Transaction apparatus, systems and methods

• US 9,317,866 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eagle Eye Solutions Limited (Eagle Eye Solutions Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Eagle Eye Solutions Limited (Eagle Eye Solutions Group Plc)
• Inventors: Rothwell, Stephen, Pippin, Edward James
• Primary Examiner(s): St Cyr, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/728,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20150262215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 235/383
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/34 using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 Business processing using cryptography
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/50 using hash chains, e.g. blockchains or hash trees

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A server for use in a loyalty point transaction, comprising:

a memory comprising executable software; and

a processor in data communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the software and cause the server to;

receive, from a transaction apparatus, a data packet including data indicative of a loyalty points number;

access a data store storing data indicative of a plurality of loyalty points numbers relating to a plurality of users and associated loyalty schemes;

identify, based on data stored in the data store, one or more loyalty scheme servers with which the received loyalty points number is associated;

retrieve, from each of the one or more loyalty scheme servers, loyalty scheme data relating to an account associated with the loyalty points number for a respective loyalty scheme; and

send an indication of the loyalty scheme data to the transaction apparatus;

wherein the server is located separately from the transaction apparatus; and

wherein the loyalty points number may be redeemed in the absence or presence of the store'"'"'s relationship with the loyalty point issuer.

2. A method of processing loyalty scheme data, at a server comprising a memory comprising computer executable software and a processor in data communication with the memory, the processor being configured to execute the software and cause the server to perform the method, the method comprising:

receiving, from a transaction apparatus, a data packet including data indicative of a loyalty points number;

accessing a data store storing data indicative of a plurality of loyalty points numbers relating to a plurality of users and associated loyalty schemes;

identifying, based on data stored in the data store, one or more loyalty scheme servers with which the received loyalty points number is associated;

retrieving, from each of the one or more loyalty scheme servers, loyalty scheme data relating to an account associated with the loyalty points number for a respective loyalty scheme; and

sending an indication of the loyalty scheme data to the transaction apparatus;

wherein the server is located separately from the transaction apparatus; and

wherein the loyalty points number may be redeemed in the absence or presence of the store'"'"'s relationship with the loyalty point issuer.

3. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions when executed by a server causing the server to perform a method of processing loyalty scheme data, the method comprising:

receiving, from a transaction apparatus, a data packet including data indicative of a loyalty points number;

accessing a data store storing data indicative of a plurality of loyalty points numbers relating to a plurality of user and associated loyalty schemes;

identifying, based on data stored in the data store, one or more loyalty scheme servers with which the received loyalty points number is associated;

retrieving, from each of the one or more loyalty scheme servers, loyalty scheme data relating to an account associated with the loyalty points number for a respective loyalty scheme; and

sending an indication of the loyalty scheme data to the transaction apparatus;

wherein the server is located separately from the transaction apparatus; and

wherein the loyalty points number may be redeemed in the absence or presence of the store'"'"'s relationship with the loyalty point issuer.