Telephone debit card dispenser and method

An apparatus for dispensing a receipt for use in prepaid purchasing of product from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:

• means for storing a plurality of receipts, each receipt dimensioned for receiving indicia indicating a distinguishable value and an activation code acceptable to a vendor;
• means for selecting a prepaid amount for purchasing product from a vendor;
• means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value of the prepaid amount;
• means for imprinting the prepaid amount and an activation code on the receipt;
• means for reporting the activation code and the amount to the vendor for permitting prepaid purchasing of product by the customer;
• and
• means for dispensing the receipt to the customer.

An apparatus for dispensing a pre-paid telephone card for use in debit purchasing from a selected telecommunications vendor, the apparatus comprising:

• means for storing a plurality of telephone cards,
• means for selecting a value for providing the telephone card having the value, the selection means responsive to a customer demand;
• means for selecting a telecommunications carrier, the carrier having a distinguishable activation code for access to the carrier when placing prepaid telephone calls;
• means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card;
• means for reporting the activation code to the selected carrier for permitting telephone card use by the customer;
• and
• means for dispensing the card to the customer.

An apparatus for providing a prepaid telephone card for use with a selected telecommunications carrier, the apparatus comprising:

• means for selecting a value and a telecommunications carrier for providing an activation code acceptable to a selected telecommunications carrier, each code permitting debit purchasing from the selected carrier, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand;
• data processing means for associating the customer demand with an electronic funds transfer payment having the selected value;
• means for receiving customer identification sufficient for obtaining customer credit approval from a clearing facility, the receiving means providing input to the data processing means;
• telecommunication means for communicating with the selected carrier and the clearing facility for initiating electronic funds transfer for each phone card transaction, the telecommunication means generating a real-time communication with the clearing house for determining customer credit validity and for the initiating of electronic funds collection, the telecommunications means further generating real-time communication with the telecommunications carrier for initiating the funds transfer to the carrier;
• means for providing the card having the value, the card further having an activation code recognizable by the carrier;
• and
• means for dispensing the card to the customer.

An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:

• means for storing a plurality of cards useful in credit purchasing with a vendor;
• means for selecting a value for providing a selected card with the value for use with the vendor, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand;
• means for associating a customer demand with a payment, the payment having at least the value sufficient for dispensing the selected card;
• means for providing an activation code acceptable to the vendor;
• means for reporting the activation code to the selected vendor for permitting card use;
• and
• means for dispensing the selected card to the customer.

An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:

• means for storing a card having a value and an activation code useful in credit purchasing with a vendor;
• means for selecting the card, the selecting means responsive to a customer demand;
• means for associating the demand with a payment having at least the value;
• means for reporting the activation code to the vendor for permitting card use;
• and
• means for dispersing the card to the customer.

An apparatus for dispensing a card for use in debit purchasing from a vendor, the apparatus comprising:

• means for storing a card having an activation code useful in credit purchasing with a vendor;
• means for receiving a payment heaving a value acceptable to the vendor;
• means for providing the card with the value in response to the payment;
• means for reporting the value and code to the vendor;
• and
• means for dispensing the card having the value and code.