Telephone debit card dispenser and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
- means for storing a plurality of cards;
means for selecting a value for providing a selected card with the value for use with a vendor, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand;
means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card;
means for providing an activation cede acceptable to the vendor,means for reporting the activation code to the selected vendor for permitting card use; and
means for dispensing the selected card to the customer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Telephone debit cards are automatically vended through a microprocessor controlled vending machine which permits card payment in cash and credit. The customer can select a desired telephone card value and a desired telecommunications carrier. Prepaid and printed cards are dispensed. Optionally, printed receipts are dispensed including an access code and prepaid value. The vending machine generated real-time communications with an electronics funds clearing house for customer validity and funds approval. After electronics transfer of funds to the machine, the telephone debit card is dispensed and funds are electronically transferred to the selected telecommunications carrier via real-time communications with the carrier for electronic transfer of the card value thus permitting immediate use of the telephone card by the customer.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a plurality of cards; means for selecting a value for providing a selected card with the value for use with a vendor, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand; means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card; means for providing an activation cede acceptable to the vendor, means for reporting the activation code to the selected vendor for permitting card use; and means for dispensing the selected card to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for dispensing a receipt for use in prepaid purchasing of product from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a plurality of receipts, each receipt dimensioned for receiving indicia indicating a distinguishable value and an activation code acceptable to a vendor; means for selecting a prepaid amount for purchasing product from a vendor; means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value of the prepaid amount; means for imprinting the prepaid amount and an activation code on the receipt; means for reporting the activation code and the amount to the vendor for permitting prepaid purchasing of product by the customer; and means for dispensing the receipt to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for dispensing a pre-paid telephone card for use in debit purchasing from a selected telecommunications vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a plurality of telephone cards, means for selecting a value for providing the telephone card having the value, the selection means responsive to a customer demand; means for selecting a telecommunications carrier, the carrier having a distinguishable activation code for access to the carrier when placing prepaid telephone calls; means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card; means for reporting the activation code to the selected carrier for permitting telephone card use by the customer; and means for dispensing the card to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for providing a prepaid telephone card for use with a selected telecommunications carrier, the apparatus comprising:
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means for selecting a value and a telecommunications carrier for providing an activation code acceptable to a selected telecommunications carrier, each code permitting debit purchasing from the selected carrier, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand; data processing means for associating the customer demand with an electronic funds transfer payment having the selected value; means for receiving customer identification sufficient for obtaining customer credit approval from a clearing facility, the receiving means providing input to the data processing means; telecommunication means for communicating with the selected carrier and the clearing facility for initiating electronic funds transfer for each phone card transaction, the telecommunication means generating a real-time communication with the clearing house for determining customer credit validity and for the initiating of electronic funds collection, the telecommunications means further generating real-time communication with the telecommunications carrier for initiating the funds transfer to the carrier; means for providing the card having the value, the card further having an activation code recognizable by the carrier; and means for dispensing the card to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a plurality of cards useful in credit purchasing with a vendor; means for selecting a value for providing a selected card with the value for use with the vendor, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand; means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card; means for providing an activation code acceptable to the vendor; means for reporting the activation code to the selected vendor for permitting card use; and means for dispensing the selected card to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a card having a value and an activation code useful in credit purchasing with a vendor; means for selecting the card, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand; means for associating the demand with a payment having at least the value; means for reporting the activation code to the vendor for permitting card use; and means for dispersing the card to the customer.
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26. An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing a card having an activation code useful in credit purchasing with a vendor; means for receiving a payment heaving a value acceptable to the vendor; means for providing the card with the value in response to the payment; means for reporting the value and code to the vendor; and means for dispensing the card having the value and code. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification