US3631395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data communication and verification system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-27
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for communicating more than 100 different digital message combinations over a single voice-grade telephone link, using different combinations of only two frequency tones. The invention is particularly useful in a credit card verification system comprising a satellite station where the card is identified, a communications link over which card identification information is transmitted, and a computer station which sends back an answer in the form of frequency tones uniquely specifying one of four verification possibilities. If the credit card is acceptable, it also provides a number in the range from 00 to 99 which identifies the particular transaction for subsequent audit purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Fredric E Zucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:15
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q20/4037; H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/18; H04Q1/30; H04Q1/44; H04Q1/444; H04Q1/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
Message-receiving apparatus comprising: first, second, and third electrically actuated readout devices connected in series circuit with first, second, and third switch contacts respectively; first and second switching means each having a home position; a fourth switch contact operable in response to said second switching means and electrically connected to said first switching meaNs; a power line connected to said second switching means; said first switching means being arranged to connect to said first switch contact and said second switching means being arranged to connect to said fourth switch contact whereby to connect only said first readout device to said powerline when both said switching means are in their respective home positions; said first switching means having an advanced position wherein it disconnects from said first switch contact and connects to said second switch contact whereby to connect only said second readout device to said powerline; said second switching means having an advanced position wherein it disconnects from said fourth switch contact and connects to said third switch contact whereby to connect only said third readout device to said power line; and means for advancing said switching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
Message-receiving apparatus comprising: first, second, and third electrically actuated readout devices connected in series circuit with first, second, and third switch contacts respectively; first and second switching means each having a home position; a fourth switch contact operable in response to said second switching means and electrically connected to said first switching meaNs; a power line connected to said second switching means; said first switching means being arranged to connect to said first switch contact and said second switching means being arranged to connect to said fourth switch contact whereby to connect only said first readout device to said powerline when both said switching means are in their respective home positions; said first switching means having an advanced position wherein it disconnects from said first switch contact and connects to said second switch contact whereby to connect only said second readout device to said powerline; said second switching means having an advanced position wherein it disconnects from said fourth switch contact and connects to said third switch contact whereby to connect only said third readout device to said power line; and means for advancing said switching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said advancing means comprise first and second electrical pulse counter means arranged to advance said first and second switching means respectively in response to electrical pulses received by said counters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: first and second numerical readout devices adapted to read out first and second digits respectively, which advance in value in response to said first and second counter means respectively; said numerical readout devices being arranged to read out said first and second digits in juxtaposition to represent respective different order digits of a multidigit number; whereby the specific numerical information generated by said readout means depends upon the count conditions of both said counter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: numerical readout devices comprising respective first and second number wheels with numerical readout digits at different positions thereon; and said first and second counter means drive said first and second number wheels through discrete numerical steps in response to said pulses whereby to advance said switching means from said home and advanced positions and in order to select the digits read out; and said first and second number wheels comprise numberless locations correlated with said home and advanced positions of said first and second switching means whereby said numerical readout commences after actuation of said electrical readout devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising: common means for receiving distinguishable first and second pulses; and means for distinguishing and distributing said first and second pulses to said first and second counters respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a delay switch in series with said switching means and said readout devices; and means for keeping said delay switch open during transmission of said pulses, and closing said delay switch thereafter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein: each of said counters has a maximum count capacity of N; and the period of said delay means is at least the transmission time of N first pulses and N second pulses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |