Credit card validity checker - has inputs for card scanning linked to processor with connections to memory and display unit

摘要

Protection against the misuse of credit cards or cheque cards is ensured by a verifier which compares the number of the presented card with a stored list of invalid cards. Rapid checking with a relatively simple unit is achieved when the list is stored in a dynamic memory, such as a floppy disc which can be readily updated. The sectors of the disc are then arranged according to card division characters to reduce the search, as well as may contain data concerning the card holder. The input side may comprise units (1-4) where the individual card can be inserted for scanning optical character reading or be sensed by an electronic stylus readout. The derived code train is fed to the processor (5) for comparison with data stored in a memory (6) and also featuring a data transfer interface (7). The comparison result is displayed by an indicator (8).