Automated videocassette dispensing terminal coupled to store's computerized rental system

Claim 1

A system for renting videocassettes, comprising: (a) a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of a video store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of the video store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and videocassette identification information for each videocassette rented; (b) at least one manned point of sale terminal for renting and returning videocassettes which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each videocassette rented to or returned by a customer at said point of sale terminal; and (c) at least one automated videocassette dispensing terminal for renting videocassettes which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to said customer list and said videocassette inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette rented at said automated videocassette dispensing terminal; wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette and to update said videocassette inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.

Claim 2

A system for renting videocassettes, comprising: (a) a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of a video store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of the video store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and videocassette identification information for each videocassette rented; (b) at least one manned point of sale terminal for renting and returning videocassettes which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each videocassette rented to or returned by a customer at said point of sale terminal; and (c) at least one automated videocassette dispensing terminal for renting videocassettes which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to said customer list and said videocassette inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each videocassette rented at said automated videocassette dispensing terminal; wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette and to update said videocassette inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.

Claim 10

A method for renting videocassettes, comprising: (a) having a clerk enter rental information through a manned point of sale terminal in a video store as videocassettes are rented to and returned from a customer, said rental information comprising customer identification and videocassette identification information; (b) providing an automated videocassette dispensing terminal from which customers can rent videocassettes by entering said rental information themselves; (c) communicating said rental information from said manned point of sale terminals and said automated videocassette dispensing terminal to a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of said video store, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal operating in accordance with information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of said video store which is centrally stored in said host computer; (d) compiling and storing said rental information which is stored in said host computer with time of rental and return to generate updated information relating to said videocassette inventory and customer rentals of videocassettes; and (e) processing said rental information with said time of rental and return in said host computer to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette.

Claim 11

A method for renting videocassettes, comprising: (a) having a clerk enter rental information through a manned point of sale terminal in a video store as videocassettes are rented to and returned from a customer, said rental information comprising customer identification and videocassette identification information; (b) providing an automated videocassette dispensing terminal from which customers can rent videocassettes by entering said rental information themselves; (c) communicating said rental information from said manned point of sale terminals and said automated videocassette dispensing terminal to a host computer in a point-of-sale management system of said video store, said automated videocassette dispensing terminal operating in accordance with information relating to a customer list and videocassette inventory and customer rental information of said video store which is centrally stored in said host computer; (d) compiling and storing said rental information which is stored in said host computer with time of rental and return to generate updated information relating to said videocassette inventory and customer rentals of videocassettes; and (e) processing said rental information with said time of rental and return in said host computer to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned videocassette.

Claim 20

A system for renting products, comprising: (a) a host computer in a point-of-sale system of a store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and product inventory and customer rental information of said store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and product identification information for each product rented; (b) at least manned one point of sale terminal for renting and returning products which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each product rented to or returned by a customer; and (c) at least one automated dispensing terminal for renting said products which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to customer list and said product inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each product rented at said automated dispensing terminal; wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned product and to update said product inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.

Claim 21

A system for renting products, comprising: (a) a host computer in a point-of-sale system of a store for compiling and storing information relating to a customer list and product inventory and customer rental information of said store based upon rental information received as well as time of rental and return, said rental information comprising customer identification information and product identification information for each product rented; (b) at least manned one point of sale terminal for renting and returning products which communicates to said host computer said rental information entered at said point of sale terminal by a store clerk for each product rented to or returned by a customer; and (c) at least one automated dispensing terminal for renting said products which communicates to said host computer and operates in accordance with said information relating to customer list and said product inventory and customer rental information which is centrally stored in said host computer, said automated dispensing terminal communicating to said host computer said rental information entered by a customer for each product rented at said automated dispensing terminal; wherein said host computer processes said rental information with said time of rental and return to calculate a proper rental fee for each returned product and to update said product inventory information which is centrally stored in said host computer.