Apparatus and method for electronically dispensing personalized greeting cards and gifts

• US 5,513,117 A
• Filed: 07/26/1995
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maynard E. Small
• Original Assignee: Maynard E. Small
• Inventors: Small, Maynard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Application Number:
  US08/507,118
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 364/408, 364/478, 364/479, 364/468, 364/410-412, 235/379, 235/381, 235/382, 235/383, 902/18, 902/30, 902/21-23, 902/41, 283/75, 283/49, 283/51, 283/58, 283/59, 229/71, 229/68 R, 229/70, 273/439
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/045 Multi-part cards or sheets, i.e. combined with detachably mounted articles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• 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 vending machine which allows a customer to design and personalize a greeting card also allows the customer to integrate an electronically vendable gift along with or directly onto the card. A stand-alone kiosk includes a credit card verifier, an alphanumeric keyboard, a video screen, a color printer printing on blank or partially printed card stock, and a gift calculator and vender, all controlled by a CPU. In an alternative system and method, a central terminal downloads card and gift selection data to PC'"'"'s or interactive television via a modem and a user of the PC or interactive television remotely personalizes the card and selects a gift and amount. The card is then printed and physically mailed or sent to the recipient via electronic mail by the central terminal. Examples of gifts available through either system include prepaid long distance telephone calling cards and any other gift accessible via long distance carriers. The gift value and other enabling information such as a predetermined telephone access number and an authorized PIN number can be associated with the personalized card, printed directly onto the personalized card, or printed out at the recipient'"'"'s terminal.

Claims

1. A method of creating and forwarding a combination personalized greeting card and electronically generated gift comprising the steps of:

(a) remotely interconnecting a central terminal and a remotely located interactive terminal;

(b) displaying a menu of alphanumeric and/or graphic information on a monitor at the interactive terminal from which a customer at the interactive terminal can select data to be used to personalize said card;

(c) prompting the customer to select said card data and/or add personal information via a data input means at the interactive terminal to create personalized greeting card data for said card;

(d) displaying on said interactive terminal monitor a menu of gift categories accessible via prepaid long distance telephone access accounts and a plurality of gift values from which a customer can select a particular gift category at a selected value via said data input means;

(e) prompting the customer to select said gift category and said value via said data input means;

(f) creating, at said central terminal, a greeting card with said personalized greeting card data;

(g) associating with said greeting card information concerning said selected telephone access account including a predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and account authorizing data; and

(h) forwarding the card and the associated gift information to the customer or a recipient.

2. A method as in claim 1, and further including the step of prompting the customer to select between the alternatives of printing and mailing the card and associated gift or electronically creating and electronically forwarding said personalized card and associated gift to a recipient.

3. A method as in claim 1, and further including the step of prompting the customer to enter a credit card or debit card number as payment for said card and associated gift.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said creating and associating steps include printing said personalized greeting data on said greeting card and associating printed gift information concerning said selected telephone access account along with said greeting card.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said associating step includes printing said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account directly on said card.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said gift information printing step includes printing said gift information in a billfold sized window of said card.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

8. A method as in claim 4, wherein said forwarding step includes mailing said greeting card and said associated gift information to said recipient.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein said creating and associating steps include creating an electronic file including said greeting card with said personalized data and gift information concerning said selected telephone access account.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein said forwarding step includes electronically mailing said electronic file to said recipient for display and/or printing by the recipient.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid telephone calling card via said prepaid telephone account.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid chance at a skill game accessible via said prepaid telephone account.

13. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

toll free remote computer access to prerecorded animation and/or audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

14. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

toll free telephone access to prepaid downloadable software via said prepaid telephone account.

15. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category prepaid account on an On-Line computer database accessible via said telephone account.

16. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category toll free remote access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

17. A method as in claim 16, and further comprising the step of selecting said toll free access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account and customizing said prerecorded audio or musical messages.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein said customizing step includes:

(a) selecting a prerecorded musical message; and

(b) recording, in the customer'"'"'s own voice, a custom audio message to accompany the prerecorded musical message.

19. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid EFT cash gift payable at a selected ATM or cash dispensing machine, with a security code accessible via said telephone account.

20. A method as in claim 1, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid gift certificate with a security password accessible via said telephone account.

21. A method as in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

(a) redeeming said gift by dialling said predetermined telephone number to access said prepaid telephone account; and

(b) entering said authorizing data to validate said recipient as entitled to use said prepaid telephone account.

22. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said authorizing data includes a PIN number.

23. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said printing step includes printing said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and said account authorizing data in a billfold sized window of said card.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

25. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said prompted customer selections are entered by voice via a speech recognition unit.

26. A method of creating and forwarding a combination personalized greeting card and electronically generated gift comprising the steps of:

(a) remotely interconnecting a central terminal and a remotely located interactive terminal over a telephone line;

(b) displaying a menu of alphanumeric and/or graphic information on a monitor at the interactive terminal from which a customer at the interactive terminal can select data to be printed to personalize said card;

(c) prompting the customer to select said card data and/or add personal information via a data input means at the interactive terminal to create personalized greeting card data for printing on said card;

(d) displaying on said interactive terminal monitor a menu of gift categories accessible via prepaid long distance telephone access accounts and a plurality of gift values from which a customer can select a particular gift category at a selected value via said data input means;

(e) prompting the customer to select said gift category and said value via said data input means;

(f) prompting the customer to provide payment for said card and associated gift;

(g) creating, at said central terminal, a greeting card with said personalized greeting card data;

(h) associating with said greeting card gift information concerning said selected telephone access account including a predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and account authorizing data;

(i) forwarding the printed card and the associated gift information to a recipient; and

(j) redeeming said gift by dialling said predetermined telephone number to access said prepaid telephone account; and

(k) entering said authorizing data to validate said recipient as entitled to use said prepaid telephone account.

27. A method as in claim 26, and further including the step of prompting the customer to select between the alternatives of printing and mailing the card and associated gift or electronically creating and electronically forwarding said personalized card and associated gift to a recipient.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein said creating and associating steps include printing said personalized greeting data on said greeting card and associating printed gift information concerning said selected telephone access account along with said greeting card.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said associating step includes printing said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account directly on said card.

30. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said gift information printing step includes printing said gift information in a billfold sized window of said card.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

32. A method as in claim 26, wherein said forwarding step includes mailing said greeting card and said associated gift information to said recipient.

33. A method as in claim 26, wherein said creating and associating steps include creating an electronic file including said greeting card and said personalized data and gift information concerning said selected telephone access account.

34. A method as in claim 33, wherein said forwarding step includes electronically mailing said electronic file to said recipient for display and/or printing by the recipient.

35. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid return telephone call via said prepaid telephone account.

36. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid chance at a skill game accessible via said prepaid telephone account.

37. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

toll free remote computer access to prerecorded animation and/or audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

38. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

toll free telephone access to prepaid downloadable software via said prepaid telephone account.

39. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid account on an On-Line computer database accessible via said telephone account.

40. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

toll free remote access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

41. A method as in claim 40, and further comprising the step of selecting said toll free access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account and customizing said prerecorded audio or musical messages.

42. A method as in claim 41, wherein said customizing step includes:

(a) selecting a prerecorded musical message; and

(b) recording, in the customer'"'"'s own voice, a custom audio message to accompany the prerecorded musical message.

43. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid gift certificate along with a telephone number and account authorizing data such that the greeting card can be authenticated by calling the telephone number and entering the authorization code.

44. A method as in claim 26, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid EFT cash gift payable at a selected ATM or cash dispensing machine, with a security code accessible via said telephone account.

45. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said prompted customer selections are entered by voice via a speech recognition unit.

46. A method of creating and forwarding a combination personalized greeting card and electronically generated gift comprising the steps of:

(a) remotely interconnecting a central terminal and a remotely located interactive terminal over a telephone line;

(b) displaying a menu of alphanumeric and/or graphic information on a monitor at the interactive terminal from which a customer at the interactive terminal can select data to be printed to personalize said card;

(c) prompting the customer to select said card data and/or add personal information via a data input means at the interactive terminal to create personalized greeting card data for printing on said card;

(d) displaying on said interactive terminal monitor a menu of gift categories accessible via prepaid long distance telephone access accounts and a plurality of gift values from which a customer can select a particular gift category at a selected value via said data input means;

(e) prompting the customer to select said gift category and said value via said data input means;

(f) prompting the customer to provide payment for said card and associated gift;

(g) creating, at said central terminal, a greeting card with said personalized greeting card data;

(h) associating with said greeting card gift information concerning said selected telephone access account including a predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and account authorizing data;

(i) prompting the customer to select between the alternative steps of printing and mailing the card with the associated gift information or electronically creating and electronically forwarding said personalized card and associated gift information to a recipient; and

(j) forwarding the card and the associated gift information to a recipient in the selected manner.

47. A method as set forth in claim 46 wherein said card printing step includes printing said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account directly on said card.

48. A method as set forth in claim 47 wherein said gift information printing step includes printing said gift information in a billfold sized window of said card.

49. A method as set forth in claim 48 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

50. A method as in claim 46, wherein said creating and associating steps include creating an electronic file including said greeting card and said personalized data and gift information concerning said selected telephone access account.

51. A method as in claim 46, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying one or more of the following gift categories:

(a) a prepaid return telephone call via said prepaid telephone account;

(b) a prepaid chance at a skill game accessible via said prepaid telephone account;

(c) toll free remote computer access to prerecorded animation and/or audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account;

(d) toll free telephone access to prepaid downloadable software via said prepaid telephone account;

(e) prepaid account on an On-Line computer database accessible via said telephone account; and

/or

(f) toll free remote access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

52. A method as in claim 51, and further comprising the step of selecting said toll free access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account and customizing said prerecorded audio or musical messages.

53. A method as in claim 52, wherein said customizing step includes:

(a) selecting a prerecorded musical message; and

(b) recording, in the customer'"'"'s own voice, a custom audio message to accompany the prerecorded musical message.

54. A method as in claim 46, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid gift certificate along with a telephone number and account authorizing data such that the greeting card can be authenticated by calling the telephone number and entering the authorization code.

55. A method as in claim 46, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid EFT cash gift payable at a selected ATM or cash dispensing machine, or via a recipient'"'"'s existing credit card or bank account, with a security code accessible via said telephone account.

56. A method as set forth in claim 46 wherein said prompted customer selections are entered by voice via a speech recognition unit.

57. A system for creating and forwarding a combination personalized greeting card and electronically generated gift comprising:

(a) a central computer controlled terminal and printer;

(b) at least one remotely located interactive terminal with a monitor and a data input means connectable with said central terminal over a telephone line;

(c) means at said central terminal for transmitting a menu of alphanumeric and/or graphic information to said interactive terminal for display on a monitor at the interactive terminal from which a customer at the interactive terminal can select data to personalize said card;

(c) means at said central terminal for prompting the customer to select said card data and/or add personal information via a data input means at the interactive terminal to create personalized greeting card data for printing on said card;

(d) means at said central terminal for transmitting a menu of gift categories accessible via prepaid long distance telephone access accounts and a plurality of gift values from which a customer can select a particular gift category at a selected value via said data input means for display on said monitor on said interactive terminal;

(e) means at said central terminal for prompting the customer to select said gift category and said value via said data input means;

(f) payment acceptance means at said central terminal for accepting and verifying payment for said card and gift;

(g) creating means at said central terminal for creating said card with said personalized greeting card data;

(h) associating means for associating printed gift information concerning said selected telephone access account including a predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and account authorizing data; and

(i) means for forwarding the card and associated gift to a recipient.

58. A system as in claim 57, wherein said gift category transmitting means transmits one or more of the following gift categories for display on said monitor:

(a) a prepaid return telephone call via said prepaid telephone account;

(b) a prepaid chance at a skill game accessible via said prepaid telephone account;

(c) toll free telephone computer access to prerecorded animation and/or audio messages via said prepaid telephone account;

(d) toll free telephone access to prepaid downloadable software via said prepaid telephone account;

(e) a prepaid lottery ticket with number selection accessible via said prepaid telephone account;

(f) toll free remote access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account;

(g) a prepaid gift certificate along with a telephone number and account authorizing data such that the greeting card can be authenticated by calling the telephone number and entering the authorization code; and

(h) a prepaid EFT cash gift payable at a selected ATM or cash dispensing machine, with a security code accessible via said telephone account.

59. A system as set forth in claim 57 wherein said authorizing data includes a PIN number.

60. A system as set forth in claim 57 wherein said creating means prints said greeting card and said associating means prints said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and said account authorizing data in a billfold sized window of said card.

61. A system as set forth in claim 57 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

62. A system as in claim 57, wherein said data input means includes a speech recognition unit.

63. A method of creating and retailing a combination personalized greeting card and electronically generated gift comprising the steps of:

(a) locating an interactive terminal in a first, customer accessible, area of a retail establishment;

(b) locating a card printer in a second, non-customer accessible, area of said retail establishment, said card printer being connected to said interactive terminal and being controllable via controls located in said second area;

(c) displaying a menu of alphanumeric and/or graphic information on a monitor at the interactive terminal from which a customer at the interactive terminal can select data to be printed to personalize said card;

(d) prompting the customer to select said card data and/or add personal information via a data input means at the interactive terminal to create personalized greeting card data for printing on said card;

(e) displaying on said interactive terminal monitor a menu of gift categories accessible via prepaid long distance telephone access accounts and a plurality of gift values from which a customer can select a particular gift category at a selected value via said data input means;

(f) prompting the customer to select said gift category and said value via said data input means;

(g) printing, on said printer, a greeting card with said personalized greeting card data;

(h) associating with said greeting card gift information concerning said selected telephone access account including a predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account and account authorizing data; and

(i) retailing the printed card and gift information to the customer "over the counter" in said retail establishment.

64. A system as set forth in claim 63 wherein said authorizing data includes a PIN number.

65. A method as set forth in claim 63 wherein said card printing step includes printing said gift information including said predetermined telephone number for accessing said prepaid long distance account directly on said card.

66. A method as set forth in claim 64 wherein said gift information printing step includes printing said gift information in a billfold sized window of said card.

67. A method as set forth in claim 65 wherein said billfold sized window includes a margin formed by perforating said card such that said window is easily removable from said card.

68. A method as set forth in claim 63 wherein said card printing step includes printing pricing information directly on said card for pricing said card and gift.

69. A method as set forth in claim 68 wherein said pricing information includes at least one UPC code.

70. A method as in claim 63, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying one or more of the following gift categories:

(a) a prepaid return telephone call via said prepaid telephone account;

(b) a prepaid chance at a skill game accessible via said prepaid telephone account;

(c) toll free remote computer access to prerecorded animation and/or audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account;

(d) toll free telephone access to prepaid downloadable software via said prepaid telephone account;

(e) prepaid account on an On-Line computer database accessible via said telephone account; and

/or

(f) toll free remote access to prerecorded audio or musical messages via said prepaid telephone account.

71. A method as in claim 63, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

a prepaid gift certificate along with a telephone number and account authorizing data such that the greeting card can be authenticated by calling the telephone number and entering the authorization code.

72. A method as in claim 63, wherein said gift category displaying step includes displaying the following gift category:

prepaid EFT cash gift payable at a selected ATM or cash dispensing machine or via a recipient'"'"'s existing credit card or bank account, with a security code accessible via said telephone account.

73. A method as in claim 72, and further including the steps of:

(a) selecting said prepaid EFT gift category;

(b) prompting the sender to enter payment information including authorization to debit an electronic funds account of the sender; and

(c) debiting said electronic funds account prior to printing out said combination card and gift.

74. A method as set forth in claim 63 wherein said prompted customer selections are entered by voice via a speech recognition unit.