Prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards from multiple locations
DCFirst Claim
1. A prepaid utility dispensing system, comprising:
- (a) at least one card dispensing station comprising means for encoding a mag-stripe card with value and account information arising from a purchase of prepaid utility services, the value and account information comprising a present rate, at least one future rate and a date when the conversion to the future rates are to occur; and
(b) a utility dispensing device resident at a customer site for dispensing utility services in accordance with the value and account information encoded on the mag-stripe card, wherein the present rate and the future rates determine how the utility dispensing device is to value the utility service dispensed, and the date determines when the future rates are to be placed into effect by the utility dispensing device, regardless of when the customer buys the mag-stripe cards.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prepayment system for dispensing utilities using mag-stripe cards is disclosed wherein an accounting computer in a central office is used in conjunction with point-of-sale machines for encrypting a value message which is written onto the mag-stripe of a mag-stripe card. The value message contains information relating to the amount of utilities purchased by the customer, the utility rates, the site identification number, and a unique password formed by the site number, a hidden number, and the transaction number. The mag-stripe card is carried by mail or in person to the consumer'"'"'s home or office and inserted into a mag-stripe card reader attached to microprocessor-based utility control device. This utility control device is capable of reading and decoding the mag-stripe card and storing the value information into memory for use in monitoring the utility usage of the customer and disconnecting or connecting the utility based on the amount of utilities purchased.
380 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A prepaid utility dispensing system, comprising:
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(a) at least one card dispensing station comprising means for encoding a mag-stripe card with value and account information arising from a purchase of prepaid utility services, the value and account information comprising a present rate, at least one future rate and a date when the conversion to the future rates are to occur; and (b) a utility dispensing device resident at a customer site for dispensing utility services in accordance with the value and account information encoded on the mag-stripe card, wherein the present rate and the future rates determine how the utility dispensing device is to value the utility service dispensed, and the date determines when the future rates are to be placed into effect by the utility dispensing device, regardless of when the customer buys the mag-stripe cards. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A prepaid utility dispensing system, comprising:
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(a) a utility dispensing device resident at a customer site for dispensing utility services in accordance with a value thereof as encoded on a mag-stripe card; (b) status window means, connected to the utility dispensing device, for displaying status and system control indications for the utility dispensing device; and (c) means for selecting among a plurality of languages to use for displaying the status and system control indications, the means for selecting comprising means for reading a mag-stripe card, for examining a parameter supplied by the mag-stripe card, and for choosing the language for the status window means in accordance with the parameter.
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4. A prepaid utility dispensing system, comprising:
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(a) at least one card dispensing station comprising means for encoding a mag-stripe card with value and account information arising from a purchase of prepaid utility services, the value and account information comprising lifeline protection information indicating a maximum load level and a termination date; and (b) a utility dispensing device resident at a customer site for dispensing utility services in accordance with the value and account information encoded on the mag-stripe card, wherein the maximum load level determines the rate of utility consumption the utility dispensing device is to allow when the prepaid utility services are depleted, and wherein the termination date determines when the lifeline protection is to be terminated unless the customer has made additional purchases of prepaid utility services. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification