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, and a rotatable carousel within the housing, for storing an array of optical media;
a user interface for accepting user inputs, including a selected optical medium 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 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,wherein the carousel comprises a set of spokes and concentric rings, the concentric rings being separated from one another and connected to one another by the spokes, a first of the concentric rings including a series of outer extruded slots facing a series of inner extruded slots on a second of the concentric rings, each of the array of optical media held between opposing inner and outer extruded slots and adjacent to the spokes.
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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.
137 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, and a rotatable carousel within the housing, for storing an array of optical media; a user interface for accepting user inputs, including a selected optical medium 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 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, wherein the carousel comprises a set of spokes and concentric rings, the concentric rings being separated from one another and connected to one another by the spokes, a first of the concentric rings including a series of outer extruded slots facing a series of inner extruded slots on a second of the concentric rings, each of the array of optical media held between opposing inner and outer extruded slots and adjacent to the spokes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification