WO1997026629A2

WO1997026629A2 - Terminal for customer-operated cashless payment operations

Info

Publication number: WO1997026629A2
Application number: PCT/DE1997/000021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Günter Baitz; Joachim Burchart
Original assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Ag
Priority date: 1996-01-18
Filing date: 1997-01-09
Publication date: 1997-07-24
Also published as: EP0875048A2; EP0875048B1; JP2000503428A; WO1997026629A3; DE59700202D1; ES2135289T3

Abstract

Described is a terminal (10) for recording and billing goods and services on the operator side (12) and for the customer-operated handling of cashless payment operations on the customer side (24). Between the customer side (24) and the operator side (12) is a printing zone (20) with a printer, an input/output slot (102), accessible at least from above, for forms (106) and an opening (104) for outputting receipts (108). This disposition of the printing zone (20) enables the customer to make cashless payments independently without the aid of an operator. The ergonomic design of the printing zone is such, however, that the operator can assist the customer if so requested.

Description

Terminal for the self-operated processing of cashless payment transactions

The invention relates to a terminal for the self-service processing of cashless payment transactions.

Cash register systems are known which are equipped with a device arranged in a separate housing for unpaid payment of bills. These contain a credit card reader and a so-called PIN keyboard for entering a PIN 'PIN' which legitimates the credit card user. The credit card reader is only suitable for one type of card, usually a magnetic stripe card. The housing is placed on the payment table in the customer's hand area, while all other billing operations, including the issuing of a payment release document to be signed by the customer and a billing document, are carried out at the remote cash register. A transaction runs approximately as follows: The data of the services used or the goods removed are recorded by the operator and the invoice amount is communicated to the customer or is also shown on a customer display. A cashless customer then inserts his credit card into the credit card reader and keys his PIN number into the PIN keyboard. The cash register printer then prints a payment release receipt, which the operator presents to the customer for signature. After receiving the signed payment release receipt, the operator person a 'RECHNUNGSABSCHLÜSS ^E button and then the printer Kassen¬ a receipt -in general a Kassen¬ Bon outputs of the customer will be given. The operator must therefore turn away from the cash register and turn to the customer several times for a billing process.

Furthermore, it is known to relieve a customer paying with a check or a transfer of handwritten completion of such a receipt by the operator inserting the receipt into the form printer of the cash register, where it prints the invoice data stored in the cash register becomes. For this purpose, the customer has to hand over an unprinted receipt, for which not every customer is prepared, in particular in the case of a check. Here, too, a payment slip is issued after the invoice has been closed at the cash register, which is remote from the customer, and the operator must turn away from the cash register and turn to the customer several times for a billing process.

In the German patent application DE 37 41 704 AI, a terminal for the recording and billing of goods and services on an operator side and for the self-operated processing of cashless payment transactions on a customer side has been proposed, the customer-side operating area of which is a card reader, a customer display and a keyboard and whose operator-side operating area contains a cashier display and at least one cashier keyboard. The terminal has the shape of a flat Chen lying cuboid, in the flat top surface - as seen from the operator's side - a two-part cashier keyboard, in the middle area the cashier display and a receipt printer and behind it the customer display are installed. Furthermore, a trough is provided on the customer side, into which a further display, a card reader and a PIN keyboard are inserted.

The arrangement of the operating and display elements on the top of the flat structure allows ergonomically favorable operation in the known terminal only if the operator and customer occupy the same position, that is, both sit or stand. In most cases, however, the operator sits on one side of a checkout counter and the customer stands on the other side. The terminal is then to be arranged at eye and hand height of the person sitting. The trough is then protected from the eyes of the operator by the PIN keyboard on the customer side, but the operator display is not protected from the eyes of the customer. In addition, the customer can observe inputs on the operator keyboard and access them without authorization, for example to open the cash drawer. Furthermore, a printer for checks or transfers is not mentioned in the document.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a terminal which, on the one hand, enables the recording and billing of goods and services and, on the other hand, the self-processed processing of cashless payment transactions by a customer in a discreet manner, Payment forms, billing and deposit documents can be printed in the customer's access area.

The object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The arrangement of a printing area with a printer, a slot-shaped input / output opening for forms accessible at least from above and an output opening for a billing or booking receipt between the customer side and the operator side allows the customer to carry out his cashless payment activities really independently, without that the operator is forced to make individual keyboard entries or handouts during this transaction. On the other hand, the printing area is arranged so ergonomically that the operator can intervene if a customer - for example an elderly or disabled person - so requests.

The arrangement of the printing area in a central part protruding trapezoidally between the customer area and the operator area at the same time prevents insight and access from the opposite operating side even when the operator and the customer work, sitting or standing differently. Furthermore, this results in an ergonomically favorable division of the customer and / or the operator-side operating area into a flat partial area for input elements and a steep partial area for display elements such as a screen. The security against insight from the sides can be increased on the customer side by side walls.

The customer side can be equipped according to the different application and country requirements: In the simplest case, a card reader and a PIN keyboard are provided. The card reader can be suitable for magnetic stripe or chip cards. Since both the old-established magnetic stripe cards and the newer chip cards are used during a transition period, it is particularly advantageous to use readers for both card types or a combination reader.

Instead of a keyboard and a screen separated from it, a screen with a touch-sensitive input surface in the manner of a so-called 'touch screen' can also be used. This is then preferably installed in the flat part of the customer's operating area. Alternatively, the use of a screen with an input surface writable with a pen in the manner of a so-called 'pen computer' can also be used. This can either be installed in the flat section of the customer's operating area or in the steep section. In the latter case, it is advantageous to fasten the screen to the trapezoidal elevation about its upper edge: for writing on the screen, for example when an electronic signature is being performed, it can be pivoted into a horizontal position while while it is folded down for the display of information not intended for unfamiliar glances.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description, which in connection with the accompanying drawing explains the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments.

It shows :

1 shows a perspective view of the operator side of a terminal for the recording and billing of goods and services and for the self-operated processing of non-cash payment transactions with a view of a user-side operating surface according to a first exemplary embodiment,

2 shows the perspective view of the operator side of the terminal in FIG. 1 with a view of an operator-side operating surface according to a second exemplary embodiment,

3 shows the perspective view of the customer side of the terminal in FIG. 1 with a view of a customer-side operating surface according to a first exemplary embodiment,

4 shows the perspective view of the customer side of the terminal in FIG. 1 with a view of a customer -side control surface according to a second exemplary embodiment.

1 shows a perspective view of a terminal 10 for the recording and billing of goods and services and for the self-service processing of cashless payment transactions with a view of the operator side 12. The base area of the terminal 10 corresponds to that of an electronic control unit 14 on which the terminal is installed. In the front wall 16 of the control device on the operator side, drives 18 for various transportable storage media such as e.g. Dis¬ or compact disks installed. The installation on a control unit is to be understood as an example; the invention also permits the installation of the terminal 10 on a cash register drawer or a table.

The center of the terminal 10 is occupied by a pressure area 20 which is formed by an elevation 22 which is trapezoidal in cross section and extends over the entire width of the terminal. In the survey is a combined printer for forms and accounting documents such as Receipts installed. This will be discussed further below. The customer side 24 of the terminal 10 is located on the other side of the elevation 22.

Arranged on the operator side 12 is an operating area 26 which has a flat partial area 28 and a steep partial area 30 which rises by approximately 30 ° in the direction of the center of the terminal 10 relative to the horizontal. sums up. This forms an obtuse angle with the flat section 28. The angle specifications are only to be understood as examples: without deteriorating the usability, the flat partial area 28 can have an inclination of 0-30 ° with respect to the horizontal and form an angle> 90 ° with the steep partial area 30.

The operator-side operating area 26 is arranged in a housing 32. This has an angular side profile, one leg 34 being supported on a mounting surface 36 of the terminal 10 and the angle of inclination of the other leg 38 being adapted to the inclination of the ascending wall 40 of the elevation 22 on the operator side. The operator-side operating area 26 can also be integrated into the dividing surface 36 and the operator-side rising wall 40 of the elevation 22, but the use of a separate housing 32 offers the advantage that the operator-side operating area 26 can also be operated remotely from the elevation 22. A flat keyboard 42 takes up the flat partial area 28. An operator display 44 is installed in the steep section 30.

2 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an operator side 12 'of the terminal 10. An operator keyboard 46 and a display device 48 are installed next to one another in a one-part operating area 26' which is inclined back by approximately 30 ° with respect to the plumb line. This arrangement is particularly suitable for installing the terminal on a standing desk. The display device 48 can also be equipped with a touch-sensitive surface in the manner of a 'touch screen'.

3 shows the terminal 10 in a perspective plan view of its customer side 24 with a first exemplary embodiment of a customer-side operating area denoted by 50.

The operating area 50 comprises a flat partial area 52 and a steep partial area 54 forming an obtuse angle therewith. A PIN keyboard 56 intended for the input of his personal identification number 'PIN' which legitimates the credit card user is embedded in the flat partial area 52. On the upper edge of the steep section 54, a flat screen 58 is fastened pivotably about its upper edge, the surface of which is provided with an input surface that can be written on with a pen. Such input areas are known from so-called pen computers. In its swiveled down position 58 'shown in dashed lines, the back of the screen rests against the steep partial area 54 of the customer-side operating area 50. In this position, the screen only serves to display information specific to the customer. In its swiveled-up position, the screen 58 is flush with the surface 60 of the elevation 22. In this position, the input surface of the screen 58 can be written on. The screen is laterally supported by side walls 62, 64 by means of catches (not shown). The second side wall 64 is also a side boundary wall ner integrally with the elevation 22 or pivotable or removable on this cover 66 formed for a paper supply roll 68. The side walls 62, 64 also serve as a privacy screen for the PIN keyboard 56. Of course, it is also possible to just one for displays intended for displays to be firmly attached in position 58 'to the steep partial area 54 or to be admitted into it.

A card reader 72 for chip cards is installed below the PIN keyboard 56 in the front wall 70 provided by the customer. A swipe reader 74 is inserted into the terminal 10 parallel to the front wall 70 in front of the cover 66. Instead of both card readers 72, 74, depending on requirements, only one of the two card readers can be installed. The card reader 72 can also be a plug-in reader for magnetic stripe cards or a combined magnetic stripe / chip card reader. In the latter two cases, the swipe reader 74 can be omitted.

4 shows the terminal 10 in a perspective top view of its customer side 24 with a second exemplary embodiment of a customer-side operating area denoted by 80. This differs from the operating area 50 in FIG. 3 in that a flat partial area 82 is equipped with a pressure-sensitive input unit 84 for the electronic acquisition of signatures. This can also be applied to a screen surface. The screen surface can also be designed as a so-called touch screen. The steep section 86 is equipped with a fixed display device 88. The left side wall 62 'has only half the height of the partial section 86.

As already mentioned, the printing area 20 designed as a trapezoidal elevation 22 extends over the entire width of the terminal 10 between the operator side 12 and the customer side 24. The printing area 20 has a paper chute 100 which is accessible from above and from the side - Before slit-shaped input / output opening 102 for forms 106 and an upwardly open output opening 104 for booking receipts 108 are divided. The working width of a printer, not shown, located below the paper chute 100 corresponds to the width of the paper chute 100, so that a form 106, e.g. a check form and a voucher 108, e.g. a receipt can be printed. Booking slips 108 are printed on the running end of the paper supply roll 68. Both upper edges of the output opening 104 are designed as tear-off edges 110 for accounting documents 108. This enables both the operator and a customer to tear off a booking voucher from the paper supply. Alternatively, a cutting device (not shown) for accounting documents can be provided in the paper chute 100 below the upper edge of the dispensing opening 104.

On a side wall 112 of the terminal 10 there is a scanner 114 for detecting machine-readable goods labels, / 26629 PCI7DE97 / 00021

12 attached especially for bar code markings. Terminal 10 can be set up directly next to a goods conveyor belt of a check-out cash desk, which enables a very compact structure of such a cash desk.

A billing and payment process is as follows, due to the different forms of execution of the operator side 12 and the customer side 24 of the terminal 10, the cash register keyboard 42 and the operator keyboard 46 under the term "cashier keyboard", the operator display 44 and the operator ¬ pointing device 48 under the term "cashier display", the input surface on the screen 58 and the pressure-sensitive input unit 84 under the term "customer input" and the screen 58 and the display device 88 are subsumed under the term "customer display".

The operator uses the cashier keyboard and / or the scanner 114 to detect the goods selected by the customer and finally brings about an invoice closing, as is generally known from cash registers. The individual bookings and finally the final amount are shown to the customer on the customer display. The customer is now prompted by a corresponding information on the customer display to manually select a desired payment method, eg "CASH", "CREDIT CARD", "EC CARD", "EUROSCHECK" or "TRANSFER". When paying by credit card, the customer is asked to insert his card into the corresponding reader 72 or 74. At the same time, a booking voucher 108 - in this case a payment release voucher - is printed out, which the customer has to remove, sign and hand over to the operator.

When paying with an EC card, the customer is asked to insert his card into the corresponding reader 72 or 74 and to enter his personal identification number 'PIN' on the PIN keyboard 56.

When paying with Euroscheck, the customer is asked to insert a check form 106 into the input / output opening 102 of the printer. This is printed with the required information and the amount to be paid, removed by the customer, signed and handed to the operator together with his EC card for the purpose of a signature comparison. As an alternative to handing over the EC card to the operator, it is also possible to insert the card into the corresponding reader 72 or 74 and to carry out an automatic authorization check.

When paying by bank transfer, the customer is asked to insert a transfer form into the input / output opening 102 of the printer. This is printed with the necessary information and the amount to be paid, removed by the customer, signed and handed over to the operator. After the invoice amount has been paid, a booking receipt 108 - in this case a sales slip - is printed out and the customer is asked to remove it.

A terminal 10 for the self-operated processing of cashless payment transactions can be used in the same way in the banking sector.

Claims

claims

1. Terminal (10) for the recording and billing of goods and services on an operator side (12) and for the self-operated processing of cashless payment transactions on a customer side (24) with a customer-side operating area (50, 80), which has at least one card reader (72, 74), a customer display (58, 88) and a customer input (58, 84; 56) for the manual input of data, an operator-side operating area (26, 26 ') containing a cashier display (44, 48 ) and at least one cashier keyboard (42, 46), and with a printer having an output opening (104) for booking receipts (108), characterized in that between the customer side (24) and the operator side (12) there is a printing area ( 20) is arranged, which comprises an elevation (22) which is trapezoidal in cross section, on the top (60) of which there is the output opening (104) for accounting documents (108) and a slot-shaped input / output opening (102) for it r forms (106) are located, in which the latter a form (106) can be inserted from above or also from a side wall of the terminal, and which are in the hand area both on the customer side (24) and one on the operator side (12 ) located person.

2. Terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elevation (22) extends over its entire width.

3. Terminal according to claim 2 with an integral with the elevation (22) or pivotally mounted on this or removable from this cover (66) for a paper supply roll (68) for accounting documents (108) on the customer side (24).

4. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the customer-side (50, 80) and / or the operator-side operating area (26) has a flat surface with respect to the horizontal of 0-30 ° in the direction of the slot-shaped input / output opening (102) rising partial area (52, 82; 28) and a steep partial area (54, 86; 30), which forms an angle> 90 ° with the flat partial area (52, 82; 28).

5. Terminal according to claim 4, wherein the flat partial area (82) of the customer side (24) comprises a screen (84) which is coated with a pressure-sensitive surface or with a touch-sensitive input surface in the manner of a so-called 'touch screen'.

6. Terminal according to claim 4, in which a screen (58) is arranged on the customer side (24) and is equipped with an input surface which can be written on with a pen in the manner of a so-called 'pen computer'.

7. Terminal according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the customer-side operating area (50, 80) is limited by side walls (62, 62 '; 64).

8. Terminal according to claim 6, wherein a side wall

(64) is part of the cover (66) for the paper supply roll (68).

9. Terminal according to one of claims 4 to 8, in which the steep partial area (54, 86; 30) of the operator (26) or the customer-side operating area (50, 80) with a screen (44; 58, 88) is equipped.

10. Terminal according to claim 9, in which the customer's screen (58) is equipped with an input surface which can be written on with a pen in the manner of a so-called 'pen computer', so that its upper edge can be pivoted horizontally and can be fixed in this position .

11. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the operator-side operating area (26) is arranged on a separate housing (32) that can be erected away from the terminal (10).

12. Terminal according to claim 11, in which the separate housing (32) is angular in cross-section, the one leg (34) being supported on the dividing surface (36) of the terminal (10) and the angle of inclination of the trapezoidal elevation ( 22) facing surface of the other leg (38) is adapted to the inclination of the operator's ascending wall (40) of the trapezoidal elevation (22).

13. Terminal according to one of claims 4 to 12 in conjunction with claim 3, in which between the cover (66) for the paper supply roll (68) and the customer-side front wall (70), a swipe reader (74) running parallel to the slot-shaped input / output opening (102) is arranged.