A novel food station comprises a plurality of cubbies, each cubby sized to enclose a food portion container, and an externally accessible collection hatch large enough for the food portion container to pass therethrough. A heating system can controllably heat the food portion container within a selected one of the cubbies, independently of an operation of the heating system the other cubbies. A cooling system can perform cooling within a subset of cubbies that includes at least the selected cubby. An internal transport system includes an end effector that temporarily couples to the portion container carrier of the selected cubby and controllably moves the food portion container carrier within the food station to the collection hatch. A control system includes a memory that controls the heating and controls the movement of the internal transport system.

A novel food station comprises a plurality of cubbies sized to enclose food portion containers, and an externally accessible collection hatch. An internal transport system uses an end effector to temporarily couple to a portion container carrier of a selected cubby, and to controllably move the food portion container carrier within the food station from the selected cubby to the collection hatch. The food station includes heating and cooling systems that selectively provide or remove heat to or from each of the plurality of cubbies independently of the other cubbies, with a heating or cooling rate, or for a heating or cooling duration, that is independently scheduled and controllable for each of the plurality of cubbies.

A product return/replacement device performs return/replacement of products, the device having a computer and a printer. The computer is equipped with: a read unit that reads a return/replacement reception code that indicates that the consumer has made a return/replacement reservation; a communication unit that transmits the return/replacement code read by the read unit to an external return/replacement server, and receives from the return/replacement server a delivery code for managing the delivery status of the product; and a processor for causing the printer to print a label displaying the delivery code transmitted from the return/replacement serve. The consumer can affix the printed label to the product for return/replacement, and when the read unit has read the delivery code displayed on the label affixed to the product, the communication unit transmits the delivery code read by the read unit to the external return/replacement server.

A system and method for vending digital video discs is provided. A request is received from a user to complete a rental transaction for a first digital video disc. A database is queried to determine whether a quantity of a set of second digital video discs in a vending inventory exceeds a predetermined threshold. A discount offer notification is presented to the user to rent one of the set of second digital video discs, upon determining that the quantity of the set of second digital video discs exceeds the predetermined threshold. A second request from the user to rent one of the second set of digital video discs is received, and one of the set of second digital video discs is vended to the user.

A system and method for vending digital video discs is provided. A request is received from a user to complete a rental transaction for a first digital video disc. A database is queried to determine whether a quantity of a set of second digital video discs in a vending inventory exceeds a predetermined threshold. A discount offer notification is presented to the user to rent one of the set of second digital video discs, upon determining that the quantity of the set of second digital video discs exceeds the predetermined threshold. A second request from the user to rent one of the second set of digital video discs is received, and one of the set of second digital video discs is vended to the user.

A system and method for vending digital video discs is provided. A request is received from a user to complete a rental transaction for a first digital video disc. A database is queried to determine whether a quantity of a set of second digital video discs in a vending inventory exceeds a predetermined threshold. A discount offer notification is presented to the user to rent one of the set of second digital video discs, upon determining that the quantity of the set of second digital video discs exceeds the predetermined threshold. A second request from the user to rent one of the second set of digital video discs is received, and one of the set of second digital video discs is vended to the user.

A system and method for media trade-in exchange. The apparatus comprises a kiosk that allows a user to provide a plurality of media items to the kiosk for verification and analysis and then calculate the exchange redemption value. The exchange redemption value is calculated based on the physical damage of a media item, the included media item packaging, the included media item documentation, and the authenticity of the media item. The user may then choose to receive the redemption value in a plurality of options comprised of cash, debit, store credit, reward points, gift card, eCodes, or may alternatively, decline to accept the redemption value offer and have the media item returned to them.

A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.

A kiosk (200) dispenses and receives recorded optical disk media (214) using an interconnected (107) system central server computer (300) through an Internet Service Provider (401). The system central server (300) contains databases and processing, and is connected to a credit verification system (410). The central databases collect inventory administration information and customer data from the kiosks (200) including credit card and email addresses (105). The central server (300) initiates credit verification and sends receipts to customers via email (105). The central server (300) maintains databases that are used for remote inventory control and administration of the kiosk network. A kiosk (200) has the capability to identify a recorded disk (214) for automated restocking and may also perform quality assessment (800) of a recorded disk (214). A kiosk (200) may also provide publishing-on-demand or act as a portal for remotely served advertisement. Kiosk (200) preferably includes a rotating carousel 950 extruded to hold about one hundred DVDs. A digital camera (1000) with kiosk (200) captures a digital image of the disk barcode and internal software rotates the image to read the barcode, to control inventory and access issues.

A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.