Translation and connection device for radio frequency point of sale transaction systems
First Claim
1. A method for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising the steps of:
- a) detecting for an off-hook condition and producing an off-hook signal in response;
b) monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within a pre-determined time window, following said off-hook signal, switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in the absence of said signalling tones within said time window and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said signalling tones within said time window;
c) examining said preprogrammed signal in said memory location for the presence or absence of a delimited data sequence and switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said delimited data sequence;
d) examining said preprogrammed signal in the absence of said delimited data sequence for the presence or absence of a corresponding entry in a table of values, switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said corresponding entry; and
e) generating a signal signifying a failed transmission attempt in the absence of said corresponding entry.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided that interfaces with existing point of sale credit card reading devices, and furnishes the option of transmitting data over either the existing modem installation or a radio frequency data communication network. The device scans the information encoded on the credit card to determine which data transmission path is appropriate for a particular transaction. The device software generates the necessary signals to simulate the normal interaction between the POS cardreader device and a modem. The software also converts between serial and packetized data in order to request and receive credit card purchase authorizations over the radio frequency data communication network.
282 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising the steps of:
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a) detecting for an off-hook condition and producing an off-hook signal in response; b) monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within a pre-determined time window, following said off-hook signal, switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in the absence of said signalling tones within said time window and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said signalling tones within said time window; c) examining said preprogrammed signal in said memory location for the presence or absence of a delimited data sequence and switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said delimited data sequence; d) examining said preprogrammed signal in the absence of said delimited data sequence for the presence or absence of a corresponding entry in a table of values, switching said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection in response to the presence of said corresponding entry; and e) generating a signal signifying a failed transmission attempt in the absence of said corresponding entry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for processing a preprogrammed signal for transmission over either a telephone connection or radio connection comprising:
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(a) a memory for storing a predetermined time window and a table of values; (b) means for detecting an off-hook condition and producing and off-hook response; (c) means for monitoring for the condition of signalling tones within said time window responsive to said off-hook response; (d) means for switching and connecting said preprogrammed signal to said telephone connection in response to the absence of said signalling tones, and directing said preprogrammed signal to a memory location in response to the presence of said tones; (e) means for extracting from said preprogrammed signal in said memory location information relevant to said radio connection; (f) switching means, responsive to said means for extracting, for connecting said preprogrammed signal to said radio connection; and (g) signal generating means, responsive to said means for extracting, for signalling a failed transmission attempt indicating an absence of said extracted information relevant to said radio connection. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification