Patent Publication Number: US-2023157462-A1

Title: Self-Serve Kiosk

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to self-serve kiosks. Specifically, this disclosure relates to a mounting system for a controller and handle for a self-serve kiosk. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Products may be offered to consumers from, for example, self-serve kiosks. Self-serve kiosks are able to act as a point-of-sale for products without the need for a salesperson present. In one example, a self-serve kiosk can automatically detect products removed by users and can automatically charge users for removed products. For example, users can unlock the self-serve kiosks by inputting payment information (e.g., by swiping a credit card) into a controller of the self-serve kiosks. Upon receipt of the payment information, the controller can unlock a door of the self-serve kiosks to provide access to products secured within the self-serve kiosks. Users can select whichever products they like and sensors of the self-serve kiosks can automatically detect the products selected by the user. The controller can process data from the sensors to identify the selected products and can display the selected products to the user to verify their purchases. The controller can use the inputted payment information to automatically charge the user for selected products taken from the self-serve kiosks. The self-serve kiosks can also detect when users return products back to the self-serve kiosks and not charge and/or credit users for returned products. Other examples of self-serve kiosks do not include separate sensors that detect the products but rely on the user to identify the product or products they are purchasing, for example, by scanning each product after removing it from the self-serve kiosk. 
     While self-serve kiosks provide easy and convenient purchase opportunities for users, integration of components of the self-serve kiosk such as the user interface, the payment interface, and the controller into the self-serve kiosks can be problematic. For example, there exists a need for integration of at least some of these components into self-serve kiosks that is both easily accessible to users for product purchases and to technicians for installation and/or servicing of the controller. There also exists a need for integration of these components into existing structures (e.g., coolers) without significant modification to the existing structures to leverage existing kiosk designs and reduce costs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Some aspects of the present disclosure includes a product cooler for storing products for sale, the product cooler having a housing including a door that is configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; a lock that is configured to lock the door to restrict access to the interior of the housing; a bar comprising a base member and an end members disposed at an end of the base member and pivotally connected to an exterior of the door such that the bar can rotate with respect to the door; a controller configured to lock and unlock the lock; and a user interface mounted to the bar. 
     Some aspects described herein relate to a self-serve kiosk that includes a housing comprising a door that is configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; a lock that is configured to lock the door to restrict access to the interior of the housing; a bar that is movably connected to the door; and a controller configured to lock and unlock the lock. 
     Other aspects described herein relate to a self-serve kiosk that includes a housing comprising a door that is configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; shelves disposed in the interior of the housing configured to receive products to be dispensed; a lock that is configured to lock the door to restrict access to the interior of the housing; a bar that is movably connected to the door; a handle disposed on the bar and configured to be grasped by a user; and a controller configured to lock and unlock the lock. Movement of the bar is configured to allow access to the controller for maintenance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same. 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a self-serve kiosk according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of a self-service kiosk in a first configuration according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of a self-service kiosk in a second configuration according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a bar of a self-serve kiosk according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a detail view of a bar showing a user interface housing of a self-serve kiosk according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a detail view of a bar showing a controller housing of a self-serve kiosk according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a self-serve kiosk according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplary aspect,” etc., indicate that the aspect described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same aspect. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an aspect, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other aspect whether or not explicitly described. 
     Self-serve kiosks provide easy and convenient purchase opportunities for users. Self-service kiosk owners also benefit from increased product sales without the need to provide additional staffing at the point of sale. However, integration of the user interface and controller components into the self-serve kiosks can be problematic. For example, there exists a need for integration of these components into self-serve kiosks that is both easily accessible to users for product purchases and to technicians for installation and/or servicing of the controller. There also exists a need for integration of these components into existing structures (e.g., coolers) without significant modification to the existing structures to leverage existing kiosk designs and reduce costs. This is especially relevant for integrating these components into existing coolers and because user interfaces are typically integrated into the housing to the side of the cooler door. However, existing cooler housings are usually the same or nearly the same width as the cooler door, which means that the housing would need to be extended outwards to incorporate the user interface in the typical fashion. This is undesirable because it requires substantial modification of the cooler housing and increases the footprint of the cooler. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure include a product cooler for storing products for sale, the product cooler having a housing including a door that is configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; a lock that is configured to lock the door to restrict access to the interior of the housing; a bar comprising a base member and an end members disposed at an end of the base member and pivotally connected to an exterior of the door such that the bar can rotate with respect to the door; a controller disposed on the bar and configured to lock and unlock the lock; and a user interface mounted to the bar. 
     These and other aspects of this disclosure disclose a single, multi-function bar  140  that is easily integrated onto doors of existing product coolers  100 . Bar  140  can replace an existing exterior handle and can include a handle  148  that users can grasp to open and close a door  120  of a housing  110  of the cooler  100 . Bar  140  also contains components needed to implement a self-serve functionality in the product cooler. In some aspects, with the exception of certain sensors that need to be included in an interior  112  of housing  110 , bar  140  includes the necessary controllers and user interfaces that allows for conversion of the existing product cooler to a self-service kiosk  100 . In aspects, bar  140  mounts only to the exterior of door  120 , and thus requires minimal additional structure changes to housing  110 . Further, bar  140  is able to pivot with respect to door  120 , which allows improved maintenance and installation access to any components mounted to bar  140 , while also preventing unauthorized access to these components when bar  140  is pivoted back into its normal operating position. 
     Some advantages of this and other aspects discussed here include a solution for integrating components such as user interfaces and controllers into self-service kiosks that allows easy user access to products for purchase and also improves installation and maintenance access to these components. Other advantages include improved integration into existing structures without needing extensive structural modifications. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  7   , an aspect of a self-service kiosk  100  has a housing  110 . Housing  110  defines an interior  112  that contains products  102  for purchase. In the aspect shown in  FIG.  1   , products  102  are arranged on shelves  114  that are disposed in interior  112  of housing  110 . Housing  110  can be formed in any suitable shape. For example, as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  7   , in aspects housing  110  can be formed as a rectangular prism. In other aspects, housing  110  can be formed as a cylinder or other prismatic shapes. Housing  110  can be formed from any suitable material. For example, housing  110  can be formed from metal, plastic, or composite materials, or any combination of these materials. Aspects of housing  110  can be formed by combining sub-components of housing  110 , including walls, formed from these materials using any suitable joining method, including adhesives, fasteners, or welding. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  7   , housing  110  includes a door  120 . Door  120  forms at least part of one of the exterior surfaces of housing  110  and allows access to products  102  in interior  112 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , door  120  may be configured to swing open and closed to allow access to interior  112 . In the aspect shown in  FIG.  1   , door  120  swings open towards the right side of housing  110 , but swinging aspects of door  120  can be configured to open in any desired direction. For example, with respect to  FIG.  1   , door  120  could instead swing towards the left, top, or bottom of housing  110 . Other aspects of door  120  can open using different opening techniques than the swinging as shown in  FIG.  1   . For example, door  120  may slide with respect to housing  110 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , door  120  comprises a portion of an exterior surface of housing  110  (i.e., the front of housing  110 ). In other aspects, door  120  can comprise an entire external surface of housing  110 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , door  120  can be formed at least partially from a transparent material that allows interior  112  and products  102  to be seen from the exterior of housing  110 . Aspects of door  120  can include a door frame  121  that defines the perimeter of door  120 . In aspects of door  120  that have a transparent portion, door frame  121  can be formed form an opaque material, such as metal or plastic, and can frame the transparent portion of door  120 . 
     Door  120  can include a lock  150  that can be selectively unlocked to regulate access to interior  112 . Lock  150  can be any suitable type of lock that can releasably secure door  120  to housing  110 . For example, lock  150  can comprise a linear actuator that advances and retracts a locking bar or latch into housing  110  to secure door  120  to housing  110 . This relationship can be reversed, and the lock bar or latch can extend from housing  110  into door  120 . In other aspects, lock  150  can be an electromagnet disposed in either housing  110  or door  120  that can be activated to magnetically secure door  120  to housing  110 . As explained below, aspects of lock  150  are electronically controlled to lock and unlock door  120  when needed. 
     Aspects of housing  110  can include a cooling system  130 . Cooling system  130  can maintain a desired temperature of interior  112 . For example, cooling system  130  may maintain interior  112  at between minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit to and 5 degrees Fahrenheit or between 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooling system  130  can be any suitable cooling system. For example, cooling system  130  can be an evaporator-condenser type system that circulates refrigerant between an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser to cool air passing over the evaporator to cool air circulating in interior  112 . Aspects of housing  110  that include cooling system  130  can include suitable insulation to improve cooling performance and reduce energy required to maintain a desired temperature of interior  112 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4  and  7   , bar  140  is disposed on an external surface of door  120 . Bar  140  serves at least two functions in self-serve kiosk  100 . First, it acts as handle that a user can use to open door  120 . Second, it serves as a support for a user interface  160  and related components, including in some aspects a controller  170 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , in an aspect bar  140  is formed as a rectangular prism and comprises a rectangular base member  141  with two of its long sides left open. That is, base member  141  comprises two rectangular sheets that are joined to each other along corresponding long edges. A pair of end members  142  are joined to either end of base member  141  to partially enclose bar  140 . Bar  140  can be formed from any suitable material, including, for example, metal, plastic, or composite, materials. Bar  140  may be formed from a single sheet of material by, for example, bending, or can be formed from different subcomponents that are joined by any suitable method, such as adhesives, fasteners, or welding. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , bar  140  is disposed on an external surface of door  120 . In these aspects, bar  140  is positioned on the left side of door  120  because door  120  hinges to open towards the right of  FIG.  1   . In some aspects as shown in  FIG.  1   , bar  140  is disposed at or near an edge of door  120 . In other aspects of door  120  that hinge in a different direction from the aspect shown in  FIG.  1   , or in aspects of door  120  that slide, for example, bar  140  may be disposed on a different portion of door  120 . For example, in an aspect of door  120  that hinges open downwards, bar  140  may be positioned at or near the top of door  120 . In aspects of door  120  with transparent portions, bar  140  may be positioned to minimize any shadowing or covering of the transparent portion of door  120 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , bar  140  may be positioned entirely over an opaque portion of door  120  (here, door frame  121 ). This improves visibility of products  102  through door  120 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the open construction of bar  140  allows a user to grasp bar  140  to pull door  120  open. Further details regarding the handle functionality of door  120  are discussed below. 
     As best shown in  FIG.  7   , in an aspect bar  140  can be longer than the full length of door  120 , which as described below enables bar  140  to be pivotally attached to the exterior longitudinal surfaces of door  120 . In other aspects, bar  140  may only extend partially along the relevant dimension door  120 . For example, in aspects like those of  FIG.  1    where bar  140  is mounted vertically, bar  140  may only extend part of the way vertically along door  120 . 
     Bar  140  is rotatably or pivotally attached to door  120  such that bar  140  can rotate between a handle position as shown in  FIG.  3    and an access position as shown in  FIG.  4   . The handle position is the standard operating position of bar  140  and allows a user to interface with bar  140  during the purchase process. Specifically, this position allows a user to, among other functions, use bar  140  to open door  120 . The access position rotates bar  140  away (i.e., outwards) from a plane defined by a front exterior surface of the door  120  and allows access to the rear of bar  140  for installation and maintenance of user interface  160  and controller  170 . In an aspect, rotation of bar  140  moves bar  140  further away from interior  112  of housing  110 . The rotation of bar  140  can be in any desired orientation. For example, rotation of bar  140  maybe along the vertical axis as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 , and  4   . However, rotation can occur on any other desired access depending on the orientation of the pivot connection between bar  140  and door  120 . In an aspect as shown in  FIG.  4   , the rotating connection between bar  140  and door  120  is accomplished by fitting a pivot pin  122  fixed to door  120  that is fitted into a track  144  in bar  140 . There may be a one pair of pivot pin  122  and track  144  for each end of bar  140 . In this way, pivot pin  122  guides the movement of bar  140  as it slides along the path defined by track  144 . Track  144  may define any suitable path. For example, track  144  may be formed to create an L-shaped path as shown in  FIG.  4   . In other aspects as shown in  FIG.  7   , bar  140  may be connected to door  120  by a hinge connection  146  at either end of bar  140 . In any aspect, bar  140  can be secured to door  120  to prevent unauthorized rotation. For example, bar  140  may be secured by fasteners to door  120 . In some aspects, one or more of these fasteners may only be accessible when door  120  is unlocked. This, in turn, provides additional security for any components mounted to bar  140  because the mounted components can be configured such that they can only be removed when bar  140  is in the access position. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6   , a handle  148  is included in bar  140 . Handle  148  is configured to be grasped by a user to assist in opening door  120 . As shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6   , handle  148  can be disposed on the rearward surface of bar  140  and can extend laterally away from bar  140  to present a grasping surface for a user to grasp that is clear of bar  140 . Handle  148  can be mounted to bar  140  by sliding handle  148  into a handle bracket  149  that is disposed on the rearward surface of bar  140 . Handle  148  can be secured to bar  140  by any suitable method, such as mechanical fasteners or a snap fit. Handle  148  can be constructed from any suitable material, such as metals, plastics, or composites. In some aspects, handle  148  is positioned adjacent to user interface  160  and can also serve to hide cables and related connectors that extend from the rear of user interface  160 . 
     In some aspects, handle  148  is constructed from a translucent (i.e., not fully opaque) plastic material. In these aspects, a light  143  can be mounted in or near handle  148  to illuminate the translucent material of handle  148  to provide an improved user experience by illuminating handle  148 . In some aspects, this illumination may cause handle  148  to be back-lit. In some aspects, light  143  is configured to illuminate both handle  148  and interior space  112 , either through a suitable opening in door  120  or through transparent material disposed on door  120 . In other aspects, light  143  is only configured to illuminate handle  148 . In some aspects, light  143  can display different colors, which can serve to indicate a status of self-serve kiosk  100 . For example, light  143  may illuminate handle  148  in one color (e.g., green) when a payment has been received, and may illuminate a second color (e.g., yellow) when self-serve kiosk  100  is in a standby mode. Light  143  can also be configured to illuminate handle  148  in various patterns to improve the aesthetic appearance of self-serve kiosk  100 . Light  143  may be any suitable light, including, for example, a light emitting diode. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , bar  140  also includes a user interface  160  disposed on an exterior surface of bar  140 . User interface  160  allows a user to interact with self-service kiosk  100  to, for example, purchase a product. In aspects, user interface  160  can include a touchscreen display that can display information and receive user input. In some aspects, user interface includes only a single touchscreen as the sole input device located on bar  140  (and/or self-serve kiosk  100 ). User interface  160  can also include payment receptacles such as, for example, a credit card slot  162  with a corresponding credit card reader. In aspects, user interface  160  can include a wireless transceiver  164  that can transmit and receive data using a suitable transmission method, such as existing cellular data networks, Bluetooth, WIFI, NFC, or any combination of wireless transmission methods. In these aspects, user interface  160  can also receive purchase information wirelessly from a user via communication between wireless transceiver  164  and, for example, an application running on user&#39;s mobile device. The physical components of user interface  160  can be mounted to bar  140  through any suitable method, including mechanical fastening. 
     Controller  170  is also disposed in housing  110 . In some aspects as shown in  FIG.  7   , controller  170  may be disposed in housing  110  (e.g., near cooling system  130 ). In other aspects as shown in  FIG.  6   , controller  170  can be co-located with user interface  160 . Controller  170  can also constitute multiple components (e.g., processors, computer memory) distributed in several different locations in housing  110 . In some aspects, part or all of controller  170  can be located remotely from housing  110 , for example in a remote server that can be accessed via data transmission. Controller  170  controls various functions of self-serve kiosk  100 , including, for example, user interface  160 , the self-serve functionality discussed below, locking and unlocking lock  150  to allow door  120  to be opened, and light  143  that illuminates handle  148 . In aspects, controller  170  includes one or more processes operatively connected to computer memory that stores operating instructions for controller  170 . 
     Bar  140  can be integrated into a new self-serve kiosk  100  in the initial design phase and can provide the improved maintenance access for user interface  160  and other components (e.g., controller  170 ) discussed above. Locating these components in bar  140  can also improve ease of conversion of existing product coolers into self-serve kiosk  100  because most of the additional components needed for the conversion are located in a single structure (bar  140 ) that is fixed to an exterior of door  120 . Attaching bar  140  requires minimal, if any, structural changes to the interior of the existing product cooler, and only minor structural changes to door  120 . This modification also reduces or eliminates the need to widen housing  110  to accommodate user interface  160  while still placing user interface  160  in a suitable position for user access. Any additional sensors that are needed to implement the self-serve functionality (discussed below) can be added interior  112  of the existing product cooler with relatively minimal structural changes. In some aspects, as discussed below, the additional sensors can be integrated bar  140 , further reducing the need to modify the existing cooler. Thus, conversion of existing product coolers to self-serve kiosk  100  is improved by aspects of the present disclosure. 
     Self-serve kiosk  100  operates autonomously, or without any need for a salesperson to be physically present, during the purchase process. In aspects, a self-serve operation of self-serve kiosk  100  begins with a user interacting with user interface  160  to input purchase information. For example, user interface  160  may prompt a user to insert their credit card. In another example, user interface  160  may prompt a user to input user account information that can be used to retrieve a preexisting user account that is linked to a payment method. After controller  170  verifies the payment information received by user interface  160 , controller  170  unlocks lock  150  to allow door  120  to be opened by the user. The user than selects one or more products  102  for purchase and removes them from interior  112 . In some aspects, an inventory sensor  172  operatively connected to controller  170  detects which products  102  have been removed from interior  112 , and controller  170  then charges the corresponding amount to the user using the received payment information. In some aspects, inventory sensor  172  is one or more cameras that records the position of products  102  in interior  112 . When one or more products  102  are removed, their removal is detected by sensor  172  and processed by controller  170 . In other aspects, inventory sensor  172  can include wireless sensors that detect the presence of products  102  through, for example, NFC transmission from an NFC tag disposed on products  102 . The removal of one or more products  102  is detected by these sensors  172  and, in turn, controller  170  for charging to the user. In other aspects sensor  172  can be a product scanner disposed on bar  140  (e.g., near user interface  160 ). In these aspects, after selecting one or more products  102 , the user scans them with sensor  172  to identify which products  102  are being removed. Controller  170  then charges the user as discussed above. 
     It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary aspects of the present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention(s) and the appended claims in any way. 
     The foregoing description of the specific aspects will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify or adapt for various applications such specific aspects, without undue experimentation, and without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed aspects, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance herein. 
     The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.