Apparatus for providing coupons in cooperation with operation of a companion device

Abstract

An apparatus for providing at least one item of value in cooperation with operation of a companion device delivering at least one first product to a user comprises: (a) a control means for controlling the providing; (b) a providing means for effecting the providing; the providing means being coupled with the control means; and (c) a link with the companion device for effecting the cooperation. The apparatus may further comprise (d) a communication means coupled with the control means for communicating operational information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and (e) a memory means coupled with the communication means for storing the operational information.

1 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device; said vending device having an actuator and an interior storage cavity for storing a plurality of units of a first product; said actuator being configured for setting in a first orientation or a second orientation; at least one unit of said first product being made accessible to said user when said actuator is set in one orientation of said first orientation and said second orientation; the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a control unit for controlling the apparatus in dispensing at least one coupon in response to at least one of said user effecting said setting; said at least one coupon being redeemable toward at least one second product;    (b) a providing means for effecting said dispensing; said providing means being coupled with said control means and responsive to said control means; and    (c) a link coupling the apparatus and said actuator for effecting said cooperation.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing means; said printing unit populating said at least one coupon with information.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 (d) a communication means coupled with said control means for communicating operational information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and    (e) a memory means coupled with said communication means for storing said operational information.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication means comprises at least one of a telephone connection and a wireless telephone connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication means comprises an access port for providing control access by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication means comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 (f) a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing means; said printer unit populating said at least one coupon with information received via said communication means.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication means comprises at least one of a telephone connection and a wireless telephone connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication means comprises an access port for providing control access by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication means comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device; said companion product vending device having an actuator and an interior storage cavity for storing a first product; said actuator being configured for setting in a first orientation or a second orientation; at least one unit of said first product being made accessible to said user when said actuator is set in one orientation of said first orientation and said second orientation; the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a control unit for controlling the apparatus in dispensing at least one coupon in response to at least one of said user effecting said setting; said at least one coupon being redeemable toward at least one second product;    (b) a providing means for effecting said dispensing; said providing means being coupled with said control means and responsive to said control means; and 
 (c) a link coupling the apparatus and said actuator for effecting said cooperation.  
   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing means; said printing unit populating said at least one coupon with information.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 (d) a communication means coupled with said control means for communicating operational information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and    (e) a memory means coupled with said communication means for storing said operational information.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication means comprises at least one of a telephone connection and a wireless telephone connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication means comprises an access port for providing control access by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication means comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with a companion product vending device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 (f) a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing means; said printer unit populating said at least one coupon with information received via said communication means.    
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an attached product vending device; said vending device availing a user of access to a product in response to at least one of payment to a payment receiving unit and exercising an actuator; the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a control unit for controlling said dispensing in response to at least one of said payment and said exercising;    (b) a providing means coupled with said control means for effecting said dispensing;    (c) a printing means coupled with said control unit for populating said at least one coupon with information; and    (d) a link coupling the apparatus with at least one of said payment receiving unit and said actuator.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an attached product vending device as recited in  claim 18  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 (e) a communication means coupled with said control means for communicating operational information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and    (f) a memory means coupled with said communication means for storing said operational information    
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an attached product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 19  wherein said communication means comprises at least one of an access port for providing control access by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port, a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station and a telephone connection with a remote controlling station.