Transaction apparatus, systems and methods
Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to alternative kinds of transactions, which do not involve payment using only cash or a token device such as a smart card or chip and PIN card. In some embodiments, transactions involve a customer providing token-less transaction authentication information using customer interface means ( 150 ) that is adapted to receive, from a customer, in a first mode of operation, PIN or other token device authentication information, for use in a token device transaction, and token-less transaction authentication information, when operating in another mode of operation. In some embodiments, the customer interface means may be a specially-adapted chip and PIN card reader apparatus. Accordingly, such a customer input means facilitates manual input by a customer of voucher, coupon, accrued loyalty points, Air Miles, ticket or pass authentication information, without the need for a retailer to install new equipment or IT infrastructure.
1. A transaction apparatus comprising:
an input arrangement; and
a communications interface,
wherein, when being used for a first type of transaction, the first type of transaction comprising a token device payment transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to receive token device information from a token device via the input arrangement, and further configured to output information via the communications interface for use in the first type of transaction, based on the on the token device information; and
wherein, when being used for a second type of transaction, different from the first type of transaction, the second type of transaction comprising a redemption transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to:
receive customer data via the input arrangement;
send, based on the received customer data, a customer identifier to a redemption transaction device; and
receive, from the redemption transaction device, transaction information relating to a transaction entry associated with a customer identified by the customer identifier.
2. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the redemption transaction comprises redemption in relation to one or more goods and/or services and/or redemption of a monetary value.
3. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the customer data comprises the customer identifier.
4. The transaction apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the customer identifier comprises a loyalty number.
5. The transaction apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the transaction information comprises information indicating an amount of loyalty points.
6. The transaction apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the redemption of the one or more loyalty points is conditional on one or more predefined constraints.
7. The transaction apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein, when being used for the second type of transaction, the transaction apparatus is further configured to enact a transaction on behalf of the customer, including redeeming one or more loyalty points.
8. The transaction apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more predefined constraints relate to at least one of: a location of the transaction apparatus; an organisation associated with the loyalty points; and a maximum and/or minimum amount of loyalty points to be redeemed.
9. The transaction apparatus according to claim 4 , further configured to:
receive an input indicating an amount of loyalty points to be used in the transaction; and
enact the transaction on the basis of the input.
10. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the customer data comprises information relating to a voucher.
11. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the customer data comprises information relating to loyalty points.
12. The transaction apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the customer identifier comprises the information relating to a voucher.
13. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input arrangement comprises a contact-less transceiver.
14. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input arrangement comprises a token device interface for receiving the token device information from the token device and a separate customer device for receiving the customer data.
15. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a smart card reader arrangement.
16. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a chip and PIN card reader arrangement.
17. The transaction apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising an Electronic Point of Sales (EPOS) terminal.
18. The transaction system according to claim 1 , wherein the transaction information relating to the one or more transaction entries indicates one or more redemption values associated with the one or more transaction entries.
19. A transaction method, comprising:
receiving token device information from a token device via an input arrangement of a transaction apparatus;
outputting information, via a communications interface of the transaction apparatus, for use in a first type of transaction, based on the token device information, the first type of transaction comprising a token device payment transaction;
receiving customer data via the input arrangement for us in a second type of transaction, the second type of transaction being different from the first type of transaction and comprising a redemption transaction;
sending, based on the received customer data, a customer identifier to a redemption transaction device; and
receiving, from the redemption transaction device, transaction information relating to a transaction entry associated with a customer identified by the customer identifier.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions when executed by a transaction apparatus causing the transaction apparatus to perform a transaction method, the transaction method comprising:
receiving token device information from a token device via an input arrangement of a transaction apparatus;
outputting information, via a communications interface of the transaction apparatus, for use in a first type of transaction, based on the token device information, the first type of transaction comprising a token device payment transaction;
receiving customer data via the input arrangement for us in a second type of transaction, the second type of transaction being different from the first type of transaction and comprising a redemption transaction;
sending, based on the received customer data, a customer identifier to a redemption transaction device; and
receiving, from the redemption transaction device, transaction information relating to a transaction entry associated with a customer identified by the customer identifier.