AUTOMATED BUSINESS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENDING AND RETURNING A CONSUMER PRODUCT

• US 20090143903A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald Blust, Thomas Driscoll
• Original Assignee: Donald Blust, Thomas Driscoll
• Inventors: Blust, Donald, Driscoll, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/328,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20090143903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

Claims

1. A gripper for retrieving disc-based media, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of fingers operable to support the disc-based media;

an actuator operable to move the fingers from a first position to a second position;

a carriage adapted to support the fingers; and

an actuator operable to move the carriage toward and away from the disc-based media.