Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF T~E INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
vending a selected item to a customer from a vending machine, and
particularly, a method and apparatus ~or vending items such as
video cassettes.
2. Descri~tion of the Prior Art
As home video cassette players have become more popular, a
need has arisen to provide prerecorded video casse~tes for home
viewing. Such video cassettes can be purchased or rented ~rom
selected stores. In addition, various arrangements have been
proposed for allowing a consumer to select and either purchase or
rent a video cassette from an unattended terminal. For example,
U.S. Patent No. 4,414,467 to Gould et al. discloses a vending ma-
chine which dispenses a selected video cassette to a customer.
After viewing, the video cassette can be returned to the vending
machine. A similar machine is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,300,0~0
to Gould et al.
However, such arrangements have disadvantages which reduce
the efficiency of their operation and require frequent attention
from trained service people.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a method and apparatus for dispensing selected items such
as video cassettes which is efficient in operation and which does
not require frequent attention by trained service people.
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Additional objects and advantages of the invention ~ill be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part ~ill be
obvious from the description, or may be Learned by practice of
the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the
purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described here-
la in, a dispensing machine is provided comprising a plurality of
storage positions which are not user-accessible and at least one
vend position which is user-accessible; carrier means for carry-
ing a selected item between one of the storage positions and the
vend position; positioning means for positioning the carrier
1~ means proximate to a selected storage position in response to
user input; engaging means fixed to the carrier means for engag-
ing and disengaging a selected item; reader means for identifying
a selected item; and memory means for storing and processing in-
formation about the contents of the storage positions and the
~~ identity of a selected item.
A method for dispensing a selected item for storage array in
the machine including a plurality of sto.age positions is provid-
ed comprising the steps of manually entering a selection request
for a selected item, automatically positioning a carrier
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proximate to a designated storage position containing the se-
lected item in response to the request, engaging the selected
item for movement by the carrier, positioning the carrier and the
engaged selected item at a vend position, recording the empty
condition of the designated storage position in a memory system,
and dispensing the selected item to a customer. In addition, a
me~hod for redepositing a selected item in a dispensing machine
is provided comprising the steps of placing a selected item in a
position which is both machine accessible and user-accessible,
reading the identity of the selected item, engaging the selected
item for movement with the carrier, positioning the carrier prox-
imate to a designated storage position for the selected item, and
depositing the selected item in the designated storage position.
BRIEF DESCP~IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention, and, together with a general de-
scription of the invention given above and a detailed description
of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a vending apparatus incorpo-
rating the teachings of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a front panel for the vend-
ing apparatus shown in Fig. l;
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Figs. 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate examples of a display ~hich
would appear on the front panel shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a video cassette cartridge
and case which is to be vended ~rom the vending apparatus shown
in Fig. l;
Figs. 5a and 5b are side elevational views of details of the
carrier means and associated components incorporating the teach-
ings of the present invention;
Figs. 6a and 6b are side elevational views of the engaging
means incorporating the features of the present invention;
Figs. 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are slde elevational views of the
carrier means and associated components in various stages of
operation;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the storage area of Fig. 1
with additional auxiliary storage racks;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a configuration of multiple
vending apparatus;
Fig. 10 is a block diagram representation of the control
system for the vending apparatus shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 11 is a flow diagram representation describing the cus-
tomer identification sequence of operation of the vending appara-
tus;
Fiq. 12 is a flow diagram representation describing the tape
selection sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;
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Fig. 13 is a flow diagram representation describing the tape
transport sequence o~ operation of the vending apparatus;
Fig, 14 is a flow diagram representation describing the tape
return sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;
Fig. 15 is a flow diagram representation describing the new
customer sign up sequence of operation o~ the vending apparatus;
Fig. 16 is a flow diagram representation describing the ser-
vice call sequence of operation of the vending apparatus;
Fig, 17 is a flow diagram representation describing further
steps of the service call sequence of operation of the flow dia-
gram shown in Fig. 16;
DESCRIPTIOM OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the present pre-
ferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accom-
1~ panying drawings. It should be clear that the method and appara-
tus are preferably used and to vend video cassettes as
illustrated below, but may also be used to vend other items in a
similar manner.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
~0 a dispensing machine comprising a plurality of storage positions
33
which are not user-accessible and at least one vend position
which is user-accessible, carrier means for carrying a selected
item between one of said storage positions and said vend posi-
tion, positioning means for positioning said carrier means pro~i-
mate to a selected storage position in response to user input,
engaging means fixed to said carrier means for engaging and
disengaging a selected item, reader means for identifying a se-
lected item, and memory means for storing and processing informa-
tion about the contents of the s~orage positions and the identity
1~ of a selected item.
Fig. 1 shows a dispensing machine 10 having a storage rack12 with a plurality of storage positions for receiving a number
of video cassette cartridges 11. The storage positions comprise
a two dimensional array of vertically and horizontally arranged
supports 14 forming a coordinate matrix array of compartments.
A front panel 16 covers and is spaced from storage rack 12
to make the storage positions defined by supports 14 inaccessible
in a direct fashion to a user of the machine. The dispensing ma-
chine also includes a vend position 17 which is directly accessi-
~ ble tQ a user. The vend position 17 preferabLy includes an in-
sertion s~ation means such as housing 18 having an opening 20 of
sufficient size to accommodate a video cassette cartridge and
case or any other selected item which is vended by the machine.
The vend position 11 also preferably includes a dispensing
~ ~74B~33
station means such as housing 22 with opening 2~ through ~hich
selected video cassette cartridges are dispensed. Like opening
18, opening 24 is large enough to accommodate a video cassette
cartridge 11 or any other items to be vended by the machine.
Opening 2~ is preferably below opening 20 and connected to open-
ing 20 by a chute 26.
A pivotal door means 28 is positioned below the insertion
station housing 18 in chute 26. Door means 28 can assume a posi-
tion shown in Fig. 1 in broken line which allows video cassettes
falling through chute 26 to be ejected through opening 24. Door
means 28 can also be actuated by a solenoid 27, to pivot to a
second position shown in solid line such that chute 26 will be
unblocked by door means 28 so that video cassettes will drop
through chute 26 through an opening 30 into a s~orage area for
l; damaged video cassettes such as a open topped box 30.
Carrier means 35 is provided for carrying a selected item
such as a video cassette, between one of the storage positions
defined by supports 1~ and the vend position 17 which includes
transfer housing 32 having opening 34. Opening 20 in insertion
~ station housing 1~ communicates with opening 34 in transfer hous-
ing 32 so tha~ a video cassette can be passed between opening 34
and opening 20. Fig. Sa illustrates carrier means 35 for carry-
ing a selected item such as a video cassette between one of the
storage positions in storage rack 12 and the vend position 17.
33
As shown, the carrier means 35 preferably includes a base 36 and
a rotatable table 38 which is mounted on a shaft 37 and is rotat-
able relative to base 36 in a horizontaL plane by a motor 81.
Dispensing machine 10 also includes positioning means for
S ~ositioning the carrier means proxirnate to a selected storage po-
sition in response to user input. As shown in Fig. 1, the posi-
tioning means preferably includes a first transport means such as
a ~ertically running motor 40 which positions itself along a ~er-
tically extending rod 42. The positioning means also includes a
1~ second transport means such as horizontally running motor 44
which positions itself along horizontally extending rod 46.
~otors 40 and 44 may be driven along rods 42 and 46, respec-
tively, by a rack and pinion arrangement wherein rods 42 and 46
are geared racks and wherein motors 40 and 44 include driven pin-
1~ ions 41 for engaging those racks. Vertically extending rod 42 is
fixed in position on storage rack 12 by bracket 4a which engages
an end of vertically extending rod 42. A second vertically ex-
tending smooth surfaced rod 50 is positioned on the opposite side
o~ storage rack 12 and is held in place by bracket 52. One end
~a of horizontally extending rod 46 is fixed ~o T-shaped sliding
bearing member 54 which allows horizontally extending rod 46 to
slide along second vertically extending rod 50. The other end of
horizontally extending rod 46 is attached to a second sliding
member 56 which is also attached to and serves a mount for the
~7~8~3
vertically running motor 40. Second sliding member 56 is
slidable along vertically extending rod 42 and is driven along
vertically ex~ending rod 42 by vertically running motor 40. In
this way, vertically running mo~or 40 can be actuated to ver~i-
cally position vertically running motor 40, second sliding member
56, ~-shaped sliding member 54, horizontally extending rod 46,
and horizontally running motor 44 attached to horizon~ally ex-
tending rod 46. Thus, horizontally running motor 4~ is vertical-
ly positioned by vertically running motor 40. ~t can be seen
that horizontally running motor 44 is attached to base 36 of car-
rier means 35 for positioning carrier means 35 proximate to a se-
lected storage position in storage rack 12 in response to user
input.
As shown in Figs. 5a and 6a, engaging means 55 is fixed to
l~ carrier means 35 for engaging, holding and disengaging a selected
item. As shown in Fig. 6a, the engaging means 55 comprises a me-
chanical finger means 58 including an engaging means support 60
which is fixed to rotatable table 38. Relatively movable fingers
62 and 64 are pivoted about pivot shaft 66 by a solenoid 68,
fixed ~o engaging me~ns support 60. When such an arrangement is
used, a selected video cassette is housed in a special case 70
having a bar 72 mounted on case 70 for engagement between fingers
62 and 64.
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An alternative engaging means 55 is seen in Fig. 6b. An en-
gaging means support 74 is attached to rotatable table 38 and
contains a magnetic means such as electromagnet 76 which is se-
lectively energized to create a magnetic field. When this em-
bodiment of the engaging means 55 is used, a second special video
cassette case 78 is used to house a selected video cassette such
that case 78 contains a slug or section 80 of magnetizable or
magnetic material seated in case 78 for magnetic attraction and
engagement by the electromagnet 76.
ld In this manner, the engaging means 55 mounted on carrier
means 35 can engage or disengage a video cassette item at one o~
the supports 14 in storage rack 12 or engage a video cassette
placed in transfer housing 32. It is noted that since the engag-
ing means supports 60 or 74 are fixed to rotatable table 38 they
l~ are rotatable with rotatable table 38 relative to base 36.
Rotatable table 38 includes translational movement means such as
winding motors 82 and 84 which alternatively drive shuttle belt
86 between them and along guide pulleys 88 so that belt 86 trans-
lates back and forth parallel to the top surface 90 of rotatable
table 3a. Belt 86 is fixed by a drive dog 89 to engaging means
support 60 through an elongated longitudinal slot 81 in top sur-
face 90 of rotatable table 38.
As shown in Fig. 5b, engaging means support 60 can alterna-
tively be driven along rotatable tahle 38 by a reversible motor
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~ ~ 7~ ~3
92 which drives a sprocket 91 meshing with a toothed timing belt
93 which is attached by a suitable coupling 9S to engaging means
support 60 through an elongational longitudinal slot 81 in top
surface 90 of rotatable table 38. Timing bel~ 93 includes a
switch actuation tab 97 for operating limit switches 94 and 96 to
stop reversible motor 92 when engaging means support 60 is in a
limit position near either end of rotatable table 38. Therefore,
it is seen that engaging means support 60 is supported by the ro-
tatable table 38 while being mounted for translational movement
relative to rotatable table 38. These facilities enable movement
of the enqaging means to advance and withdraw video cassettes
from storage rack 12 and further deposit cassettes in and remove
cassettes from transfer housing 32.
Dispensing machine 10 also includes reader means for identi-
lS fying a selected item. As shown in Figs. Sa and Sb, such reader
means includes a reader head 97 which is preferably capable of
reading a bar code. As seen in Fig. 4, the video cassettes are
stored in cases 98 having a window 100 which is aligned with a
portion of the video cassette inside case 98 which displays a bar
~0 code 102 indicating the identity of the particular video cas-
sette. ~ar code 102 is readable by the bar code reader in reader
head 97. As can be seen from Figs. Sa and Sb, reader means such
as reader head 97 is fixed to engaging means support 60 of engag-
ing means 55 for movement therewith. Since the reader means is
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~ ~7~3
~i~ed to engaging means 55 and en~aging means 55 is fixed to ~he
rotatable table 38, the reader means also moves with rotatable
table 38. In addition, since rotatable table 38 is part of car-
rier means 35, the engaging means 55 moves with carrier means 35.
It can be seen from Fig. 1 that carrier means 35 is posi-
tionable over a locus that defines the plane between a plurality
of storage positions such as the two-dimensional array of sup-
por~s 1~ and the transfer housing 32 of vend position 17.
As can be seen from Fig. 8, dispensing machine 10 optionally
1~ includes auxiliary storage racks 13 similar to storage rack 12.
Auxiliary storage racks 13 are positioned in an arrangement which
is spaced from storage rack 12 to allow carrier means 35 to
access either storage rack 12 or auxiliary storage rack 13 from
their respective inwardly facing sides. The provision of
1~ rotatable table 38 on carrier means 35 allows engaging means 55
to engage video cassette cartri~ges stored in either storage rack
12 or auxiliary storage rac~ 13. In this manner, a greater vari-
ety or quantity of video cassettes may be stored in an individual
dispensing machine 10.
An arrangement for further increasing the variet~v or quanti-
ty of available video cassettes is shown in Fig. 9. A plurality
of dispensing machines 10 include a multiple operation exit polnt
similar to or convertible from dispensing station housing 22.
When a selected tape is issued from the multiple operation exit
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8~3
point 25, gravity causes the tape to be directed down a chute
onto conveyor belt 31 and thereby transported to the desired lo-
cation. As shown in Fig. 9, dispensing machines 10 may be
arranged in a row along one side of the conveyor belt 31. Alter-
natively, dispensing machines 10 may be arranged on both sides of
conveyor belt 31.
In addition to increasing the quantity of video cassettes
available, this arrangement is particularly useful in a situation
requiring higher security than usual. In such a situation,
dispensing machines 10 may be located inside a buil~ing and the
video cassettes may be dispensed by conveyor belt 31 to a custom~
er on the outside of the building through a chute 41 which passes
through a wall ~3 in the building. In addition, such wall would
have an input select panel 45 by which customers could request a
1~ particular video cassette as described below.
Dispensing machine 10 also comprises a memory means for
storing and processing information about the contents of the
storage positions and the identity of the selected item such as
the bar code representing the title of a particular video cas-
~O sette. Preferably, the memory means includes a microprocessor
system 104 which can receive, transmit, and remember information
about th~ contents of the storage positions and the identity of a
selected item such as the bar code representing the title of a
particular video cassette.
7 ~ ~3
A suitable microprocessor system is commercially available.
For example, the Pro-Log model 7842 microcomputer by Pro-Log,
Inc. for the ST~ BUS System is acceptable for these purposes. A
block diagram of the control system is shown in Fig. 10. Addi-
S tionally, Figs. 11-17 show flow diagram representations describ-
ing the sequence of operation of the dispensing machine. Micro-
~ processor system 104 will be discussed further below in
describing the operation of the dispensing machine 10. A menu
display 106 is mounted on front panel 16 in communication with
microprocessor system 104 for informing the user of dispensing
machine 10 of the selections which may be made based on the video
cassettes which are presently contained in storage rack 12 of
dispensing machine 10.
The vending machine also has input select means for in-
putting a request for a selected video cassette in a user acces-
sible position. Preferably, a keyboard 108 is positioned on the
front panel 16 proximate to the insertion station housing 18.
Keyboard 108 includes numbered push button switches which are
connected to microprocessor system 104 for coding in a request.
Further description of the operation and interrelationship be-
tween keyboard 108 and microprocessor 104 will be described
below.
Customer identifier means is provided for identifying a cus-
tomer and either perm;tt;ng or preventing that customer from
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~ 2'7~
further use of the machine. The customer identifier means also
allows microprocessor system 104 to identify an account corre-
sponding to the customer, debit that account when a selected
video cassette is carried to the vend position from one of the
s storage positions and credit that account ~hen a selected video
casset~e is carried to one of the storage positions from the vend
position. Microprocessor system 104 records when the cassette is
vended and when the cassette is returned and whether the cassette
is returned in a damaged condition.
1~ The customer identifier means preferably includes a card in-
sertion slot 110 in the front panel of the machine near the num-
ber keyboard 108. Card insertion slot 110 includes conventional
card reading means (not shown) which is capable of reading a mag-
netic strip or other indicia on the card. This information is
transmitted to the microprocessor system 104 to either permit or
prevent a customer from further use of the machine by permitting
or preventing the machine from responding to a customer's com-
mands.
The microprocessor system 104 also includes validation means
such as a program for validating input into the customer identi-
fication means and confirming the presence of a selected video
cassette prior to debiting or crediting the account. The micro-
processor system 104 is programmed to accept certain codes which
are associated with the identification cards of customers. This
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allows the owners of the vending machine to prevent the machine
from being used by customers who have failed tO pa~ bills or have
violated other conditions for using the machine. In turn, the
microproceSSor system prevents actuation of keyboard 108 from
causing the machine to operate.
In addition, microprocessor system 104 is programmed to con-
firm the presence of a selected video cassette prior to deoiting
or crediting the account of a customer. Microprocessor system
10~ receives input from reader head 97 which reads bar code 102
of a video cassette through window 100 in video cassette case ga
when vending the video cassette to a customer. Upon vending the
cassette, the identity of the cassette is confirmed to avoid the
possibility of an error resulting from incorrect storage of a
video cassette. When the video cassette is returned by a custom-
er, microprocessor system 104 compares the code which is read to
records listing video cassettes which had previously been issued
but not returned by the customer identified by the identification
card which had been inserted into the machine. In this way, the
proper number of days for the rental charge can be computed upon
return of a video cassette and the account can be properly cred-
ited with the return of the cassette.
Microprocessor system 104 includes memory means for record-
ing empty cassette storage positions that become vacant upon
vending of video cassettes stored in these storage positions.
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~.
~7~33
~hen a video cassette is returned to opening 20 in the insertion
station for credit, microprocessor system 10~ directs motors 4~
and 44 of the positioning means to an empty cassette storage pG-
sition as recorded in the memory means of microprocessor system
104. The video cassette is then housed in that storage position
and its position is recorded in the microprocessor system 104.
This allows the machine to indicate the availability of the par-
ticular video cassette to a subsequent customer and may provide a
subsequent customer with that video cassette. Thus, a trained
1~ service person is not required to manually restock the returned
video cassettes in storage positions and program the machine to
recall the location of such restocked video cassettes.
The vending machine includes means for allowing a service
person to remove all video cassettes with an undesired title from
l; the machine and restock the machine with video cassettes having a
newly released title. The customer identifying means includes
means for identifying a service person, and the input select
means includes means for requesting all copies of a selected
video cassette so that all copies of a selected video cassette in
the video cassette storage positions are serially and continu-
ously carried ~o the vend position.
This is accomplished by providing service people with iden-
tification cards which are generally similar to the identifica-
tion cards for regular customers. The means for identifying a
~ 7
service person includes a program in microprocessor or system 1
which identifies the machine's user as a service person. ~icro-
processor system 104 then permits means for requesting all copies
of a selec~ed video cassette to be actuated. Such means for re-
questing all copies includes keyboard 108, which can be used to
input such a request, and a suita~le program in microprocessor
system 10~.
Keyboard 108 can be used to command microprocessor system
10~ to cause the carrier means 35 to serially and continuously
carry all copies of a selected video cassette to the vend posi-
tion, such as opening 2~ in dispensing housing 22. Therefore, a
service person need not continuously code in a request for a se-
lected video cassette on keyboard lOa to remove all copies when
that particular video cassette is no longer to be offered to cus-
1~ tomers. This arrangement allows the vending machine to be re-
stocked by service personnel who are not highly trained and who
do not require the machine to be opened in order to accomplish
their function. The machine is restocked with new video cas-
settes by a service person in the manner described above with re-
gard to the description of how a customer returns and redeposits
a video cassette.
The vending machine also preferably includes printing means
for printing a statement of the transactions and issuing the
statement to a customer upon completion of a ~ransaction. Such
-18-
printing means preferably includes a conventional receipt printer
112 positioned in front panel 16 of the vending ~achine and con-
nected to microprocessor system 104 so that receipt printer 112
prints the details of the transaction on a slip of paper which is
issued to a customer. Such details include ~he identity of the
video cassette involved in the ~ransaction, the time and date of
the transaction, the charges to be incurred, and the date that
the video cassette was either previously dispensed to the custom-
er or the date that the video cassette is due to be returned to
ld the vending machine.
The vending machine is provided with a means for commu-
nicating information between the microprocessor memory means such
as microprocessor system 104 and an external system 116. The
means for communicating information is preferably a communication
system 114 including an interface between microprocessor system
104 and a telephone line which allows the microprocessor system
to be accessed from a remote location by an external system 116
such as a telephone or a computer which is compatible with the
telephone system and microprocessor system 104.
Microprocessor system 104 is preferably programmed to allow
a customer to reserve a selected video cassette by telephone to
prevent the vending machine from providing a copy of the selected
video cassette to a customer who has not reserved that selected
video cassette and if the number of copies of the selected video
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7 ~ ~3
cassette does not exceed the number of reserved copies of the se-
lected video cassette. Microprocessor system 104 includes means
for receiving a coded video tape selection inputted by dialing a
number on a customer telephone which comprises part of e~ternal
system 116.
The video tape reservation means also includes means for
generating and communicating voiced instructions to the customer.
~he microprocessor system 1~4 includes a tone generator for
generating a synthesized voice to be transmitted over the tele-
phone lines ins~ructing a customer of the selections avai~able
and how to code in a request for a selected video cassette. In
response, the customer dials in a number on his telephone corre-
sponding to the code for the video cassette which is to be re-
served. The video cassette reservation means includes a program,
1~ in the microprocessor system 104 which prevents the vending ma-
chine from pr~viding a copy of the selected video cassette to a
c~stomer who has not reserved the selected video cassette, if the
number of copies of the selected video cassette does not exceed
the number of reserved copies of the selected video cassette.
External system 116 also preferably includes a central con-
trol location for uploading or downloading the memory of micro-
processor system 10~ so that the owners of the vending machine
may have a central data storage of information regarding custom-
ers' accounts. In this manner, administration and billing can be
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~ 7~
centralized. In addition, such a central control location could
be used to access microprocessor systems 104 o~ various machines
through communication system 114 to permit or prohibit a customer
from using the machines by invalidating the code corresponding to
S the customer's identification card.
~ommunication system 11~ can also be used to communicate in-
formation from an external system 116, such as a central control
system, so that microprocessor system 104 can be programmed with
information regarding new video cassettes which are to be stored
1~ in the machine. This allows menu display 106 to properly display
the availability of such new video cassettes to customers and
allow che machine to know where the new video casset~es are
stored without the need for on-location prosramming of the vend-
ing machine.
l; The vending machine described above is discussed in regard
to the vending of video cassettes. It is to be understood that
the vending machine as described can be used to vend selected
items other than video cassettes and that video cassettes are
given as an illustration of the selected item to be vended.
The machine as described operates in the following manner.
Customer operations are shown in the flow diaqrams of Figs.
ll-15. Service call operations are shown in Figs. 16-19. A cus-
tomer inserts a magnetically coded card into card insertion slot
llO where the card is read by a conventional card reader. The
~ 7 ~ ~3
data regarding the customer's identity is communicated to micro-
processor system 104 which either allows or denies the customer
access to the machine. Menu display 106 ~ill display a movie
category menu similar to that shown in Fig. 3a and the customer
will actuate keyboard 108 ~o select the general category of his
choice on a movie category menu. Menu display 106 will then dis-
play a title selection menu such as that shown in Fig. 3b corre-
sponding to the selected movie category. The customer will again
actuate keyboard 108 to select the title of the movie of his
choice or reject the choices to return to the movie category menu
shown in Fig. 3a. If a customer chooses one of the titles, menu
display 106 will display inormation regarding the selected title
such as that shown in Fig. 3c.
At this point, the customer commands the vending machine to
l; vend the selection by making an appropriate entry on keyboard
108. Such an entry will be conveyed to the microprocessor system
10~ which then causes drive motor 40 and 44 to position carrier
means 35 so that fingers 62 and 6~ of engaging means 55 are prox-
imate to and engageable with bar 72 of case 70 of a selected
~O video cassette.
Microprocessor system 10~ positions carrier means 35 proxi-
mate to the selected video cassette because microprocessor system
104 contains a listing of the location or locations where the se-
lected video cassette is stored in storage rack 12.
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~L~74~3
~icroprocessor system 104 operates drive motor ~0 to position
itself in the proper verticaL position along vertically extending
rod 42 and operates horizontally running motor 44 to position
itself in the proper horizontal position along horizontally ex-
tending rod ~6. An illustration of the proximate positioning of
carrier means 35 and the selected cassette in storage rack 12 is
shown in Figs. 7a. Engaging means 55 is advanced toward the se-
lected video cassette so that fingers 62 and 6~ can engage bar 72
in video cassette case 70 through the actuation of solenoid 68.
It is noted that the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 6b may
be used. rn that embodirnent, an electromagnet 76 is placed prox-
imate to magnetic material 80 and energized to engage magnetic
material 80 in video cassette tape case 78.
After the video cassette has been engaged by engaging means
1~ SS, enqaging means 55 is driven by a mechanism such as motors 82
and 84 and belt 86 so that it translates across rotatable table
38 pulling the selected video cassette across top surface 90 of
rotatable table 38. Thus, engaging means support 60 translates
from the end of rotatable table 38 which is proximate to storage
rack 12 as shown in Fig. 7a to the opposite end of rotatable
table 38 as shown in Figs. 7b thereby sliding the selected video
cassette along top surface 90 of rotatable table 38.
Carrier means 3S is then positioned so that upper surface 90
of rotatable table 38 is in alignment with the bottom surface of
~ ~ 7~
opening 34 in transfer housing 32. Either prior, during, or sub-
sequent to this movement, rotatable table 3i3 is pivoted relative
to base 36 by operation of the motor 81. As can be seen from the
drawing, rotatable table 38 pivots from the position shown in
S Fig. 7b to the position shown in Fig. 7c.
The engaging means, and in particular the engaging means
support 60, is a~ain translated across rotatable table 38 to pus~
the video cassette across top surface 90 of rotatable table 38
into opening 3a in transfer housing 32 along the bottom surface
1~ of opening 34. As shown in the drawing, the engaging means sup-
port 60 moves from the position shown in Fig. 7c to the position
shown in Fig. 7d. At this point, the solenoid 68 is operated to
release the finger 62 and 64 and the video cassette drops through
chute 26 to dispensing station housing 22 so that the customer
1~ can take the video cassette from the machine.
Reader head 97 is activated to read bar code 102 on the se-
lected video cassette either during the transport of the tape be-
tween storage rac~ 12 and transfer housing 32 or immediately be-
fore or after such transport. Reader head 97 transmits the
~0 information read to microprocessor system 104 which records the
information and activates receipt printer 112 to print a receipt
for the customer. The receipt printer prints information re-
garding the transaction such as the identity of the selected
video cassette, the day the video cassette was vended, the day
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the video cassette will be due to be returned to the machine, and
the charge incurred during the transaction.
~ he customer can return the video cassette by inserting his
mag,ne~ic card in card insertion slot 110. The customer identifi-
cation sequence proceeds as described above and the customer
actuates keyboard 108 to indicate that a video cassette is being
recurned The customer is told when to proceed and then places
the video cassette in opening 20 in insertion station housing 18.
The carrier means is positioned proximate to transfer housing 32
1~ so that fingers 62 and 64 can engage bar 72 as shown in Fig. 7d
and reverse the sequence recited above to translate engaging
means support 60 across rotatable table 38 to the position shown
in Fig. 7c, rotate rotatable table 38 to the position shown in
~ig. 7b, and translate engaging means support 60 across rotatable
1~ table 38 to the position shown in Fig. 7a. During this sequence,
the carrier means is positioned proximate to a vacant position in
storage rack 12 so that when the carrier means reaches the posi-
tion shown in Fig. 7b, engaging means support 60 will insert ~he
video cassette directly into a storage position in storage rack
12.
Also during this sequence, reader head 97 reads bar code 102
on the video cassette and transmits that information to the memo-
ry of microprocessor system 10~ so that the machine will be able
to correctly access that video cassette when requested by a
subsequent customer.
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A service person can remove aLl copies of a selected video
cassette ~o change the available titles b~y inser~ing an identi'i-
cation card, which identifies him as a service person, in card
insertion slo~ llOo The microprocessor system 104 ~ill then
allow the service person to enter a code on keyboard 108 to allow
all copies of a selected video cassette to be transported in ~he
manner described above to the dispensing station housing 22 ~or
removal by the service person without access to the interior of
the machine and without having to provide the machine with more
than one request for all copies of the selected video cassette.
Microprocessor system 104 will co~mand carrier means 35 to remove
all video cassettes of the selected title continuously in serial
fashion.
The service person can stock the vending machine with a new
title by inserting copies of the new video cassette in the same
manner outlined above for the customer return operation. In
addition, microprocessor system 104 is programmed to remember the
locations of the new titles and is provided with information suf-
ficient to display ~ata regarding the new titles on menu display
~0 16 in the manner described above. Preferably, the information
regarding the new titles is transmitted from external system 116
such as a central control station. The central control stacion
transmits data through a telephone line to communication system
114 within the machine. Communication system 114 is compatible
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~ ~7~93
with external system 116 which transmits the data in a pro-
gramming format that is compatible with microprocessor system 104
to microprocessor system 104.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
i a method for dispensing a selected item from a storage array in a
machine including a plurality of storage positions comprising the
steps of manually entering a selection request for the selected
item, automatically positioning a carrier proximate to a desig-
nated storage position containing the selected item in response
to the request, engaging the selected item for movement by the
carrier, positioning the carrier and the engaged selected item at
a vend position, recording the empty condition of the designated
storage position in a memory system, and dispensing the selected
item to a customer.
1~ As embodied in Fig. 1, vending machine 10 includes a plural-
ity of storage positions in the form of a two-dimensional array
of supports 14 constituting storage rack 12. The selected item
preferably includes a video cassette housed in a case 98 which is
stored on a support 14 in storage rack 12. A customer manually
~ enters a selection request for a selected item by entering a code
corresponding to the selected item on keyboard 108 located on
front panel 16 of machine 10. In response to the selection re-
quest which is transmitted to microprocessor system 104, a carri-
er such as base 36 and rotatable table 38 are automatically
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~ ~ 7 ~3~
positioned by microprocessor system 104 which causes motors 40
and 44 to position themselves in the proper vertical and horizon-
tal position respectively on rods 42 and 46 respectively via a
rack and pinion arrangement, so that the carrier is proximate to
a designated storage position. rn particular, top sur~ace 90 of
rotatable table 38 is aligned with and proximate to support sur-
face 14 in a storage position containing the selected item.
The selected item is engaged for movement by the carrier by
engaging means such as fingers 62 and 64 which engage bar 72 on
the cassette case as shown in Figs. 6a and 7a. Alternatively,
the engaging means may include the electromagnet 76 which can be
joined to magnetic material ~30 in a cassette case as shown in
Fig. 6b. The carrier and the engaged selected item are posi-
tioned at a vend position through the sequence shown in Figs. 7a,
7b, 7c and 7d in a sequential manner.
In particular, the engaging means support 60 is translated
across top surface 90 of rotatable table 38 to slide the selected
item out of support 1~ in storage rack 12 onto top surface 90 of
rotatable table 38 as shown in the sequence between Figs. 7a and
~O 7b. Rotatable table 38 is pivoted with respect to base 36 by
motor 81 so that it moves bet~een the positions shown in Figs. 7b
and 7c. Engaging means support 60 then translates across rotat-
able table 38 to position the selected item in a vend position
such as opening 34 and transfer housing 32 which communicates
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7 ~ ~3
~ith opening 2~ in dispensing station housing 22 so that the cus-
tomer receives the selected item at this point. The empt~ condi-
tion of the designated storage position is recorded in a memory
system located in microprocessor system 104 so that a subsequent
request for the particular selected item will not cause the car-
rier to attempt to withdraw the selected item from the previously
designated storage position.
The contents of the storage array are stored in the memory
system of microprocessor system 10~ and displayed on menu display
106 prior to the time in which a customer enters a selection re-
quest on keyboard 108. Examples of such displays are shown in
Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c.
It is preferable that prior to entering a selection request,
the customer is identified by the insertion of an identification
card into the machine. The identification card is preferably a
laminated plastic card similar to a credit card having a magnetic
strip having a code that is read by a conventional card reader
positioned proximate to card insertion slot llO in front panel
16. The information from the card reader is transmitted to
microprocessor system 104 which either permits or prevents the
customer from using the machine.
Prior to dispensing the selected item, an account corre-
sponding to the identification card is debited for the charge of
the selected item. Microprocessor system 104 maintains
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~ ~7~ ~3
individual accounts corresponding tO codes whi-h are enterPd ato
the card reader at inser~ion slo~ 110 corresponding to each cus-
t_mer. After a selected item such as a video cassette is dis-
p2nsed, the account stored in microprocessor system 104 is de~~
; i ed Ior the charge or the selected item and a record is made o~
the date o~ the transac~ion and the identity o. the selectPd
i t em.
It is ?referable that after entering the selection request
on keyboard 10~, a determination is made as to whether the se-
l~ lected item is available. In this way, the customer's account is
debited only if the selected item is available. This determina-
tion is oreferably done by interrogation of the memory system in
microprocessor 104 prior to actuation of drive motors 40 and 44
which position the carrier means. If the selected item is avail-
1~ able, the dispensing operation will commence and the account will
be debited. If the selected item is unavailable, the machine
will so indicate by an appropriate message on menu display 106.
In order to confirm the identity of the selected item prior
to receipt by a customer, the identity of the selected item is
~O read before the carrier is positioned at the vend position. This
is done by reader head 97 which reads bar code 102 on the se-
lected item while the selected item is being transported between
storage rack 12 and transfer housing 32. When a selected item is
a video cassette, the identi~y of the selected item would include
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~ ~ 7 ~ ~3
the title of the program recorded on the video cassette. After
the customer has received ~he selected item, it is preferable
that i~ could be returned at a later time by replacing the se-
lected item in the vend position such as at opening 20 in inser-
tion station housing 18. The identity of the selected item will
be read by reader head 97 and the selected item will be engaged
for movement with the carrier as described above by engaging
means such as fingers 62 and 64.
The carrier will be positioned proximate to the designated
storage position for the selected item. The designated storage
position is preferably an empty storage position recorded in the
memory system. The selected item is redeposited in such a stor-
age position in storage rack 12. The storage position location
of the selected item after it has been redeposited in storage
rack 12 is recorded in the memory system in microprocessor system
104.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a method for redepositing a selected item in a dispensing machine
comprisinq the steps of placing a selected item in a position
which is both machine accessible and user-accessible, reading the
; identity of the selected item, engaging the selected item for
movement with a carrier positioning the carrier proximate to a
,¦ designated storage position for the selected item, and depositing
the selected item in the designated storage position.
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~q~
As embodied in Fig. 1, the selected item is a video cassette
in case 98 which is redeposited by placing it in opening 20 in
insertion station housing 1~ which communicates ~ith opening 34
and transfer housing 32 wherein the openings of such housinss are
machine accessible by finger 62 and 64 of the engaging rneans and
user-accessible since the user is able to place the video cas-
sette in such a location.
The identity of the selected item is read by reader head 97
which reads a bar code 102 which appears on the video cassette so
that it can be seen through window 100 on case 98. Such informa-
tion is transmitted to the memory of microprocessor system 104.
The selected item is engaged for movement with the carrier by
fingers 62 and 64 if the embodiment in Fig. 6a is used, or by
electromagnet 76 if the embodiment shown in Fig. 6b is used. The
selected video cassette is engaged for movement with a carrier
such as rotatable table 38 which is rotatable with respect to
base 36 as described above.
The carrier is positioned proximate to a designated storage
position for the selected item through the movement of the carri-
2~ er between the positions successively shown in Figs. 7d, 7c, and
7b as discussed above. A designated storage position for the se-
~I lected item is an empty storage position such as support 14 in
Il storage rack 12 as shown in Fig. 7b. The selected item is depos-
ited in the designated storage position by the mo~ement of the
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.
engaging means support 60 along rotatable table 38 bet~een the
position as shown in Figs. 7b and 7a as described above.
The location of empty storage positions are recorded in the
memory system and the identity of the selected item and the stor-
age position location of the selected item are recorded in the
memory system after the selected item is deposited into the des-
ignated storage position as described above. Prior to the
redepositing operation, an identification card as described above
is inserted into the machine at card insertion slot 110 to be
read by a card reader in a conventional manner. After the iden-
tity of the selected item ;s read by reader head 97 in the manner
discussed above, an account corresponding to the identification
card is credited by entering the appropriate data into an account
corresponding to the code of the identification card which is
stored in microprocessor system 104.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader
aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, rep-
resentative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and de-
~ scribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details
without departing rom the spirit or scope of the applicant's
general inventive concept.
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