Automated business system and method of vending and returning a consumer product

Abstract

System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

1 . A method of returning disc-based media to a disc-based media system, the method comprising: 
 inserting the disc-based media in a port of the disc-based media system without regard to orientation of the disc-based media.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising automatically detecting the presence of the disc-based media at the port.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising reading a RFID tag on the disc-based media.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising comparing the read information to a transaction database to verify that the correct disc-based media has been returned.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising printing a receipt upon request.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising retrieving the disc-based media from the port and positioning the disc-based media in a storage location.  
   
   
       7 . A method of returning disc-based media to a disc-based media system, the method comprising: 
 placing the disc-based media in a receptacle in the disc-based media system; and    automatically recognizing the disc-based media in the receptacle.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising automatically detecting the presence of the disc-based media in the receptacle.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising reading a RFID tag on the disc-based media.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising comparing the read information to a transaction database to verify that the correct disc-based media has been returned.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising printing a receipt upon request.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising retrieving the disc-based media from the receptacle and positioning the disc-based media in a storage location in the disc-based media system.  
   
   
       13 . A method of adding disc-based media to a disc-based media system, the method comprising: 
 inserting the disc-based media in a receptacle in the disc-based media system;    automatically reading a radio frequency tag on the disc-based media; and    positioning the disc-based media in a storage position, the disc-based media available for selection by a user.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising downloading one of a sound file and a video file associated with the added disc-based media.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising accessing a remote server to download one of a sound file and a video file associated with the added disc-based media.