Lu
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`1 3»: 13/911149! 1";
`
`United States Patent
`
`[:91
`
`[11]
`
`3,818,187
`
`Lovendusky et a1.
`145] June 18, 1974
`
`[541 CREDIT VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND
`TERMINAL THEREFOR
`
`[‘15]
`
`Inventors: Charles Michael Lovendusky, Enola;
`Raymond V‘mcent Pass, Camp Hill,
`both of Pa.
`
`[1'31 Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.
`[22]
`Filed:
`Feb. 8, 1972
`
`[21} Appl. No; 224,503
`
`152] U.S. Cl. ...... 23516151r B. 3401149 A. 17912 CA
`[51]
`Int-Cl. .......................... G061: 5100, G06k 7108
`[58} Field of Search. 235161.”:r B, 61.11 D, 61.1113.
`235161.11 R; 3401149 A; 19414 R; 17912
`CA, 6.3 CC. 2 DP. 100.2 CA
`
`[56]
`
`2,600.81?
`2.864.892
`3.069.496
`3,308,238
`3.394.246
`3.364.210
`3.617.638
`3.651.310
`3.653.323
`3.655.946
`3,671,717
`3.696.335
`3.721.128
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`611952 Victoreen ..................... 235161.11 E
`
`Perkins...........
`1211958
`[7911002 CA
`Blinken et al ......
`1211962
`235161.11 D
`
`Brothman et a1. .
`311967I
`235161.? B X
`
`711968 Goidman ................. 235161.? B
`
`Presti ...................... 235161.? B
`2119'11
`
`Jochimsen et 81..
`..... 2351610 B
`1111971
`
`Link............,..
`311972
`3401149 A
`411972 McGowan et a ..
`.. 235161.11 E X
`
`411912 Morita et a].
`235161.11 1)
`
`Bieser.................
`611972
`235161.?r B
`
`
`Lemelson.......
`1011972
`235161.]f B X
`311973 Thurman 3401149 A
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas J. Sloyan
`Artomey, Agent, or Firm—Gerald K. Kita
`
`[5'1]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for verifying the credit status of individual
`consumers is disclosed, along with a terminal structure
`for facilitating point of sale credit checks. The system
`includes a central processing unit which is coupled
`through suitable communication channels to a plural-
`ity of remotely located terminals. Each terminal in-
`cludes an apparatus for holding a credit card and for
`reading information imprinted thereon and a printing
`mechanism for printing identification and purchase
`information on an appropriate business form. The ter-
`minal also includes a price register
`in which the
`amount of a particular proposed credit sale is set. A
`logic network is provided to lock the printer and the
`price register while identifying information contained
`on the credit card is transmitted to the central pro-
`cessing unit. The central processing unit then deter~
`mines whether the holder of the credit card is entitled
`to credit in the amount of the proposed sale. and then
`transmits the appropriate information to the point of
`sale terminal. The information signal unlocks the
`printer, thus permitting printing of the business form.
`Variations of the basic device are also disclosed, such
`as a device for preventing the return of fraudulent or
`expired credit cards.
`
`9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 12
`P
`1
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`FIS Exhibit 1014
`FIS Exhibit 1014
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`CENTRAL
`PROCESSING
`UNIT
`
`TERMINAL
`
`
`
`I6__...—--
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`LINE
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`CIRCUIT
`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
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`
`CARD
`
`READER
`
`
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`
`
`PRINTER
`LOCK CIRCUIT
`
`
`“ 44
`
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`PARALLEL
`
`TO SERIAL
`CONVERTER
`
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 2 of ‘12
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`DATE
`REGISTER
`
`CARD I. D. NO.
`REGISTER
`
`20
`
`24
`
`MERCHAN T‘ 3
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`COMPUTER
` DISPLAY
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`
`CREDIT
`DECODER
`
`BAD
`
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`
`CARD
`TRANSPORT
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`CARD
`
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`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 3 of 12
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`PRINTER
`
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`PRINTER
`CIRCUIT ’
`
`
`34
`
`
`
`
`PRICE
`PRICE
`.38
`REGISTER
`REGISTER
`
`LOCK CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`DATE
` SET DATA
`
`
`REGISTER
`SCAN 40
`
`
`
`CARD I.D.NO.
