Method and apparatus for evaluating units stored on credit cards

• US 4,746,786 A
• Filed: 10/14/1986
• Issued: 05/24/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Heberle, Wolfgang, Ludwig, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAFTON, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US06/917,969
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/380, 235/488, 379/91, 379/132, 379/144
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4093 Monitoring of device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/023 Circuit arrangements

Abstract

A method for the evaluation of used fee units of a card owner and of a central evaluation location (uP) stored on credit cards (KK) for automatic vendors.

In the present invention an evaluation method which prevents manipulations at the credit card is used.

This results in that the used fee units are stored in at least one counter (RZ1, RZ2) arranged on the credit card (KK) whose current reading is called in by the central evaluation location (uP) at intervals unknown to the card owner, particularly at randomly oriented intervals, and, subsequently is compared in the evaluation location (uP) to the most recently called-in counter reading. The account of the card owner is charged with the difference between the old and the new fee units.

Claims

1. A method for the evaluation of used fee units of a card owner and of a central evaluation location which are stored on credit cards for automatic vendors, particularly for telecommunications equipment connected to a switching center, whereby the credit card is provided with personal identification features, comprising the steps of storing used fee units in at least one counter (RZl, RZ2) arranged on the credit card, calling in the current reading thereof by the central evaluation location (uP) at intervals unknown to the card owner, particularly, at randomly oriented intervals and comparing in the evaluation location the current reading with the most recently called-in counter reading, and charging the account of the card owner with the difference between the old and the new fee units.

2. A credit card for the implementation of the method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to the identification features of the card owner arranged on the credit card, a first counter (RZl) is also arranged thereon, and a second overflow counter (RZ2) arranged on the card and coupled to said first counter.