A Christmas stocking having illumination means associated therewith for signalling the arrival of Santa Claus.
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| Application No. | Application Title | Issue Date |
| 20120080517 | Apparatus improving item transactions with real-time controls and navigation Invention describes real-time control system increasing shopping efficiency, maintaining item quality, inventory, and directing customer transactions, requiring handling and processing of items only once. Invention controls access to items inside modules via card with u... | 04/05/2012 |
| 20120067950 | Self Service Coin Redemption Card Printer-Dispenser A method of transferring funds to a personalized portable storage medium using a kiosk includes the acts of receiving funds comprising a batch of loose mixed coins in a coin receiving area of the kiosk, processing the coins in a coin processing module, determining a tot... | 03/22/2012 |
| 20120031970 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFIERS IN GAME TICKETS Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions,... | 02/09/2012 |
| 20120029690 | Bulk vending apparatus, system and method A vending machine is provided that includes optional modules. A first module includes a plurality of bins, each sized to contain a consumable product, each bin including a pivotable product container. An optional capsule dispensing apparatus is sized to fit on a side of... | 02/02/2012 |
| 20120016518 | CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS FOR BUYING AND/OR SELLING CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS Consumer-operated kiosks for buyer and/or selling consumer products and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, for example, a method for purchasing consumer electronic products includes providing a consumer-operated kiosk that has a... | 01/19/2012 |
| 20110313937 | Vehicle rental system and method A system and method are provided for facilitating a remote live vehicle rental transaction between a customer service representative (CSR) and a customer and providing a vehicle key device to the customer without the need for a CSR at the site of the key or vehicle, whe... | 12/22/2011 |
| 20110259958 | VENDING MACHINE MEMORY KEY AND/OR CARD READER A memory key and/or card reader, which can be fitted to an outer casing of a vending machine, and has a memory key and/or card electronic read circuit, in turn having an internal electric connector connectable to an external electric connector of a communication cable. ... | 10/27/2011 |
| 20110238209 | Vending Systems and Methods A vending system for dispensing a number of products. The vending system may include an enclosure with an access point, a weighing system, a user interface, and an access system. The user interface may include a proximity card coupling device to read and write to a prox... | 09/29/2011 |
| 20110233275 | Gas pump bill & change acceptor The present invention provides means for customers who prefer to pay with cash to pay for their gasoline at the pump. The Gas Pump Bill & Change Acceptor is a specially designed electronic moneychanger, incorporated into the design of existing or newly manufactured ... | 09/29/2011 |
| 20110168775 | AUTOMATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM An automated system for dispensing of beverages to customers which allows self-dispensing of beverages while maintaining accurate accounting of purchases by a number of individual credit card holders. A self service station includes a card reader to collect payment info... | 07/14/2011 |
| 20110161231 | POSTAL SERVICES KIOSK HAVING PAYMENT CARD SECURITY An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales tr... | 06/30/2011 |
| 20110161200 | Display Device A system comprising an electronic book and a propriety appendage couplable to the electronic book; the electronic book comprising a visual display screen, a data reader, navigational tools and a first section of a unique identification code for identifying the electroni... | 06/30/2011 |
| 20110147453 | VENDING MACHINE MEMORY KEY AND/OR CARD READER A reader (3), for reading memory keys and/or cards (4), which can be fixed to a product/service vending machine (1), and has a housing (6), and an electronic read and/or identification board (7) housed inside the housing (6) to ... | 06/23/2011 |
| 20110101094 | Fuel Distribution Management System A fuel delivery system configured to reduce occurrences of fuel theft comprises an at-the-pump information retrieval system for retrieving information from a consumer. An authorization signal generator is operable to generate an authorization signal when one of at least... | 05/05/2011 |
| 20110099105 | SELF-SERVICE CURRENCY EXCHANGE MACHINE A self-service exchange machine is configured to receive currency from a customer and dispense to the customer a card associated with a value relating to the value of the received currency. The self-service exchange machine includes a coin module for receiving bulk mixe... | 04/28/2011 |
| 20110093314 | Method and apparatus for parking lot metering A method and apparatus for parking lot metering. The present invention allows multi-space meters to separately manage and control premium parking spaces, such as those for charging electric vehicles or those which supply electric power for engine block heaters in both p... | 04/21/2011 |
| 20110042458 | BEVERAGE DISPENSER, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY FOR WINES An equipment for automatic delivery of beverages, with extraction of liquid from at least one bottle (B) in an up-right position by injection of an inert gas, the apparatus comprising a frame (1) suitable for resting on a counter or similar elevated work surface,... | 02/24/2011 |
| 20110035049 | Fuel delivery information system A fuel delivery information system has a fuel pump having a first communication unit and a motor vehicle having a second communication unit. Communication between the second communication unit and the first communication unit controls fuel flow from the fuel pump to the... | 02/10/2011 |
| 20100318219 | System and Method for Communicating Vending Information A system and method for communicating vending information is provided. The system includes a plurality of vending apparatuses, each containing a vending inventory comprised of vendible media products, and a control center in communication with the plurality of vending a... | 12/16/2010 |
| 20100308107 | CARD DISPENSING APPARATUSES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF OPERATION Apparatuses and methods for dispensing magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, other cards, and/or other items from kiosks and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least a first card hopper and a card transport as... | 12/09/2010 |
| 20100305750 | Patient Controlled Timed Medication Dispenser A medication dispenser for permitting administration of a medication dose to an authorized user only after a predetermined minimum-dosing interval has elapsed. The medication dispenser comprises: a medication tray having a substantially circular shape and comprising a p... | 12/02/2010 |
| 20100276486 | ISSUING A VALUE-BEARING CARD ASSOCIATED WITH ONLY NON-PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION Issuing a debit card associated with only non-personally identifying information includes communicating among an input device, a network coupling, and a card dispenser. The input device is configured to receive a new account request. The new account request includes onl... | 11/04/2010 |
| 20100230488 | Dual Tendering for Chair Massages on Academic Campuses The accessibility of chair massages on an academic campus is improved by modifying an electronic currency acceptor to interface with a multi-drop bus (MDB) card reader. The electronic currency acceptor so-modified with the MDB card reader is then installed on a vending ... | 09/16/2010 |
| 20100191369 | SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION PROVIDING AND INFORMATION ACQUISITION FOR VENDING MACHINE BASED UPON WIRE AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AND A METHOD OF MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION PROVIDING AND INFORMATION ACQUISITION FOR VENDING MACHINE Disclosed is a system for managing a vending machine using wire and wireless two-way communication, and providing and acquiring various intangible knowledge information items, and a method of managing a vending machine, and providing and acquiring intangible knowledge i... | 07/29/2010 |
| 20100176197 | BILL ACCEPTOR HAVING A RFID RECOGNITION FUNCTION A bill acceptor for use in an automatic vending machine to accept both cash payment and RFID stored-value card payment is disclosed to include a face panel that has a RFID sensing zone for sensing a RFID value-added card, a bill insertion slot for the insertion of a bil... | 07/15/2010 |
| 20100155471 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM An automated access control system and method in one embodiment includes a storage rack comprising a plurality of storage compartments, a user port, a memory including program instructions for placing a key within one of the plurality of storage compartments, associatin... | 06/24/2010 |
| 20100125362 | SELF-SERVICE BEVERAGE AND SNACK DISPENSING USING IDENTITY-BASED ACCESS CONTROL A token-based system providing self-service vending of snacks or beverages. The system includes a vending machine with a controller selectively dispensing goods. A token reader is linked to the controller. Tokens are provided to users of the system that each includes ac... | 05/20/2010 |
| 20100116882 | PAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHCARE PLANS The invention is a computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request for payment for an item is received from a requester. A determination is made whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item q... | 05/13/2010 |
| 20100116883 | CONTACTLESS SMARTCARD BEZEL A multi media payment device includes a banknote acceptor and a RF card reader, and also may include a magnetic card reader. A bezel assembly for connection to the bill acceptor preferably includes a reader unit to read magnetic swipe cards and contactless chip cards.... | 05/13/2010 |
| 20100108759 | VOICE DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE A voice device for use in an automatic vending machine is disclosed to include a card reader for reading a voice file from an inserted electronic card, an input/output module for receiving a control signal from the automatic vending machine, a voice module, and a microp... | 05/06/2010 |
| 20100114769 | Automated banking machine An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stack... | 05/06/2010 |
| 20100102126 | Container security system An improved mail depository type container (10), and communication device(s) system for the deposit and aggregation of commodities (100), like paper documents, memory enabled electronic devices and other physical objects, for physical collection and transf... | 04/29/2010 |
| 20100102120 | ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER OR TRANSACTION SYSTEM A fuel dispenser control system is provided which includes a biometric device. The biometric device is configured to acquire instances of biometric information in connection with respective fueling transactions. The fuel dispenser control system further includes a contr... | 04/29/2010 |
| 20100100481 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING AND/OR TRANSFERRING VARIOUS FORMS OF VALUE Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a c... | 04/22/2010 |
| 20100084421 | VENDING MACHINE USER INTERFACE GUIDE; ELECTRONIC COIN RETURN; AND HINGED DELIVERY BIN A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. T... | 04/08/2010 |
| 20100065627 | Recharge electrical apparatus and method for electric vehicles An apparatus and method for providing a public or private electric charging station or device. In the case of a public station, a user can approach an outlet station in an electric car, plug the car into the station similar to using a gasoline pump, present a credit car... | 03/18/2010 |
| 20100059585 | Automated Will Call System A will call system for automating the management of storage and retrieval of items, preferably medical prescriptions. The automated system provides informational control of all items in the system. The automated will call monitors the length of time an item remains in t... | 03/11/2010 |
| 20100049669 | PUMP OPERATING CHIP WITH GAS PRICE SELECTION CAPABILITY A fuel dispensing system which sets the price for fuel to be dispensed based on the mileage/fuel consumption history of a vehicle for which fuel is being purchased. A key is used both to enable vehicle operation and to transfer mileage data to the dispenser computer.... | 02/25/2010 |
| 20100044433 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO REMOTELY ISSUE PROXIMITY PAYMENT DEVICES Pursuant to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems, devices, and means for issuing a payment device from a remote dispensing device are provided which include receiving a request to purchase a payment device from the remote dispensing device, the request includin... | 02/25/2010 |
| 20100017017 | Machine and Method for Self-Service Cash Redemption and Cash Recycling A cash redemption and dispensing machine (10) has a housing (12), a first intake area (19) for receiving a batch of unsorted coins, an output device (55) for providing the customer with a credit for the coins deposited in the machine (10 | 01/21/2010 |