Apparatus for dispensing and accepting return of reusable articles

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed:

1. An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles, comprising:

means defining a pair of planar arrays, each having a plurality of locations for holding a reusable articles therein, each location identifiable with its own particular location code and each article identifiable with its own particular article code;

memory means adapted to store details of said location codes and said article codes;

input data means operatively connected to said memory means for receiving informational data from a patron;

receptacle means accessible to a patron for receiving articles;

transfer means operable for placing an article into a location in said arrays or removing an article therefrom, said transfer means including:

platform means disposed between said arrays and being movable along guides through a plane parallel to said arrays,

platen means mounted on said platform means for reciprocal movement between said planar arrays along an axis perpendicular to said arrays, said platen means defining an article receiving opening therebetween and being movable between a first position wherein said platen means are in a central position on said platform means and second positions wherein said platen means are shifted to a side of said platform means toward a location in one of said arrays, and

conveyor means for conveying an article into or out of said receiving opening when said platen means is in said second position, and being movable relative to said arrays between operative engagement with an article in any of said locations and said receptacle means;

article code sensing means adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by said transfer means; and,

control means having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, said control means being responsive to input data from said patron to initiate the transfer of a selected article from a location in said arrays to said access opening by said transfer means, or to return an article received by said patron from said access opening to an empty location in said arrays.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means is mounted on one of said platens.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said conveyor means includes:

a reversible motor; and

a flexible endless belt movable along a predetermined path extending through said receiving opening, said belt being adapted to engage said article.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer means further comprises means for sensing the position of an article within said receiving opening.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for sensing includes optical limit switches on said platens.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said arrays are parallel to each other and each array includes rows of bins arranged side-by-side, each bin in an array defining a location and having an open end lying in a common plane containing perpendicular X and Y directional axes.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said transfer means if operable to move an article between said arrays through X, Y and Z directions, the Z direction extending along a Z directional axes transverse to said X and Y directional axes.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said transfer means includes:

platform means movable through said X and Y directions; and

platen means mounted on said platform means movable in said Z direction, said platen means defining an article receiving opening and including means for conveying articles in said arrays into and out of said receiving opening.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said data means includes:

means for receiving identification information from a patron;

means for recording the time of vending and the time of return; and

means for debiting or crediting a patron's financial account.

10. A device for transferring generally rectangular articles between a first location in a generally planar array and a second location remote from said array, said array having a plurality of locations arranged side-by-side for holding an article therein, said locations having open ends with corresponding forward portions lying in a common plane, said device comprising:

platform means movable in a second plane parallel to the common plane of said locations;

platform drive means for moving said platform means through said second plane;

two spaced platens mounted on said platform means defining an article receiving opening therebetween for holding an article to be transferred, said platens being adapted for reciprocal movement relative to said platform means along an axis perpendicular to said planar array between a first position wherein said holder means is in an article carrying position and a second position wherein said holder means is shifted toward said array;

drive means for moving said platens between said first and second positions;

belt conveyor means mounted on one of said platens for conveying an article into or out of said receiving opening when said platens is in said second position, said belt conveyor means operable to frictionally engage one side of said article;

belt conveyor drive means;

rail means disposed between said platens to bias said article into frictional engagement with said belt conveyor means;

sensing means on the other platen for sensing the presence and position of an article in said receiving opening; and,

control means responsive to input information for controlling movement of said platform means, said holder means and said belt conveyor means.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said belt conveyor means is a flexible endless belt movable along a predetermined path, a portion of said path extending through said receiving opening.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said endless belt surrounds one of said platens and said belt conveyor drive means is mounted to said one of said platens.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said belt conveyor drive means is operable in response to signals from said sensing means.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein; said sensing means and said rail means is comprised of a movable rail extending between said two spaced platens, said rail being movable laterally when an article is conveyed into said receiving opening, and means for indicating when movement of said rail has occurred.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said platens lie in vertical planes.

16. An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising:

housing means including a pair of parallel planar arrays, each array having rows of bins arranged side-by-side, the bins of each array having an open end with a forward portion lying in a common plane wherein the open ends of bins in one array face the open ends of corresponding bins in the other array, each bin being capable of holding a reusable article therein and each bin having its own particular location code;

receptacle means for receiving and dispensing said articles,

data means for receiving informational data from a patron;

means utilizing said informational data to determine whether said patron has a dispensing authorization status;

memory means adapted to store details of said location codes, said article codes, and information regarding operations of said apparatus:

a computer unit having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals; and

transfer means responsive to output instructional information and control signals from said computer unit for handling said articles, said transfer means being operable for withdrawing a selected article from a location and placing it in said receptacle means, or returning a previously dispensed article from said receptacle means to an empty location within said housing means, said transfer means including:

platform means disposed between said arrays and being movable along guides through a plane parallel to said arrays,

a pair of spaced platens movable mounted on said platform means for reciprocal movement between said planar arrays along an axis perpendicular to said arrays, said platens, defining an article receiving an opening therebetween, said platens being movable between a first position wherein said platens are in a normal position on said platform means and a second position wherein said platens are shifted to one side of said platform means toward a location in one of said arrays, and

conveyor means for conveying an article into or out of said receiving opening when said platens are in said second position.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said common plane includes perpendicular X and Y directional axes, and wherein said transfer means includes a picker mechanism movable between said arrays through both of said X and Y directions.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said picker mechanism is movable through a Z direction transverse to said X and Y axes toward said open ends of said bins in said arrays.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said picker mechanism includes means for conveying articles from said bins into said picker mechanism and vice versa.

20. A video dispensing system for dispensing and returning reusable video cassette, each identifiable with its own cassette identification code, comprising:

a plurality of dispensing machines for dispensing and returning said reusable cassettes, each machine including:

a pair of planar arrays for storing a plurality of said reusable cassettes in locations identifiable by location identification codes;

means for sensing said cassette identification codes;

data means for receiving informational data from a patron;

transfer means operable to transfer a cassette from a location to a patron when such cassette is identified for rental by said patron and to return a cassette to a location upon return by said patron, said transfer means including:

platform means disposed between said arrays and being movable along guides through a plane parallel to said arrays,

platen means mounted on said platform means for reciprocal movement between said planar arrays along an axis perpendicular to said arrays, said platen means defining an article receiving opening therebetween and being movable between a first position wherein said platen means are in a central position on said platform means and second positions wherein said platen means are shifted to a side of said platform means toward a location in one of said arrays; and,

conveyor means for conveying an article into or out of said receiving opening when said platen means is in said second position;

memory means adapted to store details of said location codes, cassette codes, and machine operations in memory;

means for communicating data held in said memory means to a record source, external of said machine;

means for receiving data from said record source; and,

a system controller connectable to said memory means of said machines, wherein said system controller including:

said record source means adapted to hold details of said location identification codes, cassette identification codes and operations of said dispensing machines;

means for receiving data from said memory means in said machines and storing it in said record source; and,

means for conveying data from said record source to said machines, said system operable to rent a cassette from one machine and to accept return in other machined by conveying identification code information with respect to said cassette between the renting machine to the return machine via said system controller.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to article handling devices and more particularly to a mechanism for dispensing reusable articles for a period of time after which they may be returned to the mechanism. The present invention is particularly applicable to a machine for renting and/or selling articles such as video cassettes, audio tapes, films or the like, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, the invention has other broader applications such as for transferring articles from one position to another position in a planar array.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the ever increasing popularity of video cassettes for home viewing, it has become desirable to make such cassettes more easily available to the public in readily accessible areas. At the present time, most video cassette rentals or purchases are through rental clubs or stores which maintain large libraries of current and past video releases for rental or sale. Such business establishments require the leasing of building space together with employment of personnel to manage the daily business affairs thereof. To eliminate lease costs as well as personnel costs, it has been suggested that an alternative method of renting and selling cassettes is by means of video dispensing machines. Such machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,589,810 to Shore et al; 4,300,040 and 4,414,467 to Gould et al; and 4,458,802 to Maciver et al. The advantages of such machines are that they may be placed in areas of large public access, such as in shopping malls or apartment buildings, and they do not require large floor space or attendant personnel.

Of particular importance with respect to such video dispensing devices is the size, operation and reliability of the internal transport mechanisms which transfers the cassettes from storage to the patron and vice versa. In this respect, it is important that such mechanisms are completely reliable, in that on malfunction can incapacitate (disable) the machine which may discourage patrons from ever using such machines again. It is likewise important to minimize the size of the transport mechanism. Because of the limited space available in such machines, it is desirable to minimize the size of the transport mechanism to maximize the cassette storage area within the machines. Further, because of the limited storage space within such machines, to avoid depleting the machine's inventory of dispensable articles, it is also important to provide a machine wherein returned articles are immediately returned to the machine's usable inventory to be available for dispensing.

Suggestions to automate a previously manually operated rental or sale operation, and systems to implement those suggestions, can also be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,577 and United Kingdom Pat. No. 1,475,748 in the name of Bengtsson (automated handling system for coded bank deposition boxes), Japanese Laid Open Gazette Nos. 56-9889 published Jan. 31, 1981, 56-29786 published Mar. 25, 1981 (automated machines for renting out car keys for rental cars), as well as, 49-38689 published Apr. 10, 1974 (automated bowling shoe rental machine). In each of these prior art patents and publications, the product delivery, return and control features of the automated handling system are similar to those that have been applied to automating the rental of video cassettes.

The present invention overcomes these and other problems and provides a machine for dispensing and accepting return of reusable articles, which machine includes a compact, reliable transport mechanism which transfers articles to be dispensed from locations in a stationary, generally planar storage array to a second location accessible to the patron. In this respect, the present invention provides a machine for dispensing reusable articles having a storage arrangement and transfer arrangement which permits the storage of a large number of such articles within, and which immediately returns used articles (previously dispensed articles returned to the machine) to the machine's usable inventory of dispensable articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing and accepting return of reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, the apparatus comprising: a housing including means defining a plurality of stationary locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; receptacle means accessible to a patron for discharging or receiving an article; memory means adapted to hold details of the location codes and the article codes; a computer unit having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals; and transfer means responsive to the computer unit for handling said articles, the transfer means operable for withdrawing a selected article from a location and placing it in the receptacle means, or returning a previously dispensed article from the receptacle means to an empty location within the housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a video dispensing system for dispensing and returning reusable video cassettes, each identifiable with its own cassette identification code, the system comprising a plurality of dispensing machines for dispensing and returning the reusable cassettes. Each machine in the system preferably includes means for storing a plurality of the reusable cassettes in locations identifiable by location identification code, means for sensing the cassette identification code, data means for receiving informational data from a patron, transfer means operable to transfer a cassette from a location to a patron when such cassette is identified for rental by the patron and to return a cassette to a location upon return by the patron, memory means adapted to store details of the location codes, cassette codes, and machine operations means for communicating data held in the memory means to a record source external of said machine, means for receiving data from the record source; and a system controller connectable to the memory means of the machines. The foregoing system controller includes the record source which is adapted to hold details of the location identification codes, cassette identifications codes, and operations of the dispensing machines, means for receiving data from the memory means in the machines and storing it in the record source, and means for conveying data from the record source to the machines. The system of the invention is operable to rent a cassette from one machine and to accept return in an other machine by conveying information with respect to the cassette between the renting machine and the return machine via the system controller.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for transferring an article between a first location and a second location, wherein the first location may be one of a plurality of locations in an array having the locations arranged side-by-side, each location having an open end lying in a common plane, and wherein the second location is remote from the array. The transfer mechanism is comprised of: platform means movable in a second plane parallel to the common plane; platform drive means for moving the platform means through the second plane; holder means mounted on the platform means having an article receiving opening for holding an article to be transferred, the holder means being adapted for reciprocal movement relative to the carriage means between a first position wherein the holder means is in an article carrying position and a second position wherein the holder means is shifted toward the array; holder drive means for moving said holder means between said first and second positions; conveyor means mounted to the holder means for conveying an article into or out of the receiving opening when the holder means is in the second position; conveyor drive means; and control means responsive to input information controlling movement of the carriage means, the holder means and the conveyor means.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for holding a video cassette comprising a plastic generally rectangular case having an outer surface and an interior cavity substantially conforming to the shape of a video cassette and dimensioned to receive the video cassette in a single orientation, means permitting insertion and removal of a cassette into the cavity, window means communicating the interior cavity with the exterior of the case, such window means being disposed in a predetermined location in relation to the orientation of the cassette within the case, and locating means disposed on the outer surface for engagement with guide means on a foreign surface, such locating means being disposed in a predetermined location in relation to the window means.

A broad object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing video cassette tapes or the like for sale or rent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as defined above wherein the article dispensed may be reusable and may be returned to the apparatus by a patron after use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as defined above, which apparatus is capable of operating alone or with other such apparatus in a network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as defined above, which apparatus includes a compact, accurate and reliable transport mechanism for transferring articles to be dispensed or returned between storage locations within the apparatus and a location accessible to a patron.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as defined above which increases the storage capacity for the articles to be dispensed by providing a transfer arrangement operable for selecting and returning articles from two generally-planar, parallel and opposing storage arrays.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as defined above which is operable by credit card, tokens or the like.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the following description considered with the drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video dispensing machine illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a row of cubicles which hold the articles to be dispensed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the article transfer assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned, plan view of the article transfer assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8--8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the "gate" mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagrammatic representation of the internal electronic control system for the embodiment shown;

FIG. 12 is a block diagrammatic representation of a network system including a plurality of video dispensing machines according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a representation of a typical article code for the reusable articles used in the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a videocassette storage case for use with a video dispensing machine according to the present invention illustrating one side thereof;

FIG. 15 is plan view of the storage case shown in FIG. 14 illustrating the other side thereof; and

FIG. 16 is an elevational end view of the storage case showing the cover portion in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showing is for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same, the drawings illustrate a video cassette dispensing machine designated 10 according to the present invention. Machine 10 is generally comprised of a cabinet or housing 12, a central processing unit (CPU) 14, a control unit 16, a transfer mechanism 18, including an assembly designated as a "picker" 20, and a gate mechanism 22. As shown in FIG. 1, housing 12 includes a front panel 26 having a display section 28 on the lower portion thereof. Display section 28 includes a plurality of advertising blocks 29 within the boundary thereof. Advertising blocks 29 provides space for displaying information, i.e., advertising, regarding the tapes available from machine 10. Above display section 28 are located a large display area 30 and the external portion of CPU 14. Area 30 may be used to advertise a particularly popular or recent film available on tape within machine 10, of for any other purpose. An electronic display 31 is provided to flash a repeating message to the public.

Referring now to FIG. 2, housing 12 includes two main interior compartments, namely, an upper compartment 32 (partially shown) and a lower compartment 34. Upper compartment 32 houses the CPU 14, control unit 16 and other control circuits. Lower compartment 34 includes the plurality of bins 40 in which the articles to be dispensed (video cassettes) are to be stored. Bins 40 are arranged in two arrays, a back array 42 and a front array 44, which are disposed in an opposing, parallel relationship. Arrays 42,44 are divided into a plurality horizontal rows 46, each having a plurality of bins 40 arranged side-by-side. Arrays 42, 44 can of course be made of any size desired, but according to the preferred embodiment, array 42 is divided into 8 horizontal rows 46, and array 44 is divided into 7 horizontal rows 46, each row including 25 bins. Accordingly, 375 bins are provided in the embodiment disclosed. It will, of course, be appreciated that the number of horizontal rows 46 and the number of bins 40 per row 46 may vary and are limited only by any size limitation which may be set on cabinet 12. With respect to the embodiment shown in the drawings, as set forth above, front array 44 includes one less row than back array 42. Gate assembly 22 (FIG. 10) is positioned in the space defined by the missing row in array 44. Bins 40 may be provided on either side of gate assembly 22 to define an eight row 46 in array 44. In this respect, it is not critical to the present invention that each array 42, 44 contain the same number of horizontal row 46.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, bins 40 are defined by parallel side walls 48, bottom wall 50 and a back wall 52 and have a closed end 54 and an open end 56. The open ends 56 of bins 40 in each array 42,44 terminate in a common plane, which for the purposes of illustration shall be considered to lie along X and Y axes. In other words, the forwardmost surfaces defining open ends 56 of bins 40 of an array define a vertical plane including axes X and Y. Bins 40 are provided to hold, i.e. store, the articles to be dispensed and returned. In the embodiment shown, the articles to be dispensed are video cassettes. When referring to video cassettes in the present application, it will be understood that such term may refer to VHS cassettes, Betamax cassettes, or 8 mm cassettes, and that the present invention finds advantageous application with cassettes of any of these formats. For reasons which will be explained in detail below, the video cassettes are contained in a cassette storage case 30. Accordingly, bins 40 are dimensioned to hold cases 30 and further to hold case 30 edgewise on their sides, at best seen in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 4, side walls 48 are shorter in length than cassette cases 30, such that a portion of cassette case 30 extends beyond the open end 56 of bins 40. A space or opening 58 is defined between arrays 42, 44, and the arrays are arranged such that the open ends 56 of bins 40 in each array face inward toward open space 58.

Central Processing Unit

Operations of the disclosed video dispensing machine are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 14 which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, CPU 14 internally includes a timer routine designated 15, a file storage routine designated 17, and an article memory storage routine designated 19. Associated with CPU 14 are a printer 21, a card reader 23, the aforementioned electronic display 31, a video monitor screen 36 and a keyboard 37. Broadly stated, CPU 14 monitors and controls two generally separate aspects or functions of the machine i.e., the personal aspects of the dispensing transaction (the financial aspects and the customer interface) and the machine functions of the dispensing procedure. With respect to the former, CPU 14 is provided to accept information data from a prospective patron, to ascertain from such data, together with other data about such prospective patron from a record source, whether the prospective patron has a predetermined status necessary to obtain an article from the dispensing apparatus, to record data regarding dispensing of the article by the apparatus, and to adjust the record data in response to the activities of the patron with respect to the article dispensed. In addition CPU 14 is programmed to provide a patron with information regarding features and functions of the dispensing machine by means of video screen 36 and electronic display 31.

Referring now to FIG. 1, screen 36 of CPU 14 is shown exposed to the exterior, for observation by a patron, while other components thereof are enclosed within upper compartment 32 of cabinet 12. Panel 37 includes a 4-key operation keypad 38a and an 11-key alphanumeric keypad 38b, for use by a customer for entering information to CPU 14. Screen 36 and panel 37 thus provide an interface between CPU 14 and a prospective customer wherein information regarding available cassettes, operational instructions, monetary matters and the like may be communicated to the patron via screen 36, and information from the patron regarding cassette selections or vending instructions can be communicated to CPU 14 by use of keypads 38a, 38b.

The information data from the patron is in the form of a conventionally-known credit card having identification data encoded thereon. The credit card is inserted into a slot 23a in panel 37 to be read by a card reader (not shown) in a conventional manner. The card provides information identifying the card holder and provides other information with respect to the prospective patron's financial status, which may be in the form of data with respect to financial record files or financial institutions. Such data, utilized together with data from a record file or source, determines whether the prospective patron is authorized to utilize the apparatus. In this respect, the CPU 14 may have an internal record file including the account numbers of all patrons for whom access to the machine is allowed, or it may be connectable by a modem 25 (or directly by a dedicated line) to an external record source such as a financial institution or credit authorization service in a manner conventionally-known in automatic bank teller machines. With information from the credit card, together with information from the internal or external record source, the CPU 14 can determine whether the identified patron has the appropriate status for dispensing, and authorize or prohibit dispensing of an article to the patron accordingly. If authorized, data regarding parameters of the dispensing, i.e., date, time, number of articles etc. are recorded in file storage 17 of the CPU 14. The record file (financial records) of the patrons are modified (debited) based on the period of rental or whether the cassette was purchased by the patron. With respect to this modification of the financial records, if the records are maintain internally by machine 10, such modification can by done by CPU 14. If the financial records are external of machine 10 (financial institution or credit authorization service), information regarding the dispensing transaction are transferred to such external records from CPU 14. As set forth above, communication with the external records may be accomplished by modem 25, as shown in FIG. 11, or directly by a dedicated line (not shown). With a modem arrangement, information concerning several transactions may be stored in file storage 17 throughout the day and then transferred to the external records at one time, thereby saving on transmission and hook-up costs. CPU 14 also includes printer means 21 (not physically shown) for providing patrons with a record of all transactions.

Thus, with respect to the financial and the customer interface aspect of the present invention, CPU 14 basically provides a means for identifying patrons, means for communicating with the patron, means for checking the patrons financial status, means for monitoring the dispensing transaction, and means for modifying the patron's financial records. In this respect, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes an automatic teller type system, the apparatus may be adapted to operate under receipt of physical tokens or currency.

Referring now to the actual operational functions of the present invention, CPU 14 controls and monitors the physical dispensing of articles to a patron and the return of articles to the machine. In one respect, CPU 14 monitors the exact location of each article stored in arrays 42, 44 and the likewise records articles dispensed from, or returned to machine 10. Articles are monitored by means of an internal program routine and article memory storage function 19. CPU 14 assigns and identifies each bin with its own specific location code number. For example, in the uppermost row 46 of array 42, the bin 40 furthest to the left may be designated "location 1". The cubicle next to the right would be designated "location 2", and so on. The manner in which the bins 40 are numbered is not critical to the present invention. It is only important that each bin 40 is provided with its own particular location number. CPU 14 thus includes a table or listing of location numbers, each of which represents a specific bin 40 in arrays 42, 44.

Referring now to the reusable articles used in machine 10, each article for use in machine 10 is identified with its own article identification code. FIG. 13 is a representation of a 13 digit article identification code number used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this 13 digit article identification code number, the first four digits designated "XXXX" are a title code number identifying the title of the work to which the identification number is affixed. (As used throughout the specification, "title" shall refer to the artistic work, i.e. movie, contained within the subject cassette). Cassettes containing the same title will have the same title code number. The next seven digit of the article identification code number, which are represented as "YYYYYYY", are an article serial number. Each article (cassette) for use in machine 10 will have its own specific article serial number. The final two digits, represented a