Systems, methods and devices for dispensing products from a kiosk

• US 20100314405A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NewZoom Incorporated (Swyft Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vigix
• Inventors: Alvarez, Eduardo
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,247 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/64 in which the articles are individually suspended from stationary supports
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/069 by box-like containers, e.g. videocassettes, books

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kiosk that dispenses products with no moving parts. The kiosk can dispense a rental product, and the rental product can be returned via a mail service, or it can be retained for a purchase price. The kiosk comprises a removable cartridge containing the products, and the cartridge can be readily replaced with a new cartridge to replenish the inventory of products in the kiosk.

Claims

1. A device for storing and delivering an article on demand comprising:

a storage container configured to contain a plurality of the articles;

a user interface configured to enable a user to indicate a selection of at least one of the articles to be delivered by the device to a location accessible to the user;

a retainer within the storage container configured to secure the plurality of articles within the storage container and to release only the article selected by the user;

wherein the retainer is constructed so that it releases the selection without mechanical motion of any part of the retainer configured to secure the plurality of articles.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the article comprises a digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), UMD optical disc, HD-D, memory card, video tape cassette, audio tape cassette, or other article comprising a computer readable medium.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the storage container comprises an enclosed container configured to contain a plurality of the articles and configured to be readily removable from the kiosk.

7. A device as in claim 6, wherein the container is configured to be readily insertable into the kiosk.

10. A device as in claim 1, wherein each article is retained in a package and each retainer comprises a projection comprising an electrically conductive material from which the package hangs, wherein, when an electric current is applied to the electrically conductive material, it heats and it melts through the portion of the package hanging from the projection, releasing the package.

11. The device as in claim 1, wherein all exterior surfaces of the device other than its bottom are is designed to be viewed by potential customers.

2. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A retainer device for releasibly securing an article comprising:

at least one securing component, at least a portion of which is electrically conductive, constructed and arranged to secure the article when the securing component is in a first state in which no electrical potential or an electrical potential of a first value is applied to the securing component and to release the article by applying sufficient heat locally to a portion of a package containing the article, which portion is secured by the component, so as to cause failure of the portion of the article and release of the article from the securing component when the securing component is in a second state in which an of a second value is applied to the securing component.

22. A retainer device as in claim 17, wherein the portion of the package configured to securely engage with at least one securing component comprises a hole, groove, or indent and wherein the securing component comprises a hook, tab, or peg.

23. A retainer device as in claim 17, wherein the package comprises an envelope, sleeve, or sheath formed, at least in part, from a meltable material.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A method for retaining and delivering an article comprising:

retaining the article at a selected location;

releasing the article from the location without moving any part of a retainer securing and immobilizing the article prior to release.

27. A method as in claim 25, wherein the releasing act comprises melting at least a portion of the article or package containing the article.

26. (canceled)

28. A kiosk device for storing and delivering on demand an article comprising a digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), video tape cassette, audio tape cassette, or other article comprising:

an enclosed storage container configured to contain a plurality of the articles and configured to be readily removable from and insertable into the kiosk device;

a user interface configured to enable a user to indicate a selection of at least one of the articles to be delivered by the device to a location accessible to the user;

a retainer within the storage container configured to secure the plurality of articles within the storage container and to release only the selection for delivery to the user upon receipt of information from or derived from the user interface.

29. A method comprising acts of:

providing a kiosk device for storing and delivering on demand an article comprising a digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), video tape cassette, audio tape cassette, or other article to a user;

receiving information upon or after use of the kiosk device by the user indicating the number and type of articles delivered to the user by the kiosk device and payment information identifying an account of the user to be charged for rental or purchase of the at least one article delivered to the user;

providing instructions to the user indicating, for rental transactions, how to return the at least one article to complete a transaction upon completion of a rental period by postal service or common carrier.

33. A method as in claim 29, further comprising an acts of:

shipping by postal service or common carrier an enclosed storage container comprising a plurality of articles comprising digital video discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), video tape cassettes, audio tape cassettes, or other articles to the location of the kiosk; and

interchanging a depleted enclosed storage container within the kiosk with the enclosed storage container shipped in the shipping act.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. A method comprising acts of:

renting products to customers via a kiosk, wherein the titles are dispensed in mailing packages; and

allowing customers to return the products by placing the mailing package containing the title into the mail.

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. A method, comprising acts of:

locating titles in magazines, wherein the magazines are located in kiosks;

changing the inventory of the titles by sending a delivery company personnel with a replacement magazine;

having the delivery company personnel switch the old magazine with the replacement magazine;

having the delivery company personnel return the old magazine to the vendor.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the magazines have RFID devices, and wherein the kiosk opens after detecting the RFID device of the replacement magazine.

40. A device for storing and delivering an article on demand comprising:

a storage container configured to contain a plurality of the articles;

a user interface configured to enable a user to indicate a selection of at least one of the articles to be delivered by the device to a location accessible to the user;

wherein the storage container is configured to be readily replaceable.

42. The device of claim 40, wherein the storage container contains a mechanism that signals its proximity to the device, causing the device to open.

44. The device of claim 40, wherein the storage containers can be shipped by a delivery service.

41. (canceled)

43. (canceled)