Patent Publication Number: US-2022230099-A1

Title: Touch-free check-in kiosk

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202141002257 entitled “TOUCH-ME-NOT-KIOSK” filed Jan. 18, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many airports and airlines use contactless check-in systems that allow travelers to submit information identifying them as passengers for upcoming flights, and to print-out boarding passes, baggage tags, or other information relevant to their flight. Although useful for reducing the spread of viruses and other agents via the reduction in person-to-person contact, contactless check-in systems have various drawbacks. For example, contactless “kiosks” are each typically tailored for specific airlines and multiple contactless kiosks within an airport may each require a special application within a passenger&#39;s cell phone or tablet to access information. Additionally, some contactless kiosks are activated/operated by a person&#39;s gaze or profile. These head-sensing kiosks demand high user concentration and patience, which increase overall time that a passenger spends at each kiosk. The transition of traditional check-in kiosks to either contactless or head-sensing kiosks require major hardware and software updates that are labor and cost intensive. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system or method that avoids the shortcomings of conventional approaches. 
     SUMMARY 
     A contact-less check-in system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the contact-less check-in system includes a kiosk. In one or more embodiments, the kiosk includes a housing. In one or more embodiments, the kiosk includes a display. In one or more embodiments, the kiosk further includes a communication module. In one or more embodiments, the kiosk further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the communication module and the display. In one or more embodiments, the controller includes one or more processors. In one or more embodiments, the controller further includes a memory with instructions stored upon that are executed by the one or more processors. In one or more embodiments, the instructions include receiving input signals from a user device. In one or more embodiments, the instructions include transmitting one or more display signals to the display based on the input signal. In one or more embodiments, the instruction includes performing one or more business functions based on the input signals. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, at least one of the display or the housing originate from a contact-required check-in system. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the display is configured as a touchscreen display, wherein a touch function of the touchscreen may be deactivated based on an administrative input 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the communication module is configured to perform wireless IEEE 802 protocols to facilitate communication between the kiosk and the user device. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the communication module is configured to determine if the user device is configured in an access position. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the input signal is configured as an infrared signal. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the contact-less check-in system further includes a printer configured to print at least one of a boarding pass or baggage tag based upon the one or more input signals. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, a soft copy of a boarding pass is downloaded to the user device based on the one or more input signals. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the contact-less check-in system is configured to access biometric data from the user device. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the user device comprises a fingerprint scanner, wherein the contact-less check-in system can access the fingerprint scanner. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the user device is configured to download and execute an application from the contact-less check-in system, wherein the application enables the user device to access the contact-less check-in system. 
     In some embodiments of the contact-less check-in system, the application is configured to facilitate communication between the user device with kiosks from different airlines and having different graphical user interfaces. 
     A method for converting a contact-required check-in kiosk to a contact-less check-in kiosk is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes installing hardware into the contact-required check-in kiosk, wherein the hardware is configured to facilitate a reception of input signals from a user device. In some embodiments, the method further includes installing software into the contact-required check-in kiosk, wherein the software comprises instructions stored into memory that is executed by one or more processors. In some embodiments, the instructions include receiving the input signals from the user device via the hardware. In some embodiments, the instructions include transmitting one or more display signals to a kiosk display transmit one or more display signals to the display based on the input signals. In some embodiments, the instructions include performing one or more business functions based on the input signals. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the hardware is configured to facilitate communication between the contact-required kiosk and the user device via wireless IEEE 802 protocols. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the hardware is configured to facilitate IR communication between the contact-required kiosk and the user device. 
     This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a system for contact-less check-in shown being used by a customer, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating electrical components of the system  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a method for receiving check-in documentation from a contact-less kiosk via wireless IEEE 802 protocols, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a method for receiving check-in documentation from a contact-less kiosk through an IR transmitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a method for converting a contact-required check-in kiosk to a contact-less check-in kiosk in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. 
     As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g.,  1 ,  1   a ,  1   b ). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and should not be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary. 
     Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements and components of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at least one,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure. 
     A contact-less check-in system is disclosed. The system is a configured as a kiosk that facilitates checking in of customers/users (e.g., passengers) without the need to touch the any part of the kiosk, including the display, utilizing the customer&#39;s user device, such as a smart phone. The system may use or infrared technologies to communicate between the kiosk and the user device. The system may utilize legacy or traditional touch-required kiosks that have been modified via hardware and software updates to add touch-less capabilities. 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a system  100  for contact-less check-in shown being used by a customer  102  (e.g., user), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The system includes a kiosk  104  configured with a housing  108 . The kiosk  104  may be configured for any type of check-in or identification use. For example, the kiosk  104  may be an airport kiosk that facilitates the checking in of passengers before flights. For instance, the kiosk  104  may be configured to print of boarding passes and/or baggage tags for commercial air flights. In another example, the kiosk may be configured as a check-out kiosk at a store, such as a grocery store or convenience store, or goods store, or any other business or organization that requires a user&#39;s identification for checking out. In another example, the kiosk may be configured as a check-in kiosk for services. For instance, the kiosk may be configured as a check-in kiosk for a hospital, a clinic, a library, a secure building, or any building or structure that requires an identification of a user for entry. 
     In some embodiments, the kiosk  104  includes one or more displays  112  configured to display information to the user, and facilitate the input of user information into the system  100 . For example, the display may display relevant flight information to a passenger. The display may be configured as any type of display, including but not limited to cathode ray tube displays, flat panel displays, and touchscreens. 
     The kiosk  104  may further include or be communicatively coupled to a printer  116 . For example, the printer  116  may print out boarding passes and baggage tags based on the input provided by the customer  102 . 
     In embodiments, the kiosk  104  further includes a communication module  120  communicatively coupled to the kiosk  104  and configured to facilitate communication with a user device  124  being used by the customer  102  via a signal  128 . The communication module  120  includes hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry) software and/or firmware that enable the kiosk  104  to receive data from the customer  102 . The communication module  120  may include any type of wireless communication technology (e.g., hardware, software, or firmware). For example, the communication module  120  may include communication technology configured to performing WIRELESS IEEE 802 protocols including but not limited to WIFI, Bluetooth, BLE, WiMAX, and ZigBee. For instance, the communication module  120  may include a Bluetooth-enabled transceiver allowing direct communication between the kiosk  104  and the user device  124 . In another instance, the communication module  120  may include a WIFI-enabled transceiver that communicates with the user device  124  through a router. The user device  124  may include any communication device including but not limited to a cell phone, a tablet, or a compute (e.g., such as a laptop computer). 
     In some embodiments, the communication module  120  may include communication technology configured to perform infrared (IR) based communication. For example, the communication module  120  may include an IR receiver configured to receive IR signals from a user device, such as cell phone configured with an infrared blaster (e.g., IR blaster), or a smart remote. For instance, a cell phone utilizing the IR blaster may be configured to access a displayed screen on the display by executing a downloadable application (e.g., an IR blaster application). Using the IR blaster application, the customer  102  may navigate through various screens within a graphical user interface (GUI) of the display  112 , and input data into input boxes within the GUI (e.g., name, address, destination) though virtual or physical keys of the user device  124 . 
     The user device  124  may also navigate through the GUI of the display  112  via an application configured for wireless IEEE 802-based communication. For example, a downloadable and executed application may facilitate the user device  124  to send data directly to the communication module  120 , where the display  112  is then updated based on the input data. The application may also send a real-image of the display  112  to the screen of the user device  124  (e.g., mirror casting). In this manner, the customer  102  may need only look at the screen of the user device  124  to control and see the information displayed on the display  112 . IR blasting and mirror casting both can be accomplished in existing kiosks that require the touch of a customer via software/firmware updates and relatively low-cost hardware updates. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  via is configured to facilitate communication between the user device  124  and different kiosks  104  from different airlines via a single application. For example, for many airline kiosks, software that correlates the pressing of a key on a virtual keyboard on a kiosk touchscreen with a letter or number is not considerably different between different airlines, and many kiosk vendors use similar software for general operation of touchscreens. Therefore, an application downloaded onto a user device  124  may be configured to control kiosks from different airlines that use similar kiosk technology. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  is configured to determine whether the customer  102  is in an access position  132  from the kiosk  104 . For example, in crowded terminals with multiple kiosks  104 , the system  100  may determine the relative position of the customer  102  to the kiosk  104  as a way of assuring that the correct customer  102  is using the correct kiosk  104  (e.g., the customer is at an access position  132 ). The system may use any method for determining the position of the customer  102  including but not limited to the use of wireless IEEE 802 protocols. For example, the kiosk  104  may utilize a Bluetooth or BLE protocol to communicate with the user device  124  to assure that the customer  102  is within approximately 10 meters of the kiosk  104 . In another example, the kiosk  104  may be configured to know its location, or determine its location via access a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), which upon communication with the position data available on the user device  124 , would be able to determine the relative position of the kiosk  104  to the user device. Alternatively, the kiosk  104  may be configured to allow a customer to access the kiosk remotely (e.g., not in the immediate area), and download a virtual boarding pass. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure but merely as an illustration. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating electrical components of the system  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The system also includes a controller  200  communicatively coupled to one or more components of the system  100  (e.g., the display  112 , the communication module  120  and/or printer  116 ), and configured to perform the functionality described within. The controller  216  may include one or more processors  204 , memory  208 , and a communication interface  212 . 
     The one or more processors  204  may include any processor or processing element known in the art. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “processor” or “processing element” may be broadly defined to encompass any device having one or more processing or logic elements (e.g., one or more micro-processor devices, one or more application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs)). In this sense, the one or more processors  204  may include any device configured to execute algorithms and/or instructions (e.g., program instructions stored in memory). In one embodiment, the one or more processors  204  may be embodied as a desktop computer, mainframe computer system, workstation, image computer, parallel processor, networked computer, or any other computer system configured to execute a program configured to operate or operate in conjunction with the system  100 , as described throughout the present disclosure. Moreover, different subsystems of the system  100  may include a processor or logic elements suitable for carrying out at least a portion of the steps described in the present disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure but merely as an illustration. 
     The memory  208  can be an example of tangible, computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality to store various data and/or program code associated with operation of the controller  200  and/or other components of the system  100 , such as software programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct the controller and/or other components to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory can store data, such as a program of instructions for operating the system  100  or other components. It should be noted that while a single memory  208  is described, a wide variety of types and combinations of memory  208  (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can be employed. The memory can be integral with the controller, can comprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both. Some examples of the memory  208  can include removable and non-removable memory components, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory card, a mini-SD memory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), solid-state drive (SSD) memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, hard disk memory, external memory, and so forth. 
     The communication interface  212  can be operatively configured to communicate with components of the controller  200  and other components of the system  100 . For example, the communication interface  212  can be configured to retrieve data from the controller  200  or other components, transmit data for storage in the memory  208 , retrieve data from storage in the memory  208 , and so forth. The communication interface  212  can also be communicatively coupled with controller  200  and/or system elements to facilitate data transfer between system components. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a method  300  for receiving check-in documentation from a contact-less kiosk via wireless IEEE 802 protocols, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The check-in documentation may include any type of information transmitted to a customer after the customer has presented identification credentials including but not limited to boarding passes, baggage tags, bank accounts data, subscription data, and purchase data. 
