Abstract: A method for inhibiting tampering with data on a magnetic stripe card is disclosed. The data are erased if the card is prematurely withdrawn from the reader/writer. A write protect bit is set and recorded on the card if the power source is interrupted. Apparatus for activating the tamper-proofing techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: In a wet cycle copier of the small tabletop mounted variety, conversion is made for vending in the absence of frequent key operator attention. Incidence of power interruption provides for a soak cycle to occur wherein the liquid toner is cycled through the machine without drum rotation. Rotation of a glass selenium coated drum against a dried and abrading liquid applicator is avoided. After the soak cycle and assuming uninterrupted power, a cleaning cycle is initiated once every 24 hours. Assuming a lack of machine use, this cleaning cycle lubricates both toner application roller and drum to assure a wet toner applicator. Dispersant replenishment is supplied from a large volume reservoir under logic control with provision made for automated machine shutdown where dispersant on demand is not supplied. Provided modes of operation include coin vending, countermechanism vending and direct owner access vending with a tamper proof interface between the provided modes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for registering selected new magnetic data on magnetic stripe cards for use in a vending machine account control system, such as is employed with a photocopy machine. Specifically, card author is provided which consists of a keyboard with data entry and operation control keys, keyboard scanning means, an input/output storage port and a bus connector which can be coupled directly to a duplicator controller. Upon connection of the card author to the duplicator controller, and with the duplicator controller in a card author mode, the duplicator controller initiates interactive operation with the card author in order to request certain information not normally accessible to manual manipulation as by a key operator. Through its display, the duplicator controller requests entry of at least three different types of values, a value representing worth of a card to be authored, an account number, and a delimiter value.