Computer controlled machine for vending personalized products or the like

Claims

We claim:

1. A machine for delivering a product which may be automatically personalized by the customer at the time of purchase and which is selected from a plurality of different products, said machine comprising: storage means for storing base products, delivery receptacle means, product handling means for effecting a series of operations and including electrically controllable transfer means for effecting transfer of a base product from said storage means, electrically controllable modification means for effecting modification of said base product to produce a modified base product and electrically controllable delivery means for effecting delivery of said modified base product to said delivery receptacle means, an enclosure containing said storage, receptacle and product handling means therewithin, selection means operable by a customer on the outside of said enclosure to effect entry of control data which defines the desired final form of the personalized product to be delivered to the customer, and computer means within said enclosure and coupled to said selection means and to said electrically controllable transfer, modification and delivery means of said product handling means, said computer means controlling said transfer, modification and delivery means of said product handling means to perform a series of operations in accordance with said control data, said series of operations being performed within said enclosure without operator intervention and including transfer of a base product from said storage means, modification of a base product transferred from said storage means and delivery of the desired final form of product from said modification means to said delivery receptacle means,

wherein said selection means includes display means arranged for display of said different products for selection by a customer.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage, product handling, selection and computer means are arranged for handling a variety of products, whereby said machine provides a flexible manufacturing platform for one-of-a-kind personalized products.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the selections available to the customer define a large number of types of finished products, whereby said machine operates on a just-in-time basis to eliminate a large finished goods inventory which would otherwise be required.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said selection means comprises electronically alterable presentation means for presentation of options available to a customer for selection of the desired final form of the product, whereby the forms of products offered by said machine may be quickly altered.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said base products include base products in the form of sheets of sheet material and wherein said modification means of said product handing means include printing means for printing personalized data on said base products.

6. A machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said printing means includes a printer having an impression roller, sheet receiving and guide means positioning a sheet for engagement with said impression roller, said printer being controlled to drive said roller in a reverse direction to place said lower edge at a predetermined position and to then drive said roller through a certain angle in a forward direction to accurately place a leading edge of the sheet at a certain substantially fixed start position prior to printing of data thereon.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage means include means for storing a stack of base products in the form of sheets of sheet material and wherein said handling means comprises suction pick-up means cooperative with said storage means for frictional engagement with a leading sheet of said stack to effect an initial separation from remaining sheets of said stack followed by the application of suction to completing remove said leading sheet from said stack.

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, further including start means coupled to said computer means for initiating performance of said series of operations in accordance with said control data.

9. A machine as defined in claim 8, said start means including payment means operable by a customer on the outside of said enclosure to effect payment for a product.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said base products include sheets of greeting card stock, and wherein said modification means include means for applying indicia to a transferred sheet of greeting card stock to form a completed personalized greeting card.

11. A machine as defined in claim 10, wherein said modification means include means for applying message indicia of a selectable form to a transferred sheet of greeting cards stock, and wherein said selection means include means for selecting the form of message indicia to be applied to a transferred sheet of greeting card stock.

12. A machine as defined in claim 11, wherein said selection means includes means for selecting characters from a complete alphabet for composition of the form of message indicia to be applied to a transferred sheet of greeting card stock.

13. A machine as defined in claim 12, wherein said display means include a touch screen on which complete alphabet is displayed to be touched by a customer for selection the form of message indicia to be applied to a transferred sheet of greeting card stock.

14. A machine as defined in claim 10, wherein said base products include sheets of greeting cards having various indicia printed thereon to provide various forms of greeting cards.

15. A machine as defined in claim 10, wherein said base products include blank sheets of greeting card stock, and wherein said modification means include means for applying graphic indicia to a transferred sheet of greeting card stock in forming a completed personalized greeting card.

16. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means include a touch screen for display and selection of said different products and for display of operating instructions.

17. A machine as defined in claim 16, further including audio means for providing operating instructions and indications to a customer.

