Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is comprised. The physical dimensions of the money order dispenser are reduced by providing a dot matrix printer for receiving money orders in a transverse fashion, and software routines are provided to control the dot matrix printer to 'rotate' the printed characters whereby money orders are dispensed in a readable fashion.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim