With vending

An automated fuel dispensing system provides semiattended operation utilizing a computerized credit authorization and billing technique by means of a direct connection to a regional credit center over communication lines. A control console for multiple pump dispensers interconnects with a local central...     

Automatic banking system equipment which presents at a remote customer station a unit enabling a customer to carry out any one of a number of banking services, such as depositing, making payments of various types, transferring funds between accounts, or withdrawing cash. The equipment has programmable...     

An automatic monetary value dispensing system wherein a card previously issued to each customer having an account therein is used to actuate the system. The card has recorded thereon necessary data such as the identification number and the current off-line balance of the account, with the on-line balance...     

A money-dispensing system is operative to dispense packets of money in selected number to a bank customer in response to presentation to the system of his credit card and keyed-entry of a personal identification number corresponding uniquely to the account number recorded magnetically on the card. Magnetic...     

The present system provides a key device which, when fitted into a key receptacle, connects a certain number of electrical circuit terminals so that certain necessary relay circuits, connected to said terminals, are energized whereby a circuit to energize a solenoid and thereby open a lock is completed...     

A merchandise checkout system is disclosed including a credit card reader operated by the customer to obtain credit information used in totalizing the merchandise transaction. A data terminal is utilized by the checkout operator to total the amount of the purchased items. Simultaneously with the operation...     

An automatic fuel-dispensing system for dispensing fuel at unattended fueling sites includes a number of fuel pumps capable of dispensing different types of fuel. A common control console is used to control the operation of the fuel pumps and to record the data relative to the customer identification,...     

A vending system is disclosed which is adapted to be installed in a hotel or the like for permitting the guests to buy articles in a refrigerator or vending machine in a guest room without use of coins. When a guest inserts his memory holder into a vending machine and selects an article, an article code...     

A terminal for providing for the performance of transactions by a user on a step by step basis and with the terminal, including, a visual display for displaying to the user at specific steps in a transaction instructional text to the user for the performance by the user to advance the transaction on...     

A versatile automatic transaction equipment comprises: a basic module including a user operation unit, an ID card processing unit, a transaction recording unit, and a cash delivery unit for cash payment transaction or verification of customer account balance; a deposit-receiving sub-module including...     

A vending apparatus has a plurality of cash-less vending machines installed in guest rooms and meeting rooms and at any other suitable places in hotels and supermarkets, and any customers who want to use the vending machines may have their own memory holders from a front or cashier. Upon insertion of...     

A code-word security system uses a logic module which can receive an account code word (or any other data that is specific to an individual) and a secret code word from an individual for encoding in accordance with a logical combination of such code words altered in accordance with a selectable control...     

This invention describes a system for access control, wherein a control card is presented to a control means. If the control card is authenticated, then access is gained. If it is not authenticated, access is not gained, the control card is retained, and an alarm may be sounded. The control card contains...     

A system is disclosed for issuing airline tickets without the intervention of any ticket agent. The system includes a plurality of electro-mechanical ticket terminals in communication with a central computer. Each of the terminals has a card reader, a modem, destination select buttons, and a printer....     

The dispenser is operable with an identification card carrying all data necessary for dispensing of money, and either a code number or a check, also carrying all data necessary for dispensing of money, and the dispenser is connected to a central computer having access to all data relative to a dispensation...     

A postage meter is used in conjunction with a check which serves for updating, i.e. increasing the credit register, by a predetermined sum of money. The check is keyed to the particular meter either prior to or after updating the register, and means are provided to invalidate the check after use and...     

Disclosed is a receipt slip issuing apparatus for an automatic transaction system in which an identification card path crosses a blank path through which a two-ply details slip blank is fed, and a transcription mechanism for transferring card-borne information onto the blank is located in the position...     

Disclosed is an automatic cash dispensing machine whose casing has a substantially vertical front panel and a substantially horizontal top panel extending backward from the top edge of the front panel. On the horizontal top panel are a keyboard operation unit through which a customer is to designate...     

An ordering terminal for videocassette program material including a keyboard, credit card reader, TV monitor and speaker and display board. The user can order videocassette program material from the terminal and can preview proposed selection before ordering. The terminal is in communication with a central...     

A card-coding system and method preserves the security of the encoding process against duplication and counterfeiting of cards by securing the interactions under the control of the individual and then of the issuing institution. Multilevels of offset codes are generated in successive interactions so...     

A card-encoding system and method preserves the security of the encoding process against duplication and counterfeiting of cards by securing the interactions under the control of the individual and then of the issuing institution. Multilevels of offset codes are generated in successive interactions so...     

A card-encoding system and method preserves the security of the encoding process against duplication and counterfeiting of cards by securing the interactions under the control of the individual and then of the issuing institution. Multilevels of offset codes are generated in successive interactions so...     

A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video information, printed documents, and goods; and for accepting service orders and payments therefor by currency or credit card. The terminal comprises a cathode ray tube display with mass storage for presenting information about the product or service...     

To reduce the number of different software packages required for document controlled systems of the type used in automated fueling systems, automated bank teller systems, and the like, a "format" character is encoded in a preestablished location on the card used to activate the system. Typically, the...     

A number of bank notes are inserted into the bank note entrance unit of a bank note depositing apparatus and are continuously received so that they may be inspected and counted at a high speed. After the counting operation, the bank notes are stored in a temporary storage unit and subsequently in such...     

A payment responsive system for displaying information comprises at least one remote terminal adapted to display information for a pre-determined time upon payment, a central processor adapted to control input of information and transmission to the remote terminal, the tramsmission to be initiated at...     

There is provided a transaction processing system including a terminal machine for automatic cash transactions initiated with record media possessed by users, comprising means for reading data on record media inserted by users, means for detecting if the read data are related to certain data representing...     

A communication link for transferring information from a data terminal with connected light pen (3), which includes a light diode (4) and a phototransistor (5) or corresponding means, to a greater computer unit. According to the invention, the communication link (1) includes an information transferring...     

An apparatus for dispensing banknotes from a store (10) of banknotes to a receipt opening (11) accessible to a customer comprises first conveying means (13-14) for conveying banknotes to a magazine or collecting space (15), and second conveying means (16-17) for conveying the collected banknotes to the...     

An automatic bank note transaction apparatus comprises a first unit detachably mounted in a housing and including safes disposed at one side thereof and a second unit provided in the housing, adjacent to and detachably mounted on the first unit and connected to a bank note dispensing port of the housing....     

In a check controlled postage meter a computer terminal is provided for receiving a partially coded check. The check is decoded and additional information, such as register settings and subscriber identification data, is supplied by a subscriber via manual input means at the computer terminal. Responsive...     

There is disclosed a protection system for intelligent cards. Each card has stored in it a code which is the encryption of a concatenation of a user secret password and a common reference text. The encryption is derived by an initialization terminal which uses the private key associated with the public...     

A miniaturized card unit, resembling a standard credit card, incorporates solid state counter, a multiplexer means, and a small battery. The counter may be incremented or decremented in accordance with a direction control signal. A multiplexer in the card unit is releasably engageable with the demultiplexer...     

A slip issuing device comprises a guide station, a first separating station, a cutting station, a printing station and a second separating station successibly along a conveying direction for a string of slips. The guide station allows a string of slips to travel along the conveying direction. The first...     

An identification element in the form of an integrated circuit, for example for identification cards and similar data carriers. The element contains a confidential code which is known only by the lawful owner of the card and is compared in the integrated circuit with a typed in code. To prevent the unauthorized...     

A personal identification system capable of using the information of a combination of certain questions and answers to said questions as the information to connect a card to its original owner, capable of displaying said questions at the time of card input and letting a card user enter answers to said...     

A vending machine system for hotels or the like is disclosed in which a plurality of remote vending machines communicate with a central processing unit to transmit thereto information on article sales. Each of the vending machines includes sensors for sensing the presence of articles in an article store...     

In an information computer and data processing system where transactions controlled by the system are initiated and set up by a card inserted to a magnetic strip card reader, provisions are made to terminate the transaction and set the card out of the reader in response to certain conditions of the data...     

A controlled access storage system provides for selectively permitting custodial access to valuable items that can be stored in a safe within the system. The system provides an item-removal mode of operation during which a record member is used to gain access to stored valuable items and is captured...     

A sheet dispenser in which sheets are delivered from cassettes to a collector and held thereon. The collector is mounted on a movable support, and the collector and bills thereon are moved to either left or right delivery areas of the terminal in response to a request entered on an input terminal. Closures...     

Credit cards to be used with automated systems such as vending machines or the like have various identification and other data encoded on them for use with a particular system for which they are intended. To prevent persons familiar with the system operation and the manner of encoding data on such credit...     

In an automatic depositing apparatus a plurality of note storage sections are provided in a housing. Each of the note storage sections include, a cash box in which notes are collected, a temporary storage space adjoining the cash box to temporarily keep the notes delivered to the note storage section,...     

A checking system is provided to check the condition of a plurality of storage racks, e.g., the quantity and types of articles in racks in a machine, with the articles being stored along the length of the racks. Rack indicating means is provided in the form of indicia adjacent each of the plurality of...     

A mobile radio communication system having a plurality of fixed stations respectively connected to a plurality of subscriber's lines extending from a telephone exchange, and a plurality of mobile stations linked with the fixed stations through radio channels. Each of the mobile stations effect speech...     

The disclosure being made by the Video Cassette Selection Machine is that of an automated library retrieval system of video tape cassettes combined with the additional features of a complete playback system which include: a cassette player, T.V. unit(s), and speaker system(s). Additional features provided...     

An individual discrimination card in accordance with the present invention includes a memory for memorizing the data which represents the frequency of erroneous input of a secret code data. The erroneous input frequency data comprises a first data and a second data. The individual discrimination card...     

When a vehicle has reached an entry gate, toll information, such as the type of the vehicle, time and date, etc. are detected and printed on a passage coupon, which is automatically issued at a certain position corresponding to the type of vehicle to be taken by a driver. A highway toll is collected...     

A single copy newspaper vending machine in which a telescoping rod assembly is activated via a comparative and memory electronic circuit. Data is read into the circuit by means of a magnetic card and reader. The apparatus and method provide a guaranteed newspaper sale since the magnetic card must be...     

A token handling device transmits, using an electromagnetic carrier, data, clock pulses and power to a token. The token transmits data by varying the degree of absorbtion of the carrier in synchronism with the clock pulses. These data transmissions are detected by a receiver in the token handling device,...     

A system is set forth which is particularly adapted for use in drive-through, fast food establishments by which a patron make his/her own selections and pay for the order with a credit card. The system includes a panel having a plurality of touch responsive switches each or several corresponding to a...     

A vending system for automatic sale of articles selected by a customer, comprising a display for displaying groups of vending information in respective steps of a vending procedure that are executed to select one of the articles. The vending system comprises an advancing key and a returning key which...     

A voice recording card (1) can record and reproduce a message and when it is inserted into a transmitting and receiving apparatus (3), it can transmit and receive the message. In a recording mode, the message is applied through a microphone (14), converted into a digital signal by an analog/digital converter...     

A system incorporating a cluster of several telephone stations or terminals to interface with one or more frequently called remote data stations for economy of dial-up connection in accommodating communication with multiple terminals of the cluster during a single call to a remote station. With a call...     

A system incorporating a cluster of several telephone stations or terminals to interface with one or more frequently called remote data stations for economy of dial-up connection in accommodating communication with multiple terminals of the cluster during a single call to a remote station. With a call...     

An automatic vending machine is arranged so as to dispense a sale only when card identifying information which has been registered and card identifying information which is input are collated and the result of collation verifies a valid registration. The machine has means for inputting card identifying...     

An automatic vending machine is disclosed that operates in response to a card inserted by a user. The card contains identification information which is used to access data stored in a memory device regarding the amount of money the user has credited to his account. If the account balance exceeds the...     

Vending machine for vending re-usable articles, in response to patron's entering an identification code number, and depositing money. The articles are individually identified (films and video tapes) and of a value greater than the amount required for vending, and upon return by the patron, they are placed,...     

The invention concerns a card activated prepayment and metering systgem for the sale of a utility service. Distributors are sold bulk sevice credits which they then resell in smaller quantities to individual customers. Customers are issued magnetic striped cards upon which information may be stored and...     

A video cassette vending machine has a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible and a vend position which is user-accessible. A carrier unit is provided for carrying a selected video cassette between one of the storage positons and the vend position. a positioning unit is provided...     

An automatic ticket handling machine AT adapted for use as a ticket vending station, presenting a display screen D, a telephone receiver-speaker unit TEL and a credit card reader unit CR, etc. Within machine AT is a sheet handling mechanism adapted to receive processed tickets (from a printer) in a "holding...     

A remote transaction system is disclosed which may be used to conduct business transactions wherein visual contact between a buyer and a seller is desired or required. A transaction booth is located remotely from an operations center, the booth and the center being connected by audio and video communication...     

A pickle card dispenser comprising a cabinet having a front portion adapted to display the pickle cards in a vertically disposed manner with the vertically disposed cards being in communication with a plurality of card trays provided in the cabinet. The front portion of the cabinet has a plurality of...     

Disclosed is a read/write apparatus for magnetic card, which includes a card conveyance passage along which a flexible magnetic card is guided. The passage has a direction changing portion where the direction of the passage is gradually changed, and a downstream portion where the passage extends vertically...     

A credit card operable storage system is provided. A plurality of credit card accessed and computer operated safes are communicatively linked to a respective branch computer, which is in turn communicatively linked to a central host computer (central host). The safes transmit use information (including...     

A recharging system for a postage meter includes automatic telephone communication with a remote accounting center which utilizes touch-tone (DTMF) signals on the postage meter users telephone line to enable automatic recrediting of the descending register of the postage meter whenever the amount remaining...     

A cash dispenser for dispensing bills in response to a customer's operation includes a bill outlet for presenting bills to a customer, and a safe removably mounted on the cash dispenser and loaded with bills to be dispensed. Feeding and transporting paths feed bills from the safe and transport them to...     

A coupon dispensing system which displays a number of images, each image representing a product to be promoted and including a product selection area to be manipulated by a consumer to select that product. A switch is associated with each selection area to register the selection. The system receives...     

An automated system for controlling a fuel dispensing pump is disclosed. The system comprises debit card vending apparatus, said apparatus comprising automated means for accepting the payment either in cash, credit or IC cards, means for automated verifying of said payment methods and means for issuing...     

A bar-code remote-control device includes a first key for inputting a detection instructing signal and a second key for inputting a transmission instructing signal. The device also includes a gate circuit which is opened after completion of a processing in a remote-control data transmission processing...     

A hand-held electronic apparatus such as an IC card including a data memory and a CPU has a keyboard and a display. The IC card includes a timepiece circuit which is kept operated. The IC card turns off the display in the standby state in order to save an internal battery. The CPU is also set in a HALT...     

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a selected one of a plurality of drugs. The apparatus includes a plurality of individual dispensing mechanisms which are contained within a cabinet. Each of the dispensing mechanisms is adapted to store a plurality of a selected drug unit and...     

A vending apparatus comprises a cabinet for storing a plurality of items available for purchase; a memory for storing product data associated with the plurality of items; a message device for visually or audibly reproducing selected segments of the stored product data; an input device for receiving selection...     

A ticket issuing apparatus includes a printing section constituted by a printing control circuit and a printing head, a communication interface connected to a desired host computer through a communication channel, and a card connector to which an IC card for storing a printing format is detachably connected....     

A ticket issuing apparatus includes a feeding path sheets of ticket paper on which magnetic stripes are formed, a feeding mechanism for feeding the ticket paper along the feeding path, a recording section provided on the feeding path for recording ticket data on the magnetic stripe of the ticket paper,...     

A Payment Authorization and Information Device for users of credit cards and other forms of credit receives billing information by tape or the like from the provider of the credit cards or from any such provider of credit. In the preferred embodiment, such information, encoded and identified as to the...     

An interactive pump system capable of interacting with and responding to responses from a user, having a pump (105), a central processing unit (705) connected to the pump (105), and a display and input unit (1407) including a plurality of instruction displays and being connected to the pump and the central...     

An unattended automated rental system for articles such as video cassettes includes a storage unit with electrically locked bins for containing rental articles. Each bin and its article has an identification code strip. A customer terminal having a keyboard and display monitor controlled from a computer...     

A transaction authentication system comprises a terminal, a first memory and an IC card which is detachably loaded into the terminal. The terminal supplies at least transaction data which is related to a transaction a designated storage region in a second memory stores the transaction data to the IC...     

Transfer of articles of different types between article handling devices within the apparatus and the user outside of it is effected through a limited number of access ports by an article gripping and transporting robot that undergoes multi-directional translational movement and that is capable of gripping...     

An IC card system comprises an IC card containing a semiconductor module with a CPU and a memory and a display section for displaying the contents of the memory, and a card terminal into which the IC card can be inserted, and which, when the IC card is inserted therein, reads the contents of the memory,...     

A parking ticket dispenser of the type to dispense a parking ticket upon payment of a required fee is provided. The parking meter includes a substantially rectangular shaped housing mounted on a pole extending upwardly from the ground. A coin receptacle projects forwardly from the front wall of the housing...     

An electronically controlled dispensing machine for articles such as video cassettes has a plurality of individual lockable compartments. The compartments have transparent doors through which the articles can be identified. A customer presents a coded data storage token with a credit amount stored on...     

A liquid dispensing apparatus capable of providing a customer with a desired amount of liquid depending on data recorded in a memory card purchased in place of liquor in the unit of a bottle. The apparatus includes a flowmeter to generate a signal representing the amount of liquid supplied, a card read/write...     

Money amount data and necessary discrimination data are recorded on a card and a card reader can read and write data on this card. A discarding circuit discards a money amount which is less than a money amount digit of a minimum denomination coin which can be handled from the money amount data read from...     

An IC memory card includes an IC memory chip, a connector for electrically connecting the IC memory chip to a terminal, a control circuit for maintaining the IC memory chip inoperative during a fixed period of time after the connector has been connected to the terminal, and a data generating circuit...     

There is provided a device for printing an impression of both postal codes and postage stamps on envelopes which comprises a frame having a slot to receive an envelope so that the envelope is in position to be appropriately printed with an impression of a postal code and postage stamp. Sensors are provided...     

An automated cashier system provides for microprocessor-controlled product display, order acceptance, payment and change generation. Both cash and credit card payments are accepted. The system is preferably mounted in a cabinet having upper and lower sections. The upper section contains the input and...     

A film storage device for storing films fed by a feed system in a magazine includes a pressing mechanism, angularly displaced with respect to a direction in which a film is fed, for pressing the film into the magazine, a film feeder coupled to the pressing mechanism and angularly movable for forcibly...     

A system for performing transaction from an account such as a checking account which adds a measure of assurance of payment to the account issuer is provided. The system includes a remote transaction terminal located at the point of the transaction. The terminal reads data on a card which identifies...     

An automatic resident card dispensing system is provided in which in order to identify the user demanding the issue of a resident card, a question-and-answer session is held on the basis of the resident record data specific to the right user, and it is determined whether the user has entered correct...     

The system includes a plurality of self-service terminals each of which includes a central processor and which services a plurality of locations at which sporting, dramatic, musical, etc. events are to be held. The central processor of each terminal is in communication with a central processor in each...     

The technical field of the disclosure generally concerns electronic mail systems. The present invention provides an ATM or POS system having a terminal and process or which are connected to an ATM or POS data communications network. The network also includes a store and forward message switch which stores...     

An improved article handling system includes an article storage structure for containing articles to be handled, transport structure for transporting articles to a position where they can be delivered to or removed from machine, control devices to identify, remove and deliver article to said storage...     

A self check out/check in terminal is disclosed for facilitating independent withdrawal or return of articles having article identifying indicia on opposing surfaces thereof, and alterable security indicia for indicating the circulation status of the article. The terminal comprises first and second readers...     

A gaming machine and game coupons are disclosed for allowing an operator to redeem winning game coupons by inserting them directly into the gaming machine rather than by taking them to a cashier. The game coupons are coded with a machine-readable prize code which represents a number of prize game credits....     

A cash card dispensing apparatus having two or more payment options for purchasing cash cards, or adding credit to a cash card, is disclosed herein. Security features include a first inner compartment which is enclosed by a second compartment wherein a side panel is loosely fitted between the two compartments....     

A self-service beverage distribution system includes a piping network with refrigerated tubing for transporting beverages, such as beer, from at least one source to at least one output. A drinker purchases a magnetic card which represents a predetermined quantity of beer, and which specifies which beer...     

An apparatus for composing individualized sales presentations created by various data sources from customer profiles managed by organizational hierarchy matrixes directed by multiple operating programs. The apparatus provides the means for synergistically creating and displaying customized presentations...     

There is disclosed a currency transfer system and method which utilizes the existing ATM network but which provides for the temporary assignment of a PIN number and the temporary establishment of a credit limit within an existing account. Using the system a customer can, by using a temporary PIN at an...     

A point of sale terminal is disclosed that provides all of the usual point of sale terminal functions, but that is entirely field portable. Data pertinent to each purchase can be input to the terminal via a keyboard assembly, a touch-screen display or a signature-capture screen assembly, or via an antenna...