Network open metering system
US6151590A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07B2017/00427
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transaction evidencing system includes a plurality of computer systems operatively configured to form a network with one of the computer systems functioning as a server and the remaining computer systems functioning as clients. Each of the computer systems includes a processor, memory and storage media. At least some of the storage means includes non-metering application programs that are selectively run on the client computer systems. An unsecured printer is operatively coupled to at least one of the computer systems for printing in accordance with the non-metering application programs. A portable vault card, which is removably coupled to the server computer system, includes digital token generation and transaction accounting processing. The client computer systems issue requests for digital tokens to the server computer system in response to requests for indicia from the non-metering application programs. The requests for digital tokens include predetermined information required by the token generation processing. The server computer system communicates with the vault card when the vault card is coupled to the server computer system, sending the requests for digital tokens to t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.