System and kiosk for commerce of optical media through multiple locations
First Claim
1. A coordinated kiosk system for distributing optical recorded media to users at a plurality of locations, a central server controlling the system, the system comprising:
- a first kiosk for storing, dispensing and receiving optical recorded media;
a processor controlling the first kiosk in communication with the central server;
an inventory database to provide inventory of optical recorded media within the first kiosk;
a second kiosk for storing, dispensing and receiving optical recorded media, the second kiosk remote from the first kiosk, the second kiosk comprising;
a user interface for accepting a user input, including a request for optical recorded media;
a processor controlling the second kiosk in communication with the central server and configured for querying the inventory database when the requested optical recorded media is not contained within the second kiosk; and
a display for displaying a location of the first kiosk to the user when the requested optical recorded media is located in the inventory of optical recorded media within the first kiosk.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A kiosk dispenses and receives recorded optical media using an interconnected central server, through an Internet Service Provider. The central server has databases and processing capabilities and is connected to a credit verification system. The databases collect inventory administration information and customer data (e.g., credit card information and email addresses) from the kiosks. The central server initiates credit verification, sends receipts to customers via email and maintains databases for remote inventory control and administration of the kiosk network. A kiosk may identify a recorded disk for automated restocking and perform quality assessment of a recorded disk. The kiosk may provide publishing-on-demand or act as a portal for remotely served advertisements. The kiosk preferably includes a rotatable carousel with a selection of DVDs. A digital camera captures a digital image of a disk barcode and internal software rotates the image to “read” the barcode, to control inventory and access issues.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coordinated kiosk system for distributing optical recorded media to users at a plurality of locations, a central server controlling the system, the system comprising:
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a first kiosk for storing, dispensing and receiving optical recorded media;
a processor controlling the first kiosk in communication with the central server;
an inventory database to provide inventory of optical recorded media within the first kiosk;
a second kiosk for storing, dispensing and receiving optical recorded media, the second kiosk remote from the first kiosk, the second kiosk comprising;
a user interface for accepting a user input, including a request for optical recorded media;
a processor controlling the second kiosk in communication with the central server and configured for querying the inventory database when the requested optical recorded media is not contained within the second kiosk; and
a display for displaying a location of the first kiosk to the user when the requested optical recorded media is located in the inventory of optical recorded media within the first kiosk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 8. The system of claim 8, further comprising a motor for rotating the carousel.
Specification