User-Specific Dispensing System
Patent No. US11127239 (titled "User-Specific Dispensing System") was filed by Zito Llc on Jul 18, 2016.
What is this patent about?
’239 is related to the field of automated dispensing systems, particularly those that tailor the dispensed item or service to the individual user. The background involves the increasing need for targeted marketing and personalized experiences in retail, gaming, and amusement environments. Traditional promotional methods lack the ability to provide on-site, automated dispensation of items based on pre-existing knowledge of the user.
The underlying idea behind ’239 is to create a system that automatically dispenses items or activates features based on user-specific information . This is achieved by using a user identifier (e.g., RFID tag, card) containing data about the user, which is then read by a reader. A processor interprets this data to select and dispense an appropriate item or activate a specific feature, such as in a gaming device or interactive amusement system.
The claims of ’239 focus on methods and systems for dispensing items, both physical and virtual, tailored to a user. The independent claims cover identifying a user, associating user-specific information (location, biological profile, or role within a group) with the user, selecting an appropriate item based on this information, presenting the user with a choice of items, and automatically dispensing the selected item. A key aspect is that the user's choice is limited to the presented options .
In practice, the system works by first identifying the user, either through a pre-existing user identification or by gathering input directly from the user. The system then uses this information to determine the most appropriate item or feature to dispense. For example, in a gaming device, a user's skill level could be used to adjust the game's difficulty. In an interactive amusement system, a user's preferences could determine which features of the playfield are activated or which items are dispensed.
The differentiation from prior approaches lies in the automated, on-site dispensation of items or activation of features based on user-specific information. Unlike systems that issue coupons or discounts, this invention physically dispenses the item or activates the feature directly. Furthermore, the system can be integrated into various devices, including vending machines, gaming devices, and interactive amusement systems, providing a versatile solution for personalized experiences.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2000s when ’239 was filed, systems commonly relied on RFID or barcode readers for user identification at a time when dispensing mechanisms were typically electromechanical. At that time, the integration of user-specific data with automated dispensing systems was becoming more prevalent, when hardware or software constraints made real-time personalization of dispensed items non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) and 103(a) based on anticipation and obviousness arguments. The applicant's arguments were considered but deemed moot. The application was given a final rejection. The prosecution record does NOT describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent includes 32 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 12, 18, 21, 26, 29, 31, and 32. The independent claims generally focus on methods and systems for dispensing items (both physical and virtual) based on user-specific information. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the specifics of the independent claims, adding details regarding the user characteristics, item selection, dispensing mechanisms, and system components.
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Date
Description
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US11127239
- Application Number
- US15212644
- Filing Date
- Jul 18, 2016
- Status
- Expired
- Expiry Date
- Nov 17, 2024
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents