Abstract: Portable transaction terminal apparatus adapted for use in eating and drinking establishments. A terminal housing has a generally rectangular shape and a size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check. A folio-type cover is mounted to a left side portion of the terminal housing by a hinge arrangement and thereby adapted to swing between open and closed cover positions, the cover corresponding in length and width to the terminal housing so as to completely cover a top face of the terminal housing in the closed cover position and to lie flat against a surface in the open cover position. A data entry keypad and an alphanumeric display are carried on the top face of the terminal housing. A card reader module is mounted in the terminal housing for accepting and reading a transaction data card selected for use by a guest of the establishment for payment of the amount of the guest check.

Abstract: A terminal for carrying out at a private location a transaction consisting of alteration of a token value stored in an IC card issued to a cardholder via an on-line transaction session with an operatively compatible terminal at a remote location. The private terminal establishes data links with the IC card and the remote terminal and passes secure authentication and transaction messages between them via these data links, relying on the IC card and the remote terminal for message security.

Abstract: A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing thereof and having structure providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of the printer mechanism. The housing for the printer and the platform for supporting the transaction terminal are formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of the modular portion and the transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.

Abstract: A reader/writer apparatus for a contact-type smart card and having a frame forming a card slot for receiving a smart card and a landing contact mechanism carried on the frame for making electrical contact with contact pads on the smart card when inserted in the card slot. The landing contact mechanism includes a connector carriage carrying a card contact set thereon facing the card slot and mounted to the frame on a pivot axis defined thereon such that the connector carriage rotates generally in a plane parallel to the card slot. A drive post formed on the connector carriage contacts a leading edge of a smart card inserted in the card slot to rotate the connector carriage through a prearranged angle as the card moves to a predetermined read position within the card slot.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based telephone having a housing, a lower key panel positioned within a top portion of the housing, and an upper key panel hingedly mounted to the housing to swing away and reveal the lower key panel. The lower key panel carries an alphanumeric keyboard thereon to enable a user to perform alphanumeric data entry. The upper key panel carries a telephone keypad to enable a user to dial telephone numbers.

Abstract: A method for operating a local device to permit a host computer to assert control over the local device via a communication port. A control available time window of prearranged duration is set up in the local device in response to a power on start condition. During this control available time window an Assert Control signal is received from the host computer. An Acknowledge Control signal is sent to the host computer upon receipt of the Assert Control signal during the control available time window. Then the local device responds to any control commands and data received from the host computer. Finally, the local device initiates processing of a normal local device application processes when no Assert Control signal is received during the control available time window or after the host computer has finished sending control commands and data to the local device.

Abstract: Biometric measuring apparatus for recognizing a person's identity based on measurements performed on the person's hand. An arrangement for producing and storing a silhouette image of at least a portion of a person's hand is combined with an arrangment for producing and storing a displacement image of the same portion of a person's hand to provide measurement data on finger height characteristics. An analyzing device analyzes the silhouette image and the displacement image to produce hand feature data. The apparatus stores hand feature data obtained during a hand enrollment operation cycle and to compare with hand feature data obtained during a subsequent hand bid operation cycle to determine if the person has previously been enrolled on the apparatus.

Abstract: A paystation device adapted to be coupled to a transaction terminal for carrying out a transaction between a seller and a buyer using a smart card having a cash token value stored therein and having a current cash token value. A smart card interface accepts insertion of a smart card for reading a current cash token value stored therein and for writing a new cash token value thereto. A display device displays cash amounts. A communication interface communicates data messages between the paystation device and the transaction terminal. A programmed control unit is coupled to and operates the smart card interface, the display device, and the communication interface.

Abstract: A transaction terminal having a modem for communicating transaction data to one of a plurality of available host computers, each of which host computers has an associated modem which implements a prearranged one of a standard modem connect protocol and a fast modem connect protocol. The transaction terminal stores separate host dial strings for each host computer and the host dial string includes a predefined communication command structure with a unique fast connect command associated with the fast modem connect protocol. A connect type means accesses the host dial string to determine what type of connect protocol is commanded and the transaction communication module implements the appropriate connect protocol as commanded in the host dial string.

Abstract: Optical reader apparatus for reading data on a data carrier. A housing defines a data carrier slot having an optical data window at a prearranged position. An optical reading means is mounted within the housing for reading data scanned past the optical data window. A door assembly is mounted in a hinged relation to the housing means opposite the optical read window. The door has closed and open positions and permits access to the optical data window in the open position. The door assembly carries a resilient pressure spring. The resilient pressure spring urges a data carrier passing through the data carrier slot into optical reading contact with the optical data window. The door assembly mounts the resilient spring member within a frame for easy removability. The resilient pressure spring carries an optical compensation member on a forward surface thereof so that the optical compensation member is presented to the optical data window when a data carrier is not present.

Abstract: Biometric measuring apparatus for recognizing a person's identity based on measurements performed on the person's hand. An arrangement for producing and storing a silhouette image of at least a portion of a person's hand is combined with an arrangement for producing and storing a structured light image of the same portion of a person's hand. An analyzing device analyzes the stored images to produce hand feature data. The silhouette image provides finger silhouette feature data and the structured light image provides finger height characteristic data. The apparatus stores hand feature data obtained during a hand enrollment operation cycle to compare with hand feature data produced in a subsequent hand bid operation cycle to determine if the person has previously been enrolled on the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for managing a transaction using a transaction terminal having a manual code reading device, such as a barcode reader, for reading a data code printed on a visual medium. A transaction program forming part of the system includes at least one page of a visual medium having a first and second sets of data codes printed thereon. The first set of data codes in printed in a prearranged sequence and comprises a predetermined sequence of program commands for carrying out all of the steps of a prearranged transaction, including a subset of program commands associated with a corresponding subset of data entry steps. The second set of data codes is printed on the same or another page of said visual medium. Each of the data codes in the second set comprises a prearranged item of transaction data for use in said data entry steps. The transaction terminal includes a computer means interfaced to said manual code reading means. This computer means including a program storage device and a data storage device.