vending machine

Abstract

An automated vending machine includes a machine unit equipped with a merchandise purchase device and a prize redemption device. The merchandise purchase device displays merchandise, each containing a prize-winning information pair. The prize redemption device includes a reading unit, a central processing unit, a display unit, and a prize disbursement unit. The reading unit is used to read the prize-winning information pair of the sold merchandise. The central processing unit is connected to a remote prize-winning database to compare the prize-winning information pair to determine if a prize has been won. The display unit displays the prize amount information on the display unit. The prize disbursement unit disburses the prize money to the consumer for collection.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine comprising a machine unit, the machine unit having a merchandise purchase device and a prize redemption device, the merchandise purchase device displaying merchandise for consumers to purchase after paying a certain amount, and each merchandise containing a prize information pair for consumers to check for prizes after purchase, and the prize redemption device comprising: a reading unit for reading the prize information pair of the sold merchandise; a central processing unit connected to the reading unit for receiving the prize information pair, the central processing unit being connected to a remote prize database for comparing the prize information pair to determine if a prize has been won, and generating a prize amount message and a prize payment message; a display unit connected to the central processing unit for receiving the prize amount message from the central processing unit and displaying the prize amount message on the display unit; and a prize payment unit connected to the central processing unit for receiving the payment message and paying the prize money to the consumer for collection.

2. The vending machine as described in claim 1, wherein the prize information on each item is a barcode or a QR code, and the reading unit is a scanner.

3. The vending machine as described in claim 1, wherein the display unit is a display screen.

4. The vending machine as described in claim 1, wherein the machine is equipped with a cash storage device connected to the prize payout unit to provide the cash required by the prize payout unit.

5. The vending machine as described in claim 1, wherein the product purchasing device comprises: a product display module for displaying various products for consumers to choose from; a payment module through which consumers can pay for the products; an operation module for consumers to operate and select the products and quantities they wish to purchase from the product display module; a product dispensing module connected to the product display module for consumers to retrieve the products purchased from the product display module; and a processing module connected to the payment module, the operation module, and the product display module respectively, for receiving a payment message from the payment module, activating the operation module for consumers to operate, and receiving a selection message from the consumer from the operation module, activating the product display module to output the selected products to the product dispensing module for consumers to retrieve.

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