Methods and systems for providing consumer services including coin-counting and digital image printing

• US 20040215477A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Coinstar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar, LLC
• Inventors: Spraker, Brent, Martin, Douglas A., Rowan, Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/734,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/22 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for providing consumer services such as coin-counting and digital image processing. In one embodiment, a kiosk can include a coin-counting apparatus and a digital image portion. The coin-counting apparatus can include a coin input region configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins. The coin-counting apparatus can further include a coin counter to count the coins and arrive at a total of the coins. In one embodiment, a voucher can be dispensed that is redeemable for at least one of cash and merchandise. In another embodiment, the digital image portion of the kiosk can include a digital media input portion configured to receive digital media containing digital images, and a display screen for viewing at least one of the received digital images.

Claims

1. A system for viewing, selecting and/or ordering prints of digital images, the system comprising:

a digital media input portion configured to receive one or more forms of digital media containing digital images;

a display screen for viewing at least one of the received digital images; and

a coin-counting apparatus configured to receive a plurality of coins and count the plurality of coins to determine a total.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the coin-counting apparatus is configured to dispense a voucher for at least a portion of the total of the plurality of coins, and wherein the voucher is redeemable for at least one of cash and merchandize.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the coin-counting apparatus includes a coin input region configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins at least approximately simultaneously.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the total of the plurality of coins can be selectively applied toward purchase of a print of at least one of the digital images.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the total of the plurality of coins can be applied toward purchase of a print of at least one of the digital images, and wherein a second portion of the total can be applied toward a voucher that is redeemable for at least one of cash and merchandize.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a kiosk positioned in retail location, wherein the coin-counting apparatus and the digital media input portion are part of the kiosk.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a coin bin configured to receive at least a portion of the plurality of coins after they have been counted; and

a communication facility configured to exchange information with a computer located remotely from the coin-counting apparatus, the information relating to status of the coin bin.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication facility configured to upload selected digital images to a digital photo processing facility located remotely from the system.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive at least a mailing address for a user; and

a communication facility configured to facilitate uploading of at least one of the received digital images to a remote digital photo processing facility for printing, wherein at least one print of the uploaded digital images is sent to the mailing address of the user.