US 6,584,450 B1 · Method and apparatus for renting items

Abstract

According to a computer-implemented approach for renting items to customers, customers specify what items to rent using item selection criteria separate from deciding when to receive the specified items. According to the approach, customers provide item selection criteria to a provider provides the items indicated by the item selection criteria to customer over a delivery channel. The provider may be either centralized or distributed depending upon the requirements of a particular application. A “Max Out” approach allows up to a specified number of items to be rented simultaneously to customers. A “Max Turns” approach allows up to a specified number of item exchanges to occur during a specified period of time. The “Max Out” and “Max Turns” approaches may be used together or separately with a variety of subscription methodologies.

Claims100

Dependent claims

A method for renting items to customers, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more item selection criteria that indicates one or more items that a customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria;
and
in response to receiving any of the items provided to the customer, providing to the customer one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.

1 more element

A method for renting movies to customers, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more movie selection criteria from a customer that indicates one or more movies that the customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria;
and
in response to a return of any of the movies provided to the customer, providing to the customer one or more other movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria, wherein a total current number of movies provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.

1 more element

A computer-readable medium for renting items to customers, the computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more item selection criteria that indicates one or more items that a customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria;
and
in response to receiving any of the items provided to the customer, providing to the customer one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.

1 more element

An apparatus for renting items to customers comprising:

one or more processors;
and
a memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, the memory including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
receiving one or more item selection criteria that indicates one or more items that a customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria;
and
in response to receiving any of the items provided to the customer, providing to the customer one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.

4 more elements

receiving one or more item selection criteria that indicates one or more items that a customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria;
and
in response to receiving any of the items provided to the customer, one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, providing to the customer one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria, wherein a total number of items provided to the customer within a specified period of time does not exceed a specified limit.

1 more element

A computer-readable medium for renting movies to customers, the computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more movie selection criteria from a customer that indicates one or more movies that the customer desires to rent;
providing to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria;
and
in response to a return of any of the movies provided to the customer, providing to the customer one or more other movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria, wherein a total current number of movies provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for renting items

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for renting items

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims100