WO2017144926A1 - Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input - Google Patents

Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017144926A1
WO2017144926A1 PCT/HU2016/000030 HU2016000030W WO2017144926A1 WO 2017144926 A1 WO2017144926 A1 WO 2017144926A1 HU 2016000030 W HU2016000030 W HU 2016000030W WO 2017144926 A1 WO2017144926 A1 WO 2017144926A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
display
input
data input
selection
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/HU2016/000030
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Róbert MAROS
Original Assignee
SZINI, Béla
Varga, Norbert
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=56739107&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO2017144926(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by SZINI, Béla, Varga, Norbert filed Critical SZINI, Béla
Priority to EP16732742.8A priority Critical patent/EP3420509A1/en
Publication of WO2017144926A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017144926A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/204—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit

Definitions

  • the subject of the invention relates to the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, which contains a server unit that may be connected to a financial service provider's accounting unit via an information transmission channel, where the server unit has a data traffic gate connected to the information transmission channel, a signal receipt input and display output, a payment card reader part-unit, data input part-unit and display, the display output of the server unit is connected to the display, and the signal receipt input of the server unit is connected to the payment card reader part-unit and the data input part-unit.
  • Our aim with the invention was to overcome the deficiencies of the known solutions and create a device that makes it possible to simply determine the desired amount of the tip without direct communication with the server staff and to add the given amount to the bill depending on the wishes of the guest and settle the total amount formed in this way using a cash-free method even on the basis of an itemised bill.
  • device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, - which contains a server unit that may be connected to a financial service provider's accounting unit via an information transmission channel, where the server unit has a data traffic gate connected to the information transmission channel, a signal receipt input and display output, a payment card reader part-unit, data input part-unit and display, the display output of the server unit is connected to the display, and the signal receipt input of the server unit is connected to the payment card reader part-unit and the data input part-unit, - set up in such a way that the server unit is coupled with a free data input unit, the free data input unit having at least two selecting part-units separated by a gap and suitable for displaying different signals, a selection-sensing member associated with the selecting part-unit and a data transmission part unit connected to the selection-sensing member, and the data transmission part unit is connected to the signal receipt input of the server unit, where the selecting part-unit has a screen, serving
  • a further feature of the device according to the invention may be that the server unit, the payment card reader part-unit, the data input part-unit and the display are established as a terminal forming a physical unit in a single device housing, e.g. as a POS terminal.
  • the terminal and the free data input unit are contained in a single accommodation frame.
  • the free data input unit is supplemented with a calculator part-unit that has an input, output, and base data receipt gate, while the screen has an amount display zone, the input of the calculator part-unit is connected to the selection-sensing member or to its selection transmission lines, and the output of the calculator part-unit is connected to the screen's amount display zone.
  • the device according to the invention has numerous advantageous attributes. The most important of these is, beside it having a simple structure, that using it makes it possible to for the guest to comfortably give any desired amount of tip to indicate the standard of the service and the guest's satisfaction with a single hand movement, without having to communicate with the server and in such a way so that the payable amount increased with the amount of the tip can be easily checked and only after this will cash-free payment be made.
  • the given payment construction may be used well in noisy locations, such as concerts, festivals, other open-air events or music entertainment venues, and there is also no discomfort felt by the guest when determining the amount of tip given as a reward for the server's efforts.
  • the device according to the invention does not only make it possible to select any desired amount of tip, but also immediately indicates the payable amount, which also makes the guest's decision easier and makes the payment process simpler and more controllable.
  • the device can be assembled from simple structural elements, one of the important and fundamentally necessary parts of which, the POS terminal, can be used without any substantial change.
  • the solution according to the invention may be used in places where until now bills could be settled using a cash-free method with the help of a POS terminal on its own. At such places the solution according to the invention can be implemented quickly and with favourable investment costs.
  • the screen is also suitable for presenting advertisements to the guest that are especially addressed to him/her - especially in the case of a person paying with a loyalty card - which, in a given case, may result in further purchases being encouraged.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a block outline picture of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a preferable construction of the device according to the invention. It can be observed that the device essentially consists of two important structural units. Of these, the one is the free data input unit 10, while the other is the group consisting of the server unit 3, the payment card reader part-unit 3d connected to it, the data input part-unit 3e and the display 3f.
  • the payment card reader part-unit 3d and the data input part-unit 3e have a signal- transmission connection with the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3, while the display 3f has a signal-transmission connection with the display output 3c of the server unit 3.
  • the server unit 3 is connected to the financial service provider 1, e.g. to the accounting unit la of the service provider's account-holding bank supervising the device, or to the service provider's central transaction processing unit through the data traffic gate 3a of the server unit 3 with the help of an information transmission channel 2 - preferably a wireless network.
  • the server unit 3 the payment card reader part-unit 3d, the data input part-unit 3e and the display 3f are combined into a terminal 4 with the help of a single device housing 4a, which terminal 4 may be a POS terminal 4 owned by the financial service provider 1.
  • terminal 4 may be a POS terminal 4 owned by the financial service provider 1.
  • the server unit 3 it is important for the server unit 3 to have, on the one hand, the required payment card reader part-unit 3d, a data input part-unit 3e, e.g. keyboard, and a display 3f, and, on the other hand, that it is able to establish a connection with a remote access point, i.e. with the IT equipment operating as the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1, where the transaction part of the cash- free payment operation takes place.
  • the essential structural elements should be combined to form an easy-to-operate unit in the device housing 4a.
  • the free data input unit 10 is to make it possible to determine the amount of the tip in line with the standard of the service serving as an acknowledgement of this and to make it easier for the guest to pay it along with the amount of the bill using a cash-free method.
  • the free data input unit 10 contains a screen 12 on which at least two display zones 12a, 12b are located and separated by a gap "T".
  • the screen 12 is supplied with a sensing surface 12c on the surface enclosed by display zone 12a and display zone 12b, or in their vicinity in a given case, which senses at least one physical attribute in the display zone 12a and display zone 12b, or in their vicinity, e.g. a change in electrical resistance.
  • a solution may be that the screen 12 is a touch-screen, the operation of which is known, therefore, it will not be detailed here.
  • Figure 1 well illustrates that signal 11a is located in display zone 12a of the screen 12, while signal l ib is located in display zone 12b of the screen 12.
  • the combination of signal 11a and signal 1 lb forms a part of the selecting part-unit 11.
  • signal 11a and signal 1 lb are also separated by a gap "T" from each other.
  • This signal 11a and signal l ib - making use of the possibilities provided by the screen 12 - are preferably a character, character group or symbol displayed by the screen 12.
  • Signal 11a may be, for example, the character group "0%", while signal l ib the character group "100%", but a solution may also be used where the signal 1 la is the word “minimum” and the signal 1 lb is the word “maximum”.
  • the screen 12 may also contain information displayed in connection with the use and function of the signal 1 la and the signal 1 lb, from which the user may find out what operations need to be performed and how they need to be performed in order to establish the amount of the tip he/she wishes to pay and how to pay it when settling the bill.
  • selecting part-unit 11 and the screen 12 may have an optional number of further signals and display zones apart from signal 11a and signal 1 lb and display zone 12a and display zone 12b, which may make it easier to more comfortably use the free data input unit 10.
  • the screen 12 Apart from display zone 12a carrying signal 11a and display zone 12b carrying signal 1 lb, the screen 12 also has an amount display zone 12d, in which the calculated tip, and, in a given case, the amount of the bill to be paid for the service, as well as even the total bill amount obtained from the two amounts can be seen.
  • the amount display zone 12d is connected to the output 15b of the calculator part-unit 15 of the free data input unit 10.
  • the task of the calculator part-unit 15 is the receive the signals arriving at the input 15a and the base data receipt gate 15 c, interpret them, perform mathematical operations on the given signals during interpretation and to forward the result obtained in an appropriately displayable form through the output 15b of the calculator part-unit 15 to the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12, where the series of figures given as a result is displayed.
  • the base data receipt gate 15c the value of the consumer bill without the tip may be inputted into the calculator part-unit 15, for example through the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3, which may form the basis of the amount of the tip the guest wishes to give.
  • the free data input unit 10 also has a selection sensing member 13 and a data transmission part-unit 14.
  • the selection sensing member 13 has a connection suitable for transmitting electric signals with the display zone 12a of the screen 12, more precisely with its sensing surface 12c, while it has a connection suitable for transmitting electric signals with the sensing surface 12c of the display zone 12b of the screen 12 through the selection transmission line 13b.
  • the selection sensing member 13 may have further selection transmission lines beside selection transmission line 13a and selection transmission line 13b depending on how many display zones and signals are located on the screen 12.
  • the selection sensing member 13 - in the case of the given embodiment - has a connection with the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15, on the one hand, and with the data transmission part-unit 14, on the other hand.
  • the selection transmission line 13a and the selection transmission line 13b, apart from to the selection sensing member 13 are also directly connected to the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15.
  • the task of the data transmission part-unit 14, after receiving and confirming the data obtained from the selection sensing member 13, is to send it to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3.
  • these data are the tip data determined and finalised by the guest, which are combined in the server unit 3 with the amount of the consumer bill, and in this way as a combined final total the data is transmitted through the data traffic gate 3 a of the server unit 3 and the information transmission channel 2 to the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1.
  • the device according to the invention has one or more energy sources 5.
  • the energy source 5 may be a mains connection or battery, or a combination of these in a given case. Its essence is to make it possible for the device to operate continuously in all situations during its full use.
  • the server unit 3 the payment card reader part-unit 3d, the data input part-unit 3e, the display 3f, the free data input unit 10 and, in a given case, the energy source 5 located in the device housing 4a are linked together with an accommodation frame 20 into a single, even portable unit.
  • the calculator part-unit 15 is not necessarily a part of the free data input unit 10. If due to its structure the free data input unit 10 is not suitable to securely determine financial data, then the calculator part-unit 15 may also be located in the server unit 3.
  • the operation of the device according to the invention is as follows. When the guest indicates the intent to pay to the server, the server then sends the value of the consumption, i.e. the amount on the bill to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3 with the help of the keyboard of the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3.
  • the amount inputted in this way gets to the display 3f of the server unit 3 via the display output 3 c of the server unit 3, and so the server can be ensured that the inputted amount is correct.
  • the given amount is also read into the calculator part- unit 15 of the free data input unit 10 through its base data receipt gate 15c.
  • the bill value inputted through the base data receipt gate 15c of the calculator part-unit 15 also appears in the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12 in the interest of the guest checking the inputted bill amount.
  • the guest On the basis of the instructions as a result of the sensing surface 12c located in the area running between the display zone 12a and display zone 12b of the screen 12, the guest by placing his/her finger on the appropriate signal 11a, signal 1 lb - or on one of other signals - of the selecting part-unit 11, he/she may select an amount of tip according to the standard of the service. If the guest places his/her finger on signal 1 la, e.g. "0%”, this means that he/she is not giving a tip. If, however, he/she selects signal l ib consisting of the character series "20%”, then by placing his/her finger onto the display zone 12b, he/she activates the sensing surface 12c under display zone 12b.
  • signal 1 la e.g. "0%”
  • the sensing surface 12c under the display zone 12b detects a change in electrical resistance of the display zone 12b and sends a signal via the selection transmission line 13b to the selection sensing member 13, which assesses the signal, determines that display zone 12b has been activated, which identifies the 20% value, and according to this it sends this signal to the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15.
  • the calculator part-unit 15 interprets the number arriving previously at the base data receipt gate 15c of the calculator part-unit 15 and the instruction arriving at the input 15a from the selection sensing member 13, and calculates 20% of the amount of the bill, then the calculator part-unit 15 sends this amount through its output 15b to the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12, where the amount of the currently selected tip appears.
  • the guest may check the amount displayed, and if the guest finds it appropriate then the indicated amount of the tip passes through the selection sensing member 13 to the data transmission part-unit 14 and from there to the signal receipt input 3 b of the server unit 3.
  • the guest connects the payment card with the payment card reader part-unit 3d of the server unit 3, which reads the card's data and forwards it to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3.
  • the server unit 3 puts together the total bill amount, which it then displays either on the screen 12 of the free data input unit 10, or on the display of the server unit 3, or on both. After the guest has checked this, he/she gives permission for the cash-free payment transaction to be completed in the usual way in the case of card payments, e.g. by typing in the PIN code on the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3.
  • the actual cash-free payment operation may be initiated without giving a PIN code, e.g. by placing the card close to the payment card reader part-unit 3d of the server unit 3, or in another way.
  • the data traffic gate 3a of the server unit 3 sends the necessary data to the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1 and then the amount is debited from the payment card.
  • the debit may include the amount of the bill and the amount of the tip given by the guest separately or together.
  • the guest If after touching the display zone 12b of the screen 12 the guest sees an amount of tip appearing in the amount display zone 12d that is not what he/she intended, then depending on the structure of the display zone 12b the guest either places his/her finger onto another display zone 12a, and so marks another concrete percentage value, or simply starts to pull his/her finger from the display zone 12a into the direction of the display zone 12b until the amount display zone 12d shows a tip value that reflects the level of satisfaction of the guest.
  • the selection transmission line 13a belonging to the sensing surface 12c at the given place sends a signal to the selection sensing member 13, and starting from this point the payment of the tip takes place in the same way as that presented previously.
  • the device according to the invention may be used to good effect at all places where due to the ambient noise or simply for the purpose of discretion, the guest may freely select the amount of tip he/she wishes to give, and add it to his/her consumption bill in the case of cash- free methods of payment.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, which contains a server unit (3) that may be connected to a financial service provider's (1) accounting unit (la) via an information transmission channel (2), where the server unit (3) has a data traffic gate (3a) connected to the information transmission channel (2), a signal receipt input (3b) and display output (3 c), a payment card reader part-unit (3d), data input part-unit (3e) and display (3f), the display output (3c) of the server unit (3) is connected to the display (3f), and the signal receipt input (3b) of the server unit (3) is connected to the payment card reader part-unit (3d) and the data input part-unit (3e). The characteristic feature of the invention is that the server unit (3) is coupled with a free data input unit (10), the free data input unit (10) having at least two selecting part-units (11) separated by a gap (T) and suitable for displaying different signals (11a, 11b), a selection- sensing member (13) associated with the selecting part-unit (11) and a data transmission part unit (14) connected to the selection-sensing member (13), and the data transmission part unit (14) is connected to the signal receipt input (3b) of the server unit (3), where the selecting part-unit (11)' has a screen (12), serving to display the given signals (11a, 11b), with display zones (12a, 12b) separated by a gap (T) from each other that are clearly associated with each of the given signals (11a, 11b), where the screen (12) with the display zones (12a, 12b) has an interactive data input touch screen at least in the vicinity of the display zones (12a, 12b) with a sensing surface (12c) suitable for changing at least one physical attribute of the display zones (12a, 12b), arid the selection-sensing member (13) has selection transmission lines (13a, 13b) in signal-transmission connection with the sensing surface (12c) of the individual display zones (12a, 12b).

Description

Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input
The subject of the invention relates to the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, which contains a server unit that may be connected to a financial service provider's accounting unit via an information transmission channel, where the server unit has a data traffic gate connected to the information transmission channel, a signal receipt input and display output, a payment card reader part-unit, data input part-unit and display, the display output of the server unit is connected to the display, and the signal receipt input of the server unit is connected to the payment card reader part-unit and the data input part-unit.
At various places of entertainment, but also at festivals and concerts, it is increasingly possible for the audience to consume food and drink during performances. The price of this consumption is not paid with cash, but with some kind of cash-free payment card. In the case of such "card payments", especially if the environmental noise is significant, it is difficult for the server and the guest to verbally agree about whether the guest wishes to give a tip for the service or not, and if he/she does, then about what its amount is. Therefore, in such cases it is easy for tips, which serve as an assessment of suitable service, not to be given, which, over time, may lead to a reduction in the enthusiasm of the staff performing the service, and, via this, to the deterioration of the standard of the service.
Several solutions have been elaborated to assess guest satisfaction, and so assess the staff. Among others publication documents number US 2009/0240566 and number US 2012/0054016 present such devices. The essence of these is that the guest receives an interactive device for the service site, e.g. after arriving at a restaurant, which the user can use to place orders, call a waiter, and, in a given case, play while waiting, or calculate the amount of any possible tip to be added to the bill received by using the keyboard on the device.
However, these solutions do not make it possible to give tips simply and conveniently, to add the desired amount to the bill without verbal agreement with the server, or display the total amount payable for the purpose of checking, or pay this amount using a cash-free method.
Our aim with the invention was to overcome the deficiencies of the known solutions and create a device that makes it possible to simply determine the desired amount of the tip without direct communication with the server staff and to add the given amount to the bill depending on the wishes of the guest and settle the total amount formed in this way using a cash-free method even on the basis of an itemised bill.
The recognition that led to the set-up according to the invention was that if a suitable data input interface different to what is usual is established on which it is possible to display various pieces of information in connection with the payment and the size of the tip quickly and in a well separated manner, and, furthermore, to make data input possible with simple finger movements, and to send the information inputted in this way to a suitable processing device and process it there, then it becomes possible to calculate, determine and record the selected and essentially any desired amount of tip proportional to the amount of consumption, and then to pay the total bill amount including, but separately, the given amount of tip using a cash-free method without having to consult with the server about anything, and so the task can be solved.
In accordance with the set aim, device according to the invention for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, - which contains a server unit that may be connected to a financial service provider's accounting unit via an information transmission channel, where the server unit has a data traffic gate connected to the information transmission channel, a signal receipt input and display output, a payment card reader part-unit, data input part-unit and display, the display output of the server unit is connected to the display, and the signal receipt input of the server unit is connected to the payment card reader part-unit and the data input part-unit, - set up in such a way that the server unit is coupled with a free data input unit, the free data input unit having at least two selecting part-units separated by a gap and suitable for displaying different signals, a selection-sensing member associated with the selecting part-unit and a data transmission part unit connected to the selection-sensing member, and the data transmission part unit is connected to the signal receipt input of the server unit, where the selecting part-unit has a screen, serving to display the given signals, with display zones separated by a gap from each other that are clearly associated with each of the given signals, where the screen with the display zones has an interactive data input touch screen at least in the vicinity of the display zones with a sensing surface suitable for changing at least one physical attribute of the display zones, and the selection-sensing member has selection transmission lines in signal- transmission connection with the sensing surface of the individual display zones.
A further feature of the device according to the invention may be that the server unit, the payment card reader part-unit, the data input part-unit and the display are established as a terminal forming a physical unit in a single device housing, e.g. as a POS terminal.
In the case of the possible version of the device, the terminal and the free data input unit are contained in a single accommodation frame.
In the case of a further embodiment of the invention, the free data input unit is supplemented with a calculator part-unit that has an input, output, and base data receipt gate, while the screen has an amount display zone, the input of the calculator part-unit is connected to the selection-sensing member or to its selection transmission lines, and the output of the calculator part-unit is connected to the screen's amount display zone.
The device according to the invention has numerous advantageous attributes. The most important of these is, beside it having a simple structure, that using it makes it possible to for the guest to comfortably give any desired amount of tip to indicate the standard of the service and the guest's satisfaction with a single hand movement, without having to communicate with the server and in such a way so that the payable amount increased with the amount of the tip can be easily checked and only after this will cash-free payment be made.
As a consequence of this the given payment construction may be used well in noisy locations, such as concerts, festivals, other open-air events or music entertainment venues, and there is also no discomfort felt by the guest when determining the amount of tip given as a reward for the server's efforts. Also to be mentioned among the advantages is that the device according to the invention does not only make it possible to select any desired amount of tip, but also immediately indicates the payable amount, which also makes the guest's decision easier and makes the payment process simpler and more controllable.
It is also to be viewed as an advantage that the solution according to the invention combines the usual advantages of POS terminals with the possibility of discretely calculating and paying the tip, which other known devices are unable to realise.
Another feature to be listed among the advantages is that the device can be assembled from simple structural elements, one of the important and fundamentally necessary parts of which, the POS terminal, can be used without any substantial change.
This also means that the solution according to the invention may be used in places where until now bills could be settled using a cash-free method with the help of a POS terminal on its own. At such places the solution according to the invention can be implemented quickly and with favourable investment costs.
It is important to highlight that the use of the solution according to the invention makes cash-free payment procedures possible in an even wider scope and so may contribute to the spreading of securer and faster bill payment customs.
It is also a significant advantage that in noisy places the guests rewarding the work of the servers may become more widespread. This may promote more devoted service, which will be coupled with the guest being satisfied, and result in a better feeling of well-being and for the server also due to the payment of the tip, which may also generate a beneficial effect on society due to more balanced behaviour.
It is also not a negligible aspect that apart from the encouraging effect of the tip, its "arrival" also represents feedback for the server and so may result in development of the service.
Here a favourable feature of the solution according to the invention must also be mentioned, namely that apart from selecting the amount of the tip, and tracking and monitoring the payment process, the screen is also suitable for presenting advertisements to the guest that are especially addressed to him/her - especially in the case of a person paying with a loyalty card - which, in a given case, may result in further purchases being encouraged.
Furthermore, it must also be viewed as an advantage that being able to separately determine the amount of the tip makes it possible for the service provider enterprise to monitor these tips, which, with consideration to tax law aspects, on the one hand, may serve to improve payment discipline related to public dues, and, on the other hand, due to the tip system being handled separately and displayed, a completely legal tip may be given from the point of view of taxation, and so the uncontrolled practice of paying "from pocket to pocket" may disappear.
The solution according to the invention will furthermore be presented in more detail in connection with embodiments, on the basis of drawings. In the drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a block outline picture of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a preferable construction of the device according to the invention. It can be observed that the device essentially consists of two important structural units. Of these, the one is the free data input unit 10, while the other is the group consisting of the server unit 3, the payment card reader part-unit 3d connected to it, the data input part-unit 3e and the display 3f.
The payment card reader part-unit 3d and the data input part-unit 3e have a signal- transmission connection with the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3, while the display 3f has a signal-transmission connection with the display output 3c of the server unit 3. Also, the server unit 3 is connected to the financial service provider 1, e.g. to the accounting unit la of the service provider's account-holding bank supervising the device, or to the service provider's central transaction processing unit through the data traffic gate 3a of the server unit 3 with the help of an information transmission channel 2 - preferably a wireless network.
According to the current state of the art the server unit 3, the payment card reader part-unit 3d, the data input part-unit 3e and the display 3f are combined into a terminal 4 with the help of a single device housing 4a, which terminal 4 may be a POS terminal 4 owned by the financial service provider 1. But, naturally, other solutions are also possible. It is important for the server unit 3 to have, on the one hand, the required payment card reader part-unit 3d, a data input part-unit 3e, e.g. keyboard, and a display 3f, and, on the other hand, that it is able to establish a connection with a remote access point, i.e. with the IT equipment operating as the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1, where the transaction part of the cash- free payment operation takes place. Also, preferably, the essential structural elements should be combined to form an easy-to-operate unit in the device housing 4a.
Another important element of the device according to the invention is the free data input unit 10, the task of which is to make it possible to determine the amount of the tip in line with the standard of the service serving as an acknowledgement of this and to make it easier for the guest to pay it along with the amount of the bill using a cash-free method.
In the interest of this the free data input unit 10 contains a screen 12 on which at least two display zones 12a, 12b are located and separated by a gap "T". The screen 12 is supplied with a sensing surface 12c on the surface enclosed by display zone 12a and display zone 12b, or in their vicinity in a given case, which senses at least one physical attribute in the display zone 12a and display zone 12b, or in their vicinity, e.g. a change in electrical resistance. Such a solution, among others, may be that the screen 12 is a touch-screen, the operation of which is known, therefore, it will not be detailed here.
Figure 1 well illustrates that signal 11a is located in display zone 12a of the screen 12, while signal l ib is located in display zone 12b of the screen 12. The combination of signal 11a and signal 1 lb forms a part of the selecting part-unit 11. As a result of the arrangement it is obvious that signal 11a and signal 1 lb are also separated by a gap "T" from each other. This signal 11a and signal l ib - making use of the possibilities provided by the screen 12 - are preferably a character, character group or symbol displayed by the screen 12. Signal 11a may be, for example, the character group "0%", while signal l ib the character group "100%", but a solution may also be used where the signal 1 la is the word "minimum" and the signal 1 lb is the word "maximum". Apart from this the screen 12 may also contain information displayed in connection with the use and function of the signal 1 la and the signal 1 lb, from which the user may find out what operations need to be performed and how they need to be performed in order to establish the amount of the tip he/she wishes to pay and how to pay it when settling the bill.
Here it must be noted that the selecting part-unit 11 and the screen 12 may have an optional number of further signals and display zones apart from signal 11a and signal 1 lb and display zone 12a and display zone 12b, which may make it easier to more comfortably use the free data input unit 10.
Apart from display zone 12a carrying signal 11a and display zone 12b carrying signal 1 lb, the screen 12 also has an amount display zone 12d, in which the calculated tip, and, in a given case, the amount of the bill to be paid for the service, as well as even the total bill amount obtained from the two amounts can be seen. The amount display zone 12d is connected to the output 15b of the calculator part-unit 15 of the free data input unit 10.
The task of the calculator part-unit 15 is the receive the signals arriving at the input 15a and the base data receipt gate 15 c, interpret them, perform mathematical operations on the given signals during interpretation and to forward the result obtained in an appropriately displayable form through the output 15b of the calculator part-unit 15 to the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12, where the series of figures given as a result is displayed. Using the base data receipt gate 15c, the value of the consumer bill without the tip may be inputted into the calculator part-unit 15, for example through the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3, which may form the basis of the amount of the tip the guest wishes to give.
Apart from the selecting part-unit 11, the screen 12 and the calculator part-unit 15, the free data input unit 10 also has a selection sensing member 13 and a data transmission part-unit 14. With the help of the selection transmission line 13a the selection sensing member 13 has a connection suitable for transmitting electric signals with the display zone 12a of the screen 12, more precisely with its sensing surface 12c, while it has a connection suitable for transmitting electric signals with the sensing surface 12c of the display zone 12b of the screen 12 through the selection transmission line 13b. Naturally the selection sensing member 13 may have further selection transmission lines beside selection transmission line 13a and selection transmission line 13b depending on how many display zones and signals are located on the screen 12.
The selection sensing member 13 - in the case of the given embodiment - has a connection with the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15, on the one hand, and with the data transmission part-unit 14, on the other hand. Here it must be noted that a version may be imagined where the selection transmission line 13a and the selection transmission line 13b, apart from to the selection sensing member 13, are also directly connected to the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15.
The task of the data transmission part-unit 14, after receiving and confirming the data obtained from the selection sensing member 13, is to send it to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3. Obviously these data are the tip data determined and finalised by the guest, which are combined in the server unit 3 with the amount of the consumer bill, and in this way as a combined final total the data is transmitted through the data traffic gate 3 a of the server unit 3 and the information transmission channel 2 to the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1.
In order to supply the server unit 3 and the part-units connected to it, as well as part-units of the free data input unit 10 with electric energy, the device according to the invention has one or more energy sources 5. The energy source 5 may be a mains connection or battery, or a combination of these in a given case. Its essence is to make it possible for the device to operate continuously in all situations during its full use.
In the interest of simpler operation the server unit 3, the payment card reader part-unit 3d, the data input part-unit 3e, the display 3f, the free data input unit 10 and, in a given case, the energy source 5 located in the device housing 4a are linked together with an accommodation frame 20 into a single, even portable unit.
It is also important to note that the calculator part-unit 15 is not necessarily a part of the free data input unit 10. If due to its structure the free data input unit 10 is not suitable to securely determine financial data, then the calculator part-unit 15 may also be located in the server unit 3. The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows. When the guest indicates the intent to pay to the server, the server then sends the value of the consumption, i.e. the amount on the bill to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3 with the help of the keyboard of the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3.
The amount inputted in this way, on the one hand, gets to the display 3f of the server unit 3 via the display output 3 c of the server unit 3, and so the server can be ensured that the inputted amount is correct. On the other hand, the given amount is also read into the calculator part- unit 15 of the free data input unit 10 through its base data receipt gate 15c. In the case of the present embodiment the bill value inputted through the base data receipt gate 15c of the calculator part-unit 15 also appears in the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12 in the interest of the guest checking the inputted bill amount.
At the same time an instruction text appears on the screen 12 of the free data input unit 10 which informs the guest that he/she may express his/her satisfaction in the form of a tip and about how this may be done.
On the basis of the instructions as a result of the sensing surface 12c located in the area running between the display zone 12a and display zone 12b of the screen 12, the guest by placing his/her finger on the appropriate signal 11a, signal 1 lb - or on one of other signals - of the selecting part-unit 11, he/she may select an amount of tip according to the standard of the service. If the guest places his/her finger on signal 1 la, e.g. "0%", this means that he/she is not giving a tip. If, however, he/she selects signal l ib consisting of the character series "20%", then by placing his/her finger onto the display zone 12b, he/she activates the sensing surface 12c under display zone 12b.
As a consequence of the touch of the guest's finger, the sensing surface 12c under the display zone 12b detects a change in electrical resistance of the display zone 12b and sends a signal via the selection transmission line 13b to the selection sensing member 13, which assesses the signal, determines that display zone 12b has been activated, which identifies the 20% value, and according to this it sends this signal to the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15. According to the instruction appearing at the input 15a of the calculator part-unit 15, the calculator part-unit 15 interprets the number arriving previously at the base data receipt gate 15c of the calculator part-unit 15 and the instruction arriving at the input 15a from the selection sensing member 13, and calculates 20% of the amount of the bill, then the calculator part-unit 15 sends this amount through its output 15b to the amount display zone 12d of the screen 12, where the amount of the currently selected tip appears. The guest may check the amount displayed, and if the guest finds it appropriate then the indicated amount of the tip passes through the selection sensing member 13 to the data transmission part-unit 14 and from there to the signal receipt input 3 b of the server unit 3.
Then in the way that is usual in the case of cash-free, i.e. card payments, the guest connects the payment card with the payment card reader part-unit 3d of the server unit 3, which reads the card's data and forwards it to the signal receipt input 3b of the server unit 3.
Following this on the basis of the card data received from the payment card reader part-unit 3d, the information received from the data input part-unit 3e and the data received from the data transmission part-unit 14, the server unit 3 puts together the total bill amount, which it then displays either on the screen 12 of the free data input unit 10, or on the display of the server unit 3, or on both. After the guest has checked this, he/she gives permission for the cash-free payment transaction to be completed in the usual way in the case of card payments, e.g. by typing in the PIN code on the data input part-unit 3e of the server unit 3.
It is obvious that the actual cash-free payment operation may be initiated without giving a PIN code, e.g. by placing the card close to the payment card reader part-unit 3d of the server unit 3, or in another way.
After the payment transaction has been launched - in a way known of in itself - the data traffic gate 3a of the server unit 3 sends the necessary data to the accounting unit la of the financial service provider 1 and then the amount is debited from the payment card. Depending on its breakdown, the debit may include the amount of the bill and the amount of the tip given by the guest separately or together. If after touching the display zone 12b of the screen 12 the guest sees an amount of tip appearing in the amount display zone 12d that is not what he/she intended, then depending on the structure of the display zone 12b the guest either places his/her finger onto another display zone 12a, and so marks another concrete percentage value, or simply starts to pull his/her finger from the display zone 12a into the direction of the display zone 12b until the amount display zone 12d shows a tip value that reflects the level of satisfaction of the guest.
The selection transmission line 13a belonging to the sensing surface 12c at the given place sends a signal to the selection sensing member 13, and starting from this point the payment of the tip takes place in the same way as that presented previously.
The device according to the invention may be used to good effect at all places where due to the ambient noise or simply for the purpose of discretion, the guest may freely select the amount of tip he/she wishes to give, and add it to his/her consumption bill in the case of cash- free methods of payment.
List of references
financial service provider la accounting unit information transmission channel server unit 3 a data traffic gate
3b signal receipt input
3 c display output
3d payment card reader part-unit
3e data input part-unit
3f display terminal 4a device housing energy source 0 free data input unit 11 selecting part-unit
11a signal
l ib signal
12 screen
12a display zone
12b display zone
12c sensing surface
12d amount display zone
13 selection sensing member 13a selection transmission line 13b selection transmission line
14 data transmission part-unit
15 calculator part-unit
15a input
15b output
15c base data receipt gate 0 accommodation frame
T' gap

Claims

1. Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input, which contains a server unit (3) that may be connected to a financial service provider's (1) accounting unit (la) via an information transmission channel (2), where the server unit (3) has a data traffic gate (3a) connected to the information transmission channel (2), a signal receipt input (3b) and display output (3c), a payment card reader part-unit (3d), data input part-unit (3e) and display (3f), the display output (3c) of the server unit (3) is connected to the display (3f), and the signal receipt input (3b) of the server unit (3) is connected to the payment card reader part-unit (3d) and the data input part-unit (3e), characterised by that the server unit (3) is coupled with a free data input unit (10), the free data input unit (10) having at least two selecting part-units (11) separated by a gap (T) and suitable for displaying different signals (1 la, 1 lb), a selection-sensing member (13) associated with the selecting part-unit (11) and a data transmission part unit (14) connected to the selection-sensing member (13), and the data transmission part unit (14) is connected to the signal receipt input (3b) of the server unit (3), where the selecting part-unit (11) has a screen (12), serving to display the given signals (11a, l ib), with display zones (12a, 12b) separated by a gap (T) from each other that are clearly associated with each of the given signals (11a, l ib), where the screen (12) with the display zones (12a, 12b) has an interactive data input touch screen at least in the vicinity of the display zones (12a, 12b) with a sensing surface (12c) suitable for changing at least one physical attribute of the display zones (12a, 12b), and the selection-sensing member (13) has selection transmission lines (13a, 13b) in signal- transmission connection with the sensing surface (12c) of the individual display zones (12a, 12b).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised by that the server unit (3), the payment card reader part-unit (3d), the data input part-unit (3e) and the display (3f) are established as a terminal (4) forming a physical unit in a single device housing, e.g. as a POS terminal.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised by that the terminal (4) and the free data input unit (10) are contained in a single accommodation frame (20).
4. Device according to any of claims 1-3, characterised by that the free data input unit (10) is supplemented with a calculator part-unit (15) that has an input (15a), output (15b), and base data receipt gate (15c), while the screen (12) has an amount display zone (12d), the input (15a) of the calculator part-unit (15) is connected to the selection-sensing member (13) or to its selection transmission lines (13a, 13b), and the output (1 b) of the calculator part-unit (15) is connected to the screen's (12) amount display zone (12d).
PCT/HU2016/000030 2016-02-22 2016-05-17 Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input WO2017144926A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP16732742.8A EP3420509A1 (en) 2016-02-22 2016-05-17 Device for the implementation of cash-free payment, with the possibility of interactive tip input

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HUU1600062U HU4616U (en) 2016-02-22 2016-02-22 Device for paying without cash with the possibility of interactiv-tip input
HUU1600062 2016-02-22

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050071232A1 (en) * 2004-10-19 2005-03-31 Stephanie A. Frater Credit system for restaurant tables and bars
US20090240566A1 (en) 2001-06-14 2009-09-24 Lovegreen Kenneth J Method of managing customer information
US20120054016A1 (en) 2010-08-31 2012-03-01 Todd Kenneth J Customer survey device with fraud prevention system
US8892462B1 (en) * 2013-10-22 2014-11-18 Square, Inc. Proxy card payment with digital receipt delivery

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090240566A1 (en) 2001-06-14 2009-09-24 Lovegreen Kenneth J Method of managing customer information
US20050071232A1 (en) * 2004-10-19 2005-03-31 Stephanie A. Frater Credit system for restaurant tables and bars
US20120054016A1 (en) 2010-08-31 2012-03-01 Todd Kenneth J Customer survey device with fraud prevention system
US8892462B1 (en) * 2013-10-22 2014-11-18 Square, Inc. Proxy card payment with digital receipt delivery

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EP3420509A1 (en) 2019-01-02

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