WO2000021062A1

WO2000021062A1 - An information access system

Info

Publication number: WO2000021062A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/023070
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Febish; David E. Y. Sarna
Original assignee: Objectsoft, Corporation
Priority date: 1998-10-05
Filing date: 1999-10-05
Publication date: 2000-04-13
Also published as: AU1101200A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information access system in which a personal computer system having a CPU, memory and a storage media is contained within a remote kiosk. The system allows for updates to the software and hardware to be administered by non-computer-skilled employees. The updates merely require the insertion of a disk or the like in which data is automatically transferred to the kiosk. The auto-install feature allows for personal computers having complex GUI operating systems and other software applications to be operated and maintained by non-computer-skilled operators.

Description

AN INFORMATION ACCESS SYSTEM

S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to a computer database and information system, and more particularly to a computer database and information system for providing information including voice and video data in low-cost, low-maintenance environments in which the system, in the form of a public-use terminal, self-configures upon the exchange of software programs and data in order to quickly change the operation, user- interface, and database configuration of the computer system.

2. Description Of The Related Art

For a number of years public access terminals and public and electronic kiosks have been developed for use in a number of different business environments. Such terminals have provided public information, advertising information and products, such as greeting cards, and information, such as, driving directions and the like. In the early stages of development, often times non-computer displays were augmented with limited computer supported devices . As computer technology evolved, this system evolved into highly developed computer systems in which the hardware and software was tailored for a particular application or use. This early development was largely pioneered by the video arcade industry. One of the drawbacks to such systems was the limited use of the product. The video arcade devices were not capable of being adapted for use with other games or in other environments.

During this same period of time, public access terminals were being developed for use by hotels and airports and other public facilities. These systems often included touch screens (a video display sensitive to human touch) or a keypad for user input and a display in which a user could access information provided in a series of menus . The menus are used to access information on a central computer provided within the public facility. One of the drawbacks to this system, is that the terminals were not capable of operating independently from the central computer. This meant that the location of the terminals was limited and the cost of, and physical requirements for, remotely configuring the terminals was prohibitive for off-site applications. Conversely, other kiosks were limited to the information that could be stored within them and were totally self-contained, limiting updatability . With the advent of personal computers, a wealth of highly advanced computer hardware and software has been made available to the home and business consumers. In more recent years, the power of such computing systems has led to the development commercial-off-the-shelf software applications in which digital video and voice information maybe viewed in real time. Additionally, the development of applications that use the Hyper-Text Mark-up Language (HTML) have integrated text, voice, graphic and video information into a highly user friendly operating environment. Such applications further permit the integration of other applications, known as applets, which modify or augment the existing HTML application to perform other additional functionality. With the advent of these features, personal computer hardware and HTML software systems have been developed for use with kiosks and other types of public access terminals. The low cost and availability of personal computer systems have provided a desirable alternative to the present application- specific standalone machines in which all of this functionality would need to be developed for a single- use application. Once the application was no longer desired, the entire single-use machine would need to be replaced. Additionally, the low cost of personal computer systems and the advent of the Internet have made it possible to network such computers in remote locations . Personal computers, on the other hand, are adaptable to provide a number of different tools to a user, but inherently require a user to configure the hardware and software when new hardware or new software applications are added to the system. Although personal computer systems are well suited for a number of applications, such systems include a complex configuration of hardware and software in order to operate for even a single application. One of the advantages of a single-use machine is that it is stream- lined to operate for a specific application in remote environments. Activation of the machine usually requires only a simple on-off switch and little or no maintenance is required on the machine.

In environments where the technician is not equipped with computer skills, the personal computer system lacks the simplicity and robust characteristics derived from systems specifically engineered for such environments. Personal computers have not operated successfully in such environments. In some instances, where the personal computer system has been used, the personal computer is treated as a single-use machine, in which reconfiguration of the machine may require shipment of the machine back to the manufacturer of distributors facility. Other systems may rely on a skilled technician to visit the location to reconfigure the system. In such applications, the technician is required to re-configure the software to operate when the system is updated. In these situations, the personal computer loses some of its inherent adaptability to operate with new applications and new data.

In understanding the problem with such systems, it is necessary to understand that there are a number of various layers of software that integrate with a complex configuration hardware devices. These different layers of software interact between each other and the hardware. With reference to Figure 1, the hardware and software for the personal computer system 20 typically relates to personal computers configured with software having a BIOS 22 (Basic Input Output System) layer, software layers that make-up a GUI (Graphical User

Interface) Operating System 24, Software Application Layers 26-29 and data layers 32-35. Specifically, this invention relates to personal computers of the type operating under a central processing unit 36 of the type manufactured by Intel, Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA or Advanced

Micro Devices (AMD) of Sunnyvale, CA and a GUI operating system 24 of the type manufactured by Microsoft, Inc. of Redmond, WA. The hardware platform also typically includes a memory 38, a data transfer device 40, such as a network interface, a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive. The personal computer may further include user interface 42, a hard drive controller 44 and a hard disk drive 46 for storing the various software applications.

At the lowest level is the BIOS 22 which is a software program that provides the detailed and intimate control of the hardware systems and handles initialization of the hardware during the power-up of the personal computer and provides an interface for older hardware and/ or software applications during operation. The GUI operating system 24 provides multiple layers of software that are adapted to integrate with a variety of hardware platforms and software applications. Depending upon the system, such layers may include 32 or more layers of interactive software. Most notably the GUI operating system 24 may include an Installable File System layer 38 that provides an application interface with the hardware platform and the user, a File System Driver 39 that handles access to data storage devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM drives. The Input/ Output Subsystem layer 40 provides an interface between the File System Driver and the storage media controller which is typically integrated with the storage media. In addition, other layers may be provided by the hardware vendors or application developers. Each of these software layers must be properly configured in order to handle the complex task of interoperability.

The issues of inoperability are further complicated using HTML, the layers here may also vary as HTML functionality may be accessed through the GUI directly or by means of a software application. In addition,

HTML functions may be augmented by application engines known as applets or the like, in which various computer functions may be integrated with the HTML functions thereby adapting the HTML functions for specific uses. This also adds additional layers onto the GUI operating system layers discussed above.

Further complicating the interoperability of the layers is the present ability for various layers to overlap or share common functions. Often times various software applications upon installation modify or augment these shared functions. Later updates to the operating system or other applications, may wipe-out or modify the existing shared functions. The result is that application functionality may be lost or impaired until a technician or skilled user fixes the problem.

One problem facing the use of personal computers of this type in public access terminals or kiosks is the ability to easily modify the GUI operating system or software applications once the device has been initially configured.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a personal computer having a BIOS and GUI operating system for use in a kiosk that allows for the exchange and upgrade of software without the need for a technically skilled user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an auto- install driver to a personal computer that configures all of the software layers to interoperate .

An advantage of the present invention is that personal computers made be used in kiosks at remote locations and do not require an operator to reconfigure the hardware and software platform.

A feature of the present invention is that the personal computers used in kiosks may be upgraded by simply swapping the files that are required to change the operation and interaction of the kiosk with a user.

A another feature of the present invention is that the personal computer is embodied in a kiosk that offers three levels of access, namely, a user interface, nontechnical maintenance interface and a service access.

In accordance with the present invention, a personal computer for use in a kiosk includes hardware devices including a central processing unit; a memory; a video driver and video display; a data storage media controller and a data storage media device; data transfer means for transferring data to said data storage media; a user interface; and a computer bus adapted to operatively connect each of the hardware devices together; and software including a graphical user interface operating system; a basic input output system adapted to initialize said hardware devices; at least one software application adapted to perform designated tasks through said graphical user interface operating system and said user interface; and an auto- install driver adapted to cooperate with the data transfer means and the storage media device through the graphical user interface operating system to modify the software on the data storage device .

The personal computer when installed for use as a public access terminal may further include public information stored on the storage media device. The storage media device may include text, graphics, sound and video information in the form of data files. The software application may include an HTML interpreter to read HTML type text files and an interface incorporating additional applets. The at least one software application may include at least one applet for reading and displaying the video and sound files on the storage media device.

In a preferred embodiment the storage media device includes a hard disk drive and at least one digital video disk drive having a read-only disk. The read-only disk includes video information and update information for the hard disk drive. The auto-install driver being operative to cooperate with the graphical user interface operating system to transfer the update information to the hard disk drive from the digital video disk automatically upon detection of the digital video disk in said digital video disk drive by the graphical user interface operating system. The system may also include an optional real-time decompression circuit board or software to handle processing of video images.

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, which form an integral part of this application:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING (S) Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a

conventional personal computer system.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a personal computer system of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow diagram of an auto- install driver of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a kiosk reporting system.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a kiosk equipped with a personal computer system.

Figure 6 is a side view of the kiosk of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front side view of the kiosk of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the kiosk of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the kiosk of

Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a side view of the kiosk of Figure 5

Figure 11 is a front side view of the kiosk of

Figure 15.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the kiosk of Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S)

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown

generally a personal computer 60 for use in a kiosk.

The personal computer includes a central processing unit 62; a memory 64; a video driver 65 and display 66; a data storage controller 67 and a data storage device 68; data transfer means 70 for transferring software and data to the data storage device 68; a user interface 72; and a computer bus 74 which operatively interconnects each of the hardware components 62-72. The computer also includes software having BIOS 76, a GUI Operating

System 78, and software applications 80-83 with corresponding data files 84-87 where one of the applications is preferably an HTML software application. The HTML software application may also be supplemented with additional application functions provided by application engines, such as applets or the like. Data provided on the storage media may include text, binary, sound, graphic and video files.

Advantageously, the present invention may also include an auto- install driver operatively connected to the data transfer means and capable of upgrading or replacing all or some of the software and data used by the personal computer. The auto- install driver cooperates with the storage media to detect when updated or new files have been introduced by the data transfer means. The auto-install operates to replace and update the files automatically without the need for a skilled user or computer technician to assist with the installation.

With reference to Figure 3, the auto-install driver operates periodically in intervals under the control of a timer. In the preferred embodiment, the data transfer means is a set of three digital video disk (DVD) drives in which updates are added by placing the revised software into one of the DVD drives. When activated at step 100, the auto-install checks the DVD drives to determine whether Volume data of the DVD drives have changed at step 102. Each DVD disk has a Volume Date in the Root directory. This date reflects the date the disk was created. If there has been no change, then the auto-install program resets the timer and terminates at step 104 as no change in the date signifies that there has been no updates. Otherwise, the auto-install driver begins to compare the database information on the hard drive with the database information contained in the DVD disk at step 106. The comparison relies on a unique database directory that tracks the current status of all files on the respective drive. The creation dates for the database directories is used to determine whether the information contain on the DVD disk is newer or older than the database directories. If the DVD disk directory is newer, the newer directories are copied to the Hard Drive. Optionally, if the database directories are older on the DVD disk drive, then a message is sent to the display to prompt the user if he or she wants to install an older version of the database information at a prompt step (not shown) . Such a feature is useful as it allows the kiosk to be reset to a previous database configuration. Particularly, such a feature is useful following a limited time promotion in which a special use data base may have been installed for a limited time. Following the prompt step 106 or update step 104, the auto- install checks all of the video files on the computer at step 108. Next, video file table on the hard drive is updated at step 110 to include or delete any files not read. The DVD disks preferably contains video files in a video directory. Each file is read including name and date . The video table in the kiosk database on the hard drive is updated if the video is newer than or if the video is already not in the table. Next the auto-install checks for software modifications at step 110. If there are software modifications, the newer files are copied in the corresponding software directory. In the preferred embodiment, The hard drive directories are subdivided into: WEB, Graphics, COM, CAB, etc. Each directory updates a particular part of the system. If the dates on the files are newer than the dates on the hard drive files, the files are replaced at step 112. Each directory updates a particular part of the system. Note: for COM (command) objects (objects that can operate as separate applications under the GUI Operating System) the file is registered after copying it, CAB (cabinet) files are auto-install , compressed files that can install many pieces in one action. Upon completing the auto-install , the program reset the timer and ends at step 114.

It should be noted that this install procedure is designed to allow a software release to be put on a hard drive and not changed until the next release. At that time a new hard drive is preferably installed and maintenance is performed on the computer. All intermediate changes and content changes are shipped via the DVD disk. The act of placing the disk into the DVD drive, activates the auto-install driver and updates the system. If an older DVD is placed onto the drive, the user is notified and can continue or cancel install. Continuing to install from an older DVD would downgrade the system. If a hard drive becomes corrupted, the system can easily be updated by replacing the hard drive with a new one containing the latest release and then inserting the latest DVDs. The auto-install driver would bring the hard drive up to the latest version on the DVDs. The system is now up to date and operational. If multiple

DVDs are installed, disks can be placed in any order in any drive. Further, the date sensing feature allows for disks having alternatively different versions of files to operate together. The auto-install driver merely selects the latest version of the file. If disks contain duplication, the disk with the latest dates is used. This minimizes the need to destroy old data on a

DVD disk.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the personal computer 200 is installed in a kiosk 202 adapted for promoting merchandise in which a plurality of display shelves 204 are provided about the sides of the kiosk 202. Additionally, promotion space 206 is provided for static displays which may be in the form of posters or three dimensional sculptures (not shown) to further promote the merchandise. Lighting fixtures 208 are also provided with the kiosk 202 to adjust the lighting surrounding the promotion space 204 and shelves 206. The personal computer is embodied in a stand-alone computer obelisk 210 movably contained within the kiosk 202. The display 212 having a touch screen 214 surface contained within a semi-spherical housing 216 which includes a flat surface 218 aligned with the screen of the display. The display screen is 214 preferably angled to slope up and away for ease of viewing. The remainder of the personal computer is housed in a housing 220 having a generally cylindrical front wall

222 and generally rectilinear rear wall 224 in which the semi-spherical display housing 216 is supported above the cylindrically shaped housing 220 by a cylindrical neck 224 through which the video and power wires (not shown) are passed down and connected to the remainder of the personal computer. The personal computer housing is supported by wheels 226 to allow for the computer to be withdrawn for periodic servicing. The front wall 222 of the computer is generally cylindrical to promote multiple users to access the display 212 simultaneously. The computer interface further includes a computer keyboard 228 located within a recess 230 of the upper surface 232 of the housing that slops down from the back the front walls . The slope ensures ease of access to the keyboard 228. The kiosk may further be supplemented with a high fidelity sound system 234 which connects to the personal computer. Although any information may be featured in the personal computer and the shelves may be arranged to display any type of articles or merchandise, the kiosk is preferably configured for the sale and promotion of movies stored on video tapes . The personal computer will contain and display information about videos which are being promoted by the merchant . With reference to Figure 4 where like reference numerals refer like structures, a personal computer system 60 for distribution of commercial video rentals is shown. The video database contained within the system may contain any information on the movies to be promoted including, but not limited to, a brief description of the movie, credits directed toward the actors, directors and other featured artists. Access to the database is through a series of HTML configured screens which may feature menus or search means for accessing information on the database. A featured aspect of the HTML application is that various user features and links may be added or deleted by merely editing the features listed the HTML text. In this way, search functions that make up the search means are easy to add or delete from the HTML application. Thus, a particular movie promotion that may include special promotional information may also include a special search engine or menus for accessing the search engine and promotional information. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the HTML text may include references to application engines which can playback digital video clips stored on the storage media through the display and augmented by the kiosk sound system. In order to allow for the most current videos to be supplied to the kiosk, the data transfer means includes a digital video disk (DVD) drive 300 and a controller 302. Although any number can be used according to the desired configuration of the kiosk, currently three DVD drives are preferred. It will be appreciated that additional disk drives can be added at a later time should additional storage space be required. A modem 304 may be optionally included to provide a means for reporting user access data back to a central database 306 via telephone lines 308. When optionally configured, the kiosk computer 60 may be programed to periodically dial a telephone number that connects to a central computer 310. The kiosk computer

60 uploads the information to the central database 306. Reporting information may include sales data and tracking data regarding user access areas within the database. In this way regional interest in a particular movie or movie genre can be tracked. The DVD disk 312 and disk drive 300 function as the data transfer means. When new DVD disks are shipped for entry into the kiosk, the movie clips and/ or movie data can be tailored to that site based upon the reporting information received. In this way movies can be targeted and or highlighted on the system and their desirably by the public can be tracked. Furthermore, the information can be used to maintain a top 25 videos display that is regionally or locally tailored to that kiosk. A personal computer configuration for a system of the type described above may include a Toshiba 7000D computer with a Pentium II CPU by Intel Corp. having a 233or266MHz clock speed; 64Mb of random access memory; a 3Gb hard drive; a CDROM drive; 3 PCI type ports; 2 ISA type ports; 2 Serial ports and one Parallel port; a SupraExpress 56 bit-per- second internal ISA Modem by Diamond Multimedia; 3 Pioneer DVD-302 SCSI Drives; External 4 Device Enclosure with front power switch (Model Pro-4000) ; 6' SCSI cable with PC to SCSI enclosure; a 2940AU PCI SCSI controller by Adaptec; an APC Smart-Ups 420 UPS (Universal Power Supply) ; a Sigma Design RealMagic NetStrea 2 PCI MPG decoder (NT ready) for providing real-time video decompression; an APC serial cable for connecting UPS to the back of the External SCSI to allow communication of the power supply with the PC to handle a controlled power down; an Audio+Serial+monitor power adaptor; an

All Technics Open Frame 15" Monitor with Elo touchscreen; and NT server 4.0 by Microsoft operating as the GUI operating system.

Although this system is presently preferred, due to the trade-off in cost versus performance, it will be appreciated that the auto-install feature may be included on more advanced systems as the cost for such systems becomes affordable for this type of application. The computer system as described has a user interface including the display, touchscreen and keypad for operation by users of the kiosk. A second access area includes access to the powerswitch and the DVD drives. This maintenance access provides access to power-up and power-down the machine as well as update the software and data by inserting new DVDs when they are shipped.

The maintenance access can be used by a person that does not know how to configure a GUI operating system because the auto-install feature allows for automatic configuration of the system.

It will be appreciated the different levels of software releases may be sent to different kiosks which have different levels of features. Furthermore, the DVD may be shipped with multiple levels of upgrade information. The auto-install program will automatically update the kiosk computer to the latest release for that level for that computer. Other release upgrades cannot be accessed. This allows for simplicity in manufacturing the DVDs for periodic upgrades . Only one disk needs to be shipped for all releases of the kiosk software. Thus, software upgrades may be handled in the same way that hardware upgrades are handled today by merely swapping out the hard drive with a different release of software. Kiosks can be upgraded to handle new features of other releases. Furthermore, upgrades can be tailored to that release. Furthermore, releases can be tailored for regional or single use applications. It will be appreciated that individualized software and data configurations may be configured on various kiosks. The auto-install driver described above is adapted to provide automatic updates to the kiosk without user intervention. This allows for promotions to be individually tailored with additional game modules and/or calculator modules which may be added to enhance the information database. Once a promotion is over the user can wipe out the promotional material by adding an older DVD or obtaining a new release. In another embodiment, the kiosk may be connected to the inventory for a video rental store in which it is operating. Videos may be reserved through the kiosk rather than search through isles of the store. Furthermore, the kiosk may be adapted to communicate with a remote warehouse allowing for video sales or rentals remotely. Such a system could significantly increase the number of videos available at a single store . Customers may order a video from the store kiosk, the order is placed to a remote warehouse and the video is delivered to the customer's home or the store for pick-up.

In another embodiment, the data transfer means may include an ISDN connection or modem in which software and data updates are received through a network connection such as through the internet.

In another embodiment , the kiosk may be used for specific video promotions in which coupons or other types of promotional incentives are distributed. An optional thermal printer may be included to dispense hard copy coupons .

While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A personal computer for use in a kiosk

comprising: hardware devices including: a central processing unit; a memory; a video driver and video display; a data storage media controller and a data storage media device; data transfer means for transferring data to said data storage media; a user interface; and a computer bus adapted to operatively connect each of the hardware devices together; and software including: a graphical user interface operating system; a basic input output system adapted to initialize said hardware devices; at least one software application adapted to perform designated tasks through said graphical user interface operating system and said user interface; and an auto-install driver adapted to cooperate with the data transfer means and the storage media device through the graphical user interface operating system to modify the software on the data storage device.

2. The personal computer of claim 1 installed for use as a public access terminal includes: public information stored on the storage media device; said storage media device includes text, graphics, sound and video information in the form of data files; and said at least one software application includes an HTML interpreter to read HTML type text files and an interface incorporating additional applets; where said at least one software application may include at least one applet for reading and displaying the video and sound files on the storage media device.

3. A kiosk comprising a merchandise display having at least two walls and a ceiling; a promotional space region arranged said walls; said walls being arranged in sapced apart relation to form an interior region; a computer terminal movably contained within said interior region; a computer stored within said terminal; said computer terminal having a housing for storing said computer and an adjustable housing adapted to store said screen.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said merchandise display includes light fixtures arranged to illuminate said promotional space.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said merchandise display includes promotional space in the form of display shelves.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said merchandise display includes promotional space in the form of static displays having posters.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said merchandise display includes promotional space in the form of static displays having three-dimensional sculptures .

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said computer includes a user interface in the form of a touch screen within said display.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said computer includes a stereo sound system.

The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said computer includes a user interface in the form of a keyboard mounted on an upper surface of said computer housing.

11 The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said computer housing includes a maintenance access for updating software.

12 The kiosk of claim 11 wherein said computer includes at least one disk drive having removable media accessible from said maintenance access.

13 The kiosk of claim 3 wherein said computer includes a modem for commmunicating over a telephone network.

14 The kiosk of claim 3 wherein: said merchandise display includes : light fixtures arranged to illuminate said promotional space; promotional space in the form of display shelves . promotional space in the form of static displays having posters; said computer includes : a stereo sound system; a user interface in the form of a keyboard mounted on an upper surface of said computer housing; a maintenance access for updating software; at least one disk drive having removable media accessible from said maintenance access; and a modem for communicating over a telephone network.

15. An interactive kiosk comprising: a computer including a display, a user interface, memory and at least one removable disk drive; software stored in said computer memory and operative to provide text, graphic, sound and video information; said software including an auto-install driver operative to detect and respond the insertion of software stored on a disk inserted within said at least one removable disk drive; wherein, upon detecting a new version of software, said auto-install driver automatically installs said new software within said memory and, upon detecting an old version of software, prompting said user before installing said software.

16 The interactive kiosk of claim 15 wherein said memory includes a data storage media.

17 The interactive kiosk of claim 16 wherein said data storage media is a hard drive.

18 The interactive kiosk of claim 17 wherein, upon replacing said hard drive, said auto-install driver is operative to automatically re-configure said hard drive from said disk containing software.

19 The interactive kiosk of claim 15 wherein said disk containing software may include new applications and menus accessible by the user.

20 The interactive kiosk of claim 19 wherein said kiosk includes a modem for connecting to a central database for transmission of access records.

21 The interactive kiosk of claim 19 wherein said kiosk is used for the promotion of rental movies; said kiosk includes promotional space in the form of movie posters and shelves for displaying movie rentals .

22 The interactive kiosk of claim 21 wherein: said software includes applications tailored for promoting particular movies including data in the form of movie trivia and graphical and video clips from said movies ; and a data base of movies available for rental .

23 The interactive kiosk of claim 22 wherein said computer includes a communications link connected to a local inventory for reserving a video. The interactive kiosk of claim 22 whereⁱn said computer includes a communications link connected to a remote inventory for ordering a video.

The interactive kiosk of claim 22 wherein said kiosk is operative to dispense promotional discount coupons .