Automated vending machine system for recorded goods
First Claim
1. A machine for automatically vending articles containing recordings, comprising:
- (a) storage means for storing within the machine a plurality of types of vended articles, each type separated from the others;
(b) sampling means for displaying at least a portion of a recording associated with at least one of the articles;
(c) means for controlling the type and nature of the display generated by the sampling means;
(d) means for barring access to those controlling means to customers;
(e) selection means for permitting a customer to select at least one desired article;
(f) means for accepting payment from the customer; and
(g) dispensing means, coupled to the article storage means, for releasing from the machine selected articles upon receipt of sufficient payment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unattended vending machine for the sale of articles such as compact audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, electromagnetic or electro-optical storage devices, or any other device capable of storing recorded information for subsequent reproduction by a patron. The machine displays the various disks or cassettes available, for customer purchase, and is also capable of playing extracts or complete sections of audio or audio-visual entertainment from the available disks or tapes on a video screen or audio speaker. Communications capability is available for transmitting pricing, accounting, and alarms, and for verifying credit cards, and a centralized automatic-ordering system permits reduced human intervention, and the maintenance of high levels of sales with a minimum inventory.
523 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A machine for automatically vending articles containing recordings, comprising:
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(a) storage means for storing within the machine a plurality of types of vended articles, each type separated from the others; (b) sampling means for displaying at least a portion of a recording associated with at least one of the articles; (c) means for controlling the type and nature of the display generated by the sampling means; (d) means for barring access to those controlling means to customers; (e) selection means for permitting a customer to select at least one desired article; (f) means for accepting payment from the customer; and (g) dispensing means, coupled to the article storage means, for releasing from the machine selected articles upon receipt of sufficient payment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A machine for automatically vending articles containing recordings, comprising:
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(a) storage means for storing within a machine a plurality of types of vended articles, each separated from the others; (b) sampling means for displaying at least a portion of a recording contained in at least one of the articles, including a playback device capable of playing audio recordings from a sample recording, a speaker connected to the playback device, and an electronic visual display device; (c) means for controlling the type and nature of the display generated by the sampling means; (d) selection means for permitting a customer to select at least one desired article; (e) means for accepting payment from the customer; and (f) dispensing means coupled to the article storage means for releasing from the machine selected articles upon receipt of sufficient payment. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of automatically vending articles containing recordings comprising:
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(a) storing in a machine a plurality of types of vended articles containing recordings, each type separated from the others; (b) permitting a customer to select at least one desired article; (c) displaying at least a portion of the recording contained in at least one of the selected articles; (d) permitting someone other than a customer to control the type and nature of the display; (e) accepting payment from the customer; and (f) dispensing selected articles upon receipt of sufficient payment. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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11. A system for automatically vending, accounting, and restocking articles comprising:
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(a) a plurality of point-of-sale vending machines; (b) storage means associated with each vending machine for recording information about sales transactions performed by that machine; (c) communication means associated with each vending machine for transmitting data between the storage means and at least one central location; and (d) central order means for automatically placing orders for the articles in quantities that are functions of data received from the storage means of at least a subset of the vending machines, including means for automatically filling in blanks in a form and means for automatically sending an electronic image of the form by telephone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification