This invention relates to a system and method for simultaneous article retrieval and transaction validation in an article dispensing machine. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for retrieving a selected article from a storage unit of an article dispensing machine in parallel with determining whether payment information for a balance related to the selected article is valid.
While the invention is often described herein with reference to a digital video disc, Blu-Ray disc, and video game distribution system, an application to which the invention is advantageously suited, it will be readily apparent that the invention is not limited to that application and can be employed in article dispensing systems used to distribute a wide variety of dispensable articles.
The digital video disc (DVD) player has been one of the most successful consumer electronics product launches in history. The market for DVD movie video, Blu-Ray movie video, and video game rentals is enormous and growing. Millions of households have acquired DVDs since they were introduced in 1997. In the first quarter of 2003 alone, it was estimated that well over three million DVD players were shipped to U.S. retailers.
In 2003, brick-and-mortar stores dominated the movie video and video game rental landscape in the U.S. Statistics showed that two brick-and-mortar companies controlled nearly sixty-five percent of the home video rental business. One element repeatedly cited for success of certain brick-and mortar store video rental franchises was perceived high availability of new video releases. Consumers want entertainment on demand, and through stocking multiple units of each new release, successful brick-and-mortar companies meet this consumer demand.
The foregoing indicates that there is a significant market potential for aligning regular routines of consumers (e.g., shopping, getting coffee or gas or going to a convenience store) with their DVD, Blu-Ray, and video game rental activities.
One improved article dispensing machine is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The invention of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention can function as an article dispensing machine-based distribution system that will typically have multiple units of each new release per article dispensing machine. The dispensing machines of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention can stock up to two thousand DVDs, Blu-Ray, video games, or other discs (movies, games or other entertainment content), making the system competitive with existing brick-and-mortar video rental superstores.
The dispensing machine and system of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention distinguishes itself from such stores by offering major benefits not conventionally offered by such stores, including additional cross-marketing programs (e.g., promotional rentals for a certain amount of dollars spent at the retail location) and convenience (e.g., open always).
The dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention yields a competitive advantage in the DVD, Blu-Ray disc, and video game rental marketplace by offering consumers cross-marketing/promotional programs, convenience of selection (e.g., computer-based searches for movies and recommendations based on consumer profiles), and potentially extended hours (e.g., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). The invention employs a more cost-effective, convenient platform than brick-and-mortar stores. In addition, with the invention, dispensing machines can be situated in retail locations having high foot traffic, such as at a popular grocery store, restaurant, drug store, and/or other popular retail location.
The dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention can be operated at a substantial savings over the costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar video rental stores. For example, the invention does not require hourly employees to continuously man the dispensing machines or restock them with inventories.
Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, the dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention does not require an on-site store manager because all operational decisions can be made at a centralized location by a management team officed remote from the retail locations. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, the dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention does not require significant physical space. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, the dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention has low operating costs because heating or air conditioning is not necessarily required for the dispensing machines and they consume a relatively low level of electrical energy. In addition, the dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 has low maintenance costs and downtime.
The dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention addresses the shortcomings of traditional brick-and-mortar stores in a convenient and cost-effective delivery vehicle having the added bonus of serving as an effective promotional platform that drives incremental sales to retail locations. In addition, the dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention overcomes these disadvantages by at least offering more new releases and older selections for any given time period, and lower cost per viewing with significantly more convenience than Internet-based and pay-per-view services.
The dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention is a fully automated, integrated DVD, Blu-Ray, and video game rental and/or purchase systems. It may incorporate robust, secure, scalable software that provides a fully personalized user experience and real-time feedback to retail locations and advertisers, scalable hardware that leverages existing technologies such as touch screen, focused audio speakers and video monitors, technology utilizing the Internet through a system website or mobile/consumer electronics device application. These technologies and others fill long-felt needs in the art and give advantages over conventional video distribution options. The dispensing machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609 and the invention functions as much as a promotional platform as it does a rental kiosk.
By utilizing the dispensing machines and the fully-interactive, real-time, linked Internet website or mobile/consumer electronics device applications, consumers can rent one or more DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, video games, or other entertainment content directly from dispensing machines as well as indirectly by making a rental reservation through the website or application for later pickup at a conveniently located machine. These dispensing machines may be networked with each other, with the inventory control and/or supply office and with the system website or application by phone-line, DSL, wireless network, or other Internet connection at each retail location. Through this linked network, the rental experience for each consumer can be customized based on a profile for each consumer, such as via personalized home pages and rental screens.
The invention allows for dispensing a selected article of a plurality of articles from an article dispensing machine by reducing the amount of time for completing a transaction involving the selected article. A request related to the selected article and payment information for a balance related to the selected article may be received. The request may include at least a rental transaction request or a purchase transaction request. It may be determined whether the payment information is valid, such as whether a payment card is authorized or whether credits are available for redemption. The selected article may be retrieved from a storage unit in the article dispensing machine simultaneously with determining whether the payment information is valid. If the payment information is valid, the selected article may be dispensed from the article dispensing machine and quicker dispensing of the selected article. However, if the payment information is not valid, the selected article may be returned to the storage unit.
The invention has the advantage of quicker dispensing of articles from the article dispensing machine to a consumer because the validation of payment information is executed in parallel with the retrieval of the selected article from the storage unit. Consumer interaction with the article dispensing machine may be improved and more pleasing due to the reduced transaction time. Moreover, the revenue for an article dispensing machine may increase because more transactions are possible due to reduced individual transaction times. Other features and advantages are provided by the following description and drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
As shown in
Article dispensing machine memory storage device 281 can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, article dispensing machine memory storage device 281 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Article dispensing machine memory storage device 281 can have a distributed architecture where various components are situated remote from one another, but are still accessed by processor. Article dispensing machine memory storage device includes an article dispensing machine database 282.
The article dispensing machines 230 may comprise a network of machines in communication with one another. As shown in
Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, the central server 302 includes a central processor and/or controller, central memory, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface. The architecture of the central server 302 is set forth in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,609, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Numerous variations of the architecture of the central server 302 would be understood by one of skill in the art and are encompassed within the scope of the invention.
The processor/controller is a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory. The processor can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the server 302, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. Examples of suitable commercially available microprocessors are as follows: a PA-RISC series microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, an 80×86 or Pentium series microprocessor from Intel Corporation, a PowerPC microprocessor from IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc., or a 68xxx series microprocessor from Motorola Corporation. The processor may also represent a distributed processing architecture such as, but not limited to, SQL, Smalltalk, APL, KLisp, Snobol, Developer 200, MUMPS/Magic.
The software in memory may include one or more separate programs. The separate programs comprise ordered listings of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The software in memory includes a suitable operating system (O/S). A non-exhaustive list of examples of suitable commercially available operating systems is as follows: (a) a Windows operating system available from Microsoft Corporation; (b) a Netware operating system available from Novell, Inc.; (c) a Macintosh operating system available from Apple Inc.; (d) a UNIX operating system, which is available for purchase from many vendors, such as the Hewlett-Packard Company, Sun Microsystems, Inc., and AT&T Corporation; (e) a LINUX operating system, which is freeware that is readily available on the Internet; (f) a run time Vxworks operating system from WindRiver Systems, Inc.; or (g) an appliance-based operating system, such as that implemented in handheld computers, smartphones, or personal digital assistants (PDAs) (e.g., PalmOS available from Palm Computing, Inc., Windows CE or Windows Phone available from Microsoft Corporation, iOS available from Apple Inc, Android available from Google Inc., BlackBerry OS available from Research in Motion Limited, Symbian available from Nokia Corp.). The operating system essentially controls the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services.
Steps and/or elements, and/or portions thereof of the invention may be implemented using a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory, so as to operate properly in connection with the operating system (O/S). Furthermore, the software embodying the invention can be written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedural programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, Ada, and Lua.
When article dispensing machine 230 is in operation, the article dispensing machine processor is configured to execute software stored within article dispensing machine memory, to communicate data to and from the dispensing machine memory, and to generally control operations of article dispensing machine pursuant to the software. The software aspects of the invention and the O/S, in whole or in part, but typically the latter, are read by processor, perhaps buffered within the processor, and then executed.
When the invention or aspects thereof are implemented in software, it should be noted that the software can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. The invention can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
For communication with the central server 302, article dispensing machine 230 is equipped with network communication equipment and circuitry. In one embodiment, the network communication equipment includes a network card such as an Ethernet card. In one network environment, each of the plurality of article dispensing machines 230 on the network is configured to use the TCP/IP protocol to communicate via the network 301. It will be understood, however, that a variety of network protocols could also be employed, such as IPX/SPX, Netware, PPP and others. It will also be understood that while one embodiment of the invention is for article dispensing machine 230 to have a “broadband” connection to the network 301, the principles of the invention are also practicable with a dialup connection using a standard modem. Wireless network connections are also contemplated, such as wireless Ethernet, satellite, infrared, radio frequency, Bluetooth, near field communication, and cellular networks.
The central controller 302 communicates with the article dispensing machine controllers 300 via the network 301. The central controller 302 may be located at a central station or office that is remote from the plurality of article dispensing machines 230. The central controller 302 can operate as the server for communicating over the network 301 between the plurality of article dispensing machines 230. The central controller 302 receives communications and information from the article dispensing machines 230, and also transmits communications and information to the machines 230. For example, when a rental transaction is performed at the article dispensing machine 230, transaction data such as the rented title is then transmitted from the machine 230 to the central controller 302 via the network 301. It will be understood that central servers in general, such as the central controller 302, are often distributed. A plurality of central servers/controllers 302 may optionally be arranged in “load balanced” architecture to improve the speed and efficiency of the network. To accomplish the implementation of multiple controllers 302, the controllers 302 may be in communication with a router/distributor 303.
The central controller 302 is also in communication with a central database 304. The central database 304 stores information regarding the transaction network. For example, the central database 304 stores data regarding the vending inventory at each of the plurality of article dispensing machines 230. The central database 304 also stores sales information regarding the sales quantities of the vending merchandise stored in the machines 230. For example, the central database 304 stores information regarding the sales totals for each title and for each machine 230 vending location. Central database 304 also stores user information and rental transaction information, such as user IDs, the date on which discs are due to be returned, the date on which discs were rented from the machines 230 and a list of valid coupon codes and restrictions associated with those codes. In certain embodiments, central database 304 also may be configured to store user PINs. Some of this information may also be stored in article dispensing machine database 282.
Central database 304 may be a relational database, although other types of database architectures may be used without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, the database 304 may be a SQL database, an Access database or an Oracle database, and in any such embodiment have the functionality stored herein. Central database 304 may also be capable of being shared, as illustrated, between a plurality of central controllers 302 and its information may also be capable of being transmitted via network 301. It will be understood that a variety of methods exist for serving the information stored in central database 304. In one embodiment, .net and Microsoft Reporting Services are employed, however, other technologies such as ODBC, MySQL, CFML and the like may be used.
The central controller 302 and central database 304 are also accessible by an electronic device 306, which may include a personal computer 102, mobile device 104 (e.g., smartphone, personal digital assistant, etc.), tablet computer 106, video game console 108, television 110, and Blu-Ray player 112. The electronic device 306 may be in direct or indirect communication with the central controller 302 and/or the central database 304 through a wired and/or wireless network connection, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular (3G, 4G, etc.), or other type of connection. As a personal computer 102, the electronic device 306 will be understood as comprising hardware and software consistent with marketable personal and laptop computers, such as a display monitor, a keyboard, and a microprocessor. The electronic device 306 may also comprise Internet browser software such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari. Using the browser software, a user of the electronic device 306 can access a web interface through the central controller 302. An application may also execute on the electronic device 306 that accesses the central controller 302. To that end, central controller 302 may comprise web server software such as IIS or Apache. It will be understood that a variety of web server software and web browser software exists to implement the principles of the invention without departing therefrom. Through the web browser software or application, the electronic device 306 communicates with the central controller 302 and allows the user to login to a central command functionality of the central controller 302 and to view and modify data stored in the central database 304. The browser interface or application also allows the user to perform certain system functions, which will affect the inventory and behavior of the article dispensing machines 230. The electronic device 306 may communicate with the central controller 302 and the central database 304 using rules and specifications of an application programming interface (API).
In one embodiment, a financial server 305 is also in communication with the network 301. It will be understood that a variety of financial services exist for processing financial information via the Internet and other networks 301. Those services allow for the processing of credit card and debit card information, so that users of the services do not have to interface directly with credit and debit card companies. In
As shown in
As shown most clearly in
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that additional user interface portions having additional or even identical user interface components could be incorporated within article dispensing machine 230. For example, these components could be incorporated on other panels of the housing 232 of machine 230 so that the machine can be used simultaneously by multiple consumers, translating into more efficient distribution of articles in high traffic areas. Dispensing machine 230 also may include speaker units. Known audio technology may be incorporated within dispensing machine 230 to broadcast focused audio directed to relatively small (e.g., three square feet) locations in front of the machines from speaker units and/or in other designated locations at a retail site.
Referring now to
A first motor 251, hereinafter referred to as the rotational motor, rotates the storage unit 248 about a vertical axis formed by the driven shaft 252. As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
The selector arm 256 comprises a picker device 264 which is capable of removing a DVD, Blu-Ray disc, or video game disc from the compartments 369. The selector arm 256 may further comprise a conveyor belt 374, which contacts one of the media products in one of the compartments 369 and conveys the product to the article transfer opening 244 whereby it is delivered to a user on the exterior of the article dispensing machine 230. The conveyor 374 is driven by a conveyor motor 372.
A system and method for calibrating the selector arm controller is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application, Publication No. 2006/0254832, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Generally, during the normal operation of the article dispensing machine, each article of inventory dispensed from a dispensing machine may be scanned by the second sensor 370 and an electronic record is created indicating the consumer who rented and/or purchased the media. In addition, articles of inventory returned to a dispensing machine by a customer and inserted into the article transfer opening 244 thereof may be scanned by the second sensor 370 and identified by the dispensing machine (for example with a bar code reader or scanner in electronic communication with the dispensing machine controller, positioned proximate the media dispending/return opening) along with an identification of its later stored position on the storage device.
These electronic records can be shared among dispensing machines within a network thereof, and can also be shared with a centralized office via the Internet or any other electronic data communication link. These electronic records can be used to ensure that the inventory process is carried out efficiently and accurately.
The physical media article in an article dispensing machine 230 may include at least a DVD, Blu-Ray disc, video game disc, or other media article. Each of the article dispensing machines 230 may operate without requiring continuous connectivity and communication with the central controller 302. In one embodiment, the central controller 302 only transmits data in response to communication from an article dispensing machine 230. For example, an article dispensing machine 230 may attempt to communicate with the central controller 302 following completion of one or more rental transactions or one or more media article return transactions. In another embodiment, the article dispensing machine 230 continues normal operations and transactions even if communication is interrupted or cannot be established with the central controller 302. Communication with the central controller 302 may be interrupted if the load at the central controller 302 is above a certain threshold. For example, the central controller 302 may direct the article dispensing machine 230 to only transmit certain types of messages and/or transactions, e.g., financial authorizations, until the load has decreased. In these cases, transaction data can be stored locally in the article dispensing machine 230, such as in the article dispensing machine memory storage device 281, until a predetermined time interval elapses, when a predetermined number of transactions is reached, until communication with the central controller 302 can be reestablished, or the load at the central controller 302 has decreased. Once communication is established with the central controller 302, financial and inventory information can be uploaded and the appropriate servers and databases can be updated.
In one embodiment, the article dispensing machine 230 can display only media articles which are physically located at the article dispensing machine 230. In this way, a customer may browse on the user interface 234 only the media articles which are in-stock and available to rent at that article dispensing machine 230. Typically, the article dispensing machine 230 possesses media information for the media articles that are currently located in the article dispensing machine 230. The media information for a media article includes title, actor, director, studio, publisher, plot synopsis, format, description, parental rating, individualized ratings and reviews, popularity, article type, running time, genre, cover artwork, or other information. The article dispensing machine 230 can also store in memory the media information for recently-rented media articles that are no longer physically stored in the article dispensing machine 230. The article dispensing machine 230 can communicate with the central controller 302 when media information about a particular media article is needed. For example, when a particular media article is returned to an article dispensing machine 230 that does not have the corresponding media information for that particular media article, the article dispensing machine 230 can query the central controller 302 and central database 304 for the media information. Once the media information is obtained, the article dispensing machine 230 may display that particular media article on the user interface 234 as in-stock and available to rent.
In another embodiment, the article dispensing machine 230 can display media articles that are both physically located and not physically located at the article dispensing machine 230. In this embodiment, media articles which are both available and unavailable to rent can be displayed. A media article may be unavailable to rent if it is not in-stock or is in-stock but has been reserved for rental. In one example, the entire catalog of media articles stored in an inventory database can be displayed on the article dispensing machine 230. In another example, a subset of the entire catalog of media articles can be displayed on the article dispensing machine 230. The subset of media articles that can be displayed on the article dispensing machine 230 may be determined, for example, based on geographic location, retailer agreements, contractual obligations, customer rental habits, and other criteria. The media articles that can be displayed on the article dispensing machine 230 may include recently-rented media articles that are no longer physically stored in the article dispensing machine 230 or media articles that have never been physically in the article dispensing machine 230. For example, media articles that have never been physically in the article dispensing machine 230 may be displayed because those media articles may be available at a nearby article dispensing machine. In this case, those media articles may be displayed to the customer so that the customer has an option to obtain those media articles from the nearby article dispensing machine 230. In this embodiment, if a customer attempts to rent a media article that is out-of-stock, reserved for another customer, or otherwise cannot be vended at the particular article dispensing machine 230, then that media article can be deemed an unavailable media article.
An embodiment of a process 600 for simultaneously retrieving a selected article, such as a media article, and validating a payment transaction for a balance related to the selected article is shown in
At step 602, a selected media article may be received at an article dispensing machine 230 as part of a request from a consumer. The consumer may initiate a transaction by interacting with the user interface 234 of the article dispensing machine 230. The consumer may browse or search for media articles through the user interface 234 that the consumer desires to rent or purchase from the article dispensing machine 230. One or more media articles may be selected by the consumer through the user interface 234 as part of the request, such as a rental transaction request or purchase transaction request. One or more identifiers, such as a title, catalog number, or serial number, may be associated with the selected media article. The identifier(s) may be received at step 602 at the processor 300 as part of the request.
