MX2007016187A - Receipts having dual-sided thermal printing - Google Patents

Abstract

Variable information printed on both sides of a paper receipt at transaction time saves materials and provides flexibility in providing information to the recipient. Direct thermal printing on both sides of a paper receipt when issued is described. Using opposed print heads, paper receipts are printed on both sides at transaction time in a single pass. With transaction item detail printed on the front side of a double-sided thermal paper receipt, different types of information printed on the reverse side are described, including rebate information, contest information, serialized cartoons, conditions of sale, promotional information, coupon information, security features, ticket information and custom information based on recipient identity or transaction data or detail.

Description

RECEIVES THAT IT HAS 1 DOUBLE C THERMAL IPRESION Rt BACKGROUND Transaction receipts have been used to include information in addition to the detail of the transaction item, such as store logos, advertisements, laws and regulations, etc. The preprinted information has been included on the back of the receipt paper, while the detail of the transaction item and the complementary information have been printed on the front side of the receipts when the transactions are consummated. Complementary information such as coupons has been printed separately from the receipts and have been delivered to the customers also at the time of the transaction. Printing at the time of the transaction adds flexibility to the type of complementary information that can be added directly to paper receipts. However, excessive printing on the front faces of the receipts can sometimes be a waste of paper or a distraction for the receivers. Traditional receipts for automatic financial and retail transactions have generally used low-cost printing technologies to conserve ownership costs, thus limiting the types of printing solutions that could be offered in a practical way. However, the formation of double-sided thermal imaging, for example, as described in US Patents Nos. 6,784,906 and 6,759,366, expands the opportunities by which double-sided receipts can be reasonably printed commercially. or SHORT DESCRIPTION The variable information printed on both sides of a paper receipt at the time of the transaction saves materials and provides flexibility in providing information to the recipient. Direct thermal printing on both sides of a paper receipt is described when it is issued. Using opposite print heads, paper receipts are printed on both sides at the time of the transaction in one step. With the detail of the transaction article printed on the front face of a double-sided thermal paper receipt, different types of printed information on the reverse side are described, including discount information, contest information, serialized cartoons, sales conditions, promotional information, coupon information, security features, ticket information and customer information based on the recipient's identity or data or transaction detail. Other advantages and features will become apparent based on the additional description and appended claims that follow.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a schematic of a direct thermal double-sided imaging printer usable for single-pass printing, double-sided transaction receipts or tickets at the time of issuance. Figure 2A shows the receipt with the transaction detail printed on the front face. Figure 2B shows a transaction receipt with complementary information printed on the reverse side, such as variable information determined at the time of the transaction.

DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a schematic of a direct thermal double-sided imaging printer 10 usable for single-stage, double-sided printing of transaction receipts or tickets at the time of issuance. The printer 10 operates on receiving means 20 which are double-sided thermal paper, comprising, for example, sheet of cellulose substrate or polymer coated on each side with thermosensitive dyes as described in the United States Patents. Numbers 6,784,906 and 6,759,366. Multi-color printing capability can be provided on both sides of the receipt by using two or more dyes with sensitivity for different temperatures over a side where multi-color printing is desired. Substrates and heat-sensitive color change coatings for direct thermal printing media are generally well known in the art. The direct double-sided thermal printing can be facilitated through a medium 20 which includes sensitive dyes at different temperatures on opposite sides of the medium., or by the use of heat-resistant substrates in order to inhibit thermal printing on one side of the medium 20 affecting the coloration on the opposite side of the medium 20. As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 has rotating plates 30. and 40 and opposite thermal print heads 50 and 60 on opposite sides of the receipt or ticket medium 20. Direct double-sided thermal printing of the medium 20 occurs in a single stage at the time of the transaction or when the receipt or receipt is issued. ticket. The medium 20 is cut or separated so as to provide an individual receipt or ticket document, in a common manner, once the printing is completed. Figure 2A shows the detail of the transaction 70 such as the issuer identification, time, date, line item records and a transaction total printed on the front face of a receipt 80. Figure 2B shows the common information 90, for example, based on the identity of the recipient or the detail of the transaction determined at the time of the transaction, printed on the reverse side of the receipt 80. For example, common information 90 could include additional or duplicate transaction information, a coupon as shown, rebate or contest information, serialized cartoons, sales conditions, document images, advertisements, security features, ticket information, or other information, for example, common information based on receiver's identity or data or detail of transaction. The printing of contest information or rebate on receipts provides simplicity and convenience for the benefit of the consumer. The printing of said variable information on the reverse face of the receipt, for example, based on an automated identification of a product sold, results in lower cost and more compact paper documents for the customer's use. The detail of the transaction can be duplicated on the front and reverse face of a receipt, for example, to support a rebate or contest application while allowing the customer to separate a printed copy for retention. For example, the detail of the transaction could be duplicated on the front face of the receipt, with rebate instructions printed on the reverse side opposite one of the detail of copies of the transaction. The receipt is then separated into two pieces with a detail of the copy of the transaction in one piece, and the other detail of the copy of the transaction in the second piece with rebate instructions printed on the other side. This second piece of the receipt is sent by mail later for the processing of the rebate. Having a serial caricature on the reverse side of a detail receipt containing product references could stimulate the interest in the product or the retailer. Given the right content, the series could generate its own follow-up, adding in this way a stimulus for additional sales. A printed receipt using double-sided thermal paper with transaction detail receipt printed on one side and a caricature of a serial nature printed on the other side could be immediately customized to include product placement text depending on the purchases made. The use of double-sided direct thermal paper allows direct printing of terms and conditions on the back of a receipt at the same time the receipt is issued. Printing on the point allows terms and conditions, such as return policies, to be adapted for the item being sold. For example, the terms and conditions for an appliance may be different than for electronic equipment. Printing is controlled to ensure that all the appropriate set of terms and conditions are on the receipt, and they are not cut at the top or bottom. It is anticipated that the use of double-sided thermal media will be less expensive than pre-printed paper, and will reduce the delivery times of the means of receipt from the suppliers. The printing of voucher or promotional store information along with a receipt has involved the printing of the receipt followed by printing the voucher or promotional information. Alternatively, coupons, advertisements or other Promotional information has been pre-printed on the back of the paper receipt using a printing press or digital press. An example of such pre-printing is the Catalina coupon printer. The use of double-sided direct thermal paper allows the coupon or promotional information to be printed directly on the back of the receipt at the time the receipt is being issued. This can save transaction time and reduce paper requirements, compared to printing receipts and promotional information on separate pieces of paper. Again, compared to having the pre-printed supplementary information, the use of double-sided thermal media will be less expensive and will reduce the waiting time for the means of receipt from the suppliers. Double-sided printing allows variable or common information to be determined and printed at the time of the transaction, while pre-printing information does not allow it. Receipts of double-sided thermal paper with color on one side and black on the other side, or other different colors of printing on each face, differentiate or accentuate the particular text. The technique has use to emphasize the guarantee or the particular details, warnings, or specific conditions or events, etc. The double-sided thermal receipt paper with one or both sides in two or more thermally active colors on one side allows said accentuation of the text when desired. Tickets for events such as concerts, sporting events, traveling shows (such as the circus), etc. they have often been sold on the spot or through ticket agencies, and must be purchased in advance in order to be mailed. Tickets, a form of receipt, have been pre-printed for particular jurisdictions, and often have security features on the ticket in order to avoid fraudulent duplication. This practice may limit the number of locations where tickets are available, often resulting in long lines or long delays on the phone when there is demand for tickets. In addition, the number of different places where a distributor can sell tickets may be limited by where a separate set of tickets is required for each location. The use of double-sided direct thermal paper allows flexible printing of tickets for any location, since it could print site-specific information, as well as a security feature such as a specific security bar code, ID number, or even color (for example, using 2-color thermal printing on one side). If an attempt was made to print all the required information on a single face thermal ticket, the ticket could be of a size that is difficult to handle, or the size of the letter may need to be too small to affect readability. The use of the double-sided direct thermal paper ticket allows anyone to purchase flexible printed tickets, for example, in a self-service kiosk, which could increase availability and result from potential way in the sale of more tickets. Complementary or customized information can be automatically determined and printed thermally based on customer IDs, product information, transaction detail, historical data or similar data as captured, retrieved or calculated using technology systems. information. For example, supplementary or personalized information is based on the data provided by a computed database search or transaction data records, which includes, for example, transaction data scanned or manually recorded by a service agent or client. The above text establishes a number of specific modalities or examples of a broader invention. The invention can also be carried out in a wide variety of other alternative forms that have not been described herein. Many other embodiments of the invention are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (38)

1. A method of issuing a receipt comprising printing on both sides of the receiving medium in a single step, using opposite print heads, when the receipt is issued.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium is double-sided thermal paper.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium is printed by direct thermal printing.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the rebate information is printed on the other side of the receipt.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the transaction data is printed on both sides of the receipt, wherein on one side the transaction data is printed with the rebate information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction data is printed on both sides of the receipt.

The method according to claim 1, in which transaction data are printed on one side of the receipt and the contest information is printed on the other side of the receipt.

The method according to claim 7, wherein the transaction data is printed on both sides of the receipt, wherein on one side the transaction data is printed together with the contest information.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and a serial caricature is printed on the other side of the receipt.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the serial caricature is customized based on transaction data.

The method according to claim 10, wherein the serial caricature presents product information based on the subject matter of a transaction.

The method according to claim 1, wherein transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the personalized information based on the transaction data is printed on the other side.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the sales conditions are printed on the other side of the receipt.

The method according to claim 13, in which the conditions of sale are adapted according to the type of an item sold.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the promotional information is printed on the other side of the receipt.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the promotional information is coupon information.

17. The method according to claim 1, in the which a color of the print on one side of the receipt is different from a print color on the other side of the receipt.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the color on one side of the receipt accentuates a subject matter of the printed text or receipt.

The method according to claim 17, wherein the medium is double-sided thermal paper with different thermally active colors on each side of the receipt.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the print is in at least two colors on one side of the receipt.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ticket information is printed on one side and a security feature is printed on the other side of the receipt.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the security feature is a bar code.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the security feature is an identification code.

24. A method for transferring transaction information to a customer, comprising: (1) allowing the consummation of a transaction with a customer; (2) allow printing on both sides of the receipt medium using opposite print heads in a single step at the time of the transaction, thereby creating a receipt wherein the transaction data is printed on both sides of the receipt; and (3) allow the issuance of the receipt for the client.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the transaction data printed on one side of the receipt is different from the transaction data printed on the other side of the receipt.

26. A method to promote trade with a customer, comprising: (1) allowing the consummation of a transaction with the customer; (2) allow printing on both sides of the receipt medium at the time of the transaction, thereby creating a receipt wherein the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the promotional information is printed on the other side of the receipt. receipt; and (3) allow the issuance of the receipt for the client.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the promotional information is based on the transaction data resulting from the business with the customer.

28. A method for transferring transaction terms to a customer, comprising: (1) allowing the consummation of a transaction with a customer; (2) allow printing on both sides of the receipt medium at the time of the transaction, thereby creating a receipt where the transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the transaction terms are printed on the other side of the receipt; and (3) allow the issuance of the receipt for the client.

29. The method according to claim 28, in which the transaction terms to be printed are selected at the time of the transaction in accordance with the transaction data.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the transaction terms to be printed are selected at the time of the transaction according to a type of product sold to the customer.

31. A method for issuing a ticket, which serves as a receipt, comprising: (1) allowing the consummation of a ticket transaction with a customer; (2) allow thermal printing on both sides of the ticket medium at the time of the transaction, thereby creating a ticket in which the ticket transaction data is printed on both sides of the ticket; and (3) allow the issuance of the ticket to the client.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the ticket transaction data printed on one side of the ticket comprises a security feature.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the security feature is a bar code.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the security feature is an ID number.

35. The method according to claim 32, wherein the security feature is a print color.

36. A transaction receipt comprising a substrate sheet with thermally sensitive color change coatings on both sides and thermally printed one-sided transaction data and printed supplementary information thermally on the other side.

37. A receipt according to claim 36, wherein the receipt is a ticket having thermally printed ticket information on both sides of the receipt.

38. A receipt according to claim 37, wherein the receipt includes a thermally printed security feature on at least one face of the receipt.