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Automated digital media vending apparatus

  • US 20040158871A1
  • Filed: 02/03/2004
  • Published: 08/12/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. An automated digital media vending apparatus, comprising:

  • a recording mechanism for recording selected media data titles onto blank disks;

    a storage unit containing a plurality of stored disks bearing prerecorded media in the form of various data titles, at least some of which disks have been pre-recorded by the apparatus itself, processing means for processing input from a user regarding said user and at least one selected data title;

    a disk dispensing mechanism for removing a disk containing the selected data title from among said stored disks in said storage unit and for dispensing the disk containing the selected data title to the user;

    a data memory for storing transaction information regarding at least the user, the selected data title, the specific disk containing the selected data title and the date on which the disk containing the selected data title was dispensed;

    a disk accepting mechanism for accepting a disk inserted into said apparatus and for reading data from said inserted disk;

    said processing means determining an appropriate payment from the user based upon the date on which the disk containing the selected data title was dispensed, whether the disk is inserted and, if the disk is inserted, the date on which the disk is inserted, and processing said appropriate payment from the user; and

    if the disk is not inserted, said processing means determining whether said disk containing said selected data title must be replaced and, if so, directing said disk recording mechanism to record another disk containing said selected data title to replace in said storage unit the disk that was dispensed.

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