Abstract: A credit authorization terminal (CAT), when communication processing is performed between the CAT and a host computer to perform settlement processing for one customer, performs input processing of information concerning settlement for the next customer in parallel with the communication processing. The CAT can continuously perform input processing of information concerning settlement for a plurality of customers. The CAT continues to perform communication processing to perform settlement processing for one customer without hanging up a line between the CAT and the host computer, when communication processing is terminated for the previous customer.

Abstract: In a card authorization terminal for effecting card authorization processing for a large transaction amount of money with communications with a host computer but card pseudoauthorization processing for a small transaction amount of money without communications with the host computer, transaction data used for pseudoauthorization processing are once stored in a memory unit and then transmitted to the host computer during communications with the host computer for card authorization processing. Further, in the case of transactions of small amounts of money, only some transactions extracted at random are processed for card authorization.

Abstract: The payment making terminal device includes a front side display and a rear side display, so that the operator can easily see the rear side display on which operation guidance for a customer is being displayed. Therefore, she can give an exact advice to the customer without looking at the front side of the terminal device on which a customer's secret number is being displayed.