Abstract:
A method of obtaining payment information using an imaging barcode scanner. An example method includes activating, by a processor, an imaging barcode scanner to scan a payment medium, such as a payment card, to obtain payment information from the payment medium. The processor may activate the imaging barcode scanner after failing to receive the payment information from a default payment peripheral, such as a card reader.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This present invention relates to methods of processing payment and more specifically to a method of obtaining payment information using an imaging barcode scanner. 
     A typical method of processing payment is by reading a magnetic stripe on card, such as a credit, debit, gift, or electronic benefit transfer (food stamp) card by a card reader. A card reader may also read a loyalty card during a payment process to ensure rewards, discounts, and other incentives are credited to a customer. 
     However, some cards may not be readable after their magnetic stripes are damaged. In this situation, card data must be entered using a keyboard. Key-entering card data is a time consuming process. When the customer is performing a purchase transaction at a self-checkout station, the checkout software running on the self-checkout station may require an attendant to come over and manually enter the card data, which both lengthens the purchase transaction and ties up the attendant. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method of obtaining payment information using an imaging barcode reader. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method of obtaining payment information using an imaging barcode scanner is provided. 
     An example method includes activating, by a processor, an imaging barcode scanner to scan a payment medium to obtain payment information from the payment medium. 
     Another example method includes receiving, by a processor, product identification information associated with a product from the imaging barcode scanner, activating, by the processor, the imaging barcode scanner to scan a payment medium to obtain payment information from the payment medium, and applying, by the processor, the payment information to complete payment from the product. 
     Another example method includes receiving, by a processor, product identification information associated with a product, displaying, by the processor, a first prompt to use a payment peripheral to enter payment information, failing, by the processor, to receive the payment information from the payment peripheral, and displaying, by the processor, a second prompt to use an imaging barcode scanner to enter the payment information, and activating, by the processor, the imaging barcode scanner to scan a payment medium to obtain the payment information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may take form in various components and arrangement of components and in various methods. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating example embodiments and alternatives and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example transaction system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example transaction method. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example barcode scanner for use with the method of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example transaction system  10  includes computer system  12 . Computer system  12  includes one or more processors  14 , memory, and program and data storage, which may be housed together as a terminal. Processor  14  executes an operating system such as a Microsoft, Linux, Apple, or other operating system. Processor  14  may execute other computer software which stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. For example, processor  14  may execute transaction software  30  which displays transaction screens on display  16  for guiding an operator through a transaction and receives operator inputs and selections during the transaction from input device  18 . 
     Display  16  and input device  18  may be combined as a touch screen. 
     Computer system  12  further includes barcode reader  20 , which obtains information from barcodes on products. For this purpose, barcode reader  20  includes one or more cameras  40  for capturing images of products and control circuitry  42  for processing captured images to locate and decode barcodes in the images. Barcode reader  20  may include an integrated scale  44  for weighing produce items. 
     In an example embodiment, camera  40  also captures images of different media for completing payment, including but not limited to credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, gift cards, electronic benefit cards, loyalty cards, checks, stamps and vouchers. 
     Control circuitry  42  processes the images using image processing software  46 , some of which may also be used to process barcodes. Example image processing software  46  may include optical character recognition software to obtain alphanumeric information from payment media, such as card numbers, cardholder names, and expiration dates. Other example image processing software  46  may include feature locating software for locating features in images of payment media to assist with their recognition and processing. Control circuitry  42  then provides the payment information to transaction software  30 . 
     Alternatively, control circuitry  42  may send the images to processor  14  or host  50  for processing to obtain the payment information. Processor  14  or host  50  execute the image processing software and pass the payment information to transaction software  30 . 
     Computer system  12  may further include other peripherals, including payment peripherals  22  and receipt printer  24 . 
     Payment peripherals  22  may include any of a personal identification number (PIN) keypad (or “PIN pad”), a card reader, a signature capture device, a coin and/or bank note acceptor, a coin and/or bank note dispenser, and a cash drawer, depending upon the purpose and configuration of computer system  12 . 
