METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING PRODUCTS, SUCH AS DIGITAL CONTENT INCLUDING GAMES, RING TONES, AND/OR GRAPHICS; AND SERVICES, SUCH AS COMPUTER NETWORK SERVICE INCLUDING INTERNET SERVICE
Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, paper currency, credit, and/or debit, for Internet service and digital content. Such digital content can include, for example, online games and content for mobile phones. 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. A user wishing to purchase Internet service, for example, can visit the value exchange machine, select the desired transaction, and pay for the Internet service with coins, paper currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine can issue a code to the user, for example, on a card enabling the user to obtain the Internet service.
1 .- 43 . (canceled)
44 . A method for providing digital content for down-loading, the method comprising:
providing a kiosk having:
a user interface; and
a funds input portion;
displaying a plurality of types of digital content for down-loading;
receiving a selection of at least one of the displayed types of digital content from a user via the user interface;
receiving funds from the user via the funds input portion to purchase the selected digital content
at least partially in response to receiving the funds from the user, communicating with a digital content provider to enable the purchase of the selected digital content, wherein the digital content provider is remote from the kiosk;
in response to receiving confirmation from the digital content provider that the purchase of the selected digital content has been enabled, providing the user with a unique code;
receiving the unique code from the user via a computer separate from the kiosk; and
at least partially in response to receiving the unique code, down-loading the selected digital content from the digital content provider to the computer separate from the kiosk.
45 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing a kiosk having a funds input portion includes providing a kiosk having a coin-receiving region, and wherein receiving funds from the user via the funds input portion includes receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins of arbitrary denomination in the coin-receiving region of the kiosk.
46 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing a kiosk having a funds input portion includes providing a kiosk having a card reader, and wherein receiving funds from the user via the funds input portion includes reading information off of a magnetic strip on a card swiped through the card reader by the user.
47 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing a kiosk having a funds input portion includes providing a kiosk having a bill acceptor, and wherein receiving funds from the user via the funds input portion includes receiving at least one bill from the user via the bill acceptor.
48 . The method of claim 44 , further comprising receiving account information from the user, wherein the account information identifies an account of the user related to the purchase of the digital content.
49 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with means to obtain digital content for use with a telephone.
50 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with means to obtain at least one of ring tones and voice-mail greetings for use with a telephone.
51 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with means to obtain picture messages for use with a telephone.
52 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with means to obtain digital content via the Internet.
53 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with a code for obtaining digital content via the Internet.
54 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with a wallet-sized card including a code for obtaining digital content via the Internet.
55 . The method of claim 44 wherein providing the user with means to obtain digital content includes providing the user with a code for obtaining access to games via the Internet.