Method and apparatus for vending customized documents

• US 5,038,293 A
• Filed: 09/10/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: First Pacific Equity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Postal Buddy Corporation
• Inventors: Goodman, Sidney R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/580,323
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 364/479, 364/478, 364/401, 364/403, 364/404, 364/405, 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 producing customized documents, comprising:

customer actuated document format input means for receiving document format information from a customer corresponding to a customized document to be produced;

computer document creating means for receiving said customized information to create the customized document having a content composed at the discretion of the customer independently of any data information stored in the system;

means responsive to said document format information 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 the amount of payment 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 customized information;

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

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 customized information for producing the customized document.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

refund means for supplying change to said customer in the event of overpayment;

means responsive to said payment signals for generating refund signals indicative of an overpayment being received and the amount of overpayment;

calculating means responsive to said refund signals for determining whether said refund means has a sufficient amount of change to refund the amount of overpayment; and

means responsive to said calculating means for returning the payment to the customer and for supplying correct payment request information to the customer when said refund means has an insufficient amount of change to refund the amount of overpayment.

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

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said computer printer is a laser printer.

5. A method of producing customized documents, comprising the steps of:

receiving document format information from a customer corresponding to a customized document to be produced;

receiving said customized information to create the customized document having a content composed at the discretion of the customer independently of any data information stored in the system;

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

accepting a payment tendered by the customer for the customized document to be produced;

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

retrieving the customized information;

supplying the retrieved customized information to said printer means; and

responding to a correct payment amount being received, causing said printer means to deposit indicia on the paper stock, said indicia configured in the shape of the customized information for producing the customized document.

6. A method of claim 5, further including:

using refund means for supplying change to said customer in the event of overpayment;

generating refund signals indicative of an overpayment being received and the amount of overpayment;

responding to said refund signals for determining whether a sufficient amount of change is available to refund the customer the amount of overpayment;

returning the payment made by the customer when there is an insufficient amount of change to refund said amount of overpayment; and

supplying correct payment request information to the customer.