Patent ID: 6824049
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A method for performing an electronic card enabled transaction in a point of sale (POS) system having a self-service facility electronically connected to a card authorization center via a public network, the self-service facility including a card transaction terminal, the method comprising the acts of:(a) requesting an approval-before-the-transaction (ABCT) of the authorization center for setting a virtual transaction amount (VTA) at the self service facility; (b) determining whether the transaction is valid or not by validating the card and a corresponding account at the authorization center; (c) approving the VTA if a determination has been made that the card and account are valid and responsively sending an approval signal to the self-service facility; (d) executing the transaction at the self-service facility on the basis of the approval signal if the VTA is approved; (e) requesting an approval-after-the-card-transaction (AACT) of the authorization center for setting an actual transaction amount (ATA) on the basis of the actual executed transaction; (f) revalidating the VTA into the ATA at the authorization center and sending a confirmation signal to the self-service facility; and (g) initializing the self-service facility for a next transaction and issuing a receipt for the actual executed transaction.