WO2006051325A1 - Kiosque - Google Patents

Kiosque Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006051325A1
WO2006051325A1 PCT/GB2005/004375 GB2005004375W WO2006051325A1 WO 2006051325 A1 WO2006051325 A1 WO 2006051325A1 GB 2005004375 W GB2005004375 W GB 2005004375W WO 2006051325 A1 WO2006051325 A1 WO 2006051325A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
kiosk
user
communication session
ink
communication
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/004375
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Michael Scanlan
Original Assignee
Cartucho Group Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cartucho Group Limited filed Critical Cartucho Group Limited
Publication of WO2006051325A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006051325A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to kiosks, and in particular to electronic kiosks for use in retail environments.
  • One of the most significant trends in consumer electronics is the rapid switch from conventional photography to digital photography.
  • One of the disadvantages of digital photography is the need for users to print the pictures that they have taken.
  • users may print their own pictures, or take a disc or memory card to a photographic developer, who will print the desired pictures.
  • the disadvantage of users printing their own pictures is that consumer ink jets tend to have an inferior print quality to that that can be obtained from print developers.
  • a disadvantage of using photographic developers to print out digital photos is that the printing process takes a number of hours, or even days.
  • a further option has been introduced for digital photographers, in which a memory card or CD can be inserted into the kiosk which then prints a number of selected images. The printed photographs are delivered to the user within a few seconds or minutes.
  • One of the problems that has been observed with these kiosks is that some users have problems in correctly navigating the user interface of the kiosk. For example, some users have found it difficult to select the photographs that are to be printed or to change the number of copies that are to be printed of each photograph.
  • kiosks are found in retail shops and are supplied by a different company to the retailer that is operating the shop.
  • the supplier of the kiosk typically provides trained staff to assist users of the kiosk for economic reasons. Whilst it is possible for the kiosk supplier to train some of the employees of the retailer, this is not always possible as time spent by these employees in assisting users of the kiosk will be time lost from selling the products and/or services offered by the retailer.
  • similar kiosks are also in use within retail stores to provide other services and/or products to users, for example refilling of ink-jet printer cartridges, printing business cards, top-up of mobile phone credit, etc. It has also been observed that users of such kiosks can encounter difficulties with the operation of such kiosks.
  • a kiosk comprising control means, display means, user interface means the kiosk being connected to a communications network, wherein, in use, the kiosk establishes a communication session with a terminal connected to the communications network, the communication session enabling communication between a kiosk user and a terminal operator.
  • the communication session enables voice communication between the kiosk user and a terminal operator and it is further preferred that the communication session comprises a voice over IP communication session.
  • the communication session enables text-based communication between the kiosk user and the terminal operator.
  • the kiosk may further comprise a text to speech converter for generating speech signals in response.
  • the kiosk comprises a photograph printing kiosk.
  • the kiosk comprises an ink-jet printer cartridge refilling kiosk.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional kiosk
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic depiction of a kiosk according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of a kiosk according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional kiosk 10 which comprises control means 20, memory means 30, storage means 40, user interface means 50, display means 60, printer means 70, for example a dye sublimation printer, means for receiving payments 80 and means for receiving memory storage media and/or devices 90. All of these components are inter-connected to enable the functioning of the kiosk.
  • the kiosk is connected to a central server 200 by communications link 100.
  • the kiosk may be, for example, a kiosk for printing digital photographs from memory storage media and/or devices.
  • a user will insert for example, a CD-R or a memory card into the memory storage media receiving means 90.
  • the kiosk will display some or all of the images stored in the memory storage device on the display means 60 and the user selects one or more images for printing using the user interface means 50. Once the user has selected the desired images and the number of prints required of each then a print command can be selected using the user interface means.
  • the kiosk will prompt the user for payment, which can be made by inserting cash and/or a payment card into the means for receiving payments 80. If a debit or credit card is inserted then the card may be authorised by the kiosk, via the central server 200.
  • the requested images will then be printed using the printer means 70.
  • the operation of the kiosk and the inter-operation of the different kiosk components is controlled by computer software that is stored in the storage means 40 and is executed using the control means 20 and the memory means 30.
  • the kiosk is in communication with central server 200 via communications link 100.
  • the communications link 100 comprises a DSL (digital subscriber line) link as this avoids the need to make a network connection when a card authorisation is being made.
  • the kiosk can report levels of consumables (paper, ink, etc.), report sales & usage information, report faults, to the server, which enables repair and maintenance - A -
  • a server may be used to monitor the state and activity of a number of different kiosks.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of a kiosk 150 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the kiosk has a number of similarities to the kiosk described above with reference to Figure 1 and comprises control means 20, memory means 30, storage means 40, user interface means 50, display means 60, printer means 70, means for receiving payments 80 and means for receiving memory storage media and/or devices 90.
  • the kiosk 150 according to the present invention additionally comprises loudspeakers 110 and microphone 120.
  • the loudspeakers 110 and the microphone 120 are connected to the control means 20 and the other kiosk components.
  • the communications link 100 comprises a DSL link, or a similar high-speed, always on network link.
  • the kiosk 150 also comprise additional software that enables voice over IP (VoIP) packets (sometimes referred to as internet telephony) to be sent and received to the server 200, via the communications link 150.
  • VoIP voice over IP
  • the server 200 will be similarly configured such that a VoIP session can be established between the kiosk 150 and the server 200, or alternatively the VoIP packets can be forwarded to a separate VoIP terminal 250. .
  • the user interface means may be used to initiate a VoIP conversation with a help desk operative.
  • the operative can provide feedback and/or guidance to the user of the kiosk such that the desired images can be successfully printed.
  • the communications link is a DSL link (or equivalent)
  • the VoIP session can be supported without effecting any other communications being carried over the communications link.
  • the software that controls the kiosk may monitor the progress of a user and if it appears that the user is encountering difficulties with the operation of the kiosk, a prompt may be provided to the user asking them if they wish to be connected to a help desk operative.
  • a VoIP connection may be established in the event that it is determined that the user is experiencing difficulties.
  • the user interface comprises a keyboard so that instant messages or emails can be used to provide communication between the kiosk user and a help desk operative.
  • a text to speech (TTS) converter may be provided in the kiosk such that received messages comprising text can be converted into speech and played through the loudspeakers.
  • the kiosk may additionally comprise an inductive loop to assist kiosk users who have hearing impairments.
  • FIG 3 shows a schematic depiction of a kiosk 150' according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the kiosk has a number of similarities to the kiosk described above with reference to Figure 2 and comprises control means 20, memory means 30, storage means 40, user interface means 50, display means 60, printer means 70, and means for receiving payments 80.
  • the kiosk 150' shown in Figure 3 is for refilling ink jet printer cartridges and further comprises receiving means 95 for receiving an ink jet printer cartridge, one or more ink tanks 105 and a filing means that can engage with the received ink jet cartridge and can transfer ink from one or more of the ink tanks into the received ink jet cartridge.
  • the kiosk 150 according to the present invention additionally comprises loudspeakers 110 and microphone 120.
  • the loudspeakers 110 and the microphone 120 are connected to the control means 20 and the other kiosk components.
  • the communications link 100 comprises a DSL link, or a similar high-speed, always on network link.
  • the kiosk is preferably able to receive ink jet cartridges from a number of different printer manufacturers. This may require the kiosk to comprise one or more different receiving means, or a single receiving means may be bale to receive all of the cartridges that are supported by the kiosk.
  • the kiosk may be able to detect the type of cartridge that is received and prompt the user to confirm this. Alternatively the kiosk may rely on the user to enter the identity of the cartridge. This information is then used to select the ink(s) that are needed to refill the cartridge and the method that is required to carry out the refilling.
  • the ink held in the ink tanks may be designed for the printers of a particular manufacturer, in which case a number of sets of tanks may be required. Alternatively, different inks may be prepared on demand by mixing a base ink with additional colourants and/or additives.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Kiosque pour une utilisation sans surveillance dans un environnement de vente au détail étant pourvu d’une capacité de communication bidirectionnelle sur un réseau de communication existant de telle sorte que le kiosque peut être surveillé à distance.
PCT/GB2005/004375 2004-11-12 2005-11-14 Kiosque WO2006051325A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0424963A GB2420211A (en) 2004-11-12 2004-11-12 Kiosk
GB0424963.7 2004-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006051325A1 true WO2006051325A1 (fr) 2006-05-18

Family

ID=33523591

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/004375 WO2006051325A1 (fr) 2004-11-12 2005-11-14 Kiosque

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2420211A (fr)
WO (1) WO2006051325A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2459240A (en) * 2007-08-14 2009-10-21 Robert Gilmore Edwards Video conferencing apparatus for delivering services such as mail services
ES2377288B1 (es) * 2010-08-26 2013-02-05 Daniel Barcos Platero Sistema multi-servicios personalizado para máquinas vending.

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001001669A1 (fr) * 1999-06-29 2001-01-04 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Dispositif et procede d'imprimerie
WO2001033858A1 (fr) * 1999-10-29 2001-05-10 United Video Properties, Inc. Systemes de television interactifs permettant un service a la clientele en direct
US20010007332A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2001-07-12 National City Bank Interactive point access financial and information system
US6397187B1 (en) * 1997-12-11 2002-05-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. System for obtaining assistance in operating an apparatus
US20040169707A1 (en) * 2002-09-04 2004-09-02 Sesek Robert M. Ink cartridge refilling station

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3876864A (en) * 1973-12-11 1975-04-08 Diebold Inc Teller-assisted currency dispenser system
US4359631A (en) * 1980-07-11 1982-11-16 Lawrence B. Lockwood Self-service terminal
US5586037A (en) * 1991-04-01 1996-12-17 Pi Electronics, Inc. Automated self-service mail processing and storing systems
BR9507545A (pt) * 1994-04-28 1997-08-05 Music Vending Inc Sistema de venda de música
GB2356480B (en) * 1999-11-20 2004-02-11 Ncr Int Inc Self-service terminal
GB2357176A (en) * 1999-12-07 2001-06-13 Hussain Amir Ali Internet booth
GB2374293B (en) * 2001-03-09 2004-11-10 Igt Uk Ltd Entertainment machines

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6397187B1 (en) * 1997-12-11 2002-05-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. System for obtaining assistance in operating an apparatus
US20010007332A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2001-07-12 National City Bank Interactive point access financial and information system
WO2001001669A1 (fr) * 1999-06-29 2001-01-04 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Dispositif et procede d'imprimerie
WO2001033858A1 (fr) * 1999-10-29 2001-05-10 United Video Properties, Inc. Systemes de television interactifs permettant un service a la clientele en direct
US20040169707A1 (en) * 2002-09-04 2004-09-02 Sesek Robert M. Ink cartridge refilling station

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
MICROSOFT CORPORATION: "Windows Messenger for Windows XP", INTERNET DOCUMENT, 6 June 2003 (2003-06-06), XP002346246 *
NETVIEWER GMBH: "Netviewer", INTERNET DOCUMENT, 3 July 2003 (2003-07-03), XP002346083 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0424963D0 (en) 2004-12-15
GB2420211A (en) 2006-05-17

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