The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2006
Kenneth J. Lovegreen, Lake Kiowa, TX (US);
Russell P. Blink, Rowlett, TX (US);
Kenneth J. Lovegreen, Lake Kiowa, TX (US);
Russell P. Blink, Rowlett, TX (US);
Long Range Systems, Inc., Addison, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and a computer-controlled, multi-function device for generating and dispensing retail cards such as gift cards and loyalty cards and for collecting customer survey information. The device includes a reader such as a magnetic strip reader for receiving payment for the gift card from the customer. A card inspector determines whether the gift card is electronically readable and if not, disposes the card in a bad card hopper. If the card is readable, the device dispenses the card to the customer. An electronic survey apparatus obtains customer information and stores it in an external server. The customer information may include customer responses to survey questions or customer contact information. An external interface enables survey questions to be automatically uploaded to the device and for responses and customer contact information to be downloaded from the device.