POINT-OF-SALE MECHANISM

摘要

A secured point-of-sale mechanism is provided by a closable two compartment housing having (1) a secured portion which includes a printer and a plurality of signal devices for verifying that the mechanism is in a "locked" state and (2) an unsecured portion which cooperates with said secured portion in such a manner that transactions involving credit cards, negotiable instruments and the like are protected against unauthorized intervention. In certain preferred embodiments of this invention, the mechanism further comprises (a) means for accessing a computer system maintained by issuers of credit cards, negotiable instruments, etc., (b) means to access an external communication in order to identify a payor of a negotiable instrument and to perform an electronic funds transfer, (c) telephonic means to communicate with issuers of credit cards, negotiable instruments etc., and (d) a keypad, for customer use, which is located outside the closable two compartment housing.