Abstract:
A method of distributing samples to consumers, comprising a kiosk system, a kiosk application and a kiosk. The kiosk system is used to set up the manufacturer and vendor information, to set up a reporting and analytical framework, and to establish communication with the kiosk application and the kiosk. Among other things, the kiosk application is used to locate the kiosk and provide a code to the consumer. The kiosk application may also be used to issue a coupon to the consumer, wherein the consumer redeems the coupon to purchase a variety of the product sample. The kiosk is used to distribute samples. The consumer inputs the code into the kiosk to obtain a sample.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/487,988, entitled “TRYAD KIOSK AND TRYAD APPLICATION MANAGER,” which was filed on May 19, 2011. The entire disclosure of the provisional application (U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/487,988) is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The general inventive concepts relate to distributing product samples and, more particularly, to systems, methods, and apparatus for distributing product samples via kiosks, in conjunction with a mobile application which facilitates said distribution. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Automated retail is a fast-growing model for dispensing products and merchandise. Although earlier forms of automated retail, such as vending machines, gained much popularity, recent trends have been moving towards “smart” automated retail, such as kiosk machines, or simply, kiosks. Kiosks present an improvement over traditional vending machines, by way of providing an enhanced user experience, usually through providing touch screen interfaces and interactive displays. The number and type of products being offered through such kiosks is also growing at a swift pace. However, kiosks have previously not been utilized as part of a product sample distribution system. 
         [0004]    Additionally, portable computing devices have become widely adopted in the technology-driven modern world. “Smart” phones (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPhone®, Google&#39;s Droid®, Research in Motion&#39;s Blackberry®) and “Tablet Computers” (e.g. Apple&#39;s iPad®) are two types of portable computing devices. While portable computing devices combine the functionality of Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”) with the functionality of cellular or mobile phones, Tablet Computers bring most features of personal computing to a portable platform. Along with the advent and the wide-spread acceptance of the portable computing devices, came the need for applications (“apps”) which operate on said devices and perform specific functions as desired by a consumer (or a “user”). However, apps have previously not been utilized as part of a product sample distribution system. 
         [0005]    Currently, consumers receive product samples through traditional marketing channels such as magazines and store promotions. Consumers would like to be able to utilize their portable computing devices to obtain products samples, product sample coupons and survey requests. Manufacturers typically face expensive shelf space at retail locations and would like to be able to showcase their products within a controlled environment, provide targeted information to consumers, receive customized and tailored feedback and have an opportunity to data-mine the sample distribution systems. Brand developers would like to be able to use a platform to launch new products and services and reach directly to consumers for feedback through alternative sales, marketing and distribution channels. Vendors would like to have an opportunity to work with manufacturers and consumers through a custom designed application. 
         [0006]    Kiosks and apps have not previously been utilized together as part of a product sample distribution system. Therefore, in view of the above, there is an unmet need for systems, methods and apparatuses for a product sample distribution system, which further utilizes an app and one or more kiosks, to enable users to receive product samples, to enable manufacturers to provide targeted product samples, and to allow vendors to facilitate the distribution of product samples. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The general inventive concepts contemplate systems, methods, and apparatuses for distributing product samples. By way of example, to illustrate various aspects of the general inventive concepts, several exemplary embodiments of systems methods and/or apparatuses are disclosed herein. 
         [0008]    Systems, methods, and apparatuses, according to one exemplary embodiment, provide a method of distributing samples, comprising a kiosk system, a kiosk application and a kiosk. The kiosk system enables manufacturers and vendors to manage the products and samples available for dispensing via the kiosks. The kiosk system is also configured such that the manufacturer or the vendor is provided with the ability to perform analytical reporting on a number of different aspects of data in the database, including users of the system and the sales figures of products. 
         [0009]    Systems, methods, and apparatuses, according to one exemplary embodiment, allow downloading software to a user&#39;s portable computing device. The software is configured to locate the kiosk. The software allows the manufacturer or the vendor to provide a code to the user via the software, wherein the user inputs the code into the kiosk to obtain a sample. The software also allows for the manufacturer or the vendor to provide a coupon to the user, wherein the user redeems the coupon to purchase a variety of the sample. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing brief summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiments disclosed herein or as claimed. The claims have their full ordinary meanings and the descriptions of the embodiments herein are not intended to limit them in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments disclosed herein, and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of an exemplary system environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  shows a flow diagram for setting up a kiosk system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  shows a flow diagram depicting a system manager&#39;s interactions with the kiosk system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram of a first manufacturing user&#39;s interactions with the kiosk system in accordance an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of a second manufacturing user&#39;s interactions with the kiosk system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram depicting a system manager&#39;s further interactions with the kiosk system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary kiosk in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary consumer requesting and receiving product samples via interactions with a mobile app and the kiosk system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows an exemplary manufacturer requesting and executing campaign reports from a system manager. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show exemplary screenshots of the reporting and analytic screens of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows an exemplary screenshot of the various portable computing devices hosting the kiosk app. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The embodiments disclosed herein will now be described by reference to some more detailed embodiments, with occasional reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong. The terminology used in the description herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0025]    The following are definitions of exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning: 
         [0026]    “Software” or “computer program” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, one or more computer or machine readable and/or executable instructions that cause a computer, microprocessor, logic circuit, or other electronic device to perform functions, actions, and/or behave in a desired manner. The instructions may be embodied in various forms such as routines, algorithms, modules or programs including separate applications or code from dynamically linked libraries. Software may also be implemented in various forms such as a stand-alone program, an app, a function call, a servlet, an applet, instructions stored in a memory or any other computer readable medium, part of an operating system or other type of executable instructions. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the form of software is dependent on, for example, requirements of a desired application, the environment it runs on, and/ or the desires of a designer/programmer or the like. 
         [0027]    “Mobile Application” or “Mobile App” or “App” as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, applications that run on smart phones, tablet computers, and other mobile devices. The terms “Mobile Application” or “Mobile App” or “App” can be used synonymously with “software”. Mobile applications allow users to connect to services which are traditionally available on the desktop or notebook platforms. Typically, these services access the internet or intranet or cellular or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks, to access, retrieve, transmit and share data. 
         [0028]    “Computer” or “processing unit” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any programmed or programmable electronic device, microprocessor, logic circuit, that can store, retrieve, and process data. 
         [0029]    A “Network” as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a collection of hardware components and computers or machines interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information, including without limitation, the worldwide web or internet. A network can be “wireless” or wired or a combination of a wireless and/or wired communication. 
         [0030]    A “Web browser” as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a software for retrieving and presenting information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource may be a web page, an image, a video, or any other type of electronic content. 
         [0031]    A “Server” as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a computer or a machine or a device on a network that manages network resources. The general term “Server” may include specific types of servers, such as a File Server (a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files), Print Server (a computer that manages one or more printers), a Network Server (a computer that manages network traffic), and a Database Server (a computer system that processes database queries). Although servers are frequently dedicated to performing only server tasks, certain multiprocessing operating systems allow a server to manage other non-server related resources. 
         [0032]    A “Web Server” as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a server which serves content to a Web browser by loading a file from a disk and serving it across a network to a user&#39;s Web browser, typically using a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP). 
         [0033]    “API Files” or “API” or “Application Programming Interface” as used herein, includes, but not limited to, an interface between different software programs or software files, which facilitates the interaction of the different software programs or software files by way of a specific set of rules and specifications. 
         [0034]    “Source Code” or “Product Code” as used herein, includes, but not limited to, a textual software code, or a machine code, or notations in graphical software languages, which specify actions to be performed by a machine, which includes, but not limited to, a computer. 
         [0035]    “Kiosk” or “Vending Machine” or “Vending Kiosk” or “Kiosk Machine” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any vending machine which is capable of dispensing products. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention has three modules:
   (a) a kiosk system  100 , which enables a vendor  101  of the present invention to create manufacturer users and systems users within the system, and manage the interactions between said manufacturers, the system users, and the vendor  101 . Specifically, the manufacturer users are manufacturers desirous of distributing their products via the present invention and the vendor  101  is a manager and owner of the present invention, who manages the product sample distribution system for the manufacturers by creating and managing system users within the system.   (b) a kiosk app  165 , which enables a consumer to download and utilize an electronic interface to order product samples  110  (not shown), and to perform other interactions with the manufacturers and the vendor  101 ; and   (c) the kiosks  155 , which dispense the product samples  110  as a result of interactions between the kiosk system  100  and the kiosk app  165 .   
 
         [0040]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will, therefore, be described via a description of the kiosk system  100  and a description of the kiosk app  165 , with the implementation of the kiosks  155  being apparent as a result of the description of the kiosk system  100  and the kiosk app  165  and interactions between them. 
         [0041]    With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the kiosk system  100  is housed on a central server  175 , typically a web server. The central server  175  may be a single server, or a group of servers  185  (not shown) interconnected via a network  195  (not shown). The kiosk app  165  may be an application which runs as a mobile application on a portable computing device  196  (not shown) or as a browser-based application on a desktop device  197  (not shown), and is in communication with the kiosk system  100  and the central server  175  via the network  195  (not shown). The kiosk app typically houses source code which enables the app to communicate with the kiosk system  100  and the central server  175  via an application programming interface (“API”). The kiosks  155  may be “smart” kiosks which provide an enhanced user experience, usually through providing touch screen interfaces and interactive displays. The kiosk system  100 , the kiosk app  165 , and the kiosks  155  are in communication with each other via the network  195  (not shown). 
       Kiosk System Setup 
       [0042]    Now, with particular reference to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below.  FIG. 1A  depicts a flow diagram for electronically setting the kiosk system  100 . The flow diagrams provided herein describe the logic flow or programming flow of the software that comprises exemplary embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, at step  105 , the kiosk system  100  will start with only a “System Administrator User”  120  (“System Administrator”) present in a system database  130 . At step  115 , the System Administrator  120  initializes the creation of other users in the system  100 . At step  125 , the System Administrator  120  creates a Manufacturer User #1 (“Manufacturer User  140 ”). At step  135 , the System Administrator  120  creates a Manufacturer User #2 (“Manufacturer User  150 ”). At step  145 , the System Administrator  120  creates a System Manager User #1 (“System Manager  160 ”). 
         [0043]    When any item such as, for example, a “System Administrator” or “Kiosk” is created in the system, unique identification information for identifying the particular item is input into place holders for a particular item by users of the system. For example, with respect to the System Administrator, a unique User ID, password, address, etc. is input and stored in the system. For a “Kiosk” the unique information used to “create” a kiosk in the system may be geographic location, password, site and type. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 1B , interactions of the system manager  160  are shown. At  104 , system manager  160  creates a Warehouse #1 (“Warehouse  278 ”) to warehouse product samples  110  (additionally described below with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ). At  106  system manager  160  creates a Warehouse #2 (“Warehouse  280 ”) to warehouse product samples  110 . At  108 , system manager  160  creates a Kiosk #1 (“Kiosk  282 ”). At  110 , system manager  160  creates a Kiosk #2 (“Kiosk  284 ”). At  112 , system manager  160  creates a Kiosk #3 (“Kiosk  286 ”). Kiosks  282 ,  284  and  286  are exemplary kiosks which hold the product samples  110 . A kiosk is indicated generally by  155 . At  114 , system manager  160  creates a Kiosk Technician User #1 (“Kiosk Technician  288 ”). At  116 , system manager  160  creates a Kiosk Technician User #2 (“Kiosk Technician  290 ”). Kiosk Technicians  288  and  290  are utilized to supply and service kiosks, for instance kiosks  282 ,  284  and  286 . At  118 , system manager  160  creates a Change Survey  292  explained further below (with reference to step  630  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , interactions of the Manufacturer User  140  with the system  100  are shown. At  202 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 (“Product Sample  250 ”). Further at  202 , Manufacturer User  140  creates video advertisements  203  which may be played at a kiosk  155 . The video advertisements  203  may be customized depending on the status of the product sample  250 . For example, the video advertisements may be tailored differently for the launch of a new product versus distributing a product sample for a product which is categorized as a “slow mover” or a “fast mover.” A “slow moving” product is obviously a product that has sales numbers that are unsatisfactory, while a “fast moving” product is one for which sales are very high and may be difficult to maintain in inventory due to high level and speed of product turnover. Video advertisements  203  may also be capable of multi-lingual display and interactions. 
         [0046]    At  204 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Distribution Plan  252 . The Distribution Plan  252  may be used to tailor the location of the product sample  250 , e.g. limiting the product sample  250  to a certain geographic area, or to a certain kiosks)  155  within a geographic area. Further at  204 , Manufacturer User  140  creates pick up limits  254  for product sample  250 . Pick up limits  254  define sets of time, as part of a reserve program. For example, if the pick up limit  254  is set at 15 minutes, consumers have 15 minutes from the time of requesting a pick up of a product sample  250  to the time the product sample  250  has to be picked up from a kiosk  155 , i.e. the product sample  250  is reserved for 15 minutes. Any variation of time limits may be employed at this step, including, but not limited to, 15 minutes, 50 minutes, one day and one week. 
         [0047]    At  206 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Coupon #1 (“Coupon  256 ”). Coupon  256  may be any type of coupon. For example, coupon  256  may be a “$1 off coupon” for a product variety of the product sample  250 . Coupon, as used in the present invention, comprises among other things, a vehicle provided to the consumer to purchase the product variety at a retail or other establishment. At  208 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Coupon #2 (“Coupon  258 ”). Coupon  258  may be any type of coupon. For example, coupon  258  may be a “2 for 1 coupon” for a product variety of the product sample  250 . At  210 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Coupon #3 (“Coupon  260 ”). Coupon  260  may be any type of coupon. For example, coupon  260  may be a “4 for 3 coupon” for a product variety of the product sample  250 . The product sample distribution plans and campaign plans can be tailored to “push” or select certain products (or products for samples) that may be “slow movers” or “fast movers” or be based on various inventory levels or sales data of products. The product sample distribution plans and campaign plans can also be tailored to select certain products for sampling in certain geographic locations, or that are “new” product offerings. 
         [0048]    At  212 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Survey #1 (“Short Survey  262 ”). At  214 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Survey #2 (“Long Survey  264 ”). 
         [0049]    At  216 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Campaign #1 (“Campaign  266 ”) utilizing product sample  250  and short survey  262 . Campaign  266  is configured so that, after a consumer requests and obtains product sample  250 , if that consumer requests a product sample for a different product in a subsequent request, the consumer is asked to fill out the short survey  262  before receiving the new product sample. 
         [0050]    At  218 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Campaign #2 (“Campaign  268 ”) utilizing product sample  250  and coupon  256 . Campaign  268  is configured so that, after a consumer requests and obtains product sample  250 , the consumer is provided with coupon  256 . 
         [0051]    At  220 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Campaign #3 (“Campaign  270 ”) utilizing product sample  250 , coupon  256 , coupon  258 , and long survey  264 . Campaign  270  is configured so that, after a consumer requests and obtains a product sample  250 , and a subsequent coupon  256 , if the consumer requests an additional coupon  258 , then the consumer is asked to fill out a long survey  264  before receiving the additional coupon  258 . The short survey or long survey may ask the consumer multiple questions regarding the consumer&#39;s perception and likes or dislikes regarding the product. 
         [0052]    At  222 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #1 Campaign #4 (“Campaign  272 ”) utilizing product sample  250  and coupon  260 . Campaign  272  is configured similar to campaign  268  in that, after a consumer requests and obtains product sample  250 , the consumer is provided with coupon  260 . 
         [0053]    At  224 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #2 (“Product Sample  274 ”). At  226 , Manufacturer User  140  creates a Product Sample #2 Distribution Plan  276 . The Distribution Plan  276  may be used to tailor the location of the product sample  274 , e.g. limiting the product sample  250  to a certain geographic area, or to a certain kiosk(s)  155  within a geographic area. At  228 , Manufacturer User  140  ships product sample  250  and product sample  274  to a Warehouse #1 (“Warehouse  278 ”). 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , interactions of the Manufacturer User  150  with the system  100  are shown. At  302 , Manufacturer User  150  creates a Product Sample #3 (“Product Sample  350 ”). Further at  302 , Manufacturer User  150  creates video advertisements  303  which may be played at a kiosk  155 . As in step  202  of  FIG. 2 , the video advertisements  303  may be customized depending on the status of the product sample  350 . For example, the video advertisements may be tailored differently for the launch of a new product versus distributing a product sample for a product which is categorized as a slow mover or a fast mover. Video advertisements  303  may also be capable of multi-lingual display and interactions. 
         [0055]    At  304 , Manufacturer User  150  creates a Product Sample #3 Distribution Plan  352 . The Distribution Plan  352  may be used to tailor the location of the product sample  350 , e.g. limiting the product sample  350  to a certain geographic area, or to a certain kiosk(s)  155  within a geographic area. Further at  304 , Manufacturer User  150  creates pick up limits  354  for product sample  350 , as part of a reserve program. As in step  204  of  FIG. 2 , pick up limits  354  define sets of time. For example, if the pick up limit  354  is set at  15  minutes, consumers have 15 minutes from the time of requesting a pick up of a product sample  350  to the time the product sample  350  has to be picked up from a kiosk  155 , i.e. the product sample  350  is reserved for 15 minutes. Any variation of time limits may be employed at this step, including, but not limited to, 15 minutes, 50 minutes, one day and one week. 
         [0056]    At  306 , Manufacturer User  150  creates a Product Sample #3 Coupon #1 (“Coupon  356 ”). Coupon  356  may be any type of coupon. For example, coupon  356  may be a “$2 off coupon” for a product variety of the product sample  350 . 
         [0057]    At  308 , Manufacturer User  150  creates a Product Sample #3 Survey #1 (“Short Survey  358 ”). At  310 , Manufacturer User  150  creates a Product Sample #3 Campaign #1 (“Campaign  360 ”) utilizing product sample  350  and short survey  358 . Campaign  360  is configured so that, after a consumer requests and obtains product sample  350 , if that consumer requests a different product sample in a subsequent request, the consumer is asked to fill out the short survey  358  before receiving the new product sample. At  312 , Manufacturer User  150  ships product sample  350  to warehouse  278 . 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the system manager  160 , at step  402 , accepts the product sample  250  (from step  228  of  FIG. 2 ), product sample  274  (from step  228  of  FIG. 2 ), and product sample  350  (from step  312  of  FIG. 3 ) in the warehouse  278 . At step  406 , system manager  160  assigns product sample  250 , product sample  274 , and product sample  350  to kiosk technician  288 . The kiosk technician initializes or is created at  408 , and supplies product sample  250 , and product sample  274 , to kiosk  282  and kiosk  284 . 
       Kiosk 
       [0059]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary kiosk  502  of the kiosks  155  is shown. The kiosk  502  is a smart kiosk with an enhanced user experience, through a touch screen interface  506 . The kiosk  502  is designed to provide a platform to manufacturers and brand developers and designers to showcase their products. At the same time, kiosk  502  is also designed to provide consumers with an information hub, where information about the products is compiled and presented in an easy interactive format. Further, any of the kiosks  155  provides a device for storing the dispensing product samples to consumers, as described herein. 
         [0060]    The kiosk  502  is accompanied by an interactive display  504 . Interactive display  504  may be of any variety, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for example. The interactive display  504  is utilized by manufacturers and vendors  101  to furnish consumers with information about products, and to display additional information regarding the manufacturers&#39; and vendors&#39;  101  additional product and service offerings. 
         [0061]    Kiosk  502  may be set up as an industry-specific or a brand-specific kiosk. Industry specific kiosks include, for example, a kiosk dedicated to fashion products. Brand specific kiosks include, for example, a kiosk dedicated to Johnson &amp; Johnson® products. Kiosk  502  may contain a variety of different products and samples, including, but not limited to, health products, beverages, snacks, food items, coffee/tea, entertainment products, electronics, and beauty products. Kiosk  502  may be set up at a variety of locations, including but not limited to gas stations, airports, malls, grocery stores, department stores, schools and universities, hotels, convention centers, casinos, resorts, amusement parks, cruise ships, movie theaters and transport stations. 
       Kiosk App Setup 
       [0062]    The kiosk app  165  (with reference to  FIG. 1 ) is a vendor  101  owned application which is delivered to the consumers on their portable computing devices through popular portable computing platforms such as WebOS®, Android®, iOS® and Blackberry®. An screenshot showing several portable computing devices hosting an exemplary kiosk app  165  is shown in  FIG. 10 . With reference to  FIG. 10 , portable computing devices  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 ,  1008 ,  1010  all show an embodiment of the kiosk app  165 , called a TRYAd app. The kiosk app  165  may also be delivered to the consumers on their desktop or non-portable computing devices through desktop computing platforms such as Windows® and Linux®. The kiosk app  165  interacts with the kiosk system  100  to deliver product samples  110  to consumers. 
         [0063]    The kiosk app  165  serves a number of purposes. For instance, the kiosk app  165  allows a consumer to request product sample dispensation codes for the purpose of obtaining product samples  110 . The kiosk app  165  allows the consumer to reserve product samples  110  at certain kiosk locations  155 . The kiosk app  165  also allows a consumer to access a searchable interface to view current, past or future promotions/coupons within several product or sample categories, to ascertain what manufacturer&#39;s products or samples are available at what kiosk locations  155 , to ascertain the available stock-keeping units (SKUs) left in the inventory of the system database  103 , to ascertain alternative kiosk locations which hold a particular SKU if said SKU is not available at a primary kiosk location, to ascertain the estimated time of arrival of a particular SKU at a particular kiosk  155 , and to receive coupons matched to the consumer&#39;s geographic location. The kiosk app  165  may also be set up to interact with social networking platforms such as Facebook® and Twitter®. Utilizing such social networking platforms, the kiosk app  165  may be configured to “rank” its consumers based on their purchasing patterns, as compared with their social networking contacts. The kiosk app  165  allows manufacturers and vendors  101  to send notifications to the consumer. Said notifications may be for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertisements, promotional emails, promotional sweepstakes, new product offerings, new sample offerings, coupon offerings, reminders, product and/or sample availability, and kiosk locations. 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a consumer  660  downloads the kiosk app  165  at step  602 . The kiosk app may be housed either on the central server  175  or at a third-party location managed by a third party provider, e.g. Apple&#39;s App Store®. In the case of the kiosk app  165  being available to the consumers via desktop computing platform, the kiosk app  165  may be available as an application or software program enabled by a web-browser. In such case, the kiosk app  165  may be housed on the central server  175  or at another location managed by the vendor  101  or a third party. In either case, the kiosk app  165  is in network communication with the kiosk system  100  and the kiosks  155  through the network  195 . 
         [0065]    With further reference to step  602  in  FIG. 6 , upon downloading the kiosk app  165 , the consumer  660  registers their personal information  650  with the kiosk system  100 . The personal information  650  may include age, gender, location and product preferences. At step  604 , the consumer  660  displays a list of all kiosks  155  located in a geographical vicinity of the consumer  660  location. The geographical vicinity is pre-determined by the kiosk system  100  or the kiosk app  165 , or both, and may include distances ranging from within a few feet of the consumer  660  location to any arbitrary or pre-selected distance within the consumer  660  location. The kiosk app  165  may also provide the consumer with driving directions to one or more kiosk locations. 
         [0066]    As explained above with reference to  FIG. 1B , the number of available kiosks within the kiosk system  100  is determined by the system manager  160 . System manager  160  sets up the total number of kiosks  155  available in system  100  at steps  108 ,  110  and  112  in  FIG. 1B . It is understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the system manager  160  may set up any number of kiosks  155  which may be available to the system  100 . For each kiosk  155  set up by the system manager  160 , a designated kiosk technician (e.g. kiosk technician  288 ) is responsible for supplying the product samples  110  to said kiosk  155 . In one example, the kiosk technician  288  is responsible for supplying product samples  250  and  274  to kiosk  282 . In doing so, the kiosk technician  288  procures the product samples  250  and  274  for kiosk  155  from warehouse  278 . 
         [0067]    At step  606 , the consumer  660  selects a particular kiosk location, kiosk  282  for example. Upon selection of kiosk  282 , the kiosk app  165  displays a list of all product samples  110  available at the kiosk  282  location. The list of available product samples  110  is determined by the kiosk system  100 . For example, as explained with reference to  FIG. 2 , the manufacturer user  140  sets up a distribution plan  252  by way of which the product sample  250  is assigned to certain kiosks  155 . Similarly, manufacturer user  140  sets up a distribution plan  276  for product sample  274 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , manufacturer user  150  sets up a distribution plan  353  for product sample  350 . 
         [0068]    At step  608 , consumer  660  selects product sample  250  via the kiosk app  165 . At this step, consumer  660  is provided with a product sample dispensing code  670 . Dispensing code  670 , and the other dispensing codes described below, may include, but not limited to, a unique key of any known type of electronic code such as an alphanumeric code, a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a symbol, randomly-generated keys/codes, and any combination thereof. As part of a reserve program, consumer  660  is bound by the pick up time limits set up in the kiosk system  100  as it relates to the product sample  250 . As explained earlier with reference to  FIG. 2 , manufacturer user  140  sets up a pick up limit  254  for product sample  250 . Consumer  660  is required to redeem the product sample  250  via the product sample dispensing code  670  at kiosk  282  within the time limit (reserve program time) set up by pick up limit  254 . The pick up limit  254  may be any length of time, sixty minutes for example. In the event that the consumer  660  fails to redeem the product sample  250  within the prescribed pick up limit  254 , the vendor  101  or the manufacturer user  140  may set up penalties. For example, for a consumer who fails to pick up a product sample  155  within the previously set pick up limit, the vendor  101  or the manufacturer user  140  may reduce the amount of time available in the pick up limit or future pick up limits, for example, change the reserve program time from sixty minutes to 15 minutes. Also, if a consumer fails to redeem a product sample from a kiosk location, the same product sample may then be made available to other consumers requesting said product sample from the same kiosk location. 
         [0069]    At step  610 , consumer  660  enters product sample dispensing code  670  at kiosk  282  and obtains the product sample  250  via the kiosk  282 . When consumer  660  arrives at kiosk  282 , consumer  660  may be presented with various video advertisements. The video advertisements may be set up by the vendor  101 , or by the manufacturer user  140 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , at step  202 , manufacturer user  140  set up kiosk video advertisements  203  with reference to product sample  250 . Therefore, when consumer  660  arrives at kiosk  282  to pick up product sample  250 , consumer  660  may be presented with the kiosk video advertisements  203 . Similarly, as exemplified in  FIG. 6 , had the consumer  660  chosen product sample  350 , consumer  660  may have been presented with specific kiosk video advertisements  303  set up by manufacturer user  150  at step  302  in  FIG. 3  and designed for consumers of product sample  350 . 
         [0070]    It will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the consumer  660  may request multiple product samples  110  at any given time. The kiosk system  100  or the kiosk app  165  may be configured to pre-set a minimum and a maximum number of product samples  110  which may be dispensed to consumer  660  at any given time. Further, the product samples  155  available to consumer  660  may be limited by the product sample campaigns set up by the manufacturer users. 
         [0071]    With further reference to  FIG. 6 , at step  612 , consumer  660  is provided with coupon  256  after the product sample  250  is dispensed. It may be recalled that the manufacturer users set up product sample campaigns as part of the kiosk system  100  set up. With reference to  FIG. 2 , manufacturer user  140  set up campaign  268  at step  218 . Campaign  268  provides that a coupon  256  is generated when the product sample  250  is dispensed to a consumer. Therefore, when consumer  660  requests and receives product sample  250  from kiosk  282 , campaign  268  executes and provides consumer  660  with coupon  256 . At step  614 , consumer  660  requests an additional coupon (coupon  260 ) via the kiosk app  165 . At this step, campaign  272  is executed. Campaign  272  was set up by manufacturer user  140  at step  222  in  FIG. 2 , to be executed when a consumer requests coupon  260  after dispensing product sample  250 . Therefore, coupon  260  is provided to consumer  660  upon request at  614 . 
         [0072]    At step  616 , consumer  660  requests coupon  258 . Therefore, at step  618 , campaign  270  executes. Campaign  270  was set up by manufacturer user  140  at step  220  in  FIG. 2 , to be executed when a consumer requests coupon  258  after dispensing product sample  250  and coupon  256 . According to the terms of campaign  270 , consumer  660  is presented with survey  265  at this step. Consumer  660  fills out and submits survey  265  and obtains the requested coupon  258 . 
         [0073]    At step  620 , consumer  660  requests a different product sample ( 274 ) via the kiosk app  165 . At this step, campaign  266  executes. Campaign  266  was set up by manufacturer user  140  at step  216  in  FIG. 2 , to be executed when a consumer requests a new product after dispensing product sample  250 . According to the terms of campaign  266 , consumer  660  is presented with short survey  262 . Consumer  660  fills out and submits short survey  262  at this step. At step  622 , consumer  660  selects the desired product sample  274  and obtains a product sample dispensing code  680 . At step  624 , consumer  660  enters product sample dispensing code  680  at kiosk  282  and obtains the product sample  274  via the kiosk  282 . 
         [0074]    At step  626 , consumer  660  requests a product sample  350  via the kiosk app  165  and obtains a product sample dispensing code  690 . At step  628 , consumer  660  enters product sample dispensing code  690  at kiosk  282  and obtains the product sample  350  via the kiosk  282 . When consumer  660  arrives at kiosk  282 , consumer  660  may be presented with various video advertisements. The video advertisements may be set up by the vendor  101 , or by the manufacturer user  140 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , at step  302 , manufacturer user  150  set up kiosk video advertisements  303  with reference to product sample  350 . Therefore, when consumer  660  arrives at kiosk  282  to pick up product sample  350 , consumer  660  may be presented with the kiosk video advertisements  303 . 
         [0075]    At step  630 , consumer  660  attempts to select product sample  274  via the kiosk app  165 . At this step, campaign  360  executes. Campaign  360  was set up by manufacturer user  150  at step  310  in  FIG. 3 , to be executed when a consumer requests a new product after dispensing product sample  350 . According to the terms of campaign  360 , consumer  660  is presented with survey  358 . Consumer  660  fills out and submits survey  358  at this step. Consumer  660  is also presented with a “change” survey  292 , which is created by the system manager  160  (See  FIG. 1A , step  118 ) to track a consumer changing their sample or coupon request from a first product to a second product. This change survey may inquire of the consumer, for example, as to the reasons for making a sample change or switch. Consumer  660  fills out and submits change survey  292  at this step. At step  632 , consumer  660  selects the desired product sample  350  and obtains a product sample dispensing code  695 . At step  634 , consumer  660  enters product sample dispensing code  695  at kiosk  282  and obtains the product sample  350  via the kiosk  282 . 
         [0076]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the campaign designs explained with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  6  above are exemplary and may be modified and executed in a variety of different forms. Further, a manufacturer user may choose to combine campaigns or to eliminate campaigns all together for a given product sample. The order of the campaigns is not dispositive and may be set up in any order by the manufacturer user or the vendor  101 . Further, any number of campaigns, kiosks, samples, or products may be implemented in the system. 
       Reporting 
       [0077]    The kiosk system  100  provides manufacturers not only with the ability to customize and tailor their product sample offerings, but to also obtain important reporting and trending data on the product samples  110  and any other campaigns/information which the manufacturer might choose to track. The kiosk system  100  may be configured to track information such as the time when consumers shop, the frequency of logins, the place of purchase, the gender, the age, categories of products, brands, mobile platforms etc. Such reporting capabilities would not only allow the manufacturers to obtain in depth direct feedback, but to also use such feedback to tailor their communications with the consumers, and to tailor the course of their future product offerings. For instance, once direct analytical information is gathered on a particular consumer, targeted offers customized to that particular consumer can be sent directly via the kiosk app  165 . Further, manufacturers would utilize such data to perfect the product quality and to broaden the appeal of their products. 
         [0078]    In-depth reporting in the kiosk system  100  also allows manufacturers to obtain immediate knowledge of their campaigns in real time. Further, manufacturers and vendors  101  may utilize the reporting features of the kiosk system  100 , in conjunction with the kiosk app  165  and data from the kiosks  155  to track which kiosks  155  need replenishment of products and/or samples. An exemplary reporting scenario is explained below. 
         [0079]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , at step  702 , manufacturer  140  requests a “survey” report  750  from the system manager  160 . The report request, at step  704 , is then communicated to the system manager  160 , which then responds back with the requested report at step  706 . At step  708 , manufacturer  140  requests the system manager  160  to communicate to all consumers who have used product sample  250 . In furtherance of this request, at step  710 , manufacturer  140  requests the system manger  160  to create a product sample  250  campaign, campaign  760 , which is a sweepstakes format, with a prize  780 . At step  712 , the system manager  160  creates product sample campaign  760 , which is executed, resulting in consumer  660  winning the campaign prize  780  for participating in campaign  760 . 
         [0080]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show exemplary screenshots of various reports, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. For instance, screen  802  of  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary analytic report comprising of sales data of several manufacturer products. Similarly, screen  902  of  FIG. 9  shows an exemplary analytic report comprising of consumer demographic information. 
         [0081]    The above description of specific embodiments has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the general inventive concepts and attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. For example, the general inventive concepts are not typically limited to the consumer requesting only product samples via the kiosk app. Thus, for example, alternative uses of the app, for completing surveys, for interacting with the manufacturers and vendors, for participating in social networking websites, are within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts. As a further example, the general inventive concepts are not typically limited to providing surveys only upon a consumer requesting a coupon or a product sample (or engaging in some other customer-initiated activity). Surveys may be incorporated as part of the kiosk system  100  and kiosk app  165  in other ways. For instance, consumers may be provided with brief surveys after they had a chance to redeem a coupon, typically thirty days after the redemption occurs. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts, as described and claimed herein, and equivalents thereof.