115
`United States Patent
`Lockwoodet al.
`
`[54] SELF-SERVICE TERMINAL
`[75]
`Inventors: Lawrence B. Lockwood, 5935
`Folsom, La Jolla, Calif. 92037;
`Michael Wells; Henri J. A.
`Charmasson, both of San Diego,
`Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Lawrence B. Lockwood, La Jolla,
`Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 168,953
`
`[22] Filed:
`Jul. 11, 1980
`[SU] Unt, C13 ccesssssssecsssssseeessse GOTF 7/02; HO4Q 1/00;
`GI11B 5/00
`P52) WSS GN sessccsstesceasasisasicsvatecancansinane 235/381; 360/12
`[58] Field of Search ............. 235/381; 364/521, 479;
`360/12; 358/903; 194/DIG. 1, 5, DIG. 6
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,705,384 12/1972 Wahlberg...........
`
`4,070,698
`1/1978 Curtis et al.
`neh
`4,190,819
`2/1980 Burgyam occ 360/12
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas A. Robinson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Henri J. A. Charmasson;
`Ralph S. Branscomb
`
`{11]
`[45]
`
`4,359,631
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`information, printed documents, and goods; and for
`accepting service orders and payments therefor by cur-
`rency or credit card. The terminal comprises a cathode
`ray tube display with mass storage for presenting infor-
`mation about the product or service sold, a keyboard
`for entry of customer requests, a printer for delivering
`couponsand tickets, a vending machine for dispensing
`small items, a coinbox and credit card readerfor accept-
`ing payments for goods and services, and a telephone
`interface for communicating with the staff of a com-
`mand center. The operation of the terminal is controlled
`by a microprocessorlinked to an automated reservation
`system. The preferred embodimentof the invention is
`dedicated to the promotion and sale oftravel services.
`Theterminal is operated from three memory devices. A
`non-volatile memory is used to store the operating pro-
`gram for the terminal. A semi-permanent storage in the
`form ofa video disc is used to hold the travel documen-
`taries and othersales presentations. A randomly accessi-
`ble mass storage is used to record flight schedules, hotel
`occupancy and other variables which are periodically
`updated from the commandcenter via a phone line data
`communication link. The vending machineis used pri-
`marily for dispensing travel brochures, maps, foreign
`currencies and other goodsrelated to the contemplated
`travel.
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video
`
`1i Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
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`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`4,359,631
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
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`IPR2016-00753
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`IPR2016-00753
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`4,359,631
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
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`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`4,359,631
`
`
`
`7] 8
`
`_-----------5
`VENDING
`CONTROLLER 86
`
`
`
` |||| ||||L
`
` CARD}22
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`READER
`
`ZO
`
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`IPR2016-00753
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`4,359,631
`
`§2
`
`DNIONIA
`
`TROINWHOIN
`
`7TICRLLNOD
`
`TLOWTE
`
`
`
`eey:aAdQOUeVHIXTIdILIW)WonP|re
`ts5EALIS|wa00HiALJLOWIY6E-
`OLoranyLQ
`|||Lsvoavoyg|Alvo||TWYINID
`ONIGNIAauvoesn
`
`JNOHdITILVa
`le|Tysonvn
`YITIOUINOD
`
`
`
`NOILWLSSNOHATTat
`
`or
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
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`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
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`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`4,359,631
`
`
`
`Fra. 9
`
`VENDING
`
`
` EMDISPLAYS
`
`TRAVELOG
`
`
`
`HARDCOPY
`
`
`
`RE
`
`STOMER~YES
`<WANs
`
` SCHEDULE
`FINISHED
`
`TRAVELOG
`FINISHED
`RESTRAEN
`
`
`TICKETS
`FINISHED
`
`Fta.10
`
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`IPR2016-00753
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`' Sheet 6 of 6
`
`4,359,631
`
`FINISHED
`PAYMENT
`
`ES
`
`VENDING
`
`ONLINE MASS
`STORAGE
`
` OW DEVICE
`
`
`eS
`TYPE OF~ WRITE
`OPERATION
`READ
`
`
`
`FINISHED
`
`FINISHED
`
`fre. 71
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
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`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
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`

`4,359,631
`
`1
`
`SELF-SERVICE TERMINAL
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The invention relates first to automatic reservation
`and ticketing terminals; second, to programmed audio-
`visual displays used in connection with the sale of goods
`and services, and to automatic, around-the-clock ser-
`vice tellers.
`2. Background of the Invention
`In a service-oriented business such as a travel agency,
`the offices must be staffed with personnel working on a
`one-to-one basis with the customers, and using hun-
`dreds of travel brochures and scores of schedules and
`reservation manuals. The travel agent must verbally
`describea destination, or show the customera printed
`brochure, check schedules and reservation status, then
`physically write the tickets or coupons beforecollect-
`ing payments. The time and means devoted to the pro-
`motion of the service are very limited and depend upon
`the salesmanship ofthe office staff. Such agencies are
`usually located in business sections and not in places
`where people live, work, or frequentin their daily com-
`muting routines. Yet studies have shownthat as many as
`80% of persons using a particular travel agency do so
`because of convenience. Therefore, the need has arisen
`for a new device capable of performing the promotion
`and sales of services such as those commonly dispensed
`by travel agencies,
`in a fully automated fashion and
`from easily accessible locations. The American public
`has been conditioned to receive mostofits information
`via television. A high-quality audio-visual travelog can
`utilize practically all the human senses to motivate and
`influence a customer to select a particular vacation or
`destination. The general public is also becoming accus-
`tomedto self-service terminals from vending machines
`Referring now to the drawing and according to the
`to automatic bank tellers.
`invention there is shownaself-service terminal 1 which
`40
`The present invention ingeniously combines the fea-
`is housed in a spherical enclosure 2 supported on a
`tures of audio-visual media presentation with those of
`pedestal 3. The spherical enclosure 2 has a diameter of
`self-service terminals to create a new and veryefficient
`preferably 90 centimeters (36 inches) and extends to a
`device for the promotion anddistribution of goods and
`height of 135 centimeters (54 inches). A transparent
`services.
`plexiglass door 5 covering approximately one quadrant
`of the upper hemispherepivots around a hinge 7 located
`at the apex. The door 5 gives access to a cavity in which
`the various control elements of the terminal are
`grouped. Ontheslanted floor 8 ofthe cavity are a key-
`board 20, a printer 11 and a small window 14for view-
`ing a goods dispenser 23. The backwall is occupied by
`the screen of a cathode ray tube 10. In the right wall are
`a credit card reader slot 15 and a loud speaker grid 17.
`A telephone hand set 25 and coin slot 16 appear on the
`left wall. A distribution pouch 18 associated with the
`goodsdispenser is located on the lower hemisphere of
`the enclosure 2 immediately below the service cavity. A
`hood 4 comprising the upper hemispherical skin of the
`enclosure 2 can be rotated around hinge6 to give access
`to the various components of the system. The terminal
`equipmentis ventilated by air flowing from ventilation
`holes 49 at the bottom of the enclosure 2 to the vents 48
`in the hood 4 underthe action of fan 47.
`Thebasic architecture ofthe self-service terminal can
`be best understood with reference to the general block
`diagram illustrated in FIG. 7. The system operates
`under the control of a data processor 30. The custom-
`er’s input interface elements comprise the keyboard 20,
`a coinbox 21 and a credit card reader 22. Informationis
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The objectives of the instant invention are multiple
`and comprise, among others, the following:
`Providing an automatic and efficient means for pro-
`moting and dispensing services to the general public on
`a twenty-four hours per day, seven-day per week,basis;
`Reducing the overall cost of services by lowering
`personnel and office overhead;
`Providing faster access to information and services
`from convenient locations along thoroughfares and in
`public buildings;
`Achieving target marketing of services from specific
`locations frequented by selected demographic groups;
`Offering merchandise related to the service pro-
`moted; for instance, dispensing, by coin insertion, trav-
`el-related products such as maps, books, guides and
`foreign currency, in conjunction with the sale and pro-
`motion of travel services.
`Offering the customer a convenient meansfor evalu-
`ating a variety of products or services presented to him
`by an audio visual medium; for instance, by highlight-
`ing, describing and updating vacation destinations and
`programs;
`
`2
`Providing the public with convenient access to com-
`puterized mass information systems, reservation book-
`ing and ticketing networks as well as specialized data
`banks; and
`Providing for the on-the-spot payment for products
`or services by currency or credit cards.
`These and other objectives are achieved in the imple-
`mentation ofa self-service terminal grouping a cathode
`raytube for the audio-visual presentation of informa-
`tion, a documentprinter, a vending machine, a coin box,
`a credit card reader, a keyboard for the entry of cus-
`tomerinquiries and a controlling unit operating from a
`plurality of data sources either locally or remotely lo-
`cated.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a front elevational view of the self-service
`terminal;
`FIG.2 is a right side view thereof;
`FIG.3 is a side elevation view of the terminal, with
`part of the casing removed, taken along line 3—3 of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of the terminal with the
`upper hood in the open position;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the
`dispenser distribution station;
`FIG.6 is the electrical schematic of the goods dis-
`penser;
`FIG.7 is a general block diagram oftheself-service
`terminal;
`FIG.8 is the detailed block diagram thereof;
`FIG.9 is the top level system flow diagram; and
`FIGS. 10 and 11 are a detailed flow diagram of the
`system.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
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`

`4,359,631
`
`3
`delivered to the customer through the CRT 10 and the
`page printer 11. Various items can be delivered by way
`of the dispenser 23. An audio communication link. 24
`associated with the telephone hand set 25 and a loud
`speaker 12 can be used to deliver voice information and
`to communicate with a remote service center. The pro-
`cessor 30 operates from a variety of data sources 26 as
`explained below. A more detailed layout of the system
`is illustrated in FIG, 8.
`The present embodimentofthe invention is designed
`to provide travel-related information and services. The
`first componentof the data source 26is a video storage
`and playback unit 27 which holds recordings of various
`travel documentaries promoting.tours, cruises, special
`events, resort facilities and other vacation opportuni-
`ties. Each documentaryis indexed and can be recalled
`on demandand played on the cathode ray tube 10. A
`second sourceofdata is provided by a mass storage unit
`28 which contains information of a more transitory
`nature such as flight schedules to various destinations,
`ticket prices, weather information, snow conditions at
`various skiing resorts, hotel occupancystatus and other
`information useful in the planning of a business trip or |
`vacation. This information is periodically updated via a
`communication link 24 with a remote control center.
`The information contained in the mass storage unit 28
`can be selectively displayed in alpha numerical form on
`the CRT 10. The CRTcanalso be used to display regu-
`lar broadcasted television programs as well as sched-
`uled and private cable television productions. Any in-
`formation or image displayed on the CRT 10 can also be
`delivered in a hard copy form by a printer 11. All re-
`quests for services or information are entered by the
`customer via the keyboard 20. Payments for the ser-
`vices may be effected either by depositing coins in the
`coinbox 21 or by charging it to a credit card account
`after validation of the credit card through the magnetic
`strip card reader 22. A small numberof travel-related
`goods such as travel guides, maps, sunglasses, foreign
`currency, may be purchased on the spot by way of the
`goods dispenser 23.
`The good dispenser 23 described with reference to
`FIGS. 1 through 6, comprises a rotating carousel 51
`which surrounds the various elements of the system
`about the equatorial zone within the enclosure 2. The
`carousel is divided in a plurality of stations 52 and is
`supported by a peripheral flange 54 riding overrollers
`53 mounted against the skin of the enclosure 2. Each of
`the stations 52 is open at the bottom and houses a
`hopper 55 holding one or more items 56 to be dispensed.
`The hopper 55 has a triangular shape and is supported
`by a hinge 57at one of the lower cornersof the station.
`The hopperis held in place by a spring-tensioned latch
`58. When the latch 58 is pulled, the hopper 55 rotates
`downward around hinge 57 and drops the goods 56 into
`the distribution pouch 18. The latch 58is released under
`the pull of a solenoid 60. A single solenoid 60 located on
`the forward edge of the equipment-supporting shelf 45
`guarantees that the goods are always dropped in the
`distribution pouch 18. The carousel 51 is rotated by
`means ofan electrical motor 61 via a set of gears 62.
`Eachstation 52 is identified by a code imbedded in a
`magnetic strip 63 in the back of each hopper. A sensor
`64 located below the solenoid 60 reads identification
`codesofthe stations from the magnetic strips during the
`movementof the carousel $1. The goods dispenser 23 is
`operated by means of a vending controller 37 of which
`FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`4
`The electrical motor 61 driving the carousel 51 is
`energized through driver 70 whenthe flip-flop FF1is
`set upon depressing the SEARCH pushbutton located
`on the keyboard 20. The flip-flop FF1 will remain set
`and the carousel will continue to rotate as long as the
`SEARCHpushbutton is held down. After the search
`pushbutton has been released,
`the carousel will stop
`whenflip-flop FF1 is reset as soon as oneof the station
`codes is detected by the code sensor 64 and OR gate 65.
`This guarantees that the carousel will always stop with
`a loaded station properly aligned below the viewing
`window 14 and with its latching lever 58 positioned
`abovethe solenoid 60. The coinbox 21 hasthe ability to
`generate a code corresponding to the amount of change
`which has been deposited therein. This information is
`sent to the central processor 30. The central processor
`in turn generates a code compatible with the identifica-
`tion code of one or more stations. These stations are
`presumed to contain goods whosecost is equal to the
`amountof change recognized by the coinbox 21. If the
`codeofthe station which is positioned below the view-
`ing window coincides to the codeissued bythe central
`processor,
`the decoding gates 67 generate a signal
`which enables AND gate 68. The signal generated by
`the depressing of DISPENSE pushbutton is routed
`through gate 68 to set flip-flop FF2. The output of
`flip-flop FF2 energizes the solenoid 60 by way of driver
`69. This causes a release of the latch 58 holding the
`hopper55 ofthe station and the unloading of the goods
`into the distribution pocket 18. Flip-flop FF2 energizes
`the solenoid 60 by way of driver 69. This causes a re-
`lease of the latch 58 holding the hopper55 ofthe station
`and the unloading of the goods into the distribution
`pocket 18. A COIN ACCEPT signal
`is generated
`through gate 66 and sent through the central processor
`30 toward the coinbox 21. The COIN ACCEPT signal
`also resets flip-flop FF2, returning the system to its
`standby mode.
`In order to provide the maximum flexibility in the
`utilization of the various components of the automatic
`service terminal and to allow for future expansion, the
`entire system is managed through the central processor
`30. This central processor 30 is used to interpret the
`complex inputs generated by the customer via the key-
`board 20, the coinbox 21, and the credit card reader 22,
`as well as those generated from the remote site and
`communicated via the audio communication unit 24.
`The operating program ofthe central processor 30 is
`stored in a non-volatile read only memory 31. This
`memory contains the programmed code numbersneces-
`sary to direct the computer or microcomputer to per-
`form the various functions of the terminal. Intermediate
`results, variables, etc., required by the operating pro-
`gram, will reside in the read/write memory 29. Both the
`read only memory 31 and the read/write memory 29
`are an integral part with the central processor 30. As
`implied by the block diagram of FIG. 8, the terminal
`system employs a bi-directional parallel bus oriented
`input/output structure. The exact specifications of the
`bus are typically a function of the central processor and
`one of the standard types well known by people skilled
`in the art. The advantageof the busstructureis not only
`to accommodate the various terminal components, but
`also to provide for addition of other devices that may be
`later necessary to support future terminal features. The
`terminal system is basically a locally controlled device
`as explained before. A remote interface is also provided
`for the following features:
`
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`IPR2016-00753
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`4,359,631
`
`0
`
`i 5
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`20
`
`25
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`5
`Monitoring of the operational status of the terminal
`system by remote site computer 42;
`Updating the variable data kept in the mass storage
`unit 28; and
`Programmingof additional features of capability of 5
`the terminal system.