It may be determined at step 604 whether the selected media article is available and physically located in the article dispensing machine 230. The processor 300 may access the article dispensing machine database 282 and/or the central database 304, for example, to determine whether the selected media article is available to be dispensed from the article dispensing machine 230. If the selected media article is not available in the article dispensing machine 230, then the process 600 may return to step 602 to receive another selection of a media article. The consumer may also be notified through the user interface 234 that the selected media article is not available in the article dispensing machine 230. However, if the selected media article is available in the article dispensing machine 230, then the process 600 may continue to step 606. At step 606, the processor 300 may query for payment information through the user interface 234. The query may be visual and/or audible to ask the consumer to provide payment information to satisfy a balance that may be owed for the transaction. For example, the balance may be for an initial amount that is owed for a first rental night of the selected media article. The query may include instructions to a consumer to swipe a payment card or enter information about the payment card and/or credits.
At step 608, the payment information may be received at the processor 300. The payment information may be received from the consumer through the user interface 234. A payment card and/or credits may be provided as the payment information to satisfy the balance owed for the transaction. A payment card may include a credit card or a debit card. The payment information may include the number of the payment card, the expiration date of the payment card, the card security code (also known as a card verification value (CVV2) or card verification code (CVC2)), and/or other information of the payment card. The payment information may be acquired via the card reader 240 or manually entered through the user interface 234 in response to the query of step 606.
One or more credits may be redeemed for the balance owed for the transaction. Credits may be associated with a particular consumer and electronically tracked in a database, such as the central database 304. Credits may be obtained through a one-time subscription, a periodic subscription, or be issued, for example. In one embodiment, the consumer may provide a unique customer identifier to access their credits. A unique customer identifier may include a payment card number, for example. Exemplary systems and methods for the acquisition, usage, and redemption of credits are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/538,898, filed Sep. 25, 2011 (System and Method for Redemption of Credits in a Variable Value Transaction); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/538,900, filed Sep. 25, 2011 (System and Method for Predictive Accrual of Credits in a Variable Value Transaction); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/538,901, filed Sep. 25, 2011 (System and Method for Optimized Redemption of Credits in a Variable Value Transaction); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/538,902, filed Sep. 25, 2011 (System and Method for Management of Credit Subscriptions); and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/538,903, filed Sep. 25, 2011 (System and Method for Currency Conversion Related to Credits Redeemable in a Variable Value Transaction), each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The payment information may be validated at step 610 following the receipt of the payment information at step 608. In the case of a payment card, the processor 300 may communicate with the financial server 305 at step 610 to authorize the payment capability of the payment card as well as to process the payment card for the balance owed for the transaction. The payment card number may be hashed with a hash function prior to communication of the payment card number to the financial server 305. The hash function may be implemented on the article dispensing machines 230 and may be, for example, a SHA-256 hashing algorithm. If the payment information includes credits, one or more credits may be redeemed for the balance owed at step 610. The validation of the payment information at step 610 is described in further detail below with regards to
The process 600 may also continue to step 612 following the receipt of the payment information at step 608. In particular, steps 612 and 614 related to the physical retrieval of the selected media article from the storage unit 248 may be performed simultaneously and in parallel with the validation of payment information at step 610. In this way, the total transaction time may be reduced and the selected media article may be dispensed to the consumer more quickly, if the payment information is determined to be valid. In contrast, the total transaction time may be longer if the selected media article is not retrieved from the storage unit 248 until after the payment information is validated. It should be noted that although step 610 for validation of the payment information and steps 612 and 614 for retrieval of the selected media article may be performed simultaneously, the steps may but do not necessarily begin or end at the same time. At step 612, the selected media article may be located in the storage unit 248 of the article dispensing machine 230. The physical location of the selected media article may be stored in the article dispensing machine database 282, for example, and may include a specific compartment, rack, slot, and/or other location identifier in the storage unit 248 where the selected media article is physically located.
At step 614, the selected media article may be retrieved from the physical location in the storage unit 248, as identified at step 612. A picker device 264 may be directed to the compartment, rack, or slot of the storage unit 248 where the selected media article is located. The identity of the selected media article may be verified, such as by the sensor 370, as each article may have a unique identifier, such as a barcode, serial number, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or other identifier, that identifies the article and/or characteristics of the article, such as a title, type, and other information. The picker device 264 may retrieve the selected media article from the compartment, rack, or slot of the storage unit 248. The picker device 264 may subsequently be directed to move the selected media article to a location near the article transfer opening 244. Therefore, the selected media article may be pre-positioned to be immediately dispensed from the article dispensing machine 230, pending validation of the payment information at step 610.
Following step 610 for performing validation of the payment information and step 614 for retrieving the selected media article from the storage unit 248, the process 600 continues to step 616. At step 616, it is determined whether the payment information is valid. If the payment information is valid at step 616, then at step 618, the selected media article may be dispensed from the article dispensing machine 230 through the article transfer opening 244. However, if the payment information is not valid at step 616, then at step 620, the selected media article may be returned to the storage unit 248. In particular, the picker device 264 may be directed to move the selected media article from the location near the article transfer opening 244 back to a compartment, rack, or slot of the storage unit 248. The specific compartment, rack, or slot that the selected media article is returned to at step 620 may be the same or different compartment, rack, or slot that the selected media article was retrieved from at step 614. If the selected media article is returned to a different compartment, rack, or slot, then the new physical location of the selected media article in the storage unit 248 may be recorded in the article dispensing machine database 282.
In some embodiments, the different compartment, rack, or slot that the selected media article is returned to may be a location that is closer to the article transfer opening 244 for quicker future dispensing. For example, this may be the case if the selected media article is a new release that is more likely be rented or purchased by a future consumer. In other embodiments, the different compartment, rack, or slot that the selected media article is returned to may be a location that is farther from the article transfer opening 244. For example, this may be the case if the selected media article is an older release that is less likely to be rented or purchased by a future consumer.
In some embodiments, a task may be scheduled and executed by the processor 300 at steps 612 and 614 to retrieve the selected media article from the storage unit 248. The task may be executed simultaneously with step 610 for validating the payment information. If the payment information is valid at step 616, then the processor 300 may issue a command to the task to direct the picker device 264 to dispense the selected media article at step 618. If the payment information is not valid at step 616, then the processor 300 may issue a different command to the task to direct the picker device 264 to return the selected media article to the storage unit 248 at step 620.
An embodiment of a process 610 for validating payment information is shown in
If the fraud check is passed at step 702, then the process 610 continues to step 704. At step 704, it is determined whether the payment information includes credits. A consumer may redeem one or more credits for the balance owed for the transaction. If the payment information does not include credits at step 704, then the process 610 continues to step 712 to authorize the payment capability of the payment card to satisfy the balance owed. The processor 300 of the article dispensing machine 230 may communicate with the financial server 305, for example, to authorize whether the payment card has the capability to pay the balance owed for the transaction. If the payment capability is not authorized at step 712, then the payment information is deemed as not valid at step 716 and the consumer may not be allowed to rent or purchase the selected media article. However, if the payment capability is authorized at step 712, then the payment card may be processed at step 714 to pay for the balance owed. In one embodiment, processing of the payment card may include charging or billing an account at the affiliate or external vendor. In another embodiment, processing of the payment card may include using alternative methods of payment, such as PayPal, American Express Serve, Facebook Credits, frequent flyer mile redemption, and the like. Following processing of the payment card at step 714, the payment information may be deemed as valid at step 718.
Returning to step 704, if the payment information includes credits, then the process 610 continues to step 706. At step 706, it may be determined whether one or more credits are available and applicable to be redeemed to satisfy the balance owed for the transaction involving the selected media article. The processor may communicate with the financial server 305 or another system that tracks the number of credits for the consumer to determine whether credits are available. In one embodiment, credits may be used to satisfy all or a portion of the balance owed for the transaction. If no credits are available for the consumer to redeem at step 706, then the process 610 may continue to step 712 to authorize the payment capability of the payment card to satisfy the balance owed, as described above. For example, a consumer may desire to redeem credits for the transaction and therefore specifies credits as part of the payment information because the consumer believes that they have credits available. However, if the consumer has exhausted their credits or does not have sufficient credits, then it may be determined at step 706 that credits are not available. As another example, the consumer may have credits that are not applicable to the selected media article because the credits may only be redeemable for certain types of media articles. In this case, it may also be determined at step 706 that credits are not available.
If credits are available for the consumer to redeem at step 706, then at step 708, one or more credits may be redeemed to satisfy all or a portion of the balance owed for the transaction. Continuing to step 710, it may be determined whether there is a remaining portion of the balance owed for the transaction. There may be a remaining portion of the balance owed if the redeemed credits did not satisfy the entire balance owed, for example. If there is a remaining portion of the balance owed at step 710, then the process 610 continues to step 712 to authorize the payment capability of the payment card to satisfy the remaining portion of the balance owed, as described above. However, if there is not a remaining portion of the balance owed at step 710, i.e., the balance owed has been fully satisfied by redeeming credits, then at step 718, the payment information may be deemed as valid.
Any process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments of the invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the invention and protected by the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2098697 | Vanderput | Nov 1937 | A |
3267436 | Alpert | Aug 1966 | A |
3379295 | Varley | Apr 1968 | A |
3529155 | Hansen | Sep 1970 | A |
3622995 | Dilks et al. | Nov 1971 | A |
3648241 | Naito et al. | Mar 1972 | A |
3824544 | Simjian | Jul 1974 | A |
3826344 | Wahlberg | Jul 1974 | A |
3831807 | Deaton et al. | Aug 1974 | A |
3946220 | Brobeck et al. | Mar 1976 | A |
3964577 | Bengtsson | Jun 1976 | A |
4043483 | Gore et al. | Aug 1977 | A |
4073368 | Mustapick | Feb 1978 | A |
4300040 | Gould et al. | Nov 1981 | A |
4306219 | Main et al. | Dec 1981 | A |
4348551 | Nakatani et al. | Sep 1982 | A |
4369422 | Rasmussen et al. | Jan 1983 | A |
4369442 | Werth et al. | Jan 1983 | A |
4385366 | Housey, Jr. | May 1983 | A |
4388689 | Hayman et al. | Jun 1983 | A |
4396985 | Ohara et al. | Aug 1983 | A |
4414467 | Gould et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4415065 | Sandstedt et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4449186 | Kelly et al. | May 1984 | A |
4458802 | Maciver et al. | Jul 1984 | A |
4519522 | McElwee | May 1985 | A |
4530067 | Dorr et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4547851 | Kurland et al. | Oct 1985 | A |
4553222 | Kurland et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4567359 | Lockwood et al. | Jan 1986 | A |
4569421 | Sandstedt | Feb 1986 | A |
RE32115 | Lockwood et al. | Apr 1986 | E |
4598810 | Shore et al. | Jul 1986 | A |
4649481 | Takahashi et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4650977 | Couch et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4668150 | Blumberg | May 1987 | A |
4669596 | Capers et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4675515 | Lucero et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4706794 | Awane et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4722053 | Dubno et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4723212 | Mindrum et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4734005 | Blumberg | Mar 1988 | A |
4766548 | Cedrone et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4767917 | Ushikubo et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4775935 | Yourick | Oct 1988 | A |
4778983 | Ushikubo et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4789045 | Pugh et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
4789054 | Shore et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
4797818 | Cotter | Jan 1989 | A |
4812629 | O'Neil et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4812985 | Hambrick et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4814592 | Bradt et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4814985 | Swistak et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4821917 | Brown | Apr 1989 | A |
4825045 | Humble et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4839505 | Bradt et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4839507 | May | Jun 1989 | A |
4847764 | Halvorson | Jul 1989 | A |
4858743 | Paraskevakos et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4860876 | Moore et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4866661 | de Prins et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4882475 | Miller et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4893705 | Brown | Jan 1990 | A |
4893727 | Near | Jan 1990 | A |
4896024 | Morello et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4903815 | Hirschfeld et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
4915205 | Reid et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
D308052 | Darden et al. | May 1990 | S |
4941841 | Darden et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4945428 | Waldo et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4947028 | Gorog | Aug 1990 | A |
4959686 | Spallone et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4967403 | Ogawa et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4967906 | Morello et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
4982346 | Girouard et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4991739 | Levasseur | Feb 1991 | A |
4995498 | Menke | Feb 1991 | A |
5007518 | Crooks et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5012077 | Takano et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5013897 | Harman et al. | May 1991 | A |
5019699 | Koenck et al. | May 1991 | A |
5020958 | Tuttobene et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5028766 | Shah et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5042686 | Stucki | Aug 1991 | A |
5077462 | Newell et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5077607 | Johnson et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5085308 | Wilhelm | Feb 1992 | A |
5088586 | Isobe et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5091713 | Horne et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5095195 | Harman et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5105069 | Hakenewerth et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5128862 | Mueller et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5133441 | Brown | Jul 1992 | A |
5139384 | Tuttobene et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5143193 | Geraci | Sep 1992 | A |
5159560 | Newell et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5205436 | Savage | Apr 1993 | A |
5206814 | Cahlander et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5207784 | Schwartzendruber et al. | May 1993 | A |
5210387 | Smith | May 1993 | A |
5212649 | Pelletier et al. | May 1993 | A |
5235509 | Mueller et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
RE34369 | Darden et al. | Sep 1993 | E |
5273183 | Tuttobene et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5313392 | Temma et al. | May 1994 | A |
5313393 | Varley et al. | May 1994 | A |
5319705 | Halter | Jun 1994 | A |
5323327 | Carmichael et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5353219 | Mueller et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5383111 | Homma et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5385265 | Schlamp et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5408417 | Wilder | Apr 1995 | A |
5409092 | Itako et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5418713 | Allen et al. | May 1995 | A |
5442568 | Ostendorf et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5445295 | Brown et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5450584 | Sekiguchi et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5450938 | Rademacher et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5467892 | Schlamp et al. | Nov 1995 | A |
5482139 | Rivalto et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5484988 | Hills et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5499707 | Steury | Mar 1996 | A |
5504675 | Cragun et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5510979 | Moderi et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5513116 | Buckley et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5546316 | Buckley et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5550746 | Jacobs | Aug 1996 | A |
5555143 | Hinnen et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5559714 | Banks et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5561604 | Buckley et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5576951 | Lockwood | Nov 1996 | A |
5594791 | Szlam et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5615123 | Davidson et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5632681 | Bakoglu et al. | May 1997 | A |
5633839 | Alexander et al. | May 1997 | A |
5637845 | Kolls et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5644727 | Atkins | Jul 1997 | A |
5647505 | Scott | Jul 1997 | A |
5647507 | Kasper | Jul 1997 | A |
5682276 | Hinnen et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5694546 | Reisman | Dec 1997 | A |
5699262 | Lang et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5699528 | Hogan et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5715403 | Stefik et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5724069 | Chen et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5724521 | Dedrick et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5732398 | Tagawa et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5734150 | Brown et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5748485 | Christiansen et al. | May 1998 | A |
5754850 | Janssen | May 1998 | A |
5761071 | Bernstein et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5765142 | Allred et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5768142 | Jacobs et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5769269 | Peters et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5777884 | Belka et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5790677 | Fox et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5806071 | Balderrama et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5822216 | Satchell et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5822291 | Brindze et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5831862 | Hetrick et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5832503 | Malik et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5850442 | Muftic et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5870716 | Sugiyama et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5873069 | Reuhl et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5875110 | Jacobs | Feb 1999 | A |
5884278 | Powell et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5898594 | Leason et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5900608 | Iida et al. | May 1999 | A |
5905246 | Fajkowski | May 1999 | A |
5923016 | Fredregill et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5930771 | Stapp et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5934439 | Kanoh et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5936452 | Utsuno et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5938510 | Takahashi et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5941363 | Partyka et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5943423 | Muftic et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5950173 | Perkowski et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5954797 | Sidey et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5956694 | Powell et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5959869 | Miller et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5963134 | Bowers et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5963452 | Etoh et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5984509 | Scott et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5988346 | Tedesco et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5988431 | Roe | Nov 1999 | A |
5997170 | Brodbeck et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6002395 | Wagner et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6014137 | Burns et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6029851 | Jenkins et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6039244 | Finsterwald | Mar 2000 | A |
6044362 | Neely et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6047338 | Grolemund et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6050448 | Willis | Apr 2000 | A |
6056194 | Kolls et al. | May 2000 | A |
6058373 | Blinn et al. | May 2000 | A |
6061660 | Eggleston et al. | May 2000 | A |
6062478 | Izaguirre et al. | May 2000 | A |
6072481 | Matsushita et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6076101 | Kamakura et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6078848 | Bernstein et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6085888 | Tedesco et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6101483 | Petrovich et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6109524 | Kanoh et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6115649 | Sakata et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6119934 | Kolls et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6123223 | Watkins | Sep 2000 | A |
6125353 | Yagasaki | Sep 2000 | A |
6126036 | d'Alayer de Costemore d'Arc et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6134547 | Huxley et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6138911 | Fredregill et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6161059 | Tedesco et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6164528 | Hills et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6169483 | Ghaffari et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6179206 | Matsumori | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6181981 | Varga et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6182857 | Hamm et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6195661 | Filepp et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6199141 | Weinreb et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6199720 | Rudick et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6201474 | Brady et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6202006 | Scott | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6209322 | Yoshida et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6243687 | Powell | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6250452 | Partyka et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6264104 | Jenkins et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6269285 | Mignault | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6286139 | Decinque | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6289322 | Kitchen et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6295482 | Tognazzini | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6298972 | Tedesco et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6311165 | Coutts et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6317649 | Tedesco et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6321985 | Kolls | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6324520 | Walker et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6327230 | Miller et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6330958 | Ruskin et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6334110 | Walter et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6336098 | Fortenberry et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6354501 | Outwater et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6360139 | Jacobs | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6366914 | Stern | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6367653 | Ruskin et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6367696 | Inamitsu et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6397126 | Nelson | May 2002 | B1 |
6397199 | Goodwin, III | May 2002 | B1 |
6412654 | Cleeve | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6415555 | Montague | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6415950 | Robrechts | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6416270 | Steury et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6424706 | Katz et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6430470 | Nakajima et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6435406 | Pentel | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6456981 | Dejaeger et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6457038 | Defosse | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6462644 | Howell et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6466658 | Schelberg, Jr. et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6466830 | Manross | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6477503 | Mankes | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6490502 | Fellows et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6493110 | Roberts | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6522772 | Morrison et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6527176 | Baric | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6539282 | Metcalf et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6540100 | Credle, Jr. et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6575363 | Leason et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6584309 | Whigham | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6584450 | Hastings et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6584564 | Olkin et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6587748 | Baack | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6587835 | Treyz et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6595342 | Maritzen et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6606602 | Kolls | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6628764 | Petite | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6640159 | Holmes et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6644455 | Ichikawa | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6644495 | Ruskin et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6655580 | Ergo et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6658323 | Tedesco et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6688523 | Koenck | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6696918 | Kucharczyk et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6707380 | Maloney | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6707381 | Maloney | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6708879 | Hunt | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6711464 | Yap et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6711465 | Tomassi | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6715403 | Hajek, Jr. et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6728532 | Ahonen | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6742673 | Credle, Jr. et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6748296 | Banerjee et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6748539 | Lotspiech | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6754559 | Itako | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6757585 | Ohtsuki et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6792334 | Metcalf et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6794634 | Hair | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6814256 | Clark | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6847861 | Lunak et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6850816 | Garratt | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6851092 | Chang et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6854642 | Metcalf et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6923371 | Goodfellow | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6932270 | Fajkowski | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6954732 | DeLapa et al. | Oct 2005 | B1 |
6959285 | Stefanik et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6959286 | Perkowski | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6965869 | Tomita et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
6968365 | Hollström et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6970837 | Walker et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
6980887 | Varga et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6985607 | Alasia et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
7024381 | Hastings et al. | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7024390 | Mori et al. | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7043497 | Carty et al. | May 2006 | B1 |
7053773 | McGarry et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7058581 | Young | Jun 2006 | B1 |
7076329 | Kolls | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7079230 | McInerney et al. | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7079822 | Gunji et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7079922 | Komai | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7085556 | Offer | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7085727 | VanOrman | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7108180 | Brusso et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7139731 | Alvin | Nov 2006 | B1 |
7167842 | Josephson, II et al. | Jan 2007 | B1 |
7167892 | Defossé et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7174317 | Phillips et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7191952 | Blossom | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7203675 | Papierniak et al. | Apr 2007 | B1 |
7209893 | Nii | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7233916 | Schultz | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7234609 | DeLazzer et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7236946 | Bates et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7240805 | Chirnomas | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7240843 | Paul et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7315629 | Alasia et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7347359 | Boyes et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7350230 | Forrest | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7366586 | Kaplan et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7389243 | Gross | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7406693 | Goodwin, III | Jul 2008 | B1 |
7412073 | Alasia et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7444296 | Barber et al. | Oct 2008 | B1 |
7447605 | Kuehnrich | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7499768 | Hoersten et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7571139 | Giordano | Aug 2009 | B1 |
7584869 | DeLazzer et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7747346 | Lowe et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7774233 | Barber et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7787987 | Kuehnrich et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7797077 | Hale | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7853354 | Kuehnrich et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7853600 | Herz et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7860606 | Rudy | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7988049 | Kuehnrich | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8060249 | Bear et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8235247 | Alvarez | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8352449 | Parekh et al. | Jan 2013 | B1 |
8369987 | Claessen | Feb 2013 | B2 |
20010011252 | Kasahara | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010011680 | Soltesz et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010027357 | Grobler | Oct 2001 | A1 |
20010035425 | Rocco et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010037207 | Dejaeger | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010047223 | Metcalf et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020029196 | Metcalf et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020046122 | Barber et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020046123 | Nicolini | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020065579 | Tedesco et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020074397 | Matthews | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020082917 | Takano | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020084322 | Baric | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020087334 | Yamaguchi et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020095680 | Davidson | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020125314 | Jenkins et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020133269 | Anselmi | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020152123 | Giordano | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020161475 | Varga et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020165787 | Bates et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020165788 | Bates et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020165821 | Tree | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020169715 | Ruth et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020183882 | Dearing et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020195491 | Bunch, III | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030004828 | Epstein | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030009408 | Korin | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030023453 | Hafen et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030033054 | Yamazaki | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030057219 | Risolia | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030061094 | Banerjee et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030105554 | Eggenberger et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030125961 | Janda | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030130762 | Tomassi | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030149510 | Takahashi | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030163382 | Stefanik et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030163399 | Harper et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030167231 | Winking et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030212471 | Chakravarti | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20040006537 | Zelechoski et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040010340 | Guindulain Vidondo | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040016620 | Davis | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040030446 | Guindulain Vidondo | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040050648 | Carapelli | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040064377 | Ergo et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040065579 | Wood | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040068346 | Boucher | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040068451 | Lenk et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040078328 | Talbert et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040079798 | Messenger et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040133466 | Redmond et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040133653 | Defosse et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040139173 | Karaoguz et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040153413 | Gross | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040158503 | Gross | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040158504 | Gross | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040158871 | Jacobson | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040162633 | Kraft | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040162783 | Gross | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040172274 | Gross | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040172275 | Gross | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040172342 | Gross | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040243478 | Walker | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040243479 | Gross | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040243480 | Gross | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040249711 | Walker et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040254676 | Blust et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040256402 | Chirnomas | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040260600 | Gross | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040267604 | Gross | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040267640 | Bong et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050022239 | Meuleman | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050027648 | Knowles et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050033855 | Moradi et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050060062 | Walker et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050060246 | Lastinger et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050080510 | Bates et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050085946 | Visikivi et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050086127 | Hastings et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050091069 | Chuang | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050096936 | Lambers | May 2005 | A1 |
20050109836 | Ben-Aissa | May 2005 | A1 |
20050177494 | Kelly et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050197855 | Nudd | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050216120 | Rosenberg | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050230410 | DeLazzer et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050230473 | Fajkowski | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050234911 | Hess et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050261977 | Kiji et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050267819 | Kaplan | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050274793 | Cantini et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050283434 | Hahn-Carlson et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050289032 | Hoblit | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060026031 | Gentling | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026162 | Salmonsen | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060041508 | Pham et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060074777 | Anderson | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060095286 | Kimura | May 2006 | A1 |
20060095339 | Hayashi et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060096997 | Yeo | May 2006 | A1 |
20060108414 | Sorenson | May 2006 | A1 |
20060122881 | Walker et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060149685 | Gross | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060155575 | Gross | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060184395 | Millwee | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060190345 | Crowley | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060212360 | Stefanik et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060212367 | Gross | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060231612 | Walker et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060231613 | Walker et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060231614 | Walker et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235746 | Hammond et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235747 | Hammond et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241966 | Walker et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241967 | Gross | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060242059 | Hansen | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060247823 | Boucher | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060247824 | Walker et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060254832 | Strong | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060254862 | Hoersten | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060259188 | Berg | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060259190 | Hale | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060259191 | Lowe | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060259192 | Lowe et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060265101 | Kaplan et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060265286 | Evangelist et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060266823 | Passen et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060272922 | Hoersten et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060273152 | Fields | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070005438 | Evangelist et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070011093 | Tree | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070011903 | Chang | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070050083 | Signorelli et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070050256 | Walker et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070050266 | Barber et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070051802 | Barber et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070063020 | Barrafato | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070063027 | Belfer et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070067429 | Jain et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070084872 | Hair et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070084917 | Fajkowski | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070094245 | Vigil | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070095901 | Illingworth | May 2007 | A1 |
20070125104 | Ehlers | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070130020 | Paolini | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070136247 | Vigil | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070156442 | Ali | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070156578 | Perazolo | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070162183 | Pinney et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070162184 | Pinney et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070169132 | Blust et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070175986 | Petrone et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070179668 | Mellin | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070185776 | Nguyen et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070210153 | Walker et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213871 | Whitten et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070276537 | Walker | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20080005025 | Legere et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080027835 | LeMasters et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080040211 | Walker et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080125906 | Bates et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080222690 | Kim | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080239961 | Hilerio et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080275591 | Chirnomas | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20090018792 | Kuehnrich | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090030931 | Khivesara et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090048932 | Barber | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090089187 | Hoersten | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090113116 | Thompson et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090162184 | Duncan | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090248199 | Milhorn | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090299824 | Barnes, Jr. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100010964 | Skowronek et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100036808 | Lee | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042577 | Rinearson | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100057871 | Kaplan et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100093324 | Gupta et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100153983 | Philmon et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20100198400 | Pascal et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100274624 | Rochford et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20100312380 | Lowe et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20100314405 | Alvarez | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20100318219 | Kuehnrich et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20110004536 | Hoersten et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110047010 | Arnold | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110060454 | Lowe et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110060456 | Lowe et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110093329 | Bodor et al. | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110103609 | Pelland et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110107374 | Roberts et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110130873 | Yepez et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110131652 | Robinson et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110145033 | Kuehnrich et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110153060 | Yepez et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110153067 | Weinshenker | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110153071 | Claessen | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110238194 | Rosenberg | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110238296 | Purks et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120311633 | Mandrekar et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130046707 | Maskatia et al. | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20130060648 | Maskatia et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2302753 | May 1999 | CA |
1236546 | Jan 2000 | CA |
35 29 155 | Feb 1987 | DE |
0060643 | Sep 1982 | EP |
205691 | Dec 1986 | EP |
0249367 | Dec 1987 | EP |
572119 | Dec 1993 | EP |
287367 | Oct 1998 | EP |
986033 | Mar 2000 | EP |
1367549 | Dec 2003 | EP |
2549624 | Jan 1985 | FR |
2559599 | Aug 1985 | FR |
2562293 | Oct 1995 | FR |
380926 | Sep 1932 | GB |
2143662 | Feb 1985 | GB |
2172720 | Sep 1986 | GB |
2402242 | Dec 2004 | GB |
55156107 | Dec 1980 | JP |
56047855 | Apr 1981 | JP |
02178795 | Jul 1990 | JP |
03062189 | Mar 1991 | JP |
03119496 | May 1991 | JP |
10247982 | Sep 1998 | JP |
00149136 | Mar 2000 | JP |
02008129 | Jan 2002 | JP |
03036328 | Feb 2003 | JP |
04094857 | Mar 2004 | JP |
09043143 | Feb 2009 | JP |
1020030089154 | Nov 2003 | KR |
1020040069053 | Aug 2004 | KR |
1020050048100 | May 2005 | KR |
1020060080175 | Jul 2006 | KR |
1020070021301 | Feb 2007 | KR |
1020110036410 | Apr 2011 | KR |
WO 8700948 | Feb 1987 | WO |
WO 8705425 | Sep 1987 | WO |
WO 8804085 | Jun 1988 | WO |
WO 9300644 | Jan 1993 | WO |
WO 8806771 | Sep 1998 | WO |
WO 9924902 | May 1999 | WO |
WO 0038120 | Jun 2000 | WO |
WO 0072160 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO 0225552 | Mar 2002 | WO |
WO 0229708 | Apr 2002 | WO |
WO 2004070646 | Aug 2004 | WO |
WO 2005062887 | Jul 2005 | WO |
WO 2006112817 | Oct 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116108 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116109 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116110 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116112 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116113 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116114 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116115 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2006116116 | Nov 2006 | WO |
WO 2011022689 | Feb 2011 | WO |
WO 2011028727 | Mar 2011 | WO |
WO 2011028728 | Mar 2011 | WO |
WO 2011031532 | Mar 2011 | WO |
WO 2013043753 | Mar 2013 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US2005/12563 mailed Aug. 10, 2005. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US2005/12563 dated Apr. 7, 20106. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US2006/15125 mailed Jan. 11, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US2006/15125 dated Jan. 11, 2007. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US2006/15131 mailed Jul. 7, 2008. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US2006/15131 dated Jun. 11, 2008. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15130 mailed Nov. 22, 2006. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15130 dated Apr. 23, 2007. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15132 mailed May 10, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15132 dated Nov. 17, 2007. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15127 mailed Jun. 19, 2008. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15127 dated Mar. 10, 2009. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15129 mailed Sep. 20, 2006. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15129 dated Oct. 23, 2007. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15126 mailed Apr. 30, 2008. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15126 dated Mar. 10, 2009. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US06/15133 mailed Jun. 6, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US06/15133 dated Oct. 23, 2007. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application PCT/US2010/046872 mailed Mar. 29, 2011. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application PCT/US2010/046872 dated Sep. 7, 2011. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2010/046219 mailed Feb. 28, 2011. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2010/046219 dated Feb. 21, 2012. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2010/047374 mailed May 2, 2011. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2010/047374 dated Mar. 6, 2012. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2010/047371 mailed Apr. 29, 2011. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2010/047371 dated Mar. 6, 2012. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2012/024900 mailed Oct. 19, 2012. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2012/024900 dated Aug. 21, 2013. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2010/050339 mailed Feb. 29, 2012. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2010/050339 dated Mar. 5, 2013. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2011/48686 mailed Apr. 9, 2012. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for Application US2011/48686 dated Feb. 28, 2013. |
Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search Report for Application US2012/42329 mailed Feb. 22, 2013. |
Supplementary Search Report mailed Jan. 21, 2009 for European Patent Application EP05736275. |
Examination Report for EP 05736275.8 mailed May 15, 2009. |
1982 Issue Rolling Stones Magazine, Film Rentals by Vending Machine. |
1984 Picture of U.S. Installation of Japanese Manufactured VHS Rental Kiosk. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT Application No. PCT/US13/44184 mailed Sep. 13, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130325176 A1 | Dec 2013 | US |