Distribution network system for products and information

Claim 1

A method for dispensing products contained in automatic dispensers belonging to a distribution network systems, wherein said dispensers comprise: A) a plurality of automatic dispensers each of which includes: organized spaces suitable for containing the products to be dispensed; means for taking a selected product and conveying it out of the store; a system for the positioning of said means; tools fixed to the conveying means, suitable for taking hold of the selected product and for releasing it; reading means for the identification of the selected product; primary storage systems for storing and processing the information regarding the stored items; secondary storage systems for managing the information received from the user or from the network with which the dispenser is connected; means for the identification of magnetic cards or semiconductor cards; means for connecting each dispenser and a host computer; wireless means for connecting each dispenser to a host computer; means for displaying information; means for printing the information required; B) at least a host computer connecting said plurality of automatic dispensers, each of which being connected to a network node by telecommunication means, said method comprising: a step in which a dispenser checks if a user's card is enabled to take products; a step in which the products that can be selected are displayed on the video screen of said dispenser; a step in which the user chooses the product he wants; a step in which the dispenser checks if the product is available and, if so, takes it and delivers it to the user; characterized in that said steps are followed by: a step in which the request is passed from a dispenser to other dispensers connected with the network by means of the host computer through a communication satellite, if the required product is not available in said dispenser; a step in which the answer concerning the place where the required product is available is displayed and/or printed, said piece of information concerning the place where the required product is available being transmitted by the communication satellite to the dispenser from which the request came; a step in which the cost of the product is debited, if the product has been delivered.

Claim 2

A method for dispensing products contained in automatic dispensers belonging to a distribution network systems, wherein said dispensers comprise: A) a plurality of automatic dispensers each of which includes: organized spaces suitable for containing the products to be dispensed; means for taking a selected product and conveying it out of the store; a system for the positioning of said means; tools fixed to the conveying means, suitable for taking hold of the selected product and for releasing it; reading means for the identification of the selected product; primary storage systems for storing and processing the information regarding the stored items; secondary storage systems for managing the information received from the user or from the network with which the dispenser is connected; means for the identification of magnetic cards or semiconductor cards; means for connecting each dispenser and a host computer; wireless means for connecting each dispenser to a host computer; means for displaying information; means for printing the information required; B) at least a host computer connecting said plurality of automatic dispensers, each of which being connected to a network node by telecommunication means, said method comprising: a step in which a dispenser checks if a user's card is enabled to take products; a step in which the products that can be selected are displayed on the video screen of said dispenser; a step in which the user chooses the product he wants; a step in which the dispenser checks if the product is available and, if so, takes it and delivers it to the user; characterized in that said steps are followed by: a step in which the request is passed from a dispenser to other dispensers connected with the network by means of the host computer through a communication satellite, if the required product is not available in said dispenser; a step in which the answer concerning the place where the required product is available is displayed and/or printed, said piece of information concerning the place where the required product is available being transmitted by the communication satellite to the dispenser from which the request came; a step in which the cost of the product is debited, if the product has been delivered.