Apparatus and method for storing and retrieving articles
US4839505A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S194/906
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A machine from which a customer can selectably purchase or rent a videocassette or other such product, e.g., blank videotapes, music disks, and the like, or return a previously rented videocassette. The machine comprises videocassette storage device for storing a plurality of videocassettes or other such products in discrete, identifiable locations. A customer identification device receives information about the customer. Mode selection device enables the customer to select among a vend mode, a rent mode and a return mode, and videocassette selection device enables the customer to select a desired videocassette to be vended or rented. Customer access device is provided for dispensing the selected videocassette to the customer in the vend and rent modes and receiving the videocassette from the customer in the return mode. Videocassette identification device receives information representative of the identity of the videocassette and its travel case being returned in the return mode. The videocassette is accepted for return only when its travel case has been identified as having originated from that particular machine. Videocassette transport device is provided for transporting the s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.