Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.

Abstract: A system and method of retrieving shipment data uses destination information, as well as the carrier and level of service data models to retrieve the appropriate shipment data which complies with the selected parameters. The delivery commitment systems returns information concerning the number of days, the delivery, the latest time of delivery, whether the delivery is guaranteed based upon selected parameters concerning the origin and destination of the package. Carrier specific data can be stored in a common, carrier-independent form including an origin map, (optional) one or more destination maps, a service token map, a zone token map, and a delivery commitment matrix. Origins and destinations can be defined by five-digit ZIP codes and the service can be identified by a TokenID. Each origin can be mapped to a destination within the destination map, where each destination in the destination map is resolved to a service level index.