Automated rental system
First Claim
1. An unattended article rental system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of article storage bins for storing articles to be rented, and for receiving articles being returned;
(b) an identification system including a first identification code device disposed in each of said bins and second identification code device associated with each article in a bin wherein the identification of a bin matches the identification of an article assigned to such bin;
(c) a plurality of remote controlled locks, one of said locks associated with each of said bins;
(d) a control module connected to said identification system and said remote controlled locks;
(e) a customer terminal having at least one keyboard and at least one display monitor; and
(f) a computer connected to receive inputs from said keyboard and connected to said control module, said computer programmed to direct said control module to unlock a remote controlled bin lock in accordance with a selection entered into said keyboard, and to lock a bin receiving an article having a code device matching said bin code device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unattended automated rental system for articles such as video cassettes includes a storage unit with electrically locked bins for containing rental articles. Each bin and its article has an identification code strip. A customer terminal having a keyboard and display monitor controlled from a computer permits a customer to review available articles, reserve articles, and select articles for rental. A control module operated by the computer unlocks a selected bin. An article returned to a bin is checked by the control module for its code strip and, if correct, locks the bin. The customer terminal checks customer identification and receives payments. Remote selection terminals may be provided to permit receiving of article information and reservation of articles to be rented.
177 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An unattended article rental system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of article storage bins for storing articles to be rented, and for receiving articles being returned; (b) an identification system including a first identification code device disposed in each of said bins and second identification code device associated with each article in a bin wherein the identification of a bin matches the identification of an article assigned to such bin; (c) a plurality of remote controlled locks, one of said locks associated with each of said bins; (d) a control module connected to said identification system and said remote controlled locks; (e) a customer terminal having at least one keyboard and at least one display monitor; and (f) a computer connected to receive inputs from said keyboard and connected to said control module, said computer programmed to direct said control module to unlock a remote controlled bin lock in accordance with a selection entered into said keyboard, and to lock a bin receiving an article having a code device matching said bin code device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An unattended article rental system for vending articles to authorized customers and for receiving returned articles comprising;
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a) article storing means having a plurality of bins for storing respective articles for rental and for receiving respective articles returned by customers, each one of said bins having i) remotely operated locking means for securing and releasing articles in said bin, and ii) a first identification code strip for each of said bins, each of said articles in a bin having a second identification code strip having the same identification code as its bin; b) an operating terminal means having i) card reading means for reading a customer identification card, ii) first keyboard means for entering of requests for information about said articles by an identified customer, and iii) first monitor means for displaying information about said articles; c) selection terminal means having i) second monitor means for displaying information about available articles, ii) second keyboard means for entering information including the identification code of bin and article selected for reserving or rental of same by an identified customer, and iii) card reading and writing means for obtaining customer information from a customer card and for recording customer entered information on said card; and d) computer control and record keeping means connected to said operating terminal means, said selection terminal means and said article storing means for verifying authorization of said customer identification card, for producing a record of the identity of such authorized customer, for storing entered information, for sending said information to said first and second monitor means, and having control module means for operating said bin locking means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An unattended system for vending articles to authorized customers comprising:
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a) article storing unit having a plurality of bins for storing respective articles, each one of said bins having i) a remotely operated solenoid lock for releasing articles from said bin for rental, ii) an indicator for indicating an available article stored in said bin; b) an operating terminal having i) a first keyboard for entering, by an identified customer, of requests for information about said articles, and customer data, ii) card reading and writing means for reading a customer identification card, and for recording customer entered data thereon, iii) a first monitor for displaying information about said articles, and iv) cash and check acceptance box for receiving customer payments, c) a selection terminal having i) a second keyboard for entering, by an identified customer, identification of articles to be vended, ii) a second monitor for displaying information about selected articles, and iii) a card reader and writer for obtaining customer information, and recording keyboard entered information; d) a computer connected to said operating terminal and said selection terminal for verifying authorization of said customer identification card, for producing a record of the identity of such authorized customer, for sending said information to said first and second monitors and for receiving data from said first and second keyboards; and e) at least one control module connected to said computer, and having control lines connected to each of said remotely operated solenoid locks, said computer directing said control module to unlock a bin selected by a customer.
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Specification