Self-service media rental terminal and method of operating a self-service media rental terminal having a plurality of customer interfaces
First Claim
1. A self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprising:
- a first customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent a media item on which entertainment data is stored from the terminal utilizing a first touch screen to select the media item and a card reader to pay for the media item;
a second customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to return a media item on which entertainment data is stored to the terminal utilizing a second touch screen;
a media storage bin for (i) storing media items to be dispensed when a customer rents a media item, and (ii) storing media items which have been returned from a customer;
a media transport mechanism arranged to (i) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the first customer interface, and (ii) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the second customer interface; and
a controller arranged to (i) receive customer input data through the first customer interface, (ii) receive customer input data through the second customer interface while customer input data is being received through the first customer interface, and (iii) control operation of the media transport mechanism based upon the customer input data received through the first customer interface and customer input data received through the second customer interface, the controller programmed to drive the first touch screen to display transaction related information to allow customers to interact with the touch screen to conduct both rental transactions and return transactions, and to drive the second touch screen to display transaction related information to allow customers to interact with the second touch screen to conduct return transactions but not rental transactions.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprises a first customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent a media item on which entertainment data is stored from the terminal, a second customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to return a media item on which entertainment data is stored to the terminal, a media storage bin for (i) storing media items to be dispensed when a customer rents a media item, and (ii) storing media items which have been returned from a customer, a media transport mechanism arranged to (i) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the first customer interface, and (ii) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the second customer interface, and a controller arranged to (i) receive customer input data through the first customer interface, (ii) receive customer input data through the second customer interface while customer input data is being received through the first customer interface, and (iii) control operation of the media transport mechanism based upon the customer input data received through the first customer interface and customer input data received through the second customer interface.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprising:
-
a first customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent a media item on which entertainment data is stored from the terminal utilizing a first touch screen to select the media item and a card reader to pay for the media item; a second customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to return a media item on which entertainment data is stored to the terminal utilizing a second touch screen; a media storage bin for (i) storing media items to be dispensed when a customer rents a media item, and (ii) storing media items which have been returned from a customer; a media transport mechanism arranged to (i) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the first customer interface, and (ii) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the second customer interface; and a controller arranged to (i) receive customer input data through the first customer interface, (ii) receive customer input data through the second customer interface while customer input data is being received through the first customer interface, and (iii) control operation of the media transport mechanism based upon the customer input data received through the first customer interface and customer input data received through the second customer interface, the controller programmed to drive the first touch screen to display transaction related information to allow customers to interact with the touch screen to conduct both rental transactions and return transactions, and to drive the second touch screen to display transaction related information to allow customers to interact with the second touch screen to conduct return transactions but not rental transactions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A self-service entertainment media rental terminal for dispensing an entertainment media item to a customer who is renting the media item from the terminal and for receiving an entertainment media item from a customer who is returning the media item to the terminal, the self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprising:
-
a full-functionality customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent an entertainment media item from the terminal, as well as, to return an entertainment media item to the terminal; a reduced-functionality customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to only return an entertainment media item to the terminal; and a controller arranged to (i) receive customer rental input data from a first customer via the full-functionality customer interface as the first customer is renting an entertainment media item from the terminal, (ii) receive customer return input data from a second customer via the reduced-functionality customer interface as the second customer is returning an entertainment media item to the terminal, wherein the customer rental input data being received at the full-functionality customer interface from the first customer and the customer return input data being received at the reduced-functionality customer interface from the second customer are being received at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of operating a self-service entertainment media rental terminal which is capable of dispensing a rented digital versatile disc (DVD) on which entertainment data and receiving a returned DVD on which entertainment data is stored, the method comprising:
-
receiving customer rental input data from a first customer desiring to rent a DVD from the terminal utilizing a first touch screen; receiving customer return input data from a second customer desiring to only return a DVD to the terminal while the customer rental input data is being received from the second customer utilizing a second touch screen; driving the first touch screen by a programmed controller to support full service customer interaction by displaying screens to allow customers to rent a DVD, to rent a pre-reserved DVD and to return a DVD; and driving the second touch screen display by the programmed controller to display screens allowing customers to only rent a pre-reserved DVD or to return a DVD, but not to rent a non pre-reserved DVD. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
Specification