METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING PRODUCTS, SUCH AS DIGITAL CONTENT INCLUDING GAMES, RING TONES, AND/OR GRAPHICS; AND SERVICES, SUCH AS COMPUTER NETWORK SERVICE INCLUDING INTERNET SERVICE

摘要

Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value (100), including coins, paper currency, credit, and/or debit, for internet service (526) and digital content. Such digital content can include, for example, online games and content for mobile phones. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine (100) includes a coin input region (106), a coin sorting/counting apparatus (112), a card reader (202), and a communications facility (113) configured to communicate with a remote computer network. A user wishing to purchase internet service, for example, can visit the value exchange machine, select the desired transaction, and pay for the internet service with coins, paper currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine can issue a code (1206) to the user, for example, on a card enabling the user to obtain the internet service.