GB2528999A

GB2528999A - Tax free receipts processing terminal and method

Info

Publication number: GB2528999A
Application number: GB1422389.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Markus Ostlund; Stefano Bassi
Original assignee: Global Blue SA
Current assignee: Global Blue SA
Priority date: 2014-12-16
Filing date: 2014-12-16
Publication date: 2016-02-10

Abstract

A tax free receipts processing terminal or dropbox comprises a controller; and a document scanner 123 configured to scan documents of different widths and lengths, wherein the document scanner is configured to detect the side edge of a document thereby determining the width of the document, to detect the bottom edge of a document thereby determining the length of the document and to output, upon detection that a document has been scanned across its width and along its length, scanned document data. The controller is operable to detect the presence of a document identifier in the scanned document data and to output, in the event that the presence of a document identifier is detected, tax refund data including the identification data based on the document identifier and receipt data based on the scanned document data. The terminal may be operable to detect a barcode on the tax free receipt (tax cheque). The terminal may have a passport scanner 121, a card reader 122 and a display 111. The controller can output tax refund data by printing a tax refund receipt. The information input and extracted from the tax receipts can be transmitted via a network interface to a remote host.

Description

I

TAX FREE RECEIPTS PROCESSING TERMINAL AND METHOD

Field

This disclosure relates to a tax free receipts processing tenninal and method.

Background

The processing of tax free receipts for tax refund is conventionally done at tax refund desk which can be made available at an airport or a border for liaveller to submit their tax receipts for refund.

Conventionally, the staff at the desk will have to check that all of the required information has been provided on the receipts to be submitted, fill in the information and process the tax receipts at the desk while the traveller is waiting. This can be a time-and energy-consuming process such that it desirable to improve the time and energy consumed when processing tax receipts for tax refund.

Altematively, a traveller can leave his purchase receipts, or cheques, in an envelope inserted into a box. However, the user would not be able to receive a confirmation or receipt that his tax refund documents have been submitted and may submit documents which are unsuitable for processing the refund. For example, if the cheques do not include a custom stamp, they are unlikely to result in an actual reftmnd. While staff at a desk can check the cheques and inform the traveller that they are not in order for a tax refund, and direct the traveller to the custom's desk, with an envelope inserted into a box, the user may unknowingly submit unsuitable documents.

It is therefore desirable to provide an arrangement where cheques can be checked in a more satisfactory manner compared to the latter envelope situation, while trying to improve the time and energy consumed when processing tax receipts for tax refund compared to the desk situation mentioned above.

Summary

According to a first aspect, there is provided a tax free receipts processing terminal comprising a controller; and a document scanner configured to scan documents of different widths and lengths, wherein the document scanner is configured to detect the side edge of a document thereby determining the width of the document, to detect the bottom edge of a document thereby determining the length of the document and to output, upon detection that a document has been scanned across its width and along its length, scanned document data corresponding to the scanned document. The controller is operable to detect the presence of a document identifier in the scanned document data and to output, in the event that the presence of a document identifier is detected, tax refund data including the identification data based on the document identifier and receipt data based on the scanned document data The tax free receipts processing terminal may comprise a passport scanner configured to retrieve passport data from a passport inserted into an opening of the scanner.

the tax free receipts processing terminal may comprise a bank card reader configured to receive a bank card and to read bank card data from the bank card.

The terminal may comprise a display operable to output display information and, optionally, to receive inputs from a user.

The terminal may comprise a printer, wherein the controller is operable to output tax refund data by printing, via the printer, at least part of the tax refund data on a tax refund receipt.

The terminal may comprise a network interface, wherein the controller is operable to transmit the tax refund data to a remote host via the network interface, In some examples, the controller may be operable to include in the tax refund data for one or more documents at least one of: passport data for a traveller associated with the one or more documents and bank card data for a traveller associated with the one or more documents.

The controller may be operable to, upon identification that a document scanning process has been completed, output a receipt for the document scanning process wherein the receipt is based on the tax refund data and wherein outputting the receipt optionally comprises at least one of: printing a receipt via a printer, sending a message to a traveller's phone and sending a message to an email address.

Further respective aspects and features are defined by the appended claims, The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

List of figures A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: Figure 1 shows a view of a tax receipts processing terminal, Figure 2 shows another view of a tax receipts processing terminal, S Figure 3 shows a further view of a tax receipts processing terminal, Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a tax receipts processing terminal, Figure 5 shows an example method of using a tax receipts processing terminal, Figure 6 illustrates another example of a method of using a tax receipts processing terminal, Figures 7-23 illustrate screenshots corresponding to an example tax reftmnd process carried out using a tax free receipts processing terminal, and Figures 24-44 illustrate screenshots corresponding to another example tax refund process carried out using a tax free receipts processing terminal.

Detailed description

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show three different views of a tax receipts processing terminal, also referred to as a dropbox. Figure 1 shows a dropbox 100 from a front view. The dropbox 100 includes a display 111, a passport scanner 121, a card reader 122, a document scanner 123, and a printer 131. Figure 2 shows a side view of the dropbox 100 and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the dropbox 100, Different dimensions of the dropbox have been illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. For example, width dimensions WI and W2, height dimensions ElI, EU and H3, depth dimensions W, D2, D3 and D4 as well as angle Al have been shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A user using the dropbox 00 may use the display I as an input device and an output device. For example the user may be able to read information from the display and may be able to click on soft buttons on the display 111. The passport scanner 121 includes a slot for inserting a passport for scanning the passport and reading passport data from the passport.

The bank card reader 122 includes a slot dimensioned so as to receive credit or debit cards and a card data reader which can retrieve information about the card and/or an account associated with the card, The document scanner 123 is a scanner that is configured to scan documents of different dimensions and which is configured to detect the size of the scanned document with a view to determining when the whole document has been scanned. The document scanner may also be configured to either push the scanned document into an internal compartment or to return the scanned document to the user. The printer 131 can print a receipt for a user who has used the dropbox to submit his tax free receipt for tax refund.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the dropbox device 100. In this example, the device 100 includes a controller 101, a display 1]], a passport scanner 12], a card reader 122, a receipt scanner 123, a printer 131 and a network interface 141. The controller 101 is configured to control each of the display 111, the passport scanner 121, the card reader 122, the receipt scanner 123, the printer 131 and the network interface 141. Data obtained from the passport scanner 121 may be used to provide infonnation on the traveller submitting the tax free receipt so that the traveller can be identified when processing the receipt for tax refunds. The card reader 122 may be used to obtain payment information so that any tax refund payment can be made to the traveller using this payment information, The receipt scanner 123 may be used to scan tax free receipts provided by the traveller and may also be configured to identify information on the receipt such as a barcode, text identifying the traveller, a payment amount, a transaction amount and/or tax refund payments data. The printer 131 may be used at the end of a tax refund process for printing a receipt or confirmation that the traveller's tax free receipt has been submitted via the dropbox. The network interface 14] may be used at any point in time when information for the tax refund process has to be checked against a central database provided by a host and/or when a tax refund process has been completed, to send a report to the host, The report may include for example any information manually entered by the used or obtained from the document scanner, the passport scanner and/or the card reader.

Different methods of using the dropbox 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 5-44, Figure 5 shows an example method of using the dropbox 00. At step S501, a message is shown on the display 111 asking the traveller to check whether the receipt or cheque is properly completed for (A) the traveller's details, (B) the information for any tax refund payment and (C) the custom stamp, The current status is displayed based on information provided by the traveller, in the event that the traveller requires guidance when veri'ing that the appropriate information has been provided on the cheque, the traveller has the option of clicking on a "show" button for each of (A), (B) and (C). If the user clicks on "show" for (A), the method moves on to step S502 where it is shown where to find the traveller's details on the cheque. If the traveller clicks on "show" (B), the method moves on to step S503 where it is shown to the user where the payment information should be included on the cheque. If the user clicks on "show" for (C), the method moves on to step S504 where it is shown where the custom stamp should be found on the cheque. In some cases the traveller may also be provided with directions to the customs desk for him to obtain the appropriate stamp before they can have their tax refund receipt processed. From each of S502, S503 and S504, the user can click on an "ok" or "return" button to return to step S501 where the current status is displayed. From S501, the traveller can also click on "abort" or "cancel" to stop or abort the tax refund process. Once the user has confirmed from S501 that the information for each of (A), (B) and (C) has been provided, the user then has the option on clicking on the "next" button to move onto step S506. The traveller then asked to insert a cheque into the document scanner t23. Based on the scanned document, it is determined whether a barcode has been 1 0 detected on the scanned document. If a barcode has been detected, the method moves on to step S509 where the user is asked to confirm that he wants to submit the tax receipt for tax refund. If the user does not confirm, the method moves on to S508 where the cheque is returned to the traveller. If however the traveller confirms that he wants to submit the cheque, the cheque is then dropped into an internal compartment of the dropbox 100 and the user is asked at S51O whether he wishes to insert a new cheque or not. If no barcode has been detected at step S5O6, the traveller is informed accordingly and is prompted to see if he wishes to proceed with the submitting of the receipt anyway or not. If the traveller does not wish to proceed, the method moves on to step S508 previously described. If the user confirms that he wishes to proceed anyway, the receipt is moved into the internal compartment, and the user is asked whether he wishes to insert a new cheque at step S510, also described previously. If the user wishes to insert one or more new cheques, the method then returns to step S506 and caries on as previously described. On the other hand, if the traveller indicates that no new cheque is to be inserted at step S51O, the method moves on to step S511 where a receipt is issued to the traveller. This may include printing a receipt using printer 131 and/or sending a message to a mobile phone and/or sending a message to a mobile app and/or sending an email to the traveller, Once the receipt has been issued at step S51 I, the method then ends at S512.

Figure 6 illustrates another example of a method of processing tax free receipts. At step S601, the user is first asked to select the language he wishes to use for the dropbox and the method then moves on to step S602 where the user is asked to confirm whether his receipts include a custom stamp. If the user indicates that the receipts do not include a custom stamp, the method is aborted at S6 15 and the user is asked to go to the custom desk to obtain the relevant stamps. If the user indicates that the relevant custom stamps have been provided, the method moves on to S603 where the user is asked to confirm whether the tax free receipts include his identity details, If the traveller indicates that his details are at least in part missing, the method moves on to step S604 where the user is asked to scan his passport using passport scanner 121 or to click on "manual" to manually enter the traveller's details. If the user inserts his passport into the passport scanner and if the passport is successfully scanned at SoDS, the passport data is used to fill in the traveller's details information, After 5605, or if the user has clicked on "manual" from 5604, or if the traveller has indicated at S603 that his identity information has been provided, the method then moves on to step 5606. The identity information currently available is then displayed for the traveller to review and, if necessary, to add or to correct, Once the traveller's details have been provided and confirmed as correct at step S606, the method moves on to step 5607 where the traveller is asked to confirm whether the tax refund payment target has been entered on the receipt or receipts. If the user indicates that this payment information has not been provided, the method moves on to step S608 where the user is asked to insert his bank card into card reader 122 so that the dropbox 100 can retrieve the payment information. Once the payment information has been obtained at step S608, or if the traveller has previously indicated at S607 that the payment information has been provided, the method then moves on to step 5609. Methods steps S609-S614 of Figure 6 are similar to steps S506-S5 11 of Figure 5 such that the corresponding description will not be repeated again in the interest of conciseness. If the tax refund process has been aborted at 5615 or completed with the receipt being issued at So 14, the method can then end at step 5616, Even though this has not been illustrated in Figures 5 or 6, a button "abort" or "cancel" may be provided throughout the method for the user to cancel the current tax refund process. In this case, if receipts have already been submitted into the dropbox, a submission receipt can be provided to the traveller and/or a report can be sent to a remote server, wherein the remote include all of the information that has been provided before the tax refund has been cancelled.

Figures 7-23 illustrate screenshots of possible displays corresponding to an example tax refund process carried out at a tax free receipt processing terminal 100, In the interest of clarity, the screenshots of Figures 7-23 will be referred to using their screenshot number (1- 17) as shown in Figures 7-23. In screenshot 1, the user is asked to select his language from Chinese, Russian and English, Once the user has selected a language, the display moves on to screenshot 2 where the user is asked to verify that the cheque has been properly compiled and in particular that the traveller's details have been entered, that the payment target has been entered and that the cheque has a custom stamp on it, Using the "show me" buttons, the user can have access to screenshots providing information as to where to check for this information. The dropbox can be set up so that the "next" button can only be activated once three positive answers have been provided to these questions. Screenshot 3 shows how the user can determine whether the traveller's details have been provided on the cheque and the user can return to screenshot 2 by pressing "ok", Screenshot 4 shows how the user can identifky whether the payment information has been provided on the cheque and the user can return to screenshot 2 by pressing "ok". Screenshot 5 illustrates how the traveller can determine whether the cheque has the relevant custom stamp on them and the user can return to screenshot 2 by pressing "ok". If all three questions of screenshot 2 have positive answers, the user can press the "next" button which leads to screenshot 6. At this point the traveller is prompted to insert the cheque into the scanner making sure that the barcode on the cheque is clearly visible, This step may involve activating and!or opening the document scanner 123 for use by the traveller. If no barcode is detected, the display 111 shows screenshot 7 which informs the user that the barcode could not be found and asks the user whether he wishes to proceed with submitting the cheque anyway. If the traveller decides not to proceed, the cheqne is returned from the scanner to the tourist and the display 111 shows screenshot 9. If however the user decides to proceed with submitting this cheque despite the barcode not being detected, the cheque is stored by being moved into an internal compartment and the display then also moves to screenshot 9.

If on the other hand a barcode was detected on the scanned document, the display shows screenshot 8 which indicates that a receipt has been successfully scanned and which asks for a final confirmation by the user that he wishes to submit that receipt for tax refund. If the user does not confirm that he wants to go ahead with submitting the receipt, the cheque is returned to the touist and the display shows screenshot 9. If the traveller confirms that he wishes to submit the receipt for tax refund, the cheque is stored within the dropbox 100 and the display shows screenshot 9.

At screenshot 9, the user is asked whether another cheque is to be inserted into the document scanner and is given the option to add an extra document or to finish and issue the receipt for the current tax refund process. If the user wishes to add a new cheque, the display returns to screenshot 6 in which the user is prompted to insert the cheque into the scanner. If the user decides to finish with the tax receipt submitting process and have a receipt issued, the display moves on to screenshot 10 where the user is given the option to receive the receipt as an email a text message or to see it on the screen, In some alternative arrangements, the user may also have the option of having a receipt printed via printer 13] If the user selects an email receipt, the display shows screenshot I I where the user can enter his email address and may either return to screenshot 10 or move to screenshot 13 to confirm the email address. If the user asks to move to screenshot 13 while no email address or no suitable email address has been provided, the display instead shows screenshot 12 where a notification is provided to inform the user that no email address or no suitable email address has been provided. From there, the user can either return to screenshot 11 to re-enter an email address or move directly to screenshot 17 where a receipt is shown on the screen. If the user successfully confirms the email address at screenshot 13, a receipt is emailed to the traveller and the display moves on to screenshot 17 (showing the receipt on screen as well). If the user decides to receive the receipt for the tax refund process via a text message, the user can provide his mobile phone number at screenshot 14. As for the email address, the traveller will be asked to confirm their mobile number and if no mobile number or an incorrect mobile number is entered a new screenshot is displayed (screenshot 15) from which the user can either return to screenshot 14 or go to screenshot 17 where the receipt will be displayed on screen. In screenshot 17, the receipt for the tax refund process will be shown on screen as well as any suitable confirmation that additional receipts have been sent by email and/or text message.

Figures 24-44 correspond to screenshots 1-21 and to another example of a tax refund process using a dropbox. In the interest of clarity, in the discussion of Figures 24-44, reference will be made to the screenshot number rather than the figure number. At screenshot I the traveller is asked to select a language for using the dropbox for example for Chinese, Russian and English. Once the traveller has selected a language, the display moves on to screenshot 2 where the user is asked to confirm that the receipt he wishes to submit includes a custom stamp. If the traveller then indicates that one or more custom stamps are missing the display moves on to screenshot 3 where the process is aborted and the traveller is asked to go to the custom desk to arrange for a custom stamp to be provided. If however the relevant custom stamps have been provided on the receipts, the display moves on to screenshot 4 where the traveller is asked to confirm whether the traveller's details have been entered on the receipt.

If the traveller indicates that the identity details have not been provided, the display moves on to screenshot 5 where the traveller is asked to insert his passport under the passport scanner for automatically retrieving the identity information or to manually enter the information on to screenshot 6. If the user indicates a manual entry or if the passport has been read or if a scanner timer expires, the display moves to screenshot 6 which indicates the identity information presently available. For example if' the user wishes to manually enter the information this screenshot may at first not include any details. On the other hand, if a passport has been successfully read, this screenshot can include information retrieved from the passport data obtained by the passport scanner. From this screenshot, the traveller can add, correct or confirm the identity information. Once the traveller confirms the identity information the display moves on to screenshot 7 where the traveller is asked to confirm whether payment information has been provided so that any tax refund payment can be made to the traveller. If the traveller indicates that this payment information has not been provided the display moves on to screenshot 8 where the user is prompted to insert his credit card or debit card into the card reader. At the same time the card reader may be activated for example a card slot may be opened and/or a light in the area of the card slot may be activated to indicate where the user should insert the card, Once the card information has been read from the card reader or if the traveller had indicated at screenshot 7 that the payment information has been provided, the display then moves on to screenshot 9. The traveller is then asked to insert the cheque into the scanner trying to make sure that the barcode on the cheque is clearly visible. If no barcode is detected by the scanner, the user is notified accordingly at screenshot 0 and is asked whether he wishes to proceed anyway. if the user wishes to proceed then the cheque is stored into the dropbox and the display moves onto screenshot 12 if the user does not wish to proceed, the cheque is returned to the tourist from the scanner and the display also moves to screenshot t2. If on the other hand the scanner has been able to detect a barcode on the receipt, the display shows screenshot II where the user is informed that the cheque was correctly read and identified by the scanner and is asked for his final confirmation that he wishes to submit the cheque. If the user does not wish to proceed with submitting the cheque, it is then returned to the traveller from the scanner and the display moves to screenshot 12.

On the other hand gives his final confirmation that he wishes to submit the receipt, the cheque is stored in the dropbox and screenshot 12 is displayed.

At screenshot 12, the traveller is asked whether he wishes to insert a new cheque or wishes to finish with the process and issue a receipt. If the user wishes to submit one or more cheques, the display returns to screenshot 9 previously discussed. If the user indicates that no further cheques will be submitted, the dropbox will use printer 131 to print a receipt for the traveller and display screenshot 21. if however the printer is out of service, the dropbox will first show screenshot H on the display I H. Screenshots 13-20 of Figures 36-43 can beused in a similar mariner to screenshots 10-17 of Figures 16-23 such that their description will not be repeated herein in the interest of conciseness. Once the tax refund process has been completed and once the receipt has been issued, screenshot 2] is displayed on the dropbox to remind the user to take the receipt with him and, in the event that the printer is unable to print the receipt, screenshot 20 (showing the receipt on screen) is shown on display 111.

There has therefore been provided a tax free receipts processing terminal which can be used at any suitable location such as an airport or a border, which simplifies the process of submitting the tax free receipts for tax refunds and which reduces the equipment, space and staff required to receive the tax free receipts from the travellers. As the energy required for using the dropbox and the cost of running the dropbox is less than that of a tax refund desk, energy and cost savings can be made. Additionally, more customers may also be served simultaneously using more than one dropbox whilst still using less resources thereby also increasing customer satisfaction.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. It will be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims.

KEY TO THE FIGURES

Figure 7 (Screenshot 1)-representative of Language selection: CHINESE -RUSSIAN -

ENGLISH

Figure 8 (Screenshot 2) -representative of A negative answer to one of the three questions leads to Screenshot 3 and aborts the process. SHOW ME shows Screenshot 3 or Screenshot 4 or Screenshot 5 without aborting the process. Three positive answers enable NEXT button, NEXT leads to Screenshot 6.

Figure 9 (Screenshot 3) -representative of OK leads to Screenshot 2 Figure 10 (Screenshot 4) -representative of OK leads to Screenshot 2 Figure 11 (Screenshot 5) -representative of OK leads to Screenshot 2 Figure 12 (Screenshot 6)-representative of The slit of the scanner turns on and the tourist is invited to insert the cheque. If the scan process detects the BARCODE then the procedure leads to Screenshot 8 otherwise it leads to Screenshot 7 Figure 13 (Screenshot 7) -representative of no BARCODE detected. NO returns the cheque to the tourist and leads to Screenshot 9. YES leads to Screenshot 9-The cheque is stored, no way to give it back to the tourist.

Figure 14 (Screenshot 8)-representative of Cheque read, BARCODE detected. I keep this screenshot only to make clear one point. We can "park" only one cheque at a time, if we want to maintain the possibility to turn the cheque back to the tourist we need this. NO returns the cheque to the tourist and leads to Screenshot 9. YES leads to Screenshot 9 -The cheque is stored, no way to give it back to the tourist.

Figure 15 (Screenshot 9)-representative of ADD CHEQUE leads to Screenshot6 -all scanned and confirmed documents will be sent to Global Blue even in case of ABORT -In case of ABORT a Receipt will be shown on the screen. FINISH AND ISSUE RECEIPT leads to Screenshot 10.

Figure 16 (Screenshot 10)-representative of E-mail button leads to Screenshot 11, E-mail button leads to Screenshot 14, E-mail button leads to Screenshot 17.

Figure 17 (Screenshot 11)-representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 10, NEXT leads to Screenshot 12 (no entry) or Screenshot 13.

Figure 18 (Screenshot 12)-representative of BACK leads to 11, NEXT leads to 17 Figure 19 (Screenshot 13)-representative of BACK leads to 11, NEXT leads to 17 Figure 20 (Screenshot 14) -representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 10, NEXT leads to Screenshot 15 (no entry) or Screenshot 16 Figure 21 (Screenshot 15) -representative of NEXT leads to 17, BACK leads to 14 Figure 22 (Screenshot 16) -representative of NEXT leads to 17, BACK leads to 14 Figure 23 (Screenshot 17) -representative of I suggest to show the receipt on screen always.

In the header there will be also the confirmation of the email/SMS delivery Figure 24 (Screenshot 1)-representative of Language selection: CHINESE -RUSSIAN -

ENGLISH

Figure 25 (Screenshot 2) -representative of NO leads to Screenshot 3, YES leads to Screenshot 4 Figure 26 (Screenshot 3) -representative of OK aborts the process Figure 27 (Screenshot 4) -representative of NO leads to Screenshot 5, YES leads to Screenshot 7 Figure 28 (Screenshot 5) -representative of MANUAL ENTRY leads Screenshot 6 without PASSPORT scan, PASSPORT read of scanner time out lead to Screenshot 6 Figure 29 (Screenshot 6) -representative of Tourist can fill out and modify the form. All fields are required to enable NEXT. NEXT leads to Screenshot 7 Figure 30 (Screenshot 7) -representative of NO leads to Screenshot 8, YES leads to Screenshot 9 Figure 31 (Screenshot 8) -representative of Scanner Time Out aborts the process, CC read leads to Screenshot 9 Figure 32 (Screenshot 9) -representative of The slit of the scanner turns on and the tourist is invited to insert the cheque. If the scan process detects the BARCODE then the procedure leads to Screenshot 11 otherwise it leads to Screenshot 10 Figure 33 (Screenshot 10) -representative of No BARCODE detected. NO returns the cheque to the tourist and leads to Screenshot 12. YES leads to Screenshot 12-The cheque is stored, no way to give it back to the tourist.

Figure 34 (Screenshot 11) -representative of Cheque read, BARCODE detected -Same consideration of the Basic version. NO returns the cheque to the tourist and leads to Screenshot 12, YES leads to Screenshot 12 Figure 35 (Screenshot 12)-representative of ADD CHEQUE leads to Screenshot 9-all scanned and confirmed documents will be sent to Global Blue even in case of ABORT. FINISH AND ISSUE RECEIPT-if printer Ok read print receipt and leads to Screenshot 21 otherwise Screenshot 13.

Figure 36 (Screenshot 13) -representative of Only if printer out of duty? E-mail button leads to Screenshot 14, E-mail button leads to Screenshot 17, E-mail button leads to Screenshot 20.

Figure 37 (Screenshot 14)-representative of Clicking NEXT without providing any e-mail address or phone number leads to Screenshot 15 otherwise it leads to Screenshot 16 Figure 38 (Screenshot 15)-representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 14, NEXT leads to Screenshot 15 Figure 39 (Screenshot 16) -representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 14, NEXT leads to Screenshot 21 Figure 40 (Screenshot 17)-representative of Clicking NEXT without providing any e-mail address or phone number leads to Screenshot 18 otherwise it leads to Screenshot 19 Figure 41 (Screenshot 18)-representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 17, NEXT leads to Screenshot 19 Figure 42 (Screenshot 19)-representative of BACK leads to Screenshot 14, NEXT leads to Screenshot 21 Figure 43 (Screenshot 20) -representative of Only if digital receipt selected at Screenshot 9 or printer fault at beginning of process Figure 44 (Screenshot 21) -representative of Printer fault during printing leads to Screenshot

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tax free receipts processing terminal comprising: a controller; and a document scanner configured to scan documents of different widths and lengths, wherein the document scanner is configured to detect the side edge of a document thereby determining the width of the document, to detect the bottom edge of a document thereby determining the length of the document and to output, upon detection that a document has been scanned across its width and along its length, scanned document data corresponding to the scanned document; wherein the controller is operable to detect the presence of a document identifier in the scanned document data and to output, in the event that the presence of a document identifier is detected, tax refund data including the identification data based on the document identifier and receipt data based on the scanned document data.
2. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to claim I and comprising a passport scanner configured to retrieve passport data from a passport inserted into an opening of the scanner.
3. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to claim 1 or 2 and comprising a banlc card reader configured to receive a bank card and to read bank card data from the bank card.
4. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to any preceding claim comprising a display operable to output display information and, optionally, to receive inputs from a user.
5. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to any preceding claim comprising a printer, wherein the controller is operable to output tax refund data by printing, via the printer, at least part of the tax refund data on a tax refund receipt.
6. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to any preceding claim comprising: a network interface, wherein the controller is operable to transmit the tax refbnd data to a remote host via the network interface,
7. A tax free receipts processing terminal according to claim 6 wherein the controller is operable to include in the tax refund data for one or more documents at least one of: passport data for a traveller associated with the one or more documents and bank card data for a traveller associated with the one or more documents.