Smart vending machines represent the next great frontier for interactive self$-$service kiosk solutions. Two

of the sustained advantages of automated teller machines that have been observed over the past $25$ years

are those of time and location. ATMs make access to basic banking functions, such as deposits and

withdrawals, available to the consumer $24$ x $7$ and in locations much more convenient than physical bank

branch buildings.

Many of the thought leaders in the interactive self$-$service kiosk industry now believe that these same

benefits of time and location should be extended to the sale and vending of high$-$end consumer products,

such as cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, and MP$3$ players. Typically, these types of products require

some level of informed knowledge by the consumer who is making a purchase decision. As such, these

high$-$end consumer products are generally sold by trained sales clerks. However, given the multi$-$media

capabilities of today$$s interactive self$-$service kiosks, it is indeed possible to construct a self$-$service

solution that can answer the consumer$$s questions and educate the consumer as well as the average sales

clerk.

This project involves designing an interactive self$-$service smart vending machine that has as its function

the sale and dispensing of digital cameras $($or cell phones, iPods, MP$3$ players $$ it$$s your choice$)$ in a

public venue without the assistance of a trained salesperson.

For purposes of this exercise, the student is to assume that a mechanical vending mechanism already exists

that is capable of holding various different sizes and types of cameras and of dispensing a specific camera

upon command from a kiosk device. The focus of this exercise is on developing an understanding of the

steps involved in the task of making an intelligent and informed purchase decision for a digital camera

based on the required information solicited by the application from the user. This understanding is then

used to construct a user interface design that leads the consumer to the point of selecting from at least three

camera options, each of which more or less fits the needs of the consumer based of the information

provided. The interface should them allow the consumer to make a final selection from amongst the three

choices or abort the transaction. If a final selection is made, the interfaces should provide for the Payment

options of cash, credit card or check $($assumer that the appropriate peripheral devices are available on the

kiosk to accept cash, or read credit cards or checks$)..$ All other interactions with the consumer are to be via

the touch screen. The kiosk will then dispense the appropriate camera and a customer receipt after the

successful receipt of the payment. A design of the customer receipt will be furnished as a deliverable of the

project.

Because the kiosk could be used to educate the consumer who wants to learn about cameras but not

necessarily purchase one, a secondary mode of operation should be provided that utilizes much the same

information to educate the consumer, but through a different user interface that skips the purchasing and

dispensing tasks.