Mobile device applications, other applications and associated kiosk-based systems and methods for facilitating coin saving

US10346819B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC · US

Inventors

• Alexander Stock · New York, US
• Adam Rubin · Arlington, US
• Eric S. Chung · Redmond, US
• Theron Sarda · New York, US
• Jonathan Greenblatt · New York, US
• Kevin King · Chester, US
• Cord Frieden · Bellevue, US
• Tricia Montgomery · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 2015
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2019
• Expiry date: Oct 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09B19/18
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Various embodiments of methods and systems for saving coins and applying the coin value toward the purchase of selected products are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the methods and systems described herein can be utilized by parents, grandparents, etc. to encourage and facilitate saving by children. For example, in some embodiments a mobile application is provided that enables a child to select a product to purchase as a “reward” for achieving a savings goal. The mobile application can also enable the child (and/or the child's parent) to set the savings goal, and track the child's progress in reaching the goal as saved coins are periodically exchanged at one or more coin counting kiosks. Other embodiments of the disclosed technology enable the parent and/or child to receive a notification when the child reaches the savings goal, and apply the saved funds toward the purchase of the selected reward.