Inventors:
Lee Meyer - Carmichael CA
James D. Fuller - Auburn CA
David C. Hanley - Colfax CA
Willie Yuen Fong - San Francisco CA
Gary L. Specht - Rocklin CA
Michael Fischer - Auburn CA
Paul A. Serotta - Roseville CA
William B. Cole - Meadow Vista CA
Assignee:
Verifone Inc. - Santa Clara CA
International Classification:
G06K 1910
Abstract:
Portable transaction terminal apparatus adapted for use in eating and drinking establishments. A terminal housing has a generally rectangular shape and a size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check. A folio-type cover is mounted to a left side portion of the terminal housing by a hinge arrangement and thereby adapted to swing between open and closed cover positions, the cover corresponding in length and width to the terminal housing so as to completely cover a top face of the terminal housing in the closed cover position and to lie flat against a surface in the open cover position. A data entry keypad and an alphanumeric display are carried on the top face of the terminal housing. A card reader module is mounted in the terminal housing for accepting and reading a transaction data card selected for use by a guest of the establishment for payment of the amount of the guest check. A microcomputer system is carried within the terminal housing and being pre-programmed with operating system and application software for management of data entry, message display, card reading and transaction message formatting and storing functions associated with a preselected data entry sequence and data message format.