Patents by Inventor Jim Polubinski
Jim Polubinski 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: 10810822Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLCInventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180158272Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
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Patent number: 9916714Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Patent number: 9886809Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, Jr., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
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Patent number: 9747253Abstract: A system and method for dispensing an article from an article dispensing machine by reducing the amount of time for completing a transaction involving the article is provided. A request related to a selected article and payment information for a balance related to the selected article may be received at the article dispensing machine through a user interface. The payment information may be validated, and simultaneously and in parallel, the selected article may be retrieved from a storage unit in the article dispensing machine. The selected article may be dispensed from the article dispensing machine if the payment information is valid. If the payment information is not valid, the selected article may be returned to the storage unit. Quicker dispensing of articles during consumer transactions with the article dispensing machine may result. The articles may include media articles, such as DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and video game discs.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Jim Polubinski, Jr., William Ptacek
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Patent number: 9569911Abstract: A method for facilitating a rapid return of a article to an article dispensing machine is provided. The article dispensing machine comprises a first user interface portion having the first user interface, a second user interface portion having a second user interface, and an article transfer portion for vending and returning articles. The method includes receiving from a first user interface a first request to return the article, determining whether the article transfer portion is available to enable the return of the article, and based on the availability determination, displaying through a first user interface screen associated with the first user interface portion information indicating whether to proceed with the return of the article or to wait for a notification to proceed with the return.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Jonathan Palmer, Dan Leiwe, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Patent number: 9390577Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Publication number: 20150287262Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Publication number: 20140367399Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Patent number: 8768789Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area. Quicker and more efficient removal and loading of articles from and to the article dispensing machine may result.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
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Patent number: 8712872Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130325176Abstract: A system and method for dispensing an article from an article dispensing machine by reducing the amount of time for completing a transaction involving the article is provided. A request related to a selected article and payment information for a balance related to the selected article may be received at the article dispensing machine through a user interface. The payment information may be validated, and simultaneously and in parallel, the selected article may be retrieved from a storage unit in the article dispensing machine. The selected article may be dispensed from the article dispensing machine if the payment information is valid. If the payment information is not valid, the selected article may be returned to the storage unit. Quicker dispensing of articles during consumer transactions with the article dispensing machine may result. The articles may include media articles, such as DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and video game discs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Jim Polubinski, JR., William Ptacek
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Publication number: 20130238116Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area. Quicker and more efficient removal and loading of articles from and to the article dispensing machine may result.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
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Publication number: 20130238115Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
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Publication number: 20130131863Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, JR., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
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Publication number: 20120046786Abstract: A method for facilitating a rapid return of a article to an article dispensing machine is provided. The article dispensing machine comprises a first user interface portion having the first user interface, a second user interface portion having a second user interface, and an article transfer portion for vending and returning articles. The method includes receiving from a first user interface a first request to return the article, determining whether the article transfer portion is available to enable the return of the article, and based on the availability determination, displaying through a first user interface screen associated with the first user interface portion information indicating whether to proceed with the return of the article or to wait for a notification to proceed with the return.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLCInventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Jonathan Palmer, Dan Leiwe, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
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Patent number: 7299384Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing dynamically allocated memory. Portions of memory which are available for allocation have additional information stored in association with each portion which indicates whether the portion has been previously identified as being prematurely freed. In addition, a checksum is stored with each portion of memory. In response to a request for deallocation of a portion of memory, the portion of memory is not deallocated if it is identified as having been prematurely freed. Otherwise, the a checksum is calculated for the portion and it is freed. In response to an allocation request, a candidate portion of memory is identified for allocation and a checksum is calculated for the candidate portion. If the calculated checksum does not match a checksum previously stored for the candidate portion, the portion is identified as having been prematurely freed and is not returned for allocation.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Symantec Operating CorporationInventors: Gustavo Rodriguez-Rivera, Michael P. Spertus, Charles Fiterman, Jim Polubinski, Brian Day, Daryl Hoyt, Christopher D. Metcalf