Patent · US Expired

Automated vending machine system for recorded goods

US5445295A · kind A · utility

438Cited by
11References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 17, 1992
Grant dateAug 29, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07F11/62
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An unattended vending machine for the sale of articles such as compact audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, electromagnetic or electro-optical storage devices, or any other device capable of storing recorded information for subsequent reproduction by a patron. The machine displays the various disks or cassettes available, for customer purchase, and is also capable of playing extracts or complete sections of audio or audio-visual entertainment from the available disks or tapes on a video screen or audio speaker. Communications capability is available for transmitting pricing, accounting, and alarms, and for verifying credit cards, and a centralized automatic-ordering system permits reduced human intervention, and the maintenance of high levels of sales with a minimum inventory.

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