Method and apparatus for credit card processing via facsimile
First Claim
1. A method for making a credit card transaction utilizing a facsimile machine to transmit information to a credit card processing center, and thereby enable a small volume of credit card transactions to be affordable, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) imprinting information relevant to the credit card transaction on a transmittal form;
(2) transmitting the information on the transmittal form from a first facsimile transmission/reception capable machine to a second facsimile transmission/reception capable machine at a first processing location;
(3) converting the information on the transmittal form to an electronic format which is suitable for delivery to a credit card processing information center;
(4) accessing the credit card processing information center and transmitting the electronic format of the information thereto for determination of whether the credit card transaction is allowable;
(5) receiving an approval status from the credit card processing information center at the first processing center; and
(6) transmitting the approval status of the credit card transaction to the first facsimile transmission/reception capable machine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making credit card transactions which includes utilizing a facsimile machine for transmitting credit card information and purchase amount to an information processing center. The information processing center receives and converts the received information into an electronic format, and then accesses credit card account information via the Internet. A final disposition of the purchase is then transmitted to the merchant via facsimile which is either approval or disapproval of the transaction.
18 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method for making a credit card transaction utilizing a facsimile machine to transmit information to a credit card processing center, and thereby enable a small volume of credit card transactions to be affordable, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) imprinting information relevant to the credit card transaction on a transmittal form;
(2) transmitting the information on the transmittal form from a first facsimile transmission/reception capable machine to a second facsimile transmission/reception capable machine at a first processing location;
(3) converting the information on the transmittal form to an electronic format which is suitable for delivery to a credit card processing information center;
(4) accessing the credit card processing information center and transmitting the electronic format of the information thereto for determination of whether the credit card transaction is allowable;
(5) receiving an approval status from the credit card processing information center at the first processing center; and
(6) transmitting the approval status of the credit card transaction to the first facsimile transmission/reception capable machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A system for making a credit card transaction utilizing a facsimile machine to transmit information to a credit card processing center, and thereby enable a small volume of credit card transactions to be affordable, said system comprising:
-
means for having recorded thereon information relevant to the credit card transaction at a transaction location;
means for transmitting the information from the transaction location to a first processing location;
means for receiving the information at the first processing location;
means for converting the information to an electronic format which is suitable for delivery to a credit card processing information center; and
means for accessing the credit card processing information center and transmitting the electronic format of the information thereto for determination of whether the credit card transaction can be approved, and for receiving an approval status from the credit card processing information center at the first processing center. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification