Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
4~
This invention relates to an article dispenser. This
invention more particularly relates to a dispenser capable of
dispensing articles and receiving returned articles. This
invention is also more particularly conc~rned with a dispenser,
which is actuated by a credit card and which can charge for the
sale or rental of an article to an appropriate credit account.
A wide variety of dispensing or vending machines are
known. Simple machines dispense a single type of axticle at a
fixed price, and are entirely mechanical. Also, they will only
accept a single type of coin. More sophisticated machines
utilize electronic circuitry and are capable of dispensing
different articles which are differently priced, and can accept
a variety of different coins.
Canadian Patent 997,841, entitled card-actuated
gasoline dispenser, discloses a dispenser system which is
primarily intended for a gasoline staticn but which can be used
for other articles. A user inserts a credit card to actuate
the dispenser. The credit card is read by the dispenser and
verified against data held in a data bank. Provided the card
is valid, the user can then select the article or articles that
he wants. No provision is made for returning articles.
All dispensing machines known to us have been intended
for articles for sale. However, there are certain classes of
articles which consumers sometimes prefer to rent rather than
purchase. An example of such a class of articles is video tapes
or cassettes. The initial cost of pre~recorded video tapes is
relatively high. Since a user will frequently only wish to view
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a video tape for a few times at the most, it is preferable to
rent or hire a video tape for a charge which could be 10% or
less of the charge for purchasing the tape. Furthermore, users
may frequently wish to rent a tape at unusual times outside
usual store hours, and for this reason it is desirable to
provide an unmanned machine that can provide a continuous
uninterrupted service.
Furthermore, there are some products which are sold in
packages, on which a deposit is charged. The deposit is refunded
when the package, for example a glass bottle, is returned. In the
case of such products sold from an automatic dispensing machine
it is desirable that the machine should be capable of accepting
returned containers and providing an appropriate refund.
According to the present invention, there is provided
an article dispenser comprising:
a storage unit for storing articles;
a card reading unit capable of receiving a card and
reading data on that cardi
a selection unit actuatable by a user to generate a
selection signal representative of a selected article;
a dispensing and receiving unit which is responsive to
a selection signal to withdraw an article from the storage unit
and to dispense that article, and which is capable of receiving
and checking a returned article, returning that article to the
storage unit and generating a return signal; and
a central processor unit connected to the storage unit,
the card reading unit, the selection unit, and the dispensing
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and receiving unit, whlch central processor unit determines on
which account a charge should be recorded from data supplied by the
card reading unit, and, for each dispensed article, records a
charge on that account, with a replacement charge being recorded
i~ the article is not returned as indicated by the absence of a
return signal.
~ he storage unit and -the dispensing and receiving unit
could respectively comprise of cylindrical carousel having
compartments for storing articles, and an arm capable of movement
in three dimensions. As such, the storage unit and the dispensing
and receiving unit could comprise a Random Access Electromechanical
Storage and Retrieval Device (RASRD).
The dispensex could be used for the rental of video
tapes.
1~ The present invention also envisages a dispenser for
dispensing beverages~ especially alcoholic beverages, in bottles,
cans, or containers. In this case, the dispenser can again
include a cylindrial carousel as a storage unit and an arm capable
of movement in three dimensions, and, provided these features
are present, the function of receiving and checking returned
articles can be omitted.
~ dispenser for beverages could include the facility
for receiving and checking a returned article, for the purposes
of collecting returned empty bottles and providing an appropriate
credit. In this case, since the value of returned bottles is
relatively small, a relatively simple check on the returned bottles
need only be made. E'or example the basic dimensions of the bottles
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could be checked by simple sensors. Whilst this would not complete
completely prevent the fraudulent lnsertion or return of ake
bottles, the lncldence of fraudulent returns ls expected to be
small enough to be acceptable.
For a better understanding of the present invention,
and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect,
r~ference wlll now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Flgure 1 shows a perspective view of a video tape
dispenser according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows dlagramatically separate components of
:
an electronic system of the dispenser of Figure l;
Figure 3 shows diagramatically some of the components
of the dispenser shown in Figure l;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a storase unit, a
dispensing and receiving arm and, in block form, associated L
control elementsi
Figure 5 shows a variant embodiment of a storage unit
and a dispensing and receiving arm;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a variant emb~diment
including two storage cylinders and a dispensing and receiving
arm; and
Figure 7 shows a plan view of a further variant
embodiment including four storage cylinders and a dispensing and
~5 receiving arm.
The article dispenser shown in figure 1 is generally
denoted by the numeral 1, and is intended to be a free-standing r
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machine which can be placed in stores and other public locations.
The article dispenser has generally rectangular sides, and its
front 3 and its back are also rectangular. The front 3 includes
an outer panel 4 of a card reading unit 40. On the left hand side
of the article dispenser, there is a display panel 5, in which
individual display cards are mounted. Each display card advertises
al~d provi~es details of a video tape currently provided by the
dispenser. These cards can be exchanged individually, so that
they can be changed in accordance with changes made to the stock
of tapes held in the article dispneser. A dispensing and
receiving device 50 (not shown in Figure 1) has an outer dispensing
and receiving opening 51. This opening 51 corresponds to a
rectangular section through a video tape casing. Mounted in the
outer panel 4 is a membrane keyboard 6, which i~ part of a
membrane keyboard and human interface 130 (shown in Figure 2).
As shown in Figure 1, the dispensing and receiving
opening could alternatively be provided in the middle of the
outer panel 4 of the card reading unit 40, as indicated at 52.
With reference to Figure 2, a central computer or
processing unit 70 is shown diagramatically at the centre of
associated sub-systems or components. The credit card reading
unit 40, which can be an otherwise known device, is connected to
the computer 70. One or more c~linders or more carousels 20 are
provided as a storage unit for the article dispenser 1. Each
carousel 20 is connected to the computer 70, and the construction
of the carousel 20 is detailed below~ An interface 100 for a
servo-driven electronic arm 53 (shown in Figure 4) is connected
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to the computer 70, so that the arm 53 can be controlled by the
computer 70. A laser bar code reader 110 is connected to the
computer 70, and in use it reads bar codes on articles being
dispensed and returned. A printer module 120 is connected to
the computer 70. The printer module 120 can serve to print out
advice slips for users of the dispenser and also reports and
instructions for a store in which the dispenser is located. The
keyboard 6 is part of a membrane keyboard and human interface unit
130, which is connected to the computer 70. Also connected to
the computer 70 are a voice synthesizer 140, a video display unit
~ and a supervised security system module 160/ and the function
of these units described in detail below. For controlling energy
usage by the dispenser and/or its immediate environment, an
energy management system 170 is connected to the computer 70 and
to a timing unit 130. Further connected to the computer 70 are a
video controlled sub-system 190, a bank of switches 200, ànd a RAM
disc unit 210. For heating and other auxiliary devices, the
computer 70 is connected to a heater and AC sub-system 220. For
communication to a central computer, which can be connected to a
larse number of widely spaced dispensing machines lr the computer
70 can be connected to one or more of telecommunication 230, RF
communication 240 and fibre optic communication 250.
Figure 3 shows a possible arrangement of the computer
70 and some of the subsidiary components shown in Figure 2. The
credit card reading unit 40 is connected directly to the
computer 70. The voice synthesizer 140, which is shown
schematically, comprises circuits for generating an artificial
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voice or other audio signa~ and a loud speaker. The voice
synthesizer 140 is connected directly to the computer 70 ana can
provide instructions, advertising material,warnings and music.
The video display unit 150 and the video controlled sub-system
190 are connected via a switching unit 191 to the cornputer 70.
The video controlled sub-system 190 comprises a videq tape or
cassette player. An electro-mechanical section 10 of the
dispenser, which includes the carousel 20, the arm 53 and the
servo-driven electronic arm interface 100, is connected directly
to the computer 70. For communication purposes, the computer 70
is connected by a unit 241 to the RF communication 240 or the
fibre optics communication 250.
Figure 4 shows details of the receiving and dispensing
arm 53 and the carousel 20. The carousel 20 comprises a
generally vertical cylinder 21 mounted for rotation about a
vertical axis. The cylinder 21 is driven by a motor 22 located
below the cylinder 21. The cylinder 21 is provided with
compartments 23 for the storage of video tapes. The compartments
23 are arranged in horizontal rings and vertical columns, with
three compartments 23 in each vertical column. The cylinder 21
includes one hundred and ~ifty compartments 23. Furthermore,
each compartment 23 is provided with means for sensing whether it
is occupied or not. This means could comprise a photo-electric -
sensor, an infrared sensor or a switch actuated by an article -
located in that compartment 23. r
The receiving and dispensing arm 53 is a robot ar~ that L`
includes a vertical column 54. This column 54 is mounted for
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rotation about a vertical axis and is driven by a motor 55.
Mounted on the column 54 for vertical movement up and down the
column 54 is a horizontal member 56. Within the hori~ontal
member 56 an extension member 57 is slidably located. A motor
58 is mounted on the horizontal member 56 ~or driving the
members 56 and 57 up and down the column 54. Similiarly, a
motor 59 is mounted on the horizontal member 56 for driving the
ext~nsion member 57 relative to the horizontal member 56. At a
free end of the extension member 57, there is provided a gripping
claw 60 which can grip an article and which is actuated by a
solenoid 61 mounted on the horizontal member 56. Thus, the arm
53 i5 capable of movement in three dimensions and the claw 60
can be aligned with any compartment 23 which faces the arm 53.
The arm 53 can then insert or extract an article from an aligned
compartment 23, and it can deliver and receive articles from a ..
receiving station, indicated at 69 i.n Figure 5.
The servo-driven electronic arm interface 100 includes
a motor driver and controlle.r 101 and digital computation circuits
102, which circuits are connected to the computer 70 and to the
motor driver and controller 101. The digital computation
circuits 102 are further connected to all the sensing means in
the carousel 20, and the motor driver and controller 101 is .-.
connected to all the motors 22, 55, 58, and 59 and the solenoid
61. The digital computation circuits 102 an~ the arm 53 are
.
provided with a separate heavy duty power supply.
All the motors 22, 55, 58, and 59 are electric stepping -.
motors. Sensors (not shown) are provided for indicating the
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position of the claw 60 and the rotational position of the
carousel 20. These sensors are connected to the motor driver
and controller 101, so that the motor driver and controller can
bring the claw 60 into alignment with any chosen one of the
component 23. The position of any of the moving components,
driven by one of the motors 22, 55, 58, and 59, can be determined
from a sensor. Alternatively, the position can be determined by
calculation, knowing the start or null position of that
compartment, from the integral of the steps taken by the
respective motor. In this later case, every time the component
passes through its zero or null position a sensor can send a
corresponding signal, which can be used as a check and which
prevents the accumulation of errors over a large time period.
The host computer 70 can issue commands to the digital
computation circuits (DCC) 102 as follow~:
~a) Reset;
(b~ Rotate a specified carousel 20 to a
particular position;
(c) Move the members 56 and 57 to the level of
predetermined ring of compartments 23;
(d) Rotate the arm 53 to bring the claw 60
adjacent a predetermined carousel 20;
(e) Open claw 60;
(f) Close claw 60;
(g) Extend claw 60 and the extension member 57
radially outwards;
(h) Retract claw 60 and extension member 57
radially inwards.
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5'he DCC 102 can give anyone of the following relies to the
computer 70:
(a) Reset;
(b) A problem has arisen (eg. a compartment 23
which should contain an article is empty),or
sytem OK;
(c) System busy or system idle:
(d) Vertical position of the arm 53;
~e) Angular position of the arm 53;
(f) Radlal position of the claw 60 and the extension
member 57, ie. whether extended or retracted;
(g) Claw 60 statùs, whether open or closed,
(h) Angular position of a particular carousel 20;
(i) Status of a particular compartment 23, whether
loaded or empty.
To extract a particular video tape, the location or
address of that video tape is looked up in the database of the
computer 70. Utilizing this address, ie. the compartment 23
containing the desired video tape, the computer 70 instructs the t
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digital computation circuits (DCC) 102 and the motor driver and
controller (~C) 101 to extract that video tape. The motor
drivex and controller 101 actuates the motor 22 to turn the
carousel 20 until the required compartment 23 is facing the arm
53. Simultaneously, the arm 53 is actuated to bring the claw
60 adjacent the required compartment 23 when it is facing the
arm 53. If necessary the motor 55 is actuated by the MDC 101
to rotate the entire arm 53, until the claw 60 lies in
the vertical plane containing the axes of rotation of the
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carousel 20 and the arm 53. If required, the motor 58 is then
actuated by the MDC 101 to bring the claw 60 to the same height
as the required compartment 23. Once the claw 60 and the
required compartment 23 are aligned, the motor 59 is actuated
by the M~C 101 to extend the claw 60 and the extension member 57
radially outwards, llntil an edge at least of a required video
tape is between jaws of the claw 60. The solenoid Çl is then
actuated by the MDC 101 to cause the claw 60 to grip the
videotape. Either the claw 60 can simply grip the video tape
by friction, or it can include projections or lugs, which engage
corresponding openings or recesses in the video tape. The motor
59 is then operated in the reverse direction, so that the video
tape held in claw 60 is extracted from its compartment. The
motors 55 and 58 are then actuated, respectively,to rotate, and
to move vertically, the claw 60 until the vldeo tape is brought
adjacent the opening 51. The motor 59 is then operated to cause
the extension member and claw 60 to extend radially, whereby the
video tape is dispensed through the opening 51. If the opening
51 is designed to support the video tape, the claw 60 can be
fully opened, so that the video tape is free to be removed by a
user. Alternatively, if the video tape is held in the claw 60
solely by friction, the solenold 61 can be supplied with a
reduced current, whereby the video tape is only lightly retained
by the claw 60. The user can then remove the video tape from
the claw 60.
After each action, the arm 53 can either be returned to
a preset rest position, or it can be left at its final position
at the end of that action.
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To return a video tape from the opening 51 to a
location in a carousel is essentially the reverse of the above
se~uence for extracting a tape. An empty compartment 23 is ~.
searched for in the database, the empty status of a compartment
is checked with the status indicated by the sensor for that
compartment 23. Provided the chosen compartment 23 is empty,
this compartment 23 is recorded in the database as the address
for the returned tape~ and the MDC 101 then actuates the motors
to place the returned video tape in the selected compartment 23.
Figure 5 shows a variation of the receiving and
dispensing arm 53 and the carousel 20~ The carousel 20 can be
provided with an outer cover 24 which encloses all the
compartments 23 to prevent video tapes accidentally falling out,
r except for one column of compartments 23 which directly face
the dispensing and receiving arm 53. A portion of this cover 24
is cut away in Figure 5, to show the location of a video tape 25
in a compartment 23 in the carousel 20.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a basic article dispenser
1 can be provided with .just one carousel 20. However it is ..
envisaged that two or more carousels 20 could be provided,
depending upon the type of article and demand at a particular
location As indicated in Figure 6, two carousels 20 can be
provided on either side of the arm 53. Although IlOt shown in ~~
Figure 6, each carousel can be mounted for vertical rotation and -
can be driven in the same manner as the single carousel 20 shown `
in Figure 4. Since the arm 53 is rotatable about its vertical
axis, it can readily rotate to select an article from either of
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the two carousels 2n. It is possibl~ that an article dispenser 1
can be initially constructed with just one carousel 20, with the '
dispensing and receiving arm 53 located adjacent one side of the .
dispenser. Then, if sales or rentals at that location justify .
expanding the capacity of the dispenser 1, the side of the
dispenser can be removed and an additional unit incorporating a
second carousel 20 can be added. The servo-driven electronic arm
interface 100 would then simply have to be re-program~ledj to
control the arm 53 so that it selects an article out of the
appropriate carousel 20. .
As shown in Figure 7, it is possible to provide four
carousels 20, and the number of carousels 20 is only limited by
the number that can be arranged around a single arm S3~ For a ~:
very large installation it is conceivable that two or more
separate receiving and dispensing ar:ms 53 could be provided with
respective sets of carousels 20. Th,e arms 53 could receive and
dispense articles either from a common opening or separate .
openings.
A description will now be given of various operating
modes of the dispenser 1.
Initially, it will be necessary to load the dispenser
with video tapes. For both loading and unloading of the dispenser,
a special security code has to be entered on the keyboard 6. It .--
is to be appreciated that a security code is particularly
important for unloading the dispenser 1, since this condition
enables the operator to unload completely the dispenser 1, in
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order to enable a fresh charge of video tapes to be loaded into
the dispenser 1.
For unloading, the appropriate security code is entered
and either an instruction to unload all video tapes or an
instruction to unload only part of the stock of video tapes. If
all the video tapes are to be unloaded, the dispenser 1 will
unload them all without further instruction. To unload all the
video tapes, the caxousels 20 and the arm 53 are actuated so that
the claw 60 sequentially extracts the video tapes from the
occupied compartmPnts 23 of the or each carousel 20. The arm 53
dispenses or unloads each video tape in turn through the openings
51. Once they have all been unloaded a visual indication via the
video display unit 150 or an audible indication via the voice
synthesizer 140 will be given. For partial unloading, after the
appropriate security code and instruction have been entered, the
dispenser 1 will, either audibly or visually, prompt for the
numb~r of a ~ideo tape. A number i5 entered on the keybGard 6
and the computer 70 then determines the location of the reguired
video tape from its own memory. The arm 53 and an appropriate
carousel 20 will then be actuated to bring the claw 60 adjacent
the compartment 23 containing that video tape. The claw 60
extracts it and its bar code is read by the bar code reader 110,
as a check. If the video tape is correct, it is dispensed or
unloaded through the opening 51. This procedure is repeated until
the operator enters a code indicating that the unloading procedure
is terminated. Fresh video tapes can then be loaded. If at any
time,an incorrect video tape is found in any compartment, then the
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computer 70 will resort the video tapes and this is described
below.
To load the dispenser 1, after the special security code
and an instruction that video tapes are to be loaded have
been entered/ the dispenser 1 will give an instruction or
prompt for a video tape or cartridge to be inserted. This prompt
can be given visually on the visual display unit 150 and/or
audibly by means of the voice synthesizer unit 140. A video tape
is then inserted into the opening 51, and is accepted by the arm
53. The dispenser 1 then checks the dimensions of the video tape,
and reads the bar code on that tape with the laser Bar Code Reader
110. If the bar code is invalid or unreadable, the tape is
rejected and returned out through the opening 51. An appropriate
invalid indication is given on the video display unit 150, and
the dispenser 1 then gives the prompt for the insertion of another
video tape. If the bar code is readable and the video tape is
considered by the dispenser to be Yalid, the next free compartment
23 is looked for in the memory. The new video tape is then
assigned to this vacant compartment 23, and this information is
recorded in the database of the computer 70. The appropriate
carousel 20 and the axm 53 are then actuated by the motor driver
and controller 101, so that the new video tape is inserted in the
vacant compartment 23. The arm 53 is then moved, so that the
claw 60 is brought adjacent to the opening 51, and a fresh prompt
for another video tape is given. This procedure is repeated until -
the carousel or carousels 20 are full.
It should be noted that it is desirable to always have
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at least one vacant compartment 23 in the dispenser 1. This
enables the dispenser to carry out a complete resorting or re-
ordering of the stock of video tapes, if an error arises. For
example, if a required tape is expected from a particular
compartment 23, upon reading the bar code on that tape the
computer 70 might discover that the tape is not the required tape,
as recorded in the memory for that compartment 23. Then, the
carousels 20 and the arm 53 are actuated to insert the extracted
tape in the vacant compartment 23. The computer 70 then memorizes
the location of that tape. It can then carry out a systematic
search through the other tapes, by sequentially extracting the
tapes and reading their bar codes until it encounters the tape
re~uired. Every time a video tape is removed from its existing
compartment 23 it is transferred to a vacant compartment 23, and
a record of the fresh location of that video tape is made.
Alternatively, the dispenser 1 can be programmed to carry out a
complete re-ordering of all the video tapes in the dispenser.
Once this has been effected, it can go back to the compartment
23 which is now recorded as housing the required tape.
With the dispenser 1 switched on and loaded, the
operator instructs the dispenser 1 through the keyboard 6 to
adopt a "system idle" state and the dispenser 1 can then be left
unattended. In this state, the video controlled sub-system 190
and the video display unit 150 can be used to show automatically
trailers or other advertising material at preset intervals. The
voice synthesizer unit 140 can be used to provide the sound track
or other appropriate audio signals. Alternatively it can provide
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audio advertising material alone or background music. The video
controlled sub-system 190, in this case a video recorder, is
provided with a video tape of current advertising material. This
can be changed at suitable intervals, either by the operator or
automatically.