18. A machine for delivering a product which may be automatically personalized by the customer at the time of purchase and which is selected from a plurality of different types of products, said machine comprising: storage means for storing base products, delivery receptacle means, product handling means for effecting a series of operations including transfer of a base product from said storage means, modification of said base product to produce a modified base product and delivery of said modified base product to said delivery receptacle means, an enclosure containing said storage, receptacle and product handling means therewithin, payment means operable by a customer on the outside of said enclosure to effect payment of a product, selection means operable by a customer on the outside of said enclosure to effect entry of control data which defines the desired final form of the personalized product to be delivered to the customer, and computer means within said enclosure and coupled to said payment, selection and product handling means, said computer means controlling said product handling means following payment by a customer to perform said series of operations in accordance with said control data and to effect delivery of the desired final form of product to said delivery receptacle means, wherein said storage means include means for storing a stack of base products in the form of sheets of sheet material and wherein said handling means comprises suction pick-up means cooperative with said storage means for frictional engagement with a leading sheet of said stack to effect an initial separation from remaining sheets of said stack followed by the application of suction to completing remove said leading sheet from said stack, and wherein said storage means include restraining means engageable with end edge portions of sheets of said stack adjacent side edges thereof, said leading sheet being buckled to move past said restraining means during said initial separation while said restraining means prevent movements of sheets behind said leading sheet.

19. A machine for delivering a product selected from a plurality of different types of products, said system comprising: presentation means for presenting identification of said products, selection means for entry of a selection of one of said types of products, payment means operable to effect payment by a customer for a selected product, receptacle means for holding a selected and delivered product until removal by a customer, an enclosure supporting said presentation, selection, payment and receptacle means, storage means within said enclosure including a plurality of separate compartments for storing said plurality of different types of products, product modification means within said enclosure for effecting controllable modifications of each of said plurality of different types of products, product transfer means within said enclosure arranged to move a single product away from a compartment and to said modification means and to thereafter move the product after modification to said respectable means, and control means within said enclosure and coupled to said product identification, selection, payment, product modification and product transfer means, said control means including computer means programmed to control operation of said presentation means and to respond to payment and entry of a selection by a customer to effect movement of a corresponding product away from one of said compartments and to said receptacle means, said presentation means being controllable by said computer after a payment by a customer to operation in a selection mode to present instructions for further operations by the customer to effect selections of a product and to effect selections of modifications of the selected product in accordance with preferences of the customer.

20. A machine for delivering a product which is selected from a plurality of different types of products, said machine comprising: storage means for storing base products, delivery receptacle means, product handling means for effecting a series of operations including transfer of a base product from said storage means, modification of said base product to produce a modified base product and delivery of said modified base product to said delivery receptacle means, an enclosure containing said storage, receptacle and product handling means therewith, selection means operable to effect entry of control data which defines the desired final form of a product to be delivered to said delivery receptacle means, and computer means within said enclosure and coupled to said selection and product handling means, said storage means being arranged to store a plurality of base products of different types, and said product handling means including modification means for effecting modifications of said base products and transfer means for selective transfer of said base products of different types to said modification means and transfer of modified base products to said delivery receptacle means, said computer means controlling said modification and transfer means of said product handling means in accordance with said control data to transfer a selected base product to said modification means and to effect modification of the selected base product in accordance with said control data and to then effect transfer of the desired final form of product to said delivery receptacle means, wherein said selection means includes means for presenting options for selection including a type select option determinative of the type of base product to be delivered to said modification means and modification options determinative of modifications to be performed by said modification means, said type select option being presented prior to said modification options, and computer means being operative in response to said type select option to initiate transfer of the selected type of base product to said modification means while said modification options are presented for selection by said selection means.

21. A machine as defined in claim 20, wherein said transfer means are arranged for transfer of base products of certain types for assembly with modified base products of other types to produce the desired final product.

22. A machine for delivering a product which is selected from a plurality of different types of products, said machine comprising: storage means for storing base products, delivery receptacle means, product handling means for effecting a series of operations including transfer of a base product from said storage means, modification of said base product to produce a modified base product and delivery of said modified base product to said delivery receptacle means, an enclosure containing said storage, receptacle and product handling means therewith, selection means operable to effect entry of control data which defines a desired final form of a product to be delivered to said delivery receptacle means, and computer means within said enclosure and coupled to said selection and product handling means, said storage means being arranged to store a plurality of base products of different types, and said product handling means including modification means for effecting modifications of said base products and transfer means for selective transfer of said base products of different types to said modification means and transfer of modified base products to said delivery receptacle means, said computer means controlling said modification and transfer means of said product handling means in accordance with said control data to transfer a selected base product to said modification means and to effect modification of the selected base product in accordance with said control data and to then effect transfer of the desired final form of product to said delivery receptacle means, wherein said selection means includes means for presenting options for selection including a type select option determinative of the type of base product to be delivered to said modification means and modification options determinative of modifications to be performed by said modification means, said type select option being presented prior to said modification options, and computer means being operative in response to said type select option to initiate transfer of the selected type of base product to said modification means while said modification options are presented for selection by said selection means, wherein said transfer means are arranged for transfer of base products of certain types for assembly with modified base products of other types to produce the desired final product, and wherein said computer being operative to control said transfer means to effect transfer of a base product of one of said certain types to an assembly point while controlling said modification means to modify a base product of one of said other types and to thereafter control said transfer means to transfer a modified base product from said modification means to said assembly point.

