US6032859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for processing debit purchase transactions using a counter-top terminal system
Assignee: CARD ACTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES Inc
•
Filing: 1997-09-15
•
Granted: 2000-03-07
•
Expires: 2017-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A customer operated counter-top terminal system activates various debit card transactions, provides secure communications with a host computer database, and issues a decrypted authorization code to the customer. The system consists of a main terminal unit with an alphanumeric display. The main terminal unit carries a CPU, memory, and all interface devices, including a keypad for the entry of Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), plus programmable function keys and a swipe reader for reading various cards. The main terminal unit further includes a printer for printing receipts for use by a customer and retailer. The system also includes a remote hand-held keyboard having a keyboard display, typically to be held by a clerk for providing a level of privacy desirable to the customer. The system permits processing services to merchants, allowing them to accept all credit and ATM cards for the purchase of goods or services provided by their establishment, thus providing the advantage of a guaranteed payment for the merchant.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Muehlberger
- 👤 Michael Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/18; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/363; G07F7/08; G07F7/0866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, at least one keypad for data entry to the computer, a display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer for modifying purchasing value of a card in response to card use; entering transaction data to the computer through keypad data entry; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for providing card data to the computer; entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of a host data processor: entering a clerk authorization code for initiating a debit purchase transaction; electronically transmitting a transaction request to the host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting a response of approval or disapproval from the host data processor; receiving a response from the host computer; and displaying the response from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, at least one keypad for data entry to the computer, a display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer for modifying purchasing value of a card in response to card use; entering transaction data to the computer through keypad data entry; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for providing card data to the computer; entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of a host data processor: entering a clerk authorization code for initiating a debit purchase transaction; electronically transmitting a transaction request to the host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting a response of approval or disapproval from the host data processor; receiving a response from the host computer; and displaying the response from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: entering sales data by the clerk; and entering confirmation of the sales data from the customer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of printing a debit transaction receipt in response to a print command from the computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the step of: transmitting an activation request for a phone card; processing a data record for the phone card; creating a message authorization code; encrypting phone card data for transmitting to the counter-top terminal; transmitting the encrypted phone card data to the host data processor; receiving encrypted approval data from the host data processor; decrypting the encrypted approval data on the computer for the response displaying step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the steps of: requesting a credit increase for use with the debit card; receiving a credit amount from customer; entering the credit amount into the computer using the keypad; transmitting credit amount data representative of the credit amount received to the host data processor; increasing the value of the debit card by the credit amount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the card reading step comprises the step of swiping the card through the card reader.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a remote keyboard communicating with the terminal unit, and wherein the transaction data entering step includes the step of entering data through the keyboard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the remote keyboard comprises a hand-held styled keyboard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the host data processor includes one of a credit authorization provider, a phone card provider, and a telephone switch.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, a keypad for data entry to the computer, an alphanumeric display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer; entering transaction data for a debit purchase transaction to the computer through keypad data entry; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for transferring card data to the computer; entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of the host data processor; entering a clerk authorization code for initiating a debit purchase transaction; communicating with a host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction; requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction from the host data processor; and receiving the authorization.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, a keypad for data entry to the computer, an alphanumeric display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer; entering transaction data for a debit purchase transaction to the computer through keypad data entry; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for transferring card data to the computer; entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of the host data processor; entering a clerk authorization code for initiating a debit purchase transaction; communicating with a host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction; requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction from the host data processor; and receiving the authorization.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of modifying a purchasing value of the card in response to card use.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying the authorization from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the transaction data entering step comprises the steps of: entering sales data by the clerk; and entering confirmation of the sales data by the customer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of printing a debit transaction receipt in response to a print command from the computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the step of: requesting a phone card; processing a data record for the phone card; creating a message authorization code; encrypting phone card data for transmitting from the counter-top terminal; transmitting the encrypted phone card data to the host data processor; receiving encrypted approval data from the host data processor; decrypting the encrypted approval data on the computer for the response displaying step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the steps of: entering a credit amount into the computer using the keypad; transmitting the credit amount received to the host data processor; and increasing the value of the debit card by the credit amount.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the card reading step comprises the step of swiping the card through the card reader.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a remote keyboard communicating with the terminal unit, and wherein the transaction data entering step includes the step of entering data through the keyboard.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the host data processor includes one of a credit authorization provider, a phone card provider, and a telephone switch.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, at least one keypad for data entry to the computer, a display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer for modifying purchasing value of a card in response to card use; entering sales transaction data to the computer through keypad data entry by a clerk; entering confirmation of the sales transaction data by a customer; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for providing card data to the computer; entering an authorization code through the keypad for having the computer initiate communication with a host data processor; electronically transmitting a transaction request to the host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting a response of approval or disapproval from the host data processor; receiving a response from the host computer; and displaying the response from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, at least one keypad for data entry to the computer, a display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer for modifying purchasing value of a card in response to card use; entering sales transaction data to the computer through keypad data entry by a clerk; entering confirmation of the sales transaction data by a customer; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for providing card data to the computer; entering an authorization code through the keypad for having the computer initiate communication with a host data processor; electronically transmitting a transaction request to the host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting a response of approval or disapproval from the host data processor; receiving a response from the host computer; and displaying the response from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the authorization code entering step comprises the steps of: entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of a host processor; and entering a clerk authorization code for initiating a debit purchase transaction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of printing a debit transaction receipt in response to a print command from the computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the step of: transmitting an activation request for a phone card; processing a data record for the phone card; creating a message authorization code; encrypting phone card data for transmitting to the counter-top terminal; transmitting the encrypted phone card data to the host data processor; receiving encrypted approval data from the host data processor; decrypting the encrypted approval data on the computer for the response displaying step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the steps of: requesting a credit increase for use with the debit card; receiving a credit amount from customer; entering the credit amount into the computer using the keypad; transmitting credit amount data representative of the credit amount received to the host data processor; increasing the value of the debit card by the credit amount.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the card reading step comprises the step of swiping the card through the card reader.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of providing a remote keyboard communicating with the terminal unit, and wherein the transaction data entering step includes the step of entering data through the keyboard.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the remote keyboard comprises a hand held keyboard.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the host data processor includes one of a credit authorization provider, a phone card provider, and a telephone switch.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, a keypad for data entry to the computer, an alphanumeric display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer; entering sales transaction data by a clerk for a debit purchase transaction to the computer through keypad data entry; entering confirmation of the sales transaction data by a customer; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for transferring card data to the computer; entering an authorization code through the keypad for having the computer initiate communication with a host data processor; communicating with a host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting authorization of a debit purchase transaction; requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction from the host data processor; and receiving the authorization.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for processing debit purchase transactions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a counter-top terminal having telecommunications means operable with a computer, a keypad for data entry to the computer, an alphanumeric display responsive to the computer, and a card reader communicating with the computer; entering sales transaction data by a clerk for a debit purchase transaction to the computer through keypad data entry; entering confirmation of the sales transaction data by a customer; reading a debit styled card through the card reader for transferring card data to the computer; entering an authorization code through the keypad for having the computer initiate communication with a host data processor; communicating with a host data processor through the telecommunications means of the counter-top terminal for requesting authorization of a debit purchase transaction; requesting authorization of the debit purchase transaction from the host data processor; and receiving the authorization.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of modifying a purchasing value of the card in response to card use.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of displaying the authorization from the host data processor for the debit purchase transaction on the counter-top terminal display.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the authorization code entering step comprises the steps of: entering a customer authorization code for authorizing access to a customer data base of the host processor; and entering a clerk authorization code for initiating the debit purchase transaction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of printing a debit transaction receipt in response to a print command from the computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the step of: requesting a phone card; processing a data record for the phone card; creating a message authorization code; encrypting phone card data for transmitting from the counter-top terminal; transmitting the encrypted phone card data to the host data processor; receiving encrypted approval data from the host data processor; decrypting the encrypted approval data on the computer for the response displaying step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the transaction request transmitting step comprises the steps of: entering a credit amount into the computer using the keypad; transmitting the credit amount received to the host data processor; and increasing the value of the debit card by the credit amount.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the card reading step comprises the step of swiping the card through the card reader.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of providing a remote keyboard communicating with the terminal unit, and wherein the transaction data entering step includes the step of entering data through the keyboard.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the host data processor includes one of a credit authorization provider, a phone card provider, and a telephone switch.
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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) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |