System and method for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities
The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities. According to one embodiment, a device for submitting gratuities by credit card is provided at a place of business or other appropriate location. A method of using this device is disclosed, whereby consumers pay a predetermined or adjustable gratuity amount by inserting a credit card into the device. According to another embodiment, technological infrastructure is provided to transmit encrypted payment information such that the acquiring bank of the device provider obtains authorization for gratuity transactions conducted using the device. The acquiring bank is thus enabled to credit the device provider's merchant account or disbursal accounts with electronic gratuity payments less acquisition fees. According to another embodiment, a method of disbursing gratuity shares to employees of the business is provided, wherein processing fees are collected by the device provider.
1. An electronic gratuity device, comprising:
a body comprising a base at its lower end, such that the electronic gratuity device stands vertically on the lower end;
a payment acceptance mechanism within the body and accessible from an upper end of the body, comprising a vertically-oriented card slot, the payment acceptance mechanism configured to read a credit or debit card and generate gratuity-only transaction information when a giver performs a one-step action consisting of dipping the credit or debit card into the card slot;
a power source configured to transmit power to the electronic gratuity device; and
a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the gratuity-only transaction information to a server.
2. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , wherein the body displays a pre-set gratuity amount.
3. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , configured to make a sound when the giver performs the one-step action.
4. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , wherein the power source is an AC power cord, an inserted battery, or an integral rechargeable battery.
5. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , configured to display a visual confirmation of a successful transaction each time the payment acceptance mechanism reads the credit or debit card and generates gratuity-only transaction information.
6. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , configured to display a visual confirmation of a successful transaction and make a sound each time the payment acceptance mechanism reads the credit or debit card and generates gratuity-only transaction information.
7. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory configured to save the gratuity-only transaction information.
8. The electronic gratuity device of claim 1 , wherein the payment acceptance mechanism is configured to identify a shift based on an identification element.
9. The electronic gratuity device of claim 8 , wherein the identification element is a credit or debit card of an employee.
10. The electronic gratuity device of claim 8 , wherein the identification element is a card issued by a provider of the electronic gratuity device.
11. An electronic gratuity device, comprising:
a body comprising a base at its lower end, such that the electronic gratuity device stands vertically on the lower end;
a payment acceptance mechanism within the body and accessible from an upper end of the body, the payment acceptance mechanism configured to accept a gratuity-only payment and generate gratuity-only transaction information when a giver performs a one-step action consisting of presenting a credit or debit card for reading by the payment acceptance mechanism;
a power source configured to transmit power to the electronic gratuity device;
and a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the gratuity-only transaction information to a server.
12. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , wherein the body displays a pre-set gratuity amount.
13. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , configured to make a sound when the giver performs the one-step action.
14. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , wherein the presenting of the credit or debit card for reading by the payment acceptance mechanism consists of inserting the credit or debit card into the payment acceptance mechanism.
15. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , wherein the power source is an AC power cord, an inserted battery, or an integral rechargeable battery.
16. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , configured to display a visual confirmation of a successful transaction when the giver performs the one-step action and the payment acceptance mechanism generates gratuity-only transaction information.
17. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , configured to display a visual confirmation of a successful transaction and make a sound when the giver performs the one-step action and the payment acceptance mechanism generates gratuity-only transaction information.
18. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , further comprising a memory configured to save the gratuity-only transaction information.
19. The electronic gratuity device of claim 11 , wherein the payment acceptance mechanism is configured to identify a shift based on an identification element.
20. The electronic gratuity device of claim 19 , wherein the identification element is a credit, or debit card of an employee.
21. The electronic gratuity device of claim 19 , wherein the identification element is a card issued by a provider of the electronic gratuity device.