Vending machine for video cassettes - Patent Review 4668150

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, each said bin having a bottom with an elongated slot, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through said horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a seocnd position corresponding to a selected one of said bins, said controllable arm having first and second upward extensions and being further mounted for movement through a respective one of the bins in a horizontal direction by passage through a respective one of the elongated slots; and

(c) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said respective bins and connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm through said vertical and horizontal passages between said first and second positions and for selectively moving said controllable arm back and forth along a horizontal axis aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin at said second position, wherein the first extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a selected container out its associated bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal axis, and the second extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a returned container into the selected bin associated with the returned container when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal axis.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said array has a rectilinear configuration.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said controllable arm for moving said first extension horizontally completely through the elongated slot of a respective one of said bins when a container is removed from and inserted into one of such bins.

4. The machine according to claim 3, and further comprising a frame mounting said controllable arm and including a platform for supporting a container, said platform being provided with a second elongated slot and being positioned above said controllable arm so that said upward extensions pass upwardly through said platform via said second elongated slot for one of pushing a container off of and onto said platform.

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein said frame includes a pair of vertical side walls extending parallel to said second elongated slot and enclosing said platform, said vertical side walls having respective vertical edge portions facing said array which are flared outwardly.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein each said bin has an open vertical end through which a container is inserted and removed from the bin by said controllable arm and a second vertical end opposite said open vertical end, the second vertical ends of the bins in each row being arranged to define a horizontal channel through which said first extension can be moved in the direction of said horizontal rows.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein each said bin has vertical side walls which are spaced apart from each other for accommodating a container therebetween, said vertical side walls defining an open vertical end through which a container is inserted and removed from the bin by said controllable arm, and said vertical side walls having vertical edge portions at said open vertical end which are flared outwardly.

8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the input signal includes a first input signal identifying a selected container which is stored in said array and a second input signal identifying a container returned to said machine; said control means is responsive to the first input signal for controlling said controllable arm to move to the second position so that said controllable arm is aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin, for controlling said controllable arm to move through the elongated slot of such bin for removing a container therefrom, and for controlling said arm to move, with the container, to said first position for dispensing the container; and said control means is responsive to the second input signal for controlling said controllable arm to move with a returned container from said first position to said second position so that said controllable arm is aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin associated with the returned container, and for controlling said controllable arm to move through the elongated slot of such bin to insert the returned container therein.

9. The machine according to claim 1, wherein each said bin has edge portions defining an opening through which a container is removed from and inserted into said bin, and each said container is provided with beveled edges for cooperating with said edge portions for aligning each said container with a respective one of said bins as such container is inserted into one of such bins.

10. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal row and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through said horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to a selected one of said bins, said controllable arm having first and second vertical surfaces; and

(c) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said respective bins and connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm through said vertical and horizontal passages between said first and second positions and for moving said controllable arm along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages at said second position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into one of said bins, the first vcrtical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container into the selected bin associated with the returned container when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path.

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein each said bin has an open vertical end through which a container is inserted and removed from the bin by said controllable arm and a second vertical end opposite said open vertical end, the second vertical ends of the bins in each row being arranged to define a horizontal channel through which said first vertical surface can be moved in the direction of said horizontal rows.

12. The machine according to claim 10, wherein said array has a rectilinear configuration.

13. The machine according to claim 10, wherein each said bin has vertical side walls which are spaced apart from each other for accommodating a container therebetween, said vertical side walls defining an open vertical end through which a container is inserted and removed from the bin by said controllable arm.

14. The machine according to claim 10, wherein the input signal includes a first input signal identifying a selected container which is stored in said array and a second input signal identifying a container returned to said machine; said control means is responsive to the first input signal for controlling said controllable arm to move to the second position so that said controllable arm is aligned with the selected bin, for controlling said controllable arm to move through the selected bin for removing a container therefrom, and for controlling said arm to move, with the container, to said first position for dispensing the container; and said control means is responsive to the second input signal for controlling said controllable arm to move with a returned container from said first position to said second position so that said controllable arm is aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin associated with the returned container, and for controlling said controllable arm to move through such bin to insert the returned container therein.

15. The machine according to claim 10, wherein each said bin has edge portions defining an opening through which a container is removed from and inserted into said bin, and each said container is provided with beveled edges for cooperating with said edge portions for aligning each said container with a respective one of said bins as such container is inserted into one of such bins.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This relates to a machine for automatically retrieving and dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for receiving and storing a container which is returned to the machine. The invention is particularly useful as a vending machine for video cassettes and the like which are dispensed for the temporary usage of a person and which must be returned and stored in the machine for subsequent dispensing.

In recent years the increased usage of video cassette recorders (VCR's) to play prerecorded programming, primarily in the form of popular movies, has resulted in a large rental market for such video cassette. The distribution chain for video cassette rentals has primarily been through a plethora of video cassette rental stores which have opened all over the country to meet this demand. A typical transaction involves going into one of such video cassette rental stores, engaging a sales person to orally request a selected movie, often after waiting in a long line, and if the selected video cassette is in stock completing a rental transaction. Upon returning the rented video cassette to the store often times it is again necessary to engage a sales person, possibly after waiting in another line, to settle the rental account. In short, the principal mechanism which has developed in the market place for the rental of video cassettes is often time consuming and inconvenient.

Because of its relatively small size, the standard video cassette is capable of being dispensed by a vending machine. In fact, applicant is aware of one such vending machine which has been developed for this purpose. This known video cassette vending machine is basically a cigarette-type vending machine which has been modified to accommodate video cassettes. This machine contains a limited store of cassette movie titles which are selected and dispensed in a manner similar to the selection and dispensing of a package of cigarettes. That is, the machine dispenses the selected video cassette by dropping the cassette from a column of like titles to a platform located below the column where the person making the selection can remove the cassette from the machine. After completing the use of the cassette, the customer returns the cassette by depositing it in a storage bin associated with the machine. In order to position the cassette for subsequent dispensing, an operator must physically open the machine and place the cassettes contained in the storage bin in a respective one of the columns associated with the various movie titles.

The above described cassette vending machine has several disadvantages. As noted above, the design of the machine permits it to dispense only a limited number of titles. Second, the cassettes are subject to being damaged in the dispensing process when they are dropped to the platform and again when they are returned to the machine and dropped into the storage bin. Further, the machine requires constant oversight by an operator in order to store the returned cassettes in the appropriate position so that they can be later dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically receiving and storing a container which is returned to the machine.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a video cassette vending machine which can store a relatively large number of cassettes with different titles, automatically dispense a selected video cassette, and automatically store a video cassette upon its return to the machine so that the video cassette is appropriately positioned in the machine to be dispensed again without the intervention of a service operator.

The above and other objects are accomplished according to the invention by the provision of a machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, including:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, each bin having a bottom provided with an elongated slot, the bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between each horizontal row and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of the bins;

(b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through the horizontal and vertical passages between one position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to a selected one of the bins, the controllable arm being further mounted for movement through a respective one of the bins by passage through a respective one of the elongated slots; and

(c) a control mechanism responsive to an input signal corresponding to a respective one of the bins and connected to the controllable arm for moving the controllable arm through the vertical and horizontal passages between the first and second positions and for moving the controllable arm through the elongated slot of the bin at the second position for one of removing a selected container from, and inserting a returned container into such bin.

The novel configuration of the bins allows each bin to support a cassette and yet allow the controllable arm to pass through the bin via the elongated slot for the purpose of inserting or removing a cassette relative to the bin. Further, the arrangement of the bins in stacked horizontal rows permits each machine to store a relatively high variety of cassettes compared to the presently known cassette vending machine.

The machine includes an electronic keyboard for accepting a user identification code and a cassette identifcation code. After verifying the user's identification code, the cassette identification code is entered and translated into control signals for moving the controllable arm to a position corresponding to the bin storing the selected cassette.

