CH685314A5 - Installation for renting articles such as video cassettes. - Google Patents

Description

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CH 685 314 A5

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Description

The present invention relates to an installation for ia rental of articles having respective identities, in particular videocassettes, comprising at least one dispensing apparatus comprising a rotary magazine provided with a circular row of housings for an assortment of articles, means of drive and positioning of the store, distribution means provided with a hatch closed by a movable flap in a front face of the apparatus, for picking up and returning an article in the corresponding housing, a control panel, and electronic storage and control means comprising a main electronic unit coupled to the control panel, the magazine housings being open on the side of said front face of the dispensing device.

Installations of this kind are known in particular from documents WO 87/00948, EP-A 0 060 643 and FR-A 2 620 842. Each time it is a single complex dispensing device, intended to automatically carry out all the routine operations for renting a relatively large assortment of videocassettes to subscribed customers having an individual key in the form of a card with magnetic or optical code. In order to be able to operate automatically and deliver the data necessary for invoicing, the vending machine includes a computer which controls all these functions and which stores all the information relating on the one hand to each article which must be provided with a readable identification code by the device, and on the other hand each customer, with the samplings and restitutions of cassettes which he carried out. This computer also includes peripherals allowing the operator to enter the data relating to the assortment and to output the data useful for invoicing, stock management and compilation of statistics. All this implies the presence of fairly expensive and delicate electronic equipment in the device, which is often exposed to difficult external conditions and vandalism. In addition, these devices also require competent personnel or special automatic means to take billing data from the device itself.

The present invention relates to an installation comprising one or more dispensing devices which are simpler than the aforementioned devices, and which can be used in particular internally in establishments such as hotels, hospitals or businesses. Preferably, the installation will be arranged in such a way that no storage of data for the counting of each customer is necessary in the dispensing device, so that a client can freely choose from several devices which can be grouped or dispersed .

For this purpose, the invention relates to an installation of the type indicated above, characterized in that the distribution means comprise two light barriers arranged at different distances from the hatch, between the latter and the housing located opposite it, these barriers comprising respective optical detectors, the output signals of which indicate to the main electronic unit whether an item is picked up or returned, according to the order in which it successively intercepts the light barriers.

In this way, the main electronic unit of the dispensing device identifies and controls in a very simple manner an operation for picking up or returning an item and it can record this operation in an appropriate memory or directly establish the price of rental to be paid by the client, as will be described later.

In a first particular embodiment of the invention, the installation comprises keys provided with individual codes for customers, each key comprising at least one integrated circuit with permanent memory and an electrical connector arranged to connect this circuit to a reader. key placed in each dispensing device, said main electronic unit is arranged to record, in the memory of the key, coded data representing at least the identity of a sampled item, its return and the time interval between the withdrawal and restitution of the article, and the installation comprises at least one key management unit, arranged to read said coded data in the memory of a key, to process this data so as to deliver an overall result per customer and for reset the key memory.

Thus, each key contains all the data necessary to establish a statement for the rental of the articles by the customer having this key, so that it is not essential to memorize all these data in the dispensing apparatus itself. To establish the statement, it suffices for the client to return his key to a person having access to the key management unit. On the other hand, during the return of an article, the dispensing device can read directly in the key the identity recorded during the picking up of this article, so that identification marks on each article are not necessary in that case.

Preferably, the key management unit is an appliance independent of the dispensing appliance and comprises a key reader arranged to receive said connector of a key, and a microprocessor coupled to this key reader. The key management unit may include an alphanumeric display member arranged to display at least said overall result calculated by the microprocessor, and keys to control the resetting of the memory of the key. An apparatus of this kind is described in US Pat. No. 4,179,064, but only deals with sales transactions recorded in a memory key. This relatively complex key must be powered by an electric battery and is not suitable for rental applications.

In another particular embodiment, the installation consists solely of one or more dispensing devices and each of these devices is provided with means for collecting money or notes, which are connected to the main electronic unit of the 'apparatus.

Other features and advantages of the pre5

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sente invention will appear in the following description of two embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a video cassette dispenser forming part of an installation according to a first example of the invention,

fig. 2 shows an integrated circuit key, usable with the dispenser of FIG. 1,

fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portable computer which can be connected to the dispenser of FIG. 1,

fig. 4 is a perspective view of a key management device belonging to the installation according to the invention,

fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the interior of the dispenser of FIG. 1,

fig. 6 is a view of the rear of the distributor access hatch, and FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another example of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the installation for the rental of videocassettes consists of one or more distributors 1 containing an assortment of videocassettes, a series of keys 2 intended to be loaned to customers, and one or more 3 key management devices. This device 3 is autonomous with respect to the distributor 1 and serves to establish the statement of rentals that a customer has made with his key. In addition, fig. 3 shows a portable computer 4 which is external to the installation and which is used by the operator to manage the assortment of cassettes in the dispenser 1. For this purpose, the dispenser is provided with a standardized input connector / output 5 of the RS 232 type, making it possible to temporarily connect it to the computer 4 by means of a corresponding connector 6 and a cable 7. The front face of the distributor 1 comprises a hatch 10 for the entry and exit of the cassettes, a key reader 11 provided with a male connector arranged to be coupled to a female connector 12 housed in the open end of the key 2, a control keyboard 13 with twelve keys and an alphanumeric display 14 which may be of the liquid crystal type, on several lines.

Key 2 is an electronic code key of a type currently available commercially. In addition to the connector 12, it includes an integrated circuit 16 which notably contains an electronic code identifying the key, a code identifying the distributors with which this key can be used, and a permanent memory of the EEPROM type. The electrical components 12 and 16 are embedded in a flattened body 17 made of synthetic material, comprising a mark 18 for identifying the key and a notch 19 allowing it to be blocked in the reader. To read the key code and the content of its memory, the key management device 3 includes a key reader 20 coupled to a microprocessor 21 which reads the data stored in the key, processes it and displays the result on a alphanumeric display member 22. Two control keys 23 and 24 allow a user to control different functions of the microprocessor 21. The apparatus 3 may also include a printer (not shown) for printing receipts, or a connector for output to be connected to such a printer.

The construction of the dispensing apparatus 1 appears in more detail in FIG. 5 showing the interior of the device after having removed its outer casing. The chassis 25 of the device is provided with a pair of horizontal crosspieces 26, the rear one of which supports the horizontal axis 28 of a rotary magazine 27. The magazine 27 has a cylindrical shape, with a circular bottom plate 29 disposed at the rear and supporting, near its edge, a series of dividers 30 made of synthetic material delimiting between them forty similar housings 31 which are open in the direction of the front and intended to each receive a video cassette. The separators 30 are preferably molded plastic parts, having a profiled central body whose rear end is fixed by screwing on the plate 29, and flanges 32 and 33 which radially delimit the housings 31 with the flanges 32 and 33 adjacent separators 30. The housings 31 are a little shorter than the cassettes, so that these emerge slightly forward. The separators 30 together form a hollow drum inside which is a stepping electric motor 34 which controls the rotation of the magazine 27 by means of a chain drive 35. A reference position of the magazine can be detected by means an optical cell 36 mounted on the chassis 25 and corresponding to an optical reference mark fixed to the store. The cell 36 is connected to a main electronic unit 37 controlling the overall operation of the dispenser 1. The unit 37 also includes memories in which are recorded, for each cassette, the identification number, the title of the film that it contains, the housing number 31 which is assigned to it, as well as data relating to the rentals of which the cassette was the subject. The latter data may be more or less complete, depending on the operating mode of the installation. For example, the exhibitor can content himself with memorizing only the number of rentals of each cassette, in order to properly manage his assortment of films. However, it can also be useful to memorize all the rental operations, with the code of the key used, in order to have the necessary data if a key is lost or if a cassette is not returned.

The access hatch 10 is installed on a pair of parallel plates 38 and 39 (fig. 6), fixed to the frame 25, and is located opposite one of the housings 31 of the magazine 27. The rear plate 39 has an opening profile 40 leaving a minimum passage for a cassette and for two fingers of the customer who wants to take this cassette. To close the hatch 10, the opening 40 is closed by a flap 41 which pivots in its own plane, thanks to a stepping motor 42 controlled by a secondary electronic unit 43. This unit is connected to optical detectors (not shown ) indicating

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the end positions of the shutter 41. An electromagnet 44 is intended to lock the shutter 41 in its closed position. Two light barriers, formed by light sources 45 and

46 and optical detectors 47 and 48, are arranged vertically at different distances behind the hatch 10. The barrier provided with the detector 47 is located very close to the hatch and is only cut during the removal and restitution of a cassette. The barrier provided with the detector 48 is located far enough behind to be cut by a cassette inserted fully into its housing 31. In this way, the signals transmitted to the electronic unit 43 by the detectors 47 and 48 can be used to indicate the start. of a sample of a cassette, by the successive occultation of the detectors 48 and 47, then the end of the sample by the successive illumination of these detectors 48 and 47, as well as the beginning and the end of the restitution of a cassette by successive occultation of the detectors

47 and 48, then illumination of the detector 47, the detector 48 remaining obscured. When these operations are completed, the unit 43 controls the movement of the flap 41 to close the hatch 10.

Two guide elements 50, each formed by a convex sheet fixed to the plate 39 by screws 49, are placed on either side of the hatch 10 to push back any cassette which would not be sufficiently at the bottom of its housing 31 when it passes one of these elements. Such elements 50 are also mounted on the back of the front crossmember 26. The elements 50 have the advantage of allowing the horizontal arrangement of the axis 28 and of the housings 31 of the rotary magazine without risk of blocking by displacement of the cassettes, in particular if the device is shaken. This orientation of the magazine reduces the size of the device and facilitates the cantilever mounting of the magazine, without pressing on the periphery thereof.

To have the possibility of renting videocassettes in distributor 1, for example in a hotel where this distributor is installed, the customer receives on loan an individual coded key 2. In the example described here, he can only rent one cassette at a time. He introduces his key into the reader 11 of the device 1. The main electronic unit 37 of the distributor then checks, in the integrated circuit 16 of the key, whether the last memorized operation was first the withdrawal or the return of a cassette. It is only in the latter case that it allows a new debit. The customer can then select the cassette by dialing his identification number on the keypad 13. This number can be taken from a catalog displayed next to the device. However, the client also has the possibility of scrolling on the display 14 the titles of the films contained in the cassettes and of choosing the one he wants. If the chosen cassette is present in the appliance, the main unit 37 controls the rotation of the magazine 27 so as to bring the cassette in front of the hatch 10, then controls the opening of the hatch so that the customer can take the cassette. The removal, signaled by the detectors 47 and 48, authorizes the closing of the hatch 10 and is signaled to the main unit 37 which records this operation, with the cassette number and the date, both in the memory of the key 2 and in its own memory, with the identity of the key. The key 2 is mechanically blocked in the reader 11 until the writing operations in the memories are carried out and the cassette is effectively removed. When the customer returns the rented cassette, the introduction of his key 2 into the reader 11 of the device 1 causes the hatch 10 to open. Once the introduction of the cassette has been signaled by the detectors 47 and 48 as described above, the hatch closes, the operation is recorded in the memories of the key and of the dispenser and the reader 11 releases the key.

To establish a rental statement for a client, for example when this client leaves the hotel, the latter gives his coded key 2 to an employee responsible for using the key management device 3, which is physically separate from dispenser 1 and can have an autonomous battery power supply. Once the key 2 is inserted into the reader 20, pressing the first key 23 triggers an operating cycle of the microprocessor 21 which reads and stores the data contained in the key itself, calculates the total rental times and displays the result on display 22. Subsequent pressing of the key 23 brings up the data relating to successive rentals step by step. By pressing keys 23 and 24 simultaneously, the memory of the key is reset to zero. In an alternative embodiment, such a device could be coupled or combined with a printer or a cash register. In another variant, the microprocessor 21 could be incorporated into the dispensing device 1 and use the reader 11 and the display 14 of this device.

The operator of the distributor 21 can manage the rentals entirely without using the keys 2 or the key management device 3. By connecting his laptop 4 to the connector 5 of the distributor, he accesses the memories of the main electronic unit 37, where he can take all the data that interests him about the rentals made, using appropriate software. Another software allows it to update, in the memories of unit 37, the content of the assortment of films, with the numbers, titles and positions occupied by the cassettes.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 7, a rental installation according to the invention simply consists of one or more dispensing devices 51 exploiting a stock of videocassettes whose characteristics are stored in each dispenser 51 of the installation. Each cassette is provided with identification marks, for example in the form of a bar code, which are read by a suitable device arranged below the housing located opposite the hatch 10. This embodiment of the installation is particularly simple because it does not include any individual key identifying the customer concerned, for example the chip key 2 or a magnetic or optical card, nor any special device for rental accounts. Indeed, the distributor 51, which for the

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rest is similar to the dispenser 1 described above, has a device 52 for collecting money or notes instead of the key reader 11. This device is managed as follows by the main electronic unit 37 described above.

When a customer rents a cassette without returning another, he must pay an entry price which covers at least the purchase price of a cassette. Normally, this guarantee payment is not reimbursed to the customer afterwards, but we can also provide for the possibility of partial or total reimbursement in special cases, without going through the distributor. When the customer returns the cassette to a distributor 51 in the installation, he is authorized to immediately pick up another from the same distributor provided that he pays a rental price in the device 52.

In a particularly simple operating mode, the rental price is fixed for a period which is only limited by the need to renew the stock of cassettes. Thus, it is not necessary to memorize the dates of sampling of the cassettes. The data stored in a dispenser can be limited to the characteristics of the cassette stock and the list of cassettes present in the device, this list being updated with each picking up or return operation. This allows a great simplification of the construction of the devices and a great flexibility of use by the customers and by the operator. In particular, if the installation includes several dispensing devices for a common stock of cassettes, these devices do not need to be interconnected.

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Installation for the rental of articles having respective identities, in particular videocassettes, comprising at least one dispensing apparatus comprising a rotary magazine provided with a circular row of housings for an assortment of articles, drive means and positioning of the store, distribution means provided with a hatch closed by a movable flap in a front face of the apparatus, for picking up and returning an article in the corresponding housing, a control panel, and means electronic storage and control comprising a main electronic unit coupled to the control panel, the magazine housings being open on the side of said front face of the dispensing apparatus, characterized in that the distribution means comprise two light barriers (45- 48) arranged at different distances from the hatch (10), between the latter and the housing (31) located opposite from it, these barriers comprising respective optical detectors (47, 48) whose output signals indicate to the main electronic unit whether an item is picked up or returned, according to the order in which it successively intercepts the light barriers . 2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of rotation (28) and the housings (31) of the magazine (27) are oriented in a horizontal direction and in that stationary guide elements (50) are disposed near the hatch (10) and each have a convex surface opposite the housings, so as to push back into its housing any article emerging sufficiently to come into contact with said surface when it passes in front of it. 3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the magazine (27) comprises a vertical support plate (29), mounted on the axis (28) of the magazine and forming the bottom of the housings and a series of separators (30 ) oriented axially and fixed on this plate at one of their axial ends, each separator being a molded part which comprises a partition between two housings and flanges (32, 33) which delimit radially the housings. 4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the magazine (27) is driven by a stepping motor (34) and carries an origin mark cooperating with a fixed detector (36), said motor and said detector being connected to the electronic unit main (37) so as to transmit to it indications concerning the position of the magazine. 5. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that only one of the light barriers (45—48) is obscured by an article present in the housing (31) located opposite the hatch. 6. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises keys (2) provided with individual codes for customers, each key (2) comprising at least one integrated circuit (16) with permanent memory and an electrical connector (12) arranged to connect this circuit with a key reader (11) arranged in each dispensing device (1), in that said main electronic unit (37) is arranged to record, in the memory of the key (2), coded data representing at least 1 identity of a sampled article, its return and the time interval between the withdrawal and the return of the article, and in that the installation comprises at least one key management unit (3), arranged to read said data coded in the memory of a key (2), for processing this data so as to deliver an overall result per client and for resetting the memory of the key. 7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the key management unit is an apparatus (3) independent of the dispensing apparatus (1) and comprises a second key reader (20) arranged to receive said connector ( 12) of a key, and a microprocessor (21) coupled to this second key reader. 8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the apparatus (3) for managing the keys comprises an alphanumeric display member (22), arranged to display at least said overall result calculated by the microprocessor and a printer or a connector for its connection to a printer. 9. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each device distribu- 5 10. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) is provided with a socket (5) connected to said main electronic unit (37) and intended to receive a connector (6 ) a computer (4) external to the device, in particular a portable computer. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 5 g CH 685 314 A5 teur (51) is provided with means for collecting coins or banknotes (52), which are connected to the main electronic unit of the device.