TRANSACTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to alternative kinds of transactions, which do not involve payment using only cash or a token device such as a smart card or chip and PIN card. In some embodiments, transactions involve a customer providing token-less transaction authentication information using customer interface means (150) that is adapted to receive, from a customer, in a first mode of operation, PIN or other token device authentication information, for use in a token device transaction, and token-less transaction authentication information, when operating in another mode of operation. In some embodiments, the customer interface means may be a specially-adapted chip and PIN card reader apparatus. Accordingly, such a customer input means facilitates manual input by a customer of voucher, coupon, accrued loyalty points, Air Miles, ticket or pass authentication information, without the need for a retailer to install new equipment or IT infrastructure.

主权项

1. A server for use in a loyalty point transaction, comprising:
a memory comprising executable software; and a processor in data communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the software and cause the server to: receive, from a transaction apparatus, a data packet including data indicative of a loyalty points number; access a data store storing data indicative of a plurality of loyalty points numbers and associated loyalty schemes; identify, based on data stored in the data store, one or more loyalty scheme servers with which the received loyalty points number is associated; retrieve, from each of the one or more loyalty scheme servers, loyalty scheme data relating to an account associated with the loyalty points number for a respective loyalty scheme; and send an indication of the loyalty scheme data to the transaction apparatus.