Patent ID: 7181416

Claim:
A multi-function transaction processing system comprising: a) a transaction terminal, said transaction terminal including a data entry facility and a transaction processor; b) said transaction processor of said transaction terminal being communicatively associated with at least a control processor; c) said data entry facility including a payment authority input structured to accept a payment authority; d) said control processor structured to define a user account and to issue an authorization code associated with said user account at least in response to said payment authority; e) a printer assembly communicatively associated with said transaction terminal and structured to generate a card assembly; f) said card assembly including at least a first portion and a second portion, said first portion including at least said authorization code thereon; g) said second portion including promotional materials; h) said user account including a defined value at least partially defined by said payment authority, said authorization code structured to facilitate a transaction in accordance with said defined value; and i) said card assembly including a first side and a second side, said first side including pre-printed materials thereon and said second side structured to be printed on by said printer assembly; j) said printer assembly including a sensor structured to detect said indicator on said first side of said card assembly and to prevent said printer assembly from printing on said card assembly if said card assembly is improperly oriented relative to said printer, k) said sensor structured to emit light onto said card assembly and to detect a reflection of said light when said card assembly is properly oriented relative to said printer assembly, and l) said card assembly including an indicator disposed thereon and structured to prevent said printer assembly from printing on said first side, said indicator including a minimally reflective marker on said card assembly so as to substantially prevent reflection of said light when said card assembly is improperly oriented relative to said printer assembly.