Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for controlling off-line credit vend transactions are provided, including a vending system having a vend selection and delivery portion operable off-line, an associated credit card reader, and a transaction controller operatively connected to the card reader to receive information read from an inserted credit card and operatively connected to the vend selection and delivery portion to enable operation thereof. The system is operable, while off-line, to determine acceptability of an inserted card and the current availability at such system of off-line credit for an acceptable credit card, to enable operation of the vend selection and delivery portion if credit is authorized, and to be responsive to vend completion by the vend selection and delivery portion to store transaction information for the credit vend. The credit vend transaction information can later be downloaded and utilized for credit billing purposes. Information for use in determining credit transaction limitation counts and account numbers for preferred cards, and for determining higher credit transaction limitation counts for preferred cards, can be uploaded and stored in the system for use in determining card acceptability and the availability of off-line credit.

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First Claim