Kiosk systems and methods

• US 20080255901A1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ryko Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Ryko Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Brown, Curtis D., Brower, Charles J., Bocox, Roger E., Carroll, John Stuart
• Application Number:
  US12/079,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means

Abstract

A kiosk includes a front panel defining an opening in a body and an interactive screen positioned within the opening. A moisture resistant support structure is disposed between the front panel and the interactive screen. A central processing unit is disposed within the body and the central processing unit is operatively connected to the interactive screen.

Claims

1. A kiosk comprising:

a front panel defining an opening in a body;

an interactive screen positioned within the opening;

a moisture resistant support structure disposed between the front panel and the interactive screen; and

a central processing unit disposed within the body, wherein the central processing unit is operatively connected to the interactive screen.

2. The kiosk of claim 1, further including a plurality of secured compartments disposed within the body having varying levels of security, wherein only authorized users have access to the secured compartments.

3. The kiosk of claim 2, wherein the secured compartments are secured by electronic or mechanical locks.

4. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is operatively connected to a remote network.

5. The kiosk of claim 1, further including a data storage that records data when a user attempts to access any of the secured compartments.

6. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit generates an alarm or activates a camera to record an image of an unauthorized user when the unauthorized user attempts to access any of the secured compartments.

7. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the interactive panel is disposed within a groove in the support structure and is connected to the groove structure along a periphery of the interactive panel.

8. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the interactive screen is a resistive or capacitive touch panel that detects a parameter of a user'"'"'s finger.

9. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the interactive screen is a resistive or capacitive touch panel that detects a parameter of a conductive pen.

10. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the parameter of the user'"'"'s finger is a location of the user'"'"'s finger, a pressure exerted by the user'"'"'s finger, or a biometry of the user'"'"'s finger.

11. The kiosk of claim 9, wherein the parameter is the biometry of the user'"'"'s finger and the parameter is used to determine which of a plurality of secured compartments having varying levels of security the user has access to.

12. The kiosk of claim 9, wherein the location of a user'"'"'s finger is used to determine a subsequent action.

13. The kiosk of claim 1, further including one or more of a speaker, a card reader, a key reader, a retinal scanner, a cash tray, and a coin slot disposed on the front panel.

14. A method of providing customer support at a point of sale, comprising the steps of:

providing an activation unit for a customer to select a transaction;

providing a product dispenser, wherein the product dispenser is communicatively connected to the activation unit;

authorizing the product dispenser to dispense a product based on the selected transaction;

providing a server that monitors the activation unit and the product dispenser;

sensing a need for customer assistance at the activation unit or the product dispenser; and

providing customer assistance to the customer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the server monitors the activation unit from a remote location.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of authorizing the product dispenser further includes a step of verifying that the customer is authorized to purchase a product.

17. The method of claim 14, further including a step of dispensing a coupon to a customer.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing assistance to the customer includes a further step of providing assistance from a remote service provider.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the remote service provider interacts with the customer by video.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing assistance to the customer includes a step of issuing credits for a future purchase to the customer.

21. The method of claim 18, further including a step of generating a report based on data gathered from monitoring the activation unit.

22. A method of selling a car wash comprising the steps of:

providing a first car wash appliance and a first activation unit at a first location;

providing a second car wash appliance and a second activation unit at a second location that is different from the first location;

providing a first point of sale system at the first location; and

providing a central server that is communicatively connected with the first and second car wash appliances, the first and second activation units, and the first point of sale system.

23. The method of claim 22, further including a step of selling a car wash at the first point of sale system and a step of permitting redemption of the car wash at the second car wash appliance.