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:
a token device interface arrangement;
an input device; and
a communications interface configured to provide information for use by one or more transaction servers, the transaction servers including a redemption transaction server configured to enact at least a redemption transaction, the transaction apparatus being for use with a first type of transaction and a second type of transaction, wherein the first type of transaction is a payment transaction comprising payment using a token device, and wherein the second type of transaction is different from the first type of transaction,
wherein, when being used for the first type of transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to receive a first type of information from a token device via the token device interface arrangement, and further configured to output information via the communications interface for use in the first type of transaction based on the on the first type of information; and
wherein, when being, used for the second type of transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to:
receive a second type of information via the input device;
use the received second type of information to initiate the second type of payment transaction by sending information via the communications interface for receipt at the redemption transaction server based on the received second type of information, thereby obtaining information from the redemption transaction server, wherein the information obtained from the redemption transaction server identifies one or more specific goods and/or services in relation to which a transaction may be enacted for a customer; and
use the information obtained from the redemption transaction server to identify one or more good and/or services in relation to which a redemption transaction may be enacted for the customer and a redemption value for redemption in relation to the identified one or more goods and/or services.
2. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transaction apparatus comprises a smart card reader.
3. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transaction apparatus comprises a chip and PIN card reader.
4. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a selector configured to selectively enable the transaction apparatus to operate in a first mode or a second mode, wherein when operating in the first mode, the transaction apparatus is configured to be used for the first type of transaction, and wherein when operating in the second mode, the transaction apparatus is configured to be used for the second type of transaction.
5. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises at least one of a keyboard and a touch-screen device.
6. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transaction apparatus comprises a single physical unit, for use by a customer.
7. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transaction apparatus comprises a hand-holdable unit, for use by a customer.
8. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a transaction terminal, adapted for use by an operator, and a separate customer interface comprising the input device and a customer display device.
9. The transaction apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the transaction terminal and customer interface are arranged to be in communication with one another at least intermittently.
10. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the token-device interface arrangement comprises an interface configured to communicate with a token device via contacts, which correspond to contacts on or in the associated token device.
11. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the token-device interface arrangement comprises an interface configured to communicate with a token device via a contact-less transceiver, which communicates with a contact-less transceiver of an associated token device.
12. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transaction apparatus comprises an Electronic Point Of Sales (EPOS) apparatus.
13. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the identified one or more goods and/or services comprises a payment service, and enacting the second type of payment transaction comprises redemption of a monetary value.
14. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, when being used for the first type of transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to receive authentication information from a customer.
15. The transaction apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the authentication information is received via the input device.
16. The transaction apparatus of claim 14 , wherein, when being used for the first type of transaction, the transaction apparatus is configured to enact the first type of transaction in response to the authentication information being validated.
17. The transaction apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the authentication information is validated based on a comparison of the authentication information with information stored on the token device.
18. The transaction apparatus of claim 14 , wherein transaction apparatus comprises a chip and PIN card reader and the authentication received from the customer comprises a PIN.
19. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the information obtained from the redemption transaction server is obtained without receiving information from a token device via the token device interface arrangement.
20. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the token device comprises a payment card.
21. The transaction apparatus of claim 20 , wherein payment card comprises at least one of a credit card, debit card and a pre-paid card.
22. The transaction apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the information obtained from the redemption transaction server is obtained without performing an authentication process based on information stored in the payment card.
23. The transaction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the identified one or more goods and/or services comprises a payment service, and enacting the second type of payment transaction comprises redeeming a monetary value.
24. A method of transacting payment, the method comprising:
receiving a first type of information from a token device via a token device interface arrangement;
outputting, via a communications interface, information for use in a first type of transaction based on the received first type of information;
receiving a second type of information for use in a second type of transaction which is different from the first type of transaction;
sending via the communications interface, information to a redemption transaction server;
receiving, from the redemption transaction server, information identifying one or more specific goods and/or services in relation to which a transaction may be enacted for a customer; and
using the information received from the redemption transaction server to identify one or more goods and/or services in relation to which a redemption transaction may be enacted for the customer, and further using the information to identify a redemption value for redemption in relation to the identified one or more goods and/or services.