Patent US5479530A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5479530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Signature capturing printer and data card terminal
Assignee: MicroBilt Corp
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Filing: 1993-06-30
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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Expires: 2013-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder. Transaction data including compressed signature signals and signals indicative of the presence of the card are transmitted to the host computer system of a transaction processor, who guarantees the transaction as chargeback-protected under certain circumstances. Also disclosed are methods for operation of the terminal, and methods for operation of transaction processor systems responsive to signals from the terminal, such as providing chargeback protected transactions and providing electronic and off-line transaction authorizations.
Inventors
- 👤 Parameswaran B. Nair
- 👤 Kumar S. Choudhuri
- 👤 Murray A. Morton
- 👤 Holly B. Krahe
- 👤 John C. Evans
- 👤 Mark Brady
- 👤 Edward G. Kligfeld
- 👤 Thomas J. Liney
- 👤 Paul W. Noblett, Jr.
- 👤 Laura J. Turner
- 👤 Diane T. Vogt
- 👤 James F. Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/42; G06Q20/425; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/22; G06Q20/24; G06Q20/40; H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A signature capturing device for capturing a signature applied to a receipt, comprising: a stylus; a signature capturing window positioned to capture a signature applied with said stylus to said receipt; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; contact signal means for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; stroke detecting means responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detecting means including means for providing a stroke started signal and means for providing a stroke completed signal; stroke counting means for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counting means including means for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and signature signal output means for providing signature signals as an output from said signature capturing device, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer means and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A signature capturing device for capturing a signature applied to a receipt, comprising: a stylus; a signature capturing window positioned to capture a signature applied with said stylus to said receipt; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; contact signal means for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; stroke detecting means responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detecting means including means for providing a stroke started signal and means for providing a stroke completed signal; stroke counting means for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counting means including means for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and signature signal output means for providing signature signals as an output from said signature capturing device, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer means and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The signature capturing device of claim 1, wherein said signature signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a first predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
289 words
A signature capturing transaction terminal for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction involving a data card, comprising: means for automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data directly from said data card; a stylus; a signature capturing window in which the card holder enters a signature with said stylus; digitizer means for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; contact signal means for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; stroke detecting means responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detecting means including means for providing a stroke started signal and means for providing a stroke completed signal; stroke counting means for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counting means includes means for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; signature signal output means for providing signature signals as an output, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer means and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer means; and means for storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
289 words
A signature capturing transaction terminal for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction involving a data card, comprising: means for automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data directly from said data card; a stylus; a signature capturing window in which the card holder enters a signature with said stylus; digitizer means for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; contact signal means for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; stroke detecting means responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detecting means including means for providing a stroke started signal and means for providing a stroke completed signal; stroke counting means for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counting means includes means for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; signature signal output means for providing signature signals as an output, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer means and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer means; and means for storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The signature capturing transaction terminal of claim 3, wherein said signature output signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a first predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
253 words
A signature capturing device for capturing a signature applied to a receipt, comprising: a stylus; a signature capturing window positioned to capture a signature applied with said stylus to said receipt; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; a contact signal circuit for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; a stroke detector responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detector including a stroke started signal indicator and a stroke completed signal indicator; a stroke counter for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counter being operative for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and an output port for providing signature signals as an output from said signature capturing device, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
253 words
A signature capturing device for capturing a signature applied to a receipt, comprising: a stylus; a signature capturing window positioned to capture a signature applied with said stylus to said receipt; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; a contact signal circuit for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; a stroke detector responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, said stroke detector including a stroke started signal indicator and a stroke completed signal indicator; a stroke counter for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counter being operative for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and an output port for providing signature signals as an output from said signature capturing device, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
The signature capturing device of claim 5, wherein said compressed output signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a first predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
289 words
A signature capturing transaction terminal for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction that involves a data card, comprising: a card reader for automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data from said data card; a stylus; a signature capturing window operative for defining an area in which a card holder enters a signature with said stylus; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the position of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; a contact signal circuit for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; a stroke detector responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke started signal, a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; a stroke counter for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counter being operative for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; a signature signal output port for providing signature signals as an output, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer; and a memory for storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
289 words
A signature capturing transaction terminal for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction that involves a data card, comprising: a card reader for automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data from said data card; a stylus; a signature capturing window operative for defining an area in which a card holder enters a signature with said stylus; a digitizer for providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the position of said stylus with respect to said signature capturing window; a contact signal circuit for providing a contact signal indicative of said stylus being in operative contact with said signature capturing window; a stroke detector responsive to said contact signal for providing a stroke started signal, a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; a stroke counter for providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature, said stroke counter being operative for determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; a signature signal output port for providing signature signals as an output, said signature signals comprising said stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in a signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time from said digitizer and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time from said digitizer; and a memory for storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The signature capturing transaction terminal of claim 7, wherein said compressed signature signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a first predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for capturing a signature at a signature capturing device including a stylus and a signature capturing window, comprising the steps of: providing a printed receipt in connection with said transaction, said printed receipt comprising characters corresponding to transaction data; placing the printed receipt over the signature capturing window; providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the movement of the stylus with respect to the signature capturing window; providing a stroke started signal, stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature; and providing signature signals as an output from the signature capturing device, the signature signals comprising the stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in the signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for capturing a signature at a signature capturing device including a stylus and a signature capturing window, comprising the steps of: providing a printed receipt in connection with said transaction, said printed receipt comprising characters corresponding to transaction data; placing the printed receipt over the signature capturing window; providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the movement of the stylus with respect to the signature capturing window; providing a stroke started signal, stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature; and providing signature signals as an output from the signature capturing device, the signature signals comprising the stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in the signature, compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method for capturing a signature of claim 9, wherein said compressed output signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a first predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction that involves a data card, comprising the steps of: automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data from said data card; entering a signature with a stylus in an area defined by a signature capture window; as the signature is applied to the signature capture window with the stylus, providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the movement of the stylus with respect to the signature capturing window; providing a stroke started signal, a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature; providing signature signals as an output, the signature signals comprising the stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in the signature compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time; and storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for acquiring transaction data associated with a transaction that involves a data card, comprising the steps of: automatically obtaining at least a portion of said transaction data from said data card; entering a signature with a stylus in an area defined by a signature capture window; as the signature is applied to the signature capture window with the stylus, providing coordinate position signals corresponding to the movement of the stylus with respect to the signature capturing window; providing a stroke started signal, a stroke signal indicative of the starting coordinate and the final coordinate of each stroke of a signature, and a stroke completed signal; determining a number N of strokes in a signature, a stroke being determined by an initial starting coordinate provided in response to said stroke started signal and a final coordinate provided in response to said stroke completed signal; and providing a stroke count signal corresponding to the number of strokes in a signature; providing signature signals as an output, the signature signals comprising the stroke count signal and for each stroke of the N strokes in the signature compressed output signals indicating the difference between consecutive first and second coordinate position signals, said first coordinate position signal provided at a first sample time and a second coordinate position signal provided at a second sample time; and storing said signature signals and said transaction data in association.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method for acquiring transaction data of claim 11, wherein said compressed signature signals comprise an a bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is less than a fast predetermined value; and a b bit digital code as the output signal if the difference between said first coordinate position signal and said second coordinate position signal is greater than said first predetermined value but less than a second predetermined value, where a is less than b.
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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) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |