GB2239765A

GB2239765A - Data handling apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2239765A
Application number: GB8928441A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Lowe
Original assignee: KEYBOARD PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: KEYBOARD PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-12-16
Filing date: 1989-12-16
Publication date: 1991-07-10
Also published as: GB8928441D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprises a computer (10) means (12, 14) eg a card-reader and keyboard for entering data into the computer memory, a first port (16) connected to a telecommunications network (18) and a second port (20) connected to a telephone (22). The computer (10) monitors incoming calls and upon receipt of a predetermined signal (sent from a remote computer over the network (18) retains the call and transmits data from the memory to the remote computer. Where the predetermined signal is not received calls are diverted to port (20) and thence to the standard telephone (22) as ordinary telephone calls. <IMAGE>

Description

DATA HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention is concerned with data handling apparatus and method and is especially concerned with handling data in credit transactions.

For a variety of reasons, for example social or criminal background, a considerable proportion of the population is unable to acquire goods or services by credit. This is especially inconvenient in the case of public utilities, for example electricity, gas and water where it has previously been possible to pay in advance for the product to be supplied by means of a prepayment meter to which coins are supplied and stored, the meter being emptied at regular intervals. Such cash prepayment meters are unsatisfactory insofar as there is a significant possibility of theft occurring either from the meter itself or from the person collecting the cash from the prepayment meters. It has been proposed to utilise a prepayment system where prepayment cards, acceptable only to a particular meter, identified by an appropriate coding on the card, are purchased and then supplied to the meter.Such cards have been available from the public utility concerned but this is inconvenient insofar as the cards are only available during normal working hours. It has been proposed to provide suitable dispensing machines at appropriate situations but these, too, are liable to theft either from the equipment itself or when the'cash is collected.

Such problems can be reduced by making the prepayment cards available from more secure sites which are local to the potential users but where security is greater than in an exposed dispensing machine whilst cards are accessible more readily over a greater period of time. Suitable outlets for dispensing of such cards include the local "corner shop" and twenty four hour petrol stations.

In one aspect the invention may be considered to provide apparatus comprising computer means including a memory and a processing unit, means for entering data into the memory, a first port adapted to be connected to a telecommunications network and a second port adapted to be connected to a terminal apparatus, the processing unit being adapted to monitor all incoming calls from a network to which the first port is connected, on receipt of a predetermined signal to retain the call and transmit data from the memory to the telecommunications network for transmission to a remote terminal and to divert all calls where said predetermined signal is not received to the second port to be received by a terminal apparatus connected thereto.

Preferably the means for entering data of apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a keyboard: a keyboard may be used to enter only financial information or may be used to enter all information concerned with a particular transaction including identification of the parties to the transaction. Additionally apparatus in accordance with the invention may include a card reader (on which data may be encoded in any suitable form, for example magnetic or visual means): data identifying one or both of the parties to a transaction may be encoded on such a card and input to the computer means by running the card through an appropriate card reader.

Conveniently terminal apparatus connected to the second port (in apparatus in accordance with the invention), comprises a standard telephone handset.

In another aspect the invention may be considered to provide a method of operating a telecommunications receiving system comprising monitoring all incoming calls received from the network, connecting those calls for which a predetermined signal is received from the network to computer means and connecting all calls where said predetermined signal is not received to a terminal apparatus.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be considered to provide a method of storing and transferring data comprising procuring a first computer means and connecting it to a telecommunications network at a first address, procuring a second computer means and connecting it to the telecommunications network at a second address remote from the first computer means, inputting data to the first computer means to be stored thereby, causing the first computer means to monitor all incoming calls to said first address and to accept only those calls transmitting a predetermined signal and to divert all other calls, causing said second computer means to transmit said predetermined signal through the telecommunications network to said first computer, and causing the first computer means on receipt of said predetermined signal to transmit stored data to the second computer means through the network.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of apparatus and a method embodying the invention. It will be realised that this apparatus and method have been selected to describe the invention by way of example.

The accompanying drawing is a block diagram of apparatus embodying the invention.

The illustrative apparatus comprises computer means 10 including a memory and a central processing unit, and means comprising a card reader 12 and a keyboard 14 for entering data into the memory. The computer means further comprises a first port 16 adapted to be connected to a line 18 of a telecommunications network and a second port 20 adapted to be connected to a terminal apparatus namely a standard telephone handset 22. The illustrative apparatus further comprises means, for example a printer 24, adapted to issue encoded tokens carrying data which has been entered into the memory of the computer means 10.

The computer means further comprises a modem by which the computer means is connected to the first port 16.

The illustrative apparatus is especially adapted for use in carrying out methods in accordance with the invention.

In the use of the illustrative apparatus for issuing encoded tokens for use in prepayment meters of public utilities, for example the electricity industry, the illustrative apparatus is installed at a sales outlet, for example a local shop or a garage. A telephone line 18 to the sales outlet is connected to the first port 16 of the illustrative apparatus and the existing telephone handset belonging to the sales outlet is connected to the second port 20 of the illustrative apparatus. The computer means 10 continuously monitors incoming calls on the line 18 and is adapted to check all incoming calls for a predetermined signal: if the predetermined signal is not received within a preselected time interval from the incoming call first being detected by the computer means 10, the processing unit of the computer means is adapted to operate a switch means (not shown) to divert the incoming call to the second port 20 and thus to the existing telephone handset 22 where the telephone will ring and be answered as a normal telephone call. If, on the other hand, the central processing unit receives said pre-determined signal within the allotted time period, the call is accepted by the computer means 10 and does not reach the handset 22.The pre-determined signal originates at a second computer means (not shown) of the public utility, connected to the tele-communications network at a remote location. On receipt of the predetermined signal, the computer means 10 is adapted to transmit stored data from the memory of the computer means 10 to the telecommunications network for transmission to the remote second computer means where it is stored and processed.

Data is entered into the memory of the computer means 10 by means of the card reader 12 (conveniently a SWIPE reader) through which an identification card is passed, the card carrying encoded information identifying the electricity meter with which the card is associated.

The keyboard 14 is used to enter the sum of money which has been paid over to the sales outlet. After all of the data has been entered, the computer means 10 is activated to cause the printer 24 to print an encoded token carrying the encoded identification of the electricity meter with which the token is associated and the amount of credit which has been purchased. The encoded token can then be fed into the electricity meter in order to receive the purchased amount of electricity. As the token is encoded with the identification of the particular meter with which it is associated, it is only possible to use the encoded token in association with the correct meter and so the token has no value other than in association with the meter for which it is intended.

The identity of the user and the amount of electricity purchased are stored in the memory of the computer means 10.

The computer means 10 is interrogated at regular intervals by the remote second computer means and upon interrogation transfers the data stored in the memory to the second computer means. This record of the transactions which have taken place is used to directdebit the sales outlet's bank account for the amount of money owing to the public utility and as a record of the sales of encoded tokens which have occurred. The tokens themselves are collected from time to time from the electricity meter involved and checked against the sales recorded on the computer and against the amount of electricity indicated by the meter to have actually been used, to ensure that no unauthorised use of the electricity is occurring.

It will be understood that a similar system may be used to deal with various other transactions where a prepayment of some type is necessary - for example it may be possible to issue railway or airline tickets by such a means.

This illustrative apparatus makes use of an existing telephone line without interrupting its existing use because it is necessary to interrogate the computer means 10 for only a very short period of time in order to receive the necessary information. For the remainder of the time (by far the greatest part of the day) the telephone line is free for normal use and ordinary incoming calls can be received and outgoing calls from the telephone handset 22 can be made, as normal. The installation of a dedicated telephone line is thus avoided and the transactions can be carried out at relatively little expense with added convenience for the end user, the expense involved being merely the cost of the apparatus and a small commission paid to the sales outlet.

Although the illustrative apparatus is primarily intended for use in credit sales transactions, it will be appreciated that a similar system may be used in connection with the transference from one computer means to another of any stored data, without requiring a dedicated telephone line.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising computer means including a memory and a processing unit, means for entering data into the memory, a first port adapted to be connected to a telecommunications network and a second port adapted to be connected to a terminal apparatus, the processing unit being adapted to monitor all incoming calls from a network to which the first port is connected, on receipt of a predetermined signal to retain the call and transmit data from the memory to the telecommunications network for transmission to a remote terminal and to divert all calls where said predetermined signal is not received to the second port to be received by a terminal apparatus connected thereto.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said means for entering data includes a card reader.

3. Apparatus according to either one of said Claims 1 and 2 wherein said means for entering data includes a keyboard.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a terminal apparatus connected to said second port.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the terminal apparatus is a telephone handset.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means adapted to issue encoded tokens carrying data entered into the computer memory.

7. Apparatus constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of operating a telecommunications receiving system comprising monitoring all incoming calls received from the network, connecting those calls for which a predetermined signal is received from the network to computer means and connecting calls where said predetermined signal is not received to a terminal apparatus.

9. A method of storing and transferring data comprising procuring a first computer means and connecting it to a telecommunications network at a first address, procuring a second computer means and connecting it to the telecommunications network at a second address remote from the first computer means, inputting data to the first computer means to be stored thereby, causing the first computer means to monitor all incoming calls to said first address and to accept only those calls transmitting a predetermined signal and to divert all other calls, causing said second computer means to transmit said predetermined signal through the telecommunications network to said first computer, and causing the first computer means on receipt of said predetermined signal to transmit stored data to the second computer means through the network.