DE29700706U1 - Rental machine for video cassettes - Google Patents

Description

Marc Möller, Hardenbergstraße 17, 28201 Bremen Video cassette rental machine

The invention relates to a device for the automated delivery and return of sound and/or image recording media, in particular video cassettes.

The distribution, i.e. sale and rental of sound and/or image recording media such as compact discs or video cassettes currently takes place exclusively through specialised shops (e.g. "video stores") or corresponding departments of bookshops, department stores, etc. Since video cassettes in particular are mostly purely leisure items, for which a need often arises spontaneously in one's free time, this means, due to the fact that the free time of most (working) people is concentrated in the evenings and weekends, that the usual rental or sales outlets for video cassettes etc. are regularly just

2527

Bremen:

Hoilerallec 32, D-28209 Bremen
I'OB 10 71 27, D-28071 Bremen

Telephone (04 21) 3 40 90
Fax (04 21)3 49 17 68

Telex 244 95Kbtipai ö

Munich:

l-'ran2.|i»eph-Straße 38 D-SOHOt Munich

Telephun (0 89) 34 70 80 Tcleto 10 89)34 70 10 &Bgr;&lgr; 524 2»2f(irijipü

Berlin-Brandenburg: Düsseldorf:

Hclenc-l-ange-Slraße D-!446D Potsdam

Telephone (03 31 (27 54 li'lufax (0331)2754321

NeSlerstniße D-40593 Düsseldorf Telephone (02 11)71 m 83
Fax (02 1 Il 7 18 27 50

Leipzig:

Philipp.Rosvnthui-Straßc 21 D-O4105 Leipzig

Telenlum iO3 41) 9M2J 77 TvMlN 103 41)3103 25

Kiel:

Nieniannsweg D-24105 Kiel

lelephun (0431)84075 'leldax (04 311 8 40

Alicante:

Plaza Calvo Soldo 1-2 iiS-03001 Alicante (Spain)

Telephone »34-6-59S 0038

&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr;.& P.OEHMERT.

are closed when there would otherwise be increased demand.

However, this problem cannot be solved with a simple vending machine, for example like a conventional drinks or cigarette vending machine, since most customers are not interested in buying something, but only want to borrow a corresponding audio or video storage device for a short period of time. Conversely, certain measures are required for rental to ensure that the item is returned, which are not necessary for conventional vending machines and are therefore not provided for.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device with which the delivery and return of sound and/or image recording media, in particular video cassettes, is possible in an automated manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for the automated delivery and return of sound and/or image recording media, in particular video cassettes, with (a) a storage device for storing recording media, (b) a data input device for entering user data and recording media-related data, (c) an output device for outputting and/or displaying data, (d) a delivery device for delivering recording media, (e) a control device for identifying a user and for controlling the devices (a) to (d).

The storage device (a) is expediently designed in the manner

BOEHMEKi; & J3OEH.MERT

a shelving system with a gripper that can be moved in several coordinate directions.

Preferably, the data input device (b) comprises a keyboard and/or a tactile screen.

The output device (c) can have a monitor. In addition, a printer can be provided for issuing a control printout (receipt).

Conveniently, the control device (e) comprises a programmable computer.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine has a check card, credit card and/or banknote reader. It is preferably provided that the machine is operated with a special card that is authorized before the first use.

It can be provided that a target return time for a delivered recording medium is stored in the control device (e).

In an embodiment of this idea, it can further be provided that the control device (e) generates a message if the corresponding recording medium has not been returned at a target return time.

In an embodiment of the invention, a system comprising several devices according to the invention can be provided in which the control devices are networked with one another.

&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr;.& BJDEHMERX

The network can be established via a LAN bus system or with the help of a modem via the telephone network. In this way, it is possible, for example, to show a customer in which machine he can borrow or purchase a recording medium that is not currently available.

In such a system, it can be provided that a single, higher-level control device takes over the control of several machines.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to a drawing in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a video storage unit in a rental or vending machine for video cassettes according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of the video tray of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a borrowing or return process on a machine according to the invention; and

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a return process on a machine according to the invention.

Fig. 1 to 4 illustrate the invention using a sales and rental machine for video cassettes. In

BOEHMERTÄ BDEHMERX

Fig. 1 and 2 show the basic structure of such a machine in a very schematic way. The main elements of the machine are, on the one hand, the storage 1 for video cassettes, which is constructed like a shelf and offers space for a large number of video cassettes, and, on the other hand, an input and output part 2, which has operating and display elements, a compartment or the like for inserting or removing a cassette, etc.

A carriage 3 that can be moved in the X and Y directions and has a gripping or detection device for video cassettes attached to it is used to remove a requested video cassette from the tray 1 and place it in the output compartment in the input and output section 2 or, conversely, to pick up a cassette when it is returned and place it in its place in the tray 1.

The control of the interaction of user recognition, cassette selection, display control, payment, etc. is coordinated by a computer that is either located as an individual computer on each machine or in the form of a higher-level computer that controls several networked machines. The user has a keyboard and/or a tactile screen ("touchscreen") available for entering data (user data, password, film request, etc.).

All processes that take place at the machine are assigned to the customer and saved on the computer. This makes it possible to see which films are still available for rental or sale and which films are available for which customer.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT.

have been borrowed. The films can be identified internally using magnetic strips attached to the cassette and/or the associated case. Based on the information recognized by the magnetic strip, the films that have been lent are returned to their respective place in the tray.

To ensure that video cassettes are returned when renting them, new customers must present an ID card or similar in an associated shop before using the machines for the first time. The customer's details are stored by the operator. A certain amount of money is available on this card, which the customer must pay when receiving the card. The costs incurred when using the machines are deducted from this amount. When the card account is used up, the customer must purchase a new card or "top up" the existing card. The data on the current amount still available is also transmitted to the computer each time the machine is used and assigned to the customer's details, so that it can be checked at any time. Alternatively, payment can be made using cash (banknote reader), check cards or credit cards.

If a cassette is not returned on time, the computer will issue a message containing all the data on the borrowed cassettes as well as the customer data.

For a better understanding of the drop-off and return processes

&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr;

Fig. 3 and 4 show the associated processes in the machine in a flow chart. Firstly, referring to Fig. 3, a user sees the prompt "insert card" on a machine that is ready for use. After inserting the card, the customer can be asked to enter a PIN or a password. After the PIN or password has been entered correctly, the data is saved and the customer is asked to select either the "return" program for a cassette from the machine or the "return" program for a cassette that was previously borrowed.

After selecting "Submit", the film groups or film subgroups are displayed and selected, after which the user finally selects a film. The selected film is taken from the tray and, after the submission data has been saved, issued to the user. After the card is returned to the user, the machine is ready for use again.

The process for "returning" a previously borrowed cassette (Fig. 4) initially corresponds to the process explained above until the "return" function is selected. When asked to insert the film into a storage compartment or similar, the user inserts the film, the film data is checked and displayed and acknowledged by the user.

After the film has been handed over by the control system, the rental costs are calculated and either debited from the user's own card or, if available, settled via a banknote reader. After printing out a receipt and issuing the user's card, the machine is ready for use.

&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr;&Agr;

&eegr;

a new borrowing or return process is available.

The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims (13)

· · BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT LAW FIRM Registered mail To the German Patent Office Zweibrückenstr. 80297 Munich DR.-1NG, KARL BOEHMERT, PAm»-W3i DlPL-ING. ALBERT BOEHMEKT, PA nw-msi WILHELM JH STAHLBERG, RA, busmen DR.-1NG. WALTER HOORMANN, PA·, b«f,mf,.\ DIPL.-PHYS. DR. HEINZ GODDAR, PA*. Munich DR.-ING. ROLAND LiESEGANG ₁ PA·, Munich WOLF-DIETER KUNTZE, RA. bbf.men.al.ca.nte DIPL.-PHYS. ROBERT MÜNZHUBER, PA ««5.1*01 DR. LUDWIG KOUKER, RA. hhemen DR. (CHEM.) ANDREAS WINKLER, PA*. Bremen MICHAELA HUTH, RA, mLnchf.n DIPL.-PHYS, DR. MARION TÖNHARDT, PA ^S . Düsseldorf DR. ANDREAS EBERT-WEIDEXFELLER. RA. Bremen MARTIN WIRTZ ₁ RA, bkkmln PROF, DR. WILHELM NORDEMANN. RA, hisimm DR. AXEL NORDEMANN, RA, Potsdam ANKE SCHIERHOLZ, RA ₁ pordam DIPL.-ING. EVA LIESEGANG, PA*, httsimm DIPL-ING. DR. [AN TÖNNIES. PA, RA.mel DIPL.-PHYS. CHRISTIAN BIEHL, PA*. tasi. DIPL.-PHYS. DR. DOROTHEE WEBER-BRULS, PA*, m.» DR.-ING. MATTHIAS PHILIPP, PA«, ubcmen DiPL.-PHYS. DR. STEFAN SCHOHE, PA', unrein l ilic F.U-Tradfn:ar(i Office. Alicante I ¹ A ■ Pak'mam &Bgr;&Lgr; ■ Rcchlsani Your sign
Your ref. Your Letter of New registration (utility model) Our symbol
Our ref. M2960 Bremen 15 January 1997 Marc Möller, Hardenbergstraße 17, 28201 Bremen Video cassette rental machine Expectations 1. Device for the automated delivery and return of sound and/or image recording media, in particular video cassettes, with a) a storage device (1) for storing recording media, b) a data input device for entering user data and data relating to the recording medium, c) an output device for outputting and/or displaying data, 2527 Bremen: llollcrallec 32, D28209 »pure
POI). ID 71 27,13-28071 llrcmcn Telephone (0421)341) 41) Munich; !-'ranzloseph-Slraßt; 38 D-80S01 Munich Ti'U'phun (O Ö9t 34 70 KO Tchh\ (0 39134 70 !i> Tdo\ 524 2K2 turbo d Berlin-Brandenburg: Düsseldorf: D-14469 PolsdLm Telephone (1)3 5 Il 27 54 lilfcfiK (1)3 311 2 75-13 JI NeßlerstraBc5 D-40593 Düsseldorf Toltiphon (02 11) 71 BQ Leipzig: Pliilipp-Rosenlhal-SiruSc 21 D-O4!Ü5 Leipzig Telephone (03 41) 9 60 29 77 Kiel: Niemannswcg !33 D-24105Kie! Alicante; Plaza Ciilvo Sniclo 1-2 ES-03001 Alicunlc {Spain) Telonliun +34-S-59» 003K BOEHMERT & d) a dispensing device for dispensing recording media, e) a control device for identifying a user and for controlling the devices a) to d). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf (a) is constructed in the manner of a shelving system with a gripper that can be moved in several coordinate directions. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data input device (b) comprises a keyboard. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data input device (b) comprises a tactile screen. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output device (c) comprises a monitor. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output device (c) comprises a printer. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (e) comprises a programmable computer. BOEHMERT <% BQEHMERT _t 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a check card, credit card and/or banknote reader. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a reader for a special customer card authorized before first use. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a target return time for a delivered recording medium is stored in the control device (e). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device (e) generates a message if the corresponding recording medium has not been returned at a target return time. 12. System comprising several devices according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control devices are networked with one another. 13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that a single, higher-level control device is present.