TECH NICAL FIELD OF THE I NVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing stamps and a method thereof, and in particular, but not limited to an apparatus and a method for dispensing promotion stamps at retail stores.

BACKGROUD OF TH E INVENTION

[0002] Recently, many retail stores provide transaction or promotion stamps to customers to attract them to purchase more articles. In general, the promotion stamps are dispensed to customers at a point-of-sale terminal by cashiers according to the money spent on shopping by customers. These promotion stamps can be used to exchange various goods and services, or can be used to exchange various goods and services at discounted prices. Many times, these promotion stamps are dispensed by an apparatus operated manually, and in particular, they are calculated by a cashier who tears off the stamps from a stamp roll. Further, usually it is almost no record of a situation that the stamps are dispensed which is made by a system. The clerk on duty frequently needs to write by hand on a piece of paper to record data, for example, the used amount of a stamp roll, the total number of stamps dispensed, and the total number of stamps accepted actually by customers. Consequently, there will be a certain difficulty for the management to collect detailed records of dispensed stamps in order to know a situation that the stamps are dispensed and a pattern that the stamps are accepted by customers. As a result, it is impossible to make a reliable and practical promotion plan. Also, it is inconvenient and unreliable to record the situation that the stamps are dispensed on a piece of paper by hand, may bring significant resistance to the daily working flow at the checkout counter. It is highly undesirable for staffs and customers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing promotion stamps which apparatus is used to dispense a calculated number of promotion stamps automatically so as to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above or at least provide an useful alternative solution.

[0004] The above object can be achieved by means of a combination of the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further disclose advantageous examples of the present invention.

[0005] One person skilled in the art will understand other objects of the present invention from the following description. Therefore, the previous statement is not intended to be all possible objects of the present invention, and is merely to illustrate part of many objects of the present invention.

[0006] In a first main aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing stamps, comprising: a housing for containing a plurality of stamps; a dispensing device for dispensing at least one stamp from said plurality of stamps; and a control device for receiving information from a point-of-sale terminal which is adapted to communicate with the apparatus, characterized in that said control device is adapted to control said dispensing device so as to dispense a certain number of stamps according to the information received.

[0007] In a second main aspect, the present invention provides a method of dispensing stamps by means of a stamp-dispensing apparatus, comprising the steps of: receiving information from a point-of-sale terminal which is adapted to communicate with the stamp-dispensing apparatus; calculating a certain number of stamps to be dispensed according to the information; and dispensing the calculated number of stamps.

[0008] The present invention is advantageous in that it provides an automatic stamp-dispensing apparatus which can be used at retail stores, such as checkout counters of a supermarket. The stamp-dispensing apparatus is adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal so as to dispense stamps as a reward to make an exchange. More specifically, the stamp-dispensing apparatus is adapted to automate an existing manual operation processes, including stamps calculating, counting, tearing-off, as well as collating and checking processes before the end of a working day so as to enhance reliability and efficiency and save the usage of papers to record and report stamp dispensing statistics.

[0009] This part of the summary of the invention doesn't necessarily disclose all essential features for defining the present invention. Rather, the present invention may exist in sub-combination of the disclosed features. BRIEF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above and further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments by way of an example, taken injunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011 ] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stamp-dispensing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the stamp-dispensing apparatus of Figure 1 with its cover being opened; [0013] Figure 3 is a normal operation flow chart of the stamp-dispensing apparatus of Figure 1 at a checkout counter of a retail store;

[0014] Figure 4 is an operation flow chart of the stamp-dispensing apparatus of Figure 1 when used in "a skipped dispensing mode"; and

[0015] Figure 5 is an operation flow chart of the stamp-dispensing apparatus of

Figure 1 when used in "a manual dispensing mode".

DETAILED DESCRI PTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The following description of preferred embodiments is only for the purpose of illustration and doesn't limit the combination of features which are required to embody the present invention.

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can be used to dispense stamps for transaction or promotion at a retail store, e.g. a supermarket, to exchange trophy. In particular, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal when checking out or at a checkout counter, and dispense a calculated number of stamps according to a situation of purchase or an amount of the money spent by customers.

[0018] Specifically, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 comprises a housing 20 for containing a plurality of stamps. The plurality of stamps are stored on a roll. In particular, the plurality of stamps are arranged in series on a strip of sheet so as to form a strip of stamp tape which is rolled into a stamp roll 12. Although only one stamp roll 12 is illustrated in Figure 2, it is to be understood that the housing 20 can contain more than one stamp rolls at the same time.

[0019] The stamp-dispending apparatus 10 further comprises a dispensing device

30 for dispensing stamps from a roll of stamp. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 also comprises a control device (not shown) for receiving information from a point-of-sale terminal of a retail store. In particular, the point-of-sale terminal can communicate with the stamp-dispending apparatus 10. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can be connected to the point-of-sale terminal physically, such as by means of an electric wire or Universal Serial Bus (USB). The apparatus 10 can also be a standalone unit and can be wirelessly connected to the point-of-sale terminal via such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency, infrared ray or any other suitable wireless technology. Said control device is adapted to control said dispensing device 30 so as to dispense the stamps according to the number of stamps calculated based on the information received from the point-of-sale terminal. In one example, the dispensing device 30 may further includes a cutter 32 for cutting off a length of stamp tape being loaded with or storing the calculated number of stamps. The cut incision can be a complete one so as to separate the stamp tape from the stamp roll 12. Optionally, the cut incision can be a part one so that a small portion cut out incompletely can be left at the edge of the stamp tape so as to facilitate a cashier or a customer to easily collect the cut stamp tape at the opening 34 of the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10.

[0020] The housing 20 of the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 may be made of plastic, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The housing 20 may include an opening or a cover 22 which can be opened to replace the stamp roll 12 inside the housing 20. The housing 20 may include an input device 23, such as electronic keys, buttons or keypad, via which a user can enter an operation instruction. The housing 20 may further include a display 24 for displaying various operation parameters and conditions. In the present example, the display 24 is a touch-screen panel which is adapted to show information and input data at the same time. The dispensing apparatus 10 can be powered by an AC power supply, a DC power supply and/or an USB hub. Optionally, the dispensing apparatus 10 can also include a signal lamp, such as a LED lamp, for showing operating status, e.g. , ON/OFF of the power supply, online/offline, and warning indication etc. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can also comprise a speaker (not shown) for sending out an audio signal and a transparent window 28 for observing the interior of the housing 20 and/or the stamp roll 12.

[0021 ] The control device is adapted to generate data according to the information received from the point-of-sale terminal. In particular, the data may include but not limited to stamp dispensing statistics, such as records of the number of stamps dispensed and the number of stamps received by customers, the number of stamps which are issued but not dispensed, the number of stamps which are dispensed but not accepted by customers, etc. ; operation records, e.g. , operation status such as on-line and off-line time and conditions of the dispensing apparatus 10, as well as occurrence of any operation errors, etc. ; operator data, such as staff code, identification code, login time and logout time, working log, etc.; stamp identifications, such as serial number, type and size of the stamp roll, type and size of stamps, and total number of the stamps on the stamp roll. One person skilled in the art could understand that the generated data should not be limited to the examples set forth hereinabove, and any other records, which may be possibly generated or collected during the checkout process at retail stores, should also be encompassed.

[0022] In particular, the control device may include a storage device for storing any information received from the point-of-sale terminal and/or any data generated by the control device. The control device may further include a processor for calculating the number of the stamps rewarded according to the purchase situation or the amount of money spent by customers. Optionally, the control device may further include a module for communicating with a network such that the control device can also receive instructions from the network or exchange information with the network, in addition to the point-of-sale terminal and the input device 23. For example, any records of the information received from the point-of-sale terminal and/or the data generated by the control device can be exported to an external storage system over the network.

[0023] The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 may further include a printer (not shown) for printing records of any information received from the point-of-sale terminal and/or any data generated by the control device.

[0024] Another embodiment of the present invention shows a method of dispensing stamps by means of a stamp-dispensing apparatus 10, comprising the steps of: receiving information from a point-of-sale terminal which is adapted to communicate with the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10; calculating the number of stamps to be dispensed according to the information received; and dispensing the calculated number of stamps. The method also comprises a step of cutting the calculated number of stamps when dispensing said stamps.

[0025] In particular, said method further comprises steps of generating a record of operation data, storing the record of the operation data in the storage device, and printing the record of the operation data. Optionally, said method may further comprise receiving one or more manual instructions from a user, which manual instructions are input into the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 via the input device 23, or can be input by exchanging information between the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 and the network. The method may retain and not dispense the calculated number of stamps when receiving information from the point-of-sale terminal and/or the manual instructions. Optionally, said method may also further comprise a step of sensing and indicating any operation errors detected by a sensor.

[0026] The flow chart in Figure 3 shows a normal working flow when the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is used at a retail store. At the beginning of a working day, an authorized personnel, e.g. a checkout supervisor may authorize the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 to come online through entering e.g. a verification code or a personal identification number. After that, the cashier on duty will start his/her work shift at the checkout counter. Likewise, he/she may also be required to enter his/her personal identification number at the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 and/or the point-of-sale terminal to register his/her operation at the checkout counter. When starting working, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 will dispense stamps according to the required number of stamps calculated by the point-of-sale terminal. Optionally, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can also receive purchase data of a customer from the point-of-sale terminal and automatically calculate the number of stamps which can be as a reward, and then dispense to the customer the calculated number of stamps. In any case, the dispensing device 30 may cut off and dispense a length of stamp tape carrying the calculated number of stamps thereon. The user, who may be a customer or a cashier, may tear off and take over the stamps at the opening 34 of the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10.

[0027] When the stamps on the stamp roll in the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is to be dispensed out, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 will issue a warning signal to the cashier. The warning signal can be in the form of a buzz or beep sound from a speaker, a warning light emitted from the signal lamp 26 and/or a warning message and/or a warning sign displayed on the display 24. The display 24 can also display the remaining number of stamps according to the decreasing number of stamps. Once the number of stamps reaches to zero, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 stops dispensing stamps, and displays a message of "Stamps Are Used Up" or a warning sign on the display 24. If it is required to place a new stamp roll on the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10, the cashier needs to press a switch button to send to the control device a message that opening the cover 22 is required. Thereafter, the display 24 will display a requirement of entering a password. When the cashier enters a password and the password is verified by the control device, the cover 22 is opened.

[0028] After a new stamp roll is loaded, the cashier can select from the display 24 to reset the number of stamps so as to calculate from zero, continue calculating from the previous number of dispensed stamps, or reset the calculated number of stamps manually. When the number of the stamps required for some transaction is higher than that of remained stamps in that roll, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can still dispense stamps, but will stop dispensing when the calculation reaches to zero. At this time, the display 24 will display a message of "Stamps Are Used Up". Upon the stamp roll is replaced, the display 24 will display an additional option for user to retrieve the last transaction, and subsequently the required stamps are dispensed according to the unfinished number of stamps.

[0029] If a customer doesn't want the stamps but fails to inform the cashier before a transaction, the dispensed stamps are to be deemed as excess stamps which can be saved at a particular location by the cashier. Particularly, the number of those stamps which have been dispensed but not accepted may be input into the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 records these data and provides an option for the cashier to use the excess stamps in next transaction. Whether the cashier finally adopts the excess stamps or not, the control device continues recording stamp dispensing data, for example, the total number of available stamps, the total number of stamps dispensed, the total number of stamps which have been accepted by the customer, and the toal number of excess stamps.

[0030] However, if a customer knows beforehand that he doesn't want the stamps and accordingly informs the cashier before completion of the transaction, the cashier may use the "skipped dispensing mode" as shown in Figure 4. In particular, the cashier can enter an instruction of skipped dispensing via an input device 23 or a touch-screen panel 24. The cashier can also instruct the apparatus 10 to stop dispensing until further notice, for example, when the dispensing is restored manually. In this case, the stamp-dispending apparatus 10 continues receiving information from the point-of-sale terminal but doesn't dispense any stamps. The data of stamps that are not dispensed is recorded as "stamps as skipped over" via the control device. Such situation usually occurs, for example when there are a great number of excess stamps, the cashier can select to pause automatic dispensing of stamps from the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a "manual dispensing process". When the calculated number of stamps to be dispensed is inaccurate, or if it is necessary to dispense stamps manually, an authorized personnel, e.g. the checkout suprvisor can adopt the "manual dispensing mode" of the stamp-dispending apparatus through entering an authorization code. In this case, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 still receives instructions from the point-of-sale terminal, but no stamps will be dispensed. The control device records the number of stamps that are not dispensed as the number of "skipped-over stamps". Then the cashier can request for manually dispensing a certain number of stamps via entering instructions. Furthermore, the manual dispensing mode can be stopped at any time by entering further instructions, and the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 can restore normal dispensing operation according to the information received from the point-of-sale terminal.

[0032] When one work shift is over, the cashier can enter instructions from the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 to record a change of the work shift. This can selectively additionally generate a summary record of the checkout operation of this particular work shift and the dispensing process of stamps. This record can be printed out on a printer in paper form or stored in the storage device of the control device.

[0033] When the last work shift of a working day is over, the checkout supervisor can issue an instruction to require generating a summary working record of the the working day so as to arrange stamp dispending statistics and check data. The summary working record of that day may include information and statistical material, for example, the unique working number of that day, the serial number of the stamp roll as used, the total number of stamps required and calculated by the point-of-sale terminal, the total number of stamps dispensed automatically, the total number of the stamps dispensed manually, the total number of the stamps skipped over, and the total number of the remaining stamps, etc. The summary record of that day may also include information on that the data is checked, for example, whether the data checking program to be completed on the working day is finished, if so, date and time at which the data is checked, storage location of the checked data, etc. The instructions can be entered at the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 or via the point-of-sale terminal, and be checked through entering a verification code or a personal identification number so as to issue the summary record of that day. The record can be displayed on the display 24, be printed out in paper form on a printer of the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10, and/or be saved in the storage device of the control device in a particular format. The saved record can be subsequently transferred to an external storage or output to various processing media via for example networks or USB connections. The stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 may also reset the checked and arranged data as required. For example, after completion of the data checking and arrangement of that day, the cashier can enter an instruction of "completion of data checking" by means of the input device 23 and optionally reset the number of the stamps to zero.

[0034] Further, the checkout supervisor can issue a summary record of any particular day or any particular work shift of any particular day from the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 through a similar process as mentioned above as required.

[0035] It is advantageous that a summary record of the dispensing data of stamps is generated automatically by the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10. It replaces a unreliable and time-consuming process of manual record in the daily operation at the checkout counter. In particular, automatic arrangement and generation of the dispensing data of stamps makes the process of manual record unnecessary. There is no need for the clerks to worry about incorrect written records caused by that the data is misremembered, written wrong or counted mistakenly. It is also unnecessary for the store and clerks to save written records. It is to be understood that it is inconvenient or even troublesome to record data manually during the busy working process at the checkout counter. The possibility of wrong record can be reduced remarkably by an automatic record and arrangement of data. Automation of a process means that there is need to record a file in paper form. The problems associated with the loss of paper file of record can be reduced further. Therefore, automatically generating and printing record summary provides great convenience for the daily work process at a retail store, saves considerably time required for making a record manually, thereby minimizing the resistance encountered during the checkout. Furthermore, in spite of the size and format of a record in physical or electronic form, it can be changed with respect to the specific requirement of a user so that the record arrangement can be unified between different checkout counters in one store or between different stores, so as to enhance reliability and efficiency and leave out a lot of inconvenience caused by recording and reporting stamp dispensing statistics in paper form.

[0035] Optionally, the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is provided with a sensor for detecting and subsequently indicating the user any abnormal operations or operational errors of the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10. In particular, for example, when the stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is turned over or tilted, when the cover 22 is not closed properly, or when papers or stamp tapes are stuck in the stamp-dispensing apparatus, and so on, these operational errors could be detected and the dispensing apparatus 10 would warn users accordingly. In this case, the warning can be in the form of a buzz or beep sound from a speaker, a warning light emitted from the warning lamp 26 and/or a warning message and/or a warning sign displayed on the display 24. The dispensing device 30 then stops dispensing stamps until the abnormal operation is resolved.

[0036] Although it is described that one stamp-dispensing apparatus 10 is connected to and used with one point-of-sale terminal, one person skilled in the art would understand that the present invention also encompasses a stamp-dispensing system comprising one or more stamp-dispensing apparatus connectable to one or more point-of-sale terminal. One person skilled in the art would also understand that the system can communicate with computer networks to exchange information, for example, to provide instructions, date storage or system updates.

[0037] Further, although the embodiments described above is an automatic dispensing apparatus for dispensing transaction or promotion stamps for the purpose of exchange as a reward at a retail store, the present invention should not be limited to be used for only dispensing transaction or promotion stamps. Rather, one person skilled in the art would understand that the present invention can also be adapted to dispense various stamps with different formats and purpose. The present invention can also be used to dispense articles relevant to a transaction, for example, coupons, admission tickets, tags or tickets, etc.

[0038] Therefore, the present invention provides an advantageous automated stamp-dispensing apparatus for usage at a retail store e.g. a checkout counter in a supermarket. The stamp-dispensing apparatus is adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal so as to dispense stamps as a reward to make an exchange. More specifically, the stamp-dispensing apparatus is adapted to automate an existing manual operation process, including stamp calculating, counting, tearing-off, as well as collating and checking processes at the end of a working day so as to enhance reliability and efficiency and save the usage of papers to record and report statistics of the dispensed stamp.