| 摘要 |
An automated transaction system employs a user card maintaining an account balance and a transaction terminal for dispensing an article of value and debiting the card's balance. The card has a secure, resident microprocessor which executes an interactive handshake recognition procedure with a secure, resident microprocessor in the value dispensing section of the terminal prior to carrying out a requested transaction. In the preferred form, the handshake procedure operates by an exchange of encrypted words between the card microprocessor and the dispenser microprocessor using corresponding encryption algorithms and a secret key number. The system is applied as a postage metering terminal having a postmark printer as the value dispensing section, The postal terminal also receives a rate card for computing postage automatically, and prints an invisible authentication mark along with the postmark to discourage counterfeiting. The terminal also fills in and prints standard form waybills for postal and private carrier services by loading waybill information from an IC ROM services card, The value balance in the user card can be refilled in a refilling terminal using a master card which maintains a master account balance and a supervisor card which is in the custody of an authorized person. |
