Patent US5671331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5671331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed publication vending apparatus including programmable announcement capability
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-10-31
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2014-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A vending apparatus for printed publications includes a programmable announcement capability which permits audio messages to be played in response to a customer stimulus. Programming is conveniently carried out through the connection of a portable programming unit to the vending apparatus to download a message stored in the programming unit. Such programming may be done frequently, such as daily, or at such time when the rack is refilled with printed publications. The announcement capability within the vending apparatus is preferably triggered when a customer opens an access panel on the rack, which then plays the message downloaded through the portable programming unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold G. Croley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:02
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F25/00; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/045; G07F9/00; G07F9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for vending printed publications including a programmable announcement capability, the system comprising: an enclosure dimensioned to house a plurality of printed publications, including an access panel through which a customer may obtain one or more of the publications; a trigger switch; speaker unit, including: an input to receive an announcement in electronic form, an audio speaker, and a voice circuit in electrical communication with the trigger switch, the input, and the audio speaker, the voice circuit being operative to perform the following functions: receive and store the announcement in electronic form, retrieve the stored announcement upon activation of the trigger switch, and deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker so that the announcement may be heard by the customer; and a portable programming unit, including: means for storing one or more announcements in electronic form, an output adapted for electrical coupling to the input of the speaker unit, and an operator control, whereby an announcement stored within the portable programming unit may be downloaded into the speaker unit upon activation of the operator control.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for vending printed publications including a programmable announcement capability, the system comprising: an enclosure dimensioned to house a plurality of printed publications, including an access panel through which a customer may obtain one or more of the publications; a trigger switch; speaker unit, including: an input to receive an announcement in electronic form, an audio speaker, and a voice circuit in electrical communication with the trigger switch, the input, and the audio speaker, the voice circuit being operative to perform the following functions: receive and store the announcement in electronic form, retrieve the stored announcement upon activation of the trigger switch, and deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker so that the announcement may be heard by the customer; and a portable programming unit, including: means for storing one or more announcements in electronic form, an output adapted for electrical coupling to the input of the speaker unit, and an operator control, whereby an announcement stored within the portable programming unit may be downloaded into the speaker unit upon activation of the operator control.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the printed publications are newspapers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger switch is mechanically coupled to the access panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, further including: sensing means for detecting when a person is physically proximate to the enclosure, and wherein the trigger switch delivers an activation signal to the speaker unit in response thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the speaker unit is further operative to: deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker on an occasional basis without the trigger switch being activated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the portable programming unit further includes: a speaker; and electrical circuitry for audibly reviewing a stored announcement in response to an operator control prior to the downloading of the announcement into the speaker unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1, further including: electrical circuitry associated with the portable programming unit and speaker unit for audibly reviewing an announcement stored in the portable programming unit through the audio speaker of the speaker unit in response to an operator control prior to the downloading of the announcement into the speaker unit.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for providing a programmable announcement capability to a newsrack, comprising: a speaker unit, including: means for mounting the unit to the newsrack, a trigger switch for sensing a potential customer stimulus, an input to receive an announcement in electronic form, an audio speaker, and a voice circuit in electrical communication with the trigger switch, the input, and the audio speaker, the voice circuit being operative to perform the following functions; receive and store the announcement in electronic form, retrieve the stored announcement upon activation of the trigger switch, and deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker so that the announcement may be heard by the customer; and a portable programming unit, including: means for storing one or more announcements in electronic form, an output adapted for electrical coupling to the input of the speaker unit, and an operator control, whereby an announcement stored within the portable programming unit may be downloaded into the speaker unit upon activation of the operator control.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for providing a programmable announcement capability to a newsrack, comprising: a speaker unit, including: means for mounting the unit to the newsrack, a trigger switch for sensing a potential customer stimulus, an input to receive an announcement in electronic form, an audio speaker, and a voice circuit in electrical communication with the trigger switch, the input, and the audio speaker, the voice circuit being operative to perform the following functions; receive and store the announcement in electronic form, retrieve the stored announcement upon activation of the trigger switch, and deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker so that the announcement may be heard by the customer; and a portable programming unit, including: means for storing one or more announcements in electronic form, an output adapted for electrical coupling to the input of the speaker unit, and an operator control, whereby an announcement stored within the portable programming unit may be downloaded into the speaker unit upon activation of the operator control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the newsrack includes an access panel, and wherein the trigger switch is mechanically coupled to the access panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the speaker unit further includes: sensing means for detecting when a person is physically proximate to the newsrack, and wherein the trigger switch delivers an activation signal to the speaker unit in response thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the speaker unit is further operative to: deliver an electrical signal representative of the announcement to the audio speaker on an occasional basis without the trigger switch being activated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the portable programming unit further includes: a speaker; and electrical circuitry for audibly reviewing a stored announcement in response to an operator control prior to the downloading of the announcement into the speaker unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 8, further including: electrical circuitry associated with the portable programming unit and speaker unit for audibly reviewing an announcement stored in the portable programming unit through the audio speaker of the speaker unit in response to an operator control prior to the downloading of the announcement into the speaker unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |