DISPLAY-BASED VENDING APPARATUS AND METHOD
A vending-machine has one or more displays that inform the customer regarding available vendable selections and that facilitate the purchase of a selected item. By one approach this display can comprise a touchscreen display. Such an approach can support a highly intuitive interaction between the purchasing context and the customer. A display of dynamic content serves to attract a potential customer, provide the customer with a wealth of information regarding available selections, offer the customer a variety of ways to consider and assess available vendable items, support the building of a customer relationship between the customer and one or more marketing brands, and effect the successful conclusion of a vending transaction.
1 . A vending apparatus configured and arranged to interact with a customer via a video interface.
2 . A vending machine support system that facilitates remote support of at least one vending machine.
3 . The vending machine support system of claim 2 wherein the remote support includes at least one of:
providing promotional content to be presented by the vending machine;
providing planogram information regarding vendable items;
providing pricing information for vendable items.