CA1056503A - Transaction terminal with unlimited range of functions - Google Patents

Abstract

TRANSACTION TERMINAL WITH
UNLIMITED RANGE OF FUNCTIONS
Abstract of the Disclosure A user transaction terminal which may be connected for communication with a large scale data processing system includes a card handling subsystem which receives and transports user information cards; a user communication subsystem which includes a keyboard and an optical display; a hardware control subsystem which operates terminal hardware, a transaction statement subsystem which prints and dispenses written records of user transactions; a terminal communication subsystem which provides communication with a data processing system; a pro-cessor support subsystem assists a control subsystem by perform-ing control functions which are more easily implemented with hardware than software; and a control subsystem which includes a programmed microprocessor which is connected to the other subsystems via an information bus to coordinate and control the operations of the other subsystems. The keyboard includes a plurality of mutually exclusive keyboard fields, each relating to a different type of information. These fields include a function selection field, a from account field, a to account field, and a numeric field. The transaction selection, from account, and to account fields: each include an operational selection key, the activation of which permits a user to enter key modifier data corresponding to the field of an activated optional selection key by activating a selected, predetermined combination of keys within the numeric field in accordance with a prearranged schedule. This convenient, simple keyboard thus contains separate keys for the most commonly used information states for each field as well as optional selection keys which greatly expand the information which may be entered without a substantial increase in keyboard complexity.

2.

Description

~)5~jS~ 3 Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application is related to the following Canadian patent applica-ions which are assigned to a common assignee:
~1~ "Transaction Execution System With Secure Data Storage and Communica-tion," Serial ~o. 225,121, Filed April 17, 1975, by Thomas G. Anderson, et al (U.S. Patent No. 3,956,615, issued May 11, 1976).

(2) "Modular Transaction Terminal with Microprocessor Control,"
Serial No. 225,805, Filed April 23, 1975, by William A. Boothroyd, (U.S. Patent No. 3,g37,925 issued February 10, 1976).
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to a transaction execution terminal and more particularly a cash issue terminal having a keyboard witb a plurality of mutually exclusive fields, at least one of the fields including an optical selection key permitting an information state for the field to be indicated by activation of the optional selection key followed by activation of a pre-determined combination of keys in a numeric field.
2. History of the Prior Art.
Transaction execution terminals are currently available which per-mit the execution of a limited number of predetermined transactions. For example one terminal receives payroll checks in a predetermined format, reads the dollar amount of the check and issues cash ;n the amount of the check. Other transaction terminals have been utilized to extend banking services to a ` 1~56503 l user without need for the immediate presence of a bank teller.
2 Such terminals typically require the insertion of a user credit

3 card followed by the keyboard entry of a personal ID number

4 which corresponds to the credit card and permits a verification of the authenticity thereof. r~he keyboard is typicall~ divided 6 into a plurality of mutually exclusive fields to permit the 7 user to identify the nature of a requested transaction. For 8 example, a transaction selection field may include a withdraw 9 key, a deposit key, an account inquiry key. Other keyboard fields may be provided to indicate dollar amounts and bill 11 denominations or entry of a personal ID number. Such terminals 12 are extremely limited in the range of transactions which may be 13 executed and include a separate key for the identification of 14 each information state.
Summary of the Invention 16 A transaction execution terminal in accordance with 17 the invention includes a mechanical aontrol subsystem, a user 18 communication subsystem, a transaction statement dispenser subsystem, 19 an operator function subsystem, a terminal communication subsystem which may connect the terminal with a large scale data processing 21 system having many accounts in its data base, a processor support 22 subsystem performing hardware oriented terminal control functions, 23 and a control subsystem which operates under program control to 24 supervise and coordinate the operations of the other subsystems.
The user communication subsystem includes an optical display and 26 a keyboard through which transaction request information may be 27 entered by a user. The keyboard contains a plurality of mutually 28 exclusive fields including a transaction selection field, a from 29 account field, a to account field, and a numeric field. The transaction selection, from account and to account fields each SA974~18 -3--` ~OS6503 1 contain an optional selection key, the activation of which permits 2 a user to define the information which is to be entered for that 3 field by subsequently àctivating a selected combination of 4 keyboard keys in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The modifier technique permits separate keys to define the more commonly 6 used information categories of each field without encoding while 7 encoded modifiers used in conjunction with the optional selection 8 keys provide for expansion to an unlimited number of additional 9 categories without significantly increasing the size or complexity of the keyboard.
11 In a preferred example, the transaction execution 12 terminal is implemented as a cash issuing banking terminal.
13 Connection of the terminal to an on-line host data processing 14 system with real time access to the bank's customer accounts permits optimal screening of transaction requests prior to 16 execution and immediate adjustment of relevant accounts after 17 execution of a requested transaction. An optional off-line host 18 records transaction information for later account updating. In 19 a typical application a user inserts a credit card containing information magnetically stored thereon into the machine and 21 then enters a personal ID number through the numeric field of 22 the keyboard. After reading the magnetic information from the 23 credit card and verifying the authenticity thereof by making a 24 preliminary determination of a correspondence between the credit ~5 card information and the personal ID number, the terminal permits 26 the selection of a transaction. Specific keys are provided for 27 the more common transactions such as the issuance of cash, 2~ account inquiry, funds transfer, deposit, payment by deposit, 29 or payment by funds transfer. Other transactions may be selected by activation of the optional selection key. Follow-~0~;6503 1 ing activation of the optional selection key, the user activates 2 a selectea combination of keys in the numeric key~oard field to 3 identify a particular transaction in accordance with a prearranged 4 schedule or code. For example, a bank may have a published schedule of additional functions and code numbers which may ~e 6 selected by any user. These functions may include the opening 7 of a Christmas card account, a request for additional blank 8 checks, a purchase o travel insurance or any other prearranged 9 transaction that a bank may wish to accommodate. In addition, a user may arrange to transact other business through the terminal 11 which may be applicable only to him. For example, one optional 12 code may be predetermined to represent a request to renew an 13 automobile insurance policy while the same code when entered 14 by a different user might represent a request to borrow money against a prearranged line of credit.
16 Following selection of the transaction, a key within 17 the from account field is activated if this field is applicable.
18 Specific keys are provided to permit funds to be selectively 19 transferred from a checking account, a savings account or a credit card account. Activation of the optional selection key permits 21 additional accounts to be selected for debiting by using numeric 22 modifier keys in accordance with a prearranged encoded schedule.
23 The to account field may be implemented in a manner identical 24 to the from account field. This permits the identification of an account to which funds are to be transferred if applicable.
26 For instance, a person may wish to transfer funds from his 27 savings account to his checking account or from a credit card 28 account to pay his electric bill by transferring funds from 29 his credit card account to a special utility account. The s~lective encoding of transaction functions thus permits the `` ~O~i503 1 functional utility of the keyboard to be greatly expanded 2 without an attendent increase in hardware complexity.
3 Brief Description _f the Drawin~s 4 A better understanding of the invention may be had from a consideration of the following detailed description taken 6 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
7 Fig. 1 is a perspective drawing of a transaction 8 execution terminal in accordance with the invention;
9 Fig. 2 is an operational flow chart illustrating the steps and branches involved in the operation of the transaction 11 execution terminal shown in Fig. l;
12 Fig. 3 is a block diagram representation of the 13 operational subsystems of the transaction execution terminal 14 shown in ~ig. 1.
Detailed Description 16 As shown in Fig. 1 a transaction execution terminal 17 10 in accordance with the invention includes an outer security 18 shell or enclosure 12 and a user access panel 14. The user 19 access panel 14 includes a privacy panel 16 which surrounds the user access panel and extends forward therefrom to shield user 21 activity from the observation of nearby persons. A logo panel 22 18 occupies approximately the upper half of the area of the 23 user access panel 14. The logo panel 18 permits identification 24 of the proprietor of the terminal 10 and accommodates a protective translucent door which is raised behind the panel 18 when the 26 terminal 10 is in use. When the terminal 10 is not in use the 27 door is lowered or closed to protect the keyboard and optical 28 display area of the user access panel 14 from the weather and 29 damage by unauthorized persons. The terminal 10 is shown in Fig. 1 with the protective door raised behind the logo panel 18 ~56503 l and therefore obscured from view. A credit card receiving slot 2 20 is positioned in the lower right-hand portion of the user 3 access panel 14 and is not covered when the protective door is 4 closed i the terminal lO is displaying an open condition. A
person wishing to use the terminal 10 inserts a credit card 21 6 through the slot 20. If the terminal lO is able to read information 7 which is magnetically recorded on the card without parity error 8 and if the information corresponds to acceptable card information, 9 the protective door is opened to make a keyboard 22 and an optical display 24 available to the user. If the data recorded on the ll credit card is found unacceptable, the card is returned to the 12 slot 20 and the protective door remains closed while an illuminated 13 message which informs the user of the unacceptability of the card 14 is visible through the translucent door.
The keyboard 22 includes five separate keyboard fields.
16 These fields include a transaction selection field 26, a from 17 account field 28, a to account field 30, a numberic field 32 18 and an execution control field 34. As soon as the protective lg door is open a message is illuminated on optical display 24 which instruc~s the user to enter his personal ID number through the 21 numeric keyboard field 32. m e security of the personal ID
22 number is maintained by not displaying the number as it is entered 23 through keyboard 22. The personal ID number has a predetermined 24 correspondence with the credit card and permits a verification of the authenticity of the card. A person who merely finds, 26 steals or forges a credit card is thus unable to use the 27 terminal 10 without first establishing the corresponding personal 28 ID number. A terminal user is permitted a predetermined number 29 of tries such as three to enter the correct personal ID number within a predetermined time period. If the num~er is not entered " lOS6503 1 within these predetermined limits the protective door is closed 2 and the credit card is either returned or retained at the option 3 of the terminal proprietor.
4 After the personal ID number is properly entered the user is instructed by the optical display 24 to select a desired 6 transaction by activating one of the keys within the t~ansaction 7 selection field 26. The keys of the keyboard 22 are arranged in 8 a matrix of eight columns and four rows with the transaction 9 selection field 26 occupying columns 1 and 2. While the individual keyboard keys may have any desired predetermined 11 meaning, the following designations are assumed for this example.
12 The key at row 1 column 1 in the upper left-hand corner of 13 keyboard 22 is a withdraw key or a cash issue key. Activiation 14 of this key would indicate that the user wishes to have cash issued to him by the terminal 10 in return for the debiting of 16 one of his accounts. An optional selection key is located at 17 row 2 column 1. Activation of this key permits an expansion 18 o~ the available transaction functions in accordance ~ith a 19 prearranged schedule that is developed by a terminal proprietor and a user. Activation of the optional selection key followed 21 by the activation of a predetermined combination of keyboard 22 keys permits any prearranged transaction to be selected. For 23 example, a proprietor may have 20 common transaction services 24 ha~ing preassigned numberic modifier codes which are available to all users. Any credit card user is thus permitted to activate 26 the optional selection key and then enter one of the modifier 27 codes through the numeric field 32 in order to select one of 28 the prearranged transactions. In addition, the proprietor may ~9 make special arrangements for the execution of additional functions with each user on an individual basis. A person wishing to execute lOS65~3 l one of these individually arranged transactions would activate 2 the optional selection key and then enter the desired modifier 3 code by activation of a selected combination of keys in the 4 numeric field 32 of keyboard 22. The use of other non-numeric keys for modifier codes would, of course, be possible but would 6 increase the likelihood o user confusion and error. In addition, 7 a given user may arrange with the proprietor to assign the optional 8 selection key a particular meaning by itself without need to 9 activate additional keys. The meaning of the optional selection key is thus individuall~ determinable for each separate user.
11 An account inquiry key is located at row 3 column l 12 and causes account information for a particularly identified 13 account to be illuminated on the optical display 24. The displayed 14 account information mlght include account balance, credit limit, most recent transactions or other information related to the 16 account. Activation of a transfer key located at row 4 column 17 l permits the transfer of funds from one user account to another.
18 For example, funds might be transferred from a savings account 19 to a credit card account. A deposit key located at row l column 2 enables the subsequent identification of an account to which 21 funds inserted into the terminal lO through a deposit flap 38 22 are to be credited. Upon completion of a deposit transaction, 23 deposited materials are transported by the terminal lO to a 24 storage container which is not accessible to a terminal user.
At row 2 column 2 there is located a payment by deposit key which 26 permits a user to pay a bill by transferring funds from a selected 27 user account to a prearranged account belonging to a user creditor.
28 For instance, the user may wish to transfer funds from a savings 29 or checking account to a water district account in order to pay his monthly water bill. In this embodiment the key at row 4 1~)56503 -1 column 2 is not implemented hut is reserved for future use.
2 For this example assume that the user activates the 3 optional selection key at row 2 column 1 and then enters the 4 number 18 through the numeric field 32 to indicate that he wishes to open a special Christmas card account. For the convenience of 6 the user the keys of the account selection, from account and 7 to account fields contain back lights. All of the keys within ; 8 a field from which the next se}ection is to be made are lighted 9 to indicate the proper ~ield. As soon as a key is activated the back lights for the non-selected keys are extinguished with 11 the activated key remaining illuminated and the keys within the 12 next field becoming illuminated. Thus, upon selection of the 13 optional selection key only the back light for the key located 14 at row 2 column 1 would remain illuminated within the transaction selection field 26 and all of the keys within the from account 16 field 28 would become illuminated to indicate the next field of 17 selection.
18 Assuming that the user wishes to open the Christmas 19 card account by transferring funds from an ordinary checking account, the user would activate a from checking key at row 1 21 column 3. This activation would extinguish all of the back lights 22 within the column 3 from account field 28 except for the selected 23 from checking key. Since the to account field 30 is not applicable 24 to the opening of a Christmas savings account, the back lights for this field would not be illuminated and the user would next 26 be directed by the optical user guidance display 24 to enter a 27 dollar amount through the numeric~keyboard field 32 to indicate 28 the amount of the initial deposit. Other keys which the user 29 might have selected within the from account field 28 include a from savings key at row 2 column 3, a from credit card key at row :1056503 1 3 column 3 and a from optional selection key at row 4 column 4.
2 The from optional selection key of the from account 3 field 28 is analogous to the optional selection key of the function 4 selection field 26. If a user wishes to open accounts such as multiple business accounts in addition to the usual checking, 6 savings and credit card accounts he arranges a schedule with the 7 terminal proprietor wherein a number is assigned to correspond 8 to each of the separate accounts. Funds can then be transferred ; 9 from any selected account by activating the from optional selection key and then entering a prearranged modi~ier code through the 11 numeric field 32 of the keyboard a number corresponding to the 12 additional account from which funds are to be debited. For 13 example, if a user desires to transfer funds from an account 14 having a prearranged number 20 to another additional account having a prearranged number 6, he would begin the transaction 16 request by activating the transfer key at row 4 column 1 within 17 the function selection field and would then activate the from 18 optional selection key at row 4 column 3. Upon activation of 19 the from optional selection key the back lights of the remaining ; 20 keys within the from account field 28 would be extinguished 21 and only the transfer key at row 4 column 1 and the from optional 22 selection key at row 4 column 3 would remain back lighted. The 23 optical display would then instruct the user to enter the code 24 number corresponding to the desired additional account through the numeric keyboard field 32. Upon entry of the number 20 the 26 back lights of the two account field at column 4 would become 27 illuminated and the optical display 24 would instruct the user to 28 select an account to which the funds are to be transferred.
29 In the present example the user would activate a to optional selection account key at row 4 column 4 and the back sAs 7401s -11-1 lights on the remaining keys within the two account field 30 would 2 be extinguished. This would leave the transfer key row 4 column 3 1, the from optional selection key at row 4 column 3 and the to 4 optional selection key at row 4 column 4 illuminated. The ; 5 optical display 24 would next instruct the user to enter a 6 number identifying the additional account to which funds are to 7 be transferred through the numeric keyboard field 32. In the ; 8 present example the user would activate a key coxresponding to 9 number 6. Although not required, it would normally be expected that the numeric modifier codes for identification of optional 11 selection accounts would be the same for both the to account ~ 12 field and the optional selection field.
; 13 Upon selection of the account to which funds are to be 14 transferred, the optical display 24 would direct the user to enter the dollar amount of the requested transfer through the 16 numeric keyboard field 32. While the specific arrangement of 17 the numeric keyboard field is not material to the present -~ 18 invention, it will be assumed that thiS field occupies columns 19 5, 6 and 7 with keys corresponding to n~erals 1, 2 and 3 in row 1, keys corresponding to numerals 4, 5 and 6 in row 2, keys 21 corresponding to numerals 7, 8 and 9 in row 3, and keys corresponding : 22 to correction, numeral 0 and decimal point in row 4. The user thus 23 indicates a dollar amount, for example, by activating keys 2, 1, 24 4, decimal, 3 and 3 to indicate the amount $214.33.
If operating on-line with a host data processing system 26 the terminal 10 would communicate the credit card and.user request 27 information to the host data processing system in a transaction 28 request message upon completion of the entry of the dollar amount.
29 After verifying the personal ID number, the existence of the accounts, and the sufficiency of funds, the host data processing : SA974018 -12-~056503 1 system would authorize completion of the requested transaction.
This authorization might also include a command to require 3 verification of the transaction prior to execution. The user 4 would then be requested to order the execution or cancellation of the transaction and the essence of the transaction would be ~ illuminated on the optical display 24. The user would then have 7 the option of cancelling the transaction by activating a cancel 8 key within the execution control ield 34 at row 1 column 8 or 9 of commanding execution of the transaction by activatlng a proceed key at row 4 column 8 within the execution control field 11 34. ~he keys at row 2 colum~ 8 and row 3 column 8 are not 12 implemented in this example but are available for additional 13 execution control functions if desired.
14 A terminal 10 in accordance with this invention thus provides tremendous 1exibility in the identification of a desired 16 transaction by providing optional selection keys which permit 17 encoded identification of an unlimited number of special functions 18 or accounts as well as individual specific keys which permit the 19 unencoded selection of the most common functions and accounts by the activation of a single key. This arrangement thus combines 21 the simplicity of single key activation for the commonly utilized 22 functions and accounts with the capability of expanding the 23 available functions and accounts through multiple key activation.
24 An operational f}owchart for the transaction executlon terminal 10 is shown in Fig. 2. A transaction begins with the 26 insertion of a credit card 21 in the credit card slot 20 at 27 step 50. Upon detection of the insertion of a credit card 28 part way into the slot 20, the terminal 10 is initialized for 29 the start of a new transaction at step 52. This initialization 52 includes the resetting of any system status registers which al :10565V3 1 may have been set during the course of the execution of a 2 previous transaction and the performance of any other functions 3 ~hich might be nece~sary to prepare the terminal 10 to receive 4 a new transaction request.
Following initialization a card entry step 54 is 6 executed in which the partially inserted card is transported 7 completely into the terminal 10 and past a read head to a rest 8 location. As the credit card passes beneath the read head, 9 information stored on a magnetic stripe is read there~rom. The information which is read from the card is then checked for 11 parity, for a longitudinal redundancy check character ~LRC), and 12 for proper message formats such as a start of card character 13 (SOC) or an end of card charactex (EOC). If one of these read 14 error conditions is detected the credit card may be reread and is returned back through the slot 20 after a selected number of 16 retries. A message is illuminated on the guidance display 24 17 which is visible through the closed unit translucent panel 18 door, to indicate that the card is not acceptable. After th~
19 information has been read from a card in the proper format and without parity error, the terminal proprietor, at its option, 21 may require a check of a bank number which is read from the 22 magnetic stripe. If the bank number is not one which is 23 acceptable to the terminal 10, the card is returned and a message 24 is illuminated on a display panel 38 to indicate that the card is invalid at the terminal 10.
26 Once the determination is made that the information 27 read from the credit card is acceptable, the panel door covering 28 the user display 24 and keyboard 22 is opened at step 5~. If 29 the terminal is unable to successfully open the door, the transaction is cancelled with the credit card 21 being returned :105~i503 1 to the user through slot 20 and the terminal 10 closes. A status 2 message indicating this door jam error condition is sent to the 3 host data processi~g system. After the door is successfully 4 opened, or if the door was already opened, an enter ID number step 58 is executed. During the course of this step 58 the 6 display 24 is illuminated to request the user to enter his 7 personal ID number through the numeric field 32 of keyboard 22.
8 During the course of this step 58 a user is allowed a predetermined 9 number of trîes such as three with a predetermined time limit such as sixty seconds to enter a six digit personal ID number. Upon 11 entry of an ID number a~ least a portion of the number may be 12 checked (at the option of the bank) for a predetermlned corres~
13 pondence with selected information which has been read from the 14 credit card. If a user fails to enter an acceptable ID number within a predetermined period of time and number of tries, one 16 of two alternatives may occur, at the option of the terminal 17 proprietor. If a partial message option is selected, a status 18 message is sent to the host data processing system which contains 19 the credit card information and indicates that a pro~er ID number was not entered. The host may respond by ordering the terminal 21 10 to either retain or return the credit card and display an 22 appropriate message on optical display 22. The transaction 23 is cancelled. If a partial message option is not selected, 24 the terminal 10 displays an appropriate message, returns the credit card and cancels the transaction.
26 Once an acceptable personal ID number has been entered, 27 a function selection step 60 is executed with the back lights 28 of the function selection keyboard field 26 being illuminated 29 and a message being illuminated on optical display 24 asking the user to select a desired function. The sequence of terminal ,., ~1056503 1 operations can then follow many different paths or branches 2 depending upon which function is selected. If the withdraw key 3 is activated to req~lest the issuance of cash, the user is 4 directed at step 62 to activate a key within the from account select field 2~. The user may either activate such a key or 6 return to point A by activating a key within the previously 7 entered function selection field 26. Under normal conditions 8 the user would activate a selected key within the from account 9 field 28 to indicate the account which is to be debited when cash is issued. As noted above, if the user selects the optional 11 selection key within the from account field he must also enter 12 a keyboard code number to identify the optional account which 13 he wishes to select. Once the user has identified the account 14 to be debited he is directed at step 64 to enter the dollar amount of the requested withdrawal. This dollar amount is 16 entered through the numeric keyboard field 32 and displayed on 17 the optical display 24 as it is entered. Instead of advancing 18 to the enter amount field user may, of course, return to either 19 of the prior fields as indicated by points A and B. Assuming that a dollar amount is entered, the user then must verify at 21 step 66 that he has correctly entered the desired amount by 22 activating the proceed key within the control field 34. In lieu 23 of activating the proceed key the user may return to the function 24 selection field indicated at point A, the from account field indicated at point B or the enter amount numeric field indicated 26 at point C. Upon activation of the proceed key the information 27 read from the credit card is com~ined with the information 28 entered through the keyboard to generate a transaction request 29 message which is communicated to a host data processing system in a step 18 designated host communications. The host, which I

iO56S03 may be an on-line data accounting system or merely an off-line 2 transaction recording system, makes whatever checks of the 3 correspondence between the ID nulriber and account number, account 4 balance or other checks that are to be executed and sends back

5 a transaction reply message which tells the terminal how to

6 proceed. Typically the transaction reply message would order

7 the terminal to illuminate at step 70 an appropriate message

8 on optical display 24, to print at step 70 a transaction g statement summariæing the withdrawal transaction, to assemble 10 at step 72 the requested cash or to receive at step 74 the 11 requested deposit, and at $tep 78 to return the user credit 12 card. However, the transaction message may also disapprove 13 the requested transaction with the credit card being either 14 returned to the user or retained by the terminal 10 at step 78.
15 In either case, the issuance of a printed transaction statement 16 is optional. For a normal cash issue transaction, the terminal 17 10 would display a message on optical display 24 indicating 18 that user should retrieve his credit card 21 from slot 20, 19 would assemble the requested amount of cash within an escrow 20 area within the machine at step 72, would print the cor[unanded 21 transaction statement at step 76 and would asse~ble the printed 22 statement with the cash, and return the card 21 through the slot 23 20 at step 78. After the card is returned through the slot 20 24 the terminal 10 issues at step 80 the cash and transaction 25 statement which have been assembled in the escrow area through 26 the slot 40. Upon removal of the issued documents from the slot 27 40, the terminal undergoes a termination step 82 in which a 28 status message is sent to the host to indicate that the trans-29 action has been completed and in which the access panel door 30 is closed. In the event that the cash is removed and a credit ` ~56SC~3 1 card is reinserted before the panel door is closed the terminal 2 control passes to the initialize step 52. In the event that ; 3 the credit card is not reinserted, the terminal enters a halt 4 condition 84.
At any time prior to the time the terminal 10 begins 6 to actually issue cash through the slot 40, the user may activate 7 the cancel key within the control field 34. Upon activation o~
8 this key the terminal control optionally passes to the return or

9 retain credit card step 78 with the card being returned and the termination step 82 then being executed. Alternatively, an 11 incomplete transaction request message may be sent to the host ` 12 with the host directing credit card control. In the event 13 that a malfunction occurs, the credit card return or retain 14 step 78 is executed i~ possible, the termination step 82 is executed to the extent possible and then at step 86 the terminal 16 enters a closed condition as a result of the malfunction. A
17 status message sent during the execution of the termination step 18 would inform the host of the malfunction and closure condition.
13 In the event that the user activates the inquiry key within the function selection field 26 during the function selec-21 tion step 60, control passes to a step 90 where he is next 22 directed to activate a key within the from account select field 23 28. After the desired account is selected, the transaction 24 request message is sent to the host data processing system at step 68. If all authorization tests are passed, the host 26 sends back a transaction reply message which directs the terminal 27 10 to display appropriate account information for the selected 28 account on the optical display 24 at step 700 In addition, a 29 transaction statement may be optionally printed at step 76 which provides account information. After a lapse of a predetermined 10565~3 1 ~ e or upon activation of the cancel key, the credit card 21 2 is returned through slot 20, a transaction statement is issued 3 at step 80 after the credit card 21 is removed if appropriate, 4 and the terminal executes a termination step 82 before proceeding to a halt condition 84.
6 In the event that the user activates either the transfer 7 key or the payment by transfer key within the function selection 8 field 26 at step 60, the sequence of operating steps includes 9 the activation of a key within the from account select field 28 at step 92, the activation of a key within the to account select 11 field 30 at step 94, the ent~ of a dollar amount through the 12 numeric field 32 while entered amounts are indicated on optical 13 display 24 at step 96, and verficiation of the desired amount 14 by activation of the proceed key within keyboard control field 34 at step 98. The transaction request message is then assembled 16 and sent to the host which responds with the transaction reply 17 message. The transaction reply message commands the terminal 18 to display an appropriate message indicating whether the 19 transaction is approved or disapproved, to print a transaction statement summarizing the transaction if desired at step 76.
21 The terminal then returns the credit card at step 78 and trans-22 action statement if appropriate at step 80 before executing the 23 termination step 82 and halting 84.
24 In the event that the user selects a deposit key or payment by deposit key within the function selection field 26 26 at step 60, the operation sequence jumps to the selection of 27 a key within the to account select field 30 at step 94. Since 28 the selected function indicates the source of the funds, i.e., 29 by deposit, the from account select field 28 selection step 94 is omitted from the sequence. After the account to which the :10565~3 deposited funds are to be deposited or paid is selected, the 2 dollar amount must be entered through the numeric keyboard 32 3 at step 96 and ver~fied by activation of the proceed key within 4 the execution control field 34 at step 98. It should be noted that the optional selection key within the to account select 6 field 30 is particularly useful in permitting a user to select 7 any one of a large n~er of potential creditors to which funds 8 are to be paid. As with the optional selection key within the 9 from account field, the user Eirst activates the optional selection key within the to account field and then enters a code 11 number through tha numeric keyboard 32 which must correspond to 12 a prearranged schedule to indicate the account to which the 13 deposited funds are to be credited. Upon verification of the 14 dollar amount, the transaction request message is sent at step 68 to the host which responds with the transaction reply message.
16 Assuming that the transaction is authorized, a message is 17 illuminated at step 70 on optical display 24 which directs the 18 user at step 74 to enter the deposit through deposit flap 38.
19 A transaction statement is then optionally printed at step 76 and the credit card 21 is returned to the user through slot 20 21 at step 78. After the credit card is returned the transaction 22 statement is issued at step 80 through slot 40 if such a 23 statement has been printed and the terminal executes the termina-24 tion step 82 by sending a status message to the host and closing the access panel door 26 In the event that the optional selection key is activated 27 within the function selection field 26 at step 60 the sequence 28 of operations is variable and depends upon the particular function 29 which is indicated by entry o~ a number through the numeric keyboard field 32 at step 100. The various alternative available 13~1 ~05~503 1 sequences are designated Bl-B6 in Fig. 2. In order to permit 2 the terminal 10 to direct the proper operating sequence, a plurality 3 of number fields ma~ be established with boundary numbers being 4 selected to define the boundaries between the established fields.
These boundary numbers are loaded into the terminal during 6 initialization so that the bo~mdary numbers may be selected at 7 the option of the terminal proprietor and may be changed from 8 time to time. For example it may be desirable to have a given 9 modifier code number define an open Christmas savings account at Christmas time bu~ de~ine a bond purchase transaction at other 11 times. In a typical situation only three operating sequences 12 might be available upon activation of the optional selection key 13 with the number fields corresponding to these sequences being 14 defined by two boundary numbers. For example, the boundary numbers 100 and 200 would define a first field corresponding to path Bl 16 having numbers 1-99, a second field corresponding to path B2 17 having numbers 101-199 and a third field corresponding to path 18 B3 h~ving numbers 201 to 999. If a function within the first 19 field is selected, the terminal 10 needs no further information in order to execute the transaction and the transaction request 21 message is immediately sent to the host. If a second numeric 22 field is selected, a dollar amount is entered and verified at 23 steps 96, 98 before the transaction message is sent to the host.
24 In the event that the user selects an optional function within the third number field, a from account must be identified through 26 the from account field 28 at step 90 before the transaction 27 request message is sent to the host. Additional boundary 28 numbers may be utilized to establish additional numeric fields.
29 For instance, a fourth numexic field may be utilized where the operating steps require identification of a to account, entry of 13~1

10~;6S03 1 a dollar amount, and verification of the dollar amount at steps 2 94, 96 and 98 ~e~ore the transaction request message is sent 3 to the host. A fifth number field may be utilized to identify 4 a path B5 having steps 92, 94, 96 and 98 in which a key must be selected from each of the keyboard fields. A sixth field 6 corresponding to a path B6 may be utilized for transac~ions 7 requiring identification of a from account, entry of a dollar 8 amount and verification o~ the dollar amount at steps 62, 64 9 and 66 before a transaction request message is sent to the host.
By delimiting various optional selection number fields with

11 boundary numbers as explained above, it is thus possible to

12 define any desired operating sequence for the terminal 10. As

13 a result, the optional selection key within the function selection

14 field 26 becomes a very powerful tool in expanding the functions which may be executed by the terminal 10 without making the 16 keyboard 22 excessively complex. At the same time speci~ic 17 keys are available for the more commonly selected functions 18 for the convenience of a terminal user.
19 The elctromechanical implementation of a preferred 2~ embodiment of the terminal 10 is illustrated in Fig. 2 as 21 including a control system 148 having a number of operational 22 subsystems interconnected by a parallel information bus 50.
23 Supervisory control of the terminal 10 is exercised by a control 24 subsystem which includes a microprocessor 152 and data storage 154. Data storage 154 includes a random access memory (RAM) 26 portion and read only storage (ROS) portion. Program and data 27 information is stored in data storage 154 with the volatile 28 RAM portion being reloaded by an initialization image received 29 from an associated host data processing system at power turn-on. The read only storage typically contains program and data ~OS6503 .

information which is common to all terminals 10 regardless of 2 the proprietor and need not be reloaded since it is nonvolatile.
3 The microproce~sor 152 operates under control of a storaged 4 program to receive information from the various terminal sub-systems via information bus 150, process the information and 6 command the operational subsystems in accordance with the 7 processed inormation.
8 A clock signal generator 156 provides a f.irst clock 9 signal to microprocessor 152 and a second 1 MHz clock signal to a processor support subsystem 158. Processor support subsystem 11 158 is functionally closely associated with the microprocessor 12 152 and provides the operational control functions which are 13 preferably implemented with hardware rather than through programming 14 of the microprocessor 152. Subsystem 158 includes interrupt logic which provides a time base by generating interrupt requests at 16 10 MSEC intervals derived by further dividing the 1 MHz clock 17 signal. These timing interrupts are utilized by the microprocessor 18 152 to maintain a continuous clock time information base and time 19 various mechanical and data entry functions as required by the operating programs. Also included in the processor support 21 subsystem 158 is a read data logic circuit which receives the 22 output signal from the read head o the credit card reader and 23 converts the read head output signal to digital data signals 24 which may process by the micrs~processor 152. A run detector monitors the states of signals on the~ terminal of the information bus 150 26 and generates a run signal so long as the timing interrupts are 27 being processed. A hang detector also monitors the bus 150 and 28 colmaands terminal reset circuitry within subsystem 158 to reset 29 the terminal electronics if the hang detector senses a hang up condition as indicated by the failure of signals on the information 13~1 ~056503 1 bus 150 to change within a predetermined period of time. Inter-2 face logic provides communication between the information bus 150 3 and the various circuits of the processor support subsystem 158.
4 A mechanical control subsystem 160 is connected for communication along information bus 150 via interface logic and 6 includes the majority of the hardware functions required for 7 operation of a terminal 10. These functions include the 8 handling, transporting and reading of user credit cards, the 9 issuance of cash, the control of a depository through which user deposits are handled, the control of an escrow area where cash 11 and printed transaction statements are assembled for checking 12 prior to issuance to a user and control of the door which covers 13 the user display and keyboard panel 14.
14 The user communication subsystem 162 is also connected to information bus 150 through suitable interface logic. The 16 communication subsystem 162 includes keyboard circuitry which 17 senses and assembles information indicating the activation of 18 keys on the keyboard 22 and controls the back lighting for 19 the keys. Display control including a 224x8 refresher buffer for the 222 byte 7 dot display receives display commands over 21 the information bus 150 and continues to display command in-22 formation at given optical display locations until contrary 23 commands are received.
24 A transaction statement dispenser subsystem 164 includes form handling apparatus, a printer and control logic for printing 26 transaction statement information commanded by the microprocessor 27 152 on blank forms and then transmitting the printed forms to 28 an escrow area. At the escrow area they are assembled along with 29 requested cash prior to issuance to the user through a document issue slot 40.

~S~S03 An operator function subsystem 166 is connected 2 through interface logic to the information bus 150 and provides 3 co~nunication with a terminal maintenance operator as opposed 4 to a terminal user. The subsystem data entry switches 66 includes 5 a two-digit hexadecimal display, power sense circuitry and error 6 log circuitry. The display permits the maintenance operator to 7 obtain limited information on the status of the terminal 10 and 8 the switches permit the entry of limited infoxmation such as an g encription keys which is destroyed each time an operator maintenance 10 function is co~nanded by the switches. A power protected auxiliary 11 memory within the operator function s~system 166 stores vital 12 inormation such as encription keys and accumulated tçrminal 13 error information. me auxiliary memory contains battery powered 14 information protection circuitry which is activated to protect

15 information loss from memory in the event that the power sense

16 circuitry detects an impending failure. The error log circuitry

17 detects, counts and records in the auxiliary memory various

18 categories of terminal error conditions which occur while a

19 terminal 10 is in operation.
A communication subsystem 168 is connected to bus 150 21 through interface logic and provides the communications interEace 22 between the terminal 10 and a communications channel. All timing 23 and control functions required for data communications are handled 24 by communicatlon subsystem 168.
A remote signal connector 170 provides communication 26 between a terminal 10 and a centralized control panel for the 27 convenience of a proprietor of the terminal 10. For instance, 28 it may be desired to co~nunicate information such as an open or 29 closed condition, a transaction statement forl[ls out condition, 30 a cash out condition, or other conditions indicating that a ,. .

" 105651)3 terminal needs servicing to a centralized location. If a 2 proprietor maintains several terminals 10, a scan of control panel 3 at the centralized location will permit a determination of 4 whether or not any o~ the terminals need servicing. In addition, it may be desirable to provide a limited number o terminal control 6 functions through the centralized control panel. For instance, 7 reset commands, open and close commands, and commands to test 8 the communication link between a terminal 10 and a host data 9 processing system may be implemented through the centralized control panel which is interfaced through remote signal connector 11 170.
12 Although a particular embodiment of a transaction execution 13 terminal having optional selection keys in accordance with the 14 invention has been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it 16 will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.
17 Accordingly, any modification, variation or equivalent arrangement 18 within the scope of appended claims should be considered to be 19 within the scope of the invention.

SA974018 ~26-

Claims (19)

??? embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A transaction execution terminal comprising:
a card handling subsystem which is operable in response to a control subsystem and the receipt of a card to read information stored on the card;
a selectively variable display connected to display information commanded by a control subsystem;
a user keyboard having keys arranged in a plurality of keyboard fields with each keyboard field being related to a predetermined category of user transaction request information and including a plurality of keys each defining different mutally exclusive information states for the category of user transaction request information to which the field relates, one key within at least one field being a variable information state key, the activation of which indicates that the information state indicated thereby is to be determined by a combination of at least one subsequent keyboard key activation in conjunction with a pre-determined schedule correlating key activation combinations with information states; and a control subsystem connected to control the operation of the card handling subsystem and receive account card informa-tion therefrom, command the display of information on the variable display to aid a terminal user in the use of the terminal, and to receive keyboard key activation information in a predetermined sequence requiring one information state indication from each of a plurality of successive keyboard fields.

2. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein one of the keyboard fields is a transaction selection field containing a variable information state key and a plurality of other keys, each other key permitting a different type of transaction request, to be indicated by the activation thereof.

3. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein one of the keyboard fields is a from account field containing a variable information state key and a plurality of other keys, each other key in the from account field permitting a different account from which funds are to be removed to be wholly identified by the activation thereof.

4. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein one of the keyboard fields is a to account field containing a variable information state key and a plurality of other keys, each other key in the to account field permitting a different account to which funds are to be added to be completely identified by the activation thereof.

5. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein one of the keyboard fields is a numeric keyboard field including a plurality of numeric keys, each permitting an indication of a different number by the activation thereof and wherein an information state indicated by the activation of a variable information state key is determinable by the subsequent activation of a combination of at least one key within the numeric field.

6. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 1 above, further comprising a cash issue subsystem which is operable in response to the control subsystem to issue a requested amount of cash to a terminal user and wherein the control subsystem is further connected to control the cash issue subsystem to cause the issuance of a requested amount of cash in response to the satisfaction of a set of predetermined conditions.

7. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein the keyboard includes a transaction selection field permitting a requested type of transaction to be indicated by the activation of a key therein, a from account field permitting an account from which funds are to be taken to be indicated by the activation of a key therein, a to account field permitting an account to which funds are to be added to be indicated by the activation of a key therein, and a numeric field permitting a number to be indicated by the selective activation of one or more keys therein, and wherein the transaction selection field, from account field and to account field each include a variable information state key.

8. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 7 above, wherein the transaction selection keyboard field includes a withdraw key, the activation of which indicates a cash issue transaction request; an account inquiry key, the activation of which indicates a request to have information pertaining to a selected account displayed by the variable display; and a transfer key, the activation of which indicates a request to have a selected quantity transferred from a user checking account; a from savings account key, the activation of which indicates that funds are to be transferred from a user savings account; and a from credit card account key indicating that funds are to be transferred from a user credit card account;
and wherein the two account keyboard field includes a to checking account key, the activation of which indicates that funds are to be transferred to a user checking account; a to savings account key, the activation of which indicates that funds are to be transferred to a user savings account; and a to credit card account key, the activation of which indicates that funds are to be transferred to a user credit card account.

9. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 6 above, further comprising a transaction statement subsystem which is operable in response to the control subsystem to issue documents providing written records of executed transactions and wherein the control subsystem is further connected to control the issuance by the transaction statement subsystem of documents providing written records of executed transactions.

10. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 7 above, further comprising a communication subsystem which is operable in response to the control subsystem to provide bidirectional communication between the transaction terminal and a central data processing system having a data base storing account information for potential terminal users, and wherein the control subsystem is operable to control the transmission of transaction request information to the central data processing system and execute requested transactions in accordance with commands received from the central data processing system.

11. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein the transactions which may be selected subsequent to the activation of the variable information state key of the transaction selection keyboard field include the sending of blank checks to the user, the opening of a Christmas savings account, the closing of a selected account and the purchase of travel insurance.

12. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein at least one of the keyboard fields is a function selection field permitting the identification of a particular type of transaction which the user wishes to have executed, wherein the function selection field includes a variable information state key, wherein the combinations of numeric key activations which subsequently determine the information state indicated by activation of the function selection field variable information state key are arranged by predetermination in to a plurality of categories of sequential function indication numbers, and wherein all functions which are indicated by the same category of sequential function indication numbers require the entry of information from the same keyboard fields for the complete identification of a requested transaction.

13. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 12 above, wherein the control subsystems stores a plurality of variable inforamtion state delineation numbers, each defining the boundary between two categories of sequential function indication numbers.

14. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 12 above, wherein at least one category of sequential function indication numbers requires the entry of no additional keyboard information to fully identify a requested transaction.

15. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 12 above, wherein at least one category of sequential function indication numbers requires the further entry of an amount through the numeric keyboard field but no further identification of any account by key activation.

16. The transaction execution terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one category of sequential function indication numbers requires the further entry of information by keyboard key activation of information indicating an account from which funds are to be withdrawn.

17. A transaction execution terminal comprising:
a card handling subsystem which is operable in response to control system commands to receive a card having information recorded thereon and read said recorded information;
a document handling system which is operable in response to control system commands to selectively issue documents to a terminal user;
a keyboard having a plurality of keyboard fields including a function selection keyboard field having a plurality of nonencoded keys, each of which indicates a selected function by the activation thereof, and at least one optional selection key, the activation of which permits a selected function to be indicated by the subsequent activation of a selected combination of keyboard keys in accordance with a predetermined code; and a control system connected to receive card and keyboard information and generate control system commands to control the operation of the card handling subsystem and document handling system in response thereto.

18, A terminal for performing a plurality of different banking functions under control of a bank customer, comprising:
card reading means for reading customer account identification information from an encoded card;
first customer operable keyboard means for selectively designating one of a plurality of transaction types, at least one of said types being definable by an application program resident in a remote host computer in response to the activation of a first keyboard means key and a combination of second keyboard means keys;
second customer operable keyboard means for selectively modifying at least one key of the first keyboard means to define a selected transaction in accordance with a predetermined code;
and means operable in response to data key activiation on said first and second keyboard means and information by said card reading means for transmitting a message to a remote host which indicates the information read by the card reading means and the keys which a user activates on the first and seond keyboard means.

19. A transaction execution system comprising:
a host data processing system storing information for a plurality of customer accounts; and a transaction execution terminal in combination with the host data processing system, the terminal including:
a card handler adapted to receive an account card and read customer identification information encoded thereon;
an optical display connected to display selected messages to aid a user in the operation of the terminal;
a keyboard connected to input information to the terminal in response to the activation of keys by a user, the keyboard being divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive fields with each field being utilized for the entry of a different category of information relating to a user transaction request, and at least one of the fields including a plurality of keys wherein one key within the field is activated to the exclusion of other keys in the field to specify information corresponding to a requested transaction, at least one key within the field being an optional selection key, the activation of which indicates that the category of information to which the field pertains is to be specified by the subsequent activation of a predetermined combination of one or more keys on the keyboard;
and control circuitry connected to control the operation of the card handler, display and keyboard communicate user transaction related information between the host data processing system and the terminal, and execute user requested transactions on command from the host data processing system.