`REGISTER
`
`
`MERCHANTS
`I. 0 N0
`REGISTER
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`Page 4 of ‘12
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`Page 5 of 12
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`

`

`1
`
`3,818,187
`
`2
`
`CREDIT VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND
`TERMINAL THEREFOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`This invention relates generally to verification sys-
`tems, and more particularly to a system and terminal
`structure for verifying credit. for credit card purchases.
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`As credit and credit card purchasing continues to ex-
`pand, the problems associated with it have also grow
`phenomenally, resulting in large economic losses in
`many cases. For example, numerous situations occur
`daily in which fraudulently obtained credit cards are
`used to make purchases.
`In addition, expired credit
`cards are often used, sometimes in good faith. to make
`purchases for which credit is not actually authorized.
`However, many problems of a much more subtle nature
`also exist. For example. many credit granting institu-
`tions limit the extent of the credit of individual card
`
`holders. However, without checking the central files of
`the credit granting association.
`individual merchants
`can not at present determine whether an individual has
`in fact exceeded his authorized credit limit.
`Other similar problems exist due to the fact that at
`present merchants can not conduct an immediate
`check of the credit status of individuals at the time
`
`when they are about to make credit purchases. Accord-
`ingly, a need exists for a system for rapidly and Conve—
`niently checking the credit status of potential purchas-
`ers at the point of sale.
`Although some credit checking systems have been
`proposed in the past, they have not been of a practical
`nature in view of the fact that the point of sale terminal
`structures which they include are either too expensive.
`too complicated or too limited in some other feature to
`make practical
`their commercial use. Consequently.
`there is a need for a new type of terminal structure to
`be associated with a practical credit checking or verifi-
`cationsystem.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly. one object of this invention is to pro—
`vide a novel credit checking and verification system.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a novel
`system for verifying credit card purchases at the point
`of sale.
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
`novel terminal structure for use with a credit verifica-
`tion system.
`A still further object of this invention is to provide a
`terminal structure for use with a credit verification sys-
`tem having a novel credit card transporting system.
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
`novel terminal structure for use with a credit verifica-
`tion system having a novel card transporting and read-
`ing system.
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
`novel business form holding assembly for use with a ter-
`minal structure intended to be coupled to a credit veri-
`fication system.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a novel
`read head mounting structure for use With a credit veri—
`fication system terminal.
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 6 of 12
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`ll]
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`Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are
`achieved by providing a central processing unit cou--
`pled through appropriate communication channels to
`a plurality of remote terminals. Each terminal includes
`a credit card transporting and reading assembly and a
`business form holding apparatus. A printer is also in—
`cluded to print selected data on the business form.
`Each terminal further includes a locking system for
`preventing actuation of the printer until appropriate
`credit verification information has been received from
`the central processing unit. Each terminal also includes
`a price register which may be locked or unlocked de»
`pending upon reception of appropriate signals from the
`central processing unit.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete appreciation of the invention and
`many of the attendant advantages thereof will be read-
`ily obtained as the same becomes better understood by
`reference to the following detailed description when
`considered in connection with the accompanying draw-
`ings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`credit verification system of the instant invention;
`F{0. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of
`the terminal logic network illustrated in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective illustration
`of a terminal apparatus intended to be used with the
`system illustrated in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the terminal ap—
`paratus illustrated in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the business form
`holder illustrated in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is an end view of the drive mechanism and
`
`read head mounting assembly of the terminal apparatus
`illustrated in FIG. 3; and,
`FIG. ‘7 is a side view of the drive mechanism and head
`mounting assembly illustrated in FIG. 6.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`-
`
`Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
`numerals designate identical or corresponding parts
`throughout the several views and, more particularly to
`FIG. I theredf, one embodiment of the overall credit
`verification system of the present invention is illus-
`trated in the form of a block diagram. As illustrated, a
`central processing unit 10 forms the heart of the credit
`checking and verification system. The central process-
`ing unit 10 may be a digital computer, for example. or
`a complete computing and accounting center. The cen-
`tral processing unit (CPU) is coupled through a plural-
`ity of modems 12 to a plurality of terminals 14. Each
`terminal 14 is preferably located at a point of sale or in
`the vicinity of the place at which credit sales are in-
`tended to occur. The central processing unit 10 may be
`located at any remote distance from the terminals 14,
`and is coupled to them through the modems 12 in such
`a manner as to permit two-way communications.
