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WO1993008535A1 - Systeme de procede de distribution de cartes personnalisees - Google Patents

Systeme de procede de distribution de cartes personnalisees Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993008535A1
WO1993008535A1 PCT/US1992/008672 US9208672W WO9308535A1 WO 1993008535 A1 WO1993008535 A1 WO 1993008535A1 US 9208672 W US9208672 W US 9208672W WO 9308535 A1 WO9308535 A1 WO 9308535A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
customized
document
information
user
documents
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1992/008672
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sidney R. Goodman
Original Assignee
Postal Buddy Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Postal Buddy Corporation filed Critical Postal Buddy Corporation
Publication of WO1993008535A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993008535A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/26—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to a document vending system and method of using it.
  • the invention more particularly relates to a self-service system for vending small customized documents, such as business cards, change of address post cards, wedding invitations, and the like.
  • new businesses or existing small businesses are required to purchase a relatively large number of small documents such as flyers, discount coupons or business cards, for their advertising efforts, even though many of the documents may not be needed by the purchaser, and thus may go unused. Notwithstanding, the customer is required to pay for the large minimum number of the small documents, and spend additional sums of money for the excess documents.
  • Another problem associated with a small business utilizing small customized documents is the delays associated with obtaining such documents.
  • a printing establishment requires at least one business day or more, to complete an order for customized, small documents.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved document vending system, which facilitates the printing of small customized documents, in a convenient and efficient manner, and which enables a person to purchase a very small quantity, such as ten copies, in a cost effective manner.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved document vending system and method, particularly useful in preparing multiple numbers of smaller customized documents, such as business cards, in a very fast, inexpensive and efficient manner, even during off-hours and weekends.
  • the document vending system includes a document vending terminal or station which may be conveniently and easily installed at any public location.
  • the system is used to produce and to vend customized small documents.
  • a self service document terminal which includes a data processing computer, which is used by the customer in a self-service manner.
  • a credit card acceptor mechanism, and a bill and coin acceptor mechanism enables the customer to pay for the use of the vending system.
  • a video display presents sales and inquiry information for the customers.
  • a paper feeding mechanism and a printer dispensing mechanism furnish the customer with the customized small documents ordered.
  • the system carries out the following steps for producing and vending the customized documents:
  • Queries from a customer are accepted by the self service document vending terminal as to which the type of small document needed;
  • the terminal solicits any necessary information from the customer in order to answer the queries;
  • the system receives the customer's monetary remittance either in cash or by credit card, and returns the required change, if any, to the customer; and 6. On receipt of the appropriate monetary remittance, whether by cash or credit card, the requested customized documents are dispensed to the customer.
  • the system saves considerable money and time for the customer.
  • the customer is not required to order a large minimum number of small documents.
  • the customer is required to order only a minimum single sheet document which may be separated into a multiple number (e.g., ten) of small documents. Such multiple number may be as small as ten, without having to charge a premium for the small quantity. Moreover, the customer may obtain the desired customized documents at any time, day or night, and even on the weekends.
  • the terminals are located at convenient locations.
  • the terminal computer processing unit stores information on the types of documents, styles and prices for vending the customized documents which may be requested and dispensed.
  • This processing unit is also programmed to gather a predetermined sequence of information from a customer regarding the customized documents (business cards, postcards, etc.) that the customer desires.
  • the information entered and gathered at the terminal is processed and transmitted via a video monitor to display quotation and other pertinent information to the customer that enables the terminal to process the document request initiated by the customer.
  • the terminal is programmed to accept an order from the user for the offered customized documents, to collect payment, either by credit card or cash, and to vend the requested materials to the customer.
  • a customer is asked pertinent questions regarding information necessary to process a quotation for the type of small documents need, (business cards, postcards, etc.), the customer has selected.
  • the gathered information is sent to the terminal computer where the quotation is processed and transmitted back to the video monitor.
  • the customer is then given an opportunity to purchase the selected items. If a set of business cards, postcards, etc. are desired, the system accepts the customer's payment, verifies the correct amount has been received, returns any necessary change, and prints and vends the requested documents with the information provided by the customer.
  • the system of the present invention enables customized small documents to be prepared and supplied to the customer while the customer waits, in a matter of minutes. Since the document vending system can easily determine the type and quantity of customized documents produced according to fixed parameters, the prepared documents can be accounted for and are thus, charged to the customer in a fast, convenient, self service mode of operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a small document vending system according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the small document vending terminal of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the video subsystem of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2C is a block diagram of the card dispenser unit of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2D is a face plan view of a sheet of customized small documents prepared by the document vending system of FIG. 1; and FIG. 2E is a face plan view of a blank sheet of paper stock use by the card dispenser mechanism of FIG. 2C to prepare the customized document of FIG. 2D. Best Mode for Carrying out the invention
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown a computerized document vending system 11A, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is adapted to produce and to vend customized documents to a customer (not shown) .
  • the system 11A generally includes a self service sales and information terminal housing 11 for enclosing personal computer CPU 12 and modem 24.
  • the personal computer CPU 12 is an IBM PS-2 model M25 or equivalent and includes a video subsystem 15, keyboard 17 and a storage media unit 23.
  • the video subsystem 15 includes a conventional video monitor 29.
  • the video subsystem 15 is manufactured by IBM for use with the IBM PC-AT compatible personal computers.
  • the keyboard 17 is a customized keyboard for use with the IBM PC-AT type personal computer and is described in copending U.S. patent application Serial
  • the personal computer CPU 12 is connected to an interface unit 13 for enabling a customer user of the system to solicit sales information and to purchase various types of printed documents in the form of change of address postcards and customized business cards, and other similar documents.
  • the sales and information terminal 11 is installed at various convenient locations, such as post offices, shopping malls, and so on. In this regard, the terminal is designed to provide the same level of service as would a well informed sales representative and to interface with the customer by means of the communications and peripheral communication subsystem 14.
  • the interface unit 13 is also connected to the system peripherals that include a bill/coin acceptor 18, a printer 19, a credit card acceptor 21, a card dispenser 22, and a customer actuation switch 20.
  • the interface unit 13 enables the personal computer CPU 12 to sense the activation of a customer actuation switch 20 and to coordinate the operation of the bill/coin acceptor 18 and credit card acceptor 21 with the other peripheral units of the system 11A.
  • the basic customer information gathered at terminal 11 includes the name and address of the customer, and other relevant information pertaining to the type of document the customer desires to have prepared. For example, if a business card is to be prepared, the customer would supply the name and address of the business. The business telephone number, etc.
  • the document vending system 11A produces a quotation for the customer's approval and, if accepted by the customer remitting payment either in cash or by credit card, vends the requested document(s) .
  • the system software causes the card dispenser mechanism 22 to print and vend the customized documents ordered by the customer.
  • the card dispenser mechanism 22 includes a printer 22A for printing a customized document, such as document 230 shown in FIG. 2D.
  • Printer 22A includes a pair of document feeders, such as document feeders 22B and 22C as shown in FIG. 2C.
  • Document feeders 22B and 22C contain an inventory stock of pre- perforated paper such as a sheet 270 shown in FIG. 2E.
  • the customized document 230 in generally composed of a heavy weight paper typical used for preparing business cards and the like.
  • the customized document 230 is generally rectangular in shape have a upper edge portion 231, a lower edge portion 232 and a pair of side portions 233 and 234.
  • a vertical perforation line 235 that includes a multiple number of micro-perforations extends from the upper edge portion 231 to the lower edge portion 232.
  • the vertical perforation line 235 subdivides the customized document 230 into a right side portion 236 and a left side portion 237.
  • the customized document 230 also includes a set of equally spaced apart horizontal preformation lines 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, and 243 respectively.
  • Each of the horizontal perforation lines 238-243 include a multiple number of micro-perforations which extend from the right side portion 244A to the left side portion 244B to subdivide the customized document 230 into seven (7) portions shown generally at 244-250.
  • the customized document 230 also includes a pair of spaced apart vertical perforation lines 244A and 244B which also extend from the upper edge portion 231 to the lower edge portion 232.
  • Vertical perforation line 244A is disposed adjacent and parallel to edge 234 of document 230 to form a left stud portion 250A.
  • the vertical perforation line 244B is disposed adjacent and parallel to edge 233 of document 230 to form a right stud portion 25OB.
  • the vertical perforation line 235 intersects each of the horizontal perforation lines 238-243 to divide each perforation line 238-243 into two equal parts to form twelve (12) document portions 251-260 and 250A and 250B.
  • Each document portion 251-260 is substantially identical and only document portion 256 will be described herein after in greater detail.
  • document portion 250 is generally rectangular in shape and is removable from document 230 when document 230 is folded along line 244A.
  • portion 250A may be torn from the left portion 237.
  • portion 250A may be torn from the right portion 236.
  • document portion 256 is generally rectangular in shape and includes disposed thereon two grouping of indicia 261 and 262.
  • Indicia 261 and 262 are in the form of characters, symbols and signs which define a group of letters used in the english language.
  • Indicia 261 includes three two types of indicia: bold indicia 263 and small indicia 264.
  • the bold indicia 263 is more pronounced or darker than the small indicia 264.
  • the bold indicia 263 is larger in size that the small 264.
  • the indicia 261 has been customized not only with the name of the customer, but also customized as to style.
  • Indicia 262 is similar to indicia 264 and will not be described hereinafter in greater detail. Considering now the blank sheet of paper stock 270 in greater detail with reference to FIG.
  • the blank sheet of paper stock 270 is substantially identical to the customized document 230 except it does not include the indicia grouping, such as indicia 261 and 262.
  • it contains a centrally disposed vertical perforation line 290, a pair of equally spaced apart vertical perforation lines 290A and 290B and a set of horizontal perforation lines 291-296.
  • the paper stock 270 is so constructed that it may be separated or torn into two groupings of equal sized small: a small grouping 271 and 272 a stud group 271A and 272A, and a large grouping shown generally at 273.
  • the small grouping 271 contains two small documents 274 and 275 while small grouping 272 contains two small documents 276 and 277.
  • the large grouping 273 contains ten (10) documents shown generally at 278-287, which are substantially larger than documents 274-277.
  • a user or customer of the small document vending machine folds the document 270 along line 290 and tears the document 270 along line 290 to divide the document 270 into two parts, a right part 270A and a left part 270B. The user then separates either the right part 270A or the left part 270B into its component small documents.
  • the user first folds the document along perforation line 290B and separates the right stud portion 272A from the remaining right side portion.
  • the user may then choose any one of horizontal fold lines for commencing the separating operation. For example, the user may start a line 291 by fold the small document along line 291 and then tearing the document 275 from document 283.
  • Document 283 is then folded along line 292 and torn from document 284.
  • Document 284 is then folded along line 293 and torn from document 285.
  • Document 285 is then folded along lone 294 and torn from document 286.
  • Document 286 is then folded along line 295 and thorn from document 287.
  • Document 287 is then folded along line 296 and torn from document 277.
  • the card dispensing mechanism is capable of preparing eight sheets of customized documents, such as document 230, per minute.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

Un système (11A) de vente en libre service de cartes personnalisées (230) comprend un dispositif d'entrée (17) destiné à recevoir et à stocker des informations d'entrée personnalisées provenant d'un client, afin de produire et de vendre une carte (230) personnalisée selon les demandes du client. En réponse à la réception des informations d'entrée personnalisées, un dispositif (12) génère et fournit des informations de prix aux clients. En réponse à des signaux indiquant le paiement correct du client, un dispositif (22A) produit les cartes personnalisées.
PCT/US1992/008672 1991-10-18 1992-10-09 Systeme de procede de distribution de cartes personnalisees WO1993008535A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78101091A 1991-10-18 1991-10-18
US07/781,010 1991-10-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993008535A1 true WO1993008535A1 (fr) 1993-04-29

Family

ID=25121384

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1992/008672 WO1993008535A1 (fr) 1991-10-18 1992-10-09 Systeme de procede de distribution de cartes personnalisees

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2807392A (fr)
WO (1) WO1993008535A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2273375A (en) * 1992-12-08 1994-06-15 Tri Plus Technology Corp System for printing and processing financial documents
US5652421A (en) * 1991-03-05 1997-07-29 The Gift Certificate Center, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating gift certificates
WO2004036515A1 (fr) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-29 Suzanne Jaffe Stillman Systeme(s) de distribution automatique interactif(s) presentant une personnalisation des produits, multimedia, educatifs et de divertissement, et opportunites, modeles et procedes commerciaux

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4677565A (en) * 1985-02-15 1987-06-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Automatic vending system
US4873643A (en) * 1987-10-22 1989-10-10 Andrew S. Crawford Interactive design terminal for custom imprinted articles
US5036472A (en) * 1988-12-08 1991-07-30 Hallmark Cards, Inc. Computer controlled machine for vending personalized products or the like
US5038293A (en) * 1988-12-13 1991-08-06 Postal Buddy Corporation Method and apparatus for vending customized documents
US5056029A (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-10-08 Cannon Thomas G Method and apparatus for manufacturing and vending social expression cards
US5088586A (en) * 1987-04-30 1992-02-18 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Automatic renting apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4677565A (en) * 1985-02-15 1987-06-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Automatic vending system
US5088586A (en) * 1987-04-30 1992-02-18 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Automatic renting apparatus
US4873643A (en) * 1987-10-22 1989-10-10 Andrew S. Crawford Interactive design terminal for custom imprinted articles
US5036472A (en) * 1988-12-08 1991-07-30 Hallmark Cards, Inc. Computer controlled machine for vending personalized products or the like
US5038293A (en) * 1988-12-13 1991-08-06 Postal Buddy Corporation Method and apparatus for vending customized documents
US5038293B1 (en) * 1988-12-13 1996-08-20 Sidney R Goodman Method and apparatus for vending customized documents
US5056029A (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-10-08 Cannon Thomas G Method and apparatus for manufacturing and vending social expression cards

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5652421A (en) * 1991-03-05 1997-07-29 The Gift Certificate Center, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating gift certificates
GB2273375A (en) * 1992-12-08 1994-06-15 Tri Plus Technology Corp System for printing and processing financial documents
GB2273375B (en) * 1992-12-08 1997-05-21 Tri Plus Technology Corp System for printing and processing financial documents
WO2004036515A1 (fr) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-29 Suzanne Jaffe Stillman Systeme(s) de distribution automatique interactif(s) presentant une personnalisation des produits, multimedia, educatifs et de divertissement, et opportunites, modeles et procedes commerciaux

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2807392A (en) 1993-05-21

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