US 5,710,637 AGranted

Card issuing machine and a method for controlling the same

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorTakeshi Matsumoto

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Abstract

The disclosed invention reduces the possibility that an applicant who uses an unattended card issuing machine can change the contents of an application, intentionally or through error. Since the scanner device of an unattended card issuing machine also performs the image transmission function and a facsimile device is not necessary, there is a savings in the required space. Also, there is only one location where a document is positioned, whether an identification document or an application document, thus the operation will not confuse an applicant. The scanner device is so designed that it completely encloses and retains an inserted document, so that there are no problems when an application form is scanned and its image data are prepared. Thus, the possibility that the contents of an application may be changed intentionally or through error is substantially eliminated. According to another feature of the present invention, a shutter, which is freely opened and closed, is located along the paper feed route. When an identification document, such as a driver's license, is positioned on the scanner device, this shutter is closed and prevents that document from erroneously being carried in.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A card issuing machine comprising:

(a) scanner means for scanning a document and preparing image data for said document;
(b) means for passing said document through said scanner means and transferring said document to a storage position;
(c) shutter means, which is located between said scanner means and said storage position and which is freely shifted between a first position that blocks the transfer of said document from said scanner means and a second position that permits the transfer of said document from said scanner means to said storage position;
(d) means for enabling data transmission via a communication line to a remote center;
(e) means for driving said scanner means while said shutter means is moved to said first position, and transmitting, as data for reference, said data for reference in the form of image data that is read by said scanner means to said remote center via said communication line;
(f) means for, upon receipt of a notice from said remote center via said communication line that a financial state of an applicant is satisfactory according to said data for reference, for driving said scanner means while said shutter means is shifted to said second position, and for transmitting, as card application data, said card application data in the form of image data read by said scanner means to said remote center;
and
(g) means for, upon the receipt of a notice from said remote center via a communication line that the contents of said card application data are verified, transferring to said storage position a document that is placed on said scanner by said means for transferring said document, and for performing a card issuing process.

5 more elements

A method for controlling by a computer process a card issuing machine, which includes scanner means for scanning a document and preparing image data;

means for transferring said document through said scanner means to a storage position;
shutter means that is located between said scanner means and said storage position and that is freely shifted between a first position for blocking the transfer of said document from said scanner means and a second position for permitting the transfer of said document from said scanner means to said storage position;
and means for transmitting data via a communication line to a remote center, said method for controlling a card issuing machine comprising the steps of
(a) driving said scanner means while said shutter means is shifted to said first position, and transmitting, to said remote center, via said communication line, as data for reference, said data for reference in the form of image data that are read by said scanner means;
(b) upon receipt, from said remote center via said communication line, of a notice that said data for reference are confirmed, driving said scanner means while said shutter means is shifted to said second position, and transmitting to said remote center, as card application data, said card application data in the form of image data that are read by said scanner means;
(c) upon receipt, from said remote center via said communication line, of a notice that said card application data are satisfactory, transferring said document placed on said scanner means by said means for transferring said document and performing a card issuing process.

3 more elements

A card issuing machine comprising:

(a) a scanner for scanning a document and preparing image data for said document;
(b) a paper feed mechanism for transferring said document through said scanner to a storage position;
(c) a shutter located between said scanner and said storage position which is freely shifted between a first position that blocks the transfer of said document from said scanner and a second position that permits the transfer of said document from said scanner to said storage position;
(d) a communications line providing data transmission to and from a remote center;
(e) a control unit for driving said scanner while said shutter is moved to said first position, and transmitting via said communications line to said remote center said image data that is read by said scanner with an identification document positioned thereon;
said control unit, upon receipt of a notice from said remote center via said communication line that a financial state of an applicant is satisfactory, driving said scanner while said shutter means is shifted to said second position, and for transmitting, as card application data, said image data read by said scanner from an application document placed thereon, to said remote center;
and upon the receipt of a notice from said remote center via the communication line that the contents of said card application data are verified, transferring to said storage position the application document placed on said scanner by said paper feed mechanism, and causing a card to issue.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.