United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`Lockwood et al.
`
`{s4} sew-sunvrcn TERMINAL
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Lawrence B. Lockwood, 5935
`Folsom, La 30113. Calif. 92037;
`Michael Wells; Henri J. A.
`Chanrlasson, both of San Diego,
`Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Lawrence B. Lockwood, La Jolla,
`Calif.
`
`[211 App}. No.: 168,953
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jul. 11, man
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.-"'
`
`GOTF 7/02; H04-Q I/00;
`G113 5/00
`[52] U.S. C]. . .................................... .. 235/33]; 360/12
`[58] Field of Search ................ 235/331; 364/521, 479;
`360/12; 358/903; I94/DIG. 1, 5, DIG. 6
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,105,384 I2/'l9'i'2 Wahiberg ......... ..
`
`4,010,698
`i/19138 Curtis et ai.
`4,190,819
`2/1980 Burgyan .............................. .. 360/12
`
`Primrmv Exnmfner—Thomas A. Robinson
`Attorney. Agent. or Fr‘rm—-Henri J. A. Charrnasson;
`Ralph S. Branscotnb
`
`ABSTRACT!‘
`[57]
`A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video
`
`[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
`coupons and tickets, a vending machine for dispensing
`small items, a coinbox and credit card reader for 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 microprocessor linked to an automated reservation
`system. The preferred embodiment of the invention is
`dedicated to the promotion and sale of travel services.
`The terminal 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 of a video disc is used to hold the travel documen-
`
`taries and other sales presentations. A randomly accessi-
`ble mass storage is used to record flight schedules, hotel
`occupancy and other variables which are periodically
`updated from the command center via a phone line data
`communication link. The vending machine is used pri-
`marily for dispensing travel brochures, maps, foreign
`currencies and other goods related to the contemplated
`travel.
`
`11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`
`
`Page 1
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`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 1
`
`

`
`~ U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1932
`
`Sheetloffi
`
`4,359,531
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`
`
`Page 2
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 2
`
`

`
`% U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1932
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`4,359,631
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
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`
`Page 3
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`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1982
`
`Sheet3 of6
`
`4,359,531
`
`I
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`I
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`
`65'
`
`COIN ACCEPT
`
`I
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`
`Page 4
`
`
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`30
`
`IIII 1
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1932
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`4,359,631
`
`3..
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`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`Page 5
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 5
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.
`
`E TE Elfin’
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`EMDNUYS
`TRA V5106
`
`
`TICKETS
`FINISHED
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`Page 6
`
`
`
`
`rm vzms
`musnsp
`”§fifi§2{§3’o”
`
`SCHEDULE
`FINISHED
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 6
`
`

`
`%U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1932
`
`‘ Sheet6 of6
`
`4,359,631
`
`ogaggahagss
`SYSTEM RE?-'UEfT$
`FILE V0
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`
`VENDING
`FINISHED
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`
`
`Page 7
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`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 customer a printed
`brochure, check schedules and reservation status, then
`physically write the tickets or coupons before collect-
`ing payments. The time and means devoted to the pro-
`motion of the service are very limited and depend upon
`the salesmanship of the office staff. Such agencies are
`usually located in business sections and not in places
`where people live, work, or frequent in their daily com-
`muting routines. Yet studies have shown that 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 most of its information
`via television. A high-quality audio-visual travel-og 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-
`tomed to self-service terminals from vending machines
`to automatic bank tellers.
`
`The present invention ingeniously combines the fea-
`tures of audio-visual media presentation with those of
`self-service terminals to create a new and very efficient
`device for the promotion and distribution of goods and
`services.
`
`SUMMARY OF 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.
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`35
`
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`45
`
`50
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`55
`
`Offering the customer a convenient means for 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;
`
`65
`
`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 of a self-service terminal grouping a cathode
`ray‘ tube for the audio-visual presentation of informa-
`tion, a document printer, a vending machine, a coin box,
`a credit card reader. a keyboard for the entry of cus-
`tomer inquiries 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 of the self-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
`
`Referring now to the drawing and according to the
`invention there is shown a self-service terminal 1 which
`is housed in a spherical enclosure 2 supported on a
`pedestal 3. The spherical enclosure 2 has a diameter of
`preferably 90 centimeters (36 inches) and extends to a
`height of 135 centimeters (54 inches). A transparent
`plexiglass door 5 covering approximately one quadrant
`of the upper hemisphere pivots 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. On the slanted floor 8 of the cavity are a key-
`board 20, a printer 11 and a small window 14 for 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 13 associated with the
`goods dispenser 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 hinge 6 to give access
`to the various components of the system. The terminal
`equipment is ventilated by air flowing from ventilation
`holes 49 at the bottom of the enclosure 2 to the vents 48
`in the hood 4 under the action of fan 47.
`The basic architecture of the self-service terminal can
`be best understood with reference to the general block
`diagram illustrated in FIG. 1. The system operates
`under the control of a data processor 30. The custom-
`er’s input interface elements comprise the keyboard 28,
`a coinbox 21 and a credit card reader 22. Information is
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`
`|PR2016-00755
` Page 8
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`PMC Exhibit 2076
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`

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`4,359,631
`
`3
`delivered to the customer through the CRT 10 and the
`page printer 1]. 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 embodiment of the invention is designed
`to provide travel-related information and services. The
`first component of the data source 26 is 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 documentary is indexed and can be recalled
`on demand and played on the cathode ray tube II]. A
`second source of data is provided by a mass storage unit
`23 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 occupancy status 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 CRT can also 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 number of 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 over rollers
`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 57 at one of the lower corners of the station.
`The hopper is held in place by a spring-tensioned latch
`58. When the latch 53 is pulled, the hopper 55 rotates
`downward around hinge 57 and drops the goods 56 into
`the distribution pouch 18. The latch 58 is released under
`the pull of a solenoid 60. A single solenoid 6|] 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 of an electrical motor 61 via a set of gears 62.
`Each station 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
`codes of the stations from the magnetic strips during the
`movement of the carousel 51. The goods dispenser 23 is
`operated by means of a vending controller 37 of which
`FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram.
`
`5
`
`ll}
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`20
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`4
`The electrical motor 6! driving the carousel 51 is
`energized through driver .70 when the flip-flop FF1 is
`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
`SEARCH pushbutton is held down. After the search
`pushbutton has been released,
`the carousel will stop
`when flip~flop FF1 is reset as soon as one of 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
`above the solenoid 60. The coinbox 21 has the 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 whose cost is equal to the
`amount of change recognized by the coinbox 21. If the
`code of the station which is positioned below the view-
`ing window coincides to the code issued by the 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
`hopper 55 of the station and the unloading of the goods
`into the distribution pocket 18. Flip-llop FF2 energizes
`the solenoid 60 by way of driver 69. This causes a re-
`lease of the latch 53 holding the hopper 55 of the 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 2tJ, 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 of the central processor 30 is
`stored in a non-volatile read only memory 31. This
`memory contains the programmed code numbers neces-
`sary to direct the computer or microcomputer to per-
`form the various functions of the tenninal. Intermediate
`results, variables, etc.. required by the operating pro-
`gram, will residein 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 advantage ofthe bus structure is 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:
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
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`Page 9
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`4,359,631
`
`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
`Programming of additional features of capability of
`the terminal system.
`The central 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 control 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 3|] 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 absence of dots.
`A video controller module 33, which can receive
`data and commands, and cause to be displayed, alpha
`numerical information, symbols, graphic information,
`etr:., 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 one of 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 which strikes
`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 over the serial channel unit by the modems 38. 39
`and the audio controller 24, to the terminal computer
`
`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 of this 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.
`The printer 11 is constituted by a video hard-copy
`unit, TEICTRONIX Model 4632, which can generate a
`hard copy in a 2l.6X27.9 centimeters (8§">< l 1") from
`a raster scan video source. Any image displayed on the
`CRT 10 can also be printed in a 21.6)-< 27.9 centimeters
`(B$"><1l") format on the printer 1].
`The card reader module 22 is 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 MAGNETICS Model
`40, which provides electrical signals corresponding to
`magnetically encoded information on several parallel
`tracks. Card-reader 22 interfaces with the controller
`parallel I/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 payments for vari-
`ous services 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 remote site, or
`to route audio outputs from the video disc 2'.-' 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 telephone line 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 above is done according to standard
`practices well known to 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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`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00755
`
`
`
`Page 10
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 10
`
`

`
`4,359,631
`
`7
`the on-line mass storage 28. The application program is
`of a “menu-type" and can be best understood by refer-
`ence to the flow diagrams of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. In
`order to illustrate the capabilities of the terminal, the
`operational program will be discussed in connection
`with five operations: the display of travel documenta-
`ries, the display of flight schedules, securing reserva-
`tions on a particular flight, the issuance of a flight ticket.
`and the control of the vending machine.
`The operation of the terminal is primed by the cus-
`tomer's dropping a dime in the coinbox slot. As ex-
`plained before, the coinbox generates a coded signal
`indicative of the amount of change deposited. This
`signal is immediately sensed by the central processor
`which addresses the mass storage unit and fetches from
`it the basic list or menu of the services available. This
`information is then transmitted via the video multi-
`plexer to the CRT where the list of services available is
`displayed in columnar form with, adjacent to it the key
`symbol to be entered by the customer in making its
`selection. The customer may, for instance, be requested
`to enter a “D" in order to obtain a listing of all the travel
`documentaries available. A “S" to check a flight sched-
`ule, and so on. Assuming now that the customer enter a
`“D” on the keyboard, the central processor addresses
`the video-disc storage unit and fetches from it a list of
`all documentaries recorded thereon. This list is again
`routed through the video multiplexer to be displayed on
`the CRT. The name of the various documentaries are
`indexed with an alpha-numerical code which the cus-
`tomer is asked to use in making its selection. Once this
`code is entered via the keyboard, it is used by the cen-
`tral processor to address the video-disc storage to the
`area containing the selected documentary. After the
`documentary has been run,
`the basic menu is again
`displayed on the CRT and the system is ready for an
`alternate selection to be made by the customer. If no
`selection is made within the next thirty seconds, the
`system returns to a standby status until primed again by
`deposit of the required change.
`The flight schedule program begins by the display on
`the CRT of a schedule mask through which the cus-
`tomer is invited to fill in the form and to locations of the
`flights. When the customer enters the departure point
`and the destination on the keyboard,
`two codes are
`generated which are used to seek the appropriate infor-
`mation in the mass storage or, alternately, are sent via
`the audio communication system to a remote reserva-
`tion computer. When the list of available flights has
`been gathered from the mass storage or received back
`from the remote computer center, it is displayed on the
`CRT with an inquiry as to whether the customer wants
`a hard copy of the schedule. The amount of change to
`be deposited in order to obtain the hard copy is also
`displayed. When the proper amount of change is de-
`tected in the coinbox, the central processor generates a
`code which is recognized by the printer as a signal to
`print the raster scan image being generated on the CRT.
`At the end of the printing sequence the customer is
`offered the choice to jump immediately into the flight
`reservation mode or to return to the basic menu display.
`The reservation sequence begins with the display of a
`mask from the CRT requesting such information as the
`flight number, number of passengers, and other infor-
`mation such as smoking or non-smoking section prefer-
`ences. After the mask has been completed by the cus-
`tomer entering his selection. the central processor gen-
`erates a request message which is sent via the audio
`
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`communication system to the remote reservation com-
`puter. After receiving the confirmation message.
`the
`system again offers the customer the option to obtain a
`hard copy of the reservation information, after which
`the system offers the option to go directly into a ticket
`purchase mode, or a return to the basic menu display.
`The flight ticket delivery program requires from the
`customer the payment of the fare through credit card.
`The price to be paid is fetched upon the mass storage
`and displayed upon the CRT. The introduction of a
`credit card into the credit card reader triggers a se-
`quence during which the account number and the
`amount being charged are sent to a remote credit center
`where the credit line is verified and the transaction is
`recorded. The acceptance message received back from
`the computing center causes the CPU to generate a
`video image of a flight ticket which is simultaneously
`printed by the video hard copy printer.
`The computer-controlled goods dispensing program
`is also initiated by-a video display of the lists of items
`available for sale. Upon selection of the item by this
`alpha-numerical
`indexing number,
`the system selects
`from the video-disc a sequence of images illustrating the
`product. The customer at that point is offered a choice
`to purchase the item by depositing the amount indi-
`cated, or to return to the item list display mode for an
`alternate selection. Once the payment has been recog-
`nized in the coinbox, the carousel of the vending ma-
`chine is allowed to rotate until a matching code is de-
`tected in the back of the appropriate station, at which
`point the computer triggers the dispense sequence dis-
`cussed earlier. Illustrated in FIG. 10 is the flow diagram
`of a program for establishing a voice communication
`with a remote site and for the transfer of data between
`the mass storage and a remote data center. These se-
`quences are of a very common type for which software
`packages are readily available for most common types
`of central processors.
`The operational sequences just described are illustra-
`tive of the versatility of the terminal. The system can be
`adapated to various tasks related to the delivery of
`travel services by mere software changes. The terminal
`could conceivably be used to promote and sell a variety
`of services and to facilitate financial transactions. Its
`comprehensive communication interface makes it an
`ideal tool for catalogue sales from a central warehouse
`and an adequate substitute in many cases for the retail
`store. The terminal could also be adapted to the deliv-
`ery of a higher grade of services such as professional
`advice and counseling.
`While the preferred embodiment of the invention has
`been described and modifications thereto have been
`suggested, other
`implementations may be devised
`which can be adapted to a variety of applications with-
`out departing from the spirit of the invention and the
`scope of the appended cl_aims.
`We claim:
`1. An automatic vending apparatus operable by a
`customer which comprises:
`means for selectively promoting by audio-visual pre-
`sentation, the sale of services;
`means for accepting orders for said services;
`means for collecting payments for said services;
`means for delivering to said customer at least one
`document allowing access to said services;
`a programmable machine responsive to the request of
`said customer for directing the operation of said
`various means;
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`
`Apple v. PMC
`
`|PR2016-00755 Page 11
`
`PMC Exhibit 2076
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 11
`
`

`
`4,359,631
`
`10
`said means for directing comprising means for
`holding an operational sequencing list and a deci-
`sion-making machine responsive to the status of
`said various means for controlling their operations.
`8. An apparatus for automatically dispensing goods
`and services to a customer which comprises:
`an audio-visual means for selectively dispensing in- '
`formation from a plurality of data sources;
`_. customer operated means for selecting information to
`be dispensed on said aud