     In some embodiments, the method  300  includes a step  310  of connecting the user device  124  to the kiosk  104  via the communication module  120 . For example, the customer  102  may connect to the kiosk  104  via a network connection. For instance, the customer  102  may connect to the kiosk  104  via a WIFI network connection specific for the kiosk  104 . The customer  102  may need to be located in and access position  132  relative to the kiosk (e.g., for retrieving a printed information from the printer  116 ), or may not need to be in close vicinity with the kiosk  104  (e.g., for downloading a virtual boarding pass. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  further includes a step  320  of opening a browser application one the user device  124  and loading a webpage correlating to the kiosk  104 . For example, once a link between the user device  124  and the kiosk  104  has been established the user device  124  may be prompted automatically or by a user to open a browser application and load a webpage corresponding to the kiosk  104 . The browser application may be a common application used by the customer  102 , or a kiosk-specific browser application. The user device  124  may also and initially be prompted to download a kiosk-specific application and/or open the kiosk-specific application. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  further includes a step  330  of screen mirroring images from the kiosk display  112  onto the screen of the user device  124 . For example, the check-in screen of an airline kiosk display  112  may be casted over to the user device  124 . Wireless screen mirroring may be accomplished using various hardware devices from various vendors including but not limited to Wireless Display (WiDi), vended by the Intel Corporation, Airplay, vended by the Apple Inc., Miracast (e.g., also known as SmartShare, AllShare Cast, Screen Mirroring, and Display Mirroring), and Chromecast, vended by Google LLC. Wireless screen mirroring may be accomplished using various software solutions including but not limited to AirServer, Reflector, and AirBeam. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  further includes a step  340  of inputting information into the user device  124 . For example, once the check-in screen of the display  112  appears on the screen of the user device  124 , information (e.g., name, identification number, or flight number) may be inputted onto the user device  124  by the customer  102 . This information may then be updated simultaneously on the display  112 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  further includes a step  350  of receiving documentation from the kiosk  104 . The documentation may include any type of information including but not limited to a boarding pass or a baggage tag. The documentation may be printed out via the printer  116  or downloaded onto the user device  124  (e.g., as a digital file, or soft copy). 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  may further includes a step  360  of determining whether the user device  124  is located at an access position  132 . As described herein, IEEE 802 waveforms (e.g., WIFI, Bluetooth) may be used to locate the position of the user device  124 , and determine if the position of the user device  124  is at the access position  132  (e.g., a position that assists in confirming that a specific user device  124  is near a specific kiosk  104 . Determining an access position may prevent a user device  124  from accessing an incorrect kiosk  104 , particularly if there are several kiosks  104  within a small space. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method  300  may further include a step  370  of using biometric information to authenticate a user device  124 . For example, the kiosk  104  via the communication module  120  and the application on the user device  124  may be able to access a fingerprint sensor (e.g., fingerprint scanner) on the user device  124 . The kiosk  104  may then request that the customer  102  scan their finger suing the fingerprint sensor, for which resultant scan is compared to a known scan of the customer&#39;s fingerprint to confirm identification. 
     The step  370  may use other forms of biometric information to authenticate a user device using cameras on either the kiosk  104  or the user device  124  to take photos that are then compared to a known scan. Biometric information retrieved by the system  100  may include but not be limited to handprints, retinal scans, and facial recognition data. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a method  400  for receiving check-in documentation from a contact-less kiosk through an IR transmitter (e.g., IR blaster), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The check-in documentation may include any type of information transmitted to a customer after the customer has presented identification credentials including but not limited to boarding passes, baggage tags, bank accounts data, subscription data, and purchase data. 
     In some embodiments, the method  400  includes a step  410  of approaching the kiosk  104  with the user device, the user device  124  configured with an IR transmitter. IR transmitters (e.g., IR blasters) are incorporate into the cell phones and other mobile devices (e.g., Xiaomi phones and some Android devices). Dedicated IR blaster devices are also available that can connect to mobile phones (e.g., via the audio jack). The distance between the user device  124  and the kiosk  104  must be short enough to allow an IR receiver on the kiosk  104  to competently receive the IR signal from the IR transmitter on the user device  124 . The IR transmitter on the user device  124  may be configured to communicate with the IR receiver on the kiosk  104  at any distance including but not limited to 0.25 meters, 0.5 meters, 1 meter, two meters, three meters, five meters, or ten meters. 
     In some embodiments, the method  400  includes a step  420  of initiating communication between the user device  124  and the kiosk  104 . For example, upon receiving an IR signal from the IR transmitter, the IR receiver on the kiosk  104  (e.g., as part of the communication module  120 ) initiates a communication protocol (e.g., executes a software program) granting the user device  124  access to the kiosk  104 , including the display  112 . Initiating communication may also require downloading an application onto the user device  124  that facilitates communication with the kiosk  104 . The application may be previously downloaded (e.g., via airport WIFI or other sources), may be downloaded directly via an IEEE 802-type signal transmitted from the kiosks, or may be triggered to be downloaded via an IEEE 802-type signal from the kiosk or other site based on an initiating IR signal from the user device  124  that is received by the kiosk  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the method  400  includes a step  430  of entering information into the kiosk  104  via the user device  124 . For example, once access has been granted to the user device  124 , a user may remotely move a cursor on the display  112  to a region of interest (e.g., via navigation keys designated on the user device  124 ), such as to an entry blank. The customer  102  may then key in information into the entry blank using the keypad on the user device  124 . 
     In some embodiments, the method  400  includes a step  440  of receiving documentation from the kiosk  104 . The documentation may include any type of information including but not limited to a boarding pass or a baggage tag, which may be printed out via the printer  116 . The method may also include steps of determining whether the user device is located at and access position  132  or using biometric information to authenticate a user device  124  as described above. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a method  500  for converting a contact-required check-in kiosk (e.g., a kiosk  104  that requires human contact for operation) to a contact-less check-in kiosk  104  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Kiosks  124  in airports and other settings are relatively expensive to purchase and install. Therefore, replacement of an entire older, contact-required check-in kiosk with an entirely new, contact-less check-in kiosk  104  may be undesirable. Converting an older, contact-required check-in kiosk to a contact-less check-in kiosk  104  (e.g., keeping the display, housing and/or other components of the older, contact-required check-in kiosk), may save incur less labor and cost inputs. 
     In some embodiments, the method  500  includes a step  510  of installing hardware into the contact-required check-in kiosk, wherein the hardware is configured to facilitate the reception of input signals from a user device  124 . For example, a WIFI transceiver or other IEEE 802-related component may be installed into the contact-required kiosk and configured to communicate with the user device  124 . Installation of a WIFI transceiver/IEEE 802-related component into the contact-required kiosk may involve plugging in or otherwise connecting a WIFI transceiver/IEEE 802-related component, a daughterboard or card containing a WIFI transceiver/IEEE 802-related component, or a motherboard containing a WIFI transceiver/IEEE 802-related component to the electronic circuitry of the kiosk  104 . In another example, an IR receiver may be installed into the contact-required kiosk that is configured to communicate with the user device  124 . Installation of the IR receiver into the Kiosk  104  may include plugging in or otherwise connecting an IR receiver, a daughterboard or card containing an IR receiver, or a motherboard containing an IR receiver to the electronic circuitry of the kiosk  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the method  500  includes a step  520  of installing software into the contact-required check-in kiosk. The software comprises instructions stored into memory that when executed by one or more processors, cause the contact-required check kiosk to perform several tasks. For example, the instruction may include receiving input signals from a user device  124  via the hardware. For instance, the instruction may include receiving a WIFI signal or IR signal that originated from the user device  124 . In another example, the instruction may include transmitting one or more display signals to the kiosk display  112  based upon the input signals. For instance, the WIFI or IR input received by the kiosks may result in a change in the imagery displayed on the display  112 , such as the inputting of a name in a query box. In another example, the instruction may include performing one or more business functions based on the one or more input signals. For instance, one a name is entered into the query box, a click onto the screen display  112 , initiated by the user device, may result in the printing out of a boarding pass. Other business functions may include printing of a baggage tag, making reservations, purchasing an item, or other functions as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the contact-less check-in system  100  may be configured to convert back to a contact-required check-in system. For example, the kiosk  104  may be configured as a contact-less check-in system during a pandemic, then be converted to a contact-required system once the pandemic has subsided. The conversion of the contact-less check-in system  100  to the contact-required check-in system may be executed via a software change or an input within a software program. For instance, an administrator of the contact-less check-in system  100  may be able to activate the conversion of the kiosk  104  (e.g., contact-less check-in system  100  to the contact-required check-in system and vice-versa) via an administrative input. For instance, an administrator input may toggle the display  112  from a touchscreen to a remote-activated screen (e.g., deactivating the touch function of the touch screen) and vice-versa. In another example, the contact-less aspects of the contact-less check-in system  100  may be removed from the kiosk  104  by unplugging or removing an electronic component, such as a dongle. 
     It is to be understood that embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may include one or more of the steps described herein. Further, such steps may be carried out in any desired order and two or more of the steps may be carried out simultaneously with one another. Two or more of the steps disclosed herein may be combined in a single step, and in some embodiments, one or more of the steps may be carried out as two or more sub-steps. Further, other steps or sub-steps may be carried in addition to, or as substitutes to one or more of the steps disclosed herein. 
     Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a system/device and components that may be used to implement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.