Apparatus and method for--at the time rented video media is returned--identifying damage, generating damage documentation in remote data base, and providing customer record detailing damage

• US 20020195491A1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Earnest B. Bunch III
• Original Assignee: Earnest B. Bunch III
• Inventors: Bunch, Earnest B. III
• Application Number:
  US09/892,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195491A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A method and apparatus for renting and return video media retrofits a conventional retail establishment which rents VCR tapes, DVDs, and other video media. The retrofit enables the retail establishment to determine at the time rented video media is returned whether the video is damaged. Equipment installed in the retail establishment communicates with a remote data base both to help determine if returned video media is damaged and to generate documentation of any damage which is detected.

Claims

1. In combination with a retail establishment for renting video media, the retail establishment including

a building structure,

a check out area in the building structure,

a data base including identification information for video media which has been rented, and

a return site for a customer to return video media when the retail establishment is closed for business, the improvements comprising a method for adapting the retail establishment to determine at the time rented video media are being returned at the return site if there is damage to the rented video media, the method including the steps of

(a) installing remote from the data base return apparatus for accepting undamaged video media being returned and for rejecting damaged video media being returned;

(b) installing remote from the data base sensor means for detecting damage to rented video media being returned and for generating damage documentation signals;

(c) installing transmission means in the store to transmit the damage documentation signals to the data base;

(d) installing in the store means for

(i) correlating the damage documentation signals with information in the data base, and

(ii) generating auxiliary signals including damage information;

(e) installing in the retail establishment means for transmitting the auxiliary signals to the return apparatus so the return apparatus can accept or reject the video media being returned.

2. A method of returning rented video media to a retail establishment which rents video media, the store including

a building structure,

a check out area in the building structure,

a data base including identification information for video media which has been rented, and

a return site for a customer to return video media when the retail establishment is closed for business, the method including the steps of

(a) detecting at the return site damage to a rented video media at the time the media is returned to the return site;

(b) generating damage documentation signals at a location remote from the data base;

(c) transmitting the damage documentation signals to the data base;

(d) correlating the damage documentation signals with information in the data base and generating auxiliary signals including damage information;

(e) transmitting the auxiliary signals to the return site at the time the rented video means is being returned.