Patents by Inventor Alan T. Rudy

Alan T. Rudy 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).

  • Patent number: 8965570
    Abstract: A system for dispensing media discs includes a storage system comprising a plurality of shelves for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a user interface system operably connected to the control system. The shelves are configured to store uncovered media discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Alan T. Rudy
  • Patent number: 8095236
    Abstract: A kiosk or machine for buying media discs includes a dispense/receive system for dispensing the media discs to consumers and receiving media discs from customers, a disc identification system for identifying the media discs, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs within the kiosk, a control system operably connected to dispense/receive system, the disc transfer system, and a user interface system. The user interface includes a buy-back indicator or prompt which can be selectively activated by the customer. In response to activation of the buy-back indicator, the controller activates the dispense/receive system to receive a media disc for buy-back, activates the disc transfer system to move the media disc to the disc identification system, activates the disc identification system to identify the media disc, determines a buy-back price for the media disc, and activates the user interface system to display the buy-back price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Into Great Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan T. Rudy, Bob Murray, Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 7860606
    Abstract: A system for dispensing media discs comprising, in combination, a storage system for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system. An inventory management system is operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move selected ones of the media discs from the disc storage system to a holding location located outside the disc storage system for manual removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: IntoGreat Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan T. Rudy
  • Publication number: 20090326708
    Abstract: A kiosk or machine for buying media discs includes a dispense/receive system for dispensing the media discs to consumers and receiving media discs from customers, a disc identification system for identifying the media discs, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs within the kiosk, a control system operably connected to dispense/receive system, the disc transfer system, and a user interface system. The user interface includes a buy-back indicator or prompt which can be selectively activated by the customer. In response to activation of the buy-back indicator, the controller activates the dispense/receive system to receive a media disc for buy-back, activates the disc transfer system to move the media disc to the disc identification system, activates the disc identification system to identify the media disc, determines a buy-back price for the media disc, and activates the user interface system to display the buy-back price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Alan T. Rudy, Bob Murray, Alan Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090276085
    Abstract: A system for dispensing media discs includes a storage system comprising a plurality of shelves for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a user interface system operably connected to the control system. The shelves are configured to store uncovered media discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Alan T. Rudy
  • Publication number: 20090276087
    Abstract: A system for dispensing media discs includes a kiosk including a storage system for storing a plurality of the media discs and a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers. A plurality of dedicated user interface systems are operably connected to the kiosk so that multiple users can simultaneously interact with the kiosk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Bob Murray, Alan T. Rudy
  • Publication number: 20090276086
    Abstract: A system for dispensing media discs comprising, in combination, a storage system for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system. An inventory management system is operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move selected ones of the media discs from the disc storage system to a holding location located outside the disc storage system for manual removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Alan T. Rudy
  • Publication number: 20030055687
    Abstract: A method of providing medical goods and services to consumers includes the steps of a retail outlet receiving a request for medical goods and services from a consumer who is present at the retail outlet. The retail outlet verifying, through a benefit manager, the consumer's current eligibility for health benefits from Medicare or other health insurance provider for the medical goods. The verification is preferably performed over a PBM computer system. An assignment of benefits is obtained from the consumer and transferred to the benefit manager by the retail outlet wherein the consumer assigns his or her rights to Medicare or other health insurance benefits to the benefit manager, including the right to submit a claim for reimbursement and the right to receive payment directly from Medicare or such other health insurance payer for the medical goods and services. If eligible and authorized by a physician's order, the retail outlet provides the needed medical goods and services to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Alan T. Rudy