Patent US3718906A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3718906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vending system for remotely accessible stored information
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-06-01
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A vending system includes a central station at which various information stored on master recordings can be selectively accessed by purchasers from any of multiple remote vending machines, the accessed information being reproduced on cartridgetype storage media at that vending machine. The cartridge, upon receiving all of the selected information, is ejected from the vending machine for the permanent use of the purchaser. In a preferred embodiment the master recording medium comprises a plurality of endless master tapes continuously driven by a common capstan. The master tapes may contain commercially recorded music which is selectively transferred to a magnetic tape cassette at a vending machine. The master tapes may contain complete albums of recordings which are automatically produced on the cassette, or alternatively may contain a variety of solo recordings which can be individually selected to create a new album of the purchaser''s choice.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lightner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/30; G07F17/305; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B5/00; H04N2007/1739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An information transmission and vending system, comprising: a master storage medium located at a central station and containing a plurality of stored information segments; a plurality of vending machines, each located at a respective location remote from said central station; a signal transmission link for connecting said master storage medium to one or more of said vending machines on call; means for transmitting selected information segments via said transmission link to calling vending machines; wherein each vending machine includes: a plurality of blank cartridge-type storage elements; a duplicator responsive to information segments transmitted to said vending machine for duplicating thE transmitted information segments on a blank cartridge-type storage element; a selector unit actuable to provide coded signals identifying selected information segments at said central station and calling for connection between said vending machine and said master storage medium; ejection means for ejecting from said vending machine a cartridge-type storage element when the latter has a predetermined number of said information segments duplicated thereon; and payment detection means for inhibiting duplication of selected information segments at said vending machine in the absence of payment in a prescribed manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An information transmission and vending system, comprising: a master storage medium located at a central station and containing a plurality of stored information segments; a plurality of vending machines, each located at a respective location remote from said central station; a signal transmission link for connecting said master storage medium to one or more of said vending machines on call; means for transmitting selected information segments via said transmission link to calling vending machines; wherein each vending machine includes: a plurality of blank cartridge-type storage elements; a duplicator responsive to information segments transmitted to said vending machine for duplicating thE transmitted information segments on a blank cartridge-type storage element; a selector unit actuable to provide coded signals identifying selected information segments at said central station and calling for connection between said vending machine and said master storage medium; ejection means for ejecting from said vending machine a cartridge-type storage element when the latter has a predetermined number of said information segments duplicated thereon; and payment detection means for inhibiting duplication of selected information segments at said vending machine in the absence of payment in a prescribed manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said master storage medium comprises a plurality of endless tapes, each have different information segments recorded thereon, said central station additionally including: a storage rack for said plurality of master tapes, a plurality of playback heads, one head for each master tape, and a common drive mechanism for continuously driving all of said master tapes past its playback head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge-type storage elements are tape cassettes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein each of said endless tapes includes a plurality of recording channels, wherein each of said playback heads includes a like plurality of channels, one channel for each recording channel on a master tape, wherein said blank cartridge-type storage elements are respective tape cartridges having a plurality of recording channels, one such channel for each recording channel on a master tape, and wherein said means for transmitting includes multiplexing means for simultaneously transmitting signals recorded on all recording channels of the selected master tape to respective recording channels on a tape cartridge at a vending machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
An information vending system, comprising: a central station, including: a plurality of endless master tapes on which information is recorded; a playback head for each master tape for converting information recorded on said tape to information signals; and a common driver mechanism for continuously driving all of said master tapes past their playback heads; a plurality of remote stations, each including a vending machine comprising: a plurality of blank tape cartridges; a duplicator responsive to reception of information signals at said vending machine for duplicating recorded information from said endless master tapes on a blank cartridge; a selector unit, actuable to indicate which of said master tapes is to have its contents duplicated at said vending machine; means for ejecting cartridges from said vending machine when said cartridges have information duplicated thereon; and payment detector means for inhibiting duplication by said duplicator in the absence of payment in the prescribed manner at said remote location; and central switching means responsive to actuation of said selector unit at each remote location for transmitting information signals from the playback head of a selected master tape to the vending machine selecting that master tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
191 words
An information vending system, comprising: a central station, including: a plurality of endless master tapes on which information is recorded; a playback head for each master tape for converting information recorded on said tape to information signals; and a common driver mechanism for continuously driving all of said master tapes past their playback heads; a plurality of remote stations, each including a vending machine comprising: a plurality of blank tape cartridges; a duplicator responsive to reception of information signals at said vending machine for duplicating recorded information from said endless master tapes on a blank cartridge; a selector unit, actuable to indicate which of said master tapes is to have its contents duplicated at said vending machine; means for ejecting cartridges from said vending machine when said cartridges have information duplicated thereon; and payment detector means for inhibiting duplication by said duplicator in the absence of payment in the prescribed manner at said remote location; and central switching means responsive to actuation of said selector unit at each remote location for transmitting information signals from the playback head of a selected master tape to the vending machine selecting that master tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein the information recorded on at least some of said master tapes is an album of commercial audio recordings, wherein an entire selected album is transferred to a blank cartridge at a selecting vending machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein a start control signal is recorded between successive audio recordings on said master tapes, and wherein said vending machine includes means to inhibit duplicating of received information by said duplicator until said start control signal is received at said vending machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein the information recorded on at least some of said master tapes is a single commercial audio recording, recorded repetitively with said start control signal recorded before each repetition and a stop control signal recorded after each Repetition, and wherein said vending machine included means for disabling said duplicator upon receipt of said stop control signal and enabling said duplicator upon receipt of said start control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said payment detector means includes a credit card terminal and remote data processing means for detecting the validity of credit cards inserted in said terminal by comparing indicia on said card against indicia stored at said data processing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said data processing means comprises: means for compiling charges incurred against each credit card inserted in said terminal; and means for totalizing the number of times each album is selected for vending.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said selector unit is a standard telephone touch tone dialing unit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of vending at remote locations commercial recordings which are stored at a central location comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of blank tape cartridges at each remote location; detecting payment tendered at each remote location; generating coded signals in response to selection of said remote location of a recording to be vended; transmitting the selected recording from said central station to said remote location in response to the generated coded signals; upon detection of payment tendered, positioning one of the stored blank tape cartridges in position to receive the transmitted recordings; duplicating on the positioned tape cartridge the selected recording transmitted from said central station; and ejecting the tape cartridge containing the duplicated recording at said remote location.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of vending at remote locations commercial recordings which are stored at a central location comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of blank tape cartridges at each remote location; detecting payment tendered at each remote location; generating coded signals in response to selection of said remote location of a recording to be vended; transmitting the selected recording from said central station to said remote location in response to the generated coded signals; upon detection of payment tendered, positioning one of the stored blank tape cartridges in position to receive the transmitted recordings; duplicating on the positioned tape cartridge the selected recording transmitted from said central station; and ejecting the tape cartridge containing the duplicated recording at said remote location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 12 further comprising the steps of: maintaining a record of the number of times each recording is selected; and providing periodic popularity ratings for said recordings on the basis of said maintained record.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
226 words
A system for vending, at remote locations, information stored at a central station and recording the vended information on a blank tape cartridge at said remote location, said system comprising: a central station, including: a plurality of endless plural-channel master tapes on which information is recorded; a plural channel playback head for each master tape for simultaneously converting information recorded on the plural channels of said tape to respective plural information signals; and a common driver mechanism for driving all of said master tapes past their playback heads; a plurality of remote stations, each including a vending machine comprising: a duplicator responsive to reception of said respective plural information signals at said vending machine for duplicating the recorded information from said endless master tapes on said blank cartridge; a selector unit, actuable to indicate which of said master tapes is to have its contents duplicated at said vending machine; means for ejecting cartridges from said vending machine when said cartridges have information duplicated thereon; and payment detector means for inhibiting duplication by said duplicator in the absence of payment in the prescribed manner at said remote location; and common transmission means responsive to actuation of said selector unit at each remote location for transmitting said respective plural information signals from the playback head of the selected master tape to the vending machine selecting that master tape.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
226 words
A system for vending, at remote locations, information stored at a central station and recording the vended information on a blank tape cartridge at said remote location, said system comprising: a central station, including: a plurality of endless plural-channel master tapes on which information is recorded; a plural channel playback head for each master tape for simultaneously converting information recorded on the plural channels of said tape to respective plural information signals; and a common driver mechanism for driving all of said master tapes past their playback heads; a plurality of remote stations, each including a vending machine comprising: a duplicator responsive to reception of said respective plural information signals at said vending machine for duplicating the recorded information from said endless master tapes on said blank cartridge; a selector unit, actuable to indicate which of said master tapes is to have its contents duplicated at said vending machine; means for ejecting cartridges from said vending machine when said cartridges have information duplicated thereon; and payment detector means for inhibiting duplication by said duplicator in the absence of payment in the prescribed manner at said remote location; and common transmission means responsive to actuation of said selector unit at each remote location for transmitting said respective plural information signals from the playback head of the selected master tape to the vending machine selecting that master tape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of vending, at remote locations, commercial recordings which are stored at a central location, said method including the steps of: detecting the insertion of a credit card into a credit card terminal at a remote vending location; transmitting indicia associated with the inserted credit card to said central station; processing the transmitted indicia to determine validity of the inserted credit card and to charge a stored account associatEd with a valid inserted credit card; upon determination that an inserted credit card is valid, enabling equipment at said remote vending location to permit generation of coded signals in response to selection of a recording to be vended; transmitting the selected recording from said central station to said remote location in response to the generated coded signals; duplicating on the positioned tape cartridge the selected recording transmitted from said central station; and ejecting the tape cartridge containing the duplicated recording at said remote location.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of vending, at remote locations, commercial recordings which are stored at a central location, said method including the steps of: detecting the insertion of a credit card into a credit card terminal at a remote vending location; transmitting indicia associated with the inserted credit card to said central station; processing the transmitted indicia to determine validity of the inserted credit card and to charge a stored account associatEd with a valid inserted credit card; upon determination that an inserted credit card is valid, enabling equipment at said remote vending location to permit generation of coded signals in response to selection of a recording to be vended; transmitting the selected recording from said central station to said remote location in response to the generated coded signals; duplicating on the positioned tape cartridge the selected recording transmitted from said central station; and ejecting the tape cartridge containing the duplicated recording at said remote location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of: storing a plurality of blank tape cartridges at each remote vending location; and upon detection of a valid credit card into the credit card terminal of a remote vending location, automatically positioning one of the stored blank tape cartridges to receive the selected recording to be transmitted from said central station; wherein said step of ejecting includes ejecting the positioned tape cartridge after duplication of the selected recording is completed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vending system for transmitting selected remotely stored information onto blank storage cartridges, said system comprising: a master storage medium located at a central station and containing a plurality of stored information segments; a plurality of vending machines, each located at a respective location remote from said central station; a signal transmission link for connecting said master storage medium to one or more of said vending machines on call; means for transmitting selected information segments via said transmission link to calling vending machines; wherein each vending machine includes: a duplicator responsive to information segments transmitted to said vending machine for duplicating the transmitted information segments on blank storage cartridges; a selector unit actuable to provide coded signals identifying selected information segments at said central station and calling for connection between said vending machine and said master storage medium; and payment detection means for inhibiting duplication of selected information segments at said vending machine in the absence of payment in a prescribed manner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vending system for transmitting selected remotely stored information onto blank storage cartridges, said system comprising: a master storage medium located at a central station and containing a plurality of stored information segments; a plurality of vending machines, each located at a respective location remote from said central station; a signal transmission link for connecting said master storage medium to one or more of said vending machines on call; means for transmitting selected information segments via said transmission link to calling vending machines; wherein each vending machine includes: a duplicator responsive to information segments transmitted to said vending machine for duplicating the transmitted information segments on blank storage cartridges; a selector unit actuable to provide coded signals identifying selected information segments at said central station and calling for connection between said vending machine and said master storage medium; and payment detection means for inhibiting duplication of selected information segments at said vending machine in the absence of payment in a prescribed manner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein prescribed manner of payment is via credit card, said payment detection means including a credit card terminal, said system further including means for detecting the validity of credit cards inserted in said credit card terminal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 18 further comprising processing means for compiling charges incurred against each credit card inserted in said terminal; and means for totalizing the number of times each album is selected for vending.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 19 wherein said master storage medium comprises a plurality of endless tapes, each having different information segments recorded thereon, said central station additionally including: a storage rack for said plurality of master tapes, a plurality of playback heads, one head for each master tape, and a common drive mechanism for continuously driving all of said master tapes past its playback head, and wherein said storage cartridges are tape cartridges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein said selector unit is a touch tone dialing unit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein said means for transmitting includes a CATV cable.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 17 further comprising interface means for connecting said system to a data processor capable of monitoring the number of times each information segment is selected and computing billing information related to the selection of each information segment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |