USER-SPECIFIC DISPENSING SYSTEM
The invention provides a system to physically dispense an item on-site from a dispenser whereby the item to be dispensed is selected by the system based on user-specific or item-specific information. In an embodiment, the system selects the dispensed item based on both user-specific and item-specific information. In another embodiment the invention comprises a system that activates gaming features in a gaming device based on user-specific information.
1 - 10 . (canceled)
11 . A gaming system, comprising:
a. a reader configured for reading a readable user-identifier associated with a user that stores information that is specific to said user;
b. at least one gaming feature; and
c. a processor coupled to said at least one gaming feature and to said reader, wherein said processor executes coded instructions to interpret said user-specific information read by said reader and uses said interpretation to automatically select and activate at least one of said at least one gaming features without requiring further intervention from said user, wherein said activation of said selected gaming feature is independent of said user's purchase history.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein said activation is deactivation of said selected gaming feature.
13 . The system of claim 11 wherein said gaming system is a pinball machine.
14 . The system of claim 11 wherein said gaming system is a video game.
15 . The system of claim 11 wherein said gaming system is a slot machine.
16 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is said user's name.
17 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is said user's address.
18 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is said user's age.
19 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is said user's gender.
20 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is a history of said user's use of said gaming system.
21 . The system of claim 11 wherein said information is said user's personal characteristics.
22 . The system of claim 11 further comprising a currency accepting means coupled with said processor, and said instructions further comprising instructions to activate said selected gaming feature upon the user inserting an appropriate amount of currency into the currency accepting means.
23 . The system of claim 26 , wherein said item is a service.
24 . The system of claim 26 , wherein said item is a music clip.
25 . The system of claim 26 , wherein said item is a multi-media clip.
26 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a dispensing device configured for automatically dispensing an item based upon said information read by said reader, wherein said processor executes coded instructions to interpret said user-specific information to automatically dispense a selected item from said dispensing device based upon said user-specific information.
27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein said information is a history of said items dispensed to said user.