Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, gift cards, in-store gift certificates, e-certificates, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a gift certificate for use on-line can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the certificate with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing consumer services such as coin-counting and digital image processing. In one embodiment, a kiosk can include a coin-counting apparatus and a digital image portion. The coin-counting apparatus can include a coin input region configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins. The coin-counting apparatus can further include a coin counter to count the coins and arrive at a total of the coins. In one embodiment, a voucher can be dispensed that is redeemable for at least one of cash and merchandise. In another embodiment, the digital image portion of the kiosk can include a digital media input portion configured to receive digital media containing digital images, and a display screen for viewing at least one of the received digital images.