Access monitoring systems for use with consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures
First Claim
1. A consumer-operated kiosk, the kiosk comprising:
- an enclosure;
an access structure coupled to the enclosure, wherein the access structure is movable between a first position preventing access to an interior portion of the enclosure and a second position permitting access to the interior portion of the enclosure;
an identifier mounted to one of the enclosure or the access structure;
a reader mounted to the other of the enclosure or the access structure, wherein the reader receives information from the identifier when the access structure is in the first position, and wherein the reader ceases to receive the information from the identifier when the access structure is in the second position;
a first computer operably connected to the reader; and
a clock operably connected to the first computer, wherein the reader is configured to transmit a first signal to the first computer when the access structure moves away from the first position toward the second position, wherein the reader is further configured to transmit a second signal to the first computer when the access structure moves back to the first position from the second position, wherein the first computer starts the clock and records a clock start time in response to receiving the first signal, wherein the first computer stops the clock in response to receiving the second signal, and wherein the first computer sends at least one of the clock start time and a clock stop time to a second computer located remotely from the kiosk.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and associated methods for monitoring and/or controlling access to interior portions of consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a consumer-operated kiosk includes an enclosure having a door movable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure and an open position that permits access to the enclosure. In this embodiment, an identifier, such as an RFID transponder or tag, is mounted to one of the enclosure or the door, and a reader, such as an RFID reader, is mounted to the other of the enclosure or the door. When the door is closed, the reader detects the identifier. Conversely, when the door moves away form the closed position, the reader ceases to detect the identifier and can generate/send a signal indicating that the door is open.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A consumer-operated kiosk, the kiosk comprising:
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an enclosure; an access structure coupled to the enclosure, wherein the access structure is movable between a first position preventing access to an interior portion of the enclosure and a second position permitting access to the interior portion of the enclosure; an identifier mounted to one of the enclosure or the access structure; a reader mounted to the other of the enclosure or the access structure, wherein the reader receives information from the identifier when the access structure is in the first position, and wherein the reader ceases to receive the information from the identifier when the access structure is in the second position; a first computer operably connected to the reader; and a clock operably connected to the first computer, wherein the reader is configured to transmit a first signal to the first computer when the access structure moves away from the first position toward the second position, wherein the reader is further configured to transmit a second signal to the first computer when the access structure moves back to the first position from the second position, wherein the first computer starts the clock and records a clock start time in response to receiving the first signal, wherein the first computer stops the clock in response to receiving the second signal, and wherein the first computer sends at least one of the clock start time and a clock stop time to a second computer located remotely from the kiosk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for monitoring access to a consumer-operated kiosk in a network of consumer-operated kiosks, the kiosk having an enclosure and a door movable between a closed position preventing access to an interior portion of the enclosure and an open position permitting access to the interior portion of the enclosure, the system comprising:
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means for generating a first wireless signal, wherein the means for generating are attached to one of the enclosure or the door; means for responding to the first wireless signal by sending a second wireless signal back to the means for generating, wherein the means for responding are attached to the other of the enclosure or the door; wherein when the door is in the closed position, the means for generating receives information from the means for responding, wherein the information is associated with the door being in the closed position; wherein when the door is moved to the open position, the means for generating ceases to receive the information from the means for responding, wherein the failure to receive the information is associated with the door moving to the open position; means for determining a door open time based on the information received by the means for generating from the means for responding; means for determining a door closed time based on the information received by the means for generating from the means for responding; means for determining an amount of time the door was open based on the door open time and the door closed time; means for associating the door open time with a kiosk identifier; and means for sending the door open time, the kiosk identifier, and the amount of time to the remote computer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification