Method and apparatus for on-line processing of transaction data.

摘要

Transaction data (303) are generated at one or more terminal units (101) and transmitted to a transaction management system (102) which stacks such data until predetermined conditions occur, at which occurrence the stacked transaction data (304) are transmitted as a batch for processing. Confirmation of successful processing is then re-transmitted to the terminal units (101). The predetermined conditions for batch transfer may be expressed in terms of a maximum number of stacked transaction data (304) or a maximum time of stacking on both. By transferring transaction data for processing as a batch, the processing time can be reduced. As with standard transaction processing, it is important that processing operates in an all-or-nothing way and so appropriate storage of the transaction data and the record or records being changed to ensure that the original record may be restored if there is a failure of any part of the transaction processing. The method may be applied to a banking or lottery system.