Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for vending

US4812629A · kind A · utility

278Cited by
14References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 1987
Grant dateMar 14, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S194/906
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A video cassette vending machine has a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible and a vend position which is user-accessible. A carrier unit is provided for carrying a selected video cassette between one of the storage positons and the vend position. a positioning unit is provided for positioning the carrier unit proximate to a selected storage position in response to user input. An engaging unit fixed to the carrier unit is provided for engaging and disengaging a selected video cassette. A reader unit is provided for identifying a selected video cassette. A microprocessor memory system is provided for recording and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity of the selected video cassette.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.