Patent US3697693A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3697693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for maintaining the status of credit accounts
Assignee: Entrust Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-11
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for maintaining an up-to-date record of credit accounts, and for determining the status of an account prior to completion of a credit transaction to be billed to that account. Upon completion of each credit transaction the system automatically enters information pertinent to the transaction into the appropriate account record maintained at a central data processor station. This continual updating of each credit account as transactions occur makes the current status of any account available immediately upon inquiry by an authorized user of the system. Remote terminal units advantageously located at specified points of sale in each authorized user''s facility are utilized to transmit inquiries regarding the status of credit accounts, and to receive replies authorizing or rejecting the transaction for which the inquiry was made. The system includes a multiplicity of the terminal units, a plurality of supervisory data units each associated with a group of the terminal units, a central data processor station with special purposes or general purpose computers implemented or programmed to manipulate stored data on command from the remote terminal units or from the supervisory data units, and a network for communication between the central data processor station and the remote terminal units and supervisory data units.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J Deschenes
- 👤 Robert N Macdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:04
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q20/4037; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/02; G06Q40/03; H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a termiNal unit at each of said remote stations for producing a coded inquiry message to determine the status of a credit account from the records at said central station in accordance with a credit transaction involving that credit account at a remote station; a data processor at said central station responsive to an inquiry message from a terminal unit, for accessing information from said records pertaining to the respective credit account and for formulating a coded reply indicating one of the following: a positive response that the credit account is in an acceptable state, a negative response that the credit account is in an unacceptable state, or an indefinite response; a communications network including a plurality of communication channels for transmitting inquiry messages from each terminal unit to said data processor and for transmitting reply messages from said data processor to the respective terminal unit, in response to selective acquisition of a communication channel by each inquiring terminal unit; each of said terminal units including means for decoding the reply message received from said data processor, and means responsive to the decoded reply message for indicating one of a plurality of possible procedures to be followed in handling a credit transaction, according to the credit account state from which the reply message was formulated; and a supervisory terminal unit coupled to said communication network for monitoring reply messages and for being disposed in an inoperative mode in response to the positive response and in an operative mode in response to either a negative or indefinite response to acquire a communication channel between said supervisory terminal unit and said central station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
295 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a termiNal unit at each of said remote stations for producing a coded inquiry message to determine the status of a credit account from the records at said central station in accordance with a credit transaction involving that credit account at a remote station; a data processor at said central station responsive to an inquiry message from a terminal unit, for accessing information from said records pertaining to the respective credit account and for formulating a coded reply indicating one of the following: a positive response that the credit account is in an acceptable state, a negative response that the credit account is in an unacceptable state, or an indefinite response; a communications network including a plurality of communication channels for transmitting inquiry messages from each terminal unit to said data processor and for transmitting reply messages from said data processor to the respective terminal unit, in response to selective acquisition of a communication channel by each inquiring terminal unit; each of said terminal units including means for decoding the reply message received from said data processor, and means responsive to the decoded reply message for indicating one of a plurality of possible procedures to be followed in handling a credit transaction, according to the credit account state from which the reply message was formulated; and a supervisory terminal unit coupled to said communication network for monitoring reply messages and for being disposed in an inoperative mode in response to the positive response and in an operative mode in response to either a negative or indefinite response to acquire a communication channel between said supervisory terminal unit and said central station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said supervisory terminal unit includes means responsive to a reply message indicative of one of said selected procedures for signalling a need for assistance in handling the credit transaction at the terminal unit whose inquiry message prompted that reply message.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said data processor means includes means for revising credit account records according to the respective procedures dictated by said reply messages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: each of said first-named terminal units includes means for transmitting said inquiry messages at low data rates, and said communications network includes means responsive to inquiry messages transmitted from each terminal unit at low data rates for multiplexing said inquiry messages to said data processor at relatively higher data rates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said supervisory terminal unit includes means for supplying instruction messages to said data processor to disregard the status of credit accounts for which reply messages have been formulated, to override a procedure indication based on a previous reply message at a first-named terminal unit of said group.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein: said supervisory terminal unit includes a display for visually observing messages transmitted to and received from said data processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: each of said terminal units and said data processor includes a separate means for releasing a communication channel therebetween, each of said acquired communication channels being terminated only in response to releasing thereof by both the terminal unit and the data processor which it connects.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said data processor includes two computers each having access to the same credit account records, one of said computers normally participating in the response to inquiry messages from each of said terminal units and the other of said computers normally at least partly engaged in the billing of credit accounts, for availability in the event of incapacity of the first computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 1, whErein: each of said first-named terminal units includes timer means for releasing the terminal unit from its communication channel with said data processor in response to the lack of receipt of a reply message at that terminal unit within a predetermined timed period from the transmission of an inquiry message therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
221 words
A data communications system, comprising: a central station, a data bank at said central station, a data processor having access to data stored in said data bank at said central station, a plurality of remote stations, means at each remote station for transmitting an inquiry message and for decoding a received reply message, a communication network selectively responsive to a connect signal from each of said remote stations for selectively connecting the respective remote station to said central station for supplying inquiry messages referenced to data stored in said data bank to said data processor and for supplying reply messages formulated by said data processor from said stored data in response to the respective inquiry messages to the respective remote stations, said communication network being further responsive only to disconnect signals from both a remote station and the central station for terminating the connection therebetween, means at each remote station for selectively supplying a connect signal to said communication network, means at said central station for supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network with respect to a connection between the central station and a particular remote station upon the conclusion of transmission of a reply message to that remote station from the central station, and means at each remote station for selectively supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
221 words
A data communications system, comprising: a central station, a data bank at said central station, a data processor having access to data stored in said data bank at said central station, a plurality of remote stations, means at each remote station for transmitting an inquiry message and for decoding a received reply message, a communication network selectively responsive to a connect signal from each of said remote stations for selectively connecting the respective remote station to said central station for supplying inquiry messages referenced to data stored in said data bank to said data processor and for supplying reply messages formulated by said data processor from said stored data in response to the respective inquiry messages to the respective remote stations, said communication network being further responsive only to disconnect signals from both a remote station and the central station for terminating the connection therebetween, means at each remote station for selectively supplying a connect signal to said communication network, means at said central station for supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network with respect to a connection between the central station and a particular remote station upon the conclusion of transmission of a reply message to that remote station from the central station, and means at each remote station for selectively supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The data communications system according to claim 10, wherein: said means at each remote station for selectively supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network comprises means responsive to a reply message received by that remote station to automatically issue a disconnect signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The data communications system according to claim 10, wherein: said means at each remote station for selectively supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network comprises means responsive to a reply message received by that remote station for at will issuing a disconnect signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The data communications system according to claim 10, wherein: said means at each remote station for selectively supplying a disconnect signal to said communication network comprises reset switch means enabled for supplying a disconnect signal only at predetermined times.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The data communications system according to claim 10, wherein each of said transmitting means provides an inquiry message including a particular character identifying said originating remote station, said central station including security detection means responsive to the aforementioned character for identifying said remote station and for providing a manifestation of a received inquiry message without one of the particular identifying characters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data communications system according to claim 10, wherein said communication network includes a plurality of communication channels, each of said remote stations including coupling means for selectively acquiring one of said communication channels for transmission and receipt of messages to and from said central station.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
302 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a plurality of terminal means, each located at a respective remote station at which a credit transaction may occur, each said terminal means being constructed and arranged for selective entry therein of data regarding a credit transaction, including a credit account number; central computer means disposed at the central station for accesSing selectively information from the credit account records according to the credit number of a particular credit account and for formulating a reply message indicative of the accessed credit account record; means for providing a message communication path between each of said remote terminal means and said central computer; coupling means at each terminal means for selectively coupling and decoupling said remote terminal means to and from said message communication path respectively; each of said terminal means including detection means responsive to the establishment and loss of a message communication path from said terminal means to said central station for providing first and second signals respectively indicative thereof; and reply means for receiving and translating the reply message from said central computer means to provide a manifestation of the state of the assessed credit account; said reply means responsive to the reply message for providing a third signal indicative of the receipt thereof; said coupling means responsive to each of the second and third signals for decoupling said terminal means from said message communication path; each of said terminal means including switch hold means for either transmitting the third signal to said coupling means or for interrupting the transmission of the third signal to said coupling means, thereby maintaining said message communication path from said terminal means to said central station after receipt of the reply message.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
302 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a plurality of terminal means, each located at a respective remote station at which a credit transaction may occur, each said terminal means being constructed and arranged for selective entry therein of data regarding a credit transaction, including a credit account number; central computer means disposed at the central station for accesSing selectively information from the credit account records according to the credit number of a particular credit account and for formulating a reply message indicative of the accessed credit account record; means for providing a message communication path between each of said remote terminal means and said central computer; coupling means at each terminal means for selectively coupling and decoupling said remote terminal means to and from said message communication path respectively; each of said terminal means including detection means responsive to the establishment and loss of a message communication path from said terminal means to said central station for providing first and second signals respectively indicative thereof; and reply means for receiving and translating the reply message from said central computer means to provide a manifestation of the state of the assessed credit account; said reply means responsive to the reply message for providing a third signal indicative of the receipt thereof; said coupling means responsive to each of the second and third signals for decoupling said terminal means from said message communication path; each of said terminal means including switch hold means for either transmitting the third signal to said coupling means or for interrupting the transmission of the third signal to said coupling means, thereby maintaining said message communication path from said terminal means to said central station after receipt of the reply message.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 16, wherein said control station includes control means responsive to the decoupling of one of said terminal means from said message communication path, for decoupling said central station from said message communication path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 28, wherein each of said terminal means provides an inquiry message selectively including a hold character, said control means comprising timing means responsive to the detection of the hold character within the received inquiry message for providing an interval of predetermined duration after receipt of the inquiry message before the decoupling of said central station from said message communication path.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
283 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a plurality of terminal means each located at a respective remote station at which a credit transaction may occur, each said terminal means being constructed and arranged for selective entry therein of data regarding a credit transaction, including a credit account number; central computer means disposed at the central station for accessing selectively information from the credit account records according to the credit number of a particular credit account and for formulating a reply message indicative of the accessed credit account record; means for providing a message communication path between each of said remote terminal means and said central computer; coupling means at each terminal means for selectively coupling and decoupling said remote terminal means to and from said message communication path respectively; each of said terminal means including detection means responsive to the establishment and loss of a message communication path from said terminal means to said central station for providing first and second signals respectively indicative thereof; storage means for receiving and for storing data regarding a credit transaction, said storage means responsive to the first signal for reading out and transmitting the stored data from said terminal means along said message communication path to said central station; and reset means for generating a reset signal, said storage means responsive to the reset signal to clear the stored data therefrom, said coupling means responsive to the reset signal for decoupling said terminal means from said message communication path; said reset means responsive to the first signal from said detection means inhibiting the generation of the reset signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
283 words
A system for handling credit transactions at a plurality of remote stations in accordance with credit account records maintained at a central station, comprising: a plurality of terminal means each located at a respective remote station at which a credit transaction may occur, each said terminal means being constructed and arranged for selective entry therein of data regarding a credit transaction, including a credit account number; central computer means disposed at the central station for accessing selectively information from the credit account records according to the credit number of a particular credit account and for formulating a reply message indicative of the accessed credit account record; means for providing a message communication path between each of said remote terminal means and said central computer; coupling means at each terminal means for selectively coupling and decoupling said remote terminal means to and from said message communication path respectively; each of said terminal means including detection means responsive to the establishment and loss of a message communication path from said terminal means to said central station for providing first and second signals respectively indicative thereof; storage means for receiving and for storing data regarding a credit transaction, said storage means responsive to the first signal for reading out and transmitting the stored data from said terminal means along said message communication path to said central station; and reset means for generating a reset signal, said storage means responsive to the reset signal to clear the stored data therefrom, said coupling means responsive to the reset signal for decoupling said terminal means from said message communication path; said reset means responsive to the first signal from said detection means inhibiting the generation of the reset signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |