Wireless communication for consumer-operated kiosks
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method for wirelessly communicating with a consumer-operated kiosk, the computer implemented method comprising:
- initiating a commercial operation via a mobile device of a user by sending a first wireless message from the mobile device to determine a location of a kiosk in range of the user, wherein the first wireless message is a discovery message configured to locate a kiosk;
in response to sending the first wireless message, receiving a first wireless reply message, wherein the first wireless reply message identifies a located kiosk;
in response to receiving the identification of the located kiosk, sending a second wireless message from the mobile device to the located kiosk, wherein the second wireless message is configured to initiate execution of the commercial operation by the located kiosk; and
in response to sending the second wireless message, receiving a second wireless reply message from the located kiosk, wherein the second wireless reply message indicates a status of the commercial operation.
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Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods for kiosk accessibility via a mobile device. In some embodiments, a wireless mobile device has input features such as voice-control and GUI-based buttons that assist visually impaired people to send wireless messages for accessing features of a kiosk. The kiosk is equipped with wireless communication hardware and or software to receive messages from the mobile device for performing various kiosk-related operations, such a renting, vending, and or returning a product.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for wirelessly communicating with a consumer-operated kiosk, the computer implemented method comprising:
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initiating a commercial operation via a mobile device of a user by sending a first wireless message from the mobile device to determine a location of a kiosk in range of the user, wherein the first wireless message is a discovery message configured to locate a kiosk; in response to sending the first wireless message, receiving a first wireless reply message, wherein the first wireless reply message identifies a located kiosk; in response to receiving the identification of the located kiosk, sending a second wireless message from the mobile device to the located kiosk, wherein the second wireless message is configured to initiate execution of the commercial operation by the located kiosk; and in response to sending the second wireless message, receiving a second wireless reply message from the located kiosk, wherein the second wireless reply message indicates a status of the commercial operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. At least one tangible, computer-readable medium that, when executed by at least one data processing device, causes a consumer-operated kiosk to perform a method comprising:
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receiving a first wireless message from a mobile device of the user, wherein the first wireless message is a discovery message configured to determine a location of a kiosk in range of the user; receiving from the mobile device, a second wireless message to initiate a kiosk operation; in response to receiving the second wireless message, initiating execution of the kiosk operation, wherein the kiosk operation is based at least in part on content of the second wireless message; and sending a third wireless message to the mobile device, wherein the third wireless message includes instructions for interacting with the kiosk via the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A consumer-related kiosk, the kiosk comprising:
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a processor; a storage medium; a wireless communication device configured to; initiate a commercial operation with a handheld device of a user by receiving a first wireless message configured to determine a location of a kiosk in range of the user, wherein the first wireless message is a discovery message, in response to receiving the first wireless message, send a second wireless message to the handheld device, wherein the second wireless message contains a kiosk identifier, and receive a third wireless message from the handheld device, wherein the third wireless message is configured to identify a user-selected product contained in the kiosk; and a product dispenser configured to dispense the user-selected product from the kiosk, wherein the product is dispensed at least partially in response to receiving the third wireless message. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification