Redbox Automated Retail, LLC

J Mitchell Lowe

Eric J Hoersten

Christopher A Kapcar

Eric Hoersten

Gregg Kaplan

An article vending machine in a network of article vending machines capable of exchanging an inoperable rental article received from a user for an operable replacement article. The article dispensing machine checks customer identification information against one or more customer rental criteria to determine if the customer is eligible to exchange an inoperable article for an operable one. The article vending machine searches for an identical replacement article within an inventory of the machine itself and within inventories of the networked article vending machines. Alternatively, the article vending machine may provide a refund for the inoperable article.

Article vending machine and method for exchanging an inoperable article for an operable article

A system and method for communicating secondary vending options for a vendible media product having entertainment content therein is provided. The system comprises a transaction network, and a database in communication with the transaction network, wherein the database stores a plurality of digital video disc titles and a plurality of locations and release dates corresponding to the digital video disc titles. A vending controller at a vending location receives a user request signal for a digital video disc, and determines whether the digital video disc is available in a vending inventory at the vending location. A central controller receives a first signal from the vending controller, wherein the first signal comprises a secondary vending option and a user electronic mail address. The central controller receives a second signal from the vending controller, wherein the second signal comprises an indication that the digital video disc is available in the vending inventory.

Growing community of inventors

Mill Valley, CA, United States of America

J Mitchell Lowe