초록 ▼

Systems and methods for monitoring remotely located devices, systems, users, and user activities are described. The systems contain a central device where the digital content is stored, a remote device for delivering the digital content to a user, and means for transferring the digital content from

Systems and methods for monitoring remotely located devices, systems, users, and user activities are described. The systems contain a central device where the digital content is stored, a remote device for delivering the digital content to a user, and means for transferring the digital content from the central location to the remote location. Data about the remote devices, users, and the user activities at the remote devices may be monitored. The data includes fault monitoring data, system performance data, system management data, user physical activity data, graphical interface data, demographic data, sales transaction data, survey data, and the like. The data can be monitored on a periodic basis or on a substantial real-time basis. The monitored data can then be used for various purposes, including customizing the advertising and content for an individual user or a group of users, reducing time wasted for diagnostic trips, lessening user frustration, and/or enhancing customer relationship management, as well as facilitating system administration, system maintenance, and/or statistical marketing analyses.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A distribution device for distributing digital content to a user, the distribution device comprising: a plurality of input devices, where the plurality of input devices are configured for entering information into the distribution device;one or more recording devices for observing body movements

1. A distribution device for distributing digital content to a user, the distribution device comprising: a plurality of input devices, where the plurality of input devices are configured for entering information into the distribution device;one or more recording devices for observing body movements of the user physically present at the distribution device;a monitoring agent for collecting monitored data, the monitored data comprising information about the plurality of input devices and information about the body movements of the user observed by the one or more recording input devices; andthe distribution device configured to provide customized digital content based on the monitored data;wherein the distribution device is configured to display custom content selected at least in part by a location partner; and wherein the communication device is configured to communicate the monitored data to the location partner. 2. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of input devices comprises two or more from the group consisting of: a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, an image scanner, a barcode scanner, a biometrics scanning device, and a media device connection. 3. The distribution device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of input devices comprises at least a keyboard and a mouse, and wherein the monitoring agent monitors a user's keystrokes or cursor movements. 4. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the one or more recording devices comprises a camera. 5. The distribution device of claim 4, wherein the monitoring agent gathers data about the user's expressions while using the distribution device. 6. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring agent comprises a communication device for communicating with a remote location. 7. The distribution device of claim 6, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate the monitored data to the server from which it receives the digital content. 8. The distribution device of claim 6, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate the monitored data to one or more other, remotely located distribution devices. 9. The distribution device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of distribution devices located within space provided by the location partner each configured to display custom content selected at least in part by the location partner, and wherein the communication device is configured to communicate the monitored data to one or more other of the distribution devices associated with the location partner. 10. The distribution device of claim 6, wherein the communication device is configured to receive data from the remote location to control operation of the monitoring agent from the remote location. 11. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring agent comprises a hardware component, a software component, or both. 12. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring agent is further configured to monitor operation of the distribution device. 13. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring agent is configured to monitor the user's interacting with the input devices on a substantially real time basis. 14. The distribution device of claim 1, wherein the distribution device comprises a kiosk. 15. The distribution device of claim 1, comprising a first power source for the monitoring agent separate from a second power source for other components of the distribution device to thereby allow the monitoring agent to continue operating even when the second power source fails. 16. A system for distributing digital content to a user comprising: a distribution device being configured to provide the digital content to a user physically present at the distribution device, the distribution device comprising a plurality of input devices for entering information, the distribution device further comprising one or more recording input devices for observing physical features of the user at the distribution device; anda monitoring agent for collecting monitored data the monitoring agent configured to have a power supply and communication means independent of the distribution device;wherein the distribution device is further configured to: provide customized digital content and advertisements based on the monitored data; anddisplay custom content selected at least in part by a location partner; andcommunicate the monitored data to the location partner. 17. A computerized method for distributing digital content to a user through a distribution device the computerized method comprising: monitoring operation of the distribution device to provide monitored data, wherein monitoring consists of receiving information from the user through a plurality of input devices associated with the distribution device, capturing a user's physical features through one or more recording devices associated with the distribution device, and tracking kiosk data of the distribution device;collecting the monitored data using one or more monitoring agents;communicating the monitored data to a location partner;customizing the content displayed on the distribution device based on the monitored data, where customizing comprises the location partner selecting at least some of the content that is displayed on the distribution device; andproviding customized digital content based on the monitored data. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving information from the user through a plurality of input devices, comprises monitoring a user's keystrokes on a keyboard, cursor movements of a mouse controlled by the user, or touches on a touchscreen by the user. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein observing physical features of the user at the distribution device through one or more recording devices comprises monitoring the user's body movements or expressions through a camera while the user is using the distribution device. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating monitored data between the distribution device and a remote location. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein communicating monitored data between the distribution device and a remote location comprises communicating the monitored data to a server, and the server is configured to deliver the customized digital content to the distribution device. 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising communicating the monitored data to one or more other, remotely located distribution devices. 23. The method of claim 17, wherein customizing the content displayed on the distribution device based on the monitored data comprises customizing the content displayed on a plurality of distribution devices by communicating the monitored data from the distribution device to one or more other distribution devices associated with the location partner, and the location partner selecting at least some of the content that is displayed on each of the one or more other distribution devices. 24. The method of claim 20, further comprising controlling operation of the one or more monitoring agents from the remote location. 25. The method of claim 17, wherein tracking kiosk data of the distribution device comprises monitoring at least one of fault data, performance data, management data, graphical interface data, statistical data, and diagnostic data.