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 including a carousel;
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; and
an input/output mechanism for dispensing and receiving one of the array of optical media from the carousel 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, wherein the carousel is operably positioned between the eject arm and 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;
the eject arm moveable to a first position within the carousel for pushing the one optical media from the carousel and a second position free of the carousel when the carousel is rotating; and
the feedback sensor sensing when the eject arm is in the first position.
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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
21 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 including a carousel; 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; and an input/output mechanism for dispensing and receiving one of the array of optical media from the carousel 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, wherein the carousel is operably positioned between the eject arm and 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; the eject arm moveable to a first position within the carousel for pushing the one optical media from the carousel and a second position free of the carousel when the carousel is rotating; and the feedback sensor sensing when the eject arm is in the first position. - 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 including a carousel; 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 from the carousel 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; a first motor for rotating the carousel and a second motor connected to one or more cams for opening and closing a door to the input/output mechanism, the first and second motors being responsive to controls by one or both of the processor and central server; 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; the eject arm moveable to a first position within the carousel for ejecting the one optical media from the carousel and a second position free of the carousel when the carousel is rotating; the feedback sensor sensing when the eject arm is in the first position.
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21. 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 including a carousel; 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 from the carousel 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, the input/output mechanism comprising a feedback sensor and an eject arm, wherein the carousel is operably positioned between the eject arm and the slot, and wherein the feedback sensor senses a position of the eject arm for dispensing or retrieving optical media through the slot; and another sensor for sensing an identifier of optical recorded media before storage in the carousel, the other sensor sending signals to the processor to determine whether the optical recorded media may be accepted within the input/output mechanism based upon the signals received; the eject arm moveable to a first position within the carousel for ejecting the one optical media from the carousel and a second position free of the carousel when the carousel is rotating; and the feedback sensor sensing when the eject arm is in the first position.
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Specification