U.S. patent application number 16/503371 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-05 for mobile device applications, other applications and associated kiosk-based systems and methods for facilitating coin saving.
The applicant listed for this patent is Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Eric Chung, Cord Frieden, Jonathan Greenblatt, Kevin King, Tricia Montgomery, Adam Rubin, Theron Sarda, Alexander Stock.
Application Number | 20200074431 16/503371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58720830 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-05 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200074431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stock; Alexander ; et
al. |
March 5, 2020 |
MOBILE DEVICE APPLICATIONS, OTHER APPLICATIONS AND ASSOCIATED
KIOSK-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING COIN SAVING
Abstract
Various embodiments of methods and systems for saving coins and
applying the coin value toward the purchase of selected products
are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the methods and systems
described herein can be utilized by parents, grandparents, etc. to
encourage and facilitate saving by children. For example, in some
embodiments a mobile application is provided that enables a child
to select a product to purchase as a "reward" for achieving a
savings goal. The mobile application can also enable the child
(and/or the child's parent) to set the savings goal, and track the
child's progress in reaching the goal as saved coins are
periodically exchanged at one or more coin counting kiosks. Other
embodiments of the disclosed technology enable the parent and/or
child to receive a notification when the child reaches the savings
goal, and apply the saved funds toward the purchase of the selected
reward.
Inventors: |
Stock; Alexander; (New York,
NY) ; Rubin; Adam; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Chung;
Eric; (New York, NY) ; Sarda; Theron; (New
York, NY) ; Greenblatt; Jonathan; (Brooklyn, NY)
; King; Kevin; (Sammamish, WA) ; Frieden;
Cord; (Bellevue, WA) ; Montgomery; Tricia;
(Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58720830 |
Appl. No.: |
16/503371 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14946678 |
Nov 19, 2015 |
10346819 |
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16503371 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/2295 20200501;
G06Q 20/202 20130101; G09B 19/18 20130101; G07F 17/42 20130101;
G06Q 20/18 20130101; G06Q 20/38215 20130101; G07D 9/00 20130101;
G06Q 20/12 20130101; G06Q 20/0457 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/18 20060101
G06Q020/18; G06Q 20/20 20060101 G06Q020/20; G06Q 20/12 20060101
G06Q020/12; G07D 9/00 20060101 G07D009/00; G09B 19/18 20060101
G09B019/18; G07F 17/42 20060101 G07F017/42; G06Q 20/04 20060101
G06Q020/04; G06Q 20/34 20060101 G06Q020/34; G06Q 20/38 20060101
G06Q020/38 |
Claims
1. A consumer operated coin counting kiosk to facilitate personal
savings programs, the coin counting kiosk comprising: a coin
receiving region configured to receive a plurality of random coins
from a user; a coin discriminator; a voucher printer; a voucher
dispenser; a processor; and a memory storing instructions to be
executed by the processor to: cause the coin discriminator to count
the plurality of random coins to determine a total coin value;
cause the voucher printer to print a voucher, wherein the voucher
includes indicia indicating a voucher redemption value, and wherein
the voucher redemption value is a cash value that the user can
receive in exchange for the voucher upon redemption; cause the
voucher dispenser to dispense the voucher; and cause the kiosk to
provide the user with a unique code, wherein the unique code is
stored in a remote database and associated with the total coin
value, and wherein the unique code enables the user to remotely
obtain an indication of the total coin value by inputting the
unique code into a user interface of a device that communicates the
unique code to a remote computer associated with the remote
database.
2. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 1 wherein the
processor causes the kiosk to provide the user with the unique code
by causing the printer to print the unique code on the voucher.
3. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 1 wherein the
voucher redemption value is less than the total coin value.
4. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 1, further
comprising: a communication facility, wherein the instructions are
to be executed by the processor to: cause the communication
facility to-- send the total coin value to the remote computer for
storing in the database; and in response to sending the total coin
value, receive the unique code from the remote computer.
5. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 1, further
comprising: a user interface; and a communication facility, wherein
the instructions are to be executed by the processor to: cause the
communication facility to-- send the total coin value to the remote
computer for storing in the database; and in response to sending
the total coin value, receive the unique code from the remote
computer; and cause the user interface to display the unique code
to the user.
6. A consumer operated coin counting kiosk, the coin counting kiosk
comprising: a coin input region configured to receive a plurality
of random coins from a user; a coin discriminator; a processor; and
a memory storing instructions to be executed by the processor to:
cause the coin discriminator to count the plurality of random coins
to determine a coin value; and cause the kiosk to provide the user
with a unique code, wherein the unique code is stored in a remote
database and associated with the coin value, and wherein the unique
code enables the user to remotely obtain an indication of the coin
value by inputting the unique code into a user interface of a user
device that communicates the unique code to a remote computer
associated with the remote database.
7. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6, further
comprising: a communication facility, wherein the instructions are
to be executed by the processor to: cause the communication
facility to-- send the coin value to the remote computer for
storing in the remote database; and in response to sending the coin
value, receive the unique code from the remote computer.
8. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6, further
comprising: a user interface; and a communication facility, wherein
the instructions are to be executed by the processor to: cause the
communication facility to-- send the coin value to the remote
computer for storing in the remote database; and in response to
sending the coin value, receive the unique code from the remote
computer; and cause the user interface to display the unique code
to the user.
9. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6 wherein the
unique code further enables the user to remotely add the coin value
to a user account via the user device.
10. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6 wherein
inputting the unique code further enables the user to remotely add
the coin value to a user account via the user device, and wherein
the user account enables the user to make online purchases with at
least a portion of the coin value.
11. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6 wherein:
the plurality of random coins is a first plurality of random coins
received from the user at a first time, the coin value is a first
coin value, and the unique code is a first unique code; the coin
receiving region is further configured to receive a second
plurality of random coins from the user at a second time, different
than the first time; and the instructions are to be further
executed by the processor to: cause the coin discriminator to count
the second plurality of random coins to determine a second coin
value; and cause the kiosk to provide the user with a second unique
code, wherein the second unique code is stored in the remote
database and associated with the second coin value, and wherein the
second unique code enables the user to remotely add the second coin
value to the first coin value in a user account via the user
device.
12. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 11 wherein
the user account enables the user to make online purchases with at
least a portion of the first and second coin values.
13. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 6, further
comprising: a voucher printer; and a voucher dispenser, wherein the
instructions are to be further executed by the processor to: cause
the voucher printer to print a voucher, wherein the voucher
includes indicia indicating a voucher redemption value, and wherein
the voucher redemption value is a cash value that the user can
receive in exchange for the voucher upon redemption; and cause the
voucher dispenser to dispense the voucher to the user.
14. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 13 wherein
the processor causes the kiosk to provide the user with the unique
code by causing the printer to print the unique code on the
voucher.
15. The consumer operated coin counting kiosk of claim 13 wherein
the voucher redemption value is less than the coin value.
16. A networked computer system comprising: a coin counting kiosk
comprising: a coin receiving region configured to receive a
plurality of random coins from a user; a coin discriminator; a
first processor; and a memory storing first computer-readable
instructions to be executed by the first processor to: cause the
coin discriminator to count the plurality of random coins to
determine a coin value; and cause the coin counting kiosk to
provide the user with a unique code, wherein the unique code is
stored in a remote database and associated with the coin value, and
a server configured to provide a user device with second
computer-readable instructions, wherein the user device includes a
second processor configured to execute the second computer-readable
instructions to: receive the unique code from the user; and in
response to receiving the unique code, facilitate adding the coin
value to an account of the user.
17. The networked computer system of claim 16 wherein the account
is a savings account of the user.
18. The networked computer system of claim 16 wherein the second
processor is further configured to execute the second
computer-readable instructions to: receive a selection of a product
from the user, the product having a purchase price; and when the
account contains a balance that is greater than or equal to the
purchase price, enable the user to purchase the product.
19. The networked computer system of claim 18 wherein enabling the
user to purchase the product includes displaying a link to the user
via a display of the user device that enables the user to purchase
the product online.
20. The networked computer system of claim 16 wherein the second
processor is further configured to execute the second
computer-readable instructions to: receive a product selection from
the user, the product selection having a purchase price; and when a
sum of the coin value plus any additional coin values associated
with any additional unique codes received from the user is greater
than or equal to the purchase price, display a message to the user
indicating that the purchase price has been met.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/946,678, filed Nov. 19, 2015, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems,
apparatuses and methods for saving coins and applying the coin
value toward the purchase of selected products and, more
particularly, to systems, apparatuses and methods for engaging
children in the savings process.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For many children, their first experience with money often
involves coins. They typically start by learning the value of
different coins, and then progress to making relatively small
purchases with coins. Parents have traditionally encouraged their
children to save coins at a young age, as saving provides a way to
instill a sense of responsibility in children, and lets them
experience the satisfaction of setting and achieving goals.
[0004] There are a number of ways that children and other people
can exchange their saved coins for cash. For example, they can take
their coins to a local bank, but some banks require that the coins
be rolled and counted before they can be deposited or exchanged for
cash. Consumers can also exchange their coins for cash vouchers,
e-certificates, or other products at a consumer-operated coin
counting kiosk. Outerwall Inc., for example, operates a network of
consumer-operated coin counting kiosks located in retail stores,
banks and other publicly accessible areas. The kiosks count loose
coins and dispense vouchers that can be redeemed for cash or
merchandise. Many of the kiosks also offer other products and
services, such as e-certificates, gift cards, account transfers,
etc.
[0005] Although teaching children to save their money at an early
age has many benefits, it can often be difficult to motivate
children to save because they may not appreciate the connection
between disciplined saving and the ability to purchase things that
they desire. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide
parents with access to tools and resources that could help them
encourage their children to set saving goals and engage in saving
programs to achieve those goals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment
for facilitating coin saving and selecting products for purchase
with saved coin value, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic isometric view of a
consumer-operated coin counting kiosk configured in accordance with
an embodiment of the present technology.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
mobile device on which some implementations of the disclosed
technology can operate.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
server computer on which some implementations of the disclosed
technology can operate.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an overview of a system for saving coins
and setting purchase goals in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B are isometric views of a coin savings
container configured in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0012] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate example display pages for
receiving a product selection and a savings goal, respectively,
from a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present
technology.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a display page for providing information
associated with a consumer coin counting transaction, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology.
[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate display pages for tracking a
savings goal and providing notification that a savings goal was
achieved, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a routine for selecting a
product and setting an associated savings goal in accordance with
an embodiment of the present technology.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a routine for exchanging saved
coins for, e.g., a redeemable cash voucher in accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology.
[0017] FIG. 12A is a flow diagram of a routine for receiving a
purchase selection and an associated savings goal from a user, and
FIG. 12B is a flow diagram of a routine for providing savings
information, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
technology.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a routine for tracking a
savings goal in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following disclosure describes various embodiments of
systems and methods for saving coins and applying the saved coin
value toward the purchase of selected products. For example, some
embodiments of the present disclosure include an application (e.g.,
a "mobile app") that can be used to motivate children to save coins
and engage them in the saving process. The mobile app can provide
children with an online marketplace where they can shop for
child-appropriate items (e.g., sports equipment, toys, etc.) and
select an item as a "reward" for reaching a savings "goal." The
mobile app can also enable parents (and/or the child) to set the
savings "goal," which represents a portion of the purchase price of
the selected item that the child must save before the parent
purchases the item for the child as the reward. Additionally, the
mobile app can also enable the child and/or the parent to track the
child's progress toward reaching the savings goal and receiving the
reward. Embodiments of the applications described herein can be
referred to as "savings applications," and in addition to being
implemented on smartphones and other mobile devices, they can also
be implemented on other user devices, such as personal computers,
laptops, etc.
[0020] In some embodiments, the disclosed technology can also
include one or more specialized coin containers for holding the
child's coin savings. As the child's coin savings accumulate over
time, the parent (or the parent and the child) can take the coins
to a consumer-operated coin counting kiosk and exchange the coins
for, e.g., a redeemable cash voucher. In some embodiments, the cash
voucher can be redeemed for a cash value that is less than the
total value of the coins exchanged at the kiosk in the coin
counting transaction. For example, the voucher may be redeemable
for a cash value that is equal to the total coin value minus a
service fee. In some embodiments, the coin counting kiosk (and/or a
remote computer associated therewith) can also provide the person
exchanging the coins with a unique code that enables the child to
track his or her saving progress. For example, the kiosk can print
the unique code on the redeemable voucher, and/or the kiosk can
display the unique code on a kiosk display screen. In addition or
alternatively, the unique code can be electronically sent (via,
e.g., email, text message, etc.) to an electronic address of, e.g.,
the parent. The child can enter the unique code into an associated
display page of, e.g., the mobile app executing on a mobile device
(e.g., a smartphone), and the mobile app can add the coin value
from the recent coin exchange transaction to the child's existing
savings and display the resulting savings total. Accordingly, the
application enables the child to track his or her savings progress
and see how close they are to achieving the savings goal they set.
Once the child reaches his or her goal, the parent (and/or the
child) can receive an email or other electronic message notifying
them that the child has met the goal and providing them with, for
example, a link to a website so that the parent can purchase the
selected item for the child as a reward.
[0021] Certain details are set forth in the following description
and in FIGS. 1-13 to provide a thorough understanding of various
embodiments of the present technology. In other instances,
well-known structures, materials, operations and/or systems often
associated with consumer-operated kiosks, application software,
mobile apps, mobile devices, processing devices and network systems
are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various
embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize, however, that the present technology can be
practiced without one or more of the details set forth herein, or
with other structures, methods, components, and so forth.
[0022] The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present
technology and are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The
sizes of various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to
scale, and these various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged to
improve legibility. Component details may be abstracted in the
Figures to exclude details such as position of components and
certain precise connections between such components when such
details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make
and use the invention. Many of the details, dimensions, angles,
arrangements and other features shown in the Figures are merely
illustrative of particular embodiments of the technology.
Accordingly, other embodiments can have other such features without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In
addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without
several of the details described below.
[0023] In the Figures, identical reference numbers generally
identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To
facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most
significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the
Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example,
element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference to
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a suitable computing
environment 100 in which various embodiments of the present
technology can be implemented. In the illustrated embodiment, the
environment includes a plurality of consumer-operated coin counting
kiosks 102 (identified individually as kiosks 102a-102n) that can
be operably connected to one or more remote computers, such as a
kiosk server computer 106 ("kiosk server 106"), via a communication
link 112. The communication link 112 can include one or more wired
or wireless networks such as, but not limited to, one or more of an
intranet, the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local
Area Network (WLAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), Campus Area
Network (CAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area
Network (WAN), a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), Global System
for Mobile Communications (GSM), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE networks,
and can use one or more messaging protocols such as, TCP/IP, SMS,
MMS, extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), real time
messaging protocol (RTMP), instant messaging and presence protocol
(IMPP), instant messaging, USSD, IRC, and/or any other wireless or
wired data network or messaging protocols. Although the
communication link 112 can include a publically available network
(e.g., the Internet), the kiosks 102 can also connect to and
communicate with the kiosk server 106 through a private
communication link 113, such as an intranet or other wired or
wireless communication network (e.g., a 3G or 4G network, antennae,
integrated circuit, Wi-Fi chip, cable, etc.). Moreover, in various
embodiments the individual kiosks 102 can be connected to a host
computer (not shown) that facilitates the exchange of information
between the kiosks 102 and remote computers, other kiosks, mobile
devices, etc.
[0025] The kiosk server 106 can perform many or all of the
functions for receiving, routing and storing electronic messages,
such as web pages, audio signals and electronic images necessary to
implement various transactions described herein. For example, the
kiosk server 106 can retrieve and exchange web pages and other
content with an associated database or databases 108. In some
embodiments, the database(s) 108 can include information related to
kiosk operations, and information related to users of the systems
described herein (such as ID information, contact information
(email addresses, phone numbers, etc.), selected savings "goals"
and associated "rewards," savings balances, consumer accounts,
etc.). In various embodiments, the kiosk server 106 can include a
server engine, a web page management component, a content
management component, and a database management component. The
server engine can perform the basic processing and operating system
level tasks associated with various technologies described herein.
The webpage management component can handle creation and/or display
and/or routing of web or other display pages. The content
management component can handle many of the functions associated
with the routines described herein. The database management
component can perform various storage, retrieval and query tasks
associated with the database(s) 108, and can store various
information and data such as animation, graphics, visual and audio
signals, etc. In some embodiments, the network of kiosks 102 and
the kiosk server 106 can be controlled and managed by a kiosk
operator 110 that can, among other things, provide hardware,
software and digital display content for kiosk operations, and
service the kiosks 102 to empty the kiosks of coins, replenish
consumables, provide maintenance, etc.
[0026] In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the
environment 100 can include one or more merchant entities that
comprise a marketplace, e.g., an online marketplace, for providing
searchable product content and facilitating online purchases of
selected products, etc. For example, the environment 100 includes a
retailer, e.g., an online retailer 114, from which users can order,
pay for, and receive various types of consumer products, including
child-appropriate products such as sports equipment, toys, etc. In
some embodiments, Amazon.com is one example of an online retailer,
and the present technology can include a plurality of other such
retailers that offer a wide variety of different product
selections. The online retailer 114 can be operably connected to a
retailer server computer 116 ("retailer server 116"), and the
retailer server 116 and the online retailer 114 can be operably
connected to the kiosks 102 and/or the kiosk server 106 via the
communication link 112 and/or other wired or wireless networks. The
retailer server 116 can perform many or all of the functions for
receiving, routing and storing electronic messages, such as web
pages, content, audio signals and electronic images necessary to
implement the various transactions described herein relating to
online shopping and retailing, including product searching,
sorting, reviewing, purchasing, shipping, etc. For example, in some
embodiments described below the retailer server 116 can retrieve
and exchange web pages and other content with an associated
database or databases 118. In some embodiments, the database 118
can include information related to products (e.g., functional
details, pricing, availability, reviews, etc.), manufacturers,
merchants, consumers, consumer accounts, and the like. For example,
the database 118 can maintain data that associates consumers with
their personal identification (e.g., username, password, etc.),
product orders, payment amounts, electronic contact information
(e.g., email addresses, etc.), etc. In various embodiments, the
retailer server 116 can include a server engine, a web page
management component, a content management component, and a
database management component. In some embodiments, the environment
100 can also include additional product/service providers, such as
another online retailer 120 that may offer a different product
selection than the retailer 114.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, users (e.g., consumers such
as parents and/or their children) may operate various processing
devices to receive information from, and exchange information with,
one or more of the kiosks 102, the kiosk server 106, the retailer
server 116, and/or other communication, computing and processing
devices in the environment 100. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment users can search for and receive product information
(to, e.g., select a product as a savings reward), set savings
goals, track saving progress, etc. via a mobile device 104 (e.g., a
smartphone), a user computer 122 (e.g., a laptop, desktop, etc.),
and/or other user devices executing a consumer application as
described herein. As those skilled in the relevant art will
appreciate, the mobile device 104 can include various hand-held
devices (including mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), wearable computers, all manner of cellular or
mobile phones, media players, gaming devices, etc.). Similarly, the
user computer 122 can include various types of personal computers,
including laptops, desktops, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe
computers, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, set boxes, etc. The user
computers may include wireless computers which communicate with the
Internet via a wireless link. The computers may be general-purpose
devices that can be programmed to run various types of
applications, or they may be single-purpose devices optimized or
limited to a particular function or class of functions. The mobile
device 104 and the user computer 122 can each include a suitable
display device, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), or other
suitable display screen for displaying information to the user, and
a corresponding touch pad, touch screen, keyboard, pointing device
(e.g., a mouse), or other suitable features for receiving user
input, e.g., tactile selections. By way of example only, in the
illustrated embodiment the mobile device 104 can include one or
more features, applications and/or other elements commonly found in
smartphones and other known mobile devices. For example, the mobile
device 104 can include a CPU and/or a graphics processing unit
("GPU") for executing computer readable instructions stored on
memory. In addition, the mobile device 104 can include an internal
power source or battery, a dock connector, a USB port, etc. In
addition to the foregoing features, the mobile device 104 can
include a mobile operating system (OS) and/or a device wireless
transceiver that may include one or more antennas for wirelessly
communicating with, for example, other mobile devices, websites,
the retailer server 116, the kiosk server 106, the kiosk 102, etc.
Such communication can be performed via, e.g., the communication
link 112, direct wireless communication, etc. As those of ordinary
skill in the art understand, the kiosks 102, the server computers
106 and 116, the mobile device 104, and the user computer 122 may
include one or more central processing units or other
logic-processing circuitry, memory, input devices, output devices
(e.g., display devices), and storage devices. Such devices may
include program modules such as an operating system, one or more
application programs and the like.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosks 102, the kiosk
server 106, and/or the retailer server 116 can be operably
connected to a plurality of remote devices and systems via the
communication link 112. For example, the kiosks 102 and/or the
servers 106 and 116 can be operably connected to a plurality of
user devices (e.g., the mobile device 104 and other handheld
devices, the user computer 122 and other personal computers,
laptops, etc.) having associated browsers. Similarly, as described
below the kiosks 102 can each include wireless communication
facilities for exchanging digital information with mobile devices,
such as the mobile device 104. As will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art, the kiosks 102 and/or the servers 106
and 116 can also operably connect to various remote computers for
obtaining data and/or exchanging information with service
providers, financial institutions, merchants, manufacturers,
authorities, government agencies, etc. necessary to implement
portions of the technology disclosed herein. The financial
institutions can include all manner of entity associated with
conducting financial transactions, including banks, credit/debit
card facilities, online commerce facilities, online payment
systems, virtual cash systems, money transfer systems, etc.
[0029] The various components and component arrangements depicted
in FIG. 1 are merely illustrative of an embodiment of the present
technology. Unless described otherwise, the construction and
operation of the various components shown in FIG. 1 are of
conventional design. As a result, such components need not be
described in further detail herein, as they will be readily
understood by those skilled in the relevant art. Aspects of the
invention may be practiced in a variety of other computing
environments. Accordingly, other embodiments can include additional
components. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that embodiments of the environment 100 can further
include and/or be connectable to other entities, such as additional
retailers, digital content providers, financial institutions for
reconciling purchases (e.g., banks, credit/debit card providers,
accounting clearing houses), and/or other associated computer
systems as necessary to implement electronic commerce and/or other
aspects of the methods and systems described herein. Additionally,
in other embodiments the environment 100 may lack one or more of
the components shown in FIG. 1. Further, in some embodiments the
various functions described herein with respect to one of the
servers 106 and 116 can be performed by the other one of the
servers 106 and 116, or by another server or computing device. In
other embodiments, the functions of both servers 106 and 116 may be
combined in a single server, or divided among multiple other
servers and/or other resources. Similarly, although the kiosk
operator 110 and the retailer 114 are depicted as separate entities
in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration, in other embodiments these
two entities can be a single entity, and/or the various functions
of each can be performed by the other, and/or by other entities.
For example, in other embodiments all or a portion of the functions
performed by the retailer server 116 can be performed by a server
controlled by the kiosk operator 110.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic isometric view of one of the
kiosk 102a-102n of FIG. 1 configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. In some embodiments, the
kiosks 102a-102n can be consumer-operated coin counting kiosks that
are located in, for example, retail outlets (e.g., grocery stores,
drug stores, etc.) banks, and/or other publically-accessible areas.
Additionally, in some embodiments each of the kiosks 102 can be at
least generally similar in structure and function to each other. In
other embodiments, however, the kiosks 102 may differ from each
other in various structural and/or functional ways.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 102 is at least
approximately the same size as a conventional food or soft drink
vending machine, and includes a user interface 230. The user
interface 230 can include a display screen 231 and a keypad 232.
The display screen 231 can present prompts and other textual and
graphical information to users to facilitate the coin counting
process, and can include a touch screen or touch pad with which
users can input information (e.g., user IDs, passwords, unique
codes, etc.) in response to prompts displayed on the screen 231.
The keypad 232 can include a plurality of tactile buttons that
users can also use to input information in response to the prompts
displayed on the screen 231.
[0032] The kiosk 102 includes a coin input region in which users
can pour or otherwise place a plurality of loose coins for
counting. In the illustrated embodiment, the coin input region 234
includes a hinged tray in which the user may pour their coins and
then lift one side of the tray to cause the coins to flow into the
kiosk 102. In other embodiments, other types of coin input devices
and systems can be included with the kiosk 102. The kiosk 102 can
house a coin discriminator 248 (shown schematically) for
discriminating and counting the coins input by the user to
determine a total value. The kiosk 102 additionally houses a
voucher/coupon printer 250 (also shown schematically) for printing
vouchers, coupons, receipts and/or other printed indicia associated
with coin counting transactions that are dispensed to the user via
a voucher/coupon outlet 236. In some embodiments, the user can
supplement the coin value by providing additional funds to the
kiosk 102. For example, the user can provide cash funds via a bill
acceptor 240, and credit or debit value via a card reader 238 that
can read, e.g., a magnetic stripe, optical indicia, etc. on a
corresponding credit or debit card input by the user.
[0033] In addition to the foregoing features, the kiosk 102 can
further include a central processor 242 (e.g., a CPU), memory 244
and a communication facility 246. The processor 242 can provide
information and instructions to kiosk users via the display screen
231 and/or an associated audio system (e.g., a speaker; not shown).
