SYSTEM AND KIOSK FOR COMMERCE OF OPTICAL MEDIA THROUGH MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
First Claim
1. A kiosk for coordinated operation within a system for distributing optical recorded media to users at a plurality of locations, a central server controlling the system, the kiosk comprising:
- a housing for storing an array of optical media;
a user interface for accepting user inputs, including a selected optical media from the array of optical media, and for displaying information;
a reader for scanning user authorization information;
a processor controlling the kiosk in communication with the central server;
an input/output mechanism for dispensing and receiving one of the array of optical media through a slot in the mechanism, the input/output mechanism comprising a feedback sensor and an eject arm, the feedback sensor sensing position of the eject arm for dispensing or retrieving optical media through the slot;
the carousel rotating in response to commands by the processor to align the selected optical media with the slot and the input/output mechanism dispensing the selected optical media when the central server communicates, to the kiosk, acceptance of the authorization information.
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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 kiosk for coordinated operation within a system for distributing optical recorded media to users at a plurality of locations, a central server controlling the system, the kiosk comprising:
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a housing for storing an array of optical media; a user interface for accepting user inputs, including a selected optical media from the array of optical media, and for displaying information; a reader for scanning user authorization information; a processor controlling the kiosk in communication with the central server; an input/output mechanism for dispensing and receiving one of the array of optical media through a slot in the mechanism, the input/output mechanism comprising a feedback sensor and an eject arm, the feedback sensor sensing position of the eject arm for dispensing or retrieving optical media through the slot; the carousel rotating in response to commands by the processor to align the selected optical media with the slot and the input/output mechanism dispensing the selected optical media when the central server communicates, to the kiosk, acceptance of the authorization information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A kiosk for coordinated operation within a system for distributing optical recorded media to users at a plurality of locations, a central server controlling the system, the kiosk comprising:
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a housing for storing an array of optical media; a user interface for accepting user inputs, including a selected optical media from the array of optical media, and for displaying information;
a reader for scanning user authorization information;a processor controlling the kiosk in communication with the central server; an input/output mechanism for dispensing and receiving one of the array of optical media through a slot in the housing and in response to commands by the processor to align the selected optical media with the slot when the central server communicates, to the kiosk, acceptance of the authorization information; and a sensor for sensing a characteristic of optical recorded media, the sensor sending signals to the processor to determines whether the optical recorded media may be accepted within the input/output mechanism based upon the signals received.
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Specification