Apparatus and method for downloading configuration data to card terminals and for viewing activity at card terminals
View Patent ↗Downloading configuration data to program card terminals and providing real-time data of activity occurring at card terminals. A merchant can log on to a system server and enter information to program options for its card terminals such as via a web page on an Internet site. The system server formats the information into a file based upon a communication protocol and programming rules for the card terminal, and downloads the file to it as a data stream. The card terminal programs itself according to the configuration data. A merchant can also view data for activity occurring at its card terminals, possibly in real-time proximate to detection of the activity by the system server. In conjunction with processing transactions or other activity from the card terminals, the system server replicates the records for the activity and makes them available to merchants such as via a web page on an Internet site. Both the entry of configuration data and viewing of real-time activity can occur at a network connection remote from the card terminals, allowing the merchants to program the card terminals and view their activity at any location having network access.
1. A method for downloading an application to a card terminal from a remote network connection, comprising:
receiving from the remote network connection a request to download an application to the card terminal using a processing arrangement;
monitoring the card terminal using the processing arrangement to detect at least one activity of a financial transaction performed at the card terminal;
detecting the at least one activity performed at the card terminal; and
based on the detection procedure, electronically transmitting to the card terminal information related to the request for use in downloading the application to the card terminal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving step includes receiving the request via a web page.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a data stream for transmission to the card terminal.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting the information upon detecting a command corresponding to closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions at the card terminal.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising downloading the application to the card terminal.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising translating the request into a format corresponding to the card terminal.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one activity is at least one of a request to process a financial transaction or a closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing arrangement further comprises a storage arrangement containing information associated with configuration of the card terminal.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring step is performed based on the receiving step.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one activity comprises at least one of a use of a debit card, a use of a credit card, a request for electronic payment, or closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
11. A method for providing configuration data to a card terminal via a remote network connection, comprising:
receiving information from the remote network connection relating to configuring the card terminal using a processing arrangement;
generating configuration data from the information which at least one of enables or performs reconfiguration of the card terminal according to the received information;
monitoring the card terminal using the processing arrangement;
detecting at least one activity of a financial transaction performed at the card terminal; and
based on the detection procedure, electronically transmitting the configuration data to the card terminal in order to reconfigure the card terminal according to the configuration data.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving step includes receiving the information via a web page.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the generating step includes generating a data stream for transmission to the card terminal.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the information comprises at least one of (i) an indication of information to be printed on a receipt at the card terminal; (ii) an indication of audio information to be generated by the card terminal; or (iii) an indication of visual information to be displayed on the card terminal.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving step includes receiving the information from a network connection remote from the card terminal.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting a message to the card terminal relating to triggering of downloading of the configuration data.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one activity is at least one of a request to process the financial transaction or a closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the processing arrangement further comprises a storage arrangement containing information associated with configuration of the card terminal.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the monitoring step is performed based on the receiving step.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one activity comprises at least one of a use of a debit card, a use of a credit card, a request for electronic payment, or closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
21. An apparatus for downloading of an application to a card terminal via a network, comprising a processing arrangement configured to:
receive via a remote network connection a request to download an application to the card terminal;
monitor the card terminal to detect at least one activity of a financial transaction performed at the card terminal;
detect the at least one activity; and
transmit information related to the request for use in downloading the application to the card terminal upon detecting the at least one activity performed at the card terminal.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a module configured to receive the request via a web page.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a module configured to generate a data stream for transmission to the card terminal.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a module configured to transmit the message upon detecting a command corresponding to closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions at the card terminal.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processing arrangement is further configured to download the application to the card terminal.
26. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a translate module for translating the request into a format corresponding to the card terminal.
27. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the at least one activity is at least one of a request to process the financial transaction or a closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
28. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processing arrangement further comprises a storage arrangement containing information associated with configuration of the card terminal.
29. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processing arrangement is further configure to monitor the card terminal based on receiving the request.
30. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the at least one activity comprises at least one of a use of a debit card, a use of a credit card, a request for electronic payment, or closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
31. An apparatus for providing configuration data to a card terminal, comprising a processing arrangement configured to:
receive information from a remote network connection relating to configuring the card terminal;
generate from the received information configuration data for use in configuring the card terminal according to the received information;
monitor the card terminal;
detect at least one activity of a financial transaction performed at the card terminal; and
transmit the configuration data to the card terminal upon detecting the at least one activity.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a module configured to receive the information via a web page.
33. The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a module configured to generate a data stream for transmission to the card terminal.
34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the information comprises at least one of (i) an indication of information to be printed on a receipt at the card terminal; (ii) an indication of audio information to be generated by the card terminal; or (iii) an indication of visual information to be displayed on the card terminal.
35. The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a module configured to receive the information from a network connection remote from the card terminal.
36. The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a module configured to transmit a message to the card terminal relating to triggering of downloading of the configuration data.
37. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the at least one activity is at least one of a request to process the financial transaction or a closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.
38. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the processing arrangement further comprises a storage arrangement containing information associated with configuration of the card terminal.
39. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the processing arrangement is further configure to monitor the card terminal based on receiving the information.
40. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the at least one activity comprises at least one of a use of a debit card, a use of a credit card, a request for electronic payment, or closing of a batch of data associated with a plurality of financial transactions.