The processor 242 can also receive user inputs via, e.g., a touch
screen associated with the display screen 231, the physical keys of
the keypad 232, and/or a microphone. The processor 242 can control
the operation of the various electronic and electromechanical
components of the kiosk 102 in accordance with computer-readable
instructions stored on the memory 244. The processor 242 may be any
logic processing unit, such as one or more CPUs, digital signal
processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits
(ASICs), etc. The processor 242 may be a single processing unit or
multiple processing units in a device or distributed across
multiple devices. The processor 242 is connected to the memory 244
and may be coupled to other hardware devices, for example, with the
use of a bus (e.g., a PCI Express or Serial ATA bus). The processor
242 can include, by way of example, a standard personal computer
("PC") (e.g., a DELL OPTIPLEX 780 or 7010 PC) or other type of
embedded computer running any suitable operating system, such as
Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, MAC OS, or an embedded real-time
operating system. In some embodiments, the processor 242 can be a
small form factor PC with integrated hard disk drive ("HDD") or
solid-state drive ("SSD") and universal serial bus ("USB") or other
ports to communicate with the other components of the kiosk 102.
The memory 244 can include read-only memory (ROM) and random access
memory (RAM) or other storage devices, such as disk drives or SSDs,
that store the executable applications, test software, databases
and other software required to, for example, implement the various
kiosk routines described herein, control kiosk components, process
information and data, communicate and exchange data and information
with remote computers and other devices, etc.
[0034] The kiosk 102 can communicate with the various processing
devices illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g., remote servers, user devices,
etc.) via the communication facility 246. The communication
facility 246 can include a network connection (e.g., a wired
connection, such as an Ethernet port, cable modem, FireWire cable,
Lightning connector, USB port, etc.) and/or a wireless transceiver
(e.g., including a Wi-Fi access point, Bluetooth transceiver,
near-field communication (NFC) device, and/or wireless modem or
cellular radio utilizing GSM, CDMA, 3G and/or 4G technologies)
suitable for communication with, e.g., all manner of remote
processing devices via, e.g., the communication link 112 and/or
directly via, e.g., a wireless peer-to-peer connection. The kiosk
102 and/or various components and systems thereof can be at least
generally similar in structure and function to the kiosks and
corresponding kiosk components and systems described in the
following U.S. patents and patent applications, each of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference: U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 13/671,299, 13/367,129, 13/728,905,
13/790,674, 14/312,393, 14/617,672 and 14/674,860; and U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,564,546, 5,620,079, 6,056,104, 5,842,916, 6,116,402,
6,349,972, 8,033,375, 7,653,599, 7,865,432, 7,014,108, 9,064,268,
8,874,467, 8,967,361 and 9,022,841.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of the
mobile device 104 on which some implementations of the disclosed
mobile application and associated technology can operate. The
mobile device 104 can comprise hardware components that execute the
mobile application and associated modules. The mobile device 104
can include one or more input devices 320 that provide input to a
CPU (processor) 310, notifying it of actions. The actions can be
mediated by a hardware controller that interprets the signals
received from the input device and communicates the information to
the CPU 310 using a communication protocol. The input devices 320
can include, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touchscreen, an
infrared sensor, a touchpad, a wearable input device, a camera or
image-based input device, a microphone, or other user input
devices.
[0036] The CPU 310 can be a single processing unit or multiple
processing units in the device or distributed across multiple
devices. The CPU 310 can be coupled to other hardware devices, for
example, with the use of a bus, such as a PCI bus or SCSI bus. The
CPU 310 can communicate with a hardware controller for devices,
such as for a display 330. The display 330 can be used to display
text and graphics. In some examples, the display 330 provides
graphical and textual visual feedback to a user. In some
implementations, the display 330 includes the input device 320 as
part of the display, such as when the input device 320 is a
touchscreen or is equipped with an eye direction monitoring system.
In some implementations, the display 330 is separate from the input
device 320. Examples of display devices include: an LCD display
screen, an LED display screen, a projected display (such as a
heads-up display device or a head-mounted device), and so on. Other
I/O devices 340 can also be coupled to the CPU 310, such as a
network card, video card, audio card, USB, firewire or other
external device, camera, printer, speakers, CD-ROM drive, DVD
drive, disk drive, or Blu-Ray device. In some embodiments, the
mobile device 104 also includes communication devices 342 capable
of communicating wirelessly or wire-based with a network node. The
communication devices 342 can communicate with another device or a
server through a network using, for example, TCP/IP protocols. The
mobile device 104 can utilize the communication devices 342 to
distribute operations across multiple network devices.
[0037] The CPU 310 has access to a memory 350. A memory includes
one or more of various hardware devices for volatile or
non-volatile storage, and can include read-only or writable memory.
For example, a memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), CPU
registers, read-only memory (ROM), and writable non-volatile
memory, such as flash memory, hard drives, floppy disks, CDs, DVDs,
magnetic storage devices, tape drives, device buffers, and so
forth. A memory is not a propagating signal divorced from
underlying hardware; a memory is thus non-transitory. The memory
350 includes program memory 360 that stores programs and software,
such as an operating system 362, mobile app modules 364, and any
other application programs 366. The memory 350 also includes data
memory 370 that can include location data; savings data; product
data; user profiles, favorite products, favorite kiosks, monitored
activities, rewards earned, promotions earned, promotions used,
purchase history, consumer kiosk usage reporting data; special
promotions, and other notifications, configuration data, settings,
and user options or preferences which can be provided to the
program memory 360 or any element of the mobile device 104.
[0038] The disclosed technology is operational with numerous other
general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with the technology include, but are not limited to, personal
computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, cellular
telephones, wearable electronics, tablet devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable
consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe
computers, distributed computing environments that include any of
the above systems or devices, and the like.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a representative
embodiment of the kiosk server 106 configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated
embodiment, the kiosk server 106 includes one or more central
processing units (CPU) 460 for executing software 464 stored in
memory 462. The software 464 can include one or more modules and
data utilized by the modules. The modules can perform various
functions and methods of the kiosk server 106 described herein and
may also include components, subcomponents or other logical
entities that assist with or enable the performance of some or all
of these functions and methods. In the illustrated embodiment, the
software 464 includes an API suite module 466 that provides a
software-to-software interface that allows applications (e.g.,
mobile device applications, kiosk applications, retailer
applications, etc.) and programs (e.g., kiosk software, online
retailer software, mobile device software, and/or other software,
etc.) to communicate with the kiosk server 106. The API suite
module 466 can include one API or multiple APIs. For example, in
some embodiments the API suite module 466 can include an API for
accessing coin counting transaction information, and API for
accessing various types of consumer product information, pricing,
etc., an API for accessing and/or verifying consumer information,
an API for tracking savings information, etc. Accordingly, in some
embodiments each API in the API suite module 466 can serve a
different function. The APIs may exchange electronic communications
back and forth between various applications for the kiosk server
106 and the other processing devices in the environment 100 of FIG.
1 (e.g., the kiosk database 108, the kiosks 102, the retailer
server 116, etc.), and these calls may be managed through Web
services. Web services may include Extensible Markup Language
(XML), which is one programming language by which applications can
communicate over the Internet. In some embodiments, the API suite
module 366 may use Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), which can
encode XML messages so that they can be received and understood by
multiple different operating systems over any type of network
protocol. The API suite module 466 may also use Universal
Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI) as an XML-based
directory that allows businesses to list themselves, or it may use
Web Services Description Language (WSDL).
[0040] The software 464 can also include a security module 468 that
maintains secure and authentic communications between the kiosk
server 106, the kiosks 102, the retailer server 116, and/or other
processing devices in the environment 100. In this regard, the
security module 468 may comprise any combination of software agents
and/or hardware components to filter such communications. The
security module 468 can also implement other features. For example,
if a user enters a unique code via a user device (e.g. the mobile
device 104, the user computer 122, etc.) to, for example, update a
savings amount, and the device transmits the code to the kiosk
server 106, the security module 468 can ensure that the code has
not already been used and prevent the code from being duplicated
for use more than once. Accordingly, in some embodiments the
security module 468 can perform functions related to verifying a
consumer's identity, verifying coin exchange transactions, etc.
[0041] In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the
representative software 464 can also include an analyzer module 470
that receives, reviews, and/or responds to queries and requests
that may come from other modules or components of the environment
100. Additionally, in some embodiments the analyzer module 470 can
process and analyze user information, such as user purchase
preferences, user coin accumulation rates and other habits, user
purchase histories, user notification requests, etc. Embodiments of
the analyzer module 470 can include any combination of software
agents and/or hardware components to perform such processes.
[0042] The kiosk server 106 can access the database 108 and/or
other databases to perform all or a portion of the various routines
described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the database 108 can
include, for example, consumer data 472, savings data 474, voucher
data 476, and verification data 478. The foregoing databases are
accessible by and can exchange information and data with the
modules described above, and the modules can in turn store
information in the various databases or update the information in
these databases continuously, periodically or sporadically. By way
of example, the consumer data 472 can include various informational
items such as user account information, consumer names, email
addresses, phone numbers, coin exchange histories, saving history,
notification requests, etc. The savings data 474 can include
information about users' savings goals (such as the dollar value of
set goals, current savings totals, etc.), selected reward products,
and/or other information related to the savings programs disclosed
herein. The voucher data 476 can include information related to
coin exchange transactions, such as the dollar value of particular
coin exchange transactions (i.e., coin "pours"), the cash
redemption value of associated vouchers, associated unique codes
for remotely tracking savings totals, etc. The verification data
478 can include information necessary to verify, for example,
consumer identities, unique codes, etc. For example, the
verification data can include unique codes that correspond to
particular coin pours. The verification data 478 can also include
user passwords, email addresses, credit and debit card information,
and/or other similar information for verifying the identity of
users. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the
various components of the kiosk server 106 and the associated
databases 472-478 described above are representative of server
systems that can be configured in accordance with embodiments of
the present technology. Accordingly, in other embodiments other
types of server and database architectures can be employed to
perform the various functions and methods described herein without
departing from the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates an overview of a coin saving system
configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present
technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the system can include a
user device, such as the mobile device 104 (and/or the user
computer 122), for implementing an application (e.g., a mobile app)
that enables the user (e.g., a child) to search for products in an
online marketplace, select a product (a "reward") for purchase, and
set a savings goal to be applied toward the purchase price of the
product. The application can also enable the user to track their
progress toward the savings goal as they periodically exchange
their saved coins (for, e.g., a cash voucher) at a coin-counting
kiosk 102, and can provide the user with a notification when the
savings goal is met. In addition to these features, the application
can also include other content and navigation elements. For
example, the application can include various kid-friendly content
that engages children in the savings process through games provided
via the app, and can push notifications of items that may interest
the child, etc. Such game functionality can include avatars and
"badges" that the child can earn for achieving various savings
thresholds. The badges can be used to digitally "purchase," e.g.,
clothes, powers, and other digital rewards which the child can
apply to his/her avatar.
[0044] In addition to the application, the coin savings systems
described herein can also include various embodiments of coin
savings containers for collecting and transporting coin savings, as
described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 6A and
6B. When the child wishes to exchange the saved coins for cash and
see how much they saved, the coins can be exchanged for, e.g., a
redeemable cash voucher at one of the coin counting kiosks 102. As
described in greater detail below, the kiosk 102 can display
kid-friendly content on the display screen 231 during the coin
exchange transaction to engage the child in the coin exchange
process. Additionally, the voucher can include a unique code, or a
unique code can be emailed to the child or parent, which the child
or parent can then input into the application on the mobile device
104 to update the child's coin savings total and track the child's
progress toward his or her savings goal.
[0045] FIGS. 6A and 6B are isometric views of the coin savings
container 500 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B together, in the
illustrated embodiment, the coin savings container 500 includes an
internal partition 612 that divides the interior of the container
500 into a coin compartment 616 and a bill compartment 618. The
container 500 further includes a first top portion 606 having a
coin slot 604, and a second top portion 610 having a bill slot 608.
The coin slot 604 enables a child to deposit a plurality of coins
620 into the coin compartment 616 for saving. Similarly, the bill
slot 608 enables the child (or parent) to deposit paper currency
622 (e.g., bills from coin amounts that the child has already
converted via the coin counting kiosk 102) into the bill
compartment 618 for saving. In the illustrated embodiment, the
container 500 can further include a transparent front wall 602 that
enables the child to see the quantity of the coins 620 and the
bills 622 that he or she has saved. Additionally, the container 500
can be configured to hold and display a picture 624 (e.g., a
picture of the product "reward" that the child is saving to
purchase) on an interior side of a rear wall 626 to remind the
child of their savings goal. As shown in FIG. 6B, each of the top
portions 606 and 610 is configured to pivot upwardly about a hinge
to enable the child to pour the save coins or cash out of the
container 500, such as to pour the coins into the coin counting
kiosk 102 to convert the coins into cash. The container 500 can
also include a convenient carrying strap 628.
[0046] FIGS. 7A and 7B are example screenshots of display pages
700a and 700b, respectively, of an application executing on a user
device (e.g., the mobile device 104) to implement portions of the
disclosed technology. More specifically, in some embodiments, an
application (e.g., a mobile app) configured in accordance with the
present technology can present the display pages 700a, b on a
display screen of the user device to enable a user (e.g., a child,
parent, or the child and parent) to select a savings reward (e.g.,
a desired product) and set a savings goal. Although parents can
perform many of the steps described herein on behalf of their
children as part of a learning experience, it should be understood
that a wide variety of other people can also perform these steps,
such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members;
family friends, teachers; etc. Referring first to FIG. 7A, the
display page 700a can include various content and site navigation
features. For example, the display page 700a can include a
plurality of product graphics 708a and 708b. In the illustrated
embodiment, the product graphics 708 show products that a child
might be interested in having, such as a scooter or a bike helmet.
Additionally, the display page 700a includes textural information
about each product such as the product price, as well as a selector
button 712 and a shopping cart 710 associated with each product.
The display page 708a can also include a number of graphical
control elements or navigation features typically found on online
retailer web pages that enable the user to search for various
products in different categories, identified products as
"favorites", etc. For example, the display page 700a can include a
menu button 706 which, if selected, can bring up a search page that
enables the user to search for various products in selected
categories, price ranges, etc. Additionally, the display page 700a
can include a number of control elements that enable the user to
filter the presented product choices. For example, the display page
700a includes a first filter indicator 702 indicating that the
displayed products are "favorites" of the user, and a second filter
indicator 704 indicating that the displayed products are in the
"outdoors and sports" category.
[0047] As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments
the products offered via the display page 700a can be provided by
one or more online retailers who provide a digital interface with
the mobile application. For example, in some embodiments the online
retailers can provide digital access to the retailers' product
selection and discovery functionality so that the provider of the
mobile app (e.g., the kiosk operator) can advertise products and
facilitate purchase of those products via the mobile application.
For example, in some embodiments the online retailer can provide an
application program interface (API) that enables the mobile app to
provide product search and look-up capability provided by the
online retailer. One example of such an API is the Amazon.com, Inc.
Product Advertising API. In other embodiments, the display page
700a can provide product search capability via other means, such as
providing a dedicated search engine, or sourcing a selection of
products that are only offered via the savings program described
herein. Although the product content and search functionality may
come from one or more product retailers, the display page 700a can
be presented with graphics, logos, etc. that associate the display
page with the entity offering the savings application (e.g., the
kiosk operator) so that the user has a consistent experience when
using the various user interfaces described herein.
[0048] Once the user has found a product he or she would like to
have as a savings reward, he or she can select the product by
tapping the corresponding product selector button 712. Selecting
the Razor Scooter on the display page 700a, for example, brings up
the display page 700b shown in FIG. 7B. In the illustrated
embodiment, the display page 700b again includes the graphic 708a
of the selected product, as well as a savings goal selector 714. In
the illustrated embodiment, the savings goal selector 714 includes
a horizontal scale to represent the price of the selected product
(e.g., $49.99). A slider button 716 can be moved back and forth
along the scale by the user (by, e.g., touching and dragging the
button) to set the desired savings goal. In the illustrated
embodiment, for example, the user has set the savings goal at
$25.00 against the product purchase price of $49.99. For example, a
parent may set the goal of $25.00 with the understanding that when
the child saves $25.00, the parent will purchase the reward for the
child by contributing the balance of $24.99 toward the purchase
price. Once the parent and child agree on the savings goal, the
parent or child can set the goal by tapping a set goal button
718.
[0049] In addition to the foregoing features, the display page 700b
can also include other content, graphical control elements or user
input features. For example, the display page 700b, or an
associated display page, can include one or more fields that enable
a user (e.g., a child and/or a parent) to enter identification
information such as a name, email address, phone number, password,
etc. Such information can be used to establish a user account for
the user that can be used to access information associated with the
user (e.g., savings data, goals, product information, etc.) from a
remote computer (e.g., the kiosk server 106) to implement various
portions of the technology disclosed herein. Entering an email
address, for example, can enable the user to receive emails when,
for example, they achieve their savings goal, as well as other
email notifications of, for example, available products, etc.
Additionally, after the savings goal is set, the parent or child
can receive an email with a picture of the selected product (e.g.,
the scooter) for inserting into the coin savings container 500
described above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates a display page 800 that can be presented
on the display screen 231 of the kiosk 102 to guide and inform a
child (or other user, such the child's parent) as he or she is
converting their saved coins into, for example, a redeemable cash
voucher. In some embodiments, for example, the user can be
presented (via, e.g., the display screen 231) with a variety of
different transaction options when first approaching the kiosk 102,
and one of the options can correspond to the child savings program
described herein. Selecting that option causes the kiosk 102 to
provide the display page 800. As described above with reference to
FIG. 2, the child can pour his or her coins (from, e.g., the coin
savings container 500) into the coin input region 234 of the kiosk
102 to start the coin counting process. As the coins are being
counted, the total of each denomination counted can be displayed in
a transaction field 802. Additionally, the display page 800 can
include a coin value indicator 804 that includes text and/or a
graphic feature indicating the total value of the coins counted in
the transaction (e.g., $13.97). The user can elect to have the coin
value exchanged for or applied to a number of different types of
output. For example, in some embodiments the user can elect to
receive a redeemable cash voucher, an e-certificate, a gift card,
or a money transfer, etc., for the coin value. For the voucher
option, the display page 800 includes a voucher value indicator 806
that textually displays the redeemable cash value of the voucher.
In some embodiments, the redeemable cash value can be equal to the
total value of coins counted (e.g., $13.97, as shown in FIG. 8). In
other embodiments, the redeemable cash value can be less than the
total value of the coins. For example, the voucher may have a
redeemable cash voucher that is equal to the total value of the
coins minus a service fee (e.g., a service fee of about 10% or
less). If the user selects the voucher option, the voucher is
dispensed to the user from the voucher outlet 236 (FIG. 2). In some
embodiments, the display page 800, or a subsequent display page
presented by the kiosk 102, can include a code field 808 that
provides the user with a unique code (e.g., 3423423) associated
with the coin exchange transaction. In other embodiments, the
unique code can be printed on the redeemable voucher, a receipt or
other paper record, and/or the code can be emailed to the child
and/or the parent. As described in greater detail below, the user
can input the unique code into the mobile application described
herein to update their savings total and track their savings
progress.
[0051] FIGS. 9A and 9B are example screenshots of display pages
900a and 900b, respectively, of an application executing on a user
device (e.g., the mobile device 104) to implement portions of the
disclosed technology. More specifically, in the illustrated
embodiment the display pages 900a and 900b can be provided on the
display 330 of the mobile device 104 to track a child's savings
progress. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, in
some embodiments the display pages 900a and 900b can be provided
after the user has selected an appropriate icon on the user
interface of their device to open the application, and input his or
her user account information (e.g., username, password, etc.), or
the user account may be associated with the user device such that
it is unnecessary for the user to input account information each
time he or she uses the device. Referring first to FIG. 9A, in the
illustrated embodiment the display page 900a includes a goal
graphic 902 that represents the selected product, a savings tracker
908, and a code field 904. After a child has exchanged his or her
savings at the coin counting kiosk 102, he or she can add the coin
value from the exchange to their total savings by inputting the
unique code from the coin counting transaction into the code field
904. In some embodiments, for example, the user can input the code
by use of an associated numeric touchpad. After the user has input
the code, they can tap an "Add Pour" button 906 to retrieve the
value associated with the recent coin exchange transaction (e.g.,
$13.97). For example, as described in greater detail below, in some
embodiments the mobile device 104 can send the code to a remote
computer, such as the kiosk server 106, to query or otherwise
request the coin value associated with the code. The server can
obtain the coin value from an associated database and send the coin
value back to the savings application on the mobile device 104,
which can add the new coin value to any existing amount the child
had previously saved and display the new total via a savings
indicator 910. In the illustrated embodiment, the goal tracker 908
includes a horizontal scale ranging from $0 to the savings goal set
by the child (e.g., $25.00), and the savings indicator 910 is
positioned at the appropriate location on the horizontal scale to
accurately represent the child's progress in reaching his or her
saving goal. In this example, the child had no previous savings, so
the total savings is equal to the $13.97 from the child's initial
coin exchange transaction.
[0052] Referring next to FIG. 9B, once the child has reached the
savings goal, the mobile device 104 can notify the user via, for
example, the display page 900b. In the illustrated embodiment, the
display page 900b can include various types of content associated
with the child's savings achievement, such as an elapsed time
indicator 912 that textually indicates how many days it took the
child to reach the savings goal. The display page 900b can also
include a completed goal graphic 916 that includes a horizontal bar
with a total price indicator 914 representing the total price of
the selected product (e.g., $49.99), as well as a goal indicator
910 representing the portion paid by the child's savings (e.g.,
$25.00). Additionally, in some embodiments, the display page 900b
can also include a link 915 to a website that the parent can access
to purchase the selected product for the child as the reward. For
example, tapping on the link can bring up the retailer's website
and enable the parent to then purchase the desired product with a
credit card or similar financial instrument.
[0053] The various display pages described above illustrate some
example display pages that can be implemented by, for example, a
savings application configured in accordance with the present
technology to encourage and facilitate savings by children. As
those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, in other
embodiments other display pages providing other content, navigation
features and/or graphic control elements can be used to implement
the various methods and systems described herein without departing
from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
[0054] As described above, in some embodiments a child can pick out
a reward and set a savings goal using an application as described
herein. As the child accumulates coins, the child and/or his or her
parent can periodically take the coins to one of the coin counting
kiosks 102 to exchange them for, e.g., a redeemable cash voucher.
The parent may then exchange the voucher for a cash value that, in
some embodiments, may be less than the total value of coins counted
by the kiosk (e.g., the voucher may have a value that is equal to
the value of coins counted minus a service fee). The cash can then
be saved, e.g. in the coin savings container 500 described above
with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, until the savings goal is met,
at which time the cash can be applied towards the purchase price of
the selected reward product. (In other embodiments, the parent may
elect to keep/spend the cash and then purchase the reward with
other funds (e.g., a credit card) when the child reaches the
savings goal.) Although the redeemable cash value of the voucher
may be less than the total value of the coins exchanged at the
kiosk, it should be noted that in one aspect of the present
technology the application applies 100% of the exchanged coin value
to the child's savings total. This enables the child to have 100%
of the value of the coins they saved be applied to the purchase
price of their desired reward, and the parent can make up any
shortfall in the balance of the purchase price caused by the
voucher service fee.
[0055] The display pages of FIGS. 7A-9B may be implemented in any
of various ways, such as in C++ or as web pages in XML (Extensible
Markup Language), HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or any other
scripts or methods of creating displayable data, such as the
Wireless Access Protocol ("WAP"). The screens or web pages provide
facilities to present information and receive input data, such as a
form or page with fields to be filled in, pull-down menus or
entries allowing one or more of several options to be selected,
buttons, sliders, hypertext links or other known user interface
tools for receiving user input. While certain ways of displaying
information to users is shown and described with respect to certain
Figures, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
various other alternatives may be employed. The terms "display
page," "screen," "web page" and "page" are generally used
interchangeably herein.
[0056] When implemented as web pages, the screens are stored as
display descriptions, graphical user interfaces, or other methods
of depicting information on a computer screen (e.g., commands,
links, fonts, colors, layout, sizes and relative positions, and the
like), where the layout and information or content to be displayed
on the page is stored in a database typically connected to a
server. In general, a "link" refers to any resource locator
identifying a resource on a network, such as a display description
provided by an organization having a site or node on the network. A
"display description," as generally used herein, refers to any
method of automatically displaying information on a computer screen
in any of the above-noted formats, as well as other formats, such
as email or character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats
(e.g., vector generated), or matrix or bit-mapped formats. While
aspects of the invention are described herein using a networked
environment, some or all features may be implemented within a
single-computer environment.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a routine 1000 that can be
performed by a user or users to implement a savings program in
accordance with the present technology. The routine 1000 is
described below with reference to a user, with the understanding
that the user may be a single user (e.g., a parent or a child) or
two or more users (e.g., a parent and a child) performing different
steps or portions of different steps. In block 1002, the user
selects a product as a savings "reward". For example, as described
above, in some embodiments the user can download an application
(e.g., a free application, such as a free mobile app) to his or her
device (e.g., the mobile device 104 or the user computer 122; FIG.
1), and select a desired product as a reward. The display page 700a
described above with reference to FIG. 7A, for example, provides an
example display page that can be implemented to facilitate a
product selection by the user. In block 1004, the user selects or
sets a savings goal to apply toward the product purchase. By way of
example, the display page 700b described above with reference to
FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a display page that can be
implemented to set a savings goal. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the user (e.g., a parent) may elect to prepay a
portion of the product purchase price. For example, the display
page can include a link to an online retailer website to enable a
parent to prepay the purchase price balance (e.g., the purchase
price minus the savings goal) up front (i.e., before the child has
achieved the savings goal) via payment by a credit or a debit
card.
[0058] In block 1006, after the user (e.g., the child) has saved
some coins, the user can take the coins to a nearby coin counting
kiosk 102 and exchange the coins as described above with reference
to FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the kiosk 102 can present the
display page 800 described above with reference to FIG. 8 during or
at the conclusion of the coin exchange process. As noted in block
1008, the user can also receive a unique code at the kiosk (via,
e.g., the display screen 231) and/or via an electronic
communication (e.g., an email) at the conclusion of the coin
counting transaction. As described above and in greater detail
below, the unique code enables the user to update and track his or
her coin savings. If the user elects to receive a redeemable cash
voucher in return for the exchanged coins, the kiosk 102 can
dispense the voucher to the user with the code printed on the
voucher. In block 1010, the user may elect to exchange the voucher
for cash at, e.g., a nearby point of sale (POS). In some
embodiments, the voucher has a redeemable cash value that is less
than the total value of the coins exchanged during the transaction.
For example, the voucher value may be equal to the total coin value
minus a service fee. In some embodiments, the user can receive
various other forms of value or remuneration from the kiosk 102 in
exchange for coins. For example, the user may receive an
e-certificate for purchasing items online from various retailers, a
money transfer, a gift card or a reload of gift card value, a
donation to charity, etc. Some or all of these other forms of
remuneration (e.g., an e-certificate) may not have an associated
service. In the instance where the user exchanges the voucher for
cash, the user may elect to save the cash in the coin savings
container 500 described above with reference to FIGS. 6A and
6B.
[0059] In block 1012, after returning home from the kiosk 102, the
user can input the unique code via the application to add the
exchanged coin value to his or her total savings. In some
embodiments, for example, the application can provide the display
page 900a described above with reference to FIG. 9A for the user to
input the unique code and see their total savings. In decision
block 1014, if the total savings is short of the goal, the user
(e.g., the child) continues to save his or her coins before
returning to block 1006 and repeating the coin exchange process.
Conversely, if the total savings reaches or exceeds the goal, the
user will receive a notification (e.g., an email or other
electronic notification) notifying the user that the goal has been
achieved, as noted in block 1016. For example, the user may receive
a notification such as the display page 900b described above with
reference to FIG. 9B. Additionally, the notification can include a
link to the appropriate retailer's website so that the user (e.g.,
the parent) can purchase the selected product for, e.g., the child
as a reward for having achieved the savings goal. After block 1016,
the routine ends.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a routine 1100 that can be
performed by the coin counting kiosk 102 to implement portions of
the disclosed technology. In block 1102, the routine receives coins
and/or other funds from a user (via, e.g., the coin receiving
portion 234 of the kiosk 102; FIG. 2). As described above, in some
embodiments the user can be the child who saved the coins, or the
child's parent who takes the coins to the kiosk 102. In some
embodiments, the user may also wish to input additional funds, such
as cash, credit, debit, etc., to, e.g., supplement the child's
savings. In block 1104, the routine counts the coins and/or other
funds to determine the total value of the deposited coins/funds. In
block 1106, the routine sends value information to a remote
computer. For example, if the user is only exchanging coins at the
kiosk, after the coins have been counted, the kiosk can send the
total value of the counted coins to, for example, the kiosk server
106. The total coin value can be associated with a unique code at
the kiosk server 106 and stored in an associated database, such as
the database 108. In block 1108, the routine receives the unique
code from the remote computer. In block 1110, the routine dispenses
or otherwise provides the code to the user. For example, the user
may elect to receive a redeemable cash voucher in exchange for the
coins, and the voucher can be dispensed from the kiosk with the
code printed on the voucher. In other embodiments, the kiosk can
display the unique code to the user via the kiosk display screen
231 and/or the unique code can be emailed to the user. After block
1110, the routine ends.
[0061] FIGS. 12A and 12B are flow diagrams of routines 1200a and
1200b, respectively, that can be executed by a user device (e.g.,
the mobile device 104 or the user computer 122) to implement
portions of the disclosed technology. For example, although the
routines 1200a and 1200b may be described below in the context of
the mobile device 104, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that all or portions of these routines can be provided
by an application executing on the user computer 122, the kiosk
102b, and/or other suitable computing devices. Referring first to
FIG. 12A, in block 1202 the routine downloads the application onto,
e.g. the mobile device 104. In block 1204, the routine displays
product search menus and other search tools to the user via, e.g.,
the device display 330. In block 1206, the routing receives product
search requests from the user, such as product category selections,
price ranges, etc. In block 1208, the routine displays product
purchase options that meet the user's search criteria. For example,
the various purchase options can be displayed via the display page
700a and/or other similar display pages as described above with
reference to FIG. 7A. In block 1210, the routine receives a product
selection (e.g., a selection of a "reward") from the user. In block
1212, the routine receives a savings goal from the user. For
example, the user can input a selected savings goal using the
display page 700b and/or a similar display page as described above
with reference to FIG. 7B. In block 1214, the routine sends the
product selection and the savings goal to a remote computer (e.g.,
the kiosk server 106) for storing in an associated database.
Additionally, the routine can also obtain various user account
information (e.g., name, email, password, etc.) and send this
information to the remote computer for association with the product
selection and savings goal.
[0062] Referring next to FIG. 12B, in block 1212 the routine
receives a unique code from the user. As described in detail above,
the unique code is associated with the total value of a batch of
coins (e.g., a "coin pour") that the user exchanged at one of the
coin counting kiosks 102. The unique code can be printed on a
voucher dispensed to the user at the conclusion of the coin
counting transaction, and/or the unique code can be emailed to the
user. In some embodiments, the display page 900a described above
with reference to FIG. 9A can be used to receive the unique code
from the user. In block 1214, the routine sends the unique code to
a remote computer (e.g., the kiosk server 106). In block 1216, in
response to sending the unique code, the routine receives the coin
value associated with the corresponding coin exchange transaction
from the remote computer. Additionally, the routine can also
receive the user's total coin savings to date (i.e., the value from
the recent coin exchange transaction plus any previous coin
exchanges). For example, if the user has only exchanged a single
batch of coins at the kiosk 102 to apply toward his/her savings,
the total savings value will be equal to the total value of the
coins in the first batch. Conversely, if the user has exchanged
other batches of coins to apply toward the savings, the total
savings value received from the remote computer will be equal to
the pre-existing savings plus the additional new savings from the
recent coin pour.
[0063] In decision block 1218, the routine determines if the user
has reached the savings goal. If not, the routine proceeds to block
1220 and displays the value of the recent coin exchange transaction
and the savings total, and then returns to block 1212 and repeats
after the user has saved and exchanged additional coins. In some
embodiments, the routine can present the display page 900a
described above with reference to FIG. 9A to display the current
total savings amount to the user. When the user achieves the
savings goal, the routine proceeds to block 1222 and displays a
notification that the goal has been achieved. For example, the
routine can present the display page 900b described above with
reference to FIG. 9B to notify the user that he or she has achieved
the savings goal. As noted above, the display page can also include
other information, such as the total amount saved, the total item
purchase price, as well as, in some embodiments, a link which the
user (e.g., the parent) can select to purchase the selected product
for the child's reward. After block 1222, the routine ends.