`A first embodiment of a particular terminal network
`is illustrated at 16 in FIG. 1. The terminal 16 includes
`a plurality of manually settable data registering devices.
`For example, a merchants‘ identification number regis-
`ter 18 is provided to identify the merchant or location
`of the terminal 16. This device may consist either of a
`manually settable numerical register, or it may simply
`be a form of card or code reader into which an identify-
`
`

`

`3
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`3,818,187
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`ing numeral or code is inserted. A date register 20 is
`also provided for indicating the data on which a partic—
`ular transaction takes place. Similarly, a timer or timing
`register could be added to the system for indicating the
`exact time at which a particular transaction took place.
`However. no timer is specifically illustrated in FIG. I.
`A card transport mechanism 22 is provided and is de-
`signed to receive a credit or identification card, prefer-
`ably of the c0nventional size and shape. Once a poten—
`tial purchaser has produced a credit or identification
`card. it is inserted in a card transport 22, and the type
`or issuer of the card is registered in an ID. card number
`register 24. Again, the l.D. card number register 24
`may be a manually operated register in which a code
`number is entered which represents the issuer of the
`credit card, or the credit granting institution through
`which the credit sale is to be charged. A price register
`26 is also provided for indicating the amount of a pro-
`posed purchase. Again, this device preferably consists
`of a manually settable register which is set by a clerk
`or operator to the amount of the proposed sale.
`An actuating switch 28 is provided for coupling the
`terminal network 16 to the central processing unit [0.
`By actuating the switch 28, an operator indicates to the
`central processing unit that a particular terminal is re—
`questing a credit verification. Thus, by actuating the
`switch 28, an operator effectively requests computer
`time.
`
`time switch 28 is coupled through a
`The request
`transmit circuit 30 to a line interface circuit 32, which
`couples the terminal 14 to the modern 12, and thus to
`the central processing unit It].
`In the terminal embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, ac“
`tuation of the request computer time switch 28 causes
`several functions to occur within the terminal 14 at the
`same instant that a request signal is sent to the CPU 10.
`More particularly. the request computer time switch 28
`is coupled to the card transport 22, a printer lock cir-
`cuit 34, a price register lock circuit 38, and a set data
`scanner 40. The signal from the switch 28 activates the
`card transport 22 which transports the credit card past
`a card reader 42. The card reader 42 reads the identify-
`ing indicia present on the card, which may be in the
`form of either a magnetic record fixed to the card. or
`conventional embossed lettering.
`In either case,
`the
`card reader senses the appropriate information on the
`customer's credit card and feeds it to a suitable storage
`device 44. The storage device 44 may consist of a shift
`register. a magnetic storage network. or any other suit-
`able type of memory system. Similarly, the signal from
`the switch 28 activates the printer lock circuit 34,
`which locks a printer 36 in an inoperable position. The
`lock circuit 34 may. for example, include a solenoid for
`locking the printer in position. The printer 36 may, for
`example, consist of a conventional Farrington Printer
`(Trademark) having a manually operated slider which
`presses a conventional business form against raised
`printing characters. The solenoid included in the
`printer lock circuit may thus include a latch for holding
`the manually operable printing slider. thereby prevent-
`ing the printing operation.
`The signal from the switch 28 also actuates the price
`register lock circuit 38, which locks the price register
`26 in the position to which it has been set. Thus, after
`the price register 26 is manually set to the amount of
`the desired sale, actuation of the switch 28 causes the
`lock circuit to fix the reading of the price register 26.
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 7 of 12
`
`The price register 26 cannot be adjusted after the
`switch 28 has been activated. The price register lock
`circuit may include a plurality of solenoids. a mechani-
`cal clutch network, or any other equivalent type of de-
`vice which prevents the price register from being ad-
`justed.
`Finally, the output from the switch 28 activates the
`set data scanner 40. which is coupled to the merchantsI
`ID. number register 18, the date register 20, the card
`ID. number register 24, the price register 26, and the
`storage device 44. The set data scanner, when acti-
`vated, reads the information in the registers 18, 20, 24
`and 26, and feeds it to the storage device 44 for reten-
`tion therein. As an alternative structure to that shown
`
`in FIG. I, a merchants‘ ID. number register may be
`eliminated, and replaced by a fixed code set into the set
`data scanner 40, or the storage device 44. The same
`type of fixed code may be used instead of the card ID.
`number register 24, provided only one particular type
`of card is to be used (i.e., the fixed code applies to all
`cards to be used at a particular terminal).
`Thus, after the request computer time switch 28 has
`been activated, data representing the identification of
`a prospective purchaser (i.e., data stored on a prospec-
`tive purchaser‘s credit card), the amount or price of a
`prospective purchase,
`the data of the purchase,
`the
`type of credit card being used, and the merchant mak-
`ing the sale or the location at which the sale is to be
`made are all read into a suitable storage device. and the
`central processing unit 10 is notified that this data has
`now been read into the storage device. The central pro-
`cessing unit 10 may include a scanning network, for ex-
`ample, which periodically scans each of the terminals
`14 to determine which. if any. of them have data to
`transmit. Once it is determined that a particular termi—
`nal has data to transmit, the central processing unit 10
`transmits a read or pole signal to the terminal request-
`ing computer time. This read signal is received by the
`line interface circuit 32 of the terminal 14, and is fed
`to a signal decoder 46. The signal decoder 46 discrimi-
`nates between poling signals from the computer. and
`reply or credit verification signals. When a read or pol-
`ing signal is detected by the signal decoder 46, it is fed
`to the storage device 44 causing the data in the storage
`device to be dumped or read out. If the storage device
`is of a parallel output type, a parallel-to-serial con-
`verter 48 may be coupled to it in order that the output
`data of the terminal may be transmitted in serial form.
`The output data is fed from the storage device 44.
`through the optional parallel-to-serial converter 48 to
`the transmit circuit 30. The transmit circuit 30 applies
`the information to the line interface circuit 32, which
`feeds it to the modern [2 and to the central processing
`unit 10.
`The central processing unit 10 then identifies the ac~
`count of the credit card holder and determines whether
`
`his credit is good in the amount indicated for the pro-
`posed sale. After the central processing unit 10 deter-
`mines the status of the card holder‘s credit.
`it sends
`back a reply signal to the terminal 14. This signal is re-
`ceived by the line interface circuit 32, and passed to the
`signal decoder 46, where it is determined to be a reply
`signal. The reply signal is then fed to a display unit 50
`which visually indicates to the merchant or attendant
`at the point of sale the status of the prospective pur-
`chaser‘s credit. The same signal is fed to a credit de-
`coder 52 which determines whether the computer reply
`
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`3,818,187
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`indicates that the prospective purchaser‘s credit is good
`or bad for the amount of the proposed sale. if the credit
`decoder 52 senses that the prospective buyer‘s credit is
`good. it triggers the card transport mechanism 22 to re-
`turn the card to its OWner. It should be noted that the
`
`ing system which prevents a particular individual from
`using more credit than he is entitled to. The central
`processing unit 10, can also. therefore, be used to pre-
`pare billing statements, and so forth, on a virtually in-
`stantaneous basis, if so desired.
`
`initial actuation of the switch 28 causes the transport
`mechanism to operate in only one direction. That is,
`the transport mechanism initially moves the card from
`the position at which it was inserted into the mecha-
`nism to an enclosed position from which it cannot be
`retrieved. until the transport mechanism is reversed. A
`good credit signal from the credit decoder 52 causes
`such a reversal of the transport mechanism 22, so that
`the card can be retrieved by its owner.
`The good credit signal is also coupled to the printer
`lock circuit 34, and serves to unlock the printer. Thus,
`the merchant or attendant can now operate the printer.
`to print an appropriate business form. and thus con~
`clude the sale. Actuation of the printer 36 causes a re—
`lease of the price register lock circuit. so that the price
`register 26 is released and the terminal 14 is ready for
`subsequent sales.
`However, if the computer reply is a bad credit signal.
`the credit decoder 52 generates a bad credit output sig~
`nal. This signal is applied to the transport mechanism
`22, which may perform either of two functions, de-
`pending upon the nature ofthe bad credit signal. If the
`computer indicates that the amount of available credit
`is not sufficient for the amount of the sale, but that the
`card is valid. the bad credit signal may simply reverse
`the card transport mechanism 22, returning the card to
`its owner while the display indicates insufficient credit.
`The printer is not unlocked, however. 01': the other
`hand, if the computer indicates that the credit card has
`been stolen. has expired, or is fraudulent or invalid. the
`card transport mechanism may be activated to drop the
`card into a permanent retention bin, or to otherwise de~
`face or destroy the card. In this manner, fraudulent, ex—
`pired or invalid cards may be removed from circula-
`1101'].
`
`The bad credit output of the credit decoder 52 is also
`coupled to the price register lock circuit 38, and serves
`to release the price register loci-t. Thus. if a bad credit
`signal is received from the central process unit 10, the
`price register is immediately unlobked. If the card is not
`fraudulent, the card will also be returned as the price
`register is unlocked. This permits the operator or mer-
`chant to set a lower proposed sale price into the price
`register and to repeat the card reading operation. in
`order to determine if the prospective purchaser has
`credit for a lower amount than the initial sale. This pro
`cess can thus be continued until it is determined what
`
`amount of credit is possessed by the prospective pur-
`chaser. if so desired. Thus, if it is found that the credit
`card holder has a lower amount of credit than that re—
`quired for the initial sale, it may be determined that he
`can have a lower amount of credit, and thus be re-
`quired to pay the remaining portion of the sale price in
`cash. Obviously. many other techniques for using this
`system may be developed in view of the great flexibility
`thereof.
`'
`It shOuld be noted that since the amount of each
`
`transaction is transmitted to the central processing unit
`lit, the central processing unit can maintain an up to
`date record of all changes placed against a particular
`credit account. Thus, the credit verification system of
`the present invention provides an immediate account»
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 8 of 12
`I
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`A reset switch 54 is provided, which may be coupled
`to the storage device 44, and to the various locking cir-
`cuits. etc. to manually reset the terminal 14 for the next
`transaction. It will be realized, of course, that an auto-
`matic resetting system may be included instead of a
`manual one, to permit automatic resetting of the tenni-
`nal on the basis of signals received from the central
`proceSsing unit 10.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a second terminal logic em-
`bodiment is illustrated in block diagram form. The ter-
`minal embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is somewhat
`simpler. and more economical to construct, than that
`illustrated in FIG. 1, since the storage device 44 is elim-
`inated. However, the system of FIG. 2 operates at a
`somewhat lower speed than that illustrated in FIG. 1,
`due to a slower readout speed, and accordingly re-
`quires more central processing unit time. However, if
`central processing unit time is not a major factor. as
`where a relatively small number of terminal devices are
`coupled to the central processing unit. or'where indi-
`vidual terminals are not frequently used, this embodi-
`ment is highly suitable.
`The interconnection scheme of the terminal logic
`network illustrated in FIG. 2 is somewhat different than
`that illustrated in FIG. 1. The operation of the mer-
`chants' ID. number register 18, the date register 20,
`the card ID. number register 24 and the price register
`26 are identical to the operations disclosed with respect
`to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodi-
`ment of FIG. 2, the request computer time switch 28 is
`coupled only to the transmit circuit 30. Thus, actuation
`of the switch 28 simply signifies to the central process-
`ing unit 10 that time is required by the terminal struc—
`ture 56. Thus, actuation of the switch 28 does not oper-
`ate the card transport or the set data scan 40. Accord-
`ingly. nothing happens within the terminal structure 56
`until a read or poling signal is received from the central
`processing unit 10.
`The read signal is again received by the line interface
`circuit 32 and fed to the signal decoder 46. However.
`after the signal decoder determines that a read signal
`has arrived, a read output is applied to the card trans-
`port 22. This causes the card transport 22 to be acti-
`vated for one-way operation. Thus the credit or identi-
`fication card is transported from its initial position to
`the inaccessible reading position within the transport
`mechanism 22. Activation of the card transport 22 trig-
`gers the set data scan 40, which scans the information
`stored in the merchants' LD. register 18, the card LD.
`register 24, the date register 20 and the price register
`26. This information is simultaneously fed to the trans-
`mit circuit 30 and thus to the CPU 10 as it is scanned
`by the set data scan 40. The delay time required by the
`card transport mechanism 22 to carry the card through
`the card reader 42 provides a time interval sufficient to
`permit the data scan 40 to transmit the data contained
`in all the various registers. The timing of these systems
`is purposely adjusted to provide this desirable interval.
`Thus as soon as the data scan 40 has completed reading
`out the data set into the registers, the card is in position
`to begin passing the card reader 42. Again. as the data
`stored on the credit card is read by the card reader 42,
`
`ll}
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`7
`
`3,818,187
`
`8
`
`the card data is immediately fed to the transmitted cir-
`cuit 30 and thus to the CPU 10.
`It should be noted that activation of the card trans“
`
`port mechanism 22 also actuates the printer lock and
`price register lock circuits to lock the printer and price
`register as soon as the transport mechanism begins to
`operate. Thus, the effective operation of the embodi—
`ment illustrated in FIG. 2 is substantially the same as
`that illustrated in FIG. 1, although the data is read out
`during an interval which is effectively determined by
`the length of. time required for the card transport mech-
`anism to transport the card from an initial position to
`a final position, during the course of which it is trans-
`ported past the card reader. This interval is substan-
`tially slower than the interval required to read out the
`storage device 44 of the FIG. 1 embodiment, and to
`convert the data from parallel form to serial form.
`The operation of the terminal
`logic network illus-
`trated in FIG. 2 to all responses or reply signals from
`the central processing unit 10 is identical to the opera-
`tion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. I. Accord-
`ingly. the description of the response of the circuit to
`reply signals from the CPU 10 will not be repeated.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, the preferred physical struc—
`ture for each terminal 14 is illustrated. The structure
`includes a housing 58 having a top panel 60 to which
`a raised printer base 62 is secured. This figure illus-
`trates physical embodiments for the data register 20,
`card l.D. register 24, price register 26, request com-
`puter time or transmit switch 28, printer 36, display 50
`and reset switch 54.
`As described previously, the date register may in-
`clude a plurality of number wheels 64 having raised
`type or printing numerals thereon. The number wheels
`may be manually rotatable to set a prescribed date into
`the register. An electrical readout is also provided to
`indicate to the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the
`date set into the register. Similarly, the card I.D. num-
`ber register 24 is shown as including a plurality of num-
`ber wheels 66 which are set by means of an equivalent
`plurality of manually movable knobs 68 attached to the
`number wheels 66. Again. electrical outputs are pro-
`vided to indicate the number set into the card LD. num~
`her register 24.
`The price register 26 is illustrated as including a
`panel 70 having a plurality of number setting slide le-
`vers 72 movably mounted therein. A plurality of print
`wheels 74 are mechanically coupled to the number set-
`ting slide levers 72. Thus, by adjusting the position of
`the number setting slide levers 72, the print wheels 74
`are rotated. Each of the print wheels carries a plurality
`of raised print characters 76 (see FIG. 4) for printing
`the price information on a suitable business form.
`Again, suitable electrical outputs are provided to read
`out the price information set into the price register.
`The specific structure of the electrical readout assem—
`bly is disclosed in more detail in a copending applica-
`tion, Ser. No. 32,150, filed Apr. 27, 1970, and now
`abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as the
`present application.
`The printer assembly 36 includes a manually mov-
`able member ‘78 which is movable along a suitable
`track on rollers. The specific structure of this device is
`disclosed more fully in US. Pats. No. 2,606,494;
`2,620,729;
`2,620,230;
`2,935,596;
`3,358,597;
`3.388.659 and 3.388,66I}, assigned to the Farrington
`Business Machines Corporation. As is disclosed in
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Page 9 of 12
`
`these patents, a credit card 80 is positioned on the
`printer in the path of the printer member 78. A suitable
`business form, not shown, is also placed in the path of
`the printer member 78. The business form covers at
`least a portion ofthe card 80, as well as the print wheels
`64 and 74. Thus, by manually moving the printer mem-
`ber 78 over the business form, certain information
`printed on the credit card 80 in the form of embossed
`characters, as well as the numbers set into the registers
`20 and 26 are printed on the business form. The pres-
`ent invention is also adaptable for motorized operation
`of the printer member 76 over the business form.
`The display 50 is illustrated as including a plurality of
`windows 82, each of which is comprised of a transpar-
`ent panel on which an information bearing code, such
`as a word, is imprinted. Behind each of the windows 82
`are selectively energizable lights (not shown). Thus,
`upon receipt of proper incoming information signals
`from the central processing unit 10 selected ones of the
`lights are energized, thereby emphasizing the message
`printed on one of the windows 82. As shown in the
`drawings, the windows 82 may carry a variety of mes-
`sages. For example. the windows may carry a “repeat"
`signal
`indicating that
`the CPU has not received a
`proper reading, and that the reset button should be
`pressed so that the entire credit card reading operation
`can be repeated. Next, the windows 82 include mes-
`sages indicating that credit is good or, alternatively,
`that there is no credit. In addition, if the computer
`senses a particular problem that is not appropriately
`coded in the display, a "call" signal is fed to the display.
`In addition, a separate window 84 is provided in which
`a particular “call code" is registered. The call code
`may consist, for example, ofa one or more digit num-
`ber indicating to the terminal operator that a specific
`number is to be telephoned for further information.
`The windows 82 may also carry a “void” message, indi-
`cating that the credit card being read is void or in some
`way invalid. This may be associated with the portion of
`the transport mechanism 22 which prevents return of
`a card, or causes the card to be destroyed. Finally, a
`“return car " message may be printed on the windows
`82. This message indicates that a credit card is valid
`and that it should be returned to its owner. Obviously,
`numerous additional types of messages could be in-
`cluded on the windows 82. In addition, other types of
`readout structures could be used in place of the win-
`dows backed by selectively energizable lights, as will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`A drive mechanism 86 for operating the card trans-
`port 22 is enclosed within the housing 58. The drive
`mechanism 86 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and
`7.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 4, the raised printer base 62
`is illustrated in greater detail, showing more clearly the
`various structural elements mounted thereon. In FIG.
`4, a dashed line 88 indicates the position in which the
`credit card 80 is to be placed on the transport mecha-
`nism 22. Similarly, a dashed line 90 indicates the posi-
`tion in which a business form may be placed on the
`transport and printing mechanism. As shown by the
`dashed line 90, the business form covers at least a por~
`tion of the credit card