Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An article handling method and system for an article handling machine operable by users having identification (ID) cards bearing user identifying codes for vending and/or receiving articles which bear article identifying codes and are stored within storage bins in the machine. The article handling system includes a novel article transport and a novel user and article code reading arrangement. The article transport is selectively operable in a vending mode to transport user-selected articles from their storage bins to a position accessible to machine users for removal of the selected articles from and later return of the articles to the machine and in a return mode to transport returned articles from the user accessible position to their storage bins. The user and article code reading arrangement embodies a single common code reader for reading both ther user code on user ID cards inserted into the machine and the article codes on articles vended to and returned by machine users. The disclosed article handling machine is a vending machine which vends user-selected magnetic tape cassettes, such as video cassettes, in response to insertion of a proper user ID card and rental fee into the machine and embodies a novel telephone cassette reservation feature, cassette/storage bin association feature, and rental fee credit feature for prompt cassette return.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim