Patents by Inventor Alva D. Cravens

Alva D. Cravens 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).

  • System for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media
    Patent number: 9542674
    Abstract: A system for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media includes a kiosk having a plurality of vertical racks arranged in a circular formation, each vertical rack configured for storing a plurality of recorded media. A customer interface allows a customer to select or return a recorded media. A robotic element delivers the selected recorded media from the vertical racks to a media output, at the customer interface. The element also delivers a returned recorded media from a media input at the customer interface to the vertical racks. A computer controls operation of the kiosk, and an internet interface connects the kiosk to the Internet. The kiosk may communicate with a central server and/or other kiosks of a group, to locate a requested recorded media within a kiosk of the group. Once located within the group, the requested media may be reserved for customer pick-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Philip J. Tomasi, Alva D. Cravens, Jens Horstmann, William H. Barber, John Chen
  • SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED DISPENSING AND RETRIEVAL KIOSK FOR RECORDED MEDIA
    Publication number: 20160104141
    Abstract: A system for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media includes a kiosk having a plurality of vertical racks arranged in a circular formation, each vertical rack configured for storing a plurality of recorded media. A customer interface allows a customer to select or return a recorded media. A robotic element delivers the selected recorded media from the vertical racks to a media output, at the customer interface. The element also delivers a returned recorded media from a media input at the customer interface to the vertical racks. A computer controls operation of the kiosk, and an internet interface connects the kiosk to the Internet. The kiosk may communicate with a central server and/or other kiosks of a group, to locate a requested recorded media within a kiosk of the group. Once located within the group, the requested media may be reserved for customer pick-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Philip J. Tomasi, Alva D. Cravens, Jens Horstman, William H. Barber, John Chen
  • System for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media
    Patent number: 9224137
    Abstract: A system for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media includes a kiosk having a plurality of vertical racks arranged in a circular formation, each vertical rack configured for storing a plurality of recorded media. A customer interface allows a customer to select or return a recorded media. A robotic element delivers the selected recorded media from the vertical racks to a media output, at the customer interface. The element also delivers a returned recorded media from a media input at the customer interface to the vertical racks. A computer controls operation of the kiosk, and an internet interface connects the kiosk to the Internet. The kiosk may communicate with a central server and/or other kiosks of a group, to locate a requested recorded media within a kiosk of the group. Once located within the group, the requested media may be reserved for customer pick-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Tomasi, Alva D. Cravens, Jens Horstmann, William Barber, John Chen