Machine and method for preparing and dispensing documents

Abstract

A machine and method for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions. The machine contains a printer for printing the documents and, optionally, a bar code and/or a MICR reader mounted for movement with the print head of the printer for reading information from each document before/during printing. The machine includes a control unit (which includes a CPU, memories, and input/output devices), an input unit (which may be constituted by a keypad and/or an alphanumeric keyboard), and means for communicating with a remote supervisory location. Operation of the machine may be controlled from the remote supervisory location, which provides periodic authorization to continue to prepare and dispense documents in response to transaction reports, including matching of purchaser and/or beneficiary identification information with one or more lists of restricted customers, which are transmitted from the machine to the remote supervisory location.

1 . A machine for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions, said machine comprising: 
 (a) a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser having a housing;    (b) a manually operable input unit for input of data and operating commands, said input unit being external to and coupled through said dispenser housing;    (c) a document printer unit for printing readable information, including a monetary value, on documents based on data inputted at said input unit, wherein said document printer unit is contained entirely within said dispenser housing and comprises: 
 a printer having a print head configured to move back and forth along a guiding rod in a scanning path that is transverse to the direction of advancement of the documents; and  
 an optical reader for reading barcode information on said documents, said optical reader being mounted so as to be aligned with the print head and move along said rod with the print head, wherein the print head prints a barcode on each said document as it moves in one direction and, as it returns along said rod in the opposite direction, the optical reader reads the barcode just printed by the print head, thereby verifying proper functioning of the printer unit without advancing the document;  
   (d) an internal control unit contained entirely within said dispenser housing and directly electrically coupled to said input unit and said printer unit for controlling operation of said printer unit in response to data and commands inputted at said input unit, wherein the control unit comprises a memory means for receiving and storing data received from said input unit and representing at least the monetary value of each document; and    (e) a communication interface for conducting communications with an off-site central location remote from said dispenser and operative to transmit the data stored in said memory means to said central location, wherein the control unit is operative to receive authorization instructions from the central location via said interface.    
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said input unit is an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set of alpha-character keys and a separate full set of Arabic numeral keys.  
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , said keyboard further including a display.  
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said keyboard is a standard personal computer keyboard and is directly electrically connected to the control unit.  
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 2 , further including a keypad that is directly electrically connected to the control unit.  
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the data stored in said memory means further includes the cumulative monetary value of a succession of documents.  
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said control unit is operative to block dispensing of printed documents when said cumulative monetary value exceeds a predetermined value and an authorization instruction to dispense further printed documents has not been received from the central location.  
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the documents is a preprinted form provided with information uniquely identifying that document.  
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the information uniquely identifying each document is in the form of a bar code.  
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 1 , further including a time keeping device, wherein the control unit is operative under control of said time keeping device to block dispensing of printed documents when no transmission of the data stored in said memory means to the central location has occurred for a first predetermined period of time or when reception of an authorization instruction from the central location has not occurred for a second predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         11 . The machine according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said first predetermined period of time and second predetermined period of time is approximately equal to 24 hours.  
     
     
         12 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the document printer unit further includes a document storage receptacle for holding the documents prior to being printed and a feed mechanism for feeding the documents in succession from said receptacle to said printer and for dispensing the documents upon completion.  
     
     
         13 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal control unit further includes a central processing unit containing a microprocessor operable in response to program instructions and an input/output means connected for receiving the data and operating commands inputted at said input unit and for supplying data and control signals to said printer unit, and wherein the memory means further stores said program instructions for the microprocessor.  
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 1 , further including at least one of a serial interface, a parallel interface, a PS/2 interface, an Ethernet interface, and a USB interface for direct electrical connection to one or more external devices.  
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 14 , further including an external printing device connected through said parallel interface.  
     
     
         16 . The machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the external printing device is configured to print at least one of a receipt and a periodic report.  
     
     
         17 . The machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the external printing device is at least one member selected from the group consisting of a dot matrix printer, laser printer, inkjet printer, and thermal printer.  
     
     
         18 . The machine according to  claim 14 , further including a mouse connected through said PS/2 interface.  
     
     
         19 . The machine according to  claim 14 , further including at least one of an external optical scanner, an external Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) scanner, an external printing device, an external communications device, and a cash register connected through said USB interface.  
     
     
         20 . The machine according to  claim 14 , further including at least one of an external optical scanner, an external MICR scanner, an external printing device, an external communications device, a cash register, and a Point of Sale (POS) device connected through said serial interface.  
     
     
         21 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said communications with the off-site central location are conducted at predetermined, regular intervals.  
     
     
         22 . The machine according to  claim 21 , wherein each said interval is about 24 hours.  
     
     
         23 . The machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said communications are initiated at the same time every day.  
     
     
         24 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said communications with the off-site central location are initiated manually on an as-needed basis.  
     
     
         25 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is operative to periodically receive from said central location at least one member selected from the group consisting of machine configuration parameters, default and alternate security rules, authorization to continue dispensing documents, a list of restricted purchasers, a list of exceptions to said list of restricted purchasers, and a list of restricted beneficiaries.  
     
     
         26 . The machine according to  claim 25 , wherein said security rules include at least one of a predetermined limit on the number of documents that can be dispensed and a predetermined combined face value of dispensed documents in a given period of time.  
     
     
         27 . The machine according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of said list of restricted purchasers, list of exceptions, and list of restricted beneficiaries is an Office of Foreign Assets Control list.  
     
     
         28 . The machine according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of said list of restricted purchasers and list of restricted beneficiaries is created by a central administrator.  
     
     
         29 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is operative to periodically transmit to said central location at least one member selected from the group consisting of information about dispensed documents, information about security violations, information about interrupted or cancelled transactions, and changes in local machine configuration.  
     
     
         30 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the printer unit further includes a MICR reader.  
     
     
         31 . The machine according to  claim 30 , wherein the MICR reader is mounted so as to be aligned with said print head and optical reader.  
     
     
         32 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to locally store a set of rules for dispensing documents.  
     
     
         33 . The machine according to  claim 32 , wherein said set of rules includes a list of pre-approved beneficiaries of said documents.  
     
     
         34 . The machine according to  claim 33 , wherein said set of rules includes both a default set of security limits and an alternate set of security limits, said alternate set being applicable to preparation and dispensing of documents for said approved beneficiaries.  
     
     
         35 . A machine for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions, said machine comprising: 
 (a) a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser having a housing;    (b) a manually operable input unit for input of data and operating commands, said input unit being external to and coupled through said dispenser housing;    (c) a document printer unit for printing readable information, including a monetary value, on documents based on data inputted at said input unit, wherein said document printer unit is contained entirely within said dispenser housing and comprises: 
 a printer having a print head configured to move back and forth along a guiding rod in a scanning path that is transverse to the direction of advancement of the documents; and  
 an Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) reader for reading information on said documents, said MICR reader being mounted so as to move along said guiding rod;  
   (d) an internal control unit contained entirely within said dispenser housing and directly electrically coupled to said input unit and said printer unit for controlling operation of said printer unit in response to data and commands inputted at said input unit, wherein the control unit comprises a memory means for receiving and storing data received from said input unit and representing at least the monetary value of each document; and    (e) a communication interface for conducting communications with an off-site central location remote from said dispenser and operative to transmit the data stored in said memory means to said central location, wherein the control unit is operative to receive authorization instructions from the central location via said interface.    
     
     
         36 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein said input unit is an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set of alpha-character keys and a separate full set of Arabic numeral keys.  
     
     
         37 . The machine according to  claim 36 , said keyboard further including a display.  
     
     
         38 . The machine according to  claim 36 , wherein said keyboard is a standard personal computer keyboard and is directly electrically connected to the control unit.  
     
     
         39 . The machine according to  claim 36 , further including a keypad that is directly electrically connected to the control unit.  
     
     
         40 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein each of the documents is a preprinted form provided with information uniquely identifying that document.  
     
     
         41 . The machine according to  claim 35 , further including at least one of a serial interface, a parallel interface, a PS/2 interface, an Ethernet interface, and a USB interface for direct electrical connection to one or more external devices.  
     
     
         42 . The machine according to  claim 35 , further including at least one of an external optical scanner, an external MICR scanner, an external printing device, an external communications device, a cash register, and a Point of Sale (POS) device directly electrically connected through a serial or a USB interface.  
     
     
         43 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein the control unit is operative to periodically receive from said central location at least one member selected from the group consisting of machine configuration parameters, default and alternate security rules, authorization to continue dispensing documents, a list of restricted purchasers, a list of exceptions to said list of restricted purchasers, and a list of restricted beneficiaries.  
     
     
         44 . The machine according to  claim 43 , wherein at least one of said list of restricted purchasers, list of exceptions, and list of restricted beneficiaries is an Office of Foreign Assets Control list.  
     
     
         45 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein the printer unit further includes an optical reader.  
     
     
         46 . The machine according to  claim 45 , said optical reader being mounted so as to be aligned with the print head and move along said rod with the print head.  
     
     
         47 . The machine according to  claim 46 , wherein the print head prints a barcode on each said document as it moves in one direction and, as it returns along said rod in the opposite direction, the optical reader reads the barcode just printed by the print head, thereby verifying proper functioning of the printer unit without advancing the document  
     
     
         48 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein the control unit is operative to periodically transmit to said central location at least one member selected from the group consisting of information about dispensed documents, information about security violations, information about interrupted or cancelled transactions, and changes in local machine configuration.  
     
     
         49 . The machine according to  claim 35 , wherein the control unit is configured to locally store a set of rules for dispensing documents, including a list of pre-approved beneficiaries of said documents.  
     
     
         50 . A method for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a machine comprising a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser, said dispenser including a printer and an internal control unit having a memory means for receiving and storing data relating to each said transaction;    (b) obtaining identification information relating to at least one of a purchaser and a beneficiary of each document to be dispensed;    (c) accessing at least one of a list of restricted purchasers and restricted beneficiaries to determine whether there is a first type of match between the purchaser's identification information and the list of restricted purchasers or a second type of match between the beneficiary's identification information and the list of restricted beneficiaries;    (d) when at least one of said matches is found, recording in said memory means information about the at least one match that has been found; and    (e) determining whether to dispense said document based on a predetermined set of parameters.    
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said parameters include the face value of said document, the overall transaction amount, and the type of match that is found.  
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the machine is configured such that, in step (e), dispensing of the document is blocked when at least one of said parameters is satisfied.  
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said machine further comprises an external, manually-operable input unit that is directly electrically connected to the internal control unit and, in step (b), the identification information relating to said at least one of a purchaser and a beneficiary is gathered by an operator of said machine and inputted through said input unit.  
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said input unit is an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set of alpha-character keys and a separate full set of Arabic numeral keys.  
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein the keyboard includes a display.  
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 55 , further including displaying an error message on said display when at least one of said matches is found.  
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein, in step (c), at least one of said lists is an Office of Foreign Assets Control list.  
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said lists are stored in said control unit such that steps (b)-(e) are automatically performed by said control unit once said identification information has been received.  
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 50 , said machine further including a communication interface for conducting communications with an off-site central location remote from said dispenser, wherein the lists are maintained at said central location, and step (c) is performed by transmitting the identification information to the central location in real time.  
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 59 , wherein the control unit is operative to receive instructions from the central location via said interface, step (e) is performed at said central location, and the control unit receives either an authorization to complete, or an instruction to block, the transaction.  
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the machine further includes an external reader and, in step (b), the identification information relating to the purchaser is obtained by processing an identification document of the purchaser's through said reader.  
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 61 , wherein the identification document is a member selected from the group consisting of an identification card, a driver's license, a passport, a social security card, an alien registration document, and a native country identification document.  
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 50 , further including determining, after a match of the first type has been found, and prior to step (e), whether there is a third type of match between the purchaser's identification information and a list of exceptions to said list of restricted purchasers.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 63 , further including determining, after a match of the third type is found, and prior to step (e), whether there is a fourth type of match between the purchaser's or beneficiary's identification information and an auxiliary list of restricted persons/entities.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 50 , further including obtaining a physical image of an identification document of the purchaser's, said identification document being a member selected from the group consisting of an identification card, a driver's license, a passport, a social security card, an alien registration document, and a native country identification document.