish white light and displays the products attractively. The lighting may be in strips, tube, strings, or individual bulbs. 
         [0048]    This color has been observed to be better in initial testing, as it makes the products appear more attractive. In particular, phone cases are considered to be more eye catching using this kind of lighting. Initial vending machine installations have been successful in obtaining satisfactory sales levels using this type of lighting. 
         [0049]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.