Document dispenser operational program downloading

A method of dispensing documents comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one digitally controlled document dispenser programmed to operate according to a document dispenser operational program, said document dispenser comprising a document variables data input terminal, a digital data input port, and a stand alone dispenser housing, said housing incorporating
• an internal digital bus positioned within said dispenser housing
• an internal document printer positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus,
• an internal operational program storage device positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, wherein a first document dispenser operational program is stored in said internal operational program storage device,
• an internal reprogram storage device positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, and
• an internal digital controller positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, wherein said internal digital controller is programmed to cause a second document dispenser operational program received at said digital data input port to be stored in said internal operational program storage device, and control said document printer in accordance with document variables data input at said document variables data input terminal and in accordance with a stored one of said first document dispenser operational program and said second document dispenser operational program in said internal operational program data storage device;
• providing an external operational program data transfer device positioned outside of said dispenser housing;
• and,
• downloading said second document dispenser operational program from said data transfer device to said operational program data storage device via said digital data input port.

A document dispensing system comprising:

• an external operational program data transfer device positioned outside of a stand alone dispenser housing;
• and
• at least one digitally controlled document dispenser programmed to operate according to a document dispenser operational program, said document dispenser comprising a document variables data input terminal, a digital data input port, and said stand alone dispenser housing, said housing incorporating
• an internal digital bus positioned within said dispenser housing,
• an internal document printer positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus,
• an internal operational program storage device positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, wherein a first document dispenser operational program is stored in said internal operational program storage device,
• an internal reprogram storage device positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, and
• an internal digital controller positioned within said dispenser housing and coupled to said digital bus, wherein said internal digital controller is programmed to cause a second document dispenser operational program received at said digital data input port to be stored in said internal operational program storage device, and control said document printer in accordance with document variables data input at said document variables data input terminal and in accordance with a stored one of said first document dispenser operational program and said second document dispenser operational program in said internal operational program data storage device.