Automated videocassette dispensing terminal coupled to store's computerized rental system

• US 5,013,897 A
• Filed: 08/03/1988
• Issued: 05/07/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thru-The-Wall Corporation
• Original Assignee: Thru-The-Wall Corporation
• Inventors: Joslyn, Bruce. C., Harman, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stuart S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEINHARDT, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US07/227,618
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381, 235/383, 235/385, 235/462, 235/487, 235/488, 235/457, 902/22, 902/24, 902/30, 364/408
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/069 by box-like containers, e.g. videocassettes, books

Abstract

A system for renting pre-recorded videocassettes in which an automatic videocassette dispensing terminal communicates with and becomes part of store'"'"'s computerized videocassette rental system. The store'"'"'s computer receives and complies information relating to customer rentals from both the automatic videocassette dispensing terminal and the manned point-of-sale terminal in the store. The automatic videocassette dispensing terminal projects through an exterior wall of the video store to provide 24-hour operation.

Claims

1. A system for renting videocassettes, comprising:

(a) a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of a video store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of the video store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and videocassette identification information for each videocassette rented;

(b) at least one manned point of sale terminal for renting and returning videocassettes which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each videocassette rented to or returned by a customer at said point of sale terminal; and

(c) at least one automated videocassette dispensing terminal for renting videocassettes which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to said customer list and said videocassette inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette rented at said automated videocassette dispensing terminal;

wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette and to update said videocassette inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.

2. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer processes said customer identification information received from said automated videocassette dispensing terminal to determine whether a customer is authorized, and instructs said automated videocassette terminal whether or not to rent a videocassette to said customer.

3. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal by a bar code reader.

4. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal by a magnetic strip reader.

5. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal by means of a personal identification code.

6. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said automated videocassette dispensing terminal includes a means for displaying titles for rent.

7. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said automated videocassette dispensing terminal extends through an exterior wall of a video store and is available for customer rentals of videocassettes on a 24-hour basis.

8. A system for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 1, wherein said automated videocassette dispensing terminal is hard-wired to said computer.

11. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 8, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal through a bar code reader.

12. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 8, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal through a magnetic card reader.

9. A method for renting videocassettes, comprising:

(a) having a clerk enter rental information through a manned point of sale terminal in a video store as videocassettes are rented to and returned from a customer, said rental information comprising customer identification and videocassette identification information;

(b) providing an automated videocassette dispensing terminal from which customers can rent videocassettes by entering said rental information themselves;

(c) communicating said rental information from said manned point of sale terminals and said automated videocassette dispensing terminal to a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of said video store, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal operating in accordance with information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of said video store which is centrally stored in said host computer;

(d) compiling and storing said rental information which is stored in said host computer with time of rental and return to generate updated information relating to said videocassette inventory and customer rentals of videocassettes; and

(e) processing said rental information with said time of rental and return in said host computer to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette.

10. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of processing said customer identification information in said host computer to determine whether a customer is authorized, and instructing said automated videocassette dispensing terminal whether or not to rent a videocassette to a customer based upon said authorization determination.

13. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, wherein said customer identification information is entered into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal by means of a personal identification code.

14. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, wherein a display means is employed at said automated videocassette dispensing terminal to display titles for rent.

15. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, wherein said automated videocassette dispensing terminal projects thru the wall of said video store and is available for customer rentals of videocassettes on a 24-hour basis.

16. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, wherein said automated videocassette dispensing terminal is hard-wired to said host computer.

17. A method for renting videocassettes as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of loading said automated videocassette dispensing terminal with videocassettes enter a title code corresponding to each videocassette as it is loaded, sending said title code to said host computer, and having said host computer determine an alpha title description corresponding to side title code, and sending said alpha title description dispensing terminal for storage and display.

18. A system for renting products, comprising:

(a) a host computer in a point-of-sale system of a store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and product inventory and customer rental information of said store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and product identification information for each product rented;

(b) at least manned one point of sale terminal for renting and returning products which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each product rented to or returned by a customer; and

(c) at least one automated dispensing terminal for renting said products which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to customer list and said product inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each product rented at said automated dispensing terminal;

wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned product and to update said product inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.