Vending system including e.g. terminal and hand-held barcode scanner, offers customer surrogate goods for selection in store, then delivers real wares on completion of fully electronic transaction

摘要

The vending system offers customer surrogate goods for selection in store and then delivers real wares on completion of fully electronic transaction. The outlet displays priced, barcoded surrogate wares to the customer, who preselects using a hand scanner. The scanner data is downloaded into a terminal, allowing the customer to correct the selection, specify numbers of individual goods and to obtain an updated summary. The list is verified against stocks. Address and preferred delivery times are entered. After card payment, a receipt is given. Appropriate point-of-sale hardware is included. The order is relayed to dispatch, where goods are assembled and prepared. In-house or external resources soon deliver goods to customer.