In one preferred embodiment the controllable arm is controlled to move upwardly through the elongated slot for lifting the cassette out of the bin and into the horizontal passage above the row in which that bin is located. The arm is then controlled for transporting the cassette to a position in the machine at which the cassette may be dispensed to the customer.

The identification code of each cassette is provided in the form of a machine readable code, such as a bar code, on the outer surface of the cassette. When the cassette is returned to the machine the customer inserts the cassette into the controllable arm. A bar code reader senses the identification code of the cassette which is then translated into position control signals for moving the controllable arm to a position above the bin associated with the returned cassette. The controllable arm is then controlled for lowering the cassette into the bin. Preferably, after the cassette has been inserted into the bin the arm is returned to the dispensing and receiving position where it awaits the next sequence of position control signals associated with the next customer transaction.

In a preferred form of the invention the control means includes a mechanical linkage of ball screws and ball nuts which are controlled for moving the controllable arm to a desired position by appropriately programmed stepper motors.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the controllable arm has two vertical extensions or prongs which are spaced apart and the controllable arm is controlled to move through the elongated slots in the bins in a horizontal direction so that the cassette is either pulled horizontally out of the bin or pushed horizontally into the bin by the controllable arm. In this embodiment the control mechanism is thus provided with a third axis of movement for moving the cassette in and out of the bin in a horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the plane in which the arm is controlled to move between a selected one of the bins and the dispensing and receiving position.

In accordance with the principles of the invention the horizontally stacked rows of bins may have a rectilinear configuration or a circularly cylindrical configuration. In the rectilinear configuration the mechanical linkage for moving the arm is located behind the bins relative to the front panel of the machine. In the circularly cylindrical configuration of the bins, the mechanical linkage is located in the interior space defined by the circularly cylindrical configuration of the bins.

In still another aspect of the invention, the machine may comprise two rectilinear sections of bins and the mechanical linkage of the control mechanism is configured for selectively moving the arm to an operative position relative to a respective one of the bin sections for retrieving or returning a cassette from or to any one of the bins in the entire machine.

Other aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the vending machine according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing a front elevational view in partial cross section of the machine of FIG. 1 with the front panel removed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a side elevational view in partial cross section of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of components show in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram illustrating the electronics utilized in the control mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a side sectional view of a machine according to the invention employing two sections of bins.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing a plan sectional view of the machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing a front elevational view, in partial cross section, of the vending machine according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view along the line 9--9 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front partial sectional view of a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11

FIG. 13 is a prespective view showing components of FIGS. 12 and 13 on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing modified components of the machine according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of components illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of components according to yet another modification of the invention.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of a component according to further modifications of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of the outside frame of a video cassette vending machine 10 constructed according to the principles of the invention. The machine frame has a rectangular shape with a front panel 11 which mounts a computer console 13 housing known computer electronics (not shown) which are connected to an electronic keypad 15, a display panel 17 and a magnetic card reader (not shown) having a magnetic card insert slot 19. Console 13 operates in a manner similar to the consoles associated with the now well known automatic teller machines whereby a user inserts a magnetic card containing a preassigned identification code. The user then manually inputs via the keyboard 15 a personal identification code which is electronically confirmed by the console electronics, whereupon the user then proceeds with a transaction, which in the case of the present machine comprises the selection or return of a video cassette. For the selection of a cassette, the user, after confirmation of the personal I.D., will put in the identification code for the cassette containing the desired title. The display 17 is utilized in a well known manner for displaying user instructions and the keyboard entries. Consoles, such as console 13, and the associated electronics, are well known and form no part of the present invention.

