AUTOMATED DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RENTING AND SHARING EQUIPMENT
First Claim
1. A device for releasably retaining one or more items for shared distribution, the device comprising:
- a guide for supporting the one or more items;
an anchoring mechanism for engaging with the guide; and
a scanning system for scanning the one or more items prior to and after distribution of the one or more items to one or more users, and for tracking the one or more items.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present application provides an automated device, including a corresponding network system, that dispenses and receives shared/rental equipment such as umbrellas, sporting equipment, safety accessories and consumer electronics. The device preferably has a mechanical guide that is used to hold the shared/rental equipment or its packaging by using an anchoring structure. A tracking system can be used to track the return and rental processes. Ideally, the device utilizes a central database which can be accessed through internet for administrating the transactions (e.g. rental and return processes) with the device as well as tracking the users, inventory and locations.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device for releasably retaining one or more items for shared distribution, the device comprising:
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a guide for supporting the one or more items; an anchoring mechanism for engaging with the guide; and a scanning system for scanning the one or more items prior to and after distribution of the one or more items to one or more users, and for tracking the one or more items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing one or more items for shared distribution from a device, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request from a user to obtain the one or more items from the device; authenticating the user by querying a database to where registered users information is stored to determine if the user is a registered user, wherein if the user is not registered, the database informs the user to register, and if the user is registered, the database sends a lock release command to the kiosk to allow the user to remove the one or more items from the device; scanning, identifying and counting the one or more items from the device to associate a user'"'"'s account with the one or items, and initiating a period of time for use of the one or more items obtained from the device; sending a confirmation message to the user; wherein after the one or items is returned to the device, the item is received by the device, scanned and counted, and the user'"'"'s account is disassociated from the one or more items returned to the device, thereby terminating the period of time for use of the one or more items, and wherein a further confirmation message is sent to the user. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification