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System and method for selling a rental media product

a technology of a system and a product, applied in the field of system and a method for selling a rental media product, can solve the problems of less rentals, increased customer dissatisfaction, and inability to automate the access of the article dispensing machine in the conventional drawer, so as to reduce the time and expense involved, and reduce any losses

Pending Publication Date: 2006-11-16
REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention provides a removable article transport storage unit for the handling of articles of inventory. The unit has a particularly simple, yet reliable, construction for use in article dispensing machines. This aspect of the present invention makes it particularly suitable for use in association with DVD dispensing machines.
[0049] Further benefits of the present invention are to substantially reduce the time and expense involved in the stocking and maintenance of article dispensing machines situated at a plurality of hosting locations over a given period, and to reduce any losses due to pilferage of articles.

Problems solved by technology

Internet based video rental services have been plagued by their inability to meet the demands of consumers for new video releases during peak viewing times, leading to increased customer dissatisfaction.
Pay-per-view video services offer only limited selections to viewers during any time period, resulting in significantly less rentals per any given period of time.
In addition, conventional drawers do not permit automated access to the article dispensing machines.

Method used

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  • System and method for selling a rental media product
  • System and method for selling a rental media product
  • System and method for selling a rental media product

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Embodiment Construction

[0108] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0109]FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an article dispensing machine generally designated 30. Article dispensing machine 30 is one of a plurality of article dispensing machines included within an article distribution system having a plurality of such machines situated at a plurality of hosting locations. The article dispensing machines of a particular article distribution system preferably form a network. As such, those machines are preferably in electrical communication with each other and with a central office from which inventory decisions can be made.

[0110] In a preferred applicatio...

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PUM

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Abstract

A system and method for selling a rental digital video disc is provided. A request from a user to rent the digital video disc is received. First transaction data from a user interface is received, wherein the first transaction data comprises financial information corresponding to a user financial account. An electronic mail address is received, corresponding to a specific user. The digital video disc is vended from a vending machine, and it is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a prior transmission of an electronic mail message to the electronic mail address. Upon such a determination, an electronic mail message is transmitted to the electronic mail address, wherein the message comprises a uniform resource locator specifying an Internet website through which the rental digital video disc can be purchased. The method also comprises the step of receiving second transaction data via the Internet website.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 674,011, filed Apr. 22, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 824,781, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, is also incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates to a system and method for selling a rental media product having entertainment content therein. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for receiving an electronic mail address from a user for a rental transaction and transmitting an electronic mail message to the electronic mail address comprising an invitation to purchase the rental product. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] While the present invention is often described herein with reference to a digital video disc distribution system, an application to which the present invention is advantageously suited, it will be readily apparent that the present inven...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61F13/15
CPCG06Q10/06311G06F17/602G06Q20/18G06Q20/204G06Q20/387G06Q30/02G06Q30/0201G06Q30/06G07F7/069G07F9/026G07F9/10G07F11/00G07F11/002G07F11/04G07F11/165G07F11/26G07F11/48G07F11/50G07F11/54G07F17/0042G07F17/16G07F17/26G06Q10/087G06Q20/127G06Q30/0238G06Q30/0645G07F9/023G07F11/007G07F11/62G07F17/005G07F9/001G07F9/002G07F11/004
Inventor HOERSTEN, ERIC
Owner REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL
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