GB2620916A

GB2620916A - Electronic payment apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2620916A
Application number: GB2210619.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hamilton Christopher
Original assignee: Blukite Group Ltd
Current assignee: Blukite Group Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-20
Filing date: 2022-07-20
Publication date: 2024-01-31
Also published as: GB202210619D0

Abstract

Conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement 116 using a smart device 110, such as a mobile phone. A payment request is received by the device from the POS after a connection is established between the device and POS via an application 112 running on the device. The payment request includes a transaction value. The application converts the transaction amount into a corresponding audio file and causes the device to play the audio file to the user 102 for verifying the financial transaction. Preferably, the application causes the device to prompt the user when the POS is ready for connection, upon connection with the POS, upon receiving the payment request and/or before playing the audio file. After the audio file has been played, the user may be prompted to tap the screen to confirm the payment value within a predetermined time period.

Description

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT APPARATUS

The present invention concerns electronic payment apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns electronic payment apparatus, and methods and systems for making electronic payments using an audio file for verifying the financial transaction for visually impaired users.

Background of the Invention

There are various ways in which someone may pay for goods and services without the requirement for carrying cash, or the potential trust issues associated with issuing and honouring a cheque. The most widespread method is the use of a payment card, often with a person authentication step including a personal identification number (PIN), customer signature or biometrics. Recent developments in Near field communication (NFC) and radio frequency identification (RFID) have resulted in payment cards being used for contactless payment, where a card is presented to a reader and payment is automatically taken without the need for the person identification step. Smart devices, such as smart phones, smart tablets, and smart watches, are also being used in a similar way, making use of NFC techniques to allow users to make contactless payments by presenting the smart device to a suitable reader.

The reader typically displays the amount of the transaction on a screen for a user of the smart device to check and verify the amount of the transaction. Once the amount has been visually verified, the user then presents the smart device to the reader such that contactless payment can occur. However, this visual approach for verifying the amount of the transaction is problematic for users that are visually impaired. Naturally, a user that is visually impaired may struggle to see the amount of the transaction being displayed on the screen of the reader. If the user is severally visually impaired, such as being legally blind, the user will not be able to see the amount being displayed on the screen of the reader. The visually impaired user thus cannot verify the amount of the transaction without a third party present to visually verify said amount. The requirement of a third party to verify the transaction introduces a security risk. For example, the third party may not be trustworthy. Further, the visually impaired user is dependent upon the third party to verify the amount of the transaction.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved method and apparatus for making electronic payments.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale arrangement after a connection is established between the apparatus and the point of sale arrangement, the payment request including a value of a transaction, the apparatus comprising: a smart device with an application, the application being arranged to: cause the smart device to connect with the point of sale arrangement; convert the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and cause the smart device to play the audio file to a user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.

This arrangement provides apparatus for conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement with improved security for visually impaired users. This is because a visually impaired user cannot (or cannot without great difficulty) verify the amount of the transaction without a third party present to visually verify said amount. Playing the audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction to the user allows the user to verifying the financial transaction without a third party present. This is also provides a greater sense of inclusivity and independence for the visually impaired user.

Preferably, the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user upon connection with the point of sale arrangement and/or upon receiving the payment request. In this way, the visually impaired user knows (via the prompt) that the point of sale device is connected to the point of sale arrangement and/or the payment request has been received.

Preferably, the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user when the point of sale arrangement is ready for connection with the smart device. In this way, the visually impaired user knows (via the prompt) that the point of sale arrangement is ready for connection with the smart device.

Preferably, the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user before playing the audio file to the user. In this way, the visually impaired user knows (via the prompt) that the smart device is about to play the audio file. The visually impaired user can thus move the smart device closer to their ears for more suitable hearing of the audio file.

Preferably, the application is arranged to: cause the smart device to prompt the user after the audio file has been played; and receive an input from the user for accepting payment of the value of the transaction. In this way, the visually impaired user can accept payment of the value of the transaction without requiring their sight to do so. Further, the user knows (via the prompt) that the smart device is ready to receive their input for accepting the payment. The input from the user may be a tap by the user on a screen of the smart device.

Preferably, the application is arranged to stop receiving the input from the user after a pre-determined time period. In this way, the security of the transaction process is improved because the transaction cannot be completed after the time period has expired, avoiding inadvertent acceptance of payments if the user does not provide their input to the mobile phone relatively soon after hearing value of the transaction.

Preferably, the prompt is a haptic and/or audio prompt (i.e., created or caused by the smart device).

Preferably, the smart device is a smart phone, smart watch or computer. The smart device may be any suitable device, which can communicate via an electronic network, for example via Bluetooth <RTM>, WI-Fl, near field communication, radio frequency identification, 30, 40, 50 etc. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement using a smart device, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale arrangement after a connection is established between the smart device and the point of sale arrangement, the payment request including a value of a transaction, the method comprising: providing a smart device with an application; a user opening the application and presenting the smart device to the point of sale arrangement for connection; connecting the smart device to the point of sale arrangement; converting the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and playing the audio file to the user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a payment system comprising: a smart device with an application; and a retail unit having a point of sale device, wherein the application is arranged to: cause the smart device to connect to the point of sale device, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale device after a connection is established between the smart device and the point of sale device, the payment request including a value of a transaction; convert the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and cause the smart device to play the audio file to a user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows an example process for setting up a customer account and configuring a smart device for making electronic payments; Figure 2 shows an example payment process; Figure 3 shows how a retailer may set up an account and process an electronic payment; and Figure 4 shows an example electronic payment system.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an example process for setting up an account and configuring a smart device for making electronic payments. In this example, the smart device is a mobile phone, but it could be any other suitable smart device, such as a tablet computing device or a smart watch.

The process comprises step 10, whereby a user (or 'payor) has an established payment account with a bank or e-money institution within which they hold funds accessible for immediate use. In step 12, the user downloads an application to their mobile device. The next step 14, the user, configures their personal profile within the application and passes through a pre-determined verification process. In step 16, the application may be configured to hold cash balances which may be transferred to the application and held separately from the user's day to day accounts. The user may transfer cash 18 from an external bank account to the application installed on the mobile phone or connect an external account to the application. The cash or balance is displayed in the application as virtual cash, as if the mobile phone device is an electronic wallet. Once the application has been loaded or connected with cash, the mobile phone is ready for use 20 as a payment apparatus. The user may also be issued with a conventional payment card, including an ISO 12 to 19 digit account number, an expiry date, and a card verification value (CVV). Alternatively, a bank or e-money institution may enable their own mobile banking application to utilise the electronic payment method of the present invention, thus allowing their customers to make or receive payments by way of a Software development Kit (SDK) or via an Application Programming Interface (API).

Figure 2 shows the process of a user, such a visually impaired user, using their mobile phone as a payment apparatus, and conducting a financial transaction using the phone. As a first step 22, the user opens the application on their mobile phone. This step may include an identification step such as a PIN being entered, or biometric data, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, being verified. A third party or software application (such as VoiceOver, TalkBack etc) may assist the user during this step.

Upon opening the application 24 on the mobile phone, the application is arranged to operate a camera of the mobile phone such that a payment request (PR) code can be read. In this regard, the application comprises a software module for capturing (via the camera) and interpreting the PR code. In other words, the mobile phone is caused to enter a 'read' or 'receive' mode that is able to read (or receive) a PR code that is within range of the camera. The PR code may be in the form of a OR code, human readable code or other suitable code used for wireless financial transactions. The PR code comprises information that relates to a financial transaction, such as a monetary value of the financial transaction. In some embodiments, this information also comprises details of the merchant, the day and the time etc. The payment for goods or services may occur between two parties in person using a mobile device/app, in a shop or other form of retailer or in an eCommerce transaction such as payments or purchases made online. In this embodiment, the user can purchase items from a retailer 26. A point of sale device of the retailer 26 is arranged to display a PR code, which relates to the item(s) being purchased by the user. The PR code is displayed on the point of sale device (such as via a screen).

The PR code is unique and relates to a particular transaction. The PR code is time limited (i.e., expires after a short duration of time), as well as size limited (i.e., the amount of bytes of the code is relatively small). Limiting the time duration of the PR code improves the overall security of a financial transaction. Similarly, limiting the data size of the PR code also improves the overall security. In other, less secure arrangements, the PR code may not be time limited and/or size limited.

In this embodiment, the PR code is generated by a remote server. In other embodiments, the PR code may be generated by other devices (such as the point of sale device, mobile device or other suitable remote device(s) in the network).

In this embodiment, the application is arranged to detect when the point of sale device is ready for connection to the mobile phone. In this regard, once the PR code is displayed on the point of sale device, the point of sale device transmits a wireless signal to the mobile phone indicating the point of sale device is ready for connection, which is detected/received by the mobile phone if the mobile phone is within a suitable range of the point of sale device. In some embodiments, the application is not arranged to detect when the point of sale device is ready for connection to the mobile phone and the user is thus not prompted in this regard.

Once the wireless signal is detected/received by the mobile phone, the application is arranged to cause the mobile phone to prompt the user using a haptic prompt -i.e., the application is arranged to actuate or activate a haptic or vibrating system of the mobile phone. In this way, the user knows (via the prompt) that the point of sale device is ready for connection. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the prompt is an audio prompt -i.e., the application is arranged to cause a speaker of the mobile phone to play an audio file to prompt the user. This audio file may be an audio file from the mobile phone or an audio file provided as part of the application. In other embodiments, the user is not prompted once the wireless signal is detected/received by the mobile phone.

B

With the PR code displayed on the point of sale device and the user prompted that the point of sale device is ready for connection, the user then presents the mobile phone to a reader of the point of sale device, at which stage the mobile phone of the user reads the PR code. The PR code is then transmitted via an electronic signal sent from the point of sale device of the retailer to the mobile phone. Once the PR code has been received 28 by the mobile phone, the application causes the mobile phone to communicate with the remote server and verify the PR code. In this embodiment, this is achieved by comparing the PR code generated and sent to the point of sale device with the PR code received by the mobile phone (and transmitted to the remote server). In other embodiments, other suitable methods for verifying the PR code may be used.

In this embodiment, once the PR code has been received 28 by the mobile phone, the application is arranged to cause the mobile phone to prompt the user (as described above) upon connection with the point of sale device and/or upon receiving the PR code. In this way, the user knows when the mobile phone is connected to the point of sale device and/or that the PR code has been received. In other embodiments, the user is not prompted upon connection with the point of sale device and/or upon receiving the PR code.

The PR code includes a value of the transaction, which the retailer entered into their till or the point of sale device directly before the PR code is displayed on the point of sale device (and thus before the PR code is sent to the mobile phone). In this embodiment, the value of the transaction is stored on the mobile phone via memory of the mobile phone once the PR code has been received by the mobile phone. Once the PR code has been verified via the server, the application is then arranged to retrieve the value of the transaction from its stored location and convert or process this into a corresponding audio file 30 (via a digital to analogue converter etc). The audio file is an analogue electronic signal that is arranged to drive a transducer (such as a speaker of the mobile phone) to produce a sound that corresponds to the value of the transaction.

Once the value of the transaction has been converted into an audio file 30, the application is then arranged to cause the mobile phone to play the audio file to the user (such as via a speaker of the mobile phone). In this way, the user can hear what the value of the transaction is, allowing the user to verify the financial transaction. In this embodiment, the application is arranged to cause the mobile phone to prompt the user (as described above) before playing the audio file to the user. The user thus knows when the audio file is about to be played. The user can thus move the mobile phone towards their ear before the audio file is played such that they can hear the audio file being played. In other embodiments, the user is not prompted before playing the audio file to the user.

One method for converting the value of the transaction into a corresponding audio file is, for example, using a look up table. In this example, the application is arranged to retrieve an audio file from a look up table based on the value of the transaction. In this case, the look up table comprises an array of audio files corresponding to various numerical values. For example, if the value of the transaction has the numerical value of 10, an audio file corresponding to this value is retrieved from the look up table using the numerical value, which is ultimately played to the user via a speaker. In other embodiments, other suitable methods for converting a numerical value into a corresponding audio file may be used.

Once the audio file has been played to the user, the application is arranged to cause the mobile phone to prompt the user (as described above), and at the same time (or after), configure the mobile phone to receive an input from the user for accepting payment of the value of the transaction. In this embodiment, the input from the user is a tap on the screen of the mobile phone. The skilled person will understand how to configure the mobile phone to receive an input from the user in the form of a tap on the screen of the mobile phone. In some embodiments, the input form the user is some other suitable input that does not require visual accuracy, such as a swipe on the screen or a relatively long tap on the screen etc. In yet other embodiments, the user is not prompted once the audio file has been played to the user.

In this embodiment, the application is arranged to interpret a single tap from the user as acceptance of payment of the value of the transaction. A double tap from the user is interpreted as declining payment of the value of the transaction. In other embodiments, a double tap from the user is interpreted as accepting payment and a single tap is interpreted as declining payment.

Once the user has accepted payment (via the input received by the mobile phone), the application is arranged to electronically transfer 32 virtual cash from the mobile phone application to a corresponding virtual account of the retailer. The electronic transfer may be by any suitable electronic communication technique, including Bluetooth <RTM>, NFC, or RFID. The application running on the mobile phone logs the transaction, amends the funds available in the user account, and attaches a receipt to the transaction.

In this embodiment, the application is arranged to stop receiving the input from the user after a pre-determined time period. In this embodiment, the pre-determined time period is 60 seconds, but preferably between 60 seconds and 600 seconds. In this way, the security of the transaction process is improved because the transaction cannot be completed after the time period has expired, avoiding inadvertent acceptance of payments if the user does not provide their input to the mobile phone relatively soon after hearing value of the transaction.

Figure 3 shows a process diagram for a retailer (or 'payee') conducting a transaction using the above described payment system. The retailer sets up an account with the account provider 34. As the account is set up, a point of sale device is provided to the retailer, the point of sale device also comprising a virtual wallet to contain funds transferred from the user's mobile phone to the retailer 36. The retailer may view the contents of their virtual wallet at any time, and also transfer the funds from the virtual wallet to a conventional high street bank account.

The transfer step 38 takes place instantaneously, and directly between the user s mobile phone and the retailer' s point of sale device. This is in contrast to conventional electronic payment systems, where the transaction is first reported to a debit/credit card provider (for example) and then a number of weeks later the retailer is sent the funds from the credit card provider. Therefore, the cash flow of the retailer is improved. The instant transfer of funds between the user and the retailer also removes the possibility of the retailer experiencing a charge back payment denial from the user against the retailer, as is possible in conventional payment arrangements.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the payment system 100 as described above, including representations of the various apparatus involved and the ways in which the apparatus interacts. The payment system 100 comprises a user 102, an account provider 104, a retailer 106, and a high street bank 108. The user 102 has a mobile phone 110 on which an application 112 has been installed. The account provider 104 has a server unit 114 which includes account information for all users of the payment system, including the identity of the various users and the funds available in their accounts.

Upon opening the application on the mobile phone 110 the application 112 is arranged to switch into a 'read mode' whereby the camera of the phone is activated (or enabled) for reading the PR code, which is displayed by an optical display of the point of sale unit 116. In alternative arrangements, the application may be arranged to read other types of suitable optically readable codes.

Upon entering the value of the sale into the point of sale unit 116 by the retailer, a request is made to the server unit 114 to generate the PR code. Upon receiving the request, the server unit 114 is arranged to generate the PR code and transmit the code to the point of sale unit 116. Upon receiving the PR code, the display of the point of sale unit 116 is arranged to display the unique PR code, which is then read by the camera of the phone. When the mobile phone camera is presented to (or within range of) the display of the point of sale unit, a transaction is initiated.

The application is then arranged to transmit the read PR code to the server unit 114, which then verifies the integrity of the PR code received by the mobile phone by comparing the received code with the PR code generated by the server unit 114 for the point of sale unit 116. In some embodiments, the server unit 116 is instead arranged to transmit the generated PR code to the phone 110, which instead does the comparison.

During this comparison/verification process, a unique digit number of the user (which forms part of the PR code) is confirmed, confirming the user has as an account held with the account provider 104 with sufficient funds covering the value of the transaction. Once the point of sale unit 116 receives confirmation from the phone 110 that verification was successful, the point of sale unit 116 transmits the transaction value to the application 112. The application 112 is then configured to convert the value of the transaction convert the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction. The audio file in then played to the user for verifying the financial transaction, which the user does by providing an input to the mobile phone (e.g. in the form of a tap on the screen).

Assuming the payment is accepted, the application 112 then wirelessly transfers the funds from the application 112 to the retailer 106, completing the transaction. The wireless transfer may be by any suitable wireless electronic communication protocol or technique. The retailer may then send the money stored in the virtual wallet to a conventional high street bank 108.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

The above-described systems concern payments made between a customer and a retailer. However, the system may be equally applicable to payments between two personal account holders (i.e., users), each having a phone including the application. Rather than the payment PR code being read from a point of sale device, the camera on a mobile phone may be used to read the payment PR code from another mobile phone, and the cash transferred between the two mobile phones. Whilst PR codes have been described, the skilled person will realise that any suitable optically readable code may be used. Further, a point of sale device may refer to computer owned by the user, not simply a device forming part of a physical retailer store etc. In this case, the retailer is an online retailer and thus the point of sale device or arrangement becomes the computer of the user.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale arrangement after a connection is established between the apparatus and the point of sale arrangement, the payment request including a value of a transaction, the apparatus comprising: a smart device with an application, the application being arranged to: cause the smart device to connect with the point of sale arrangement; convert the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and cause the smart device to play the audio file to a user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user upon connection with the point of sale arrangement and/or upon receiving the payment request.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user when the point of sale arrangement is ready for connection with the smart device.
4. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the application is arranged to cause the smart device to prompt the user before playing the audio file to the user.
5. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the application is arranged to: cause the smart device to prompt the user after the audio file has been played; and receive an input from the user for accepting payment of the value of the transaction.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the input from the user is a tap on a screen of the smart device.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the application is arranged to stop receiving the input from the user after a pre-determined time period.
8. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the prompt is a haptic and/or audio prompt.
9. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the smart device is a smart phone, smart watch or computer.
10. A method of conducting a financial transaction with a point of sale arrangement using a smart device, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale arrangement after a connection is established between the smart device and the point of sale arrangement, the payment request including a value of a transaction, the method comprising: providing a smart device with an application; a user opening the application and presenting the smart device to the point of sale arrangement for connection; connecting the smart device to the point of sale arrangement; converting the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and playing the audio file to the user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.A payment system comprising: a smart device with an application; and a retail unit having a point of sale device, wherein the application is arranged to: cause the smart device to connect to the point of sale device, whereby a payment request is received by the smart device from the point of sale device after a connection is established between the smart device and the point of sale device, the payment request including a value of a transaction; convert the value of the transaction into an audio file that corresponds to the value of the transaction; and cause the smart device to play the audio file to a user of the smart device for verifying the financial transaction.