Coinstar, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140263385 | MULTI-FUNCTION CARD HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF OPERATION - A multi-function card dispenser and related apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing credit cards, phone cards, in-store gift cards, and the like at customer-operated kiosks and other machines. In one embodiment, a card apparatus can include a card hopper having a card eject surface and a card track having a card transport surface positioned below the card eject surface. A first roller is configured to rotate to draw a first card from a card port and onto the card track. A second roller is configured to rotate to dispense a second (ejected) card from the card hopper and onto the card track and further toward the card port. In one embodiment, the second roller is further configured to rotate to deposit cards below the card hopper. | 09-18-2014 |
20140238816 | COIN COUNTING AND SORTING MACHINES - Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations. | 08-28-2014 |
20140136351 | CONSUMER OPERATED KIOSKS FOR PURCHASING ITEMS ONLINE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure is directed to consumer operated kiosks for purchasing items online and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a method of making purchases online can include receiving funds (e.g., bills and/or coins) from a user at a consumer operated kiosk, and receiving online order information at the consumer operated kiosk. The online order information can be associated with a user account stored on a remote database and can include a cost of an online order from a third party merchant. The method can further include initiating transfer of at least a portion of the received funds to the third party merchant to pay for the online order. | 05-15-2014 |
20140089077 | CONSUMER OPERATED KIOSKS FOR PURCHASING FRESH FOODS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure is directed to consumer operated kiosks for purchasing fresh foods and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a consumer operated kiosk can include a temperature controlled compartment for storing an inventory of fresh foods items, a user interface configured to receive user instructions corresponding to selected fresh food items, and a product retrieval system configured to move selected fresh food items from the temperature controlled compartment to a dispensing area. In various embodiments, the consumer operated kiosk can further include a communications facility configured to send transaction information associated with fresh food items purchased at the consumer operated kiosk to a remote computer, and the remote computer can update associated inventory information and store it in a remote database. The remote computer can monitor ages of the fresh food items in the inventory. | 03-27-2014 |
20130307386 | ACCESS MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS AND OTHER ENCLOSURES - Systems and associated methods for monitoring and/or controlling access to interior portions of consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a consumer-operated kiosk includes an enclosure having a door movable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure and an open position that permits access to the enclosure. In this embodiment, an identifier, such as an RFID transponder or tag, is mounted to one of the enclosure or the door, and a reader, such as an RFID reader, is mounted to the other of the enclosure or the door. When the door is closed, the reader detects the identifier. Conversely, when the door moves away form the closed position, the reader ceases to detect the identifier and can generate/send a signal indicating that the door is open. | 11-21-2013 |
20130188063 | INTERACTIVE PHOTO BOOTH AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure is directed to interactive photo booths and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, for example, an interactive photo booth can include a housing having sidewalls that form an enclosure sized to receive one or more users. The interactive photo booth can also include a backdrop within the enclosure and a camera directed toward the backdrop that takes at least one photo of the users. The interactive photo booth can further include a first user interface in the enclosure and a second user interface on the sidewall of the housing. The first user interface can be configured to receive user selections related to the backdrop, and the second user interface can be configured to edit the photos taken by the camera. | 07-25-2013 |
20130161153 | CONSUMER OPERATED KIOSK-BASED MARKETPLACE SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Consumer operated kiosks for coin counting and/or providing various products and services are described herein. In various embodiments, the kiosks can provide the consumer with the ability to review and select various favorite options for utilizing coin value and other forms of value and to sort same. Other embodiments provide the ability for the user log in to a social networking website to share and compare their experiences on the kiosk with others via the social network. | 06-27-2013 |
20130117137 | CONSUMER OPERATED KIOSK FOR SAMPLING BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure is directed to consumer operated kiosks for sampling products and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a method of selling beauty products can include providing a consumer operated kiosk including an inventory of product samples. The product samples correspond to products available for purchase by consumers at a point of sale in a retail establishment. The method can further include displaying product information related to the product samples on the kiosk, and receiving a user selection corresponding to at least one of the product samples. The method can also include receiving payment for the selected product sample, and dispensing the selected product sample to the user from the kiosk. | 05-09-2013 |
20130091055 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING AND/OR TRANSFERRING VARIOUS FORMS OF VALUE - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 04-11-2013 |
20110307378 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING/TRANSFERRING GIFT CARDS - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 12-15-2011 |
20100327005 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MAGNETIC CARDS, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CARDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ITEMS - Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader. | 12-30-2010 |
20100198726 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING/TRANSFERRING GIFT CARDS - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 08-05-2010 |
20100100481 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING AND/OR TRANSFERRING VARIOUS FORMS OF VALUE - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 04-22-2010 |
20090018959 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING AND/OR TRANSFERRING VARIOUS FORMS OF VALUE - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 01-15-2009 |