SELF-SERVICE KIOSK WITH MULTIPLE SECURE SERVICE AREAS

• US 20110130873A1
• Filed: 11/27/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Yepez, Rafael, Mastry, Jason A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling

Abstract

A self-service kiosk apparatus is presented that has a plurality of secure service areas. Access to the plurality of secure service areas and the components of the kiosk system contained within each area is controlled. Authorization to access each secure service area is based on a person'"'"'s level of training and security level.

Claims

1. ) A self-service kiosk apparatus, for storing and dispensing items, the system comprising:

a housing;

a first secure service area within the housing;

one or more item storage racks within the first secure service area where each item storage rack comprises multiple item storage bins;

a robotic device within the first secure service area where the robotic device transports the items to and from the item storage bins;

a first lockable security device within the housing where the first lockable security device when in a locked position restricts human access to the first secure service area and when in a unlocked position allows human access to the first secure service area;

a second secure service area within the housing;

a first consumable article within the second secure service area;

a second lockable security device within the housing where the second lockable security device when in a locked position restricts human access to the second secure service area and when in a unlocked position allows human access to the second secure service area; and

where the first lockable security device controls access to only the first secure service area and the second lockable security device controls access to only the second secure service area and the first secure service area is different from the second secure service area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lockable security device is door.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lockable security device is door.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lockable security device includes a first mechanical lock where the first mechanical lock provides the lockable function for the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lockable security device includes a second mechanical lock where the second mechanical lock provides the lockable function for the device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lockable security device includes a first electronic lock where the first electronic lock provides the lockable function for the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lockable security device includes a second electronic lock where the second electronic lock provides the lockable function for the device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a third secure service area within the housing;

a LCD display within the third secure service area;

a third lockable security device within the housing where the third lockable security device when in a locked position restricts access to the third secure service area and when in a unlocked position allows access to the third secure service area; and

where the third secure service area is different from the first or second secure service area.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the third lockable security device is door.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the third lockable security device includes a third mechanical lock where the third mechanical lock provides the lockable function for the device.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the third lockable security device includes a third electronic lock where the third electronic lock provides the lockable function for the device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the items are DVDs.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the items are keys.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the items are pharmaceuticals.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer where the computer controls the components of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic card reader.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receipt printer.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an envelope printer.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a scanner where the scanner identifies each of the items received or dispensed by the apparatus.

20. A computer implemented method for controlling access to different components within a self-service kiosk system using a plurality of secure service areas, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic key where the electronic key is encoded with information authorizing access to one or more of a plurality of secure service areas within the self-service kiosk;

authenticating the electronic key;

determining from the electronic key which of the plurality of secure service areas are authorized for access; and

sending a command to unlock each of the plurality of secure service areas authorized for access.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising turning off power to one or more components located in the plurality of secure service areas authorized for access.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving an override code to block the turning off of power to the one or more components located in the plurality of secure service areas authorized for access.