Abstract:
A method is performed at an electronic payment module with one or more processors, memory, a slave interface that couples the module with an unattended machine via a multi-drop bus (MDB), and one or more host interfaces that couple the module with at least one payment peripheral of the unattended machine. The method also includes: receiving, from a refund center, a request to issue an approved refund of a predetermined amount and one or more criteria that must be satisfied before dispensing the predetermined amount. In accordance with a determination that the one or more criteria are met, the method includes issuing (i) a signal to the unattended machine, via the slave interface, that the at least one payment peripheral is unavailable and (ii) a signal to the at least one payment peripheral, via the one or more host interfaces, to dispense the predetermined amount.
Abstract:
A device with one or more processors, memory, and two or more communication capabilities obtains, from a payment module, an authorization request via a first communication capability (e.g., Bluetooth). The device sends, to a server, the authorization request via a second communication capability distinct from the first communication capability (e.g., cellular or WiFi technology). In response to sending the authorization request, the device obtains, from the server, authorization information via the second communication capability. After obtaining the authorization information, the device detects a trigger condition to perform a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to detecting the trigger condition, the device sends, to the payment module, at least a portion of the authorization information via the first communication capability.
Abstract:
System and methods are disclosed for interactions with unattended retail machines (“URMs”) using detectable trigger conditions and limited-scope authorization grants. An exemplary method is performed at a mobile device and includes: receiving, via a communications unit, a broadcasted signal from an electronic payment device coupled with an URM. The broadcasted signal includes a request to authorize funds that are associated with a user of the mobile device for use at the URM. The method further includes: (i) sending the request to a server via the communications unit, (ii) receiving, from the server, an authorization grant (e.g., the grant expires if predetermined criteria are satisfied), and (iii) detecting a trigger condition to initiate a cashless transaction with the URM. In accordance with a determination that the predetermined criteria haven't been satisfied, the method includes: initiating the cashless transaction with the URM by sending the authorization grant to the electronic payment device.
Abstract:
A payment module includes: one or more processors, memory, a first interface module configured to couple the payment module with a control unit of an offline-payment operated machine, and a short-range communication capability for communicating with one or more mobile devices each including a complimentary short-range communication capability and a long-range communication capability. The payment module receives a transaction request via the short-range communication capability from a mobile device to perform a transaction with the offline-payment operated machine. The payment module validates the transaction request to verify that the mobile device is authorized to initiate payment for the transaction by a remote server via the long-range communication capability. In accordance with a determination that the transaction request is valid, the payment module causes the offline-payment operated machine to perform the requested transaction by issuing a signal, via the first interface module, to the control unit to perform the transaction.
Abstract:
After sending a request to a payment module, via a first communication capability (e.g., BLE), to initiate a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module, a mobile device with one or more processors, memory, one or output devices, and two or more communication capabilities obtains a notification from the payment module via the first communication capability. The notification indicates an event at the payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to obtaining the notification, mobile device provides a representation of the notification to a user of the mobile device via the one or more output devices of the mobile device. For example, a message is displayed on a display of the mobile device, a vibration alert is produced by a vibration mechanism of the mobile device, an aural alert is produced by a speaker of the mobile device, and/or the like.
Abstract:
A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a first command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to provide, based on the first command, a ticket having a scratching area; cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with a scratching command; and obtain second image data including an image of the scratching area of the ticket while the robotic scratching device scratches the scratching area.
Abstract:
A robotic ticket scratching system includes a controller configured to receive a dispense command for a ticket dispensing machine; cause the ticket dispensing machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; and receive user-provided signing data and user-provided scratching data from the application server. The robotic ticket scratching system further includes a robotic scratching mechanism configured to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching data.
Abstract:
A browser application of a mobile device receives an instruction from a web page to obtain identity and/or age data from a digital wallet application of the mobile device, obtains the requested data upon successful biometric authentication, transmits the requested data to the server system, receives a graphic barcode from the server system corresponding to a determination by the server system that the requested data satisfies an identity or age-based restriction or regulation, and causes the graphic barcode to be displayed on a display of the mobile device. A verifying device scans the graphic barcode and transmits it to the server system. The server system transmits a validation decision to the verifying device based on a determination that the graphic barcode transmitted to the mobile device corresponds to the graphic barcode received from the verifying device.
Abstract:
A mobile device with a first transceiver, a second transceiver, one or more processors, and memory bridges communications between an offline retail machine with a short-range communication capability and a remote server by obtaining via the first transceiver a single-use request code from an information packet broadcast by the offline retail machine; transmitting via the second transceiver the single-use request code to a remote server; obtaining via the second transceiver from the remote server a grant token including the single-use request code; detecting a trigger condition for initiating provision of a product or service by the offline retail machine; and in response to detecting the trigger condition, initiating performance of the provision of the product or service by transmitting the grant token to the offline retail machine via the first transceiver.
Abstract:
A controller is configured to obtain, from a first camera associated with a ticket machine, a first image stream; transmit the first image stream to an application server; receive, from the application server, a first command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to provide, based on the first command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch the scratching area in accordance with the scratching command.