`Thecentral processor selected for this embodiment of
`the invention is an INTEL Model 80/20, single board
`computer. This instrument, in addition to the basic cen-
`tral processor 30, features a bi-directional standardized
`bus support 40 integral read only and read/write memo-
`ries, integral bi-directional serial channel 42 for remote
`communications, multiple, integral, parallel input/out-
`put and contro]lines, and an integral timer system.
`The display system consists of various modules,parts
`of which are capable of receiving data and commands
`from the central processor 30 via the parallel bus 40.
`Five distinct modules comprise the display system.
`The CRT display device 10, capable of receiving
`electrical signals and transferring them into visual rep-
`resentation on the viewing screen.
`A video playback module 27, which can retrieve, and
`cause to be output, visual images and audio information
`which is stored on a removable media.
`A video frame presentation module (vidicom) 36,
`which can receive data, interpret it as a series of dots,
`and cause to be displayed an image represented by the
`presence or absenceofdots.
`A video controller module 33, which can receive
`data and commands, and cause to be displayed, alpha
`numerical information, symbols, graphic information,
`etc., typically associated with texts or word-oriented
`applications; and
`A video multiplexer module 35, which can be in-
`structed to select one of the above modules video out-
`puts and direct it to the CRT display device.
`As a separate input, the video multiplexer module 35
`also is capable of presenting a standard television signal
`to the CRT device 10. This signal may come from a
`cable television system or a television receiver external
`to the terminal system, and is interpreted through the
`demodulate and decode device 34.
`The CRT display device 10 may be oneof any avail-
`able from various manufacturers such as Motorola, C.
`ITOH,etc., the only requirement being the ability to
`transform electrical (video) signals into visual represen-
`tations by modulating an electron beam whichstrikes
`phosphor-coated glass and emits visible light.
`The video playback disc device 27 is preferably a
`DISCOVISION ASSOCIATES Model
`PR-7820
`which can provide local storage of high resolution
`video image and audio information. The principal fea-
`tures of this device are the capability of storing 54,000
`individual video frames and synchronized audio play-
`back, which can be accessed sequentially or randomly
`under control from the central processor 30. The stored
`information, as for example,
`travel documentaries,
`maps,etc., is routed to the CRT 10 under control of the
`central processor 30, via the video multiplexer 35. The
`video frame presentation device (vidicom) 36, not un-
`like in technology to those available from COLO-
`RADO VIDEO,INC., will allow display of facsimile
`information acquired by the central processor from
`either the mass storage 28 or the remote site computer
`42. The purpose of this device is to allow timely infor-
`mation to be encoded at the remote location and trans-
`mitted overthe serial channel unit by the modems38, 39
`and the audio controller 24, to the terminal computer
`
`65
`
`6 .
`and subsequently decoded and displayed after routing
`through the video multiplexer 35.
`The alpha-numeric and video display controller 33
`provides the capability necessary to support the in-
`tended manual-oriented transaction system for user
`interfacing. This device may be implemented with a
`METACOMP Model MCV-1023 controller which
`combines the necessary feature into a bus-oriented con-
`troller. The video output ofthis controller 33 would be
`displayed on command via video multiplexer 35. The
`final module of the video display system, the video
`multiplexer 35,
`is designed using existing electronic
`technology, to accept inputs from bus 40, the vidicom
`36, the video controller 33, the video disc 27 and the
`demodulate and decode device 34.
`Theprinter 11 is constituted by a video hard-copy
`unit, TEKTRONIX Model 4632, which can generate a
`hard copy in a 21.627.9 centimeters (84 x 11") from
`a raster scan video source, Any image displayed on the
`CRT 10 can also be printed in a 21.6 27.9 centimeters
`(84 11") format on the printer 11.
`The card reader module 22is included to allow input
`of data from a standard magnetically encoded stripe
`such as those normally found on credit cards. It may be
`implemented with AMERICAN MAGNETICSModel
`40, which provides electrical signals corresponding to
`magnetically encoded information on several parallel
`tracks. Card-reader 22 interfaces with the controller
`parallel 1/O bus. This allows the central processor 30 to
`sense a card being presented by the customer and to
`interpret the data. The data would typically be account
`number, credit limit, name and similar information rele-
`vant to a credit card authorization and charge system.
`The keyboard, not unlike the one provided by KEY-
`TRONICS, consists of a series of keys similar to a type-
`writer in appearance and mechanical operation. This
`keyboard can convert the mechanical motion of key
`depression into an electrical signal which can be sensed
`by the central processor 30 via the bus 40.
`The coinbox 20 is a FLOW-ONICS Model AL coin
`acceptor which can accept currency paymentsfor vari-
`ousservices or goods provided and communicate to the
`central processor 30 the amount of change deposited
`therein by the bus 40.
`The voice and audio communication unit 24 allows
`the terminal computer 30 to provide an audio connec-
`tion between the terminal user and some remotesite, or
`to route audio outputs from the video disc 27 to the
`local loud speaker 12 as explained before. The control
`module 24 accepts commands from the terminal com-
`puter 30 and connects a typical telephone handset 25 to
`a telephoneline or similar voice grade communication
`technique via a modem 38. The central processor 30 is
`equipped with a serial
`interface 43 compatible with
`most modem required input formats.
`The on-line mass storage unit 28 is a floppy disc de-
`vice available from SHUGART ASSOCIATES and
`has a control interface compatible with the I/O bus 40.
`The central processor 30 is able to store and subse-
`quently retrieve data from the on-line mass storage
`module 31 on command.
`The interfacing of the various components of the
`system as described aboveis done according to standard
`practices well knownto those skilled in the electronic
`arts. The operation of the central processor unit 30
`which acts as a decision-making machine,
`is directed
`from the operational program stored in the read only
`memory 31. The application program is derived from
`
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`IPR2016-00753
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`7
`communication system to the remote reservation com-
`the on-line mass storage 28. The application program is
`puter. After receiving the confirmation message,
`the
`of a “‘menu-type” and can be best understood by refer-
`system again offers the customerthe option to obtain a
`ence to the flow diagrams of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. In
`hard copy of the reservation information, after which
`order to illustrate the capabilities of the terminal, the
`the system offers the option to go directly into a ticket
`operational program will be discussed in connection
`purchase mode,ora return to the basic menudisplay.
`with five operations: the display of travel documenta-
`Theflight ticket delivery program requires from the
`ries, the display of flight schedules, securing reserva-
`customer the paymentofthe fare through credit card.
`tions on a particular flight, the issuance ofa flightticket,
`The price to be paid is fetched upon the mass storage
`and the control of the vending machine.
`and displayed upon the CRT. The introduction of a
`The operation of the terminal is primed by the cus-
`credit card into the credit card reader triggers a se-
`tomer’s dropping a dime in the coinbox slot. As ex-
`quence during which the account number and the
`plained before, the coinbox generates a coded signal
`amountbeing chargedare sent to a remote credit center
`indicative of the amount of change deposited. This
`wherethe credit line is verified and the transaction is
`signal is immediately sensed by the central processor
`recorded. The acceptance message received back from
`which addresses the mass storage unit and fetches from
`it the basic list or menu of the services available. This
`the computing center causes the CPU to generate a
`information is then transmitted via the video multi-
`video image of a flight ticket which is simultaneously
`printed by the video hard copyprinter.
`plexer to the CRT wherethelist of services available is
`The computer-controlled goods dispensing program
`displayed in columnar form with, adjacent to it the key
`is also initiated by a video display ofthe lists of items
`symbol to be entered by the customer in makingits
`available for sale. Upon selection of the item by this
`selection. The customer may,for instance, be requested
`alpha-numerical
`indexing number,
`the system selects
`to enter a “D” in orderto obtainalisting of all the travel
`from the video-disc a sequence of images illustrating the
`documentaries available. A “S” to checkaflight sched-
`product. The customerat that point is offered a choice
`ule, and so on. Assuming now that the customerenter a
`to purchase the item by depositing the amount indi-
`“D” on the keyboard, the central processor addresses
`cated, or to return to the item list display mode for an
`the video-disc storage unit and fetches fromit a list of
`alternate selection. Once the payment has been recog-
`all documentaries recorded thereon. Thislist is again
`nized in the coinbox, the carousel of the vending ma-
`routed through the video multiplexer to be displayed on
`the CRT. The name of the various documentaries are
`chine is allowed to rotate until a matching code is de-
`tected in the back of the appropriate station, at which
`indexed with an alpha-numerical code which the cus-
`point the computer triggers the dispense sequencedis-
`tomer is asked to use in makingits selection. Oncethis
`cussed earlier. Illustrated in FIG. 10 is the flow diagram
`code is entered via the keyboard,it is used by the cen-
`of a program for establishing a voice communication
`tral processor to address the video-disc storage to the
`with a remote site and for the transfer of data between
`area containing the selected documentary. After the
`the mass storage and a remote data center. These se-
`documentary has been run,
`the basic menu is again
`quences are of a very commontype for which software
`displayed on the CRT and the system is ready for an
`packages are readily available for most common types
`alternate selection to be made by the customer. If no
`of central processors.
