System and method for tracking the return of loaned or rented items
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for tracking a plurality of items as items within the plurality of items are loaned to customers, wherein the method comprises:
- maintaining an item database accessed by a store computer system and including an item data record corresponding to each item in the plurality of items;
storing a loaned item code in the item data record corresponding to an item in the plurality of items as the item is loaned to a customer;
identifying the item as the item is returned through an item return chute accessible to the customer;
storing a recognized item code in the item data record corresponding to the item in response to identifying the item as the item is returned through the item return chute; and
storing a stock location code in the item data record corresponding to the item when the item is returned to a stock location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for tracking a number of items borrowed or rented by customers includes a chute reading identification data from each item as the item is returned through the chute by the customer. Data records associated with the returned items are updated to indicate the items are available, even before the items can be restocked. The time at which an item is returned may be compared with a time at which it is due, with an additional fee being added to an account of a customer borrowing or renting an item that is returned late.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for tracking a plurality of items as items within the plurality of items are loaned to customers, wherein the method comprises:
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maintaining an item database accessed by a store computer system and including an item data record corresponding to each item in the plurality of items; storing a loaned item code in the item data record corresponding to an item in the plurality of items as the item is loaned to a customer; identifying the item as the item is returned through an item return chute accessible to the customer; storing a recognized item code in the item data record corresponding to the item in response to identifying the item as the item is returned through the item return chute; and storing a stock location code in the item data record corresponding to the item when the item is returned to a stock location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for tracking a plurality of items as items within the plurality of items are loaned to customers, wherein the system comprises:
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data storage storing a first database including an item data record corresponding to each item in the plurality of items loaned to customers; an item return chute, accessible to the customers, generating a returned item identifying code when an item in the plurality of items is returned through the item return chute; a user interface including a display and a selection device; processor means programmed to perform steps of; receiving the returned item identifying code; in response to receiving the returned item identifying code, updating an item data record having an item identification code corresponding to the returned item identifying code to include a recognized item code indicating the item corresponding to the data record has been recognized; displaying a set of menu entries on the display; receiving a menu selection signal for changing an item location from the selection device; in response to receiving the menu selection signal for changing an item location from the selection device, displaying a list of items corresponding to data records including the recognized item code on the display; receiving an item selection signal from the selection device indicating a choice of a selected item from the list of items; and in response to receiving the item selection signal, updating a data record stored in the data storage to indicate the selected item has been moved to a stock location. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification