Vending machines

Abstract

A vending machine ( 10 ) has a payment receiving and change dispensing apparatus ( 12 ), a product storage and dispensing apparatus ( 11 ), a product selection apparatus ( 13 ), and at least one game device ( 14 ) with a display ( 15 ) associated therewith. The game device ( 14 ) is initiated by a user activated event to provide a game of chance or skill to award a predetermined prize according to the result of the game, the result of the game and/or the prize awarded being displayed by the display ( 15 ).

1 . A vending machine having a payment receiving and change dispensing apparatus, a product storage and dispensing apparatus, a product selection means, at least one game device with display means associated therewith, wherein said at least one game device is initiated by a user activated event to provide a game of chance or skill to award a predetermined prize according to the result of the game, the result of the game and/or the prize awarded being displayed by the display means.  
     
     
         2 . The vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the game of chance or skill is played by the user following initiation.  
     
     
         3 . The vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein, the game of chance is automatically played by the game device.  
     
     
         4 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the game of skill involve a reflex action or manipulation of a joystick push buttons or the like associated with the game device, to award the prize only if a predetermined skill level is achieved.  
     
     
         5 . The vending machine according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the game of skill involves application of mental skills.  
     
     
         6 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the game device is initiated by a user inserting payment or entering payment details into the machine to purchase a product therefrom, the game can be initiated prior to or following selection of a particular product from the machine and as such the product can be dispensed prior to or following the results of the game.  
     
     
         7 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined prize is dispensed by the vending machine.  
     
     
         8 . The vending machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the prize is a product usually dispensed by the machine and therefore is dispensed by the product storage and dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The vending machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the prize is in the form of a monetary prize and is dispensed by the change dispensing part of the payment receiving and change dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         10 . The vending machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the prize is in the form of a coupon, ticket, voucher or discount voucher and is dispensed by the machine by a suitable means.  
     
     
         11 . The vending machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the prize is an entry into a further prize draw such that requisite information or data is entered into the machine via a data entry means.  
     
     
         12 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display means of the game device provides a medium for advertising the products associated with the vending machine.  
     
     
         13 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the game provides a promotional material relationship with forthcoming events.  
     
     
         14 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein random or mystery jackpot prizes are awarded to users of the vending machine.  
     
     
         15 . The vending machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the awarding of jackpot prizes is determined by the amount of use of the vending machine.  
     
     
         16 . The vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vending machine(s) is/are connected remotely to a central controller to thereby send and receive communication signals.  
     
     
         17 . The vending machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the connection is by means of a modem or the like.  
     
     
         18 . The vending machine according to claims  16  or  17 , wherein the central controller is used to monitor the vending machines as well as providing instructions thereto.  
     
     
         19 . The vending machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the central controller is used to change game formats, randomly issue jackpots, change any advertising and cross promotions and the like.  
     
     
         20 . The vending machine according to  claim 18 , wherein, the central controller also monitors the operation of the games on the vending machine as well as monitoring stock levels.