Abstract: A coupon dispensing module for use in conjunction with a vending machine includes a selection mechanism adapted to interrogate a database to determine whether a desired coupon corresponds to the desired product, a printing mechanism adapted to print the desired coupon, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the desired coupon upon the receipt of an actuating signal, and a control circuit coupled to the vending machine, the control circuit operating to interrogate the database to determine whether the desired coupon is available, operate the printing mechanism based on requirements of the desired coupon, and provide the actuating signal to the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a host with two-way communication to a plurality of distributors. Each of these distributors offers an addressable inventory of merchandise that consists of discrete items. The host sorts the discrete items according to a class designation such that members of a same class are assigned a unique tag. A store builder may electronically request at least one of the unique tags. The host then creates a customized store with a unique name, look and feel, and product selection for the store builder. This store provides a consumer with access, via said distributor, to items assigned that unique tag.

Abstract: A process management system is described for creating and executing graphically depicted communication processes. The process management system includes a graphical process editor facilitating the creation of communication processes on a graphical user interface. The graphically depicted communication processes visually represent to a process programmer the relationships between the events comprising the communication process. A process manager executes a set of events comprising both scheduled events and control events corresponding to the graphically displayed events. Furthermore, the process manager may operate in an immediate or real time mode to process the events of the communication process.