U.S. patent application number 15/003649 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for point of sale system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Square, Inc.. Invention is credited to Isreal Blagdan, Yenliang Chen, Kartik Lamba, Michael C. Lamfalusi, Jeremy Wade.
Application Number | 20210241253 15/003649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005720877 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210241253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Yenliang ; et
al. |
August 5, 2021 |
POINT OF SALE SYSTEM
Abstract
A point-of-sale system is a dual-screen stand assembly that
includes a merchant terminal and a consumer terminal. The merchant
terminal and the consumer terminal can be mated together in a fixed
position to form a single unitary stand, or can be separated from
each other in a separated position with each terminal serving as
its own separate stand. The merchant terminal supports a merchant
computing device and is oriented in a merchant-facing direction.
The consumer terminal is detachably mated to the merchant terminal
and supports a consumer computing device that is oriented in a
consumer-facing direction. The point-of-sale system also includes a
card reader as part of the customer terminal to perform a payment.
The card reader is configured to accepting swipe cards, chip cards
or contactless (EMV or NFC) payments.
Inventors: |
Chen; Yenliang; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Blagdan; Isreal; (Oakland, CA)
; Lamfalusi; Michael C.; (Cupertino, CA) ; Lamba;
Kartik; (Berkeley, CA) ; Wade; Jeremy; (San
Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Square, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005720877 |
Appl. No.: |
15/003649 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14592255 |
Jan 8, 2015 |
|
|
|
15003649 |
|
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62053029 |
Sep 19, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/204 20130101;
G06F 3/0481 20130101; G06Q 20/341 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101;
G06F 3/04883 20130101; G06Q 20/202 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/20 20060101
G06Q020/20; G06Q 20/34 20060101 G06Q020/34; G06F 3/0481 20060101
G06F003/0481; G06F 3/0488 20060101 G06F003/0488; G06F 3/0484
20060101 G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1. A point-of-sale system used in performing a point-of-sale
transaction between a merchant and a consumer, the system
comprising: a merchant terminal including a first display that is
oriented in a merchant-facing direction, the merchant terminal
further including: non-transitory computer readable instructions
that, when interpreted by a merchant terminal processor, cause the
merchant terminal processor to display a series of screens in a
merchant facing graphical user interface for guiding a merchant
through a point of sale transaction, a first merchant terminal
communication interface, and a second merchant terminal
communication interface; a consumer terminal including a second
display that is oriented in a consumer-facing direction, the
consumer terminal further including electronics in a physically
secure area and electronics in a non-secure area, the electronics
in the non-secure area comprising: non-transitory computer readable
instructions that, when interpreted by a non-secure consumer
terminal processor, cause the non-secure consumer terminal
processor to display a series of screens in the second display for
guiding a consumer through a point of sale transaction, and a
consumer terminal communication interface; and the electronics in
the physically secure area comprising: an input controller within
the secure area and coupled to the second display to receive
consumer inputs received in the second display, the input
controller configured to determine if the received consumer inputs
require processing by a secure processor, send a first set of
consumer inputs requiring further processing by the secure
processor to the secure processor and to send the second set of
consumer inputs that do not require further processing by the
secure processor to the non-secure consumer terminal processor, and
the secure processor within the secure area configured (a) to
receive the first set of consumer inputs from the input controller,
(b) to encrypt the first set of consumer inputs, and (c) to send
the encrypted inputs to the non-secure consumer terminal processor
for transmission of the encrypted inputs using the consumer
terminal communication interface, the second merchant terminal
communication interface linked to the consumer terminal
communication interface by one of a wired or wireless link to
receive the encrypted inputs from the consumer terminal
communication interface, and the first merchant terminal
communication interface configured to transmit the encrypted inputs
to a financial transaction server.
2. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the non-secure
consumer terminal processor is configured to send a
stripe-card-specific GUI to the consumer terminal when a magnetic
stripe-type card is used in payment during the point-of-sale
transaction.
3. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the non-secure
consumer terminal processor is configured to send a
chip-type-card-specific GUI to the consumer terminal when a
chip-type card is used in payment during the point-of-sale
transaction.
4. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 further comprising a hybrid
card reader configured to receive a payment card used during the
point-of-sale transaction, the payment card being a magnetic
stripe-type card or an IC chip-type card, the hybrid card reader
being coupled to the consumer terminal to perform a payment
transaction during the point-of-sale transaction between the
merchant and the consumer.
5. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein a confirmation of
payment is presented to the merchant terminal merchant facing
graphical user interface upon receipt of confirmation of available
funds from the financial transaction server.
6. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the physically
secure area further comprises an anti-tamper battery.
7. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the physically
secure area further comprises a debug module.
8. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the first display
comprises a touch screen display.
9. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the input controller
is configured to send consumer inputs received in a secure portion
of the second display to the secure processor.
10. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the physically
secure area further comprises a magnetic stripe reading interface,
an EMV contact interface and an EMV contactless interface.
11.-20. (canceled)
21. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the input
controller comprises: a touch controller to receive the consumer
inputs; and a multiplexer configured to send the first set of
consumer inputs to the secure processor and send the second set of
consumer inputs to the non-secure consumer terminal processor.
22. The point-of-sale system of claim 21 wherein the second display
includes a secure graphical user interface portion and a non-secure
graphical user interface portion.
23. The point-of-sale system of claim 22 wherein each of the first
set of consumer inputs is received by the secure graphical user
interface portion and each of the second set of consumer inputs is
received by the non-secure graphical user interface portion.
24. The point-of-sale system of claim 1 wherein the physically
secure area comprises a secure enclave.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/592,255, entitled, "POINT OF SALE SYSTEM",
filed on Jan. 8, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/053,029, entitled "POINT OF SALE SYSTEM",
filed on Sep. 19, 2014; both of which are hereby expressly
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Consumers can interact with merchants to conduct various
financial payment transactions. For example, a consumer can conduct
a transaction with a merchant at a point-of-sale system using cash,
a transaction card, or other transaction instrument. Conventional
systems can include expensive and bulky specialized equipment and
financial transaction electronics, as may include a card reader for
payment cards (e.g., debit or credit cards), a cash drawer,
monitors, keyboards, and various other electronic devices.
Oftentimes, however, this equipment can be costly and large,
requiring additional space and resources. Further, in retail stores
where space is limited, a merchant may not require all components
that come with a conventional point-of-sale system or at least may
find it desirable to piece together a modular or mobile system to
streamline the checkout experience. Further still, merchants may
find approaches to conducting a financial transaction using
conventional systems burdensome, where during a transaction, if a
customer pays by credit card, the merchant has to enter a
transaction amount and the merchant or the customer has to swipe
the credit card in the card reader. Further, many transactions
require that the customer sign a physical receipt, electronically
approve a transaction, e.g., by pressing an approve button on a
user interface, electronically sign for the transaction, e.g., with
a stylus or finger on an electronic signature capture device with a
touch sensitive pad, or enter an authorizing personal
identification number (PIN), many of which techniques require
additional financial transaction electronics and time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] In order to describe the manner in which features of the
disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the
principles will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments
of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram showing a first
terminal and a second terminal used in a point-of-sale system in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an example schematic diagram of
components of each terminal in the point-of-sale system in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an example process for conducting a
financial payment transaction in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of flow of data
between the components of the point-of-sale system in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates an example point-of-sale system as viewed
from a front perspective view, including a first terminal and a
second terminal that are detachably mated together and shown in a
fixed position, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from a back perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from the back perspective view, and showing the second
terminal being separated from the first terminal, in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely separated from the first terminal, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view, including a first terminal
and a second terminal that are detachably mated together and shown
in a fixed position, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from a back perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from the back perspective view, and showing the second
terminal being separated from the first terminal, in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely separated from the first terminal with the
point-of-sale system in a separated position, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 13 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view, including a first terminal
and a second terminal that are detachably mated together and shown
in a fixed position, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 14 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from a back perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 15 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely independent from the first terminal, in a
separated position in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 16 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from the back perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely independent from the first terminal, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 17 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view showing a first terminal and
including a second terminal not visible in FIG. 17 that is
detachably mated to the first terminal, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 18 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a side perspective view showing the first
terminal with the second terminal detachably mated thereto, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 19 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the second terminal
detachably mated to the first terminal, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 20 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a rear perspective view, with the second terminal
separated from the first terminal in a separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 21 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a side perspective view with the second terminal
and the first terminal in the separated position, in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 22 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view with a first terminal
detachably mated to a second terminal, and shown in a fixed
position, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 23 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a rear perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 24 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a front perspective view with the first terminal
separated from and completely independent of the first terminal,
shown in a separated position, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 25 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the first terminal
and the second terminal shown in the separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 26 illustrates another example point of sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view with a first terminal
detachably mated to a second terminal, and shown in a fixed
position, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 27 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a rear perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 28 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed in partial cut-out detailing the card reader and
showing a payment card inserted in the card reader, in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 29 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the first terminal
separated from and completely independent of the first terminal,
shown in a separated position, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 30 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a side perspective view with the first terminal
and the second terminal shown in the separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 31 illustrates an example environment for conducting a
financial payment transaction in accordance with an alternate
embodiment; and
[0035] FIG. 32 illustrates an example environment for implementing
a merchant payment system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments
of the present disclosure overcome one or more of the
above-referenced and other deficiencies in conventional approaches
to conducting financial transactions. In particular, in accordance
with various embodiments, approaches provide for a point-of-sale
system configured to enhance financial transactions by streamlining
and simplifying components needed in performing a financial
transaction. The point-of-sale system includes a secure enclave for
accurately receiving and handling secure data provided into the
point-of-sale system.
[0037] For example, in accordance with various embodiments, the
point-of-sale system is a dual-screen stand assembly that includes
a merchant terminal and a consumer (or "customer" as used
interchangeably herein) terminal. The merchant terminal and the
consumer terminal can be mated together in a fixed position to form
a single unitary point of sale system including a merchant facing
terminal and a consumer facing terminal, or terminals can be
separated from each other and arranged in a separated position with
each terminal being physically independent of the other. The
merchant terminal supports a merchant computing device and is
oriented in a merchant-facing direction. The consumer terminal is
detachably mated to the merchant terminal and supports a consumer
computing device that is oriented in a consumer-facing direction.
The point-of-sale system also includes a card reader as part of the
customer terminal to perform a payment. The card reader is
configured to accept swipe cards, chip cards (Europay, MasterCard
and Visa hereinafter "EMV") or contactless (low power bluetooth or
near-field communication, hereinafter "NFC") payments.
[0038] The point-of-sale system is configured to present an
interface to the merchant terminal. Information regarding an item
for sale or a service being provided is received at the merchant
terminal. The information is then sent to the consumer terminal and
a check-out procedure is initiated. The payment total is sent to
the consumer terminal and a payment card can be inserted into the
consumer terminal. The consumer terminal has a display that is
specific to the type of payment card used so that when a swipe card
is inserted, the display provides the appropriate signature, and
when a chip-type card is inserted, an appropriate PIN display is
provided on the consumer terminal. A secure enclave can be provided
to securely store entries that are, for example, entered into a
secure enclave of a portable computing device at the consumer
terminal. Payment information acquired from the payment card, and
the appropriate verification thereof, is provided to a payment
system. Payment confirmation is received from the payment system,
which can be displayed on one or both of the merchant terminal and
the consumer terminal.
[0039] Other advantages, variations, and functions are described
and suggested below as may be provided in accordance with the
various embodiments. Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating
an example point-of-sale system 100 including a first terminal 110
including a first computing device 115 (e.g., a tablet computer, a
mobile phone, etc.). The computing device can be integrally
provided as a component of the first terminal to form a unitary
structure or a computing device provided by a manufacturer that is
separately provided and inserted into the terminal by the
appropriate user. The computing device can include, for example, a
processor, a touch-screen display, and a wireless local area
network receiver, a physical interface for electronic
communication, and a physical interface to receive power (which can
be integrated with the physical interface for electronic
communication, e.g., in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector or
other proprietary connector). The first terminal 110 is detachably
mated to a second terminal 120.
[0040] The computing device can run a merchant application or other
financial transaction software that can provide functionality to
facilitate a point-of-sale such as by enabling payment
transactions. For example, in accordance with various embodiments,
the merchant application can be downloaded and installed on the
computing device. The software can be configured to operate with a
card reader, where an individual can complete a financial
transaction by swiping a magnetic stripe card through the card
reader or dipping a chip-type card into the card reader that is
connected to the computing device. In this example, the financial
transaction can be any transaction that involves receiving or
sending payment from one person or entity to another. The magnetic
stripe card can be, for example, a credit card, a debit card, or
other types of payment authenticating pieces having a magnetic
stripe storing information sufficient to carry out the financial
transaction. In accordance with various embodiments, the card
reader can be integrated into the consumer terminal to allow the
consumer to properly provide the payment card. However, in some
embodiments, a separate card reader can be used, such as a
miniaturized card reader that is easily connectable to the
computing device.
[0041] The first terminal 110 and second terminal 120 can be in
communication with each other via wired or wireless link. In this
example, the first terminal 110 represents a terminal used by a
merchant conducting a transaction at a point-of-sale system with a
consumer using, for example, a payment card via the second terminal
120. It is noted that although a payment card is used in some
embodiments, transactions can also be conducted through a card-less
payment account that is linked to the payment card. Other
transactions include person-to-person, account-to-account,
electronic cash, among others. It should be further noted that
although a credit card is shown to conduct transactions, approaches
described herein apply to other types of financial payment
instruments including, for example, debit cards, chip-type cards,
and card-less payment accounts. As described, in conventional
point-of-sale systems, the equipment can be costly and large,
requiring additional space and resources. Further, in retail stores
where space is limited, a merchant may find it less desirable to
have such a large system. Accordingly, in accordance with various
embodiments, approaches provide for a streamlined point-of-sale
system with a merchant terminal and a consumer terminal detachably
mated from the merchant terminal. It is further desirable to
securely process and store entries securely entered into the
consumer terminal.
[0042] The second terminal 120 supports a second computing device
122. The second computing device 122 is shown integrally formed
within the second terminal 120 to provide a single one-piece
structure. In some embodiments, another tablet provided separately
by the same or another manufacturer, can be inserted into the
second terminal 120. The second terminal 120 includes a secure
enclave 124 for securely processing and storing entries into the
second terminal 120, as described in greater detail herein. The
second terminal 120 also includes a card reader 126 configured to
read both magnetic swipe cards and chip-type cards. Although shown
here as a single hybrid slot capable of reading both card types,
two readers, in the form of two separate slots, can be provided
with one "swipe" slot for receiving a magnetic swipe-type card and
a "dip" slot for receiving a chip-type card.
[0043] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating an example
schematic diagram of components of each terminal in the
point-of-sale system in accordance with an embodiment. The
point-of-sale system 200 includes a merchant terminal 210 and a
consumer terminal 212. The merchant terminal 210 includes a SoC
(System-on-chip) processor 220 and associated flash memory 222 and
RAM 224. A USB-A port 226 is provided for connecting other devices
or components to the merchant terminal 210 as appropriate. A
USB+Power port 228 is provided connected to a 5-port USB Hub 230
for various peripherals associated with a point-of-sale system,
including a receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, scale,
keyboard, USB-ethernet dongle/USB mifi, and other point-of-sale
peripheral components known in the art. While both a USB-A port and
a USB+Power port are separately identified, such should not be
considered limitation. Merchant terminal can have any number of USB
ports, and the ports can be of any suitable characteristics. A
power supply 232 can be provided as power through the hub H3 230
via connector 228 on the merchant terminal 210. A debug module 236
is provided for appropriate debugging of the merchant terminal 210
and the various components thereof. An audio amplifier 238 is
provided and a speaker 240 for providing the appropriate audio for
the merchant terminal 210. A display 242 can be connected to the
processor 220, for example a 13.3-inch LDC display having a
resolution of 1920.times.1080 IPS 166 PPI. The display 242 provides
the interfaces and outputs to the merchant terminal 210 to be
viewed by a merchant. A wifi receiver 244 is in communication with
the processor 220 to perform the wireless communication, for
example, with the consumer terminal and other point-of-sale system
components, or for example a payment system. And a USB port 246 is
provided for detachably connecting the merchant terminal 210 to the
consumer terminal 212. The term "detachably" is intended to refer
to the ability for the merchant terminal to be connected to the
consumer terminal but also configured to being detached from the
consumer terminal when desired for storage, upgrades, or other
uses. This mating between the terminals can be through wired
connections shown or wirelessly, in some embodiments.
[0044] The consumer terminal 212 includes a SoC processor 250
connected to the micro USB 252 for communication with the merchant
terminal 210. A Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) 254 is
in communication with the micro USB connector 252. A PMIC is an
integrated circuit for managing power requirements of the host
system. A debug module 256 is provided for the processor 250 for
the appropriate debugging of the consumer terminal 212 and the
various components thereof. The processor 250 is coupled to flash
memory 258 and RAM 260 for appropriate storage and processing of
data. An audio amplifier 262 and speaker 264 is provided for any
audio for the customer on the customer terminal 212. A display 266
is provided, such as a 7-inch LCD touch-screen display having a
resolution of 1280.times.800 IPS 216 PPI. The display 266 provides
interfaces and the outputs of the point-of-sale system to the
consumer terminal 212. A secure enclave 270 is included in the
consumer terminal 212. The secure enclave includes a secure MCU
272, an anti-tamper battery 274, and a secure debug module 276. The
MCU 272 receives inputs from the Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) 278
which are read by a magnetic head reader 280. Inputs are also
received from EMV contact 282 and processed by an EMV contact block
284. Inputs from a contactless EMV are received from an EMV
contactless antenna 288 and processed by the EMV contactless block
286. The contactless antenna 288 is dual-use in some embodiments,
and configured to receive input from EMV cards and NFC (near field
communication) cards, as well as other NFC devices, such as smart
phones or other devices configured to process payment transactions.
All inputs received by the consumer terminal at the touch
controller 292 (for example, as entries into a payment application
or a register-buddy application in communication with the merchant
terminal), are sent to the secure enclave and the multiplexer 290
determines if the entries should go directly to the non-secure
memory, or if further processing (for example, encryption) is
needed, and the entries are sent to secure memory. A multiplexer
290 receives inputs from a touch controller 292 and directs inputs
received in a non-secure portion of the GUI into non-secure memory,
and directs inputs received in a secure portion of the GUI into
secure memory. In some embodiments, the main processor on the
merchant terminal and the consumer terminal will each run their own
operating system (including possibly two different copies of the
same operating system, different versions of the same operating
system, or different operating systems altogether, etc.).
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates an example process for conducting a
financial payment transaction in accordance with various
embodiments. In the example process 300, a merchant interface is
presented 310 and information regarding an item or a service being
purchased is received 312. Information is sent to a consumer
terminal 314 and a check-out procedure is initiated 316. The
payment total is sent to the consumer terminal 318 (for example,
displayed on display 266) and the payment card is received in the
consumer terminal 320. The type of card (swipe, EMV, NFC, etc)
being used is determined 322. A payment interface is presented to
the consumer on the consumer terminal based upon the type of
payment card used. Accordingly, for example, if a magnetic-stripe
swipe-type card is used, then 324 an interface is presented to the
user to allow for signature entry, and if a chip-type card is used,
then 326 an interface is presented to the user to allow for PIN
entry or other secure verification of the use of the card. Payment
information is provided to a payment system 328 and a payment
confirmation is received at 330. This can occur via Wifi (244) or
direct connection via USB (for example 228 in FIG. 2) in some
embodiments. Note that the payment confirmation could also be a
confirmation that the payment has been denied. The merchant
interface is notified of the completed transaction 332. The
consumer interface can also be notified of the completed
transaction in some embodiments.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of flow of data
between the components of the point-of-sale system in accordance
with an embodiment. The flow of data between the merchant terminal
410, the consumer terminal 412 and the payment system 414 are
shown. The consumer terminal 412 includes the flow of data to and
from both the non-secure processor 416 and the secure processor
418. The non-secure processor 416, for example, can be the
processor 250 of FIG. 2, and the secure processor, for example, can
be the secure MCU 272 in FIG. 2.
[0047] In accordance with the example diagram, a merchant interface
is presented 420 at the merchant terminal 210. The item or service
information is received 422 at the merchant terminal 410 and then
provided to the non-secure processor 416 to display the information
424 on the consumer terminal 412. The check-out procedure 426 is
initiated by the merchant terminal 410 once all items and/or
services have been entered. The payment total 428 is then provided
to the non-secure processor 416 to be displayed on the consumer
terminal 412. A payment card is received 430 and the type of card
is determined 432. If the payment card is an EMV card, the payment
information is encrypted 434 by the secure processor 418. The
encrypted payment information 404 is then sent to the non-secure
processor 416 to be provided either directly 440 to the payment
system 414, or indirectly send the payment information 438 via the
merchant terminal 410 to the payment system 414. A payment
confirmation is generated 442 by the payment system 414 and this
payment confirmation is provided 444 to the merchant terminal
410.
[0048] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a first example point-of-sale system
500. FIG. 5 illustrates an example point-of-sale system 500 as
viewed from a front perspective view, including a first terminal
and a second terminal that are detachably mated together and shown
in a fixed position, in accordance with an embodiment. The
point-of-sale system 500 includes a first terminal 510 configured,
for example, to be a merchant terminal in a merchant-facing
direction. The first terminal 510 includes a first computing device
512 and a base 514 into which the second terminal is detachably
received. The first computing device 512 can be a separate device
that is inserted into the terminal or formed integral into the
terminal as a single, unitary structure.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from a back perspective view, in accordance with some
embodiments. The base 514 of the first terminal 510 detachably
receives the second terminal 610. The second terminal 610 can
include a first "dip slot" card reader 620 configured to read
chip-type cards and a second "swipe slot" card reader 630
configured to read magnetic swipe-type cards. The term "dip slot"
refers to a slot or other opening configured to receive or
otherwise read a chip-type card via contact or contact-less EMV or
NFC communication. The term "swipe slot" refers to a slot or other
opening configured to receive a magnetic swipe-type card. In some
embodiments, the card reader 620 and the card reader 630 can be
replaced with a single hybrid card reader configured to accept both
chip-type card and magnetic stripe-type cards.
[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from the back perspective view, and showing the second
terminal 610 being separated with ease from the first terminal 610,
as shown by arrow 710.
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
5 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely separated from the first terminal. In this
view, each terminal can be physically independent of the other and
arranged in a separated position, or mated together as shown in
FIG. 5. When separated as shown in FIG. 8, the first terminal and
the second terminal are in communication with each other or
otherwise mated together via wired or wireless communication. As
shown in FIG. 8, the first terminal 510 includes a base 514 having
a substantially flat portion 810 that contacts a surface for
supporting the first terminal 510 and an upper portion 812. A
payment card 820 is shown inserted in the card reader 620 of the
second terminal 620. The thin wedge shape of the second terminal
620 welcomes customers to pick up and hold the second terminal 620
for usage of the terminal.
[0052] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate an example embodiment of a
point-of-sale system 900. FIG. 9 the point-of-sale system 900 as
viewed from a front perspective view, including a first terminal
and a second terminal that are detachably mated together and shown
in a fixed position. The first terminal 910 supports a computing
device 912 (e.g., a tablet computer or a mobile device, etc.), or
in some embodiments has the computing device formed integrally
herewith to form a unitary structure. The first terminal 910 also
has a base 914 that detachably receives the second terminal.
[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from a back perspective view. The point-of-sale system
includes the first terminal 910 and a second terminal 1010. In an
example embodiment the first terminal 910 is a merchant terminal
oriented in a merchant-facing direction and the second terminal
1010 is a consumer terminal oriented in a consumer-facing
direction. The second terminal 1010 supports a second computing
device 1012, which can be a separate component or integrated
directly into the second terminal to form a unitary structure.
[0054] FIG. 11 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from the back perspective view, and showing the second
terminal 1010 being separated from the first terminal 910. The
second terminal 1020 can include a hybrid card reader 1120 for
receiving a payment card 1110 and can have a groove to facilitate
the insertion and removal of the payment card 1110. The hybrid card
reader 1120 is configured to read both chip-type card and magnetic
strip-type cards. When in the separated position shown in FIG. 11,
each terminal functions as its own stand for the point-of-sale
system, or optionally can function as a single stand as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0055] FIG. 12 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
9 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal 1010 completely separated from the first terminal 910 in a
separated position. The first terminal 910 includes a base 910
having a substantially flattened portion 1210 having a base 1212
that contacts a surface for supporting the first terminal 910. The
first terminal 910 also includes a portion 1214 that connects the
base to the device-holding or device-integrated portion of the
terminal. The base 1212 engages with the legs 1220 and 1222 of the
second terminal 1010.
[0056] FIGS. 13-16 illustrate an example embodiment of a
point-of-sale system 1300. FIG. 13 illustrates an example
point-of-sale system 1300 as viewed from a front perspective view,
including a first terminal 1310 and a second terminal 1320 that are
detachably mated together and shown in a fixed position. In an
example embodiment, the first terminal 1310 is configured to be a
merchant terminal oriented in a merchant-facing direction and the
second terminal 1320 is configured to be a consumer terminal
oriented in a consumer-facing direction. The first terminal 1310
includes a first computing device 1312 and a base 1314 into which
the second terminal 1320 is detachably received.
[0057] FIG. 14 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from a back perspective view. The second terminal 1320
is received within the base 1314 of the first terminal 1310. The
second terminal 1320 includes a first "dip slot" card reader 1410
configured to read EMV chip-type cards a second "swipe slot" card
reader 1420 configured to read magnetic stripe-type cards. One or
both of the card readers 1410, 1420 can be configured to read
contact-less payment cards. In some embodiments, the two card
readers 1410, 1420 can be replaced with a single hybrid card reader
configured to read both chip-type cards and magnetic strip-type
cards. The second terminal 1320 also includes, as a separate
component or formed integrally within the terminal, a computing
device 1420 configured to perform the processing of information
during the transactions performed by the point-of-sale system.
[0058] FIG. 15 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from a side perspective view and showing the second
terminal 1320 physically independent of the first terminal 1310 and
arranged in a separated position. The first terminal 1310 includes
a base 1314 having a substantially flat portion 1510 for contacting
a surface that supports the terminal 1310 and an upright portion
1512 that supports the computing device portion of the terminal
1310. The second terminal 1320 has sidewalls 1520 and 1522 that
provide privacy for the display of the computing device 1420 when
being used by a consumer.
[0059] FIG. 16 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
13 as viewed from the back perspective view and showing the second
terminal completely separated from the first terminal. The tapered
surface of the second terminal 1320 and the sides 1520, 1522
provide for privacy for use of the stand by consumers as
appropriate.
[0060] FIG. 17 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view showing a first terminal and
including a second terminal not visible in FIG. 17 that is
detachably mated to the first terminal, in accordance with an
embodiment. The point-of-sale system includes a first terminal
1710. The first terminal 1710 is configured, for example, to be a
merchant terminal in a merchant-facing direction. As shown, the
merchant-facing direction shows only the display of the terminal
1710, and the second terminal is not visible in this view. The
first terminal 1710 includes a first computing device 1712 and has
a base (1810 in FIG. 18) into which a second terminal (1820 of FIG.
18) is detachably received. The first computing device 1712 can be
integrally provided with the first terminal or another computing
device that is separately provided and inserted into the
terminal.
[0061] FIG. 18 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a side perspective view showing the first
terminal with the second terminal detachably mated thereto, in
accordance with an embodiment. The second terminal can, for
example, be configured in a consumer-oriented direction. The first
terminal 1710 has a base 1810 onto which the second terminal 1820
is detachably mated.
[0062] FIG. 19 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the second terminal
detachably mated to the first terminal, in accordance with an
embodiment. The second terminal 1820 includes a leg portion 1910
that, when the second terminal 1820 is separated from the first
terminal 1710, can be rotated (in the direction of arrow 1920, for
example), so that the second terminal can be independent of the
first terminal, as shown, for example, in FIG. 20. The screen of
the second terminal 1820 has a low angle to provide improved
privacy for consumers. A minimalist system is also provided so that
the consumer views only the single slab of the consumer terminal
1820 when viewed from the consumer-facing direction.
[0063] FIG. 20 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a rear perspective view, with the second terminal
separated from the first terminal in a separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment. The second terminal 1820 is
completely independent of the first terminal 1810 and supported by
the leg portion 1910. The base 1810 is more clearly visible in this
view, the base 1810 providing support for the first terminal 1710
as well as a place for the second terminal to be mated to when in
the fixed position as shown in FIGS. 17-19. As shown in FIG. 20, a
payment card 2010 is inserted into a payment card reader 2012,
which is a chip-type card reader in this embodiment. A swipe slot
card reader 2020 is also provided on the second terminal 1820. In
this embodiment, the payment card 2010 is a chip-type card that is
inserted into the dip slot card reader 2012.
[0064] FIG. 21 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
17 as viewed from a side perspective view with the second terminal
and the first terminal in the separated position, in accordance
with an embodiment. In this example embodiment, a swipe-type
payment card 2110 is shown inserted in the swipe slot card reader
2020.
[0065] FIG. 22 illustrates another example point-of-sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view with a first terminal
detachably mated to a second terminal, and shown in a fixed
position, in accordance with an embodiment. In the point-of-sale
system 2200, a first terminal 2210 includes a first computing
device 2212, which can be an integrally-provided computing device
or a separate component inserted into the terminal 2210. The first
terminal 2210 is configured to be a merchant-facing terminal having
a base 2215 that supports a second terminal 2220 configured to be a
consumer-facing terminal.
[0066] FIG. 23 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a rear perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment. The second terminal 2220 is detachably mated to the
first terminal 2210 and received on the base 2215 of the first
terminal 2210. The second terminal 2220 includes a hybrid card
reader 2310 configured to read both magnetic stripe-type cards and
chip-type cards.
[0067] FIG. 24 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a front perspective view with the first terminal
separated from and completely independent of the first terminal,
shown in a separated position, in accordance with an embodiment.
The second terminal 2220 has been separated from the base 2215 of
the first terminal 2210 and is now shown supported on its own base
2410.
[0068] FIG. 25 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
22 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the first terminal
and the second terminal shown in the separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment. The second terminal 2220 includes
the card reader 2310 and is supported by base 2410.
[0069] FIG. 26 illustrates another example point of sale system as
viewed from a front perspective view with a first terminal
detachably mated to a second terminal, and shown in a fixed
position, in accordance with an embodiment. The point-of-sale
system 2600 includes a first terminal 2610 that can be configured,
for example, to be a merchant-facing terminal, that is detachably
mated to a second terminal 2620 that can be configured, for
example, to be a consumer-facing terminal. The first terminal 2610
includes a first computing device 2612 that, for example, can be a
tablet computer, a mobile phone, or a device integrally provided
with the first terminal.
[0070] FIG. 27 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a rear perspective view, in accordance with an
embodiment. The first terminal 2610 includes a base 2710 that
support the first terminal 2610 and also detachably receives the
second terminal 2620. With reference to FIG. 28, the hybrid card
reader 2720 is shown in greater detail. The hybrid card reader 2720
includes a dip slot opening 2810 configured to receive a chip-type
card, and a swipe slot 2820 configured to read magnetic stripe-type
cards. As shown in FIG. 28, the card reader 2810 has a payment card
2800 received therein. Note that the card readers are accessible by
both the consumers and the merchants in this embodiment when in the
fixed position, and thereby a payment card can be inserted and
processed by either the merchant or the consumer or both. FIG. 29
shows a swipe-type card inserted into the card reader 2820 and FIG.
30 shows a chip-type card inserted into the card reader 2810.
[0071] FIG. 29 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a rear perspective view with the first terminal
separated from and completely independent of the first terminal,
shown in a separated position, in accordance with an embodiment.
The second terminal 2620 has a swipe-type payment card 2910
inserted into the swipe card reader 2820.
[0072] FIG. 30 illustrates the example point-of-sale system of FIG.
26 as viewed from a side perspective view with the first terminal
and the second terminal shown in the separated position, in
accordance with an embodiment. The second terminal 2620 has a
chip-type payment card 2912 inserted in the dip slot card reader
2810.
[0073] Having now described various example embodiments of the
point-of-sale system using in a point-of-sale transaction, some
example environments for conducting a financial transaction at a
point-of-sale system will now be described. Other environments and
applications of the point-of-sale system should be apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art.
[0074] FIG. 31 illustrates an example environment for conducting a
financial transaction at a point-of-sale system in accordance with
various embodiments. In this example, the exemplary environment
3100 includes a merchant payment system 3102 for processing
transactions between a customer and a merchant. The merchant
payment system includes, for example, a data processing server 3104
and a payment server 3106. The data processing server can be
implemented as computer programs on one or more computers in one or
more locations, in which the systems, components, and techniques
described herein can be implemented. The operation of the payment
server is described below in reference to FIG. 32. The example
environment also includes computing devices, e.g., transaction
registers or other point-of-sale systems, corresponding to the
merchant 3110 and 3111.
[0075] As described, the point-of-sale systems 3110 and 3111 can
include the computing device, where the computing device can be
coupled to or in communication with the merchant payment system
through a data communication network 3108, e.g., the Internet.
These devices each generally include a memory, e.g., a random
access memory (RAM), for storing instructions and data, and a
processor for executing stored instructions. The devices and can
each include one or more components, e.g., software or hardware,
that are operable to send and receive requests, messages, or other
types of information over the network. Some examples of computing
devices include personal computers, cellular phones, handheld
messaging devices, laptop computers, personal data assistants,
tablet devices, and the like.
[0076] The network 3108 can include any appropriate network,
including an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a local
area network, a wide area network, or any other such network, or
combination thereof. Components used for such a system can depend
at least in part upon the type of network, the environment
selected, or both. Protocols and components for communicating over
such a network are well known and will not be discussed herein in
detail. The devices and the referral system can communicate over
the network using wired or wireless connections, and combinations
thereof.
[0077] Each of the computing devices is configured to send to the
merchant payment system respective financial data that corresponds
to a financial transaction that was processed by the computing
device. The financial data can include, for example, data stored in
a financial payment card, e.g., Track 1 data, receipt email
addresses, and information describing a card-less payment account.
Other examples of financial data that can be captured includes
purchase data, e.g., an itemized listing of purchases, card mix
data, geolocation data indicating a geographic location of a
particular transaction, online/offline card data, data describing
the merchant, e.g., merchant category codes (MCCs), and any type of
data that is received upon a customer's authentication into a
social network.
[0078] FIG. 32 illustrates an example of an environment 3200 for
implementing a payment service network. Although a mobile device
environment is described for purposes of explanation, different
environments may be used, e.g., a web-based environment, to
implement various embodiments. The example environment includes a
payment system 3208, which can be implemented as computer programs
on one or more computers in one or more locations, in which the
systems, components, and techniques described below can be
implemented. The example environment also includes a user device
3202 and a merchant device 3205.
[0079] The user device and the merchant device can each be a
computer coupled to the payment system through a data communication
network 3250, e.g., the Internet. The user device and the merchant
device each generally include a memory, e.g., a random access
memory (RAM), for storing instructions and data, and a processor
for executing stored instructions. The user device and the merchant
device can each include one or more components, e.g., software or
hardware, that are configured to respectively determine a
geographic location of the user device or the merchant device,
using, for example, various geolocation techniques, e.g., a global
positioning system (GPS). Further, the user device and the merchant
device can each be any appropriate device operable to send and
receive requests, messages, or other types of information over the
network. Some examples of user devices include personal computers,
cellular phones, handheld messaging devices, laptop computers,
personal data assistants, tablet devices, and the like.
[0080] The network can include any appropriate network, including
an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a local area
network, a wide area network, or any other such network, or
combination thereof. Components used for such a system can depend
at least in part upon the type of network, the environment
selected, or both. Protocols and components for communicating over
such a network are well known and will not be discussed herein in
detail. The payment system, the merchant device, and the user
device can communicate over the network using wired or wireless
connections, and combinations thereof.
[0081] As used in this specification, a financial transaction is a
transaction that is conducted between a customer and a merchant at
a point-of-sale. When paying for a financial transaction, the
customer can provide the merchant with cash, a check, or credit
card for the amount that is due. The merchant can interact with a
point-of-sale device, e.g., merchant device, to process the
financial transaction. During financial transactions, the
point-of-sale device can collect data describing the financial
transaction, including, for example, the amount of payment received
from customers.
[0082] In some implementations, the payment system is configured to
accept card-less payment transactions from customers, e.g., the
customer. As used in this specification, a card-less payment
transaction is a transaction conducted between the customer and a
merchant at the point-of-sale during which a financial account of
the customer is charged without the customer having to physically
present a financial payment card to the merchant at the
point-of-sale. That is, the merchant need not receive any details
about the financial account, e.g., the credit card issuer or credit
card number, for the transaction to be processed.
[0083] In some embodiments, before conducting card-less payment
transactions, the customer typically creates a user account with
the payment system. The customer can create the user account, for
example, by interacting with a user application that is configured
to perform card-less payment transactions and that is running on
the user device. When creating a user account with the payment
system, the customer will provide information of the customer, data
describing a financial account of the customer, e.g., credit card
number, expiration date, and a billing address. This user
information can be securely stored by the payment system, for
example, in a user information database. To accept card-less
payment transactions, the merchant typically creates a merchant
account with the payment system by providing information describing
the merchant including, for example, a merchant name, contact
information, e.g., telephone numbers, the merchant's geographic
location address, and one or more financial accounts to which funds
collected from users will be deposited. This merchant information
can be securely stored by the payment system, for example, in a
merchant information database.
[0084] The payment system can be configured to perform card-less
payment transactions. The payment system can include one or more
servers that are configured to securely perform electronic
financial transactions, e.g., electronic payment transactions,
between a customer and a merchant, for example, through data
communicated between the user device and the merchant device.
Generally, when a customer and a merchant enter into an electronic
financial transaction, the transaction is processed by transferring
funds from a financial account associated with the user account to
a financial account associated with the merchant account.
[0085] The payment system is configured to send and receive data to
and from the user device and the merchant device. For example, the
payment system can be configured to send data describing merchants
to the user device using, for example, the information stored in
the merchant information database 3212. For example, the payment
system can communicate data describing merchants that are within a
threshold geographic distance from a geographic location of the
user device, as described in this specification. The data
describing merchants can include, for example, a merchant name,
geographic location, contact information, and an electronic
catalogue, e.g., a menu, that describes items that are available
for purchase from the merchant.
[0086] In some embodiments, the payment system is configured to
determine whether a geographic location of the user device is
within a threshold geographic distance from a geographic location
of the merchant device. The payment system can determine a
geographic location of the user device using, for example,
geolocation data provided by the user device. Similarly, the
payment system can determine a geographic location of the merchant
device using, for example, geolocation data provided by the
merchant device or using a geographic address, e.g., street
address, provided by the merchant. Depending on the implementation,
the threshold geographic distance can be specified by the payment
system or by the merchant.
[0087] Determining whether the user device is within a threshold
geographic distance of the merchant device can be accomplished in
different ways including, for example, determining whether the user
device is within a threshold geographic radius of the merchant
device, determining whether the user device is within a particular
geofence, or determining whether the user device can communicate
with the merchant device using a specified wireless technology,
e.g., Bluetooth or Bluetooth low energy (BLE). In some embodiments,
the payment system restricts card-less payment transactions between
the customer and the merchant to situations where the geographic
location of the user device is within a threshold geographic
distance from a geographic location of the merchant device.
[0088] The payment system can also be configured to communicate
with a computer system 3216 of a card payment network, e.g., Visa
or MasterCard, over the network, or over a different network, for
example, to conduct electronic financial transactions. The computer
system of the card payment network can communicate with a computer
system 3216 of a card issuer, e.g., a bank. There may be computer
systems of other entities, e.g., the card acquirer, between the
payment system and the computer system of the card issuer.
[0089] The customer operating the user device that is within a
threshold geographic distance of the merchant can interact with a
user application running on the user device to conduct a card-less
payment transaction with the merchant. While interacting with the
user application, the customer can select the merchant, from a
listing of merchants, with whom the customer wants to enter into a
card-less payment transaction. The user can select the merchant,
for example, by selecting a "check in" option associated with the
merchant. The user device can communicate data to the payment
system indicating that the customer has checked in with the
merchant. In response, the payment system can communicate data to
notify the merchant device that the user has checked in. A merchant
application running on the merchant device can notify the merchant
that the user has electronically checked in with the merchant
through a display screen of the merchant device.
[0090] Once checked in, the customer can collect, or request, items
that are available for purchase from the merchant. When the
customer is ready to enter into the card-less payment transaction,
the customer can, for example, approach a point-of-sale for the
merchant and identify him or herself. For example, the customer can
verbally notify the merchant that the customer wants to enter into
a card-less payment transaction and can provide the merchant with
the customer's name. The merchant can then interact with the
merchant application to select the customer, from a listing of
customers that have checked in with the merchant, to initiate a
card-less payment transaction for the items being purchased by the
customer. For example, the merchant can determine a total amount to
bill the customer for the items being purchased. The customer can
verbally approve the total amount to be billed and, in response,
the merchant can submit a request for a card-less payment
transaction for the total amount to the payment system. In
response, the payment system can obtain, for example, from the user
information database, data describing a financial account
associated with a user account of the customer to which the total
amount will be billed.
[0091] The payment system can then communicate with the computer
system of a card payment network to complete an electronic
financial transaction for the total amount to be billed to the
customer's financial account. Once the electronic financial
transaction is complete, the payment system can communicate data
describing the card-less payment transaction to the user device,
e.g., an electronic receipt, which can, for example, notify the
customer of the total amount billed to the user for the card-less
payment transaction with the particular merchant.
[0092] For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present
technology may be presented as including individual functional
blocks including functional blocks comprising devices, device
components, steps or routines in a method embodied in software, or
combinations of hardware and software.
[0093] In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices,
mediums, and memories can include a cable or wireless signal
containing a bit stream and the like. However, when mentioned,
non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude
media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and
signals per se.
[0094] Methods according to the above-described examples can be
implemented using computer-executable instructions that are stored
or otherwise available from computer readable media. Such
instructions can comprise, for example, instructions and data which
cause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, special
purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a
certain function or group of functions. Portions of computer
resources used can be accessible over a network. The computer
executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate
format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, or source
code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store
instructions, information used, and/or information created during
methods according to described examples include magnetic or optical
disks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,
networked storage devices, and so on.
[0095] Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures
can comprise hardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any
of a variety of form factors. Typical examples of such form factors
include laptops, smart phones, small form factor personal
computers, personal digital assistants, and so on. Functionality
described herein also can be embodied in peripherals or add-in
cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit
board among different chips or different processes executing in a
single device, by way of further example.
[0096] The instructions, media for conveying such instructions,
computing resources for executing them, and other structures for
supporting such computing resources are means for providing the
functions described in these disclosures.
[0097] Although a variety of examples and other information was
used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no
limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular
features or arrangements in such examples, as one of ordinary skill
would be able to use these examples to derive a wide variety of
implementations. Further and although some subject matter may have
been described in language specific to examples of structural
features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the
subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily
limited to these described features or acts. For example, such
functionality can be distributed differently or performed in
components other than those identified herein. Rather, the
described features and steps are disclosed as examples of
components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *