| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 700234000 | Demonstration or duplication of article (e.g., software, video) | 10 |
| 20080288106 | Content Distribution Systems and Methods - An electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090326708 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY BUYING, RENTING, AND/OR SELLING MEDIA DISCS - A kiosk or machine for buying media discs includes a dispense/receive system for dispensing the media discs to consumers and receiving media discs from customers, a disc identification system for identifying the media discs, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs within the kiosk, a control system operably connected to dispense/receive system, the disc transfer system, and a user interface system. The user interface includes a buy-back indicator or prompt which can be selectively activated by the customer. In response to activation of the buy-back indicator, the controller activates the dispense/receive system to receive a media disc for buy-back, activates the disc transfer system to move the media disc to the disc identification system, activates the disc identification system to identify the media disc, determines a buy-back price for the media disc, and activates the user interface system to display the buy-back price. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100211217 | Digital Content Distribution System - This invention provides an improved method to deliver large amounts of digital content to portable electronic devices at low cost, without requiring the users of such devices to download such content from the Internet. Neither do the users have to purchase or manipulate data storage media such as CDs, DVDs, or memory cards. Moreover, the digital content delivery system of this invention can facilitate digital rights management, a major concern of content publishers. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100217433 | STORE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CAPABLE OF SWITCHING BETWEEN MANNED OR UNMANNED SALES - Disclosed is a store management system capable of switching between manned or unmanned sales. During the daytime, a clerk or owner stays in a store to allow a customer, who visits the opened store, to purchase goods which are received in a vending machine or are displayed in a showcase. On the other hand, in a state wherein the store is closed at night to provide no reception or store management of the clerk or owner, the customer is able to select and order goods of the vending machine at the outside of a show window of the store using a display device and an ordering/settlement device installed at the show window. The vending machine is operated to dispense the selected goods as soon as the customer pays for the goods, and the dispensed goods are discharged out of the show window via a goods discharge device, such as a conveyor belt, to thereby be provided to the customer. When the store management system is applied to stores in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, efficient sales even at night are possible without manned management by a clerk or owner. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100262280 | Display-Based Vending Apparatus and Method - A vending-machine has one or more displays that inform the customer regarding available vendable selections and that facilitate the purchase of a selected item. By one approach this display can comprise a touchscreen display. Such an approach can support a highly intuitive interaction between the purchasing context and the customer. A display of dynamic content serves to attract a potential customer, provide the customer with a wealth of information regarding available selections, offer the customer a variety of ways to consider and assess available vendable items, support the building of a customer relationship between the customer and one or more marketing brands, and effect the successful conclusion of a vending transaction. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20110153071 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCTS - An apparatus, method and system are presented for delivering multi-media products using a self-service kiosk. The kiosk delivers the multi-media product on a DVD or electronically downloads the multi-media product via high-speed communications to a portable device. The high-speed communications allows the multi-media product to be downloaded in relatively short time period. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20120130533 | Digital Storage Media Dispensing Device - Methods and techniques are described to dynamically provide preloaded movies on digital storage devices that may be purchased or leased by a consumer on a self-service media content dispensing device, such as a kiosk. A media content dispensing device stores various media content obtained physically or via a network on a server at a dispensing device. When a request is received from a user to purchase or lease a particular title, the user may provide a blank storage device and exchange the blank storage device to receive the media content preloaded on a storage device provided by the dispensing device. The dispensing device will then store the title, or a different title, on the blank storage device provided by the user for purchase or lease by another to maintain inventory. The dispensing device may also change an existing preloaded storage device to a different title to maintain inventory. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120158171 | Digital Media Kiosk - A kiosk for sale or rental of secure USB flash drives employing digital rights management to implement secure digital media storage such as that provided by encrypted storage utilizing content protection for recordable media (CPRM) or the like. Preferably, the form factor of the secure USB flash drives is that of a standard USB flash drive, and a standard | 06-21-2012 |
| 20130066464 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUBSTITUTING A MEDIA ARTICLE WITH ALTERNATIVE MEDIA - A method of substituting digital alternative media for a physical media article at an article dispensing machine to a customer is provided. The method includes receiving a request related to the media article through a user interface from the customer, identifying an associated content provider, and determining the alternative media selection at the associated content provider that corresponds to the media article. The method also includes receiving a unique customer identifier and identifying the associated content provider based on the unique customer identifier. The method further includes mapping the media article to the alternative media selection based on metadata. The media article may be available at the article dispensing machine or may be unavailable due to being out-of-stock or reserved to another customer. The associated content provider may be linked to the customer based on a subscription. The digital alternative media selection may be accessed by an audio/visual display interface. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130261793 | Gold and Precious Metal Buying Machine and Method - The machine or method buys gold or precious metal items. A housing with a vault is linked to a central office for tracking buy/no-buy sales events and uploading current exchange rate data. The item is placed on a platform leading to processing stations which weigh, image, assay and convey the item to the vault (buy) or return-route (no-buy). User display commands and offers-to-buy, capture user images, scan identity and biometric data and permit user-keyed input. A computer processor calculates a discounted market value based upon exchange rate, weight, assayed purity and discounts. A compiler stores seller's data including seller responses, images and scanner data and buy/no-buy data. An acceptance module initiates a credit event and delivers the item to the vault. A rejection module negates acceptance upon user command or if an error in gold purity, weight, discounted market value or size. | 10-03-2013 |
