Patent ID: 7980462
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: (a) operating at least one machine controlling computer to cause an automated transaction machine to read identifying data from a magnetic stripe of a card during a financial transaction, wherein the at least one machine controlling computer is operative to control the machine, wherein the machine includes at least one reader; (b) operating the at least one machine controlling computer to cause the machine to sense a unique magnetic characteristic of the magnetic stripe, wherein the magnetic characteristic differs from the identifying data; (c) operating the at least one machine controlling computer to cause at least one transaction message to be sent to a transaction host computer that is both operative to authorize transactions and remotely located from the machine, (d) operating the at least one machine controlling computer to cause at least one message to be sent through a communication path which is independent of the transaction host computer, to a card validation computer that is remotely located from both the machine and the transaction host computer, (e) subsequent to (c), operating the at least one machine controlling computer to receive from the transaction host-computer; authorization for the transaction; (f) subsequent to (d), operating the at least one machine controlling computer to receive from the card validation computer through a communication path which is independent of the transaction host computer, information indicative that the card is a valid card for the transaction; and (g) operating the at least one machine controlling computer responsive at least in part to both (e) and (f), to cause the machine to allow the transaction to be carried out; wherein steps (a)-(g) occur during a same transaction session at the machine.