System for rapidly dispensing and adding value to fare cards
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A terminal for conducting a plurality of cashless transactions for adding value to a plurality of fare cards, the terminal comprising:
- a patron display for displaying information and instructions to a patron for adding value to a fare card of the plurality of fare cards;
at least one fare card reader for reading from and writing to the fare card;
a payment interface means comprising a debit/credit card reader for accepting at least one of a credit card and a debit card; and
a control and memory assembly comprising;
means for controlling the patron display;
means for communicating with the at least one fare card reader for reading from and writing to the at least one fare card to complete at least one cashless transaction of the plurality of cashless transactions;
means for communicating with the payment interface means to obtain debit/credit information; and
means for storing a history of the at least one cashless transaction.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An add value terminal provides an automatic fare collection environment with a compact, easy to use, and easy to install device that re-values and issues transit fare smart cards exclusively utilizing credit and debit functions. The add value terminal alleviates long lines often associated with automatic vending machines that allow bill and coin transactions. The add value terminal also provides a means to sell tickets in out-of-station environments including malls, grocery stores, post offices, and airports.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A terminal for conducting a plurality of cashless transactions for adding value to a plurality of fare cards, the terminal comprising:
-
a patron display for displaying information and instructions to a patron for adding value to a fare card of the plurality of fare cards;
at least one fare card reader for reading from and writing to the fare card;
a payment interface means comprising a debit/credit card reader for accepting at least one of a credit card and a debit card; and
a control and memory assembly comprising;
means for controlling the patron display;
means for communicating with the at least one fare card reader for reading from and writing to the at least one fare card to complete at least one cashless transaction of the plurality of cashless transactions;
means for communicating with the payment interface means to obtain debit/credit information; and
means for storing a history of the at least one cashless transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An add value terminal for adding value to a plurality of fare cards, the add value terminal for conducting a plurality of cashless transactions, the add value terminal comprising:
-
a display for displaying instructions and options to a patron;
a contactless fare card reader for reading from and writing to a contactless fare card of the plurality of fare cards;
a magnetic stripe fare card reader for reading from and writing to a magnetic stripe fare card of the plurality of fare cards;
a debit/credit card reader for accepting at least one of a credit card and a debit card; and
a control and memory assembly for controlling the patron display, the control and memory assembly coupled to the contactless fare card reader and the magnetic stripe fare card reader for reading from and writing to the plurality of fare cards to complete a cashless transaction of the plurality of cashless transactions, the control and memory assembly for storing a history of the cashless transaction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of adding a plurality of transaction values to a plurality of fare cards, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a terminal in communication with a transit station controller for adding value to the plurality of fare cards utilizing credit and debit accounts only;
displaying instructions on said terminal for prompting a patron;
reading a fare card of the plurality of fare cards utilizing one of a magnetic stripe card reader and a contactless card reader;
communicating with the transit station controller for authorizing a transaction value of the plurality of transaction values; and
writing the authorized transaction value to the fare card utilizing the one of a magnetic stripe card reader and the contactless card reader. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification