Patent ID: 6427912
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A method for controlling an off-line credit vend transaction in a credit vending system having a vend selection and delivery portion, an associated credit card reader for receiving credit cards inserted therein and reading card information data therefrom, including information identifying the expiration date and account number of the inserted card, and a transaction controller operatively connected to the credit card reader to receive card information data therefrom and operatively connected to the vend selection and delivery portion of the credit vending system for enabling the operation thereof, the transaction controller including memory storage, including memory for storing credit transaction information, said method comprising the steps of:a. reading information from a credit card inserted into the card reader and verifying that the card is an acceptable card for use in the credit vending system and has not expired; b. verifying, while off-line, the current availability at such credit vending system of off-line credit for the account number of the inserted card; c. enabling selection of a vend by a customer at the vend selection and delivery portion of the credit vending system; and d. storing credit transaction information for such credit vending operation in memory storage of the transaction controller, upon completion of the vend selected by the customer, for subsequent retrieval and credit billing.