Method and apparatus for vending

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions, said engaging means comprising a magnetic means;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identify and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions, said engaging means comprising an electromagnet;
• rotating means for rotating said table or that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identify and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• customer identifier means for identifying a customer, for debiting a customer's account when a selected item is carried to the vend position from one of said storage positions and for crediting the account when a selected item is returned;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• a plurality of individual cases which hold each said separate item, each said case having an attachment means which cooperates with said engaging means;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed ore turned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means form a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• service input means for recognizing a service request and for, upon a single service request, dispending all copies of a selecting item through the vend position;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means or accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• printing means for printing a statement of predetermined details of the vending transaction and issuing the statement to a customer upon completion of a transaction;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and as second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or releases a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• communication means for communicating information between said memory means and an external, central control, wherein said communication means includes a telephone access line;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate items in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the items, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored items;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning an item;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected item between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected item when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• rotating means or rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage positon or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or end position to engage or release a selected item in one of said storage or vend positions;
• reservation means for allowing a user to reserve a selected item and prevent the dispensing of the last remaining selected item to another;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring an item from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned item from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the item;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying an item which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.

A dispensing machine for holding a plurality of separate videocassettes in storage positions and selectively dispensing or receiving the videocassettes, the dispensing machine comprising:

• a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible;
• at least one vend position which includes a user-accessible opening;
• memory means for storing and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity and location of the stored videocassettes;
• means for accepting user input for selecting or returning a videocassette;
• carrier means for selectively transferring a selected videocassette between one of said storage positions and said vend position in response to user input, said carrier means including a rotatable table and means for moving said table to a first position proximate a selected storage position and a second position proximate said vend position;
• engaging means slidably connected to said table for selectively engaging and releasing a selected videocassette when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• a plurality of individual cases which hold each videocassette, each case having an attachment means which cooperates with said engaging means;
• rotating means for rotating said table so that said engaging means is aligned with a selected storage position or a vend position when said rotatable table is in either of said first and second positions;
• means for sliding said engaging means from a home position to an extended position in which the engaging means extends toward a selected storage position or vend position to engage or release a selected videocassette in one of said storage or vend positions;
• control means coupled with and combining with said memory means, carrier means, engaging means, rotating means and sliding means for (1) transferring a videocassette from a storage position to a user-accessible opening in response to a user selection and (2) transferring a returned videocassette from a user accessible opening to an empty storage position upon return of the videocassette;
• and
• reader means coupled with said memory means for identifying a videocassette which is dispensed or returned through the user-accessible opening.