Data card terminal for receiving authorizations from remote locations
First Claim
1. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
- first communication means for automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with a transaction processing host computer system via a first telecommunications link;
second communications means for automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with the transaction processing host computer system via a separate second telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link;
third communications means for automatically connecting the terminal for communications with an audio response unit (ARU) via a separate third telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link and failure to establish said second telecommunications link;
means for requesting authorization indicia from transaction processing host computer system via said first telecommunications link or said second telecommunications link in connection with a proposed transaction;
audio means for providing an audible authorization indicia from the audio response unit (ARU) to the merchant;
means for receiving the manual entry of said audible authorization indicia from the merchant as manually entered authorization indicia; and
means for storing authorization indicia received from said transaction processing host computer system or said manually entered authorization indicia.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal is capable of requesting and receiving electronic authorization indicia via alternative communications links. The terminal includes first communications means for automatically connecting the terminal with a transaction processing host computer system via a first communications link, and second communications means for automatically connecting the terminal with the transaction processing host computer system via a separate second communications link if the first link fails. A third communications means automatically connects the terminal to an audio response unit (ARU) via a third communications link in response to a "call me" signal from the host computer system, or if the first and second communications links fail. Transaction data is automatically transmitted from the terminal to the ARU via DTMF signals. The terminal includes means for receiving manual entry of audible authorization indicia received from the ARU, and means for verifying manually entered authorization indicia.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
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first communication means for automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with a transaction processing host computer system via a first telecommunications link; second communications means for automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with the transaction processing host computer system via a separate second telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link; third communications means for automatically connecting the terminal for communications with an audio response unit (ARU) via a separate third telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link and failure to establish said second telecommunications link; means for requesting authorization indicia from transaction processing host computer system via said first telecommunications link or said second telecommunications link in connection with a proposed transaction; audio means for providing an audible authorization indicia from the audio response unit (ARU) to the merchant; means for receiving the manual entry of said audible authorization indicia from the merchant as manually entered authorization indicia; and means for storing authorization indicia received from said transaction processing host computer system or said manually entered authorization indicia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30)
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9. A method for obtaining transaction authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant utilizing a data card terminal, comprising the steps of:
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automatically attempting to connect the terminal for data communications with a transaction processing host computer system via a first telecommunications link; requesting authorization indicia from said transaction processing host computer system via said first telecommunications link in connection with the proposed transaction; receiving authorization indicia from said transaction processing host computer system; processing the proposed transaction in response to receipt of the authorization indicia; in the event that communications with said transaction processing host computer system were not established via said first telecommunication link, automatically attempting to connect the terminal for data communications with said transaction processing host computer system via a separate second telecommunications link; requesting authorization indicia from transaction processing host computer system via said second telecommunications link in connection with the proposed transaction; receiving authorization indicia from said transaction processing host computer system; processing the proposed transaction in response to receipt of the authorization indicia; in the event that communications with said transaction processing host computer system were not established, automatically attempting to connect the terminal for communications with an audio response unit (ARU) via a separate third telecommunications link; requesting authorization indicia from said ARU via said third telecommunications link in connection with a proposed transaction; receiving an audible authorization indicia from the audio response unit (ARU) to the merchant via the third telecommunications link; receiving the manual entry of the audible authorization indicia from the merchant as manually entered authorization indicia; verifying the manually entered authorization indicia; and storing authorization indicia received from the transaction processing host computer system or the manually entered authorization indicia. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant utilizing a data card terminal, comprising the steps of:
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(1) automatically attempting to connect the terminal for communications via a telecommunications link to an authorization computer system; (2) in response to failure to connect the terminal to the authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from the authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect the terminal with an audio response unit (ARU) via a second telecommunications link; (3) in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, automatically providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; and (4) providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
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at least one telecommunications port; a controller operative for; automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with a transaction processing host computer system via a first telecommunications link, automatically connecting the terminal for data communications with a transaction processing host computer system via a separate second telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link, automatically connecting the terminal for communications with an audio response unit (ARU) via a separate third telecommunications link in response to failure to establish said first telecommunications link and failure to establish said second telecommunications link, and requesting authorization indicia from said transaction processing host computer system via said first telecommunications link or said second telecommunications link in connection with a proposed transaction; an audio device for providing an audible authorization indicia from the audio response unit (ARU) to the merchant; a data entry device for the manual entry of said audible authorization indicia from the merchant as manually entered authorization indicia; and a storage device for storing authorization indicia received from said transaction processing host computer system or said manually entered authorization indicia. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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31. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
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at least one telecommunications port; and a controller operative for; automatically attempting to connect for data communications via said telecommunications port to an authorization computer system; in response to failure to connect to said authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from said authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect with an audio response unit (ARU) via said telecommunications port; in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, automatically providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; and providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for providing electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant utilizing a data card terminal, comprising the steps of:
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(1) automatically attempting to connect the terminal for communications via a telecommunications link to an authorization computer system; (2) in response to failure to connect the terminal to the authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from the authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect the terminal with an audio response unit (ARU) via a second telecommunications link; (3) in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; (4) providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant; (5) prompting a terminal operator to enter the audible authorization code into the terminal using a keyboard associated with the terminal; (6) in response to entry of the authorization code at the terminal, validating a check digit associated with the transaction data to detect keying errors or fictitious codes; (7) in response to detection that an incorrect code has been entered, prompting the terminal operator to re-enter the code; and (8) in the event that a valid code is not entered after a predetermined number of attempts by the terminal operator, voiding the transaction.
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39. A method for providing electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant utilizing a data card terminal, comprising the steps of:
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(1) automatically attempting to connect the terminal for communications via a telecommunications link to an authorization computer system; (2) in response to failure to connect the terminal to the authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from the authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect the terminal with an audio response unit (ARU) via a second telecommunications link; (3) in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; (4) providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant; (5) prompting a terminal operator to enter the audible authorization code into the terminal using a keyboard associated with the terminal; (6) in response to entry of the authorization code at the terminal, identifying the transaction as containing an "off line" authorization code in the terminal; (7) storing transaction data associated with transactions indicated as "off line" in a memory associated with the terminal; and (8) subsequently transmitting transaction data identified as containing an "off line" authorization code to a transaction processing computer system via a telecommunications link.
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40. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
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at least one telecommunications port; and a controller operative for; automatically attempting to connect for data communications via said telecommunications port to an authorization computer system; in response to failure to connect to said authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from said authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect with an audio response unit (ARU) via said telecommunications port; in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant; prompting a terminal operator to enter the audible authorization code into the terminal using a keyboard associated with the terminal; in response to entry of the authorization code at the terminal, validating a check digit associated with the transaction data to detect keying errors or fictitious codes; in response to detection that an incorrect code has been entered, prompting the terminal operator to re-enter the code; and in the event that a valid code is not entered after a predetermined number of attempts by the terminal operator, voiding the transaction.
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41. A data card terminal operative for receiving electronic authorizations in connection with a proposed transaction associated with a data card presented by a cardholder to a merchant, comprising:
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at least one telecommunications port; and a controller operative for; automatically attempting to connect for data communications via said telecommunications port to an authorization computer system; in response to failure to connect to said authorization computer system or in response to receipt of a call me signal from said authorization computer system, automatically attempting to connect with an audio response unit (ARU) via said telecommunications port; in response to connection of the terminal to the ARU, providing information associated with the data card and with the proposed transaction in the form of signals to the ARU; providing an audible authorization approval code received from the ARU to the merchant; prompting a terminal operator to enter the audible authorization code into the terminal using a keyboard associated with the terminal; in response to entry of the authorization code at the terminal, identifying the transaction as containing an "off line" authorization code in the terminal; storing transaction data associated with transactions indicated as "off line" in a memory associated with the terminal; and subsequently transmitting transaction data identified as containing an "off line" authorization code to a transaction processing computer system via a telecommunications link.
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Specification