US5737729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive kiosk for selecting and sending mail pieces
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-06-04
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2016-06-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an apparatus and method for selecting and sending mail pieces via an interactive kiosk. The interactive kiosk contains a microprocessor system programmed to interact with the customer for selecting a mail piece of choice. The microprocessor then displays queries and options for the purchaser to add a personalized message to the post card. The customer may also input the address or utilize an address locator feature for retrieving the address from a data base located in the kiosk. The kiosk then prompts the customer for payment via an electronic bill or credit card accepter. After the customer has completed using the kiosk, the kiosk communicates with a central processing location. The central processing location includes a microprocessor based system which electronically downloads the necessary information from the kiosk including the post card orders and customer/sales information. If the customer enters a physical street or post office box address, the customer text and address is printed onto the specific post card selected. Postage is affixed to the post card and the post card is then sent to the recipient. If an electronic mail address is used, a graphics file is created with the selected mail piece and customer text. The graphics file is then transmitted to the electronic mail address.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Denman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:11
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B17/00362; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; G07B2017/00072; G07B2017/00209; G07B2017/00225; G07B2017/0037; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00588; G07B2017/00596
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for providing interaction with a customer for selection of a plurality of mail pieces and subsequent sending of a selected mail piece from said plurality of mail pieces to a selected address, said system comprising: (a) a kiosk having a communication means including a selection means for prompting said customer to select one of said plurality of mail pieces and an input means for receiving customer entered data to be included on said selected mail piece said input means includes an automatic address search means for searching a database of addresses to match parameters entered by said customer; (b) a control means supported in kiosk for controlling said communication means and for storing customer entered data; and (c) a finishing means for finishing said selected mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for providing interaction with a customer for selection of a plurality of mail pieces and subsequent sending of a selected mail piece from said plurality of mail pieces to a selected address, said system comprising: (a) a kiosk having a communication means including a selection means for prompting said customer to select one of said plurality of mail pieces and an input means for receiving customer entered data to be included on said selected mail piece said input means includes an automatic address search means for searching a database of addresses to match parameters entered by said customer; (b) a control means supported in kiosk for controlling said communication means and for storing customer entered data; and (c) a finishing means for finishing said selected mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said customer entered data includes an address.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system of claim 1 and further including said finishing means having a postnet bar code search means for finding a postnet bar code that matches said selected address.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system of claim 1 and further including preparing means for preparing said finished selected mail piece for delivery to said selected address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said communication means includes an audio format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said finishing means prints said customer entered data on said selected mail piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said selected mail piece is a post card.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said selected mail piece is a note card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said control means further includes a calculation means for determining a customer fee and a payment means for accepting said customer fee from said customer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system of claim 1 and further including a delivery selection means for selecting one of a plurality of delivery means for sending said selected mail piece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said communication means includes an interactive visual means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system of claim 11 wherein said interactive visual means includes a touch screen monitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said finishing means is in a location remote from said kiosk and said customer entered data is electronically transferred to said finishing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system of claim 13 and further including a plurality of said kiosks, each said kiosk located in a different area and linked to said finishing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system of claim 1 wherein said database of addresses includes electronic mail addresses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system of claim 15 wherein said preparing means further includes creating a graphics file of said selected mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system of claim 16 wherein said finishing means further includes transmission means for transmitting said graphics file to said selected address.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for providing a customer selection of a mail piece and subsequent sending of a selected mail piece to a selected address, said system comprising: (a) a kiosk housing; (b) a monitor supported on said kiosk housing for electronically displaying a plurality of mail pieces; (c) a communication means coupled to said monitor for prompting customer for selecting one of said plurality of mail pieces; (d) an input means for receiving customer entered data to be included on a selected one of mail piece; (e) an address search means for searching a database of addresses to match parameters entered by said customer, said address search means coupled to said input means; (f) control means supported in said kiosk housing and coupled to said monitor, said communication means and said input means, said control means for controlling the electronic display of said plurality of mail pieces, for controlling the communication means with said customer and for storing said customer entered data; and (g) a finishing means for finishing said mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for providing a customer selection of a mail piece and subsequent sending of a selected mail piece to a selected address, said system comprising: (a) a kiosk housing; (b) a monitor supported on said kiosk housing for electronically displaying a plurality of mail pieces; (c) a communication means coupled to said monitor for prompting customer for selecting one of said plurality of mail pieces; (d) an input means for receiving customer entered data to be included on a selected one of mail piece; (e) an address search means for searching a database of addresses to match parameters entered by said customer, said address search means coupled to said input means; (f) control means supported in said kiosk housing and coupled to said monitor, said communication means and said input means, said control means for controlling the electronic display of said plurality of mail pieces, for controlling the communication means with said customer and for storing said customer entered data; and (g) a finishing means for finishing said mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system of claim 18 wherein said communication means includes visual prompts for customer selection of one of said plurality of mail pieces and for entering customer data to be included on said selected mail piece.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
For a system of claim 18 wherein said communication means includes audio means for communicating with said customer for selecting one of said plurality of mail pieces and for entering data to be included on said selected mail piece.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system of claim 18 and further including said finishing means in a location remote from said kiosk housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system of claim 18 wherein said control means further includes calculation means for determining a customer fee and payment means for accepting said customer fee from said customer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system of claim 18 and further including a delivery selection means for selecting one of a plurality of delivery means for sending said selected mail piece.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system of claim 18 and further including preparing means for preparing said mail piece for delivery to said selected address.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system of claim 24 wherein said preparing means further includes creating a graphics file of said selected mail piece with said customer entered data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system of claim 25 and further including transmission means for transmitting said selected mail piece to said address.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process for customer selection of a plurality of mail pieces through an interactive kiosk and for subsequent delivery of a selected mail piece to a selected address, said process comprising the steps of: a) displaying a variety of mail piece designs on said interactive kiosk; b) communicating with a customer for selecting one of said plurality of mail piece designs and entering data to be included on said selected mail piece; c) communicating with said customer for determining said selected address for a recipient of said selected mail piece, said selected address determined from an address database; d) receiving said customer selected mail piece and entered data; e) transmitting said customer selected mail piece and said entered data to a processing location; and f) preparing at said processing location said customer selected mail piece with said entered data for delivery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process for customer selection of a plurality of mail pieces through an interactive kiosk and for subsequent delivery of a selected mail piece to a selected address, said process comprising the steps of: a) displaying a variety of mail piece designs on said interactive kiosk; b) communicating with a customer for selecting one of said plurality of mail piece designs and entering data to be included on said selected mail piece; c) communicating with said customer for determining said selected address for a recipient of said selected mail piece, said selected address determined from an address database; d) receiving said customer selected mail piece and entered data; e) transmitting said customer selected mail piece and said entered data to a processing location; and f) preparing at said processing location said customer selected mail piece with said entered data for delivery.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 27 and further including delivering said customer selected mail piece with said entered data to an address entered by said customer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 27 and further including the steps of: a) receiving recipient information from said customer for determining said recipient address; b) utilizing said address database for locating an address matching said recipient information; and c) verifying a located address matching said recipient information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |