Method and apparatus for vending - Patent Review 4812629

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions, said engaging means comprising a mechanical finger means;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

2. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions, said engaging means comprising a magnetic means;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

3. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identify and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions, said engaging means comprising an electromagnet;

rotating means for rotating said table or that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

4. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identify and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

customer identifier means for identifying a customer, for debiting a customer's account when a selected item is carried to the vend position from one of said storage positions and for crediting the account when a selected item is returned; control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

5. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

a plurality of individual cases which hold each said separate item, each said case having an attachment means which cooperates with said engaging means;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed ore turned through the user-accessible opening.

6. The dispensing machine of claim 5 wherein each item bears an identification code and each case has an access window aligned with the identification code to permit the reader means to read the identification code.

7. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means form a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

service input means for recognizing a service request and for, upon a single service request, dispending all copies of a selecting item through the vend position;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

8. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means or accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

printing means for printing a statement of predetermined details of the vending transaction and issuing the statement to a customer upon completion of a transaction;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

9. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and as second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or releases a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

communication means for communicating information between said memory means and an external, central control, wherein said communication means includes a telephone access line;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

10. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

rotating means or rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or end position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;

reservation means for allowing a user to reserve a selected item and prevent the dispensing of the last remaining selected item to another;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

11. The dispensing machine of claim 9 further comprising means for uploading and down loading information in said memory means to and from said central control.

12. A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate videocassettes in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the videocassettes, the dispensing machine comprising:

a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;

at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;

memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored videocassettes;

means for accepting user input for selecting or returning a videocassette;

carrier means for selectively transferring a selected videocassette between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;

engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected videocassette when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

a plurality of individual cases which hold each videocassette, each case having an attachment means which cooperates with said engaging means;

rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;

means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected videocassette in one of said storage or vend positions;

control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring a videocassette from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned videocassette from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the videocassette; and

reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying a videocassette which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

13. The dispensing machine of claim 12 wherein each video cassette bears an identification code and each case has an access window aligned with the identification code to permit the reader means to read the identification code.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for vending a selected item to a customer from a vending machine, and particularly, a method and apparatus for vending items such as video cassettes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As home video cassette players have become more popular, a need has arisen to provide prerecorded video cassettes for home viewing. Such video cassettes can be purchased or rented from selected stores. In addition, various arrangements have been proposed for allowing a consumer to select and either purchase or rent a video cassette from an unattended terminal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,467 to Gould et al. discloses a vending machine which dispenses a selected video cassette to a customer. After viewing, the video cassette can be returned to the vending machine. A similar machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,040 to Gould et al.

However, such arrangements have disadvantages which reduce the efficiency of their operation and require frequent attention from trained service people.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for dispensing selected items such as video cassettes which is efficient in operation and which does not require frequent attention by trained service people.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a dispensing machine is provided comprising a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible and at least one vend position which is user-accessible; carrier means for carrying a selected item between one of the storage positions and the vend position; positioning means for positioning the carrier means proximate to a selected storage position in response to user input; engaging means fixed to the carrier means for engaging and disengaging a selected item; reader means for identifying a selected item; and memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity of a selected item.

A method for dispensing a selected item for storage array in the machine including a plurality of storage positions is provided comprising the steps of manually entering a selection request for a selected item, automatically positioning a carrier proximate to a designated storage position containing the selected item in response to the request, engaging the selected item for movement by the carrier, positioning the carrier and the engaged selected item at a vend position, recording the empty condition of the designated storage position in a memory system, and dispensing the selected item to a customer. In addition, a method for redepositing a selected item in a dispensing machine is provided comprising the steps of placing a selected item in a position which is both machine accessible and user-accessible, reading the identity of the selected item, engaging the selected item for movement with the carrier, positioning the carrier proximate to a designated storage position for the selected item, and depositing the selected item in the designated storage position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and, together with a general description of the invention given above and a detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front panel for the vending apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate examples of a display which would appear on the front panel shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a video cassette cartridge and case which is to be vended from the vending apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are side elevational views of details of the carrier means and associated components incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are side elevational views of the engaging means incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are side elevational views of the carrier means and associated components in various stages of operation;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the storage area of FIG. 1 with additional auxiliary storage racks;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a configuration of multiple vending apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representation of the control system for the vending apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram representation describing the customer identification sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram representation describing the tape selection sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram representation describing transport sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram representation describing the tape return sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram representation describing the new customer sign up sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram representation describing the service call sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram representation describing further steps of the service call sequence of operation of the flow diagram shown in FIG. 16;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be clear that the method and apparatus are preferably used and to vend video cassettes as illustrated below, but may also be used to vend other items in a similar manner.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dispensing machine comprising a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible and at least one vend position which is user-accessible, carrier means for carrying a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position, positioning means for positioning said carrier means proximate to a selected storage position in response to user input, engaging means fixed to said carrier means for engaging and disengaging a selected item, reader means for identifying a selected item, and memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity of a selected item.

FIG. 1 shows a dispensing machine 10 having a storage rack 12 with a plurality of storage positions for receiving a number of video cassette cartridges 11. The storage positions comprise a two dimensional array of vertically and horizontally arranged supports 14 forming a coordinate matrix array of compartments.

A front panel 16 covers and is spaced from storage rack 12 to make the storage positions defined by supports 14 inaccessible in a direct fashion to a user of the machine. The dispensing machine also includes a vend position 17 which is directly accessible to a user. The vend position 17 preferably includes an insertion station means such as housing 18 having an opening 20 of sufficient size to accommodate a video cassette cartridge and case or any other selected item which is vended by the machine. The vend position 17 also preferably includes a dispensing station means such as housing 22 with opening 24 through which selected video cassette cartridges are dispensed. Like opening 18, opening 24 is large enough to accommodate a video cassette cartridge 11 or any other items to be vended by the machine. Opening 24 is preferably below opening 20 and connected to opening 20 by a chute 26.

A pivotal door means 28 is positioned below the insertion station housing 18 in chute 26. Door means 28 can assume a position shown in FIG. 1 in broken line which allows video cassettes falling through chute 26 to be ejected through opening 24. Door means 28 can also be actuated by a solenoid 27, to pivot to a second position shown in solid line such that chute 26 will be unblocked by door means 28 so that video cassettes will drop through chute 26 through an opening 30 into a storage area for damaged video cassettes such as a open topped box 30.

Carrier means 35 is provided for carrying a selected item such as a video cassette, between one of the storage positions defined by supports 14 and the vend position 17 which includes transfer housing 32 having opening 34. Opening 20 in insertion station housing 18 communicates with opening 34 in transfer housing 32 so that a video cassette can be passed between opening 34 and opening 20. FIG. 5a illustrates carrier means 35 for carrying a selected item such as a video cassette between one of the storage positions in storage rack 12 and the vend position 17. As shown, the carrier means 35 preferably includes a base 36 and a rotatable table 38 which is mounted on a shaft 37 and is rotatable relative to base 36 in a horizontal plane by a motor 81.

Dispensing machine 10 also includes positioning means for positioning the carrier means proximate to a selected storage position in response to user input. As shown in FIG. 1, the positioning means preferably includes a first transport means such as a vertically running motor 40 which positions itself along a vertically extending rod 42. The positioning means also includes a second transport means such as horizontally running motor 44 which positions itself along horizontally extending rod 46.

Motors 40 and 44 may be driven along rods 42 and 46, respectively, by a rack and pinion arrangement wherein rods 42 and 46 are geared racks and wherein motors 40 and 44 include driven pinions 41 for engaging those racks. Vertically extending rod 42 is fixed in position on storage rack 12 by bracket 48 which engages an end of vertically extending rod 42. A second vertically extending smooth surfaced rod 50 is positioned on the opposite side of storage rack 12 and is held in place by bracket 52. One end of horizontally extending rod 46 is fixed to T-shaped sliding bearing member 54 which allows horizontally extending rod 46 to slide along second vertically extending rod 50. The other end of horizontally extending rod 46 is attached to a second sliding member 56 which is also attached to and serves a mount for the vertically running motor 40. Second sliding member 56 is slidable along vertically extending rod 42 and is driven along vertically extending rod 42 by vertically running motor 40. In this way, vertically running motor 40 can be actuated to vertically position vertically running motor 40, second sliding member 56, T-shaped sliding member 54, horizontally extending rod 46, and horizontally running motor 44 attached to horizontally extending rod 46. Thus, horizontally running motor 44 is vertically positioned by vertically running motor 40. It can be seen that horizontally running motor 44 is attached to base 36 of carrier means 35 for positioning carrier means 35 proximate to a selected storage position in storage rack 12 in response to user input.

As shown in FIGS. 5a and 6a, engaging means 55 is fixed to carrier means 35 for engaging, holding and disengaging a selected item. As shown in FIG. 6a, the engaging means 55 comprises a mechanical finger means 58 including an engaging means support 60 which is fixed to rotatable table 38. Relatively movable fingers 62 and 64 are pivoted about pivot shaft 66 by a solenoid 68, fixed to engaging means support 60. When such an arrangement is used, a selected video cassette is housed in a special case 70 having a bar 72 mounted on case 70 for engagement between fingers 62 and 64.

An alternative engaging means 55 is seen in FIG. 6b. An engaging means support 74 is attached to rotatable table 38 and contains a magnetic means such as electromagnet 76 which is selectively energized to create a magnetic field. When this embodiment of the engaging means 55 is used, a second special video cassette case 78 is used to house a selected video cassette such that case 78 contains a slug or section 80 of magnetizable or magnetic material seated in case 78 for magnetic attraction and engagement by the electromagnet 76.

In this manner, the engaging means 55 mounted on carrier means 35 can engage or disengage a video cassette item at one of the supports 14 in storage rack 12 or engage a video cassette place in transfer housing 32. It is noted that since the engaging means supports 60 or 74 are fixed to rotatable table 38 they are rotatable with rotatable table 38 relative to base 36. Rotatable table 38 includes translational movement means such as winding motors 82 and 84 which alternatively drive shuttle belt 86 between them and along guide pulleys 88 so that belt 86 translates back and forth parallel to the top surface 90 of rotatable table 38 Belt 86 is fixed by a drive dog 89 to engaging means support