Change of address system and method of using same

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 07/284,065, filed Dec. 13, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,099 U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/428,864, filed Oct. 30, 1989, entitle "DOCUMENT DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME, " U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/729,948 filed Jul. 15, 1991, entitled "FOREIGN CHARACTER TERMINAL AND METHOD OF USING SAME," which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/429,658, now abandoned, filed Oct. 30, 1989, entitled "FOREIGN CHARACTER TERMINAL AND METHOD OF USING SAME," said applications being incorporated herein by reference. 1. Technical Field This invention relates in general to a change of address system and method of using it, and the invention more particularly relates to a self-service system for notifying mail distributors such as the U.S. Postal Service, large magazine publishers and the like, of the mailing address change for a given individual or business entity. 2. Background Art There have been various different techniques for individuals or companies, to notify their change in address to the U.S. Postal Service, as well as to various mailers including individuals and business entities who send mail to them on a regular basis. While such techniques have been generally satisfactory, there have been many examples of added costs to the U.S. Postal Service, as well as the various mailers Such mailers include large magazine publishers, who have experienced unwanted and costly delays associated with having misaddressed mail being returned, or at least delayed, in delivery. Also, the customers, who have changed their addresses, are inconvenienced by the loss or delay in their mail. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved change of address system and method of using the system, to enable change of address notices to be more efficiently and effectively communicated and processed, to avoid, to a large extent, such unwanted and costly delays in the delivery of mail. One of the many problems associated with conventional change of address techniques, is the cost associated with notifying individuals and companies of the new address. In this regard, individual change of address cards must be prepared and mailed to the regular mailers. Such new address information, and the like, is entered manually, by postal service personnel in postal service equipment. Such large scale operations is very costly, and is time consuming. Furthermore, the entries may introduce unwanted and unintended errors, which result in delays or misdeliveries. Therefore it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved change of address system, to improve greatly the method of notifying mailers, in a more efficient and cost effective manner. For example, such a system should be able to avoid the undesired delay associated with the large mail distributors, such as large magazine publishers, each processing huge numbers of change of address notices each day. Such processing also requires entry of the change of address, and such entry of information is costly to the mail distributor, and is subject to errors. Such errors also contribute to delayed and misdelivered mail. Another problem with the conventional change of address system, is that errors can be introduced by the sender of the notice. In this regard, the person filling out the conventional change of address notice for the postal service, or for the mailers, may make errors in such entries. A common error is in the ZIP code for either the old address, or the new address Such an inadvertent mistake, can also compound the delays, or loss of delivery, associated with the conventional system, as it now exists. Thus, it would be highly desirable to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce the delays associated with the conventional change of address system. Also, errors in entries should be minimized, or at least greatly reduced. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Therefore, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method of communicating change of address notices, in a more effective and efficient manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved change of address system and method of using it, to help reduce redundances and possible errors in entries, to achieve a more accurate notification system. Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved system and method for enabling a user to communicate change of address notices in an effective and relatively efficient manner, while being cost effective. A change of address system includes a group of change of address terminals or stations which are installed at a wide variety of diversified public locations, such as the postal service, shopping centers, food stores, and the like. The terminals receive and store customized change of address information by the user who is desiring to send notices to the postal service and other persons and companies, who send mail to the user. A service computer receives the change of address information from all of the terminals, and in response thereto, the postal service and others desiring the change of address information are notified, at least some of which on a bulk basis. Thus, the system and method of the present invention encourages persons desiring to send change of address notices to enter them in a conveniently located terminal. They no longer are required to find change of address forms, fill them out by hand, and then mail them. All of these actions contribute to the person delaying in the sending of the notices. Instead, the inventive system and method encourages and facilitates the easy entry of the information, since the terminals will be located in many different convenient locations where the person is likely to go and have ready access to use the terminal. Furthermore, since the person enters the information himself, or herself, such entry need not be duplicated by the postal service, or by the others to receive the notices. In this regard, once the information is entered and verified by the user, the service computer receiving the information from the terminals, can communicate directly with the postal service computers, and other computer, to download batch information, which may be pre-sorted. Thus, each person or entity receiving the information, need not re-enter the information. Thus, far greater accuracy and speed of dissemination of the change of address information is achieved. The system further includes a device generates and supplies cost information to the customer for preparing the customized documents and notifying selected mail distributor of the change of mailing address for the customer. Responsive to signals indicative of the correct payment corresponding to the cost information being received, a device produces customized change of address summary change of address reports, change of address postcards, and other customized documents for the customer's use to notify the postal service, publication mailers and other individuals and companies of the change in their mailing address. In the preferred form of the invention, the system is used to produce change of address information for the U.S. Postal Service, large mail distributors such as publication mailers, and to vend change of address postcards for other individuals and companies who send mail to the user on a regular and periodic basis In such an arrangement, there is provided a plurality of self service change of address terminals, where each terminal includes a data processing computer, a credit card acceptor mechanism, a bill and coin acceptor mechanism, a video display for displaying sales and inquire information to the customers, and a postcard printer dispensing mechanism to furnish the customer with authorization forms and change of address postcards for mailing to companies and other persons who the customer has indicated as needing to be notified of the change in the mailing address of the customer. The change of address terminals are located at various convenient locations and are all coupled to a master service computer which receives periodic customer information reports from the individual terminals for the purpose of preparing a summary report which may be transmitted to a designated mailer in a compiled report manner. In its operation, the system carries out the following steps for producing and vending the change of address postcards and for notifying publication; mailers and U.S. postal authorities of the change in the mailing address of the customer: 1. Queries from a customer are accepted by the self service change of address terminal as to which persons and companies the customer desires to notify of the change in the customer's address; 2. The terminal solicits any necessary information from the customer in order to answer the queries; 3. Customer information and queries are transmitted to the data processing computer; 4. Relevant data are transmitted from the data processing computer regarding services, processed and transmitted to the video terminal for responding to the customer; 5. If the customer elects to make a purchase of change of address postcards and other customized documents, such as mailing labels, in response to the data received, the system receives the customer's monetary remittance either in cash or by credit card, and returns the required change, if any, to the customer; and 6. On receipt of the appropriate monetary remittance, whether by cash or credit card, the requested change of address postcards and other customized documents are dispensed to the customer. The master service computer contains information on the postal service, as well as various publishers, associations, colleges, banks, credit cards, books, record clubs, etc. This information, on an as needed basis is transmitted to and stored by the change of address terminal computer for use by a customer. Certain of the above mentioned entities may subscribe to be automatically notified by the owner of the system in the event one of their members, students or customers changes a mailing address. Those who have requested to be automatically notified are called subscribers, while those who have not requested such automatic notification are called non-subscribers. Included in this later category are such entities as family members, friends, doctors, attorneys, unions, etc. The inventive terminal is programmed to elicit from the customer the information necessary to provide a quotation for notifying the different customer selected entities of the change of address. In this regard, the this regard, the customer is charged different rates for notifying subscribing entities of a change of address as opposed to notifying non-subscribing entities. After the customer selects the manner in which to notify the non-subscribing entities, the terminal accepts either the customer's credit card or money, and returns and required change and dispenses if requested customized postcards and other customized documents with the change of address information disposed thereon. The change of address also terminal at the end of a fixed time period, downloads the customer/subscriber information entered by the customer to the remotely located master service computer so the information may be distributed to the appropriate subscribing entities, such as the postal service. The system saves considerable money and time for both the customer and the subscribing entities. In this regard, the customer is not required to call or send change of address information to the subscribing entities in order to notify them of a changed mailing address. Similarly, the system produces at the customer's request a multiple number of customized change of address postcards which minimize the time and effort expended by the customer in preparing notification cards for delivery to his or her mailers. The subscribers in a like manner also benefit. For example, subscribers do not incur unnecessary postage expenses in having their publications forwarded to a customer who has moved. Moreover, the subscriber is able to maintain constant contact with the customer because of being informed of the customer's changed address. The data processing computer at the change of address terminal stores information on the subscribers and prices for postcards, mailing label and other customized documents which might be requested and dispensed. This processing unit is also programmed to gather a predetermined sequence of information from a customer on the entities to be notified and the customized documents (postcards, labels, etc.) that the customer desires. The information entered and gathered at the terminal is processed and transmitted via a video monitor to display quotation and other pertinent information to the customer that enables the terminal to process the change of address request initiated by the customer. Subsequently, the terminal downloads its gathered customer information to the master service computer to notify subscribing entities and selected companies and individuals of the user's change of address and to accept an order from the user for the offered services, postcards and other customized documents, to collect payment, either by credit card or cash, and to vend the requested materials to the customer. Thus, a customer is asked pertinent questions on the names of subscribing entities to be notified and the names and addresses of the non-subscribing entities, the customer's old and new address and other pertinent information necessary to process a quotation for the type of postcards, labels, etc., if any, the customer has selected. The gathered information is sent to the terminal computer where the quotation is processed and transmitted back to the video monitor The customer is then given an opportunity to purchase the selected items. If a set of postcards, mailing labels, etc. are desired, the system accepts the customer's payment, verifies the correct amount has been received, returns any necessary change, and prints and vends the requested change of address postcards, mailing labels, etc. with the information provided by the customer. The system also at regular time intervals, downloads the computer to a remote central processing station to distribute the change of address information in both the various subscribing entities. In view of the foregoing, the system of the present invention enables customized change of address records to be prepared and distributed to subscribing entities and to vend change of address postcards, mailing labels, etc. for the customer's use. Since the change of address system can easily determine whether a given entity is a subscribing or non-subscribing entity and since the documents produced are customized according to fixed parameters, the notification process and prepared documents can be accounted for and are thus, charged to the customer in a fast, convenient, self service mode of operation.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the change of address system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial, partially diagrammatic view of the master service computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the change of address terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the video subsystem of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a pictorial view of the change of address terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2D is a generalized flowchart diagram of the software computer programs stored in the personal computer of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 2E-2I are face plan views of the customized change of address postcards and notification information documents prepared for a customer as generated by the change of address terminal of FIG., 2A; and

FIGS. 3-11, 12A, 12B and 13-18 are flow charts of software computer programs stored in the personal computer of FIG. 2A.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following description is presented and organized according to the following outline:

A. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

B. SYSTEM OPERATION

C. SYSTEM COMPUTER SOFTWARE

D. CUSTOMIZED DOCUMENTS

A. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a computerized change of address system 7, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is adapted to produce and to vend customized change of address postcards to a customer (not shown) and to notify various subscriber entities such as the U.S. Postal Service and magazine publishers of the customer's address change.

The system 7 generally comprises a master service computer 9, which communicates individually and selectively with each one of a large group of change of address terminals 11A-11N. The terminals are each disposed in a variety of widely distributed geographic locations, such as the postal services, shopping centers, grocery stores, and others. In this manner, the customers can enter their change of address information, at many different convenient locations.

The master service computer 9 performs all the necessary basic distributions of change of address information, and communicates with the change of address terminals 11A-11N each of which includes a personal computer CPU that performs all the necessary basic calculations for producing and vending customized change of address postcards, notifying subscriber mailers such as the government postal service, magazine publishers and the like, as well as, non-subscribing mailers which a customer may desire to notify of a change of address. The change of address terminals such as terminals 11A-11N may be located at a variety of convenient locations such as at post offices, shopping malls, and other convenient places of business In this manner, a customer may easily and conveniently notify any number of entities of a change in his or her address in an easy and convenient manner.

The system 7 also includes a group of subscriber computers 16A-16N, which communicate individually and selectively with the master service computer 9. In this regard, there can be any number of such subscriber computers, and each one is utilized by a separate publisher or other subscriber mailer such; as the postal service for cooperating with the master service computer 9 for expediting and receiving change of address information regarding the customers of the subscriber computer entities or those individuals and companies which the subscriber may service. For example, once a customer decides to change his mailing address, the master service computer 9 may communicate directly with the postal service via a master service computer such as service computer 30. In this regard, the postal service computer 30 may communicate with one or more of a group of individual postal service computers 31A-31N to notify local postal authorities of the change in a customer's address for which they are responsible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the master service computer 9 is shown pictorially. The master service computer 9 generally comprises a computer processor 32 having a pair of disk drive memories 33A and 33B and a video monitor 33C. The processor 32 also includes a cable 34 which interconnects the processor 31 with an input keyboard 35. A cable 36 interconnects the computer processor 31 and a printer 38. A cable 39 interconnects the service computer processor 31 with the other components of the system 7 such as the subscriber computers 16A-16N and the change of address terminals 11A-11N.

Considering now the inventive change of address notification system 7, in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1, the system 7 generally includes a self service sales and information terminal, such as terminal 11A, which includes a housing 11 for enclosing a personal computer CPU 12 and a modem 24 for communicating telephonically over telephone wires (not shown) The personal computer CPU 12 is an IBM PS-2 model M25 or equivalent, and includes a video subsystem 15, a keyboard 17 and a storage media unit 23. The video subsystem 15 includes a conventional video monitor 29. The video subsystem 15 is manufactured by IBM for use with the IBM PC-AT compatible personal computers.

The keyboard 17 is a customized keyboard for use with the IBM PC-AT type personal computer and is described in greater detail in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/428,864, filed on Oct. 30, 1989. The personal computer CPU 12 is connected to an interface unit 13 for enabling a customer user of the system to solicit sales information and to purchase various types of printed documents in the form of change of address postcards and customized mailing labels, and other similar documents. The sales and information terminal 11 is installed at various convenient locations, such as post offices, shopping malls, and so on.

The terminal such as terminal 11A is designed to provide the same level of service as would a well informed sales representative and to interface with the customer by means of the communications and peripheral communication subsystem 14.

The interface unit 13 is also connected to the system peripherals that include a bill/coin acceptor 18, a printer 19, a credit card acceptor 21, a card dispenser 22, and a customer actuation switch 20.

The interface unit 13 enables the personal computer CPU 12 to sense the activation of a customer actuation switch 20 and to coordinate the operation of the bill/coin acceptor 18 and credit card acceptor 21 with the other peripheral units of the terminal 11A.

The bill/coin acceptor 18 includes a Mars Electronics model TRC 6000 coin acceptor, and a model L020-U4C bill acceptor. The printer 19 is a Hewlett Packard Laser Jet model 11PD or the equivalent.

Considering now the interface unit 13 in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2A, the interface unit 13 links the various peripheral units with the personal computer CPU 12. In this manner, the personal computer CPU 12 is able to coordinate the operation of the bill/coin acceptor 18 and the credit card acceptor 21 with the other peripheral units of the system. The interface unit 13 includes a conventional communication subsystem RS-232 serial circuit (not shown) for converting the signals received from the con/bill acceptor 18 and the credit card acceptor 21 so that they are acceptable to the personal computer CPU 12. The interface unit 13 also converts the bill/coin acceptor 18 signals and the credit card acceptor 21 signals into proper formatting for processing by the personal computer CPU 12, such as ASCII format

The interface unit 13 of the peripheral communication subsystem 14 is programmed to detect the presence of a prospective customer via the actuation device 20. When the actuation device 20 of the terminal 11 is activated, a customer detection signal is transmitted via the interface unit 13 to the video subsystem 15, which operates to commence playing a pre-arranged video presentation.

Considering now the video subsystem 15 in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2B, the video subsystem 15 basically comprises a video controller 26 associated with a memory 27 for controlling the operation of the video subsystem 15, a read only memory or software unit 28, and a video monitor 29. The video subsystem 15 is connected to the interface unit 13 so that the operation of the video subsystem 15 presentation may be coordinated with the operation of the bill and coin acceptor 18, the credit card acceptor 21, the printer 19, and the card dispenser 22.

Considering now the operation of the video subsystem 15 in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the video subsystem 15, via the personal computer CPU 12, commences the preprogrammed video presentation stored in the storage unit 23. Once the interface unit B transmits a customer detection signal to the personal computer CPU 12. The video presentation then solicits and allows the customer to enter information at various points via the keyboard terminal 17 and messages are displayed on the monitor screen 29.

The personal computer CPU 12, processes the information it receives from the interface unit 13 and sends information back via the interface unit 13 to the video subsystem 15. Information received back from the data processing personal computer CPU 12, for example, includes a customized document quotation, a non-mailer and subscriber quotation, and other quotation data which is displayed on the monitor 29.

The video subsystem 15 via the personal; computer CPU 12 then continues the presentation asking the customer whether or not he or she wishes to make a purchase. If a purchase order is entered, the customer places an appropriate amount of money comprised of bill and coins in the bill and coin mechanism 18 or inserts a credit card into the credit card acceptor 21. The type of money inserted in the bill and coin mechanism is transmitted to the data processing computer 12 via the interface unit 13. Similarly, the credit card, if it includes a magnetic strip, is read by the credit card acceptor 21, and the information likewise is transmitted back to the personal computer CPU 12 via the interface unit 13.

The personal computer CPU 12 upon receipt of the type of money received either calculates the amount of money inserted into the bill and coin mechanism 28 to determine whether an appropriate amount of money has been remitted by the customer or via the modem 24 verifies that the credit card that was inserted into the credit card acceptor 21 is valid and is authorization to charge the amount of the transaction that the customer has requested. If an inappropriate amount of money has been received or an insufficient amount of money has been received or if the credit card is not authorized, the personal computer 12 transmits a signal that causes the video monitor 29 to display a message requesting that a correct amount of money be inserted into the bill and coin mechanism 18, and/or that the transaction cannot be completed by the credit card which has been inserted by the customer. Upon receipt of an appropriate amount of money, the requested change of address postcards, mailing labels, or other customized documents are vended via the label printer 19 and the card dispenser 22.

Considering now the operation of the terminal IIA in greater detail, in connection with the following description of the software residing in the personal computer 12 and in the video subsystem 15 with reference to FIGS. 3-18, the customer upon actuating the terminal actuation device 20, is confronted with a series of messages which appear on the video screen 29, solicits data, displays answers, and gives instructions about the use of the system, and generally creates the impression of dealing with a live person. These operations are under the master control of the personal computer 12.

The data processing personal computer CPU 12 includes the storage unit 23 for storing program information and information on subscriber mailers, labels and prices for various types of quantities of labels and notification charges for notifying non-subscriber mailers as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The data processing personal computer CPU 12 operates in response to program instructions to: (1) perform change of address quotation calculations in response to customer information received from the foreign character terminal 17; (2) to send quotation data to the interface unit 13 so that the video controller 26 will display such data on the video monitor 29; and (3) to receive monetary information from the bill and coin acceptor 18 or credit card approval from the credit card acceptor 21 for payment approval or disapproval.

If a customer makes a purchase order after inserting the proper amount of money, or after inserting an approved credit card, the data processing personal computer CPU 12 stores the customer information and sends instructions to the card dispenser 22 and to the printer 19 to print an appropriate amount of change of address post cards and/or mailing labels as requested by the customer.

SYSTEM OPERATION

In operation, the first phase of operation of the system 7 comprises a basic fact gathering process performed under the control of a computer program executed by a change of address terminal, such as change of address terminal 11A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. The fact gathering process is performed at a convenient locale where various individuals may easily have access to the terminal 11A. The information is gathered in response to computer generated images, referred to at screens, displayed by a video subsystem 15 associated with the change of address terminal 11A as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The computer program for causing the generation of the screens, is preferably stored on a storage media device, such as storage media device 23, which is also used to store basic customer data. Once the basic customer data is entered into the change of address terminal personal computer 12 by the customer, such information is stored in the storage media 23 and then sent to the master service computer 19 for compiling and distribution to the various subscribing entity computers, such as computers 16A-16N. It should be understood the basic information, once gathered at the terminal 11A, can be sent to the service computer 9 by various other techniques,; such as by sending electronic messages, via modems, such as modem 24 and telephone lines.

The basic customer information gathered at terminal 11A includes the name and address of the customer who is changing their mailing address, and a list of the various subscriber mailers to whom which the customer desires to be notified of the change in his or her mailing address.

Once the basic customer information is gathered, the change of address terminal, such as terminal 11A, will periodically on a predetermined time basis, download its information to the master service computer 9. At this point, the second phase of the operation commences. The second phase is the notification process phase. As part of this second phase of operation, a change of address report 299 as shown in FIG. 2I is generated. The document includes summarized information. Such information includes the name and address of the customer that has requested change of address information be supplied to a subscriber along with the old and new addresses of such customer and an effective date for the address change. In this manner, a subscriber mailer can receive a single summarize report which lists a number of customers, clients, etc. who are changing their mailing address.

C. SYSTEM COMPUTER SOFTWARE

The various programs for carrying out the operations of terminal 11 are of a "menu type" and can best be understood with reference to the flowchart diagrams of FIGS. 2D and 3-18. FIGS. 2D and 3-18 show the sequence of operations carried out at the change of address sales terminal 11A by the data processing personal computer 12 in response to input from the keyboard terminal 17.

The sequence of operations basically comprise the following steps:

1. terminal waits detection of a customer;

2. terminal is activated by the customer;

3. information gathering message displayed;

4. customer enters name of mailers to be notified of address change;

5. customer entered information displayed on monitor for editing and correction by customer where appropriate;

6. customer makes corrections if any;

7. change of address information stored by data processing personal computer;

8. data processing personal computer forms change of address quotation calculations for selected identified entities and relays the information back to the video terminal;

9. quotation information given to customer on monitor screen;

10. customer asked if he or she wishes to notify non-subscribing entities;

11. customer asked if notification is to be by printed postcard or by report send from central location;

12. customer asked if he or she wishes to make purchase of additional change of address postcards;

13. if customer wishes to make purchase, customer is prompted for quantity of change of address cards to be printed;

14. customer is prompted whether he or she desires to purchase optional items such as mailing labels, etc.

15. if customer wishes to purchase labels or other special items, system gathers additional information from customer and prepares special quotation calculations.

16. customer asked if he or she wishes to purchase special items at quoted prices; 17. if customer wishes to purchase special items, including notifying non-subscribing entities customer is asked to make payment; 18. payment is received and signal is sent to data processing personal computer center indicative of amount received; 19. the data processing personal computer determines whether proper payment has been received and if change is required or a different monetary bill is required. 20. if additional money is required or if a different bill is required the correcting information is communicated to the terminal and displayed to the customer; and

21. if proper payment is made, the order is taken and all special ite