Card dispensing apparatuses and associated methods of operation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing wallet-sized cards from a kiosk, the apparatus comprising:
- at least a first hopper portion configured to hold a first stack of cards, the first stack of cards including at least a first card positioned on a second card; and
a card transport assembly positioned relative to the first hopper portion, wherein the card transport assembly is configured to lift the first card off the second card, move the first card away from the first hopper portion, and release the first card toward a card outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for dispensing magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, other cards, and/or other items from kiosks and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least a first card hopper and a card transport assembly. The first card hopper is configured to hold a stack of cards that includes at least a first card stacked on a second card. The card transport assembly includes a card carrier moveable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position spaced apart from the first card hopper. The card carrier is configured to lift the first card off the second card when the card carrier is in the first position. The card carrier is further configured to release the first card toward an outlet when the card carrier is in the second position. In one embodiment, the card carrier can move the first card past a card reader/writer for reading information from, and/or writing information to, the card as it carries the card from the first position to the second position.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing wallet-sized cards from a kiosk, the apparatus comprising:
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at least a first hopper portion configured to hold a first stack of cards, the first stack of cards including at least a first card positioned on a second card; and
a card transport assembly positioned relative to the first hopper portion, wherein the card transport assembly is configured to lift the first card off the second card, move the first card away from the first hopper portion, and release the first card toward a card outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A card dispensing apparatus comprising:
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at least a first card hopper configured to hold a first stack of cards, the first stack of cards including at least a first card positioned on a second card; and
a card carrier moveable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position spaced apart from the first card hopper, wherein the card carrier includes a selector head configured to secure the first card to the card carrier when the card carrier is in the first position, and wherein the selector head is further configured to release the first card from the card carrier when the card carrier is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A kiosk for dispensing cards to customers, the kiosk comprising:
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an enclosure having a card outlet;
a user interface mounted to the enclosure, wherein the user interface is configured to receive a card selection from a customer;
a monetary input region mounted to the enclosure, wherein the monetary input region is configured to receive a form of payment from the customer for the card selection;
a first hopper portion positioned within the enclosure and configured to hold a first stack of cards, the first stack of cards including at least a first card positioned on a second card;
at least a second hopper portion positioned within the enclosure adjacent to the first hopper portion, wherein the second hopper portion is configured to hold a second stack of cards, the second stack of cards including at least a third card positioned on a fourth card; and
a card transport assembly positioned within the enclosure, wherein the card transport assembly is configured to lift the first card off of the second card and transfer the first card to the card outlet when the customer card selection corresponds to the first card, and wherein the card transport assembly is further configured to lift the third card off of the fourth card and transfer the third card to the card outlet when the customer card selection corresponds to the third card. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for dispensing cards, the system comprising:
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means for holding a first plurality of cards at a first location, the first plurality of cards including a first card stacked on a second card;
means for holding a second plurality of cards at a second location different than the first location, the second plurality of cards including a third card stacked on a fourth card;
means for lifting the first card off of the second card and transferring the first card toward a first card outlet in response to a first user selection; and
means for lifting the third card off of the fourth card and transferring the third card toward a second card outlet in response to receiving a second user selection. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 35)
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30. A method for dispensing at least first and second card types from an enclosure, the method comprising:
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placing a first plurality of cards at a first location within the enclosure, wherein the first plurality of cards includes at least a first card of the first type positioned on a second card of the first type;
placing a second plurality of cards at a second location within the enclosure, wherein the second plurality of cards includes at least a third card of the second type positioned on a fourth card of the second type;
in response to receiving a first request for a card of the first type;
lifting the first card off of the second card; and
transferring the first card toward a card outlet;
in response to receiving a second request for a card of the second type;
lifting the third card off of the fourth card; and
transferring the third card toward the card outlet. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification