GB2054928A - Improvements in or relating to paperless transaction terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

A paperless transaction terminal is provided for use at a point of sale with purchasers' transaction cards. The terminal includes a reader 6 for reading information from a transaction card, and a keyboard 8 or the like to allow data relating to the transaction to be entered. A memory 5 stores data relating to the completed transaction for subsequent reading to a central transaction processing system, for instance via a modem and a telephone line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to paperless transaction terminals The present invention relates to paperless transaction terminals. Such a terminal may be used at a point of sale with a purchaser's card and may store information concerning the transaction for subsequent transmission to a central transaction processing system.

According to the invention, there is provided a paperless transaction terminal comprising a reader for reading information from a token, means for entering data relating to a transaction, and a memory for storing the data for subsequent reading.

Preferably, the token comprises a digitally encoded card on which is encoded information relating to the owner's credit status. The information may be encoded magnetically. The card is preferably of the secure type such that data may not be removed from the card without this resulting in the destruction of the card.

The terminal is generally self-contained and is usually not permanently connected to a central transaction processing system, but has means for reading the information stored in the memory to allow the information to be transmitted to such a system when convenient. The terminal may be arranged to supply this information via a modem to the system along Post Office telephone lines or by other means.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a paperless transaction terminal constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention; a-nd Figures 2a and b comprise a flow diagram illustrating use of the terminal of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a paperless transaction terminal build around a central processing unit 1 comprising a microprocessor connected to address, data and control busses 2. A programmable read only memory 3 is provided for storing a program which controls the operation of the central processing unit 1. A first random access memory 4 is connected to the busses 2 and stores data relating to the stages of a transaction. A second random access memory 5 is also connected to the busses 2 and stores information relating to the completed transactions.

The terminal is provided with three input devices comprising a card reader 6, a real time clock 7, and a keyboard 8 provided with interfaces 9, 10,1 ,respectively, to allow the input devices to communicate with the central processing unit 1 via the busses 2. There are further provided two output devices comprising an alphanumerical display 12 and a line printer 13 connected via respective output interfaces 14 and 1 5 to the busses 2.

The second random access memory 5 stores data for subsequent transmission to central transaction-processing system and is provided with the means for permitting the data stored therein to be thus transmitted. For instance, a connector in the form of a probe entry may be provided to allow the memory 5 to be connected to the system for reading of the data therefrom.

Alternatively, means for connecting a wire or jackplug may be provided, also to allow the memory 5 to be connected directly to the central system.

Alternatively, the memory 5 may comprise a module which is readily removable from the terminal and may be plugged into the system or into memory reading means connected to the system. A further possibility for communicating with the central system is by direct connection of the memory 5 or the terminal to a VHF, UHF or a SHF converter for transmission to a radio receiver.

A still further possibility is to arrange the device for co-operation with a modem for transmitting the data from the memory 5 via a conventional telephone line.

The display 12 has, for instance, 6 digits and is sufficiently bright to be read in strong sunlight.

Thus, the terminal is not restricted to use, for instance, in shops or department stores comprising enclosed premises but may also be used, for instance, at open air market stalls and the like.

The keyboarding 8 generally comprises a matrix of 16 keys. Ten of these are numbered 0--9 and are used for entering numerical data relating to a transaction. An eleventh key, generally labelled "G" comprises a "uplift" or "percentage uplift" key, the primary function of which will be described hereinafter. A twelfth key, generally labelled "C", forms a cancel key and permits the last entry to be cancelled. A thirteenth key, generally labelled "E", comprises an entry key and control the forwarding of information stored in a buffer memory of the keyboard 8 of the interface 11 via the busses 2 to the memory 4. A fourteenth key allows the running total of a current transaction to be displayed on the display 12. The remaining two keys can be used to control any other desired function.

The information reader 6 comprises a reader for reading magnetically encoded information on a transaction card. The reader contains a magnetically sensitive head and is operated by hand i.e. by a "swipe action" or sweeping of the head over the card by hand.

The terminal is provided with means for indicating when the memory 5 is full and for preventing further transactions from taking place until the memory has been read, its contents sent to a central transaction-processing system, and the memory then cleared or erased by means of a signal from the central system or by other means.

The terminal may then be used to record further transactions. The terminal may be externally powered and may be provided with an internal battery or the like to allow operation to be maintained for at least twenty minutes following a failure of mains power.The terminal is arranged to flash the display when power fails so as to warn an operator.

Included in the programs stored in the memory 3 is a test routine for checking the display and other functions. This may be performed automatically from time to time or may be actuated by an operator, for instance at the start of each day's business.

The terminal is capable of operating over a temperature range of minus 1 00C to plus 800C and at a humidity level of 95% at 400C. It is capable of withstanding vibration to the standard BSI requirement. It may further be made to the standards laid down in Council Director 71/316/EEC 26th July, 1971 COM (78) 766 final Brussels 22nd January 1979 in order to meet with EEC regulations where these are acceptable.

The terminal is constructed in module form to allow the various parts to be replaced. This permits the terminal to be repaired readily and also allows the up-dating of the various modules to take into account progress made in the fields of printer technology, reader technology, display technology, and electronics. The terminal is further housed in a box provided with means for erasing the memory 5 in the event of tampering. The terminal may be portable for use on nonpermanent sites, such as market stalls. The memory 5 is arranged to retain data for at least ninety days to allow for the possibility of the terminal lying idle.

The terminal shown in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for use with "watermark" cards as provided by EMI data and containing magnetically encoded non-erasable data.

The information encoded in the secure mark on each card comprises: a number indentifying the holding company; a number identifying the company account; and a number identifying the personal account of the owner. the card is further provided with magnetically coded information which may be erased and replaced with up-dated information. The data encoded on the card in this way comprise: the transaction limit of the owner, a code for causing a "PIN required light to be illuminated if the transaction limit is greater than a predetermined amount; a number indicating area of validity; a number indicating expiry date; and a PIN (purchaser identification number). This information is further "scrambled" or encyphered on the card to provide additional security against alteration.

The various stages of a paperless transaction will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying figures 2a and b of the drawings, which show a flow diagram relating to the operation. When a customer performs a transaction, such as buying goods in a shop, he passes his card to a sales assistant or operator who enters the card in the card reader 6 and operates the reader so as to transfer the information thereon to the memory 4. If the PIN is required, a light on the terminal (not shown) is illuminated to indicate this. The customer then enters the PIN. The card remains in the card reader until the end of the transaction. The information stored in the memory 4 is then checked for validity by comparing the customerentered PIN against that on the card, by checking area, and by checking the expiry date.An "accept" or "reject" light is then illuminated for a short period to indicate whether the card has been accepted or rejected. Rejection of the card terminates the transaction.

If the card is accepted, the central processing unit 1 causes the time and date to be entered from the real time clock 7 to memory 4. The transaction limit read from the card is then displayed on the display 1 2 for four seconds.

The operator uses the keyboard to enter the cost of the transaction and this is displayed on the display 12, the first key to be actuated in this sequence clearing the previous display as necessary. If the cost of the transaction is less than a predetermined minimum cost, then the minimum value thereof is displayed instead of the actual cost of the transaction. If the cost of the transaction is in excess of the transaction limit, then the terminal automatically cancels the keyboard entry of the transaction cost and redisplays the transaction limit for four seconds.

Part of the cost of the transaction up to the transaction limit may then be entered if desired.

The operator then depresses the key "g" which automatically provides for a percentage uplift in excess of the transaction cost. This amounts to a percentage surcharge for using the card and increases the cost of the transaction by the percentage thereof. The total cost of the transaction including the uplift is then displayed by the display 12 and the data relating to the completed transaction is transferred from the memory 4 to the memory 5. The display 12 then flashes to indicate that the transaction has been completed and the operator removes the card from the terminal, which causes the display to be cleared.

An alternative sequence of operations is possible in which the entry by the customer of the PIN is used as an acknowledgement by the customer of a satisfactory transaction. In this case, instead of the customer's entering the PIN immediately after the card has been entered into the card reader 6 the customer enters this number after the cost of the transaction including the uplift has been displayed. The data concerning the completed transaction is then read into the memory 5 and the sequence of events terminates as described above.

Claims (12)

1. A paperless transaction terminal comprising a reader for reading information from a token, means for entering data relating to a transaction, and a memory for storing the data for subsequent reading.

2. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, in which the reader comprises a card reader for reading information from a card.

3. A terminal as claimed in claim 2, in which the card reader includes a magnetic transducer for reading information encoded magnetically on the card.

4. A terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the memory is arranged for removal from the terminal and for reading to a central transaction processing system.

5. A terminal as claimed in claim 4, in which the memory is arranged to supply a modem for transmission to the processing system via a telephone connection.

6. A terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the means for entering data relating to a transaction comprises an alphanumeric keyboard.

7. A terminal as claimed in claim 6, including a central processing unit programmed to check an identification number supplied by a purchaser via the keyboard against an identification number read from the token by the reader.

8. A terminal as claimed in claim 7, in which the central processing unit is programmed to check the amount of a transaction entered via the keyboard with a transaction limit read from the token by the reader

9. A terminal as claimed in claim 8, in which the central processing unit is programmed to increase the amount of the transaction by a predetermined amount or percentage upon receipt of an instruction from the keyboard.

10. A terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a further memory arranged to store the data relating each transaction while the transaction is taking place and to supply data relating to the completed transaction to the memory when the transaction has been completed.

11. A paperless transaction terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. A paperless transaction system comprising at least one terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, a central transaction processing system for processing transaction data received from the memory of the or each terminal, and means for transmitting the transaction data from the or each terminal to the processing system.