GB1319876A - Data reading satellite station for communication with a central data bank - Google Patents

Abstract

1319876 Credit card systems AMP Inc 19 April 1971 [27 April 1970] 26184/71 Heading G4T A data reading and transmission system for use with credit cards includes a central data storage station and at least one communicating data reading satellite station, the latter comprising a card reader/imprinter 4, a scanner 1 for scanning read data and a receiver 12, frequency detectors f1-f4 and bistable devices 14, 21, 24, 25 which cause operation of scanner 1 on receipt of signals of a first frequency from the central station and subsequently the operation or otherwise of the imprinter depending on the frequency of a further set of signals transmitted by the central station. In operation of the embodiment shown, a card and invoice are inserted in reader/imprinter 4 with scanner 1 in its home position H and in response to this and a present or previous dialling of the central station by an operator which results in a reply tone on line T, both inputs of AND gate 13 are energized. The reply tone which is of frequency 1 sets bistable device 14 and energizes a second input of AND gate 11 with consequent operation of scanner 1 via OR gate 15 and control 40. Movement of the scanner through position R resets bistable devices 14, 21, 24, 25 and 27. Stations 2-8 which include "start" and "end of message" stations 2, 8, an "address" station 3 and a "purchase or refund" station 6 as well as reader/imprinter station 4 are subsequently scanned, the scanned signals being shunted successively to a decoder 17, for translation into touch tone code, an oscillator 16 and an amplifier 18. In the wait position W of the scanner one inlet of AND gate 20, which feeds frequency detectors f2-f4, is energized. Reply by the central station to the scanned signals energizes the other inlet of gate 20 and if the reply is of frequency range f2, lamp 44 lights to indicate that credit is "good" and the imprinter operates to imprint data from the card on to the invoice. If the reply is of frequency range f3, lamp 46 is lit to indicate that there is doubt about credit and no imprinting occurs and if of frequency range f4 lamp 47 is lit to indicate that credit is "bad" and again functioning of the imprinter is inhibited. In each case the scanner is returned to its home position H. Stations 3 and 6 may be set by a manual switch system and if no reply is received within a predetermined time, a timer 56 resets the satellite station throughout. In a second embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown) touch tone operation is replaced by modern operation and the apparatus incorporates a three-level decoder 37.