GB2456158A - Apparatus and method for recordal of credit - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for the recordal of monetary credit, for example as a prepayment, and a method of making such payment are described. The apparatus has an acceptor 2,10,12 for receiving a plurality of monetary items such as notes, coins and credit/debit cards including a detector adapted to distinguish between each of said plurality of monetary items and assign a monetary credit value to each item; a data register adapted to record a cumulative credit value based on the assigned monetary credit values of a successive plurality of monetary items presented to the acceptor; a first credit data display 14 adapted to display the cumulative credit value to a first, service user location; a second credit data display adapted to display a cumulative credit to a second, system operator location. In this way, credit is displayed both to a service provider and to a user. The device is preferably located in a taxi and enables a service user to pre-pay for the journey or to pay once the journey is complete.

Description

I

Apparatus and Method for Recordal of Credit The invention relates to an apparatus for the recordal of monetary credit, to a system and in particular a vehicular system in which such an apparatus is fitted, to a method of fitment of such an apparatus and to a method of use of such an apparatus. The invention in particularly relates to the recordal of prior credit for a charged service, such as a variably charged service, in particular a transport service such as a taxi cab service, and to the fitment and use of the same in a vehicle providing such a service, and to a vehicle so fitted.

A wide range of circumstances can arise where it might be desirable for the user of a service to proffer payment to a service provider at the point of service provider at the point of service provision, and in particular to proffer cash payment or payment by a cash substitute such as a credit or payment card. Such a requirement arises for example where the service to be provided is a transport service in a public transport vehicle, a taxi cab or the like.

In such circumstances it is often desirable for payment to be made at the point of service provision but in advance of provision of the service. For example, it might be desirable that a passenger pays a fare before carriage, to prevent arguments at completion of the journey, to ensure payment, to deal with problems in respect of passengers making off without payment etc. However, it is not always easy to arrange a system for advance payment in respect of services where the total pnce may depend on variables not known definitively at the outset. For example in the case of a metered transport journey the fare may depend on variables associated with the journey, and calculated by a metered link to a vehicle taking account for example of distance and time. In these circumstances, payment in advance is at best likely to be based on an estimate of the total price, and both parties have an interest in finding an objective means of calculating and recording any credit for such payment.

It can also be desirable to provide a means for retaining collected payments in a safe manner, particularly where payments are made in cash. This is again a particular consideration in relation to the provision of transport services, where a service provider may carry a number of cash-paying passengers over the course of a working session.

It can also be desirable, in particular in relation to cash payments, to provide a system which aids in the verification of authentic payments, in the detection of forged or inappropriate currency etc. The invention described herein finds particular application in relation to the provision of such transport services, and especially to the provision of transport services where advanced payment is desirable, but where a definitive price is unlikely to be settled until completion of the service. It will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily so limited. Any circumstances where a degree of automation of payment might be desirable, especially for prepayment, and especially in relation to a variable final sum, might be suitable for application of the invention.

Automated credit and debit systems, and in particular automated systems for receiving cash and reckoning payment against a charge, are known.

However, these have not traditionally been found appropriate in relation to circumstances such as those set out above, where a variable final charge is not defined until the end of the journey, and is based on a meter reading. Transport meters are typically complex devices, performing complex calculations based on a range of charges, time and distance factors, which are frequently subject to significant regulation. It is not generally desirable to integrate a payment system into such a meter.

Technical or regulatory issues can leave such a combination system impractical and/or prohibitively costly. This has tended to discourage automation of payment, and especially cash payment, for such services, especially where the price of the service cannot be determined definitively until the service has been provided, for example at the end of a journey.

According to the invention in the first aspect there is provided an apparatus for the recordal of monetary credit comprising: an acceptor for receiving a plurality of monetary items, including a detector adapted to distinguish between each of said plurality of monetary items and assign a monetary credit value to each item; a data register adapted to record a cumulative credit value based on the assigned monetary credit values of a successive plurality of monetary items presented to the acceptor; a first credit data display adapted to display the cumulative credit value to a first, service user location; a second credit data display adapted to display a cumulative credit to a second, system operator location.

In accordance with a typical mode of operation of the invention, a user is generally found to be in a first position, and is for example a customer of a transport vehicle such as a taxi. The user in such first position inputs credit by inputting one or more monetary items selected from the plurality of items accepted by the acceptor, and credit is displayed to the user's benefit in the direction of the user on the first credit display.

The system operator is a service provider, and is for example a transport vehicle operator such as a driver. Such operators are usually in a different location, for example in a dedicated section of the vehicle, and might for example be isolated by provision of substantially or completely isolated driver and passenger cabs within a vehicle. The second credit data display displays credit in the direction of and to the benefit of the system operator.

The apparatus thus allows a service user to input payment and have payment recorded in an objective manner which requires no intervention from a service provider but which displays the payment credited to the service provider as well as to the service user simultaneously. The apparatus lends itself particularly to use for the provision of a cash prepayment for a service.

The invention finds a particularly effective application where prepayment is made by way of partial or complete credit towards a cost of a service prior to provision of a service, but where the cost is variable and will not be known until completion of provision of the service. For example in this mode of use, prepayment is for a transport service such as a taxi journey, the final amount of charge for which will not be known until completion of the journey. In those circumstances a passenger makes a payment by supplying one or more monetary items to the apparatus selected from the plurality of monetary items accepted by the acceptor. The detector assigns a value to each monetary item and records a credit. These credits are summed to produce a cumulative credit value. This credit is used against the eventual charge for the prospective journey.

In application in a preferred embodiment in a transport vehicle, it is preferred that the credit apparatus of the invention will operate independently of any charging meter. Charging meters are already complex items, processing complex variable algorithms and subject in many instances to rigorous regulation. It is strongly preferred that the credit recordal apparatus of the invention is kept simple, and retained independent of such a meter. Thus, during use, a progressive indication of the charged amount might be registered in and displayed on a charging meter in the usual way, but this will not affect the credit stored in the data register of the apparatus of the invention. Instead, in use, both a user and an operator may compare the prepaid credit to the charge displayed on a charging meter. If it appears that the prepaid credit may prove to be insufficient for the final charge, the user may insert further credit, or an operator may insist on further credit being inserted before proceeding, or an operator may accept final payment by way of settlement on completion of the journey.

The accepter and detector system of the invention is adapted for the receipt, detection and crediting of a plurality of monetary items and especially for a plurality of different monetary items for example of different types.

The monetary items to be accepted by the acceptor may be any items, whether of universal character or specific to the system, which can serve as token for a credit of monetary value, or be used to derive a sum of monetary value, for example by allowing the same to be debited against a credit or cash account. In particular, but without limitation, monetary items could include currency items, for example constituting coins or like tokens, and bank notes or other paper items issued by organisations such as national central banks for the purposes of representing monetary credit, similar tokens or notes issued by other authorities such as for example the service provider, electronically readable devices from which monetary credit can be debited, such as credit and debit cards, bespoke charged cards etc., and any other suitable means of payment.

Preferably, the acceptorl detector system is at least adapted for the processing of a range of currency items, preferably including at least a range of circulating notes and/or coins appropriate to the territory of operation. Such coin and bank note acceptors are generally well known and their precise design in the apparatus of the invention is not pertinent to the operation of the invention.

Preferably, the acceptor apparatus includes at least a coin acceptor for receiving and distinguishing between a plurality of coins of different nominal values. Additionally or alternatively the coin acceptor might be adapted to receive other numismatic or similar tokens, for example bespoke tokens for a service issued by the service provider.

Preferably, additionally or alternatively, the acceptor apparatus includes a note acceptor for the acceptance of bank notes and/ or other payment notes in paper form. Preferably, the note acceptor accepts a plurality of nominal note values. Preferably the note acceptor is an 8-way reader and is this capable of accepting a bank note and crediting an appropriate value in any orientation.

Both types of acceptor will be familiar.

The apparatus preferably additionally includes a monetary retention enclosure volume, for retaining monetary items, and in particular currency items, which are processed by the acceptor. The retention enclosure constitutes for example a safety deposit structure or the like which can be locked or otherwise have access restricted at least from the perspective of a user of the system. It is for example provided with a lockable closure accessible from the second location only.

The apparatus optionally includes a device reader for reading and deducting credit from a monetary item in the form of a credit device, such as a credit or debit card, a card that can be preloaded with payment credit etc. Such a credit device differs from currency and equivalent tokens in that it is not designed to be retained by the apparatus, for example in a safe retention enclosure volume, but is returned to the user after an appropriate credit has been deducted.

In accordance with the principle of the invention, particularly for operation with advance payment, it is intended that a fixed predetermined payment is made. Where a final cost is variable, it is preferable that a fixed predetermined payment is made of a predetermined amount to cover or go towards an expected final cost, rather than that credit and debits are dynamically linked, for example via a metering system. Accordingly, in a preferred mode of operation, a particular predetermined amount (for example an amount agreed between a user and an operator) is deducted from a credit device by a device reader. The apparatus of the invention preferably includes a credit amount input means, for example a key pad, to input a credit amount to be charged to the credit device. Such a data input means is preferably provided for access at the first location, ie by the user, to allow the user to make such a payment without intervention of the operator.

The apparatus preferably further includes credit reset button accessible at the second location, ie by the system operator.

In use, after provision of a service, and especially provision of a service charged at a variable amount the sum of which is not known until completion of the service, the total charges are reckoned (for example a payment meter is read) and additional payment sought or change made if necessary. To facilitate this, charge input means may be provided for example comprising a keypad may be provided to allow for data input of a total charge from a meter or the like, for example at the second location.

Optionally the apparatus further includes balance calculation means in data communication with the data register and adapted to calculate an amount of change! additional payment due based on a comparison of the input total charge with the cumulative credit value in the data register and to store the results as a credit balance in the date register. In such an embodiment, where change is due or in additional payment is required the credit balance may be displayed on either or both of the display means.

In one mode of operation, change may be made separately from operation of the apparatus of the invention. Alternatively, the apparatus of the invention might include means to deliver change, for example operating in conjunction with the safe retention enclosure volume where present. The means to deliver change may be in data communication with and operate in response to the credit balance output of the balance calculation means.

Each of the first and second credit data display means conveniently comprises a simple alphanumeric display, for example in the form of a liquid crystal display.

The apparatus of the invention is especially suited for use in a vehicle provided for the carnage of passengers. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes mounting means to mount it in position upon a vehicle at a suitable operating location, for example positioned to be accessible to a vehicle user for the entry of credit by presentation of monetary items, and to display the first credit data display to a user and the second credit data to display a vehicle operator. The apparatus is for example adapted to be mounted on a vehicle chassis.

A transport vehicle might include largely or entirely isolated driver and passenger sections. The apparatus of the invention lends itself especially well to such a vehicle arrangement. Preferably an apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a first portion such as a first face comprising a user display and a payment accepter presenting to a user in a passenger section and a second face comprising an operator display and controls presenting to a driver in a driver section. Guard means preferably isolate, at least in part, the operator controls from the user controls.

In accordance with the invention in a further aspect there is provided an apparatus as hereinbefore described provided in a vehicle, and in particular a vehicle for the provision of passenger services such as a taxi or the like. For example the apparatus is fixedly aftached to the vehicle chassis or other rigid structural element.

Particularly preferably, the vehicle comprises a passenger compartment and a driver compartment which are at least partly and preferably substantially isolated. The apparatus is so positioned as to be accessible in part from both compartments in the manner above described.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the recordal of monetary credit by a service provider, which comprises the use of the foregoing apparatus.

In particular the method comprises the steps of: presenting a successive plurality of monetary items to a monetary item acceptor including a detector adapted to distinguish between each of said plurality of monetary items and thereby assigning a monetary credit value to each item; recording in a data register a cumulative credit value based on the assigned monetary credit values of a successive plurality of monetary items presented to the acceptor; displaying the cumulative credit value to a first, service user location; simultaneously displaying the cumulative credit to a second, system operator location.

The method is preferably a method of recording prepayment for a service prior to use of the service, and most preferably a vehicle transport service.

Preferred features of the operation of the method will therefore be understood by analogy with the description of operation of the apparatus hereinabove.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fitment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, for example into a vehicle, and in particular as an aftermarket modification, to allow for the recordal of monetary credit during use of the vehicle.

The above mentioned invention will now be described by way of example only one embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box structure serving as an embodiment of the invention for use in a taxi or like vehicle; Figure 2 is an alternate perspective view of a box structure serving as an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a representation of a face of the embodiment of the invention which might be presented to a passenger; Figure 4 is a representation of a face of the embodiment which might be presented to a vehicle operator; Figure 5 represents a rear view of the apparatus illustrating its secondary function as a safe.

The apparatus comprises a compact box structure I which is adapted to be mounted securely on a vehicle such as a taxi. Such vehicles are typically provided with a passenger compartment and a driver compartment. In a preferred mounting position, the box I is mounted generally centrally in the vehicle alongside a driver, in effect forming part of a partition when in position, so that a first face (see figure 3) presents to the passenger compartment, a second face, for example a side face alongside the first face, presents to the driver (see figure 4) and a rear access is also provided from the driver's cab (see figure 5).

Considering first the face which presents to the passenger, this comprises various means for presenting payment to build up credit, in particular prior to commencement of the journey. These means conveniently include a coin acceptor 2, preferably adapted to receive and accept a plurality of coins currently in circulation, and for example comprising a coin slot 4 communicating with a coin reception chute (not shown) leading to an internal coin acceptance apparatus (not shown) that is adapted to accept or reject a coin based on measurements of such factors as weight, thickness, diameter. A coin reject button 6 cooperates with a reject slot 8 to return coins which are not accepted in familiar manner.

Payment means preferably further includes a note acceptor 10 which comprises an eight way optical note reader, again preferably adapted to distinguish between and accept a plurality of in circulation notes.

Payment means may additionally be provided to allow for payment via a bank card such as a credit card or a debit card and/or a pre- charged card carrying prepaid credit, in the form of a card slot 12. Such a slot is shown in the illustrated embodiment but is entirely optional.

An optional display means may be provided to display the recorded credit and/ or other messages to a passenger within the passenger compartment. In the present embodiment a readout system 14 providing printed information is provided on a face of the apparatus in the passenger compartment, for example a note of credit or receipt. A remote LCD display 25 is also provided for passenger use.

A side panel, illustrated in more detail in figures 1 and 4, illustrates the face presented to the driver in position in the driver's compartment. This face comprises a primary readout display 20 to display total credit to the driver. The driver additionally has accessible display controls 22, for example to allow him to reset the credit at the end of a journey or otherwise, or to make inputs or deletions for any other purpose, for example for calculating change etc. The side panel as illustrated in figure 4 also includes a slot 24 to allow connection to a remote reader 25 (for example for passenger use) and a further slot 26 to allow connection via suitable connector 27 to a power source, which will usually be a connection to the vehicle power system.

The rear view in figures 2 and 5 illustrates the secondary function of the embodiment of the invention as a cash safe. The box structure I comprises a relatively strong safe structure for example fitted to a metal base behind the Perspex divider screen in a taxi. This is designed to define a safe volume into which notes and coins from the coin acceptor 2 and the note acceptor 10 are taken after processing. This safe volume includes a coin drawer 30 accessible from the rear of the unit in the driver's compartment. For further security the drawer is lockable by means of a lock 32. It further includes a note bank, again accessed via a securable cover 34.

The embodiment represented in the figures thus provides a means for allowing a passenger to make payment, and in particular to make payment for the purposes of prepaid credit, in a manner which is displayed to and under the control of the driver whilst allowing the driver to remain completely isolated within the separate compartment. Cash payments are diverted automatically to a safety cash drawer. The apparatus improves the security of obtaining payment, and improves the security of storing cash after obtaining payment, and facilitates the provision of advance payment prior to the journey.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for the recordal of monetary credit comprising: an acceptor for receiving a plurality of monetary items, including a detector adapted to distinguish between each of said plurality of monetary items and assign a monetary credit value to each item; a data register adapted to record a cumulative credit value based on the assigned monetary credit values of a successive plurality of monetary items presented to the acceptor; a first credit data display adapted to display the cumulative credit value to a first, service user location; a second credit data display adapted to display a cumulative credit CO to a second, system operator location.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim I adapted to allow a service user to make prepayment by way of partial or complete credit towards a cost of a service prior to provision of a service, but where the cost is variable and will not be known until completion of provision of the service.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 configured to operate independently of any charging meter provided to register! display a progressive indication of the charged amount for said service.

4. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the acceptor and detector system of the invention is adapted for the receipt, detection and crediting of a plurality of monetary items and especially for a plurality of different monetary items for example of different types.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the acceptor and detector system of the invention is adapted for the receipt, detection and crediting of a plurality of monetary items selected from the list comprising: currency items, for example constituting coins or like tokens, and bank notes or other paper items issued by organ isations such as national central banks for the purposes of representing monetary credit, similar tokens or notes issued by other authorities such as for example the service provider, electronically readable devices from which monetary credit can be debited, such as credit and debit cards, bespoke charge cards and the like.

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6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 or 5 wherein the acceptor and detector system of is adapted for the processing of a range of currency items including at least a range of circulating notes and/or coins appropriate to the territory of operation.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a coin acceptor for receiving and distinguishing between a plurality of coins of different nominal values and! or other numismatic or similar tokens.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 or 7 including a note acceptor for the acceptance of bank notes and! or other payment notes in paper form having a plurality of nominal note values.

9. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim additionally comprising a monetary retention enclosure volume in the form of a safety deposit structure or the like which can be locked or otherwise have access restricted, for retaining monetary items, and in particular currency items, which are processed by the acceptor.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the safety deposit structure is provided with a lockable closure accessible from the second location only.

II. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim additionally including a device reader for reading and deducting credit from a monetary item in the form of a credit device, such as a credit or debit card, a card that can be preloaded with payment credit or the like.

12. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim comprising CO mounting means to mount the apparatus in position upon a vehicle at a suitable operating location such as to be accessible to a vehicle passenger at the first location for the entry of credit by presentation of monetary items, and to display the first credit data display to a user and the second credit data display to a vehicle operator at the second location.

13. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim provided in a vehicle for the provision of passenger services.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the vehicle comprises a passenger compartment and a driver compartment which are at least partly and preferably substantially isolated, the apparatus being so positioned as to be accessible in that the passenger compartment comprises the first position and the driver compartment comprises the second position.

15. A method for the recordal of monetary credit by a service provider comprising the steps of: presenting a successive plurality of monetary items to a monetary item acceptor including a detector adapted to distinguish between each of said plurality of monetary items and thereby assigning a monetary credit value to each item; recording in a data register a cumulative credit value based on the assigned monetary credit values of a successive plurality of monetary items presented to the acceptor; displaying the cumulative credit value to a first, service user location; simultaneously displaying the cumulative credit to a second, system CO operator location.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 comprising the payment by a service user of a prepayment by way of partial or complete credit (0 towards a cost of a service prior to provision of a service, but where the cost is variable and will not be known until completion of provision of the service.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 comprising a method of prepayment for a transport service, the final amount of charge for which will not be known until completion of the journey, wherein: a passenger makes a payment by supplying one or more monetary items to the monetary item acceptor selected from the plurality of monetary items accepted by the acceptor; the detector assigns a value to each monetary item and records a credit; these credits are summed to produce a cumulative credit value; this credit value is reckoned against the eventual charge for the prospective journey.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein during said journey an accumulated charge is displayed on a charging meter; the prepaid credit is compared to the charge displayed on a charging meter; if it appears that the prepaid credit does or may prove to be insufficient for the final charge, the user inserts further credit during, or by way of settlement on completion of, the journey.

19. A method in accordance with one of claims 15 to 18 applied in a 00 vehicle wherein a passenger compartment comprises the first location and a driver compartment comprises the second location.

20. A method of fitment of an apparatus in accordance with any one of (0 claims ito 14 into a vehicle to allow for the recordal of monetary credit during use of the vehicle.