US5500514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for generating gift certificates
Assignee: CORE GROUP MARKEING Inc
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Filing: 1993-01-21
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Granted: 1996-03-19
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Expires: 2013-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An electronic gift certificate dispenser device for printing and dispensing a gift certificate purchased by a credit card. A consumer approaches the device and inserts a credit card into a magnetic card reader. The consumer chooses a retailer from a menu of participating retailers and enters the gift certificate value. The machine automatically verifies the credit card, causes the account to be debited and prints the gift certificate. A plurality of gift certificate dispensing devices can be connected in a network under the control of a central processing unit. Information regarding gift certificate purchases is transferred from the devices to the central processing unit to be collated and billed to credit card accounts. The central processing unit also informs merchants of the purchase of gift certificates that will be redeemed at their stores.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Veeneman
- 👤 Karla J. Alexander
- 👤 Thomas J. Doyle
- 👤 Phillip R. Brooks
- 👤 Robert H. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/342; G07; G07B; G07B1/00; G07B1/02; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/42; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G07F7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of printing, under control of a user, from a certificate dispenser a negotiable certificate useful for obtaining goods and services, said dispenser including a computer, as well as display means, user interface means, payment means, and printing and dispensing means controlled by said computer, said method comprising the steps of: displaying on said display means a menu of goods and services providers; receiving from said user through said user interface means a choice of said goods and services providers; displaying on said display means a series of monetary values; receiving from said user through said user interface means a choice of one of said monetary values; receiving with said payment means payment for said certificate from said user; printing with said printing and dispensing means a certificate including the choice of the providers and the monetary value chosen; and dispensing said certificate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of printing, under control of a user, from a certificate dispenser a negotiable certificate useful for obtaining goods and services, said dispenser including a computer, as well as display means, user interface means, payment means, and printing and dispensing means controlled by said computer, said method comprising the steps of: displaying on said display means a menu of goods and services providers; receiving from said user through said user interface means a choice of said goods and services providers; displaying on said display means a series of monetary values; receiving from said user through said user interface means a choice of one of said monetary values; receiving with said payment means payment for said certificate from said user; printing with said printing and dispensing means a certificate including the choice of the providers and the monetary value chosen; and dispensing said certificate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein before said goods and services providers displaying step said method includes the steps of displaying a map and touching a point on the map to obtain a listing of providers located in a geographical region surrounding the point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of mailing said certificate to a recipient, said certificate dispenser including means, under user control, for accepting and holding said certificate for subsequent delivery to a commercially known mail system.
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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) | 1999-03-19 | 1999-09-18 | 2000-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-19 | 2003-09-18 | 2004-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-19 | 2007-09-18 | 2008-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |