Real time decoding for card transaction terminal
US5466920A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/084
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Real time decoding methods and apparatus for a card transaction terminal used for reading a magnetic stripe on a data card. The method is implemented in a microcomputer employed in the terminal. The data decode method for the microcomputer decodes data in real time as it is read from the magnetic stripe on the card and obviates random access memory external to the microcomputer. A memory is provided in the terminal large enough to store data characters corresponding to at least one predetermined data field on the card generated during a swipe of the card but insufficient to store all of the self clocking signals generated during the swipe. A sentinel character in the self clocking signals is first decoded. Then, a data character associated with the at least one predetermined data field is decoded in response to a predetermined number of self clocking signals generated subsequent to the sentinel character. Finally, the decoded data character is stored in the memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.