Panel 11 contains an opening 21 which is shown as centrally disposed in the panel for reasons which will become apparent; however other locations for opening 21 are possible within the principles of the invention. Cassettes which are dispensed by the machine are automatically presented at the opening 21 for removal by the customer. Similarly, cassettes which are returned by the customer to the machine are inserted through opening 21 and are automatically stored in the appropriate position in the machine in a manner which will be described. Preferably, opening 21 has a door 23 which is slidably mounted and controllable by signals from the console 13 for covering and uncovering opening 21. Preferably, opening 21 remains covered by door 23 except when a selected cassette is to be dispensed through the opening 21 or when a customer returns a cassette to the machine and makes an appropriate entry through the keyboard for opening the door 23 so that the cassette can be inserted into the machine.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate the principal components within the machine illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown the machine frame in section having side panels 22a and 22b to which are connected a plurality of mounting brackets 24. A plurality of cassette storage bins 25 are suitably connected to mounting brackets 24 in a rectilinear array of vertically stacked, horizontal rows 27a-27g. The horizontal rows 27a-27g are spaced from one another to define horizontal passages 28a-28f between the rows. Additionally, there is provided a horizontal passage 28g above the uppermost row 27g and a horizontal passage 28h below the lower most row 27a. Horizontal passages 28a-28g accommodate the horizontal movement of a cassette carriage 30 which has a plurality of pairs of side wall sections 31a and 31b mounted to a support 33 and protruding into the space immediately above each respective row of bins as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Bins 25 are further arranged to define a vertical passage 34 which communicates with each of the horizontal passages 28a-28h and with opening 21.

Two linear bearings 35a and 35b are connected near the bottom and top, respectively, of support 33 for guiding the horizontal movement of support 33 with its attached pairs of side wall sections 31a and 31b along respective linear bearing rods 37a and 37b. Linear bearing rods 37a and 37b are fixedly attached to the frame of the machine via suitable attachment members 38 as shown in FIG. 2.

A ball screw 39 is mounted to side panels 22a and 22b of the machine frame via bearing blocks 41 and 42 so as to be parallel with the linear bearing rods 37a and 37b. Ball screw 39 is drivingly connected to a reversible stepper motor 43. A ball nut 45 is attached to support 33 and is operatively engaged with ball screw 39 for moving the entire cassette carriage 30 to the left or right as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2 in response to a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of ball screw 39.

A top end piece 47 is attached to the upper end of support 33 and a bottom end piece 49 is attached to the lower end of support 33. Between end pieces 47 and 49 there is mounted a vertically oriented linear bearing rod 51 (FIG. 3) and a ball screw 53 which is spaced from and parallel to the linear bearing rod 51. Ball screw 53 is mounted to end pieces 47 and 49 via respective bearing blocks 55 and 59 and is drivingly connected to a reversible stepper motor 61. A ball nut 63 is operatively engaged with ball screw 53 and is attached via a bracket 65 to a linear bearing 67 which is slidably engaged with linear bearing rod 51. Carriage 30 further includes a cassette lifting arm 69 which is attached to ball nut 63 and cooperates with the respective side wall sections 31a, 31b for transporting a selective one of the cassettes as will be described hereinafter. Ball nut 63, and hence arm 69, are caused to move in a vertical direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 upon the rotation of ball screw 53 by stepper motor 61.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a cassette storage bin 25 in operative relation with a pair of side wall sections 31a and 31b directly above the bin and the cassette lifting arm 69 which, in this illustration is located below bin 25. Bin 25 is shaped to support a cassette (shown by phantom lines) on its edge and includes opposing side walls 71 and 73 each of which are preferably outwardly flared at their respective upper edge portions for reasons which will become apparent. Bin 25 has an end wall 75 via which the bin is mounted adjacent the inside of the machine front panel 11 (not shown in FIG. 5). The bottom of bin 25 is formed by two flanges 77 and 79 which project inwardly of the bin from a respective one of the side walls 71 and 73 to form an elongated slot 81. Flanges 77 and 79 are dimensioned to provide adequate support for the cassette as shown in FIG. 4. Slot 81 has a width which prevents the cassette from falling therethrough but yet permits the passage of arm 69 in the vertical direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4. Preferably, the end of bin 25 remote from the front panel of the machine is also provided with opposing flanges 83 and 85 which define a slot 87 corresponding to slot 81 and which thus has a width which permits passage of arm 69. Flanges 83 and 85 prevent the cassette from falling out of the bin if the machine was tilted or violently jarred.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the bottom edge portions of side wall sections 31a and 31b, respectively, are flared outwardly. The purpose of the outward flaring of the bottom edge portions of side wall sections 31a and 31b and the outward flaring of the upper edge portions of side walls 71 and 73 of bin 25 is to allow a greater tolerance for error in the alignment of the side wall sections of the carriage with the bin during retrieval or storage of a cassette. Thus, when a cassette is retrieved from a bin, arm 69 will be moved up through slot 81 in bin 25 to lift the cassette into the pair of side wall sections 31a and 31b immediately above the bin. If the side wall sections 31a and 31b are not precisely aligned directly above the bin, the outward flaring of the bottom edge portions of side wall sections 31a and 31b will nevertheless force the cassette into the space between the side wall sections. Similarly, during the storage of a cassette into the appropriate bin, the carriage is moved so that the side wall sections 31a and 31b are aligned directly above the appropriate bin and the cassette lifting arm 69 along with the cassette to be stored is lowered into the bin until the cassette rests on flanges 77 and 79. A slight misalignment of the side wall sections 31a and 31b with the bin will not affect the storage operation since the outward flaring of the upper edge portions of bin 25 will guide the cassette into the bin.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged sectional plan view of the carriage 30 with the cassette lifting arm 69 disposed in the vertical passage 34. The side walls of the bins adjacent passage 34 are preferably not flared at their upper edge portions, or are provided with a false wall (not shown) which is flared outwardly relative to passage 34, so that a cassette being transported through vertical passage 34 via arm 69 will not catch an edge of the bin walls adjacent passage 34.

From the foregoing description of FIGS. 2 to 5 it may be appreciated that the mechanical linkage comprising the ball screws and ball nuts permits the cassette lifting arm 69 to be moved via vertical passage 34 to any one of the horizontal passages 28a-28h. The entire carriage 30 may be moved in a horizontal direction so that the side wall sections 31a and 31b are aligned with either vertical passage 34 or with a selected one of the bins. Once aligned with a selected bin, the arm 69 can be controlled to move up or down through the vertical slot of the selected bin for retrieving or storing a cassette.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block circuit diagram of an electronic circuit which may be used to control the stepper motors which drive the ball screws and ball nuts shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The computer console 13 is connected, via a parallel/serial interface 89, to a stepper motor controller 91 for controlling vertical movement of arm 69 and to a horizontal stepper motor controller 93 for controlling horizontal movement of carriage 30. Stepper motor controller 91 is connected via a drive 95 to stepper motor 61 and stepper motor controller 93 is connected via a drive 99 to stepper motor 43.

The parallel/serial interface 89 may be a large scale integrated device such as that made by Cybernetic Microsystems and sold under the Part No. CY232. The parallel/serial interface translates keyboard inputs to TTL outputs. Stepper motor controllers 91 and 93 each may be implemented by an intelligent positioning stepper motor controller such as that made by Cybernetic Microsystems and sold as Part No. CY512 which is also a large scale integrated device. The CY512 stepper motor controller is a programmable device which can accept an input signal representing a target position and control the direction, position, speed and acceleration of a stepper motor. Handshaking between stepper motor controllers 91 and 93 occurs via interface 89 under control of a handshaking algorithm as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferably, a four phase stepper motor is used in combination with each CY512 stepper motor controller. The drive circuits 95 and 99 each comprise standard power transistors or transistor arrays configured in a known manner for accepting the TTL outputs of the stepper motor controllers. Other commercially available electronics are equally suitable for implementing the control of the stepper motors in carrying out the invention, and such electronics, per se, form no part of the present invention. For example, Clifton Precision Litton, Inc. also makes a Programmable Stepper Controller sold under Model No. SCC20, and compatible drivers and interfaces which could be connected and readily programmed to control the stepper motors according to the invention.

The operation of the vending machine according to FIGS. 1 to 6 will now be described. There will first be a description of the operation of the machine in retrieving and dispensing a cassette in response to a selection made by a customer, followed by a description of the operation of the machine in accepting a cassette which has been returned to the machine and storing the returned cassette in the appropriate cassette storage bin.