PLATES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to an apparatus for making, in a self-service manner, personalised tags embossed on metallic plates.

Object of this invention is to bridge a gap still existing in the field of product dispensing with automatic or semi-automatic apparatuses.

In fact, to date no suchlike apparatus allowed the making of a product fully meeting a user's specific needs, state of mind, character, emotions, and the specific times he/she is going through.

In fact, the extraordinary wealth of prearrangements, the flexibility of thematic offers provided are such as to always guarantee the option of making in any case a tag exactly meeting a user's expectations.

Hence, the present invention falls within such a scope, with the aim of solving the above-mentioned problems by providing an apparatus for making personalised metallic tags as defined in independent claim 1.

Preferred features of the present invention are reported in the corresponding dependent claims thereof.

The present invention entails several evident advantages that, along with its features and operation modes, will be made apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows some examples of products that can be made through the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

- Figure 3 is a block diagram descriptive of the main componentry of the apparatus according to the present invention.

The following description makes reference to the above-indicated figures.

Referring initially to Figure 1 , this shows an apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

As is easy to imagine, such an apparatus is intended to operate unattended by any staff whatsoever and therefore directly operated by the end user. In fact, it is a self-service apparatus, preferably made in the form of a dispensing totem.

Hence, the apparatus is fully autonomous and only needs mains connection.

Therefore, it is apt to be installed substantially anywhere, on any trading place, as well as on public premises, discos, bathing establishments, etc.

Of course, it is understood that the exact exterior shapes of the apparatus could vary with respect to what illustrated in Figure 1 which, obviously, was reported exclusively by way of example.

The apparatus of Figure 1 was contrived to enable a user to make personalised tags by punching of a metallic tag, e.g. of the type of those shown in Figure 2.

Such a plate 2 is preferably of stainless steel, and substantially of military inspiration, similar to those actually used by soldiers as an ID medal.

However, it is understood that the tag could also be made of other metals and in various colours, as selected by the user.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the tag could then be enriched by other accessories, such as, e.g. a necklace to carry it around one's neck, a hook clasp to use it as key- holder or pendant, a rubber protection to be inserted on the tag edge, or still other, accessories.

A user, via an extremely simple and intuitive interface, preferably based on a touch-screen system, could custoOmise the punching of his/her tag, selecting among different themes, patterns, logos, symbols (e.g., the at symbol "@"). In addition, the user could insert sentences, names, numbers, dates, etc., via a keyboard, it also preferably touch-screen, or select pre-made sentences proposed by the apparatus itself.

Therefore, the end product will be really unique and dedicated to the specific occasion that calls for it: ID, present, event souvenir, etc.

To allow all this, the apparatus according to the present invention is particularly rich in advanced technological equipment. Figure 3 shows an exemplary block diagram, descriptive of the main components of the apparatus.

First of all, the apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a microprocessor central processing unit (CPU) 10, e.g. a computer, preferably assembled in a custom-made case and utilizing industrial-type hardware componentry.

The computer, programmed according to specific needs of the dispenser, controls first of all user interface means 11. In particular, as already mentioned, in the preferred embodiment the user interface means are entirely made with touchscreen technology. Of course, it has to be understood that anyhow other interface typologies, or interfaces based on other technologies could be selected, being commonly within the reach of an expert in the art.

For instance, a vocal interface, guiding the user in the selected language over all the steps that have to be carried out, could be used as well. The user interface software is advantageously envisaged of multi-language type, in order to provide all instructions, user's guide, service information, etc., in the most widespread languages in the world.

Always connected to the computer 10, an electronic card 12 is provided for controlling the peripherals of the apparatus.

More specifically, it is an electronic management card, expressly designed and made both in hardware and software, controlling operation of main peripherals of the apparatus.

In fact, a custom-type punching printer (embosser) 13 is connected to said card 12. Such a printer (embosser) is capable of punching a stainless steel tag, with user-programmed images and/or characters.

Moreover, the management card 12 controls also the different payment means 14 provided.

In particular, it is advantageously provided a bank note acceptor (e.g., an ICT brand device, model BA-P77), preferably equipped with a bank note stacker.

Moreover, it is however provided a coin box for coin introduction, equipped with a change-returning mechanism (e.g., a MARS brand device, model 7900).

In addition, further payment means can advantageously be provided, such as, e.g., readers of credit, ATM, prepaid and/or fidelity cards, electronic key readers, etc.

A further useful peripheral, always connected to the management card 12, is an accessory and/or gadget dispenser 15.

This dispenser is advantageously utilized to provide the user with accessories (necklace, edge-protecting silencers, etc.) required to complete the tag after the embossing and punching.

The dispenser is made with a CCTALK motor drive and can be used separately and/or in combination with the tag embossing and punching service. Advantageously, plural dispensers may be utilized, e.g. differentiated by product and user-selectable.

As mentioned above, the apparatus according to the present invention is capable of making tags of different (metallic) materials and/or colour combinations. In this regard, it is important to stress that the apparatus can concomitantly manage the making of plural tags, of different materials and/or colours.

The apparatus according to the present invention can, according to the preferred embodiment, be equipped with remote connection systems for data sending or diagnostic and/or functional control.

Such systems could be based on technologies such as the wired one, or on wireless Irda, Wifi or other like ones, allowing the same functionalities.

The present invention has been hereto described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.