COMPACT PAYMENT TERMINAL

• US 20100312692A1
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mordechai Teicher
• Original Assignee: Mordechai Teicher
• Inventors: TEICHER, MORDECHAI
• Application Number:
  US12/791,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20100312692A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks

Abstract

A compact payment terminal for operating upon a purchase made by a customer at a retail device is provided. The customer carries a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module. The compact payment terminal includes a first interface for interfacing with the retail device, a second interface for interfacing with the mobile communication device of the customer and a processing unit connected to the first and second interface. The compact payment terminal is configured to receive, via the first interface, a payment request from the retail device, cooperate, via the second interface, with the payment module of the mobile communication device for initiating a payment transaction respective to the payment request, and selectably conduct, via the second interface and the communication module of the mobile communication device, a communication session between the processing unit and at least one server.

Claims

1. A compact payment terminal for operating upon a purchase made by a customer at a retail device, the customer carrying a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module, the compact payment terminal comprising:

a first interface for interfacing with the retail device;

a second interface for interfacing with the mobile communication device of the customer; and

a processing unit connected to said first interface and said second interface and configured to;

receive, via said first interface, a payment request from the retail device,

cooperate, via said second interface, with the payment module of the mobile communication device for initiating a payment transaction respective to said payment request, and

selectably conduct, via said second interface and the communication module of the mobile communication device, a communication session between said processing unit and at least one server.

2. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said communication session is made according to an address of said at least one server, said address is provided by said processing unit via said second interface.

3. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said payment transaction includes at least one of:

a charge transaction and a stored-value transaction.

4. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said at least one server is a payment hub, and said communication session includes a completion of said payment transaction.

5. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said at least one server includes an acquirer server and said communication session includes a payment authorization.

6. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said at least one server includes an acquirer server and said communication session includes at least part of a settlement transaction.

7. The compact payment terminal of claim 6, wherein said settlement transaction includes at least one of a charge settlement and a stored-value settlement.

8. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said communication session includes a transfer of stored-value.

9. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is also configured to selectably use said second interface for sending a message to the mobile communication device for presenting said message to the customer.

10. The compact payment terminal of claim 9, wherein said message includes at least one of:

purchase details;

amount to be paid;

request for customer authentication; and

success or failure of said payment transaction.

11. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is also configured to selectably:

determine a remote addressee, and use said second interface for exchanging a message with the remote addressee via the communication module of the mobile communication device.

12. The compact payment terminal of claim 11, wherein said message is generated by one of said compact payment terminal and the retail unit, and includes at least one of:

a technical alert;

a security alert;

a setup parameter; and

a price-list update.

13. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said first interface and said second interface are implemented as a single interface.

14. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said first interface and said second interface are implemented as two separate interfaces.

15. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said first interface includes a conductive connection that connects said processing unit and the retail device.

16. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first interface and said second interface applies near-field-communication technology.

17. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said processing unit draws electrical power for its operation from the retail device via said first interface.

18. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said processing unit draws electrical power for its operation from the mobile communication device via said second interface.

19. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is also configured, upon a successful completion of said payment transaction, to use said first interface for notifying said retail device of success or failure of said payment transaction.

20. The compact payment terminal of claim 1, further comprising a tampering sensor for detecting separation of the compact payment terminal from the respective retail device, and wherein said processing unit is disabled upon said detecting.

23. A retail apparatus for serving a customer upon a purchase, the customer carrying a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module, the retail apparatus comprising:

a retail device for determining the purchase price; and

a compact payment terminal according to claim 1.

21. A compact payment terminal for operating upon a purchase made by a customer at a retail device, the customer carrying a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module, the compact payment terminal comprising:

a first interface for interfacing with the retail device;

a second interface for interfacing with the mobile communication device of the customer; and

a processing unit connected to said first interface and said second interface and configured to;

receive, via said first interface, a payment request from the retail device,

cooperate, via said second interface, with the payment module of the mobile communication device for initiating a payment transaction respective to said payment request, and

conduct, via said second interface and the communication module of the mobile communication device, a communication session between said processing unit and a payment hub.

22. A compact payment terminal for operating upon a purchase made by a customer at a retail device, the customer carrying a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module, the compact payment terminal comprising:

a first interface for interfacing with the retail device;

a second interface for interfacing with the mobile communication device of the customer; and

a processing unit connected to said first interface and said second interface and configured to;

receive, via said first interface, a payment request from the retail device,

cooperate, via said second interface, with the payment module of the mobile communication device for initiating a payment transaction respective to said payment request, and

selectably conduct, via said second interface and the communication module of the mobile communication device, a communication session between said processing unit and at least one acquirer sever, for conducting at least one of;

a payment authorization and at least part of a settlement transaction.

24. A method for operating a compact payment terminal with the assistance of a mobile communication device of a customer who makes a purchase, the mobile communication device includes a payment module and a communication module, the method comprising:

cooperating with a retail device for receiving a payment request respective to the purchase made by the customer;

cooperating with the mobile communication device for conducting, using the payment module of the mobile communication device, a payment transaction respective to said payment request; and

selectably cooperating with the mobile communication device for initiating a communication session between said processing unit and at least one server.