Digital interactive network appliance and system

• US 20040193610A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cary Alex, Howard Chesloff
• Original Assignee: Cary Alex, Howard Chesloff
• Inventors: Chesloff, Howard, Alex, Cary
• Application Number:
  US10/491,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193610A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

A system and process for a network appliance (12) at a point-of-sale location and adapted to provide information and other services to customers. The system and process are particularly well suited for offering individual entertainment to kiosks. Examples of services include music, video, games, internet access (20), electronic mail, commercial advertising, menus, and ordering. Customers can purchase services with debit or credit cards.

Claims

1. A system for providing information and entertainment data to customers comprising:

a plurality of interactive network devices;

a server linked to the interactive network devices;

a data base accessible by the server;

and a communication network for transferring data between the interactive network devices and the server wherein said data includes only limited content.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said interactive network devices each include:

a central processing unit;

a screen for displaying information and video images to a user;

a speaker for playing audio signals;

a card reader;

input means for user data entry;

network communication means;

means for obtaining data from a user through the card reader and input means;

means for processing the data;

and means for sharing the data with the server through the network communication means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the input means for user data entry further includes video game input means.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said server is adapted to provide email to a customer.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein each device is adapted to play sound files at selectable volumes, wherein said server is adapted to adjust the volumes of two adjacent devices to limit interference.

6. A process for delivering information services from servers to interactive network devices comprising:

submitting a request for information to an interactive network device;

processing the request;

resubmitting the processed request to a server;

accessing data base information by a server in accordance with the processed request;

downloading the data base information to the interactive network device;

and outputting the data base information.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein the information services include:

steps for editing menu screens and items for display at the interactive network device;

steps for selecting menu screen items at the interactive network device;

steps for remote display of the selected screen items;

and steps for invoicing at the interactive network device for the selected screen items.

8. A method of distributing internet interactive network devices to a plurality of retail vendors comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of interactive network devices to each vendor at substantially reduced or no cost; and

feeding content to said interactive network devices from a content provider to offset cost of said interactive network devices.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein customers subscribe to service associated with one of said retail vendors further comprising:

sending a message to said customers related to one of said retail vendors.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said content defines services that are selected by said customers from a group consisting at least of musical selections, email, internet, video selections, menu selections associated with retail vendor, and games.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising associating a charge card with each customer to pay for said services.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing free content to said customer when said customer has elected to receive and pay for said services.