Method and apparatus for electronic cash transactions
First Claim
1. A method of carrying out a transaction between a buyer and a seller using a smart card having a cash token stored therein with a current cash token value, the steps of:
- disposing on the seller'"'"'s premises at a location separated from a transaction station a lookstation device having a distinctive Lookstation Symbol associated therewith, said lookstation device being adapted for insertion by a buyer of a smart card followed by automatic read and display to the buyer of the current cash token value stored therein to inform the buyer of his cash purchasing power;
disposing on the seller'"'"'s premises at said transaction station a paystation device having a distinctive Paystation Symbol associated therewith and being coupled to a transaction terminal for participating in carrying out a transaction by means of the steps of;
a. the transaction terminal communicating to said paystation device a cash transaction amount;
b. the paystation device displaying said cash transaction amount;
c. the buyer inserting into said paystation device a smart card having a cash token stored therein to indicate acceptance of said cash transaction;
d. the paystation device reading the current cash token value in said inserted smart card;
e. the paystation device calculating a new cash token value as the difference between said current cash token value and said cash transaction amount;
f. the paystation device automatically writing said new cash token value into said cash token of said smart card without further action by the buyer; and
g. the paystation device communicating a cash transaction completion message to said transaction terminal.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A paystation device adapted to be coupled to a transaction terminal for carrying out a transaction between a seller and a buyer using a smart card having a cash token value stored therein and having a current cash token value. A smart card interface accepts insertion of a smart card for reading a current cash token value stored therein and for writing a new cash token value thereto. A display device displays cash amounts. A communication interface communicates data messages between the paystation device and the transaction terminal. A programmed control unit is coupled to and operates the smart card interface, the display device, and the communication interface.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of carrying out a transaction between a buyer and a seller using a smart card having a cash token stored therein with a current cash token value, the steps of:
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disposing on the seller'"'"'s premises at a location separated from a transaction station a lookstation device having a distinctive Lookstation Symbol associated therewith, said lookstation device being adapted for insertion by a buyer of a smart card followed by automatic read and display to the buyer of the current cash token value stored therein to inform the buyer of his cash purchasing power; disposing on the seller'"'"'s premises at said transaction station a paystation device having a distinctive Paystation Symbol associated therewith and being coupled to a transaction terminal for participating in carrying out a transaction by means of the steps of; a. the transaction terminal communicating to said paystation device a cash transaction amount; b. the paystation device displaying said cash transaction amount; c. the buyer inserting into said paystation device a smart card having a cash token stored therein to indicate acceptance of said cash transaction; d. the paystation device reading the current cash token value in said inserted smart card; e. the paystation device calculating a new cash token value as the difference between said current cash token value and said cash transaction amount; f. the paystation device automatically writing said new cash token value into said cash token of said smart card without further action by the buyer; and g. the paystation device communicating a cash transaction completion message to said transaction terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of carrying out a transaction between a buyer and a seller using a smart card having a cash token stored therein with a current cash token value and utilizing a paystation device coupled to a transaction terminal comprising the steps of:
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a. the transaction terminal communicating to said paystation device a cash transaction amount; b. the paystation device displaying said cash transaction amount; c. the paystation device reading the current cash token value stored in a smart card inserted by the buyer to signify an offer to pay the cash transaction amount using said cash token stored in said smart card; d. the paystation device calculating a new cash token value as the difference between said current cash token value and said cash transaction amount; e. the paystation device automatically writing said new cash token value into said cash token of said smart card without further action by the buyer; and f. the paystation device automatically communicating a cash transaction message to said transaction terminal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A paystation device adapted to be coupled to a transaction terminal for carrying out a transaction between a seller and a buyer using a smart card having a cash token value stored therein and having a current cash token value and comprising:
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smart card interface means for accepting insertion of a smart card, for reading a current cash token value stored therein, and for writing a new cash token value thereto; a display means for displaying cash amounts; a communication interface for communicating data messages between said paystation device and said transaction terminal; programmed control means coupled to said smart card interface means, said display means, and said communication interface and comprising; means for receiving a cash transaction amount from said transaction terminal via said communication interface; means for operating said display means to display said cash transaction amount; means for operating said smart card interface means to read the current cash token value stored in a card inserted therein; and
means responsive to the combination of receipt of a cash transaction amount and presence ofa smart card in said smart card interface means for automatically and without other input from the buyer; calculating a new cash token value as the difference between said current cash token value and said cash transaction amount; operating said smart card interface means to write said new cash token value into said smart card; and sending a transaction message to said transaction terminal via said communication interface. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification