Method and apparatus for vending customized documents

• US 5,029,099 A
• Filed: 12/13/1988
• Issued: 07/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automated Printing Machines, LLC, First Pacific Equity, Inc., Welcome Labels Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Postal Buddy Corporation
• Inventors: Goodman, Sidney R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/284,065
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 364/479, 364/478, 364/401, 364/403-405, 364/408, 235/381, 340/825.35, 194/217
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A customized document vending system includes an input device for receiving and storing customized input information for producing and vending customized documents for the customer. In response to the receipt of the customized input information, a device generates and supplies cost information to the customer. Responsive to signals indicative of the correct payment corresponding to the cost information being received, a device produces the customized documents.

Claims

1. A system for vending customized documents, comprising:

customer actuated input means for receiving information from a customer, said information including customized information for a customized document to be produced;

computer means for processing said customized information to generate a customized document to be produced;

means responsive to said information being received for generating and supplying to the customer cost information for using the system to produce said customized document;

means responsive to receipt of payment to use the system for generating signals indicative of payment being received for producing the customized document to be produced;

printer means for transferring the customized information to customized document paper stock;

means responsive to said signals indicative of payment being received for retrieving the processed customized information;

means for supplying the retrieved processed customized information to said printer means;

means responsive to said retrieved information for causing said printer means to deposit indicia on the paper stock, said indicia configured in the shape of the processed customized information for producing the customized document; and

customer actuation switch means for initiating the operation of the system, wherein said switch means includes an infrared proximity switch for generating a signal in response to the presence of a customer in the proximity of the system.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said means responsive to payment includes means for generating signals indicative of an overpayment being received for returning the payment made to the customer and for supplying correct payment request information to the customer.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said computer means is a personal computer.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said computer includes a video subsystem.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said video subsystem includes a video controller and memory means.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein said input means includes a computer keyboard forming a part of said personal computer.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said personal computer includes a computer processor unit coupled in communication with said keyboard.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said printer means includes a computer printer.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said computer printer is a laser printer.

10. A system according to claim 9, further including customer actuation switch means for initiating the operation of the system.

11. A customer sales and information terminal for vending automatically customized documents comprising:

processor means for storing labels and price rate information for given labels and customer sales information;

a communication terminal including means for linking said terminal with said processor means and for transmitting data between said processor means and a customer;

said communication terminal including;

visual means for interaction with a customer;

means for storing a sequence of video information to be selectively transmitted to a customer;

means for transmitting a selected sequence of said stored information to the customer;

customer operated input means for gathering information from a customer and for accepting customer orders for a label;

means for controlling, storing and transmitting means in response to customer input to transmit a selected sequence of information to the customer;

said communication terminal further including;

means for storing information and order input by a customer;

means for transmitting said information in a customer order via interface means to said processor means;

means for receiving data comprising customer selected information and label quotation from said processor means via said interface means;

means responsive to said data receiving means for vending labels to the customer;

means for directing the operation of said visual means, data receiving and transmitting means, and vending means comprising algorithm means for programming their operational sequence and means responsive to the status of various means for controlling their operation;

said processor means including;

means responsive to the data received from said communication terminal for transmitting selected stored information to said terminal via said interface; and

means responsive to a customer sales order from said communication terminal for transmitting said order to said label printer via said interface means for vending labels.

12. The system of claim 11, further including a payment receiving device interfaced to said processor means, said communication terminal including:

means responsive to a customer order for receiving payment from the customer in transmitting said payment information to said processor means, and said processor means including means responsive to said payment information for assessing said payment information based on payment, and transmitting the results to said communication terminal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said payment information collecting means comprises a bill and coin mechanism.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said visual means includes a cathode ray tube display unit and said input means comprises a keyboard terminal.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for vending labels to said customer includes a laser printer unit.