Simultaneously, the securi-ty system module 160 and the
energy management system 170 are active. Both the security system
module 160 and the energy management sys~em 170 can provide
functions not only for the dispenser 1 itself, but also for the
buidling in which the dispenser is located. For example, when the
dispenser 1 is located in a small store, the security system
module can be linked to security and alarm devices in the store
and associated with the store doors and windows etc. Also, the
security system module includes dev.ices for detecting any
unauthorized opening of the dispenser. These devices could be,
for example:
a balance or hock devica within the dispenser l;
a light sensor within the dispenser to detect opening
of the dispenser l;
and heat and smoke detectors inside the dlspenser l.
In the event that any of the sensors within and without the
dispenser 1 are triggered, the computer 70 can be programmed to
take a variety of actions. It can send a message to a central
computer, and/or to a local police station indicating that an
alarm has been triggered, or it could use one or both of these
voice synthesizer unit 140 and the video display unit 150 to warn -~
or scare off a burglar. For example, the voice synthesi~er unit
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cvuld act as a warning siren or continuously repeat the word
"burglarl'.
Similiarly, the energy management system 170 can govern
the environment in which the dispenser is located. For this
purpose it would need to be connected to appropriate sensors,
which in some instances could be provided within the dispenser
and to appropriate control elements of the stores heating and
ve~tilating system. The start time optimizer 180 connected to
the energy management system 170, can be set so that the
temperature and other conditions are varied within the store,
depending upon whether the store is open for use or is closed.
For example, a store could be open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
At 10 p.m. when the store is closed~ the temperature could be
allowed to fall to 50~F in wintertime, or to rise to 80F in
summertime. Before opening at 9:00 a.m. the store temperature is
either increased or decreased to bring back within a preset
working temperature range. The energy management s~stem 170 can
also control power devices at peak periods to reduce total power
costs. Also, in dispensers which might be subject to inclement
weather conditions, a heater can be provided, the heater being
controlled by the energy management system 170.
In the system idle state, the membrane keyboard and
human interface 130 is continuously monitored, to check whether
any action is required of the dispe~ser 1.
Once a key is pressed or the membrane keyboard and
human interface 130 otherwise receives an input from a user,
operating instructions are displayed on the video display unit
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150 and a prompt is given for insertion of a credit card. Upon
insertion of a credit card, the card is scanned by the credit card
reading unit 40. If the scan is unsuccessful, then a fresh prompt
for a credit card is given. Assuming the scan is successful the
data read from the card is sent to the computer 70, which then
verifies the validity of the credit card. A central computer to
which the computer 70 is linked is provided with data on invalid
credit cards, and the computer 70 checks the card data against this
data store. Details of invalid credit cards are commonly provided
by credit card companies, so that a data store of invalid cards
can be assembled in the central computer and can be kept up to date.
Alternatively, it is possible that the credit card ~heck could be
made against data stored in a credit card company's own computer.
This would eliminate the necessity of obtaining data from the
credit card company and reading it into the central computer of
the present system.
Cnce the card data has been read and the validity of
the card verified, the video display unit 150 displays an
instruction requesting the number of a desired title and asking
for that number to be entered on the keyboard 6. Once the
customer has entered this number on the keyboard 6, the number of
the video tape and its title is displayed cn the video display
unit 150, with a prompt asking if the selection is correct.
Again, the customer indicates whether the selection is correct
or incorrect by pressing appropriate keys on the keyboard 6. If
the selection is incorrect, then a fresh re~uest for the number
of a desiIed video tape is displayed. If the selection is correct,
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the desired video tape number is looked for in the data base of
the computer 70. This gives the location or address of the
compartment 23 cuxrently associated with that video tape, and the
status of the compartment 23, ie. whether empty or occupied.
Compartment status can also be verified from the sensor for the
respective compartment. If this compartment 23 is empty, then a
message such as "out of stock" is displayed on the the video
display unit 150, and a fresh prompt is given for the number of
a desired video tape. When a video tape is in stock, the
dispensing and receiving arm 53 and the appropriate carousel 20
are actuated by the motor drive and controller 101 to extract the
appropriate video tape or cartridge from its compartment 23.
The bar code on the extracted video tape or cartridge is then read
by the laser bar code reader 110, to verify that it is the correct
video tape. If the tape is correct, then the arm 53 is actuated
to dispense the tape through the opening 51. If the tape is
incorrect, then as previously mentioned the dispenser 1 will have -
to re-organize its stock of video tapes and check on their
locations. In this case, an appropriate message can be displayed
on the video display unit 150, to indicate that the stock is being
checked for the required video tape.
Once a required tape has been dispensed, the dispenser
1 will again provide a fresh prompt on the video display unit 150
for the number of a desired tape. This procedure can be re~eated,
until the user has obtained the desired number of video tapes.
Before dis~ensinq a tape the memorv of the centr~l-comput~r O
70 will be checked, to ascertain wh~.ther the us~r ~?ill e~ceed
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his credit limit if a further video tape is dispensed. In this
respect, the credit limit is determined by the deposit charge for
each tape, rather than for the rental charge, together with rental
charges for previously used and returned tapes. For example,
the rental fee for each tape could be $6.00, and the deposit for
each tape could be $80.00. If the user takes three video tapes,
then until these tapes are returned, his account is considered to
be debited with ~2~0.00 . If this user has previously incurred
five rental charges of $6.00, then his total effective debit
would be $270.00. If he wished to withdraw a further video tape,
a further debit of ~80.00 would have to be made, bringing the
customer's total debit to $350.00. The computer 70 would check
whether a total debit of $350.00 would exceed the customer's
prescribed credit limit. If the limit would be exceeded then no
further tapes are dispensed and an c3ppropriate message is
displayed.
Each time a video tape is returned, then the deposit
charge less the rental charge, i.e $74.00 in this example, is
credited to the customer's account~ ¦
It is to be appreciated that, since the deposit charge
for each tape could he more than ten times the rental charge, it
would be unwise to allow any user to have a large number of
tapes, even though the rental charge may be quite modest. For
example, each user could be limited to three video tapes. Since
2~ each dispenser l should be available at all times, this should not
cause any great inconvenience.
Once a user has received the required tapes, he can
. .
- 23
enter a code to this effec~, and the printer module 120 will
then print a receipt indicating the charges made to his account.
This receipt could also indicate the net charges that will be
made to his account, when the video tapes have been returned.
Also, the computer 70 can be programmed to automatically issue a
receipt, if it determines at any time that the user could not take
out another tape without exceeding his credit limit.
To return a video taper the user must first insert his
credit card, so that the computer 70 knows which account to credit.
Accepting returned video tapes or other articles only after the
insertion of a credit card has the advantage that misuse of or
tampering with the dispenser by unauthorized persons is prevented
or reduced: e.g. it could prevent an unauthorized person
inserting rubbish and instructing the dispenser 1 that it is a
returned video tape. To this end, the opening 51 could be
provided with an internal closure member which is only opened
after a credit card has been inserted and verified.
To return each individual tape, the video tape is
inserted into the opening 51. The arm 53 then moves the video
tape to one or more positions where the returned video tape is
checked. The bar code on the returned tape is read by the laser
bar code reader 110 to identify the video tape. The bar code is
placed across a joint in a casing of the video tape, and this
provides one check on the integrity of the returned video tape.
If the casing has been opened and the bar code damaged, then the
har code will unreadable and the video tape will be rejected.
Also, magnetic identification, light beams and infrared radiation
- 24 -
can be used to check a returned tape. Once a returned tape has
been verified, the computer 70 checks its database for an empty
compartment 23 and the empty status of that compartment 23 is
checked from the sensor for that compartment 23. The arm S3 and
the respective carousel 20 are then acuated to insert the
returned video tape into the chosen compartment 23, and a record
of this location for that returned video tape is made in the
database of the computer 70. For each returned tape, a credit is
made to the user's account, the credit being the deposit charge
less the rental charge. Again, the customer or user is provided
with a printed receipt by the printer module 120, giving details
of the returned tapes and the credits made to his account.
At the end of each transaction, whether it be a
withdrawal or return of a video tape, the voice synthesizer 140
and the video display unit 150 can provide a message such as
"Thank You"~ Also, at this stage, they could provide details of
video tapes or special offers, that will be available in the near
future.
The provision of fibre optics communication 250 RF
communcia~ion 240 & telecommunication 230 provides for considerable
flexibility in operation. The computer 70 has both RAM and ROM
memories, with the RAM memory being provided either entirely or
in part by the RAM disc 210. Details of all transactions, both
withdrawals and returns, are recorded in the RAM memory. These
details could comprise: time of transaction; tape numbers;
account number; a record of any returned tape that is rejected;
credits and debits made to the account. At certain preset times,
or when instructed, the computer 70 will transmit all the
.
- 25 -
in'ormation in its memory to the central computer. Preferably,
this information is transmitted at off-peak times.
Also, the central computer can control the computer 70
of t~e dispensex l in various ways and transmit information to the
computer 70. The computer 70 can be instructed to alter the way
in which transactions are recorded. Also, the prices or rental
charges for different items can be varied directly by the central
computer. Thus, overnight, one could effect a price change in
all dispensers connected to a central computer.
The interconnection between the computer 70 and a
central computer can also be used for transmitting general data
from a store, in which the dispenser l is located, to a head
office. ~ach evening the store manager could enter details of the
days transactions in the store and stock levels etc. Similiarly,
the central computer could transmit information concerning price
charses, details of goods to be delivered etc. This informa~ion
is preferably transmitted at off-peak periods, and can be present-
ed in printed form by the printer module 120.
The dispenser l can be provided with a stand by power
sup?ly in order to maintain the memory, in case of a power failure.
I,s .here is a power failure, the central computer is notified and
all stored data is immediately transmitted to the central computer.
If the dispenser 1 develops a faulty, it can be
programmed to only be opened, if a special code is used and
optionally if a particular credit card is inserted. Any such
opening is recorded and details are transmitted to the central
compu'er. A variant of the dispenser l could be provided adjacent
~2~7~
- 2~ -
an external storage area, from which goods can be selected, the
goods being identified in various ways, such as bar codes or
priceO
As described above, after an article has been dispensed,
a deposit charge is recorde~ on the appropriate account. When the
article is returned, the deposit charge less the rental charge is
credited to that account~ The rental charge could either be a
flat rate charge or could be dependant on the period during which
the article is out o the machine, the rental period. An
alternative charging technique would be to charge initially only
the rental, or the minimum rental chaxge, to the user's account.
The details of the tapes withdrawn and the user's account number
would then be stored either in the computer of the dispenser or
the central computer. If the user failed to return the tape
within a pxeset time period, a replacement charge would be
debited on his account. Alternati~ely, ~hen the rental charge
depends on the rental period, the :rental charge could simply
be allowed to accumulate until it reaches a maximum charge
equivalent to the replacement cost of the article. Also, if the
rental charge depends on the rental period, each
increment of the rental charge can be recorded on a user's
account as it is incurred, or alternatively the total rental
charge can be recorded when the article is returned or when the
maximum charge is reach.
The dispenser could be used for video tapes containing
entertainment or educational films, or for video games. Since
video games presently are packaged in smaller packages than
- 27 -
video tapes, they can be provided with separate storage
compartments which are small~r than the compartments for video
tapes. These smaller compartments could be provided in a
separate carousel, or in a carousel having a mixture of small
and large compartments.
It is possible that the dispenser could hold more than
one copy of each video tape. For popular tapes, it is envisaged
that 5-10 copies could be stored in each dispenser. The stocking
of each dispenser can be determined from the popularity of each
1~ tape which is calculated from statistics compiled in a central
computer. As the popularity of a particular tape declines, the
number of copies of it held in a dispenser can be decreased. It
is envisaged that approximately 20% of the tapes in each dispenser
will be changed each month.
To faciliate changing the display cards on the front of
the dispenser, a removable, and transparent covex can be
provided. Thus, the display cards can be changed, without opening
the dispenser. Also, for security purposes, this cover need not
provide access to the interior of the dispenser.
For some uses, particularly sales of beverages, the or
each ~arousel could be automaticall~ filled up by, for example,
a gravity fed supply of articles. This could greatly increase the
dispenser's storage capacity. Also~ the dispenser could be
arranged as part of a building. Only the front panel would be
visable from the outside, and the storage unit and dispensing
and receiving unit could be provided in a room or space within
the building.
~2~7~
- ~8 -
.
The storage unit cculd be provided with storage devices
other than cylindrical carousels. For example belts with pockets
could be provided, with main spans of the belts extending .
vertically or horizontally.
