Importance

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Abstract

A vending machine is provided that includes an identification card for carrying by a holder of the card, with the identification card having an age and personal identification number of the holder of the identification card being encoded on the identification card. A vending machine has a housing with an interior, and the vending machine includes a dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing products upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism. A money acceptor is provided for accepting money for purchasing a product. A card reader is provided for reading the age and personal identification number encoded on the identification card. A keypad is provided for allowing the inputting of information including the personal identification number and an address corresponding to a product to be dispensed. A control mechanism is provided for controlling operation of the vending machine, and the control mechanism is operatively connected to the money acceptor, the card reader, the keypad, and the dispensing mechanism. The control mechanism is adapted to detect successful performance of age verifying actions and actuate the dispensing mechanism to dispense a product upon the detection of the successful performance of the age verifying actions. Preferably, successful performance of the age verifying actions includes inserting the identification card into the card reader, and entry of the personal identification number on the keypad.

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First Claim