[0064] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a routine 1400 that can be
performed by one or more computers remote from a user device (e.g.,
the mobile device 104, the user computer 122, etc.) and the coin
counting kiosks 102. For example, in some embodiments the routine
1300 can be performed by one or more remote server computers, such
as the kiosk server 106 and/or an associated server computer. In
block 1302, the routine receives a product purchase selection from
a user device (e.g., from the mobile device 104). As described
above, the purchase selection may be, for example, a product that a
child has selected as a "reward" for achieving a savings goal. In
block 1304, the routine receives a savings goal from the user
device, representing the portion of the purchase price that the
child intends to save in order to receive the reward from his or
her parent. The product selection and the savings goal can be saved
in an associated database (e.g., the database 108) and associated
with user account information. In block 1306, the routine receives
a unique code from a user device (and, in some embodiments, user
account information), which may be the same user device that
performed blocks 1302 and 1304 (e.g., the mobile device 104) or
another user device. Additionally, it should be understood that the
routine may receive the unique code after a period of time has
passed in which the user has saved a batch of coins and then
exchanged them at a coin counting kiosk in order to receive the
unique code. In block 1308, the routine obtains a coin value
associated with the unique code. For example, in some embodiments
the coin value is equivalent to the total value of the coins the
user exchanged at the kiosk 102 in the coin exchange transaction
associated with the code. The routine can retrieve this coin value
from a database (e.g., the database 108) associated with the remote
computer. In block 1310, the routine adds the coin value associated
with the unique code to any existing savings the user has
accumulated in his or her user account to determine the current
total savings. In decision block 1312, the routine determines if
the user has achieved the savings goal. If not, the routine
proceeds to block 1314 and sends the coin value associated with the
unique code and the total savings to the user device, and then
returns to block 1306 and repeats. The user device can display the
current savings total and other information by, for example,
presenting the display page 900a described above with reference to
FIG. 9A. If the savings goal is achieved, the routine proceeds to
block 1316 and sends a notification to the user device indicating
that the goal has been reached. The user device can display such
notification by, for example, presenting the display page 900b
described above with reference to FIG. 9B. Additionally, the
notification can also include a link to an online retailer website
that the user can electronically access to complete the purchase of
the selected reward. After block 1316, the routine ends.
[0065] Although the foregoing methods and systems have been
described in the context of a savings application configured to
encourage and facilitate saving money by children, those of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the other embodiments of
the disclosed technology can be implemented by adults and other
users to purchase selected products. For example, an adult or other
consumer can utilize the disclosed technology to select a desired
product for purchase (e.g., at a discounted price). As the consumer
exchanges their accumulated coins over time using one or more of
the coin counting kiosks 102, the accumulated value of the coin
deposits can be stored in a remote database and associated with a
unique code. Once the user has saved a sufficient amount of funds
to purchase the selected product, the system can provide an email
or other notification to the user indicating that a sufficient
amount of funds have been saved to enable the user to purchase the
desired product. Additionally, the user can be provided with a link
to the appropriate retailer website to enable the user to purchase
the selected product with the saved funds.
[0066] FIGS. 10-13 are representative flow diagrams that depict
processes used in some embodiments. These flow diagrams do not show
all functions or exchanges of data, but instead they provide an
understanding of commands and data exchanged under the system.
Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that some
functions or exchange of commands and data may be repeated, varied,
omitted, or supplemented, and other (less important) aspects not
shown may be readily implemented. Each of the steps depicted in
FIGS. 10-13 and the other flow diagrams can itself include a
sequence of operations that need not be described herein. Those or
ordinary skill in the art can create source code, microcode,
program logic arrays or otherwise implement the invention based on
these flow diagrams and the detailed description provided
herein.
[0067] The flow diagrams described herein are representative flow
diagrams that depict routines and processes used in some
embodiments. These processes and routines can be executed by a
processing device, such as a processor or CPU associated with the
mobile device 104, the user computer 122, kiosk 102, the kiosk
server 106, the retailer server 116, an associated server computer,
wireless device, personal computer, etc. in accordance with
computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable
medium. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that
aspects of the invention can be practiced with other
communications, data processing, or computer system configurations,
including: Internet appliances, hand-held devices (including
personal digital assistants (PDAs)), wearable computers, all manner
of cellular or mobile phones (including Voice over IP (VoIP)
phones), dumb terminals, media players, gaming devices,
multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable
consumer electronics, set-top boxes, network PCs, mini-computers,
mainframe computers, and the like. Indeed, the terms "computer,"
"server," "host," "host system," and the like, are generally used
interchangeably herein and refer to any of the above devices and
systems, as well as any data processor. These flow diagrams may not
show all functions or exchanges of data, but instead they provide
an understanding of commands and data exchanged under the system.
Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that some
functions or exchange of commands and data may be repeated, varied,
omitted, or supplemented, and other (less important) aspects not
shown may be readily implemented. For example, while processes or
blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations
may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks
in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted,
moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide
alternative or sub-combinations. Each of these processes or blocks
may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while
processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in
series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or
implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times.
Various steps depicted in the flow diagrams can be of a type well
known in the art and can itself include a sequence of operations
that need not be described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the
art can create source code, microcode, program logic arrays or
otherwise implement the inventions described herein based on the
Figures and the detailed description provided herein. The routines
described above can be stored in non-volatile memory, or in
removable media, such as disks, or hardwired or preprogrammed in
chips, such as EEPROM semiconductor chips.
[0068] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
routines and other functions and methods described herein can be
implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
by a digital signal processing (DSP) integrated circuit, through
conventional programmed logic arrays or circuit elements. While
many of the embodiments are shown and described as being
implemented in hardware (e.g., one or more integrated circuits
designed specifically for a task), such embodiments could equally
be implemented in software and be performed by one or more
processors. Such software can be stored on any suitable
computer-readable medium, such as microcode stored in a
semiconductor chip, on a computer-readable disk, or downloaded from
a server and stored locally at a client.
[0069] At least one server computer, coupled to the Internet or
World Wide Web ("Web") or other network, performs much or all of
the functions for receiving, routing and storing of electronic
messages, such as web pages, audio signals and electronic images as
described herein. The network may have a client-server
architecture, in which a computer is dedicated to serving other
client computers, or it may have other architectures such as a
peer-to-peer, in which one or more computers serve simultaneously
as servers and clients. A database or databases, coupled to the
server computer(s), stores much of the web pages and content
exchanged between the user computers. The server computer(s),
including the database(s), may employ security measures to inhibit
malicious attacks on the system, and to preserve integrity of the
messages and data stored therein (e.g., firewall systems, secure
socket layers (SSL) password protection schemes, encryption, and
the like).
[0070] The server computers described herein may include a server
engine, a web page management component, a content management
component, and a database management component. The server engine
performs basic processing and operating system level tasks. The web
page management component handles creation and display or routing
of web pages. Users may access the server computer by means of a
URL associated therewith. The content management component handles
most of the functions in the embodiments described herein. The
database management component includes storage and retrieval tasks
with respect to the database, queries to the database, and storage
of data such as animation graphics and audio signals.
[0071] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the
subject matter described in this specification can be implemented
on a computing device having an interface. An interface can be a
display device, e.g., an LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light
emitting diode), or OLED (organic light emitting diode) monitor,
for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a
pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user
can provide input to the computer. In some implementations, a touch
screen can be used to display information and to receive input from
a user. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for
interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to
the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual
feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from
the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech,
or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user
by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that
is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web
browser on a user's client device in response to requests received
from the web browser.
[0072] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program
include, by way of example, both general and special purpose
microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of
digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions
and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing
actions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory
devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer
will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from
or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for
storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical
disks. Also, devices suitable for storing computer program
instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,
media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor
memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices;
magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;
magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor
and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special
purpose logic circuitry.
[0073] In general, the detailed description of embodiments of the
described technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the technology to the precise form disclosed above. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described
above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications
are possible within the scope of the described technology, as those
skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while
processes, blocks, and/or components are presented in a given
order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps,
or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some
processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided,
combined, and/or modified. Each of these processes, blocks, and/or
components may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also,
while processes, blocks, and/or components are at times shown as
being performed in series, these processes, blocks, and/or
components may instead be performed in parallel, or may be
performed at different times.
[0074] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms
"connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection
or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more
elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be
physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the
words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when
used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and
not to any particular portions of this application. Where the
context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the
singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular
number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two
or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the
word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,
and any combination of the items in the list.
[0075] The above Detailed Description of examples and embodiments
of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific
examples for the invention are described above for illustrative
purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the
scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will
recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in
a given order, alternative implementations may perform routines
having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different
order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added,
subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or
sub-combinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be
implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes
or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these
processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in
parallel, or may be performed at different times.
[0076] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for
purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be
made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various
embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages
associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been
described above in the context of those embodiments, other
embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all
embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within
the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not
limited, except as by the appended claims.
[0077] Although certain aspects of the invention are presented
below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the
various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.
Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional
claims after filing this application to pursue such additional
claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing
application.
* * * * *