Compuserve Incorporated

Paul M Pittenger

Lloyd S Palmer, Jr

John Hall

A system for processing credit card transactions is disclosed. Transaction data to be processed is sent by point of sale terminal to a terminal node connected to a sophisticated communications network. The terminal node uses routing data contained in the transaction data to establish a connection to a verification service host. The connection is established while the terminal node concurrently continues to receive and then validate the transaction data. Overall transaction processing time is reduced because the network connection needed for verification of the transaction data is established while, rather than after, transaction data is received and validated.

Automated routing of messages over a network

A system for communication between a POS terminal and a destination host, which may be a credit transaction authorization entity. The system includes a POS terminal, RF network port, a packet switched network, a destination node, and a destination host. The system eliminates dependence on the public telephone network by using a radio frequency link rather than the public telephone network to access the packet switched network. The originating node assembles a Data packet, which include all necessary transaction data, prior to sending a Call Request packet to the destination node, thus eliminating handshake steps and reducing the duration of packet switched network use.

Growing community of inventors

San Mateo, CA, United States of America

Paul M Pittenger