The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 24, 1994
Paul Anderson Phillips, Marietta, GA (US);
John Stanley Miller, Fayetteville, GA (US);
Kit Weston Taylor, Stone Mountain, GA (US);
The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
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.