Patents by Inventor William Martinka

William Martinka 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).

  • Article dispensing machine and method for auditing inventory while article dispensing machine remains operable
    Patent number: 10810822
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
  • ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR AUDITING INVENTORY WHILE ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE REMAINS OPERABLE
    Publication number: 20180158272
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
  • System and method for optimizing utilization of inventory space for dispensable articles
    Patent number: 9916714
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • Article dispensing machine and method for auditing inventory while article dispensing machine remains operational
    Patent number: 9886809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, Jr., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
  • Secondary media return system and method
    Patent number: 9569911
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Jonathan Palmer, Dan Leiwe, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • System and method for optimizing utilization of inventory space for dispensable articles
    Patent number: 9390577
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20150287262
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20140367399
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • System and method for optimizing utilization of inventory space for dispensable articles
    Patent number: 8768789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
  • System and method for optimizing utilization of inventory space for dispensable articles
    Patent number: 8712872
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20130238116
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20130238115
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
  • ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR AUDITING INVENTORY WHILE ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE REMAINS OPERATIONAL
    Publication number: 20130131863
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, JR., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.
  • SECONDARY MEDIA RETURN SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120046786
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Jonathan Palmer, Dan Leiwe, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski