US5225977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card payment system for service dispensing devices
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-18
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2011-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Laundry facility management system comprises a laundry service device, controlled by an operating control; and a local controller connected to the service device and a central controller, connected together for the transfer of information between them. The local controller stores a current device rate, representing current cost of service provided by the connected service device, and reads a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a presented service card Local controller requestor derives from a read card identifier and from the current device rate an authorization request, and transmits it to the central controller. The central controller receives an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, and stores account balance signals for at least one account, each account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier. Account manager responds to a received authorization request to update the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the authorization request by the current device rate value of the authorization request, and transmits an authorization message to the local controller. The local controller responds to a received authorization message to output a control signal on the control output to control the service device operating control to provide the requested service. The account manager responds to a received account balance payment message to credit the stored account balance indexed by the particular card identifier by the payment value of the received account balance message.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Hooper
- 👤 Jefferson C. Hooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/105; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G06Q20/3437; G07F17/00; G07F17/0042; G07F17/20; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24058; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
1073 words
Card payment system for service dispensing devices comprising a plurality of service dispensing devices, said service dispensing devices being of at least two types, each said service dispensing device being controlled by operating controls, a similar plurality of local controllers, connected respectively to said service dispensing devices, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information thereamong, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of local controller communications address uniquely identifying said local controller, current device rate representing current cost for service from said connected service dispensing device, selected language, and device type specifying the type of said connected service dispensing device, control output connected to said service dispensing device operating controls for the output of control signals to said operating controls, local controller display means, display control means responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, a local controller card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, authorization request and transmitting means for deriving and transmitting to said central controller an authorization request, said authorization request being derived from a card identifier of a card presented to said card reader and from said signals representative of said local controller communications address, rate updating means for storing received new current device rate in said local controller storage, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting an acknowledge message to said central controller, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor storage providing signals representative of a card dispenser communications address uniquely identifying said card dispenser, a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, and a card dispenser display, display control means responsive to said payment acceptor for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the value of the payment presented to said payment acceptor, card supply means responsive to said payment acceptor and to absence of a service card in said card dispenser card reader for supplying a new service card to said dispenser card reader, and account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, to said payment acceptor, and to said card dispenser storage for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor, and from said card dispenser communications address, an account request including an "old/new" specifier having one of two values, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller, said card dispenser being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting to said central controller an acknowledge message, said central controller comprising clock input means for receiving a clock signal, non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said service devices, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and rate update means responsive to a clock signal received on said clock input means, to stored said device rate schedule, and to device type signals received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller new current device rate valid for a current time period, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing an "old" value of said "old/new" specifier for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of said indexed account balance incremented by the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing a "new" value of said "old/new" specifier for establishing in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said authorization request, and for comparing said corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of said received authorization request, and responsive to a positive result of such comparison for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge message from said card dispenser for incrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge signal from a said local controller for decrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the device rate of said received authorization request, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for outputting control signals on said control outputs, said local controller display control means being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message and to said selected language signals stored in said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser, said card dispenser display control means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message and to said selected language signals stored in said card dispenser storage for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said account request.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
1073 words
Card payment system for service dispensing devices comprising a plurality of service dispensing devices, said service dispensing devices being of at least two types, each said service dispensing device being controlled by operating controls, a similar plurality of local controllers, connected respectively to said service dispensing devices, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information thereamong, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of local controller communications address uniquely identifying said local controller, current device rate representing current cost for service from said connected service dispensing device, selected language, and device type specifying the type of said connected service dispensing device, control output connected to said service dispensing device operating controls for the output of control signals to said operating controls, local controller display means, display control means responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, a local controller card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, authorization request and transmitting means for deriving and transmitting to said central controller an authorization request, said authorization request being derived from a card identifier of a card presented to said card reader and from said signals representative of said local controller communications address, rate updating means for storing received new current device rate in said local controller storage, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting an acknowledge message to said central controller, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor storage providing signals representative of a card dispenser communications address uniquely identifying said card dispenser, a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, and a card dispenser display, display control means responsive to said payment acceptor for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the value of the payment presented to said payment acceptor, card supply means responsive to said payment acceptor and to absence of a service card in said card dispenser card reader for supplying a new service card to said dispenser card reader, and account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, to said payment acceptor, and to said card dispenser storage for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor, and from said card dispenser communications address, an account request including an "old/new" specifier having one of two values, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller, said card dispenser being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting to said central controller an acknowledge message, said central controller comprising clock input means for receiving a clock signal, non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said service devices, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and rate update means responsive to a clock signal received on said clock input means, to stored said device rate schedule, and to device type signals received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller new current device rate valid for a current time period, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing an "old" value of said "old/new" specifier for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of said indexed account balance incremented by the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing a "new" value of said "old/new" specifier for establishing in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said authorization request, and for comparing said corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of said received authorization request, and responsive to a positive result of such comparison for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge message from said card dispenser for incrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge signal from a said local controller for decrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the device rate of said received authorization request, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for outputting control signals on said control outputs, said local controller display control means being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message and to said selected language signals stored in said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser, said card dispenser display control means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message and to said selected language signals stored in said card dispenser storage for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said account request.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
530 words
Card payment system for service dispensing devices comprising a plurality of service dispensing devices, said service dispensing devices being of at least two types, each said service dispensing device being controlled by operating controls, a similar plurality of local controllers, connected respectively to said service dispensing devices, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information thereamong, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current unit cost of service provided by said connected service dispensing device, a control output connected to said operating control of the connected said service dispensing device for the output of a control signal to said operating control, a local controller card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, and authorization request and transmitting means for deriving and transmitting to said central controller an authorization request, said authorization request being derived from a card identifier of a card presented to said card reader and from said signals representative of said local controller communications address, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, and to said payment acceptor, for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, and from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor an account request, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller, said central controller comprising non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said service dispensing devices, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a card identifier, and rate update means responsive to stored said device rate schedule signals for transmitting to a said local controller new current device rate, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser for incrementing, by the value of payment of said received account request, the value of a said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said received account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, and when the current unit cost of the service requested is not more than the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the received authorization request, decrementing the so indexed account balance by the current unit cost of the service requested, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a positive said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
530 words
Card payment system for service dispensing devices comprising a plurality of service dispensing devices, said service dispensing devices being of at least two types, each said service dispensing device being controlled by operating controls, a similar plurality of local controllers, connected respectively to said service dispensing devices, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information thereamong, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current unit cost of service provided by said connected service dispensing device, a control output connected to said operating control of the connected said service dispensing device for the output of a control signal to said operating control, a local controller card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said service dispensing device, and authorization request and transmitting means for deriving and transmitting to said central controller an authorization request, said authorization request being derived from a card identifier of a card presented to said card reader and from said signals representative of said local controller communications address, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, and to said payment acceptor, for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, and from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor an account request, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller, said central controller comprising non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said service dispensing devices, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a card identifier, and rate update means responsive to stored said device rate schedule signals for transmitting to a said local controller new current device rate, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser for incrementing, by the value of payment of said received account request, the value of a said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said received account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, and when the current unit cost of the service requested is not more than the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the received authorization request, decrementing the so indexed account balance by the current unit cost of the service requested, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a positive said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
The system of claim 2, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providing said stored facility identifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update message providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new device rate schedule signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The management system of claim 2, said service dispensing devices being of at least two types, each said local controller storage further providing signals representative of device type specifying the type of said connected laundry service device, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for outputting said control signal on said control output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The management system of claim 4, in which said local controller storage providing said signals representative of device type comprises settable switches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The management system of claim 4, said central controller rate update means being responsive to a clock signal, to stored device rate schedule signals for transmitting to said local controller new current device rate valid for a current time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The management system of claim 2, further comprising card supply means connected to said service card dispenser, said card supply means being responsive to said payment acceptor, and to absence of a service card in said card dispenser card reader for supplying a new service card to said dispenser card reader.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
The management system of claim 2, each said local controller further comprising display means, display control means responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, said local controller display control means being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for controlling said local controller display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The management system of claim 8, said local controller storage further providing signals representative of selected language, said local controller display control means being further responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, and for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The management system of claim 9, in which said local controller storage providing said signals representative of selected language comprises settable switches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
494 words
Retail service facility management system comprising a retail service device providing a service, and controlled by an operating control, a local controller connected to said retail service device, a central controller, said local controller and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information between them, said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate, representing a current unit cost of the service provided by the connected said retail service device, a card reader for reading a card identifier provided on an uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card reader by an intending user of said retail service device, request means responsive to said card reader for deriving from a card identifier read from a card presented to said card reader and from stored signals identifying said local controller an authorization request and for transmitting said authorization request to said central controller, said central controller comprising means for receiving an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, storage providing stored account balance data for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and account managing means responsive to a received said authorization request for updating said stored account balance data indexed by the card identifier of said authorization request by the current device rate value of said authorization request, and for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, account managing means responsive to an authorization request received from said local controller for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message authorizing or denying a requested service, and when the current unit cost of the service requested is not more than the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the received authorization request, decrementing the so indexed account balance by the current unit cost of the service requested, said local controller having a control output connected to said retail service device operating control, and being responsive to a received said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output to control said retail service device operating control to provide the requested service, said account managing means being responsive to a received said account balance payment message for crediting said stored account balance indexed by said particular card identifier by the payment value of said received account balance payment message, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providing said stored facility identifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update message providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new device rate schedule signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
494 words
Retail service facility management system comprising a retail service device providing a service, and controlled by an operating control, a local controller connected to said retail service device, a central controller, said local controller and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information between them, said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate, representing a current unit cost of the service provided by the connected said retail service device, a card reader for reading a card identifier provided on an uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card reader by an intending user of said retail service device, request means responsive to said card reader for deriving from a card identifier read from a card presented to said card reader and from stored signals identifying said local controller an authorization request and for transmitting said authorization request to said central controller, said central controller comprising means for receiving an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, storage providing stored account balance data for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and account managing means responsive to a received said authorization request for updating said stored account balance data indexed by the card identifier of said authorization request by the current device rate value of said authorization request, and for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, account managing means responsive to an authorization request received from said local controller for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message authorizing or denying a requested service, and when the current unit cost of the service requested is not more than the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the received authorization request, decrementing the so indexed account balance by the current unit cost of the service requested, said local controller having a control output connected to said retail service device operating control, and being responsive to a received said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output to control said retail service device operating control to provide the requested service, said account managing means being responsive to a received said account balance payment message for crediting said stored account balance indexed by said particular card identifier by the payment value of said received account balance payment message, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providing said stored facility identifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update message providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new device rate schedule signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |