Shared video vendor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9824522-B2
Application number	US-201414326932-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 9, 2014
Priority date	Jul 10, 2013
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and one of a plurality of remote sources. Vending machine may include a communication interface communicatively coupled with each source. Vending machine may include an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of a source. Vending machine may include a speaker and a microphone for audio communication with selected source, as well as a display for providing information related to the transaction from selected source. Vending machine may include a processor that transmits an indication that a source has been selected and establishes, via the communication interface, audio communication. Processor may receive, via the communication interface, a control command from selected source directing a hardware peripheral of vending machine to perform a function. Processor may receive an issuance authorization from selected source. The issuance authorization may cause a transaction item to be issued.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and of one of a plurality of remote sources, the vending machine comprising:
a communication interface communicatively coupled with interface systems of each of the plurality of remote sources via a control service, wherein the control service includes an application programming interface (API) that allows each of the plurality of remote sources to communicate with and control the vending machine, wherein connections between the control service and each of the plurality remote sources are encrypted, wherein the vending machine and each of the plurality of remote sources are authenticated prior to being enabled to ensure that connections between the interface system and a corresponding one of each of the plurality remote sources is secure, and wherein the control service maintains an open connection with only the vending machine and the interface systems;
an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of one of a group of remote sources;
a speaker;
a microphone, wherein the speaker and the microphone are configured to enable an audio communication with the selected remote source;
a display for providing information from the selected remote source, wherein the information is related to the transaction with the selected remote source; and
a processor that is configured to:
transmit an indication to the control service that one of the plurality of remote sources has been selected, wherein the control service relays the indication to the selected source via a corresponding interface system of the selected source;
establish, via the communication interface and the control service, the audio communication with the selected remote source, wherein establishing the audio communication causes a call management system to provide an additional indication to the control service regarding the selection of the one of the plurality of selected sources such that remote access of the vending machine is granted to the one of the plurality of selected sources using the control service;
upon transmission of the indication to the control service that the one of the plurality of selected sources has been selected, providing remote access of the vending machine to the one of the plurality of selected sources through the control service, wherein the remote access is provided by a virtual machine on a server located remotely from the vending machine;
receive from the selected source via the corresponding interface and the control system, in response to the audio communication with the selected source, information related to a product or a service offered for purchase by the selected source;
present on the display, the information related to the product or the service offered for purchase by the selected source;
receive, via the communication interface, a control command from the selected remote source via the corresponding interface system and the control system that directs a hardware peripheral of the vending machine to perform a function;
receive a payment at the vending machine for the purchase of a transaction item related to the product or service offered for purchase by the selected source;
transmit to the selected source via the control system and the corresponding interface system an indication that the payment has been received;
receive an issuance authorization from the selected remote source via the corresponding interface system and the control system, wherein the issuance authorization causes a transaction item related to the product or the service offered for purchase by the selected source to be issued;
transmit the received payment to a reconciliation system, wherein the reconciliation system is configured to distribute payments to each of the plurality of remote sources by analyzing received payments information and expected payments information from each of the plurality of remote sources to determine proper payment amounts for each of the plurality of remote sources; and
transmit a transaction record associated with the issuance of the transaction item related to the product or service offered for purchase by the selected source to both a back office associated with the vending machine and the reconciliation system, wherein the reconciliation system is further configured to collect and compare transaction records for a plurality of transactions from the back office and each of the plurality of remote sources to detect any possible discrepancies within the transaction records.

2. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera configured to enable a video communication with the selected remote source.

3. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1 , further comprising:
a reader that is configured to read information stored on a payment medium.

4. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1 , wherein the computer processor is further configured to:
receive a payment from the user;
communicate a payment authorization request associated with the payment to a financial institution;
receive an authorization approval related to the payment authorization request; and
send an indication that the payment has been accepted to the selected remote source.

5. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1 , further comprising:
a printer configured to print one or more of a ticket or a receipt.

6. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1 , wherein:
the input interface comprises a touchscreen of the display.

7. A method for enabling a transaction between a user and of one of a plurality of remote sources using a vending machine, the method comprising:
receiving an input, via an input interface, to select one of a plurality of remote sources, wherein each of the plurality of remote sources is communicatively coupled with the vending machine via a communication interface of the vending machine, wherein each of the plurality of remote sources comprises an interface systems that is in communication with the communication interface via a control service, wherein the control service includes an application programming interface (API) that allows each of the plurality of remote sources to communicate with and control the vending machine, wherein connections between the control service and each of the plurality remote sources are encrypted, wherein the vending machine and each of the plurality of remote sources are authenticated prior to being enabled to ensure that connections between the interface system and a corresponding one of each of the plurality remote sources is secure, and wherein the control service maintains an open connection with only the vending machine and the interface systems;
transmitting an indication to the control service that one of the plurality of remote sources has been selected, wherein the control service relays the indication to the selected source via a corresponding interface system of the selected source;
establishing, via the communication interface and the control service, an audio communication with the selected remote source, wherein establishing the audio communication causes a call management system to provide an additional indication to the control service regarding the selection of the one of the plurality of selected sources such that remote access of the vending machine is granted to the one of the plurality of selected sources using the control service;
upon transmission of the indication to the control service that the one of the plurality of selected sources has been selected, providing remote access of the vending machine to the one of the plura

Assignees

• Cubic Corp

Inventors

• Smith Gavin R
• Packham Jon
• Reymann Steffen

Classifications

• G06Q30/0269

  based on user profile or attribute · CPC title

• G06Q50/10

  Services · CPC title

• G06Q20/18

  involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals · CPC title

• G06Q10/02

  Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events · CPC title

• G07F17/42 Primary

  for ticket printing or like apparatus {, e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards} · CPC title