Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/245,427, filed Sep. 26, 2011, which: (a) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/901,185 filed Sep. 14, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,036,951; and (b) claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/532,396 filed Sep. 8, 2011. The disclosure of each is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a combination retailing system that appraises for its users items having precious or semi-precious stones and/or metals. The combination retailing system may allow the users to relinquish their items in return for cash. The system may also provide an avenue for retailers, including online retailers, to offers incentives to users to entice them to accept, instead of the cash, coupons, gift cards and the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for appraising items having a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a precious metal, or a semi-precious metal. According to one embodiment, a method for retailers to incentivize purchases by consumers comprises a transaction kiosk performing the step of physically receiving an item to be appraised from a consumer. The item has at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a precious metal, and a semi-precious metal. The method includes the step of determining a composition of the item using an evaluating device. A cash value is associated with the item using data obtained by the evaluating device and market data obtained over a network. An exchange value of the item is determined by subtracting from the cash value a processing fee. At least one of the cash value and the exchange value is relayed to the consumer on an output device. The consumer is asked to select via an input device between at least a first offer and a second offer in exchange for the item. The first offer includes a first article associated with a first retailer, and the second offer includes a second article associated with a second retailer. A monetary value of at least one of the first article and the second article is greater than the exchange value of the item. 
         [0004]    According to another embodiment, a system for increasing traffic in a shopping center comprises a kiosk. The kiosk is configured to appraise an item physically received from a consumer. The item has at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a precious metal, and a semi-precious metal. A composition of the item is determined using an evaluating device. A cash value is associated with the item using data obtained by the evaluating device and market data obtained over a network. An exchange value of the item is determined by subtracting from the cash value a processing fee. The exchange value is relayed to the consumer. The consumer is asked to select between at least a first gift card and a second gift card in exchange for the item. The first gift card is associated with a first group of retailers that includes a first retailer. The second gift card is associated with a second group of retailers that excludes the first retailer. A monetary value of the first gift card is different from a monetary value of the second gift card. 
         [0005]    According to yet another embodiment, a system for incentivizing purchases by consumers comprises a kiosk configured to appraise an item physically received from a consumer. The item has at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a precious metal, and a semi-precious metal. A composition of the item is determined using an evaluating device. A cash value is associated with the item using data obtained by the evaluating device and market data obtained over a network. An exchange value of the item is determined by subtracting a processing fee from the cash value. At least one of the cash value and the exchange value is relayed to the consumer on an output device. The consumer is asked to select via an input device between at least a first offer, a second offer, and a third offer in exchange for the item. The first offer includes a first article associated with a first retailer. The second offer includes a second article associated with a second retailer. The third offer includes monies equal to the exchange value. A monetary value of at least one of the first article and the second article is greater than the exchange value of the item. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic of a retail location, such as a fixed installation store and the like; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a kiosk according to one embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows the various elements of the kiosk of  FIG. 2  and illustrates electronic communication; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate operation of one portion of the kiosk of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5 and 6A  through  6 C illustrate programming in the kiosk of  FIG. 2  and methods of using the kiosk of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is directed to a combination retailing system that offers a series of consumer goods, precious or semi-precious stones and metals, and ready to eat convenience food products at a single location. This combination retailing system also provides an avenue for customers to have their precious or semi-precious stones and metals appraised. Customers may utilize the time during which their precious or semi-precious stones and metals are being appraised to enjoy the variety of consumer goods and convenience food products made available by the combination retailing system. After the appraisal, the retailing system provides customers with the opportunity to trade or sell their precious or semi-precious stones and metals. 
         [0013]    Reference is now directed to  FIG. 1 , which includes a schematic of a retail location (or “point-of-purchase”)  10 . The retail location  10  may carry a variety of consumer goods  14 , which may include magazines, newspapers, health and beauty products, household items, seasonal or regional offerings, general retailing merchandize, et cetera, and convenience food products  16 , which may include any product commonly consumed as food or drink, such as fast food items, chips, candy, fruit, juices, coffee, tea, organic foods, and the like. The retail location  10  may also carry valuable items  18  that include precious or semi-precious stones and metals, such as diamond necklaces, gold chains, silver bracelets, platinum rings, pearl earrings, bars or coins of gold, silver, or platinum, or a cut or uncut diamond, emerald, pearl, or other gem. 
         [0014]    A transaction point  20  may be provided at the retail location  10 . The transaction point  20  will be used by the customers to place one or more transactions for the consumer goods  14 , convenience food products  16 , and valuable items  18  being offered at the retail location  10 . The transaction point  20  can include a sales person, a video display, such as a touch screen, computer terminal, telecommunications equipment, such as a telephone or facsimile machine or combinations of any of the foregoing. 
         [0015]    The retail location  10  may be a fixed retail outlet, such as a store in an indoor or outdoor shopping mall or a standalone store, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , may have a series of walls, a floor, a roof, and other features commonly associated with a store. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the retail location  10  may also comprise a kiosk  100  that can be assembled by or within a larger structure such as a shopping mall or department store and which provides a functional retailing system as described in the embodiments of the present invention. The kiosk  100  may be manually operated, or may be fully or partially automated. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment, the kiosk  100  includes an outer casing (or “housing”)  102  and a processor  103  which may be in data communication with an output device  104 , a input/output receptacle  106 , an input/output slot  108 , an evaluating device  110 , a vault  112 , a camera  114 , an input device  116 , a networking device  117 , a compartment  121  for storing consumer goods  14 , and a compartment  123  for storing convenience food products  16 . 
         [0017]    The kiosk  100  also includes a storage unit  118  and a computer memory  119  in data communication with the processor  103 . The storage unit  118  may be, for example, a disk drive that stores programs and data, and the storage unit  118  is illustratively shown storing a program  120  embodying the steps and methods set forth below. It should be understood that the program  120  could be broken into subprograms and stored in storage units of separate computers and that data could be transferred between those storage units using methods known in the art. A dashed outline within the computer memory  119  represents the software program  120  loaded into the computer memory  119  and a dashed line between the storage unit  118  and the computer memory  119  illustrates the transfer of the program  120  between the storage unit  118  and the computer memory  119 . 
         [0018]    The output device  104  may be an LCD or Plasma type display screen, a printer, or any other appropriate visual and/or audible output device, whether currently available or later invented. It may be desirable for the input device  116  to be placed close to the output device  104 , and the input device  116  may include various keys  116 A to help in the navigation of various options  140  (discussed below). It will be understood that the shape and placement of the input device  116  and the keys  116 A in  FIG. 2  are exemplary only, and that the input device  116  may be placed further away from the output  104 , or may include different types of keys  116 A (e.g., keys displaying letters of the alphabet and numerals). In addition, the input device  116  in different embodiments may include switches, knobs, biometric sensors, and any other appropriate input devices, whether currently available or later invented. If the output device  104  is capable of allowing a customer to scroll through and navigate the various options  140  (e.g., touch screen capability), the output device  104  and the input device  116  may be a single device. Nevertheless, embodiments having an output device  104  with such capability and also a separate input device  116  are also contemplated. 
         [0019]    The input/output receptacle  106  may be covered with a cover  106 C to which a handle  106 H is secured, and a customer may move the cover  106 C (e.g., downwardly) by using the handle  106 H to gain access to the receptacle  106 . The receptacle  106  may alternatively be a drawer, which can be pulled out by the handle  106 H. Regardless of its specific construction, the receptacle  106  may be configured to receive and/or dispense valuable items  18  such as precious or semi-precious stones and metals in various forms. The receptacle  106  may also be configured to dispense consumer goods  14  and convenience food products  16 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the input/output receptacle  106  may be a single receptacle, as previously described, or may instead include multiple receptacles. 
         [0020]    The input/output slot  108  may be configured to input and output cash, cards (e.g., gift cards, debit cards, credit cards, etc.), and/or promotional materials such as coupons and vouchers. The input/output slot  108  may be a single slot, or may instead include multiple transfer devices. 
         [0021]    The evaluating device  110  is configured to evaluate the contents and price of the valuable item  18 . The item  18  may, for example, be placed in the receptacle  106  by a customer, or may have been stored in the vault  112  after being placed in the receptacle  106  by a prior customer (or an owner or authorized attendant of the kiosk  100 , et cetera). The evaluating device  110  may include a scale  131 , and may employ various methods to determine the contents and price of an item  18 , such as methods based on frequency testing, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, et cetera. 
         [0022]    For instance, the evaluating device  110  may include an XRF (x-ray fluorescence) tester  132  which utilizes XRF to determine the types and quantity of metals present in an item  18 . More particularly, the XRF tester  132  includes a source  132 X, which can generate high energy, short wavelength protons (e.g., x-rays), and the item  18  is struck with these x-rays from the source  132 X. The workings of the XRF-tester are explained here with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
         [0023]    The item  18 , much like other matter, is composed of atoms, which, at their center, have a nucleus (see  FIG. 4A ). Rotating around the nucleus, in orbits, are negatively charged particles, i.e., electrons. These electrons rotate in different orbits (or shells) around the nucleus, and an electron in one shell has a different energy than an electron in another shell. For example, electrons in the K-shell, which shell is closest to the nucleus, have the lowest energy, whereas electrons in the M-shell, which is further away from the nucleus, have higher energy. Similarly, electrons in the L-shell, which lies between the K-shell and the M-shell, have greater energy than the electrons in the K shell, but less energy than the electrons in the M-shell. 
         [0024]    When the item  18  is exposed to radiation emanated by the source  132 X, an electron in a low energy shell (e.g., the K-shell) is displaced; thereafter, an electron in a higher energy orbit (e.g., the L-shell) rushes to take its place in the low energy shell. Similarly, the electron in the comparatively higher energy orbit (e.g., the M-shell) rushes to take the place of the electron that has rushed to take the place of the electron originally displaced by the radiation. As there is less energy required to maintain the lower energy orbits, when an electron from a higher energy orbit, e.g., the M-shell, moves and takes the place of an electron in the L-shell, excess energy (i.e., L x-ray) is emitted. Similarly, when the electron in the L-shell takes the place of the electron in the K-shell, excess energy (i.e., K x-ray) is emitted, and so on. These x-rays (e.g., K, L, M, N x-rays) are unique to each metal, akin to a fingerprint, and can then be analyzed by a detector  132 D, which compares these x-rays to the known values of various metals. The evaluating device  110  can thus determine the exact composition of the various metals in the item  18  with precision. For example, by using the scale  131  and the XRF tester  132 , the evaluating device  110  may find that the item  18  contains one ounce (28.34 grams) of gold, and ten grams of silver. 
         [0025]    The evaluating device  110  may then employ a different method to determine whether the item  18  also includes a precious stone. For example, the evaluating device  110  may employ an infrared reflectance meter, a refractometer, a diamond fluorescence machine, a spectroscope, or a combination of these and other known techniques along with the scale  131  to determine the contents, weight, and type of any precious or semi-precious stones that are included in the item  18 . For illustrative purposes, consider that after analyzing the item  18 , the evaluating device  110  gleans that in addition to the ounce of gold and ten grams of silver, the item  18  includes a diamond that weighs 1 carat (0.2 grams). 
         [0026]    The next step entails pricing the item  18 . The processor  103 , via known communication methods, can access a network  105  (e.g., the Internet). Specifically, the processor  105  accesses one or more websites  105 W, which may be dedicated solely to the kiosks  100 , using the networking device  117 . In some embodiments, the website  105 W is password protected and the content on the website  105 W is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access; in other embodiments, the website  105 W may be a publicly-available site that is not dedicated to the kiosks  100 . The website  105 W may include the price of each precious or semi-precious gemstone and metal, and may be updated regularly (e.g., daily) by authorized persons to reflect the current rates. The website  105 W may also keep track of the area at which a particular kiosk  100  is located, as the price of gemstones and metals often varies with location. 
         [0027]    So, for example, the processor  103  of a particular kiosk  100  may determine via the website  105 W that the current rate of a diamond in the locality of the kiosk  100  is $1,000 per carat, the current rate of gold is $1,500 per ounce, and that the current rate of silver is 10 cents per gram. The processor  103  may then calculate (using the composition determined by the evaluating device  110 ) that the item  18  is worth about $2,501, and after deducting certain processing fees, may display the worth of the item  18  on the output device  104 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the determined worth may be confirmed by using the camera  114 ; specifically, the camera  114 , which may be a digital video (or still) camera, may make an image  136  of the item  18  and securely transmit the image  136  over the web  105 . The image  136  may then be viewed by a jeweler or other person via the website  105 W or some other website. The jeweler may then confirm that the readings taken by the evaluating device  110  are (or appear to be) correct, and may also modify the worth of the item  18 . For example, the jeweler may lower the calculated worth of the item  18  upon finding that the diamond associated with the item  18  has inclusions which were not accounted for, or that the diamond is colored or has some other defect. Or, the jeweler may increase the calculated worth of the item  18  upon finding, for example, that the item  18  is associated with a particular brand. 
         [0029]    If such remote valuation methods are employed, a customer may be able to communicate with the jeweler about the specifics of the item  18  by using the input device  116 , output device  104 , and camera  114 ; for example, the camera  114  may take a video  136  of the customer and cause it to be transmitted, whereby the video  136  may be viewed, generally simultaneously, by the jeweler. Or, the kiosk  100  may allow two-way video communication between the customer and the jeweler by displaying the jeweler on the output device  104 . Or, the customer may instead utilize a telephone number to call the jeweler and discuss any concerns about the calculated worth of the item  18 . 
         [0030]    After deducting fees (20% for this example, and which may also include a factor of safety to ensure that the item is worth more than the evaluation) from the calculated worth, the offered price (now $2,000.80 in the current example) is displayed on the output device  104 , and the customer may choose to sell the item  18 . If so, the customer may navigate the input device  116 , and the stated amount (again, $2,000.80 in the current example) may be dispensed by the kiosk  100  via the input/output slot  108 C. 
         [0031]    The item  18  may be stored in the vault  112 . The vault  112  may be partitioned into various areas and may be fully encompassed by the casing  102 , or may extend into a secure room or other structure through the back or a side of the kiosk  100 . The vault  112  may include one or more safety mechanisms to ensure that the vault  112  is accessible only to authorized persons, and may include a hidden GPS device in case anyone attempts to improperly relocate the entire kiosk  100  or the vault  112 . 
         [0032]    Valuation of the item  18  as discussed above may take some time, and a customer getting an item  18  appraised may wish to utilize this time. Preferably, thus, a customer using the retail location  10  (e.g., kiosk  100 ) to get his item  18  valuated will also, at the transaction point  20 , purchase a convenience food product  16 , which the customer may consume while the appraisal is being conducted; or, the customer may instead purchase a consumer good  14  such as a magazine which the customer can browse through while waiting for the valuation to complete. In this manner, the retailing system provides a convenient and efficient manner in which to provide a valuable service to a customer without delaying or interrupting his schedule. 
         [0033]    The consumer goods  14  may be stored inside the kiosk  100  within a compartment  121 , and the convenience food products  16  may be stored within a compartment  123  (see  FIG. 3 ). A heating or cooling element may be associated with the compartment  123  for storing and/or dispensing the convenience food products  16  at a desirable temperature. A person skilled in the art will understand that the compartments  121  and  123  for storing consumer goods  14  and convenience food products  16  respectively may be single compartments, or may comprise a plurality of compartments. 
         [0034]    The outer casing  102  of the kiosk  100  may be such that a customer is able to view the contents of one or both compartments  121 ,  123  directly, or the contents of the compartments  121 ,  123  may be displayed on the output device  104  by the processor  130 . The customer may be allowed to select a consumer good  14  and/or convenience food product  16  via the input device  116 , and the consumer good  14  or convenience food product  16  may be dispensed for the customer by the kiosk  100  through the input/output receptacle  106 . Where some or all of the convenience food products  16  are not conducive to being dispensed via the input/output receptacle  106  (for e.g., coffee), the kiosk  100  may include a separate dispensing unit to dispense such food products  16 . It is also possible for the consumer goods  14  or food products  16  to be stored at a remote location (e.g., at a store or restaurant that is within a half hour drive from the retail location  10 ), and for them to be delivered to the retail location  10  after the customer has made his selection via the input device  116 . 
         [0035]    Attention is now directed to FIGS.  5  and  6 A- 6 C, which illustrate programming in the kiosk  100  and methods of using the kiosk  100 . In these illustrations, the kiosk  100  is placed, preferably conspicuously, in a mall or shopping area that has at least three stores, i.e., store  1 , store  2 , and store  3 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , at step  142 , a customer enters the shopping area and approaches the retail location  10  (i.e., kiosk  100  in this example). At step  144 , the kiosk  100 , via its output device  104 , inquires whether the customer is interested in selling an item  18  and purchasing a consumer good  14  or convenience food product  16  (option  140   a ), buying an item  18  (option  140   b ), or purchasing or trading a gift card (option  140   c ).  FIG. 6A  shows selection of option  140   a,    FIG. 6B  shows selection of option  140   b,  and  FIG. 6C  shows selection of option  140   c.    
         [0037]    By selecting option  140   a  at step  146 A ( FIG. 6A ), the customer signifies that he intends to sell an item  18 , and wants to purchase a consumer good  14  or convenience food product  16 . The item  18  may be any item that includes a precious or semi-precious stone or metal, or any item  18  that the customer thinks may include a precious or semi-precious stone or metal. At step  148 A, the customer places his item  18  in the receptacle  106 . Then, at step  150 A, the customer is asked, via the output device  104 , whether he wants to purchase a consumer good  14  or a convenience food product  16 . At step  152 A, the kiosk  100  dispenses the consumer good  14  or convenience food product  16  in line with customer&#39;s entry, which the customer may make using the input device  116 . The customer may also choose to purchase both a consumer good  14  and a convenience food product  16 , or a plurality of either. 
         [0038]    At step  154 A, the item  18  is evaluated by the evaluating device  110  to determine the contents of the item  18 . Specifically, the evaluating device  110  may run one or more tests to determine the composition of the item  18 , such as an X-ray fluorescence test by using its XFR tester  132  to determine the presence and composition of any precious or semi-precious metals, and/or tests for precious or semi-precious stones by using the spectroscope. The processor  103  may also ask the customer to input (via input  116 ) which metals and/or stones the customer want the item  18  to be tested for, and the evaluating device  110  may conduct only the tests pertaining to those metals and stones. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the processor  103  (and software program  120 ) may cause the camera  114  to take video  136  (or snapshot) of the item  18  and stream the video  136  (or send the snapshot) over the internet  105 , such that the video  136  (or snapshot) can be viewed by a jeweler or other qualified person. This may especially be useful where the tests conducted by the kiosk  100  provide inconsistent results or where the evaluating device  110  indicates that the item  18  is worth more than a predetermined amount, so that the jeweler can verify the worth of the item  18 . It is also possible to instead have an attendant on hand that can verify the price of each item  18  and address any concerns of the customer, or for the kiosk  100  to simply refuse any transactions over a predetermined amount. Or, a phone number may be listed on the casing  102  of the kiosk  100  or displayed on the output device  104 , allowing a customer to call that number and discuss any general or specific concerns. 
         [0040]    Once the evaluating device  110  determines the specific composition of the item  18 , the processor  103  may then communicate with the website  105 W to determine the current unit price of each constituent metal or stone present in the item  18  in the locality of the kiosk  100 . As with the example above, it may be determined that the item  18  has a one carat diamond, an ounce of gold, and 10 grams of silver, and as such, the processor  103  may calculate the item  18  to be worth about $2,501. The processor  103  may then deduct a standard amount or percentage and display on the output  104  the cash amount (e.g., $2,000.80) that the kiosk  100  is willing to pay for the item  18 . 
         [0041]    As the kiosk  100  additionally has the capability to dispense gift cards, the mall and the stores therein may compete with each other to entice the customer to, instead of cash, accept a gift card from the mall or a store. For example, the mall may offer the customer a gift card for $2,050-$49 more than what the kiosk  100  offers the customer in cash. The customer may consider the additional $49 to be worthwhile, especially because the mall gift card may be utilized at any store in the mall; for instance, the customer may rationalize that since the mall gift card has no imminent expiration date, and that the customer will have to spend cash anyway to purchase items of use (such as clothing, food, gifts, et cetera), that it is a better deal to take the higher value gift card than the cash. If the customer accepts the mall gift card, it would increase the likelihood that the customer would come to the mall again to shop, something which the customer may not have done otherwise. Thus, the presence of the kiosk  100  may entice a customer to come to the shopping area to conveniently sell an item  18 , whether for cash or a gift card. And once a customer is at the shopping area to utilize the kiosk  100 , the customer may shop at the shopping area after (or before) using the kiosk  100 , even if he did not originally intend to do so. 
         [0042]    There is no requirement that the mall gift card be priced higher than the cash value of the item  18 , and if it is not, the customer may purchase the mall gift card nevertheless, perhaps as a gift, or because it is safer to carry the mall gift card than cash. The mall gift card may also extend to other malls or stores; this may especially be helpful when the kiosk  100  is placed in a store that has a chain of stores. For example, where the kiosk  100  is placed in a Walmart® store, a Bass Pro Shops® store, a Cabela&#39;s® store, or a gas station chain, the gift card may extend to all of these respective stores nationwide, or even internationally. Or, certain gift cards may extend to a particular grouping of stores, and also to restaurants, dry cleaning services, bars, salons, et cetera, allowing for a safe and convenient alternative to cash at many of the places that the customer frequents. 
         [0043]    The stores within the mall may also (but do not have to) compete with each other to entice the customer to accept their gift card in return for the item  18 , and may provide varying incentives to the customer. For example, store  1  may provide a gift card that is worth $2,501, i.e., the actual worth of the item  18  before the processing fee was subtracted, and thereby, agree to absorb the processing fee of the kiosk  100  on behalf of the customer, in return for the opportunity to have the customer shop at store  1 . Store  2  may, for example, offer a store  2  gift card for $2,000.80 but add a 20% off coupon as an incentive. These offers will generally be determined in advance, may be changed from time to time, and may vary from kiosk  100  to kiosk  100 . Again, however, there is no requirement that a store provide any additional incentives, and as such, store  3  may offer a gift card for $2,000.80, i.e., for the same amount that the kiosk  100  would dispense in cash. 
         [0044]    At step  156 A, all these offers may be displayed on the output device  104 , and at step  158   a,  the kiosk  100  may inquire as to which offer the customer wants to take advantage of. If the customer picks an offer at step  160 A, the kiosk  100  (and more specifically the processor  103  along with program  120 ) may first cause the item  18  to be secured in the vault  112  at step  162 A. This ensures that the customer is unable to retrieve the item  18  after he has made the decision to accept an offer. The kiosk  100  may then, at step  164 A, dispense the cash or gift card as selected by the customer in the slot  108 , where it can be picked up by the customer. The kiosk  100  may also have the capability to dispense, instead of a gift card that is associated with a particular mall or chain, a debit card that can be used by the customer at any location that accepts debit cards. Or, if the customer desires, the kiosk  100  may transfer the funds electronically to the customer&#39;s bank account, or on the customer&#39;s behalf, to an internet retailer such as Amazon.com®. Similarly, the kiosk  100  may have the capability to transfer the funds to eBay® (e.g., via the customer&#39;s account at PayPal®), or to any other web based account where the funds can subsequently be accessed by the customer or a third party. 
         [0045]    Returning now to step  144 , if instead of attempting to sell an item  18 , the customer wants to purchase an item  18 , which item  18  may have been left in the kiosk  100  (i.e., the vault  112 ) by a prior customer, or an owner of the kiosk  100  or other authorized person, the customer selects option  140 b at step  146 B ( FIG. 6B ). The customer may for example be enticed to come to the kiosk  100  to purchase the item  18 , instead of going to a jewelry or other store, because the item  18  may be offered at a lower price than it is elsewhere, as the cost of overhead of the kiosk  100  may be lower than that of stores; or, the customer may want to purchase an item  18  immediately (for e.g., as a gift for a party that night), and come to the kiosk  100  because the jewelry stores in the area have closed for the day. Or, for example, the customer may come to the kiosk  100  because the kiosk  100  may allow the customer to pay for an item  18  via a gift card, or because of the location of the kiosk  100 . 
         [0046]    After the customer selects option  140   b  at step  146 B ( FIG. 6B ), the processor  103  at step  148 B, by using the camera  114 , may cause all the items  18  in the vault  112  to be displayed on the output  104  along with their prices in cash, which may have been pre-determined by the evaluating device  110 , or may have been set in advance by an owner or authorized user of the kiosk  100 . Once the customer selects a particular item  18  at step  150 B, the kiosk  100  displays on display  104  the various offers relating to that item  18  at step  152 B. These offers may include, for example, an offer from store  1  allowing the customer to purchase the item  18 , which has a cash value of $2,251, with a gift card from store  1  for $2,275, and the customer, in his desire to utilize the gift card, may agree to this offer. Store  2  may offer that the customer purchase the item  18  with a gift card having the same cash value as the item  18 , and store  3  may offer a $100 mall gift card if the customer purchases the item with a store  3  gift card worth $2,251. As discussed with respect to option  140   a,  there is no requirement that the offers from the stores be different, or even that every or any store in the shopping area participate in making the offers. Indeed, the kiosk  100  may be used inside a single retail store and only provide or accept gift cards from that store (though provided gift cards may be used in subsequent transactions to purchase different gift cards). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the offers discussed with respect to the options  140 , as well as the processing fees discussed herein are only exemplary. 
         [0047]    If an offer is acceptable to the customer at step  154 B, the customer picks the desired offer at step  156 B and inserts into the slot  108  the cash or gift card according to the offer. This cash or gift card may also be secured in the vault  112  or a different secure area. Upon securing the cash or gift card, the kiosk  100  dispenses the desired item  18  into the receptacle at step  158 B, thereby completing the transaction at step  160 B. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in addition to selling or buying an item  18  under options  140   a,    140   b  respectively, the kiosk  100  may also, after deducting its fees, allow the customer to trade his item  18  for other item(s)  18  of comparable value. 
         [0048]    Returning again to step  144 , the kiosk  100  may in some embodiments also be used as a hub for buying gift cards relating to at least one store. For example, if the customer picks option  140   c  at step  146 C ( FIG. 6C ), then at step  148 C the kiosk  100  may display any or all offers relating to gift cards for cash. As before, the mall and the stores therein may compete with each other to entice the customer to purchase their gift card, by providing, for example, extra cash value for a gift card, or coupons or other incentives along with the gift card. Once a customer determines that an offer is acceptable at step  150 C and selects an offer at step  152 C, the customer inserts cash into the slot  108  at step  154 C. 
         [0049]    The kiosk  100  may also allow the customer to exchange a gift card from one store for a gift card from another store; for example, store  1  (or the mall) may offer to give a customer a gift card from store  1  (worth, e.g., $40) in exchange for a gift card from store  2  (worth, e.g., $50). Store  1  may then sell the gift card from store  2  via the kiosk  100  to another customer, and by virtue of the gift card from store  1 , increase the likelihood that the customer will subsequently shop at store  1 . The process ends at step  158 C after the kiosk  100 , at step  156 C, dispenses the gift card selected by the customer. 
         [0050]    The kiosk  100 , thus, may allow a customer to conveniently have an item  18  having a precious or semi-precious metal or stone appraised and sold while providing the customer with avenues to utilize the time spent during the appraisal productively, to buy or trade an item  18 , to buy a gift card for cash, or to exchange a gift card. 
         [0051]    While the kiosk  100  has been detailed here in  FIGS. 5 and 6A  through  6 C as being within a mall or shopping area, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the kiosk  100  may be placed at any point-of-purchase, or at any other area that has high traffic or that has potential to attract high traffic. For example, the kiosk  100  may be placed within or outside a gas station, and may be integrated with the payment mechanisms utilized by the gas station. And, to illustrate, a customer having an item  18  for which the kiosk  100  is willing to pay $50 may utilize the kiosk  100  to pay $25 for gas and $5 for a convenience food product  16 , and obtain the remaining $20 from the kiosk  100  in the form of a secure debit card that the customer can subsequently use at any location that accepts debit cards. It is also possible to place different types of kiosks  100  in proximity to each other to create an appraisal area  170 . For example, a kiosk  100  that evaluates valuable items  18 , dispenses consumer goods  14  and/or food products  16 , and enables a user to trade his item  18  for another item  18  (or cash or gift cards et cetera) may be placed within one square mile of a kiosk  101  that has the ability to evaluate valuable items  18  and which enables a user to trade his item  18  for something of value, but which does not carry or dispense food products  16  or consumer goods  14 . 
         [0052]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0053]    It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Technology Category: g