Method and Apparatus for Facilitating Charitable Donations

• US 20080033855A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth Dold, Lynlee Baker
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Dold, Lynlee Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Lynlee, Dold, Elizabeth
• Granted Patent: US 8,840,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0279 Fundraising management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for placing and operating an automated donation station is disclosed. An automated donation station can be placed at a location upon receiving a request for an automated donation station from a charitable organization or event organizer. The automated donation station can be customized according to a particular requestor'"'"'s needs. One or more donations may be collected using the donation station by displaying information to a donor, receiving a donation offer from the donor, and collecting donation details (e.g., payment information) from the donor. A donation receipt can be dispensed to the donor at the automated donation station. Further, donation gifts may be selected by the donor at the automated donation station and dispensed at the automated donation station.

Claims

1. A donation collection system, comprising:

a computer network; and

a plurality of automated donation stations coupled to the network.

2. A donation collection system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an automated donation station configuration server coupled to the network.

3. A donation collection system as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a donation processing server.

4. A donation collection system as recited in claim 3, wherein the donation processing server is coupled to a financial institution via a communication network.

5. A donation collection system as recited in claim 1, wherein the automated donation station is portable.

6. A donation collection system as recited in claim 1, wherein the automated donation station is an electronic kiosk.

7. A method for placing an automated donation station, said method comprising:

receiving a request for an automated donation station at a particular location; and

placing the automated donation station at the particular location.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the automated donation station is portable.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the automated donation station is an electronic kiosk.

10. A method for configuring an automated donation station, wherein said method comprises:

receiving a request to customize an automated donation station;

customizing the automated donation station; and

placing the automated donation station.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the request is received via a customization application.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the customization application operates over the Internet.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the automated donation station is portable.

14. A method for processing donations at an automated donation station, wherein said method comprises:

receiving a plurality of donations at an automated donation station; and

processing the plurality of donations.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said method further comprises:

storing the plurality of donations at the automated donation station.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said processing of the received donations further comprises:

accessing the stored donations; and

processing financial payments associated with the stored donations.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the financial payments are processed at a financial institution.

18. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said receiving of a donation via the automated donation station comprises:

displaying information to a donor;

receiving a donation offer from the donor;

collecting donation details from the donor; and

dispensing a donation receipt to the donor.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said method further comprises:

determining if the donor has selected a donation gift.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said method further comprises:

dispensing the donation gift at the donation station.

21. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

delivering the donation gift to the donor at a remote location.

22. A method as recited in claim 18,

wherein the information displayed to the donor includes marketing information relating to a charity,

wherein said method further comprises preparing a plurality of reports, and

wherein said processing of the plurality of donation is accomplished over a network connection.

23. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

determining if the automated donation station requires service; and

servicing the automated service station.

24. A mobile automated donation station, comprising:

a donation station controller;

a user input device;

a display; and

a donation collection mechanism.

25. A mobile automated donation station of claim 24, further comprising:

a donation station gift dispenser;

a printer; and

a service interface.