System for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media

摘要

A system for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media includes a kiosk having a plurality of vertical racks arranged in a circular formation, each vertical rack configured for storing a plurality of recorded media. A customer interface allows a customer to select or return a recorded media. A robotic element delivers the selected recorded media from the vertical racks to a media output, at the customer interface. The element also delivers a returned recorded media from a media input at the customer interface to the vertical racks. A computer controls operation of the kiosk, and an internet interface connects the kiosk to the Internet. The kiosk may communicate with a central server and/or other kiosks of a group, to locate a requested recorded media within a kiosk of the group. Once located within the group, the requested media may be reserved for customer pick-up.

主权项

1. A kiosk for dispensing and retrieving recorded media employing a robotic element, the kiosk comprising:
a telecommunications system for exchanging data between a central administrator and the kiosk, the kiosk having electronic controls responsive to instructions from the central administrator for governing administration of the kiosk according to a first state and a second state; wherein the first state provides for automatic administration of the kiosk, the first state comprising first program instructions for one or more of:
selecting a mix of recorded media for the kiosk inventory,converting a recorded media from rentable to saleable,performing software upgrades from one or more remote locations,performing analysis of the kiosk,predicting maintenance of the kiosk,determining an alarm condition,generating an alarm in response to the alarm condition, andperforming maintenance of the kiosk; and wherein the second state provides for remote administration of the kiosk via the telecommunications system according to the instructions from the central administrator, the second state comprising second program instructions initialized at a remote server of the central administrator for maintenance of the kiosk, wherein the second program instructions include program instructions for:
performing a routine to check on performance of the robotic element,selecting a mix of recorded media for the kiosk inventory,converting a recorded media from rentable to saleable,performing software upgrades from one or more remote locations,performing remote analysis of the kiosk,predicting maintenance of the kiosk,determining an alarm condition,generating an alarm in response to the alarm condition,updating a protocol regularly, wherein the kiosk reports kiosk operating conditions to the central administrator via the telecommunications system, andperforming remote maintenance of the kiosk.