Abstract: The present invention is a method of a wireless adaptor receiving financial information, indicative of financial transactions, in PSTN compatible format, encrypting and converting the information into PSTN non-compatible format, transmitting the encrypted and converted information to a host computer, decrypting the information by the host computer, transmitting the decrypted information to an authorization processor, which transmits back to the host computer signals indicating authorization or denial of the transaction, the host computer transforming the signal received from the authorization processor to PSTN non-compatible format, and transmitting to the to the financial device the authorization or denial signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for optimizing financial transaction processing when a conventional financial transaction processing terminal is used with a wireless transmission system. An adapter is used between the terminal and a wireless modem, such as a CDPD wireless modem. The adapter receives from the terminal a data block from which the adapter recovers the requested type of transaction and relevant information about the transaction, such as a credit card number, transaction amount, etc., and formats all transactions into a common format for transaction processing. The common format includes a check code which may be used to detect changes made to the original data block as received from the terminal. The adapter then compresses the common format for wireless transmission. The goal of the use of the common format and the data compression is to fit the transaction request into a single data packet.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for providing electronic settlement of authorized financial transactions via a wireless transmission system. A conventional financial transaction processing point-of-sale terminal is connected to a wireless adapter. The wireless adapter is connected to a wireless transmission system, through which the adapter can communicate with a host computer. Transaction authorizations are processed via the wireless adapter, wireless transmission system and the host computer. A main transaction database is maintained by the host computer, and the adapter maintains a database of transactions which have been authorized but not yet settled. When the terminal initiates a settlement procedure, the adapter and the terminal communicate so that the adapter collects from the terminal all the transactions which are to be settled before initiating the settlement procedure with the host computer.

Abstract: A mobile unit generates and collects call detail record information relating to the usage of a mobile cellular telephone system which is compatible with conventional telephone devices. A communications interface transfers the call detail record information to a stationary unit containing a computer and an evaluation program. The computer and its evaluation program evaluate the usage of the mobile cellular telephone system. The invention may be used to provide billings for rental use of a cellular telephone, to verify cellular telephone billings, and in other applications requiring monitoring of the usage of a cellular telephone system. The evaluation program used to evaluate the call detail record information is independent of the microprocessor and program used for the call detail record information generation and collection. The evaluation program may be very complex so as to tailor the evaluation of the call detail record information to the exact needs of an application.

Abstract: A security system to prevent un-authorized access to the hard drive of a personal computer system. The security system consists of a plug-in expansion card containing a program on an EPROM, a device driver program which requests the password for access, and other programs to establish the valid passwords for the security system, provide an audit trail of computer access, and other functions. The program on the EPROM disables the floppy drives until a valid password has been entered, forcing the booting process to be controlled and forcing the computer to boot off of the hard drive and request a password via the device driver. A skilled programmer, even with a complete knowledge of the security system's details of operation, can not write a program which can be booted off of a diskette in order to bypass the security system. The passwords and user IDs for the security system are stored on the hard drive of the computer inside the device driver program.