Automated postcard dispensing apparatus

• US 20060146137A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Enos, Michael Anthony
• Original Assignee: James Enos, Michael Anthony
• Inventors: Enos, James, Anthony, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/027,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20060146137A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00143 Ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00175 from a still image storage medium H04N1/00172, H04N1/0018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0019 on souvenir-type products or the like, e.g. T-shirts or mugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00286 with studio circuitry, devices or equipment, e.g. television cameras television studio circuitry, devices or equipment per se H04N5/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00289 in a video photo booth or the like

Abstract

An automated personal postcard dispensing apparatus capable of obtaining an image provide by a user, incorporating a personalized text message, and printing a personalized postcard complete with proper postage affixed. The apparatus includes a cash-receiving device, a computer, a digital camera, a display monitor, a printer, a CD reader, a card reader, means to receive, store and, on command, present a pictorial background and instructions to the user flashed onto the monitor for quick and simple utilization by the user. The apparatus is preferably housed in a booth for location near heavily traveled tourist routes to facilitate use by many persons. The user is therefore easily able to send a fun, colorful record of their trip to friends and relatives showing them or images of their trip and further to save on postage costs by using postcard postage in lieu of letter postage. In addition, the postcards are electronically printed and may be kept by the user as a memento or souvenir of their trip or mailed to friends and relatives.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, said apparatus comprising:

a payment receiving device for receiving a payment of money and producing electronic signals in response to said payment;

a computer connected to said payment receiving device and programmed with a set of instructions that define a series of operating sequences, said computer including a digital data storage medium, a display, and a keyboard;

a plurality of location specific images stored in said data storage medium;

said display mounted within view of the user, for receiving a real time image of the user;

at least one digital image input device, said at least one digital image input device including a digital camera having an output connected to said computer, said camera having a lens oriented toward the user;

a color printer adapted for printing color images and affixing postage, said color printer including a bin having a plurality of blank post cards;

said computer responsive to signals from said payment receiving device to initiate a set of data entry steps including;

prompting the user for image entry from said at least one digital image input device;

obtaining a digital image from the user;

positioning said digital image relative to a postcard;

prompting the user to enter a text message using said keyboard;

prompting the user to enter location information for the intended recipient;

calculating postage based on said location information;

prompting the user for additional payment for postage; and

printing a postcard with the image provided by the user, the text message provided by the user, and proper postage affixed.

2. An apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image input device includes a scanner connected to said computer.

3. An apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image input device includes a CD/DVD reader connected to said computer.

4. An apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image input device includes a memory card reader connected to said computer.

5. An apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image input device includes a disk drive connected to said computer.

6. An apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, according to claim 1 wherein said keyboard further includes a ball-type cursor controller for allowing the user to position the digital image.

7. Apparatus for automatically producing personalized and customized postcards, said apparatus comprising:

a payment receiving device for receiving a payment of money and producing electronic signals in response to said payment;

a computer connected to said payment receiving device and prorammed with a set of instructions that define a series of operating sequences, said computer including a digital data storage medium, a display, and a keyboard;

said display mounted within view of the user, for receiving a real time image of the user;

a digital camera having an output connected to said computer, said camera having a lens oriented toward the user;

a scanner having an output connected to said computer;

a CD/DVD reader having an output connected to said computer;

a memory card reader having an output connected to said computer;

a disk drive having an output connected to said computer;

a color printer adapted for printing color images and affixing postage, said color printer including a bin having a plurality of blank post cards;

said computer responsive to signals from said payment receiving device to initiate a set of data entry steps including;

prompting the user select a mode of image entry using one of said digital camera, scanner, CD/DVD reader, memory card, or disk drive;

obtaining a digital image from the user;

positioning said digital image relative to a postcard;

prompting the user to enter a text message using said keyboard;

prompting the user to enter location information for the intended recipient;

calculating postage based on said location information;

prompting the user for additional payment for postage; and

printing a postcard with the image provided by the user, the text message provided by the user, and proper postage affixed.