WO2025091097A1 - Device and method for financial transactions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for carrying out financial transactions, wherein the device is provided with means that allow said financial transactions to be carried out by reading cards, such as credit and debit cards. The device of the present invention has a compact design, resulting in a lower production cost and less use of materials, making said device and associated method of financial transactions more advantageous. The device of the present invention remains in the ownership or possession of a user/buyer and is configured to guarantee interoperability with different merchants and acquirers via electronic means. The method of the present invention is especially adapted to the device and allows financial transactions to be carried out using said device on e-commerce or financial institution applications or websites.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

Field of invention

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field of financial operations, more particularly it relates to a device and method for executing financial operations, in which the device is provided with means that allow the execution of said financial operations by reading cards, such as credit and debit cards.

[002] The device of the present invention is further developed to be compact, adding a lower production cost, making said device and associated financial operations method more advantageous.

[003] The method of the present invention is specially adapted to the device and allows the execution of financial transactions through said device with e-commerce or financial institution applications or websites, without the need for use in a commercial environment.

State of the art

[004] Devices and methods for financial transactions are well known in the state of the art, mainly through traditional payment terminals, such as so-called card machines, which allow merchants to accept payments with credit or debit cards. Such payment terminals generally have a numeric keypad (pinpad) for data entry, a slot for card insertion and a screen to display information about the transaction, such as the purchase amount, establishment, among others. Such terminals generally require a connection to the telephone line or the Internet to process financial transactions.

[005] A financial transaction method that is also common in the state of the art is through contactless payments, in which users make payments using, in addition to bank cards, mobile devices such as smartphones or smartwatches. Typically, this method includes NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which allows communication by proximity between the mobile device and the payment terminal, in addition to making use of specific mobile payment applications, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, among others, called "virtual wallets".

[006] Another method of financial operation already widespread in the state of the art Payment occurs through a barcode, or Quick Response (QR code), in which a merchant generates a unique QR code that contains transaction information, such as the amount to be paid and the payment destination. The buyer or customer uses the mobile payment app to scan the QR code and authorize the transaction, completing the purchase.

[007] Methods for carrying out financial transactions online are also known, in which the user or buyer provides credit/debit card details directly into an application or software of the store where the purchase is to be made.

[008] All methods for financial operations in the state of the art make use of security systems, commonly for authentication of the buyer and/or means of payment, so that the security systems may involve encryption processes, tokenization, two-factor authentication, fraud detection, real-time monitoring, among others.

[009] An example of a prior art device is published by document WO2009132475, dated 2009-11-05, which relates to a home network banking terminal used for IC cards and ATM credit cards (bank cards) that includes a central processing unit, a magnetic card reading circuit unit and an RFIC card reading circuit unit. The central processing unit includes a central microprocessor and an Ethernet interface circuit, and the Ethernet interface circuit is connected to the central microprocessor. The magnetic card reading circuit unit and the RFIC card reading circuit unit are respectively connected with the I/O interfaces of the central microprocessor.

[0010] An example of a method for performing financial operations is seen in document KR20090002269, published on 09/01/2009, which presents an online payment method and system, a home banking terminal and a recording medium for the online payment method for paying fees for delivered goods using a card reader included in the home banking terminal and a customer terminal. An online payment method includes a step in which a predetermined shopping server or shopping mall generates predetermined payment amount information and member store information corresponding to purchase request information and transmits the payment amount information and member store information to a terminal customer when the customer terminal and a step in which a predetermined home banking terminal receives the payment amount information and the member's store information, reads the predetermined card information from a predetermined customer's credit card, generates a predetermined payment approval request message including the card information, the payment amount information and the member's store information and transmits the message to a predetermined server. [0011] Despite the solutions found in the prior art, the financial operations sector experiences high rates of payment fraud, especially in the online payment stages, which leads businesses and acquirers to establish limits and conditions for making purchases.

[0012]In addition, commercial establishments and acquirers face a high rate of sales rejection, due to the need to establish strict security criteria for their authorization procedures.

[0013]Thus, with the aim of bringing more security to financial transactions carried out on e-commerce websites and/or in banking applications or software, the device and method of the present invention allows users to make digital payments with credit/debit card, PIX or tokenization through a physical device associated with the user or buyer.

[0014] In other words, the physical device or terminal becomes the property or possession of the buyer and is configured to ensure interoperability with different merchants and acquirers.

[0015]Associating the device with the buyer, rather than the seller, through the payment method allows the purchasing website, bank and/or financial institution to correctly identify the buyer during the execution of the online financial transaction, as if the transaction were carried out in a physical store.

[0016] With this, the device allows the security features and procedures applied to transactions in the physical environment to be brought to the online environment, when card information is read directly on the device or payment terminal.

[0017]Furthermore, the device of the present invention is compact, being developed without the screen coupling, making its production cost lower when compared to devices found in the state of the art.

Objectives of the invention

[0018] A first objective of the present invention is to present a device and method for financial transactions that allows users or buyers to carry out digital financial transactions through a physical device associated with the user or buyer, bringing greater security during the financial transaction.

[0019] Another objective of the present invention is to present a device and method for financial transactions that allows increasing the authorization rate, since it brings to the online or virtual environment the same security procedure as a financial transaction in a physical store.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to present a device for financial operations developed in a compact way and without screen coupling, adding a lower production cost.

Brief description of the figures

[0021]The invention will be better understood from the detailed description of a preferred and non-limiting form of implementation, which is made with the support of the attached figures, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device for financial operations of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a first front view of the device for financial operations of the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a second front view of the device for financial operations of the present invention, with a credit/debit card inserted in said device;

- Figure 4 is a rear view of the device for financial operations of the present invention;

- Figure 5 is a left side view of the device for financial operations of the present invention;

- Figure 6 is a right side view of the device for financial operations of the present invention; - Figure 7 is a top view of the device for financial operations of the present invention;

- Figure 8 is a bottom view of the device for financial operations of the present invention; and

- Figure 9 is a diagram with the steps of the method for financial operations of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0022] In accordance with the objectives presented, the present invention refers to a device (D) and method for financial operations, in which the device is provided with elements such as a body (1), cable (2), buttons (3), slot (4), LEDs (5), in addition to fixing elements and communication elements.

[0023] The body (1) comprises all the elements of the device (D) and has a flat or planar volume shape. In particular, the body (1) has substantially flat front and rear surfaces or portions that are interconnected with the lateral surfaces or portions of said body (1), which are curved along their entire lateral extension, and are preferably convex, as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 7.

[0024] In a preferred configuration, the body (1) has width, height and depth dimensions in the range of 68 mm to 70 mm in width, 62 mm to 64 mm in height and 14 mm to 16 mm in depth. Such dimensions are due to the particular constructivity of the device (D) which makes it modular and low cost to produce. The constructivity of said device (D) is further optimized by not using a screen, allowing the body (1) of the device (D) of the present invention to have said reduced dimensions.

[0025] The body (1) has buttons (3) on its front for entering data, as illustrated in figure 1, which allow the entry of alphanumeric characters such as numbers and letters for inserting data during the execution of a financial transaction.

[0026] In different implementations, the data entered may be diverse, such as passwords, codes, names, dates, monetary or financial values, among others.

[0027]Also on the front portion of the body (1) are arranged LEDs (5), in four different colors, preferably in blue, yellow, green and red, which indicate the processing of information during the performance of any financial operations. involving the device (D).

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the LEDs indicate the progress in reading the payment method or in accessing the device (D) or accessing the physical or digital elements connected to the device (D) or in data communication with the device (D) during a financial transaction.

[0029]Furthermore, the LEDs (5) preferably light up one at a time, indicating from the beginning to the end of the operations being executed, although they can light up simultaneously, if necessary, such as during the energization of the device (D) or during maintenance and/or updates.

[0030] In the lower portion of the body (1) there is a slot (4), illustrated in figure 8, which is used to insert credit and/or debit cards, in a configuration also illustrated in figure 3, with the card inserted in the device (D).

[0031] In the upper portion of the body (1), preferably in the center of the upper portion, there is a cable input (2) for communication with external electronic devices (not illustrated). The cable (2) is preferably of the USB type C type, but it can be any state-of-the-art data communication cable that allows communication with said electronic devices (not illustrated).

[0032] Said cable (2) may have a variable length, from 1 cm to tens of centimeters, or may consist only of a connector for direct insertion into inputs of said electronic devices (not illustrated), so that the upper portion of the body (1) is in contact with the body of said electronic device.

[0033] Electronic devices (not illustrated) are any devices equipped with screens, applications/software and means of transmitting and receiving data via cables or wireless communication, such as smartphones, smartwatches, computers, laptops, tablets, among others. Conventionally, electronic devices (not illustrated) have access to the internet and/or databases and/or applications/software via cables, wireless network (Wi-Fi) or satellite data network.

[0034] Said electronic devices (not illustrated) allow access to any websites and/or e-commerce applications/software and/or financial institutions such as banks or cooperatives, so that the device (D) is capable of communicating and exchanging data with said websites and/or applications/software for the execution of financial transactions, which include payments for products and/or services or payments between users of financial institutions, sending and/or receiving monetary amounts or physical or digital products and services, generating and/or viewing bank statements, balances, or sending and/or receiving any data relating to financial transactions. Said means of communication may be chosen from those available in the state of the art.

[0035]Thus, to perform a financial transaction, the device (D) receives a credit/debit card through the slot (4), reading it, so that the relevant data is entered through the buttons (3), processed in processing units and then transmitted through the cable (2) to the electronic devices connected to it (not illustrated). The processing units can be chosen from conventional units available in the state of the art.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the device (D) is also capable of performing financial transactions by bringing credit/debit cards closer to the body (1) of the device (D), in accordance with technology available in the state of the art and also present in the device (D).

[0037] The device (D) is equipped with state-of-the-art communication elements that allow data exchange, that is, the sending and receiving of data between said device (D) and electronic devices (not illustrated) and/or applications/websites. Among the communication elements are one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, memories, Bluetooth communication element, Wi-Fi communication element, Ethernet communication element, contactless communication element with NEC (Near Field Communication) type cards, among others, which allow the complete exchange of data and execution of financial transactions between the device (D) and electronic devices (not illustrated).

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the device (D) is also provided with fastening elements comprising screws or other fastening elements to hold the body (1) together. The rear portion of the body (1) is preferably also provided with rubber elements or other material for contact of the body (1) with a surface, improving friction and fastening of the device (D) with any surface. [0039] Still in a preferred embodiment of the device (D), between the left side portion and the rear portion of the body (1), a through hole (6) is arranged, illustrated by figures 4 and figure 5, which has the function of fixing or securing the device (D) through ropes, straps, rings or other fixing elements. Thus, said through hole (6) has fluid interconnection between the side and rear portions of the body (1).

[0040]The particular constructivity of the device (D) according to the preferred embodiment allows its dimensions to be reduced, in addition to reducing production costs and the use of materials, it brings modularity to said device (D), so that it can be stored in pockets, cases, attached to key rings or similar elements.

[0041] Furthermore, the constructivity of the device (D), especially due to its shape and dimensions, allows for better adaptation or direct coupling of the device (D) to smartphones, as the device (D) has a width and depth similar to those of said smartphones, so that it facilitates the user's grip between the device (D) and the smartphone, providing better ergonomics during use.

[0042] The method for executing financial operations of the present invention is specially adapted to the device (D) and comprises steps that allow the execution of financial operations with e-commerce applications/websites and/or with financial institution applications/websites.

[0043] The method of the present invention is illustrated by figure 9 and comprises the following steps:

Step a - User/buyer communicates device (D) with an electronic device, through appropriate communication and connection means.

Step b - User/buyer accesses electronic e-commerce medium or accesses electronic medium of financial institution.

Step c - User/buyer initiates financial transaction in the electronic e-commerce medium or in the electronic medium of a financial institution or said electronic means automatically identify the device (D).

Step d - Electronic means of e-commerce or financial institution sends data and/or requests sending of data through the device (D) to confirm the financial transaction.

Step e - User/buyer brings credit and/or debit card close to the device (D) or inserts credit and/or debit card into device (D) and sends data to electronic e-commerce or financial institution in response to data request from said electronic means.

Step f - Data sent via device (D) is received, processed and validated by the electronic e-commerce medium or by the electronic medium of a financial institution to complete the financial transaction.

[0044] An electronic medium or digital medium, as defined in the steps of the method of the present invention, refers to any e-commerce and/or financial institution applications and/or websites through which the device of the present invention is capable of communicating, exchanging data and carrying out financial transactions.

[0045] During step "c", the user/buyer may select or not the option to make the payment using the device (D). That is, alternatively, the electronic medium may automatically identify the connection with the device (D) to exchange data or carry out financial transactions.

[0046] During step "d", the electronic means may alternatively trigger/activate the device (D), sending data and/or information of its configuration parameters for the proper functioning of the system, allowing the execution of the financial transaction. Among the data that may be exchanged and/or sent by the electronic means, security parameters are included, preferably configured by the electronic means and/or acquirer.

[0047] The data sent and/or requested by electronic means and received and/or sent through the device (D) are commonly passwords associated with the user/buyer's payment method, such as passwords associated with credit/debit cards or user/buyer accounts registered with financial institutions or e-commerce websites. However, said data may be diverse, such as codes, names, dates, monetary or financial values, among others.

[0048] The data received and/or sent through the device (D) are preferably authenticated and/or encrypted, so that the authentication and/or encryption can occur between any of the steps "a" to "f", separately or belonging to any of the steps. Said data can be authenticated and/or encrypted through tokenization, two-factor authentication, through fraud detection methods and real-time monitoring of the state of the art, among others.

Claims

Claims 1. Device (D) for executing financial transactions, comprising a body (1), cable (2), buttons (3), slot (4), LEDs (5) and communication elements, characterized in that said body (1) has the shape of a flat or flat volume, in which the front and rear portions of said body (1) are flat and interconnected by curved side portions, in which the body (1) has dimensions suitable for coupling the device (D) to electronic devices via said cable (2), so that the device (D) communicates with said electronic devices and allows the execution of financial transactions in electronic means. 2. Device (D) for executing financial transactions, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (1) preferably has width, height and depth dimensions in the range of 68 mm to 70 mm in width, 62 mm to 64 mm in height and 14 mm to 16 mm in depth. 3. Device (D) for executing financial transactions, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic devices include devices equipped with screens, applications and means of transmitting and receiving data via cables or wireless communication, such as smartphones, smartwatches, computers, laptops or tablets. 4. Device (D) for executing financial transactions, according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the communication elements allow sending and receiving data between said device (D) and said electronic devices and comprise at least one of microprocessors, microcontrollers, memories, Bluetooth communication element, Wi-Fi communication element, Ethernet communication element and contactless communication element with NFC type cards. 5. Device (D) for carrying out financial transactions, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (1) has, between its left side portion and its rear portion, a through hole (6) for fixing or securing said device (D) using ropes, rings or other fastening elements. 6. Device (D) for executing financial transactions, in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the LEDs (5) indicate the progress in reading a means of payment or in accessing the device (D) or accessing the physical or digital elements connected to the device (D) or in data communication with the device (D) during a financial transaction. 7. Method for executing financial transactions by means of the device (D) as defined in claims 1 to 6, characterized by comprising the following steps: Step a - User communicates device (D) with an electronic device; Step b - User accesses electronic e-commerce medium or accesses electronic medium of financial institution; Step c - User initiates financial transaction in the electronic e-commerce environment or in the electronic environment of a financial institution or said electronic environments automatically identify the device (D); Step d - Electronic e-commerce or financial institution means sends data and/or requests data to be sent via device (D) to confirm financial transaction; Step e - User brings card close to device (D) or inserts card into device (D) and sends data to e-commerce or financial institution electronic means in response to data request from said electronic means; and Step f - Data sent via device (D) is received, processed and validated by the electronic e-commerce medium or by the electronic medium of a financial institution to complete the financial transaction. 8. Method for executing financial transactions, according to claim 7, characterized in that the data sent and/or requested by electronic means and received and/or sent through the device (D) include passwords, codes, names, dates, monetary or financial values. 9. Method for executing financial transactions, according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the data are preferably authenticated and/or encrypted, so that authentication and/or encryption occurs between any of steps "a" and "f". 10. Method for executing financial transactions, in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the financial transactions include payments for products and/or services or payments between users of said financial institutions, generation and/or viewing of bank statements or balances.