Abstract: The subject invention relates to a transaction system wherein the issuer of transaction cards can regulate the type of authorization requests transmitted from the point of transaction. The system includes a plurality of transaction cards, each of which are provided with risk assessment data associated with each cardholder. The system further includes a plurality of terminals, each terminal having the ability to read the information placed on the transaction cards. In operation, the risk assessment data is used to generate a pending transaction limit. The amount of the transaction is compared to the pending transaction limit by the terminal. If the transaction is approved, the terminal will issue an automatic, off-line authorization. If the transaction does not fall within the approval range, the terminal will function to transmit the transaction information to the issuer for evaluation. The issuer can then determine whether to authorize the transaction based on its own data base.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a transaction system wherein the issuer of transaction cards can regulate the type of authorization requests transmitted from the point of transaction. The system includes a plurality of transaction cards, each of which are provided with risk assessment data associated with each cardholder. The system further includes a plurality of terminals, each terminal having the ability to read the information placed on the transaction cards. In operation, the risk assessment data is compared to the transaction amount by the terminal. If the transaction is approved, the terminal will issue an automatic, off-line authorization. If the transaction does not fall within the approval range, the terminal will function to transmit the transaction information to the issuer for evaluation. The issuer can then determine whether to authorize the transaction based on its own data base.

Abstract: A transaction card is disclosed having a magnetic stripe emulator. The transaction card is adapted for use with presently available transaction terminals that include a sensor for reading a magnetic stripe. The subject card includes a transducer for generating a varying magnetic field corresponding to information typically encoded on a magnetic stripe. In operation, a microprocessor in the card extracts transaction data stored in a memory and supplies output signals to the transducer. The transducer generates a varying magnetic field corresponding to the transaction information which is read by the sensor in the transaction terminal.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a new and improved method of dynamic signature verification. In accordance with the subject invention output signals, generated by a stylus, are normalized such that they are insensitive to the rotational position of the stylus with respect to the writer's grip. In operation, pressure measurements are sampled at discrete intervals and a normalization angle is calculated, representative of the average direction of the signature. Each sample is then assigned a vector length which is rotated by the normalization angle. The normalized samples are utilized to perform signature analysis.