Merchandising arrangement utilizing a coded check

Claim 1

A merchandising arrangement comprising: A a payment station which includes: A-1. encoding means for receiving a check adapted to be encoded with an identifying code at a first location on the check and with a code denoting an article of merchandise at a second location on the check, and A-2. input control means coupled to said encoding means for encoding the check at said second location; B. a code bank means which includes: B-1. code indicia generating means; B-2 code storage means, and B-3 control means coupled to said indicia generating means and said storage means; C a dispensing station which includes: C-1. decoding means for receiving a check encoded at said payment station, and C-2. article storage and vending means; D. means coupling said code bank means to said payment station for causing responsive to the receipt of a check by said encoding means said control means to actuate said encoding means for encoding said check at said first location with code indicia generated by said indicia generating means, and to cause said code indicia to be stored in said code storage means; E. means coupling said dispensing station to said code bank means for transmitting responsive to the receipt by said decoding means of a check encoded at said encoding means an interrogation signal commensurate with the identifying code at said first location to said code bank means and, responsive to the storage of such identifying code in said storage means, said control means causing the transmittal of a validation signal to said dispensing Station for causing said dispensing station to provide a release signal to said article storage and vending means for effecting the vending of an article commensurate with the code at said second location, and F. erasing means coupled to said code storage means and operative responsive to the transmittal of said validation signal for causing said identifying code to be erased from said storage means.