23. A machine for delivering a product which is selected from a plurality of different types of products, said machine comprising: storage means for storing base products, delivery receptacle means, product handling means for effecting a series of operations including transfer of a base product from said storage means, modification of said base product to produce a modified base product and delivery of said modified base product to said delivery receptacle means, an enclosure containing said storage, receptacle and product handling means therewithin, selection means operable to effect entry of control data which defines a desired final form of a product to be delivered to said delivery receptacle means, and computer means within said enclosure and coupled to said selection and product handling means, said storage means being arranged to store a plurality of base products of different types, and said product handling means including modification means for effecting modifications of said base products and transfer means for selective transfer of said base products of different types to said modification means and transfer of modified base products to said delivery receptacle means, said computer means controlling said modification and transfer means of said product handling means in accordance with said control data to transfer a selected base product to said modification means and to effect modification of the selected base product in accordance with said control data and to then effect transfer of the desired final form of product to said delivery receptacle means, wherein said transfer means includes a turret head pick-up means supported by said head, said turret head being rotatable about a vertical axis to selectively position said pick-up means opposite storage and modification stations at different angular positions about said axis and said pick-up means being operable for pick-up of a base product at a storage station and transfer thereof to a modification station.

24. A machine as defined in claim 23, wherein said product handling means includes a transfer device at a transfer station at an angular position different from the angular positions of said storage and modification stations, said pick-up means being operable for transfer of a modified base product from said modification station to said transfer station.

25. A machine as defined in claim 24, wherein said transfer device is operable for transfer of a product to said delivery receptacle means.

26. A machine as defined in claim 25, wherein said transfer device is rotatable about a vertical axis for movement between a position for receiving a product from said pick-up means and a position for delivery of a product to said delivery receptacle means.

27. A machine as defined in claim 26, wherein said selection means and said delivery means are located at level for ready access by a person standing in front of said enclosure, and wherein said transfer station is at a level which is substantially lower than the level of said transfer station, said transfer device being movable upwardly to a level above the level of said delivery receptacle means and being arranged to deposit a modified product in said delivery receptacle means.

28. A machine as defined in claim 23, wherein an additional storage location and an assembly location are provided at an angular positions different from each other and those of the first-mentioned storage location and said modification station, said turret head and said pick-up means thereon being operable for pick-up of a base product from said additional storage location and transfer thereof to said assembly location and being also operable for pick-up of a modified base product from said modification means to said assembly location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vending machine and more particularly to an interactive machine which dispenses greeting cards or other personalized products selected by a customer. The machine provides readily understandable information as to available products and their attributes and of the steps required for selection thereof so as to be readily operable by a customer without assistance. It is reliable, efficient and fast in operation, is usable with a variety of types of products is otherwise very versatile, and it is manufacturable at relatively low cost.

2. Background of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,892,427 and 3,982,744 disclose methods for the production of personalized "ME" books in which, for example, the name of a child who is to receive a story book is printed in the text of a story book. In the production of such books, a computer was used to control a printer to print variable data on preprinted sheet material to form sheets which were bound together in a separate operation to provide the final hard cover book product. As disclosed, many types of variable data could be stored in the computer and such variable data may include quality control indicia which may include check bars or other graphics.

The Rosewarne et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,327 discloses methods similar to those disclosed in the "ME" book patents and the printing of specific types of graphics including pictorial figures having physical characteristics similar to personalized data introduced into the system. A standard microprocessor is programmed to provide storage and combining functions after personalized data is introduced into the system by temporary storage by the purchaser or user on a storage medium such as a punched card. One or more plotters are used for producing the final product, an eight pen plotter being disclosed.

Many vending machines have heretofore been provided for vending of cans, bottles, hot and cold liquids in cups, sandwiches, candy, combs, and various other products, each machine being typically designed to handle only products which have a physical size and shape within a certain limited range. Typically, a customer inserts a coin in a slot and makes a selection by pushing a button or by effecting movement of an article carrier to position a selected article at an exit position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention was evolved with the general object of providing a machine for vending greeting cards and similar personalized products and which is readily operable by a customer without assistance to obtain personalized or customized products of his or her choice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is reliable, efficient and versatile while being manufacturable at relatively low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which displays identifications o available products and desirable attributes and features thereof an of modes of selection such as to facilitate selection of product and the desired attributes and features by the customer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible manufacturing platform which allows for quick changes of product storage means to allow different products to be manufactured to customer's preferences.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a "just-in-time" manufacturing platform in which products are tailored to the customer's preference at the time of purchase, one at a time.

A machine constructed in accordance with the invention includes an enclosure with selection and payment means on the outside thereof and with product storage and handling means on the inside thereof, all coupled to a computer which is on the inside of the enclosure and which is programmed to deliver a selected product to a receptacle from which it may be removed by the customer.

Preferably, available products and their desirable attributes and features are identified both audibly and visually and the computer is programmed to control presentation of a sequence of images and associated sound. In accordance with an important feature, it controls a general presentation of a series of descriptions of available products and their features with instructions as to initiating use of the machine. When a customer initiates use of the machine, the computer then controls presentations of specific instructions to the customer to make it possible to make selections easily, quickly and accurately. After a customer's selections are effected, the computer again controls the general presentation and repeats it until another customer's use is initiated. Thus the audible and visual capabilities of the machine are used to maximum advantage.

In an illustrated embodiment, the images are presented on a CRT screen which is also usable as a touch screen for selection of the desired product and the desired features and attributes thereof. The touch screen or a keyboard or other input device may be used, for example, to select from among a number of different birthday cards and to enter the name and birthdate of the intended receiver, the name of the sender and other personalized data.

After a customer selects and pays for a greeting card or other product, a data entering mode may be initiated in which he or she is asked to enter data or otherwise select the form of the final product, as by entering the names of the receiver and sender of a birthday card, for example. The data entering mode may further include operations for viewing and correction of entered data.

Important features of the current embodiment of the invention relate to the handling of a product, wherein a product is selected, transferred to modifying apparatus such as a printer and subsequently transferred therefrom to a delivery receptacle. An illustrated machine includes a robot which is so positioned relative to stored products and the printer or other modifying apparatus as to facilitate selection of a product and transfers to and from the modifying apparatus. Preferably the robot includes a turret head which is rotatable about a fixed axis with a transfer head supported from the turret head through an articulated arm assembly and with the stored products and modifying apparatus positioned in angularly spaced relation.

For transfer of products such as printed forms, envelopes and other sheet materials or the equivalent, the transfer head preferably includes suction cups. The products may preferably be compactly stored in stacks in a stepped relationship such that a portion of an end product of each stack is accessible for engagement by suction cups of the transfer head. In the alternative, electromechanically operated and slidable magazines or turrets may present products to a material handling device such as a robot.

The product handling apparatus may also include a transfer device for receiving products from the robot and transferring the products to a delivery receptacle, so arranged as to obtain a compact machine and rapid and efficient handling of the products. The transfer device is arranged in angularly spaced relation to the modifying apparatus and to the stored products. Preferably, the device is rotatable about an axis parallel to the turret axis, between an angular position for receiving products from the robot and an angular position for delivery of products to the delivery receptacle. In a preferred construction the turret axis is a vertical axis and the transfer device is movable vertically to elevate products to a position at which they can be dropped into a delivery receptacle which is conveniently located at an elevated position in relation to the robot.

Still further features relate to the control of operations such as to facilitate rapid and efficient delivery of products. For example, after a customer selects and pays for a product, the transfer of the selected product from storage to a printer or other modifying apparatus is initiated immediately and is preformed while the customer is making selections of data for printing or other modifications of the product. Also, while printing or other modifications are taking place, other required operations may take place, such as the selection of an envelope appropriate for a selected form of greeting card.

The machine of the invention is very versatile.

The machine of the invention is very versatile. It can be readily programmed and otherwise adapted for use in a wide variety of types of products, for rapid, efficient and reliable selection and delivery thereof.

The machine of the invention is additionally advantageous in that it can compile sales information covering different time periods, e.g. one day or one month, which can then be summarized and evaluated in accordance with specific requirements.

This invention contemplates other objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a greeting card dispensing machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1, with a rear wall thereof removed;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line III--III of FIG. 2 and showing a robot and associated structures within the machine;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the pick-up of a sheet of material from a storage rack;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the delivery of a sheet of material to a printer;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the delivery of a sheet of material to a transfer device;

FIG. 7 is an elevational sectional view illustrating a transfer device of the machine in an elevated delivery position;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram which illustrates the various components of the machine and the functional relationship and interaction thereof;

FIGS. 9A and 9B form a flow chart illustrating various operations performed by the machine under computer control;

FIGS. 10A and 10B form a flow chart illustrating instruction and selection processes performed by the machine under computer control;

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a form storage bin and suction cups used in picking up a form;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, but illustrates the condition after moving the cups upwardly a short distance;

FIG. 13 illustrates an upper corner portion of a bin, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a bin with a portions of a side wall broken away; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the condition of forms after movement as shown in FIG. 12, the thicknesses of forms being exaggerated for clarity of illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference numeral 10 generally designates a vending machine which is constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and which is designed for vending personalized greeting cards. It should be understood that various features of the invention are not limited to a vending machine for personalized greeting cards and may be used in conjunction with the vending of other products of sheet material as well as in the vending of other products.

The machine 10 includes presentation means including a screen 11 which is operable to present identifications of the available greeting card products and also including voice generating means for developing an associated audible description of products. In an introductory presentation mode, such presentation means are operable to present a sequence of identifications of the available greeting cards and desirable attributes and features thereof to persons in the vicinity of the machine 10. Operating instructions are also presented in the introductory presentation mode.

By way of example, the machine 10 may be used to vend products including "The Birthday Times", "The Anniversary Times", a number of "Peanuts" birthday greeting cards, and also a Santa Claus greeting. In each case, the name or names of the receiver or receivers may be printed on the product and the name of the sender of the product may also be printed, when appropriate. In the case of "The Anniversary Times" product and "The Birthday Times" product, text relating to the birthdate or the anniversary date may be printed on the card in a manner as hereinafter described.

In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 11 is operable as a touch screen for selection of the product and for entering of name, date and other data. The customer is invited to touch a portion of the screen to indicate an intention to purchase a selected one of the available products and is then instructed audibly through voice generating means and visually through the screen 11 to effect payment for the product. Payment may be effected by insertion of coins in a coin slot 12, insertion of a bill in a bill receiving device 13 or temporary insertion of a credit card in a credit card reader 14. Change cup 15 is provided for delivering any change which may be due, and a receipt 16, as indicated, may be delivered through a receipt delivery slot 17.

As an example of the operation, the customer may touch a portion of the screen labeled "The Birthday Times" and he or she is then asked to pay a specified price by depositing coins, a bill or effecting a credit card entry. Then a screen is produced bearing the letters of the alphabet and the customer is asked to touch the screen to enter the first name of the recipient and then the last name of the recipient.

Next, a screen is produced bearing indicia of the months of the year and the customer is asked to respond, additional screens being produced for entry of the date and year of birth of the recipient. Then a screen image is produced which reproduces the entries made by the customer who is then asked if any corrections are necessary. If he or she answers "yes", screens are produced for selection of the entry to be corrected and instructing the customer how to make changes. Once the entry is approved by the customer, the screen and associated voice reproduction are produced thanking the customer and telling the customer that the greeting card will be printed. With variations, similar types of programs are used for "The Anniversary Times", "Peanuts" cards and "Letter from Santa".

A delivery receptacle 18 is provided into which the selected product is delivered, along with envelope or other required associated materials. The delivery receptacle 18, the screen 11, coin slot 12, bill receiver 13 and credit card reader 14 are positioned on an inclined front panel 20 of a housing 21. The change cup 15 and receipt delivery slot 17 are in a front panel 22 below the inclined panel 20. The housing 21 further includes side walls