`selection is made within the next thirty seconds, the
`The operational sequences just described areillustra-
`system returnsto a standbystatus until primed again by
`tive of the versatility of the terminal. The system can be
`deposit of the required change.
`adapated to various tasks related to the delivery of
`Theflight schedule program begins by the display on
`travel services by mere software changes. The terminal
`the CRT of a schedule mask through which the cus-
`tomeris invited to fill in the form andto locations of the
`could conceivably be used to promoteandsell a variety
`of services and to facilitate financial transactions. Its
`flights. When the customer enters the departure point
`comprehensive communication interface makes it an
`and the destination on the keyboard,
`two codes are
`ideal tool for catalogue sales from a central warehouse
`generated whichare used to seek the appropriate infor-
`and an adequate substitute in many cases for the retail
`mation in the mass storage or, alternately, are sent via
`store. The terminal could also be adapted to the deliv-
`the audio communication system to a remote reserva-
`ery of a higher grade of services such as professional
`tion computer. When the list of available flights has
`advice and counseling.
`been gathered from the mass storage or received back
`While the preferred embodimentof the invention has
`from the remote computercenter, it is displayed on the
`been described and modifications thereto have been
`CRTwith an inquiry as to whether the customer wants
`suggested, other
`implementations may be devised
`a hard copy of the schedule. The amount of change to
`be deposited in order to obtain the hard copy is also
`which can be adapted to a variety of applications with-
`out departing from the spirit of the invention and the
`displayed. When the proper amount of change is de-
`scope of the appended claims.
`tected in the coinbox, the central processor generates a
`Weclaim:
`code which is recognized by the printer as a signal to
`1. An automatic vending apparatus operable by a
`print the raster scan image being generated on the CRT.
`At the end of the printing sequence the customeris
`customer which comprises:
`meansfor selectively promoting by audio-visual pre-
`offered the choice to jump immediately into the flight
`sentation, the sale of services;
`reservation mode orto return to the basic menu display.
`means for accepting orders for said services;
`Thereservation sequence begins with the display of a
`means for collecting payments for said services;
`mask from the CRT requesting such information as the
`flight number, number of passengers, and other infor-
`means for delivering to said customer at least one
`document allowing access to said services;
`mation such as smoking or non-smoking section prefer-
`a programmable machineresponsiveto the request of
`ences. After the mask has been completed by the cus-
`said customer for directing the operation of said
`tomer entering his selection, the central processor gen-
`various means;
`erates a request message which is sent via the audio
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
`
`

`

`4,359,631
`
`5
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`15
`
`20
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`25
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`10
`9
`said means for directing comprising means for
`a cabinet housing said various means and programma-
`holding an operational sequencinglist and a deci-
`ble machine;
`sion-making machine responsive to the status of
`said automatic vending apparatus further comprising:
`said various meansfor controlling their operations.
`(i) a ring-shaped carousel having. a. plurality of
`8. An apparatus for automatically dispensing goods
`~ box-like stations, each having an opening at the
`and services to a customer which comprises:
`bottom;
`(ii) meansfor rotating said carousel;
`an audio-visual means for selectively dispensing in- °
`formation fromaplurality of data sources;
`(iii) within each station, releasable means.for hold-
`- customer operated meansforselecting information to
`ing goods abovesaid opening;
`_ 0
`be dispensed on said audio-vis