Automated videocassette dispensing terminal with reservation feature

• US 5,095,195 A
• Filed: 01/06/1989
• Issued: 03/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thru-The-Wall Corporation
• Original Assignee: Thru-The-Wall Corporation
• Inventors: Harman, Robert R., Joslyn, Bruce C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stuart S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weinhardt, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/293,972
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 235/383, 235/385, 364/400, 364/401, 364/403, 364/407, 364/410, 364/479, 340/825.35, 221/88
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• 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 a store'"'"'s computerized videocassette rental system. The store'"'"'s computer receives and compiles information relating to customer rentals from both the automatic videocassette dispensing terminal and the manned point-of-sale terminals in the store. The automatic videocassette dispensing terminal projects through an exterior wall of the video store to provide 24-hour operation. Videocassettes can be reserved and held in the terminal for pick-up by the customer after hours.

Claims

1. A method for reserving and dispensing rental videocassettes from a video store, comprising the steps of:

(a) having a customer communicate to the video store reservation information comprising customer identification information and product identification information for each videocassette to be reserved for rental;

(b) entering said reservation information into a host computer in a point of sale management system of the video store which compiles and stores said reservation information, as well as information relating to videocassette inventory and customer rentals, including time of rental and return of said rental videocassettes, said host computer communicating with;

(1) at least one manned point of sale terminal for renting and returning said videocassettes which communicates to said host computer said reservation information entered at a manned point of sale terminal by a store clerk when said customer communicates a desired videocassette reservation to said video store by telephone, and

(2) at least one automated videocassette dispensing terminal for renting videocassettes which operates in accordance with said reservation information which is centrally stored in said host computer;

(c) loading the reserved videocassette into said automated videocassette dispensing terminal which communicates with said host computer; and

(d) dispensing said reserved videocassettes from said videocassette dispensing terminal to respective customers for which they are reserved based upon customer identification information inputted to said videocassette dispensing terminal by said customers when they arrive to pick up their reserved videocassettes.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said customer communicates a desired videocassette reservation directly to said host computer via a modem, and said customer enters said rental information into said host computer.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein, after the store is closed, said customer selects a videocassette to be reserved for rental based upon the titles available in said automated videocassette dispensing terminal, and the reserved videocassette is removed from the list of available titles displayed to subsequent customers making videocassette rental inquiries to said terminal.

4. A method for reserving and dispensing rental products from a rental establishment, comprising the steps of:

(a) having a customer communicate to the rental establishment reservation information comprising customer identification information and product identification information for each product to be reserved for rental;

(b) entering said reservation information into a host computer in a point of sale management system of the rental establishment which compiles and stores said reservation information, as well as information relating to product inventory and customer rentals, including time of rental and return of said rental products, said host computer communicating with;

(1) at least one manned point of sale terminal for renting and returning said rental products which operates in accordance with the reservation information which is centrally stored in said host computer, and

(2) at least one automated rental terminal for renting said reserved rental products which operates in accordance with said reservation information which is centrally stored in said host computer; and

(c) dispensing said reserved rental products from said automated rental terminal to the respective customers for which they are reserved based upon customer identification information inputted to said automated rental terminal by said customers when they arrive to pick up their reserved products.