US20050178825A1 - Multi-function transaction processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-function transaction processing system including a transaction terminal having a data entry facility and a transaction processor, the transaction processor being communicatively associated with a control processor that defines user accounts and issues one or more authorization codes associated with the user account(s) in response to payment authorities provided at the transaction terminal utilizing a payment authority input of the data entry facility. Furthermore, a printer assembly is communicatively associated with the transaction terminal and generates a card assembly, the card assembly including a first portion containing the authorization code thereon, and a second portion including additional promotional materials thereon. The user account as defined by the control assembly, includes a defined value, the authorization code provided being utilized to facilitate a transaction in accordance with that defined value.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
• The present application is a divisional application of previously filed, now pending application having Ser. No. 10/120,896 filed on Apr. 11, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part application of previously filed patent application having Ser. No. 09/588,917, filed on Jun. 8, 2000 which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,885 on Nov. 25, 2003, incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a multi-function transaction processing system which many be disposed at a commercial location in order to complete a variety of commercial transactions, including credit/debit card purchases, while also facilitating one or more alternate, commercially advantageous functions including the issuance of authorization codes for purposes related to pre-paid telephony service, Internet purchases, lottery purchases, and the like. Furthermore, the multi-function transaction processing system provides an effective source for the dissemination of a variety of promotional materials in connection with the transaction being completed utilizing the system.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• With the ever increasing popularity of credit or debit card payments at commercial establishments, it is becoming increasingly commonplace to find small credit card transaction terminals at commercial establishments such as grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and the like. Typically, these conventional credit/debit card transaction terminals are linked to an affiliated service so as to provide for the approval of a particular transaction, thereby facilitating payment to the merchant. Such traditional transaction terminals are, however, limited to providing authorization for a particular purchase in lieu of a cash payment for products or services that are normally offered by the merchant. As a result, while they are a convenience for the operators of commercial establishments, they do not provide any added commercial advantage to the commercial establishment. Indeed, the convenience factor is generally the only factor to offset the service fees that must typically be paid by the commercial establishments to the authorizing entity. As a result, it would be beneficial to provide an enhanced transaction terminal as part of a transaction system, which in addition to facilitating traditional credit\debit card purchases, will also provide an added source of economic benefit for the commercial establishments employing such a system, directly as a result of its use.
• An example of an added source of revenue that has become increasingly popular for merchants includes the calling card industry, wherein a particular commercial advantage is being attained from the sale of pre-paid calling cards. Specifically, such pre-paid calling cards are typically supplied in bulk to a retail establishment where they may be sold at specific monetary denominations. In essence, each pre-paid, pre-printed calling card provides a purchasing consumer with the appropriate access to a defined amount of telephony connection time. As a result, the consumer, often at a reduced rate, is able to initiate any desired telephony communication from any telephone, without incurring toll or other service charges in connection with that telephone.
• Despite advances in the calling card industry, it is often commercially limiting to provide the physical cards to the commercial or retail establishments for appropriate sale to the consumers. For example, if sales are slow at a particular location, an inventory of cards will remain unused and unsold, The fact that a finite amount of air time is purchased by the operators of the card requires that the time remain un-used in case a purchase does indeed occur with regard to a pre-printed account. Conversely, an establishment which makes a large volume of sales may run out of cards and future potential sales will be lost as no cards are available. Yet another inconvenience associated with traditional pre-printed calling card relates to the need for inventory space to store large volumes of physical cards, naturally resulting in added expense, and the fact that the cards, once printed, cannot be changed if retail identity, rates, etc., change, and provide an actual commodity susceptible to theft or other misappropriation.
• To this end, others in the art have sought to develop individual card printing devices. Specifically, such devices are generally standard printing devices that print a particular calling card on demand, thereby minimizing the space and inventory requirements of the commercial establishments and permitting at least a degree of variability, such as in connection with card denominations. Unfortunately, however, such systems are still severely limited, as each card printing terminal is provided with a finite number of access codes to be printed on a finite number of calling cards. Typically, a quantity of the access codes are downloaded into the individual terminal at a predetermined period of time, in much the same manner that traditional cards are stocked at the establishment. As a result, they do not alleviate the problems associated with outstanding, unsold access codes/pin numbers, or the loss of sales after depletion of an initially defined volume of cards. Furthermore, such terminals are merely printers which print a number of a cards, and they do not provide any further business enhancing qualities or functions which provide a commercial advantage to the establishment utilizing the terminal, beyond merely the sale of a calling card.
• Accordingly, there is still a need in the art for a calling card system which does not have to be limited in terms of quantities sold, allows for complete card versatility, and ensures that proper utilization of all resources is maintained without waste or storage problems. Additionally, such a transaction system should provide enhanced functionality so as to provide a variety of commercially advantageous services/products for a particular establishment, providing consumer incentive for the calling card purchases and to providing a mechanism via which the costs associated with the calling card to the retail or distributor can be offset through the association of alternative commercial endeavors, such as promotions and other services.
• The present invention also recognizes that given the advances of global computerized network communications and commerce, increased purchase avenues are continuously being made available to consumers. Unfortunately, however, many traditional consumers still have security concerns associated with consummating such electronic transactions, especially if they will be required to transmit credits/debit card information to the merchant. Moreover, in some circumstances, privacy concerns also restrict a consumer's desire to make certain purchases by traditional means. As a result, it would be beneficial to provide a transaction system which is capable of offering prepaid services which can not only be utilized for such traditional services as telephony communication, but which also provides a means through which a consumer can establish a prepaid purchase, utilizing that pre-payment for any of a variety of products or services.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a multi-function transaction processing system. The transaction processing system includes a transaction terminal that many be disposed at any establishment, including a commercial or retail type establishment. In particular, the transaction terminal includes a data entry facility and a transaction processor associated therewith. Moreover, the transaction processor, which facilitates a variety of the operational functions of the transaction terminal, is communicatively associated with a control processor.
• The data entry facility associated with the transaction terminal includes a payment authority input which accepts a payment authority, such as a credit card transaction or acknowledgment of cash payment. In this regard, the control processor is a structured to define a user account, and to issue an authorization code associated with the user account at least in response to a payment authority received at the transaction terminal.
• The transaction processing system of the present invention may also include a printer assembly. The printer assembly is communicatively associated with the transaction terminal and is structured to at least generate a card assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the card assembly many be generally elongate, including one or more portions. For example, a first portion of the card assembly many include at least the authorization code thereon, while a second portion of the card assembly many include promotional materials thereon. As such, when a consumer completes an appropriate transaction where an authorization code is required for a particular future transaction, the consumer will be provided with the card assembly to facilitate their maintenance and/or conveyance of the authorization code. Conversely, the second portion may include promotional materials which can be distributed to the consumer and provides an incentive for consumer purchase.
• Additionally, the user account defined by the control processor includes a defined value. The defined value is at least partially determined by the payment authority that has been provided at the transaction terminal utilizing the data entry facility. As a result, the authorization code facilitates the subsequent transaction in accordance with that defined value, while the control processor provides necessary confirmations or validations.
• These and other features of the present invention will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the transaction terminal and printer assembly associated with the system of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a illustration of the card assembly of an embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the multi-function transaction processing system of the present invention.
• Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• As illustrated in the figures, the present invention is directed to a multi-function transaction processing system, generally indicated as10. The transaction processing system10 is structured to coordinate and facilitate a variety of different transactions in an efficient and integrated manner which provides an increased commercial benefit beyond what is normally available to an issuing merchant utilizing the transaction processing system10.
• Looking to an embodiment of the transaction processing system10, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the transaction processing system10 includes at least onetransaction terminal20. Thetransaction terminal20 is preferably generally compact and convenient to position within a facility, such as secured directly to a checkout counter or similar location. In this regard, it is recognized that thetransaction terminal20 may be configured and positioned so as to permit its use directly or interactively by a consumer, or to require only an authorized person, such as the issuing merchant, to utilize thetransaction terminal20 to complete the desired transactions of their consumers.
• Thetransaction terminal20 includes at least adata entry facility24 and atransaction processor30. Thedata entry facility24 may include one or more of a variety of conventional input facilities, including akeypad25 which may be separate or integrated as part of a touch screen, amagnetic stripe reader27 through which a credit or debit card many be passed, and/or any other data entry facility such as a bar code scanner or other scanning device. Furthermore, included as part of one or more aspects of thedata entry facility24 is a payment authority input by which a payment authority may be received and/or communicated to thetransaction processor30. As such, any of the previously mentioned types of thedata entry facility24 many qualify as the payment authority input, although in the illustrated embodiment the payment authority input includes thekeypad25 and themagnetic stripe reader27. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, thedata entry facility24 may also include an electronic signature capture assembly, such as integrated as part of adisplay assembly26. Specifically, such an electronicsignature capture assembly26 is structured to permit a consumer to make an electronic signature directly thereon, thereby avoiding the needed for a carbon receipt to be signed by the consumer, and eliminating the need for a merchant to maintain paper receipts of purchases.
• As such, utilizing one or more of the different types ofdata entry facility24 configurations recited, a consumer is able to provide a desired payment authority at thetransaction terminal20, which is then communicated to thetransaction processor30. For example, if the consumer wishes to make a purchase from the merchant utilizing thetransaction terminal20, they may pay cash in a traditional fashion or may provide a credit or debit type card to the merchant. The merchant is then able to provide credit card transaction information as the payment authority, such as by keying in the appropriate credit card transaction information and/or passing an appropriate card through themagnetic stripe reader27. In the illustrated embodiment the credit card transaction information includes at least a credit card account and a transaction amount as the payment authority. It is, however, recognized that the credit card transaction information may include additional information, such as credit card expiration date. Moreover, although for purposes of clarity and ease of explanation reference is being made to a credit card transaction and credit card transaction information, it is understood that a check card, smart card, debit card, check or other similar account payment method may be employed in a conventional fashion, the credit card transaction information including the necessary information for processing a particular purchase, sale or transaction in accordance with the payment account selected.
• In addition to receiving credit card transaction information as the payment authority, however, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention may also receive an external payment verification, at least partially as the payment authority. Specifically, and for reasons to be described subsequently, a consumer may make a cash or credit card purchase separate from thetransaction terminal20, but may wish to have a further receipt, authorization, promotional item, completion of a further transaction facilitated by thetransaction terminal20. In such an embodiment, preferably utilizing thekeypad25 as the payment authority input, although it is recognized that alternative payment authority inputs, including a direct link to a transaction computer, cash register, or more traditional credit card authorization device may also be employed, an input related to the external payment verification is provided. For example, if the consumer desires to pay cash, the payment authority can be appropriately entered into thetransaction terminal20 as the external payment verification. In such an embodiment the external payment verification indicates the nature and extent of the external payment and, if desired for security reasons, thetransaction processor30 may require an access authorization in connection with the external payment verification. As such, a validity of the external payment verification can be ensured. The access authorization may include, for example, any access code or other security verification including a key, key card, personal identifier, etc., may be provided as the access authorization, an authorized individual associated with the merchant properly providing the access authorization to indicate that the external payment verification is indeed valid and is backed by the external transaction.
• The transaction processing system10 of the present invention also includes acontrol processor40. Thecontrol processor40 is communicatively associated with and remote and independent from thetransaction processor30 of thetransactional terminal20. In this regard, it is recognized that one ormore control processors40 may be provided to perform different tasks, and be communicatively associated with one or a plurality oftransaction processors30, a large network oftransaction terminals20 being contemplated. Moreover, the communicativity, as at35, that is established between thetransaction processor30 and thecontrol processor40 is preferably two way, and may be achieved through any of a variety of structures, including a dedicated connection, a network type connection, a wireless connection, an Internet connection and the like, so long as at least some degree of preferably secure data transmitting communication may be achieved. Along the these lines, thetransaction processor30 is structured to communicate the payment authorities received at thetransaction terminal20 to thecontrol processor40. Moreover, in some instances, such as with a conventional credit card transaction, thecontrol processor40 is structured to validate and/or authorize the payment authority, such as by verifying the credit card account information or ensuring that the access authorization associated with an external payment verification is a valid.
• In addition to providing such approvals for conventional point of sale type purchases, thecontrol processor40 is also structured to define a user account, such as by generating it or retrieving it from a computer/server, which is part of the control processor, charged with ultimately validating a transaction using it, and to issue an authorization code associated with the user account, such as for the benefit of a consumer in connection with a further transaction, to be described. Generally, the authorization code and user account are defined by thecontrol processor40, at least partially in response to the payment authority received at thetransaction terminal20. Furthermore, the user account defined by thecontrol processor40 may include a defined value, such as a dollar value or transaction quantity/frequency value, which is also at least partially defined by the payment authority. As a result, the authorization code issued by thecontrol processor40 is structured to facilitate a transaction in accordance with the predefined value of the user account for which the authorization code was issued. As will be described subsequently, thecontrol processor40 preferably communicates the authorization code to thetransaction terminal20 for communication to the consumer, if necessary, and possible immediate use.
• Although the authorization code defined by thecontrol processor40 may be communicated to a consumer in a variety of fashions, such as merely by illustrating it on thedisplay assembly26 of thetransactional terminal20, in the illustrated embodiment, the multi-function transaction processing system10 also includes aprinter assembly37 through which at least a printout of the authorization code may be provided for the consumer. Specifically, theprinter assembly37 is preferably communicatively associated with thetransaction terminal20 and is structured to generate acard assembly50. Thecard assembly50, which may be constructed of a generally thick card stock type material, may also be generally elongate, as illustrated inFIG. 2, so as to define a greater amount of information receiving surface area. Of course, however, it is recognized that although physical printing of theauthorization code53 on thecard assembly50 is to be described in connection with the illustratedprinter assembly37, other types of printed encoding, such as the making of encoded markings or the appropriate encoding of amagnetic stripe54, or other data storage structure on thecard assembly50 may also be utilized and are considered within the scope of the present description of printing. In the illustrated embodiment, thecard assembly50 includes at least afirst portion52 and asecond portion55. Thefirst portion52 include theauthorization code53 thereon, such as in the form of printing of the authorization code directly on thefirst portion52. Additionally, in the case of a telephony communication transaction, as will be described, a telephony access number may also be disposed on thefirst portion52 of the card assembly, the telephony access number to be utilized to initiate the telephony communication with a telephony server. Furthermore, so as to facilitate usage of thefirst portion52 of thecard assembly50 in a manner similar to conventional prepaid calling cards, thefirst portion52 may be detachable from thesecond portion55, thereby permitting thefirst portion52 to be substantially compact such as in the form of a credit card or similar sized structure, or in the form of a smaller structure such as may be hung from a key chain. Also, as seen inFIG. 2, one or more aspects of thecard assembly50 may be provided on amagnetic stripe54 or other encoded structure in addition to or instead of direct printing on the surface of thecard assembly50.
• Looking to thesecond portion55 of thecard assembly50, among other items, it preferably includes promotional materials disposed or depicted thereon. Specifically, the promotional materials may include coupons, advertisements and/or a variety of other promotional articles which may be attractive to a consumer, or which an issuing or other merchant may wish to promote to consumers obtaining an authorization code for a desired transaction. As such, the issuing merchant, distributor or other individuals associated with thetransaction terminal20 may, if desired, achieve an additional source of revenue or exposure through payments or offsets from the source(s) of the coupons and or advertisements depicted by thesecond portion55 of thecard assembly50. This also, provides an added value to the consumer of thecard assembly50 through the additional promotional items, discounts and the like, thereby adding increased incentive to purchase such a card assembly over other competing products.
• Looking in further detail to the specific embodiment of theprinter assembly37 illustrated inFIG. 1, it is preferably generally elongate, and is formed in association with a remainder of thetransaction terminal20. In this regard, theprinter assembly37 may in include an elongate, generallyplanar slot38, through which the elongate, potentiallystiff card assembly50 is passed for appropriate printing thereof. Although, it is recognized that in the case of more conventional transactions, or even in most transactions when a consumer desires to have a receipt of their transaction, theprinter assembly37 may also be utilized for that purpose, such as by printing appropriate receipt information directly on a portion of thecard assembly50 or on a separate document. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, however, areceipt printer39 may also be provided. Thereceipt printer39, which may be considered part of the overall printer assembly, is structured to print a receipt associated with an authorized transaction for the consumer and as a result need not be provided directly on thecard assembly50. In such an embodiment, thereceipt printer39 is as at least partially distinct from theprinter assembly37. As mentioned, however, and still with reference toFIG. 1, in addition to or instead of thedistinct receipt printer39, theprinter assembly37 may include the receipt printer directly as a part thereof, such as through a separate paper feed, printing directly on thecard assembly50, or requiring a conventional paper stock for the purposes of issuing a more traditional receipt before or after printing of thecard assembly50 and for completion of a desired transaction.
• As indicated, thecontrol processor40 is structured to receive information relating at least to a payment authority from thetransaction processor30. In the case of a point of sale purchase of goods or services, thecontrol processor40 may only communicate an appropriate authorization to the transaction terminal to complete the point of sale purchase. In other embodiments, however, when an authorization code is desired for supporting another, typically subsequent transaction, thecontrol processor40 defines the user account. Along these lines, it is noted that when thecontrol processor40 defines a user account, whether generated at that moment or previously generated, a new user account may be provided in connection with each authorization code, or in some instances, an existing user account may be utilized, such as by re-filling. In either instance, however, each user account includes its defined value, whether the defined value begins at zero with the formation of a new user account or is at a defined amount already. Thecontrol processor40 then adds to that defined value an amount defined at least initially by an authorized payment authority received from the transaction processor in connection with that user account. For example, if payments for point of sale purchases are not involved and a consumer's sole purpose is to obtain an appropriate authorization code for a new user account, or merely to add to an existing user account, a substantial component, if not all of the payment authority will usually be added to the value of the user account. In this regard, it is recognized that processing fees, service fees and the like many be deducted, such that a payment authority for a certain amount will not precisely correspond to the value added to the user account. Conversely, in connection with certain promotions, the value of the user account may be increased by an amount greater than the actual payment authority, such as in connection with an incentive plan where a payment authority of a certain larger amount entitles the consumer to a greater value increase to the user account (i.e. a $20 purchase gives $25 worth of credit). Further, as its value is used up, the value of the user account will decrease and also be defined in part by the value of consummated transactions.
• Although a variety of different transactions may be achieved in connection with the issued authorization code, in one embodiment of the present invention the transaction that is facilitated by the authorization code includes a telephony communication. As a result, pre-paid service is established and an extent of the telephony communication(s) available is limited by the defined value of the user account associated with the authorization code. As mentioned, in such an embodiment a telephony access number is also provided to the user, such as on thecard assembly50, and may in include a toll-free or similar access number which initiates communication with a telephony server. With reference toFIG. 3, whether the telephony access number and or the authorization code are merely viewed on thedisplay assembly26 or are provided on thecard assembly50 by theprinter assembly37, a consumer utilizes the authorization code and telephony access number in connection with anauxiliary device60, such as a computer or telephone, so as to communicate with a telephony server operated by a redeeming merchant. The telephony server in turn communicates with one or more computer processors of thecontrol processor40, as at42, ofFIG. 3. For example, one computer of thecontrol processor40 may include and/or operate the telephony server and merely provide the user account to another computer of the control processor that defines the user account by selecting it from previously or presently generated user accounts maintained by the telephony server. Specifically, theauxiliary device60 such as including the telephone and/or telephony server receives the authorization code and through communication with thecontrol processor40 is able to identify the user account and the defined value of the user account. Accordingly, the telephony server is able to immediately determine the extent of the telephony communication that can be permitted and which has been paid for. Along these lines, it is recognized that theauxiliary device60 including possibly the telephony server may be separate or part of thecontrol processor40, and if separate, may communicate with thecontrol processor40 in order to verify the validity of an authorization code in any manner. Therefore, a consumer, by purchasing thecard assembly50, is given therequisite authorization code53 and telephony access number so as to obtain pre-paid telephony communication services, while also receiving thesecond portion55 of thecard assembly50 which may include one or more different promotional items thereon. Moreover, in some embodiments, a consumer is provided with incentive to purchase theparticular card assembly50 of the issuing or redeeming merchant over other more traditional calling cards that do not provide any added benefit to the consumer.
• In yet another embodiment, and either instead of or in addition to the telephony communication, the transaction that is facilitated by the authorization code may include a lottery purchase. In particular, thecontrol processor40 may store a predefined quantity of lottery entries, such as in connection to an arrangement with a corresponding lottery commission, and preferably, but not necessarily pre-selected, random number lottery entries. As such, when an indication is made in connection with a payment authority that a lottery purchase is desired, thecontrol processor40 is able to issue at least onelottery entry56 in response to the lottery purchase. In this regard it is recognized that thelottery entry56 may be placed directly on thecard assembly50, such as on thesecond portion55, or in some embodiments on the first portion of thecard assembly50 as the actual authorization code. Furthermore, if thecontrol processor40 is associated with anauxiliary device60 such as a lottery printing device, the authorization code and/or one or more authorization code's may be provided to the user, either on thedisplay assembly26 or on thecard assembly50, for presenting in connection with theauxiliary device60, thereby allowing the user to retrieve a more traditional lottery entry.
• In yet another embodiment of the present multi-function transaction processing system10, the transaction that is facilitated by the authorization code may include a purchase. Specifically, the purchase transaction may be facilitated either instead of or in addition to one or more other transactions such as the telephony communication. As such, it is recognized that one or more authorization code's may be provided to a consumer in connection with one or more payment authorities at thetransaction terminal20. In such an embodiment, the amount of the purchase that may be facilitated utilizing the authorization code is limited by the defined value of the user account associated with the authorization code. Additionally, a remote transaction processor may be provided, such as part of anauxiliary device60, or integrated directly with thecontrol processor40. The remote transaction processor is structured to receive the authorization code from the user in connection with a purchase, and as an alternate means of payment for the purchase. For example, if a consumer desires to make an Internet purchase, the consumer will be able to communicate the authorization code to a participating merchant. In this regard, the authorization code provided by the consumer may authorize a specific defined amount corresponding the desired purchase or may authorize a number of purchases up to the defined value of the user account associated with the authorization code. As such, thecontrol processor40 is further structured to authorize the purchase in accordance with the authorization code and the associated account value without the need to provide access to personal information associated with the user making the purchase. Indeed, the user making the purchase is able to maintain a substantial degree of anonymity and security with regard to their credit card information, while still being able to achieve the desired purchase. Moreover, a consumer without access to credit is able to make a cash purchase over the internet or telephone by providing an appropriate payment to a merchant having atransaction terminal20, and through the entry of an external payment verification, obtaining an authorization code that may be communicated in connection with the telephone or internet purchase.
• Thecontrol processor40 of the present invention is also preferably structured to maintain records of an activity of thetransaction processor30 and/or communications between thetransaction processor30 and thecontrol processor40. As a result, a issuing merchant utilizing the transaction terminal is able to obtain records of payment authorities authorized and communicated to thecontrol processor40, and can identify the effectiveness of thetransaction terminal20 through its activity and through information relating to additional commercial transactions that are promoted by thetransaction terminal20. In this regard, it is recognized that either directly through thetransaction terminal20 or through other conventional means, such as a network interface, communication with thecontrol processor40 and/or its operators, such as by e-mail transactions and the like, can be achieved, thereby providing the user with substantial account and record keeping information and usage reports. Additionally, thetransaction terminal20 may be provided to an issuing merchant in connection with a plurality of bundled services, such as personal long distance telephone access for use in the operation of the business, Internet access, electronic mail facilities, and the like, thereby providing an overall, beneficial package of services for the merchant.
• Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
• Now that the invention has been described,

Claims (7)

1. 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 remotely located and independent 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 an authorization code, at least in response to said payment authority;

e. said authorization code structured to be provided to a merchant in connection with a transaction not to exceed a defined value at least initially and at least partially defined by said payment authority.

2. A multi-function transaction processing system comprising:

a. a transaction terminal disposed at an issuing merchant, 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 remotely located control processor, said control processor being operated independent of said issuing merchant;

c. said data entry facility including a payment authority input structured to accept a payment authority;

d. said control processor structured to define an authorization code, at least in response to said payment authority and to communicate said authorization code to a consumer associated with said payment authority;

e. said authorization code structured to be provided to a redemption merchant in connection with a transaction not to exceed a defined value at least initially and at least partially defined by said payment authority.

3. A multi-function transaction processing system comprising:

a. a transaction terminal disposed at an issuing merchant, 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 remotely located control processor, said control processor being operated independent of said issuing merchant;

c. said data entry facility including a payment authority input structured to accept a payment authority;

d. said control processor structured to define an authorization code, at least in response to said payment authority and to communicate said authorization code to a consumer associated with said payment authority;

e. said authorization code structured to be provided to a redemption merchant in connection with a transaction not to exceed a defined value at least initially and at least partially defined by said payment authority.

4. A multi-function transaction processing system as recited inclaim 3 wherein said control processor is independent of a financial institution authorizing a payment associated with said payment authority.

5. A multi-function transaction processing system comprising:

a. a transaction terminal disposed at an issuing merchant, 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 remotely located control processor, said control processor being operated independent of said issuing merchant;

c. said data entry facility including a payment authority input structured to accept a payment authority;

d. said control processor structured to define a pin mumber, at least in response to said payment authority and to communicate said pin number to a consumer associated with said payment authority;

e. said pin number structured to be provided to a redemption merchant in connection with a transaction, a value of said transaction not to exceed a defined value associated with said pin number at a time of said transaction.

6. 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 remotely located and independent control processor;

c. a printer assembly communicatively associated with said transaction terminal and structured to generate a card;

d. said data entry facility including a payment authority input structured to accept a payment authority;

e. said control processor structured to define an authorization code, at least in response to said payment authority and to communicate said authorization code to said printer assembly for generation of said card;

f. said card including both said authorization code and promotional materials thereon.

g. said authorization code structured to be provided to a merchant in connection with a transaction not to exceed a defined value at least initially and at least partially defined by said payment authority.

7. A multi-function transaction processing system as recited inclaim 6 wherein a portion of said card with said authorization code is separable from a portion of said card with said promotional materials.

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