Translation and connection device for radio frequency point of sale transaction systems

Claim 1

A method for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising the steps of: a) detecting for an off-hook condition and producing an off-hook signal in response; b) monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within a pre-determined time window, following said off-hook signal, switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in the absence of said signalling tones within said time window and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said signalling tones within said time window; c) examining said preprogrammed signal in said memory location for the presence or absence of a delimited data sequence and switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said delimited data sequence; d) examining said preprogrammed signal in the absence of said delimited data sequence for the presence or absence of a corresponding entry in a table of values, switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said corresponding entry; and e) generating a signal signifying a failed transmission attempt in the absence of said corresponding entry.

Claim 2

A method for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising the steps of: a) detecting for an off-hook condition and producing an off-hook signal in response; b) monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within a pre-determined time window, following said off-hook signal, switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in the absence of said signalling tones within said time window and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said signalling tones within said time window; c) examining said preprogrammed signal in said memory location for the presence or absence of a delimited data sequence and switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said delimited data sequence; d) examining said preprogrammed signal in the absence of said delimited data sequence for the presence or absence of a corresponding entry in a table of values, switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said corresponding entry; and e) generating a signal signifying a failed transmission attempt in the absence of said corresponding entry.

Claim 8

A system for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising: (a) a memory for storing a predetermined time window and a table of values; (b) means for detecting an off-hook condition and producing and off-hook response; (c) means for monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within said time window responsive to said off-hook response; (d) means for switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in response to the absence of said signalling tones, and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said tones; (e) means for extracting from said preprogrammed signal in said memory location information relevant to said radio connection; (f) switching means, responsive to said means for extracting, for connecting said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection; and (g) signal generating means, responsive to said means for extracting, for signalling a failed transmission attempt indicating an absence of said extracted information relevant to said radio connection.

Claim 9

A system for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising: (a) a memory for storing a predetermined time window and a table of values; (b) means for detecting an off-hook condition and producing and off-hook response; (c) means for monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within said time window responsive to said off-hook response; (d) means for switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in response to the absence of said signalling tones, and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said tones; (e) means for extracting from said preprogrammed signal in said memory location information relevant to said radio connection; (f) switching means, responsive to said means for extracting, for connecting said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection; and (g) signal generating means, responsive to said means for extracting, for signalling a failed transmission attempt indicating an absence of said extracted information relevant to said radio connection.