Computer kiosk and related systems and methods

摘要

Computer kiosks include input/output devices interactive user applications for local users. The operation of the interactive user applications, input/output devices and other kiosk hardware are monitored by software modules resident thereon, with status reporting to a remote computer system. The remote computer system allows users to monitor the operation of multiple, geographically disparate computer kiosks, and to remotely input commands thereto. Analytics relating to kiosk and application usage can also be captured and reported.

主权项

1. A computer kiosk comprising:
a kiosk enclosure; an input device and an output device for local user interaction; a processor and machine-readable memory stored within the enclosure; and a communications device for communication with a remote computer system; wherein program instructions are stored on the machine-readable memory for the processor to execute:
an interactive local user application utilizing the input device and the output device;an applications monitor module for launching and monitoring the interactive local user application;a hardware monitor module for monitoring and controlling power to the input device and the output device; anda communications module for receiving outputs from the applications monitor module, and the hardware monitor module, communicating the outputs to the remote computer, receiving commands from the remote computer system and routing the commands to the applications monitor module and the hardware monitor module; wherein the communications module receives commands relating to the operation of the input device and the output device from the remote computer system, the hardware monitor module receiving the commands from the communications module and executing the commands; and wherein the commands include commands to power off the input device or the output device on a predetermined schedule.