Abstract: In conjunction with elements of a single conventional telephone, a central processor isolates the telephone from the communications network facility to function with a voice synthesizer structure and a DTMF encoder/decoder apparatus and develop a data packet for inquiry from a terminal to a telephone inquiry processing center. On completion of the data packet, a dial-up connection is established between the terminal and the inquiry processing center for fast, efficient automated communication. Reply data is delivered through the telephone by the voice synthesizer. The control processor executes a series of switching operations to accomplish the data exchange.

Abstract: A lottery ticket sales system serves a multiplicity of facilities, each having a plurality of point-of-sale locations. Sales are expedited by cards customized for individual customers only with desired wager data in machine-readable form to identify repeated purchases. Terminals at point-of-sale locations in a facility are coupled to a facility play center for interfacing a remote central computer through telephone communications. Cards, void of individual data, are prepared by the play centers. Terminals receive cards for cooperation with a facility play center to formulate an order data pocket communicated to the central computer. Contemplated purchase data packets are supplied from the central computer for actuating source terminals to display a purchase value for approval or rejection. Approved purchases prompt the terminal to issue one or more lottery tickets with the recorded wager data.

Abstract: Remotely located lottery terminals, for operation by purchasers of lottery tickets, are adapted to be coupled by telephone to each other and to a central host computer as for verification of tickets by storing backup lottery data. Individual terminals are self-sufficient to approve ticket sales, issue tickets, encrypt data, register data and verify winners. Tickets are sold by terminals on the basis of various payment forms, e.g. cash, credit cards and payslips. One aspect of security in the relationship between the host computer and the remote terminals is provided by monitoring for operating anomalies, as a disconnected terminal, format irregularities or identification failures. Detection of an anomaly prompts corrective action, e.g. commanding a fresh call, realigning data or calling numbers for identification confirmation, as by use of ANI calling number identification.

Abstract: 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 from one terminal to a remote data station, a transmit-receive unit interfaces the cluster with the data station setting the terminals in the cluster in a polling sequence to accommodate additional communications. The system preserves an "off-hook" state polling the individual terminals in the cluster to accommodate further communication from the cluster terminals to the central data station. Polling is facilitated by a cluster counter in the transmit-receive unit coordinated with logic indicating the state of each terminal in the cluster.

Abstract: 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 from one terminal to a remote data station, a transmit-receive unit interfaces the cluster with the data station setting the terminals in the cluster in a polling sequence to accommodate additional communications. The system preserves an "off-hook" state polling the individual terminals in the cluster to accommodate further communication from the cluster terminals to the central data station. Polling is facilitated by a cluster counter in the transmit-receive unit coordinated with logic indicating the state of each terminal in the cluster.

Abstract: A credit verification system is disclosed including remote terminals and a central unit, for use with identification cards carrying a changeable recording medium. On presentation, cards are sensed to provide signals indicative of identification with (1) an aggregate amount of all value transactions supported by the card during a period (month) and (2) an aggregate amount of all those value transactions occurring at "off-line" stations or terminals during the period. Each terminal senses signals indicative of amounts of values as a control, depending upon the current mode of operation for the terminal involved, e.g. "off-line" or "on-line." Approval is indicated in either state, providing the card is acceptable under established criteria for each state, e.g. that the imposed limits are not exceeded.

Abstract: .Iadd.A system is disclosed for providing financial status data from a data processing system to a plurality of input units. Operation is based on identification verification, personal history records, and current activity of subjects. Subjects are verified using two classes of identification, one that is characteristic of a subject and another that is arbitrarily assigned. Arbitrary identification signals designate a memory location for a subject's status and characteristic identification. A comparison between recorded and inquiry identification confirms a subject's identity. The system includes apparatus for accepting and recording identifications for first-time subjects. Memory also registers personal history, for example, negative information on subjects which is provided as one form of status data. Records of a subject's recent activity are generated in the memory to indicate another form of status data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing financial status data from a data processing system to a plurality of input units. Operation is based on identification verification, personal history records, and current activity of subjects. Subjects are verified using two classes of identification, one that is characteristic of a subject and another that is arbitrarily assigned. Arbitrary identification signals designate a memory location for a subject's status and characteristic identification. A comparison between recorded and inquiry identification confirms a subject's identity. The system includes apparatus for accepting and recording identifications for first-time subjects. Memory also registers personal history, for example, negative information on subjects which is provided as one form of status data. Records of a subject's recent activity are generated in the memory to indicate another form of status data.

Abstract: A status-indicating system is disclosed, directed specifically to provide information for regulating credit transactions and the like. An inquiry station includes structure for providing signals that identify a subject and also indicate whether or not the contemplated transaction suggests caution, e.g., cash will be returned on a check. The inquiry signals are transmitted to a primary register which has a location assigned for each subject and which locations record first signals (indicating that the subject is or is not authorized) and second signals (indicating the subject is or is not in question). The questionable status results from a relatively recent inquiry by a subject which involved a transaction of the type suggesting caution. Thus, such transactions result in the recording of the second signals, in the primary register.