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ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING AN INOPERABLE ARTICLE FOR AN OPERABLE ARTICLE

  • US 20110060454A1
  • Filed: 09/05/2009
  • Published: 03/10/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for exchanging an inoperable rental article for an operable rental article via an article vending machine, the article vending machine having a user interface, a processor, a receptacle and an inventory of articles housed in the article vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:

  • receiving a command through the user interface requesting to exchange an inoperable article for an operable article;

    receiving the inoperable article via the receptacle;

    identifying a customer associated with the inoperable article using program code operating with the processor;

    determining if the customer is eligible to exchange the inoperable article using program code operating with the processor, and, if the customer is eligible, permitting the exchange; and

    ,determining if the inventory contains an identical replacement article using the processor, wherein, if the inventory does contain an identical replacement article, vending the identical replacement article.

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