     For example, computer system  12  may be configured as an assisted-service transaction system to be operated by a store employee. In this example configuration, payment peripherals  22  may include a PIN pad, a card reader, a signature capture device, and a cash drawer. 
     As another example, computer system  12  may be configured as a self-service transaction system to be operated by a customer. In this example configuration, payment peripherals  22  may include a PIN pad, a card reader, a signature capture device, a coin and/or bank note acceptor, and a coin and/or bank note dispenser. Acceptors and dispensers may instead be recyclers. 
     Receipt printer  24  prints transaction documents, including receipts. 
     Computer system  12  further includes graphics circuitry for providing transaction screens to display  16 , network circuitry for connecting to network  60 , and peripheral connection circuitry such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial RS-232, serial RS-485, Firewire, or other circuitry for connecting peripherals. 
     Computer system  12  may be coupled to other computers, including an in-store or remote (e.g., cloud) host computer  50  via network  60 . Host computer  50  may store information about products including their prices in a table, such as a price look-up file. Computer system  12  obtains prices and possibly other information from host computer  50  during transactions. 
     Network  60  may include one which uses the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Network  60  may include a combination of local area and wide area networks. Network  60  may include any combination of wireless or wired networks. Network  60  may include a combination of private and public networks, including a global communication network, also known as the Internet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2-3 , an example transaction method is illustrated beginning with step  70 , in which transaction software  30  receives product identification information from a barcode scanned by barcode scanner  20 . 
     In step  72 , the method inquires whether there are additional products to be scanned. If so, operation returns to step  70  to scan further products. Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  74 . 
     In step  74 , transaction software  30  causes a prompt for payment to be displayed. The prompt may be part of a transaction screen displayed by display  16 . Alternatively, the prompt may be displayed by a payment peripheral, such as a card reader or combination card reader and PIN pad device. 
     In response to the prompt, the operator attempts to complete payment with a payment card, such as a credit card using a card reader, which is a default payment peripheral. 
     In step  76 , the method inquires whether payment information was received by transaction software  30 . If transaction software  30  receives the payment information from the card reader, operation proceeds to step  84 . Otherwise, if transaction software  30  fails to receive the payment information from the card reader and/or the card reader reports an error, then the credit card may be damaged and unreadable. If so, operation proceeds to step  78 . 
     In step  78 , transaction software  30  causes a prompt to be displayed requesting that the operator place the credit card  90  on window  92  of scanner  20  with the side having the credit card number face down ( FIG. 3 ). The prompt may be part of a transaction screen displayed by display  16 . 
     The illustrated example barcode scanner  20  in an example checkstand portion includes horizontal and vertical windows. In example scanner configurations, camera  40  may capture images through either or both windows. In an embodiment, credit card  90  may be placed anywhere in window  92 . In another embodiment, window  92  has a defined area for capturing payment information from a payment medium, which may be marked or highlighted to assist the customer in placing credit card  90  in the correct location. The prompt in step  78  may also include a graphic illustrating correct placement of the payment medium. Other configurations of barcode scanner  20  are also envisioned. 
     In step  80 , transaction software  30  activates barcode scanner  20  through control circuitry  42 . Barcode scanner  20  captures an image of the credit card and processes the image to determine that it is a credit card by its features using feature determining software and to obtain payment information, such as the credit card number, name, and expiration date, using optical character recognition software. 
     In alternate embodiments, scanner  20  sends image files to transaction software  30 . Processor  14  uses local image processing software or image processor software at host  50  to obtain the payment information. 
     In step  82 , transaction software  30  receives the payment information from control circuitry  42 . 
     In step  84 , transaction software  30  applies the payment information to the transaction. 
     In some embodiments, scanner  20  may act as the default payment peripheral for some types of media. In these embodiments, transaction software  30  causes a prompt to be displayed instructing the operator to place these types of media on window  92  of scanner  20  in the first instance. 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.