Prepaid print card system and method
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining and providing prepaid printing services or imaged documents, using a remote computer having a display screen, and a host computer, comprising the steps of:
- (a) purchasing a prepaid print card or computer diskette having a predetermined value of printing services or imaged documents; and
then substantially sequentially;
(b) using the card or diskette and the remote computer, electronically accessing the host computer and supplying verification data to the host computer;
(c) with the host computer, verifying authenticity of the card or diskette used in step (b), including the remaining purchase value;
(d) electronically transmitting printing services or imaged documents order information from the remote computer to the host computer;
(e) electronically composing document information, using the order information at a location distinct from the remote location;
(f) imaging documents using the electronically composed document information at a location distinct from the remote location;
(g) shipping the imaged documents to a desired location; and
(h) at the appropriate time, debiting the prepaid print card or computer diskette.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Prepaid printing services are obtained and provided using remote and host computers. A card or diskette for printing services is purchased and using a remote computer, the host computer is accessed by e-mail or the like. Application software and printer drivers are downloaded from the host to the remote, and the prepaid printing services are actually installed as a print option on the print menu of the remote computer. Document composition and printing to fulfill the printing services request can be by any conventional techniques, and debiting and invoicing are typically practiced simultaneously with document shipment.
125 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining and providing prepaid printing services or imaged documents, using a remote computer having a display screen, and a host computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) purchasing a prepaid print card or computer diskette having a predetermined value of printing services or imaged documents; and
then substantially sequentially;(b) using the card or diskette and the remote computer, electronically accessing the host computer and supplying verification data to the host computer; (c) with the host computer, verifying authenticity of the card or diskette used in step (b), including the remaining purchase value; (d) electronically transmitting printing services or imaged documents order information from the remote computer to the host computer; (e) electronically composing document information, using the order information at a location distinct from the remote location; (f) imaging documents using the electronically composed document information at a location distinct from the remote location; (g) shipping the imaged documents to a desired location; and (h) at the appropriate time, debiting the prepaid print card or computer diskette. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for obtaining and providing prepaid printing services or imaged documents, comprising:
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a remote computer having a display screen; a host computer; a prepaid print card or computer diskette having a predetermined value of printing services or imaged documents; means for using the card or diskette and the remote computer to electronically access the host computer and to supply verification data to the host computer; means for electronically transmitting printing services or imaged documents order information from the remote computer to the host computer; means for electronically composing document information using the order information at a location distinct from the remote location; means for imaging documents using the electronically composed document information at a location distinct from the remote location; and means for debiting said prepaid print card or computer diskette. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification