METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING PRINTED PUBLICATIONS

摘要

A method of distributing printed publications involves providing a central processor and a plurality of remote satellite processors having a communication device adapted to permit the satellite processor to communicate with the central processor. There is at least one and, preferably, several, dispensing units provided for each of the plurality of remote satellite processors. Each dispensing unit includes a display adapted to display menu selections, an input device adapted to receive consumer selections made from the display menu, a payment processing unit adapted to receive payment from the consumer based upon the selections made, and a printer adapted for printing out a printed publication. Problems of shortages and surpluses are eliminated as publications are printed in response to demand from a consumer. The publications are kept current through electronic data transfer.