Patents by Inventor Eric Hoersten
Eric Hoersten has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9830583Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20170148006Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, ChristopHer A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 9542661Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 9489691Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20150269660Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 9104990Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20150199666Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christoper A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 8996162Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20130231776Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a vendible product is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a vendible product. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Eric Hoersten
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Patent number: 8417380Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Eric Hoersten
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Patent number: 8155784Abstract: A system and method for regulating vendible media products is provided. A database stored information corresponding to a plurality of digital video discs within a vending apparatus at a vending location. A central server, having a memory, stores the database. An interface application interfaces with the central server and the database, and selects from the database a subset of the digital video discs. A vending processor within the vending apparatus receives a first signal from the central server, wherein the first signal comprises a list of digital video discs identifying the subset of digital video discs. The vending processor also generates a second signal to place the subset of digital video discs into a portable vending management module.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitch Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Devin Hamilton
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Patent number: 8060247Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Gregg Kaplan, J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20110145033Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Eric Hoersten
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Publication number: 20110060456Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Publication number: 20110060454Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 7853354Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Eric Hoersten
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Publication number: 20100312380Abstract: A system and method for regulating vendible media products is provided. A database stored information corresponding to a plurality of digital video discs within a vending apparatus at a vending location. A central server, having a memory, stores the database. An interface application interfaces with the central server and the database, and selects from the database a subset of the digital video discs. A vending processor within the vending apparatus receives a first signal from the central server, wherein the first signal comprises a list of digital video discs identifying the subset of digital video discs. The vending processor also generates a second signal to place the subset of digital video discs into a portable vending management module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitch Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Devin Hamilton
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Patent number: 7747346Abstract: A system and method for regulating vendible media products is provided. A database stored information corresponding to a plurality of digital video discs within a vending apparatus at a vending location. A central server, having a memory, stores the database. An interface application interfaces with the central server and the database, and selects from the database a subset of the digital video discs. A vending processor within the vending apparatus receives a first signal from the central server, wherein the first signal comprises a list of digital video discs identifying the subset of digital video discs. The vending processor also generates a second signal to place the subset of digital video discs into a portable vending management module.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: J. Mitch Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Devin Hamilton
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Publication number: 20100057871Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Gregg Kaplan, J. Mitchell Lowe, Eric Hoersten, Christopher A. Kapcar
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Patent number: 7499768Abstract: A system and method for offline vending of digital video discs is provided. The method comprises the step of receiving, at a vending location and at a first time, a request for a digital video disc from a user interface. The method also comprises the step of determining whether a vending controller is capable of being placed in communication with a transaction network. Transaction data is stored, wherein the transaction data is provided by the user interface. The transaction data is stored in a memory, and comprises a title of the requested digital video disc and financial information provided by the user interface. The method also comprises encrypting the transaction data, and generating a signal for vending the digital video disc from a vending apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Eric Hoersten, J. Mitch Lowe