Abstract: A method in which a group of financial institutions and member businesses cooperate to establish a trading network in which member sellers accrue derivatives equal to the value of sales of goods or services to member buyers, and then use the derivatives to purchase items from other members of the network. No money is transferred in the course of the transactions, but the financial institutions act as guarantors to ensure that the derivatives exchanged for goods or services are backed by U.S. dollars or another international currency of choice.

Abstract: In a system for carrying out financial transactions via facsimile machines, account customized transaction vouchers are completed by at least one party to a transaction. The transaction vouchers issued to that party contain thereon in bar code format a series of pseudo random alphanumeric characters with a different set of characters on each voucher. The party transmits by facsimile an image of the completed voucher to a facsimile machine at a central facility. A character reader at the central facility reads the incoming data and authorizes the requested transaction based on the pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters on the voucher when confirmed by a comparison to a list of pseudo random alphanumeric sets of characters in the account record of that party. Used sets of alphanumeric characters are deleted from the list in the account data to permit onetime usage of a voucher. A credit voucher is sent from the central facility to a facsimile machine at the site of the other party to the transaction.

Abstract: In a system for carrying out finanical transactions via facsimile machines, account customized transaction vouchers are completed by at least one party to a transaction. The transaction vouchers issued to that party contain thereon a series of pseudo random alphanumeric characters with a different set of characters on each voucher. The party transmits by facsimile an image of the completed voucher to a facsimile machine at a central facility. A character reader at the central facility reads the incoming data and authorizes the requested transaction based on the pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters on the voucher when confirmed by a comparision to a list of pseudo random alphanumeric sets of characters in the account record of that party. Used sets of alphanumeric characters are deleted from the list in the account data to permit onetime usage of a voucher. A credit voucher is sent from the central facility to a facsimile machine at the site of the other party to the transaction.

Abstract: In a system for carrying out financial transactions via facsimile machines, account customized transaction vouchers are completed by the parties to a transaction, each filling in the amount of the transactions, whether he or she is a sender or receiver of fund, the accound number of the other party and signature. The voucher optionally contains a transparent pocket for receiving an identification card of an authorized user of the system, and each party transmits by facsimile an image of the completed voucher together with identification card to a facsimile machine at a central facility, such as an automated clearing house ACH). A character reader at the central facility reads the incoming data and authorizes the requested transaction based on personal identification numbers correctly transmitted to the central facility via telephone pushbotton switches and an adequate account balance.

Abstract: Financial transactions between buyers and sellers are carried out using at least one facsimile machine improved in accordance with the invention both to transfer electronic funds data among the buyer, seller and an authorizing institution and to print transaction records. Each buyer and seller is provided with an identification module, which may be in the form of a card of a mechanical key containing an integrated circuit "chip" that is inserted into a receptacle provided in the facsimile machine. Each module stores data corresponding to an account number, transaction summaries, an account balance, signature and other information. The machine in turn contains circuitry to communicate bidirectionally with the identification module and, via telephone lines, with modules provided at other facsimile machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning on and off, selectively, a piece of equipment and processing data pertaining thereto comprises a mechanical key adapted to interfit with a key receptacle provided at equipment to be secured, wherein movement of the key receptacle by the key is operative selectively to enable or disable operation of the machine. An integrated circuit including a solid state memory is provided within the key for processing electrical signals, and electrical contacts positioned on a periphery of the key are in contact with the integrated circuit and with corresponding electrical contacts in the receptacle. When the key is inserted into the receptacle and rotated to turn on the equipment, data transfer is established between the integrated circuit within the key and circuitry within the equipment. An identification card containing information corresponding to information stored in the integrated circuit is coupled to the key by a cord.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning on and off, selectively, a facsimile machine or other secured piece of equipment and processing data pertaining thereto comprises a key formed of a module and having stereo plugs extending therefrom adapted to interfit with stereo jacks in the equipment. An integrated circuit including a solid state memory is provided in the module for processing electrical signals. Data transfer is established between the integrated circuit in the module and circuitry in the equipment when the key is inserted in the equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the key is adapted to authorize and log financial transactions between parties via facsimile machines. An identification card containing information corresponding to information stored in the integrated circuit is coupled to the key by a cord.

Abstract: A system for transferring electronic funds data includes portable modules (20) each having a display (24) and a keyboard (26) together with an optical interface (36) adapted to transfer electronic funds data to other modules either directly or over the telephone lines through resident units (62). The modules (20) are operable in either a credit mode or a debit mode using a selector switch (30). Prior to establishing communication, the module determines whether it is in communication with another module or with a resident unit, then undergoes a "handshaking" protocol to establish half-duplex, bidirectional communication, before funds are actually transferred. Transaction records are retained in a random access memory (44) within each module. The transaction records are periodically downloaded to a central computer, or printed locally to generate a hard copy. Other applications of the system include monitoring physiological data, maintaining work-time records and monitoring radiation dosage.

Abstract: A system for providing authorization to complete a requested transaction comprises a portable verification device (20) carried by each user to be inserted into a receptacle (34) at a point of transaction for authorization verification. The portable device (20) comprises a housing (22) containing data processing and storage circuitry, a keyboard (24) for manually entering identification and transaction data, and a display. An optical transceiver (70) exposed through the housing (22) establishes a bidirectional optical data link between the portable device (20) and a corresponding optical transceiver (80) in the receptacle (34). The optical data link is preferably in the non-visible wave length range, e.g. infrared, to make the system immune to ambient visible light and to mask optical data from the user.

Abstract: A system for transferring funds in lieu of cash or other data comprises portable funds transfer modules issued by a bank or other financial institution and carried by each member who may be a vendee or vendor. A first type module (20) comprises a housing (22) containing a keyboard (24) for entering data, a display (26) and a switch (30) for identifying data type. Within the housing (22) is signal processing and storage circuitry, and an optical transceiver (32, 34), coupled to the circuitry, is exposed through the housing. A second type module (42) has a housing (44) that is smaller than the housing of the first type module and includes only the internal circuitry and exposed optical transceiver (48, 50); there is no display or keyboard.

Abstract: A wind responsive power generating apparatus (20) comprises a pair of normally mutually orthagonal cross arms (22,24) carrying impeller members (22a,22b, 24a,24b) that apply torque to a load (38) through an output shaft (26). The power output of the apparatus (20) is reduced from maximum by reducing the angle between adjacent cross arms and simultaneously rotating impeller members about corresponding cross arm axes to provide air spillthrough. The impellers are selectively vented by valves (46) to reduce drag as each impeller member swings upstream. Operation of the valves (46) is synchronized to impeller rotation and wind direction by a synchronization device (54). Various different types of impeller members and applications are disclosed.

Abstract: In a system for transferring electronic funds data in lieu of cash between vendees and vendors associated with a sponsoring financial institution, each vendee is provided with an identification card and a portable electronic device to be presented to the vendor upon making a purchase. The electronic device contains a keyboard for entering a vendee identification number as well as the purchase amount and a memory for storing a corresponding identification number, account balance and transaction amount. The portable electronic device contains a first inlet for receiving an edge of the identification card. A magnetic head reads data recorded on the card to turn the device on if the card corresponds to the particular device. A second inlet within the device receives vouchers prepared by the vendor reflecting the amount of the transaction. Manually operated printing rolls within the second inlet print a series of encoded bands on the voucher to verify the transaction if the vendee is satisfied with the purchase.

Abstract: A system for transferring funds in lieu of cash comprises an identical funds transfer module issued by a bank or other financial institution and carried by each member who may be a customer or vendor. The modules, which are adapted to exchange funds data bidirectionally, each comprise a memory for storing an account balance, a keyboard for manually entering the amount of a transaction and an external connector for interconnecting pairs of modules for funds data transfer. The account balance stored in each module as well as the transaction amount is displayed prior to completion of each transaction. Upon approval of the transaction, the account balance stored in the memory of the customer module is debited and funds data are transferred to credit the account balance stored in the memory of the vender module. Since the modules are identical to each other, the vendor module may subsequently be used to either receive additional funds data in a vendor mode or be used to output funds data in a customer mode.