Abstract: An information medium collecting unit receives and collects information media to be recycled. An inspection unit inspects the information media collected at the information medium collecting unit. An electronic-data recording unit transfers and records electronic data stored in a storage unit onto the information media that are determined to be recyclable as a result of the inspection. A product holding unit holds the information media on which the electronic data is recorded. A product discharging unit discharges the information media held in the product holding unit, in accordance with a distribution request. Since the information media collected at a vending machine are processed inside of the vending machine for recycling and are turned into products inside of the vending machine for direct sale, information media to be discarded are reduced and thus cost to customers to obtain information can be reduced.

Abstract: User interface systems access media data stored in a database through a server that presents to the interface a selection menu for selecting media data. Upon selection of media data the server accesses the data from the database and transmits it to an in-room system. The media data may be transmitted by downloading the data to an intermediate system, playing the data at the intermediate system and outputting the data to the in-room system through a communications line. The media data may also be transmitted by streaming the data to the in-room system through a communications line. The server may present to the in-room system a purchase menu through which media data may be purchased, an activation menu through which communication between the in-room system and the server may be established for a fixed period of time and a radio menu through which programmed media-data channels may be accessed.

Abstract: The robotic apparatus is designed to act in a wider variety of manners, which will motivate the user of the robotic apparatus to purchase more products to the robotic apparatus. More specifically, a robotic apparatus (1) which acts autonomously recognizes a bar code (BC) or the like appended to a canned juice (100a) and acts in a predetermined manner. This is only enabled under a predetermined contract made between a product manufacturer and robotic apparatus manufacturer. The contract coverage is that the product manufacturer shall append the bar code (BC) to a specific product while the robotic apparatus manufacturer shall provide a robotic apparatus (1) which can act in a predetermined manner when having recognized the bar code (BC).

Abstract: A vending machine for vending computer software and electronic data into a user's portable device and for providing in one embodiment, travel information, maps etc. either as data or as a printout. The machine has a display to show items available and a keyboard for entering the user's requests. A central unit directs operation of various parts of the apparatus. Connectors for different devices, such as ebook, PDA, and smart cards are provided.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine 1 of the invention can sell items or goods including tangible items such as drinks and intangible items such as music soft which are supplied by plural vendors. The intangible items are sold by transmitting the desired data from intangible item-supplying companies A, B, C through a public communication line 8 to the automatic vending machine 1 and by writing the data in a recording medium. A control computer 20 automatically calculates sales amount of each vendor based on sales data of each vendor output from the automatic vending machine, and adjusts the sales amount of each vendor by transmitting the calculating result to a banking agency 6. According to the management method of automatic vending machine and the automatic vending machine of the invention, automatic sales of items supplied by different vendors can be easily spread at low cost and without securing both of new installation places or sites of the automatic vending machine and communication lines.

Abstract: A method and a system for a radio listener or a television viewer to retrieve a stored broadcast segment, such a song title or a sound recording, upon receiving a transmitted broadcast segment. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method and system facilitates retrieving a stored broadcast segment associated with a transmitted broadcast segment in response to a user inquiry, wherein the user inquiry references a time and a date of a broadcast and a station identifier of the transmitted broadcast segment. The user initiates the inquiry upon receiving the transmitted broadcast segment that interests the user. The method includes configuring a broadcast segment database with a plurality of stored broadcast segments associated with respective broadcast times, broadcast dates, station identifiers and identification information.

Abstract: A serialization management system consists of a job control host for assigning serial numbers to storage media, and for generating a job; a replication facility host communicatively coupled to the job control host, wherein the job control host communicates the job to the replication facility host; and a serialization writer communicatively coupled to the replication facility host, wherein the replication facility host controls the serialization writer in response to the job, and communicates status information to the job control host. In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as method for operating the serialization management system.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing software to a user for use by a particular user device. The apparatus includes a user interface configured to allow a user to select the particular user device from a plurality of user devices. The user interface generates a user input signal in response to the user making a selection. The apparatus also includes a communication device configured to connect to a global computer network, and a computer readable medium writing device. A processor in the apparatus is configured to receive the user input signal, to use the user input signal to retrieve software specific to the particular user device from the global computer network via the communication device, and to store the software on a computer readable medium using the computer readable medium writing device.

Abstract: This invention allows the user to prepare customized wrapping paper at a kiosk by downloading an image into the kiosk, selecting a wrapping paper background at the kiosk, selecting wrapping paper quality and dimensions at the kiosk, viewing the customized wrapping paper at the kiosk, and printing the customized wrapping paper at the kiosk.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending computer software and electronic data into a user's portable device and for providing in one embodiment, travel information, maps etc. either as data or as a printout. The machine has a display to show items available and a keyboard for entering the user's requests. A central unit directs operation of various parts of the apparatus. Connectors for different devices, such as ebook, PDA, and smart cards are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus distribution system in which compressed audio data and relevant information ancillary to the compressed audio, such as data size data, picture information and the text information, are packeted and transmitted or received on the packet basis by time divisional multiplexing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data vending machine system and a method thereof, and in particular to a data vending machine system and a method thereof which are capable of selecting a certain music file, recording the selected music file onto a recording medium and printing a selected image and character message on a surface of the recording medium. The present invention includes a host computer for storing a digital music file and a plurality of remote data vending machine connected with the host computer. The data vending machine includes at least one listing and reserving apparatus for providing a reservation function of the music files selected by the customer, a database and fabrication control apparatus for storing a part of the music files stored in the host computer and recording the selected music file onto the recording medium, and a charge paying unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive fuel dispenser system having a plurality of fuel dispensers operating in conjunction with a local server. Each dispenser generally has two fueling positions, each with a graphical user interface through which a customer interacts. In contrast with the recent trend in turning fuel dispensers into super computers, applicants' provide a dispenser architecture that need only be sufficient to establish interactivity with a server to create multimedia applications and carry out POS functions with a browser interface. Each fueling position acts as a client of a local server at the fuel station store. In the preferred embodiment, each fueling position client also may access remote servers connected to the same network in which the fueling position clients and the local server are connected. Preferably, this network is or is connected to the Worldwide Web of the Internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive fuel dispenser system having a plurality of fuel dispensers operating in conjunction with a local server. Each dispenser generally has two fueling positions, each with a graphical user interface through which a customer interacts. In contrast with the recent trend in turning fuel dispensers into super computers, applicants' provide a dispenser architecture that need only be sufficient to establish interactivity with a server to create multimedia applications and carry out POS functions with a browser interface. Each fueling position acts as a client of a local server at the fuel station store. In the preferred embodiment, each fueling position client also may access remote servers connected to the same network in which the fueling position clients and the local server are connected. Preferably, this network is or is connected to the Worldwide Web of the Internet.

Abstract: A plurality of acquisition media is stored at each of a plurality of in-room systems. A plurality of access-only media is stored at a single head-end system. Each in-room system has access to each of the access-only media. Access to and acquisition of media are recorded at the head-end system and any associated charges for the access and/or acquisition are determined at the head-end system. A free check-out time prior to being charged for an acquisition of media and a free sample time prior to being charged for access to a media are provided. The acquisition media includes devices for storing audio data, such as CDs, DATs, mini discs and cassettes. The access-only media comprises audio data stored on a CD and/or an audio card have memory. The acquisition media may also include devices for storing audio/video data while the access-only media comprises audio/video data.

Abstract: A media player reads program information from a media. A controller is used for deriving therefrom media characterization information and for receiving media identification information and media classification information from an external data base in response to the media characterization information. The controller couples one of alphanumeric and graphical information signals representing the media identification information and the media characterization information to a display device.

Abstract: A vending machine and distribution management system is provided which stores and sells merchandise to customers. The system includes a host computer for receiving actual sales data from the vending machine in order to track inventory and sales preferences, and to notify suppliers to restock the machine. The vending machine provides a variety of signals which are intended to entice potential customers to approach the machine and purchase merchandise. A questionnaire is provided for obtaining consumer preferences in the machine and the data is sent to the host computer for analyzing.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a card distribution center for selecting, ordering, and sending social expression cards using a personal computer. The user can enter names and addresses of card recipients into the system wherein the information is maintained in a database. The system displays digitized images of the cards on a display screen which are retrieved from a card database. From the cards displayed, the user can select cards for designated recipients and enter personalized messages and a digitized signature. The user may then send the order to a card distribution center, which processes the order, retrieves and prints the selected card images, including any user messages or user signature, and mails the cards to designated recipients or customers. The system maintains a database of all recipients, addresses, associated occasions and dates, card preferences, relationships and order history.

Abstract: A system for dispensing sample products and premiums which includes at least one data entry terminal operable for identifying particular circumstances including items being purchased by a given consumer and for generating an output signal identifying each of the products or other qualifiers, memory means for storing at least one sample/premium file which identifies each product or qualifier for which a given sample or premium should be dispensed, a data processor coupled to the data entry terminal and the memory and operable for receiving the output signal from the data entry terminal, for comparing the products or other qualifiers identified therein to the sample/premium file and for generating a sample/premium dispense signal if any of the purchased products or other qualifiers are listed in the sample file, and sample/premium dispensing device coupled to the microprocessor and operative for receiving the sample/premium dispense signal and dispensing a sample or premium.

Abstract: A new Musical CD Creation Unit for providing both review and recording functions for the automated merchandising of music entertainment on recordable CDs. The inventive device includes a storage means, a selection means, and a production means. A CD jukebox of the kind commonly available and used in commercial markets provides is used to store musical selections. A computer terminal having a display monitor and input means, such as a computer keyboard or a touch screen allows a customer to review and create a musical selection to be reproduced on a recordable CD. Predetermined musical selections allow a customer to make selections based on music type, such as jazz, pop, rock, country, soul, gospel, or blues, popularity, such as “Top 20 Hits,” artist, or other options.