Credit and bank issued debit card operated system and method for controlling a vending machine

• US 6,152,365 A
• Filed: 02/20/1997
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): TREMBLAY, MARK STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US08/803,438
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 235/377, 235/378, 235/381, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4037 Remote solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/208 Use of an ATM as a switch or hub
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A system and method for controlling and monitoring credit card transactions of a vending machine that dispenses and/or encodes prepaid cards. The system reads magnetically stored information from a credit card or debit card, receives an authorization amount for a transaction from a credit verification source or determines whether a selected prepaid amount is below a maximum allowed transaction amount, and stores transaction information. The system also controls the vending of the use of a general purpose computer and peripheral devices.

Claims

1. A combination credit card terminal and debit card terminal system for vending use of a computer by a user comprising:

a) a computer;

b) a magnetic card reader configured to function as a credit card terminal and a debit card terminal wherein said debit card terminal can receive a prepaid card, and said magnetic card reader is coupled to the computer and configured to enable/disable use of the computer by the user, by being responsive to the received prepaid card or the credit card;

c) a printer coupled to the magnetic card reader, wherein the magnetic card reader is configured to monitor and control use of the printer, and the magnetic card reader receives input pulses from the printer via an interface circuit;

d) an input signal conditioning circuit for receiving the input pulses from the printer and providing conditioned input pulses; and

e) an isolation circuit for receiving the conditioned input pulses and providing an isolated output signal to the magnetic card reader, whereby the isolation circuit is AC coupled to the input pulses.

2. A combination credit card terminal and debit card terminal system according to claim 1, wherein the input signal conditioning circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage clamping circuit.

3. A combination credit card terminal and debit card terminal system according to claim 1, wherein the input signal conditioning circuit includes a AC coupler and a voltage clamping circuit.