According to one embodiment, a registration device for a transaction processing system includes a communication interface connected to a plurality of settlement devices via a network. The plurality of settlement devices includes a first settlement device and a second settlement device. A processor of the registration device is configured to generate settlement information required for settlement of a merchandise transaction based on the registration of items in the merchandise transaction, and then transmit the settlement information to the first settlement device. If the transmission of the settlement information to the first settlement device fails, the processor records transaction specifying information on a medium that can be given to a customer. The transaction specifying information identifies the settlement information corresponding to the merchandise transaction. The processor also store the settlement information in a storage unit when the transmission to the first settlement device fails.

Provided are a payment method and system through generation of a one-time payment-only number of a real card linked with an application, wherein in order to make payment safely by generating a one-time payment-only number every payment without leaving card information of a user in a provider's payment terminal or by using the generated one-time payment-only number, when a real card is linked with an application installed on a user terminal and the payment terminal recognizes the real card, a user signature input window, and transaction information about payment performed with a one-time payment-only number generated by a card company server are displayed on a screen of the application of the user terminal, and payment is performed when a signature of the user is input to the signature input window.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for alternative payment transactions are provided. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving a first request for payment associated with a first transaction that includes one or more first payment parameters and generating an initial payment responsive to the first request for payment based upon the first payment parameters. The computer-implemented method also includes determining first alternative payment data based upon first payment attribute data of a first user associated with the first transaction. The first payment attribute data is associated with non-cash liquid assets of the first user. The computer-implemented method additionally includes modifying the initial payment based upon the first alternative payment data and effectuating the modified initial payment from a first user account associated with the first user in satisfaction of the first transaction. The computer-implemented method may subsequently include modifying the first payment attribute data of the first user.

To conduct a payment transaction at a merchant's point of sale using a mobile device, the mobile device initiates an authenticated communication session with a payment agent. The payment agent is an entity responsible for facilitating a payment transaction between the merchant and purchaser via their respective financial institutions. During the authenticated communication session, response to an input indicating the user of the mobile device wishes to make a payment, the mobile device generates a unique payment key that is based on at least one unique data of the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the payment key to the payment agent, and then transfers a copy of the payment key to the point of sale system. The merchant's payment system that transmits the payment key to the payment agent in a transaction request. The payment agent then verifies that the received payment key is the same as they received from the mobile device, and that the authenticated communication session is still valid, and then approves the transaction.

To conduct a payment transaction at a merchant's point of sale using a mobile device, the mobile device initiates an authenticated communication session with a payment agent. The payment agent is an entity responsible for facilitating a payment transaction between the merchant and purchaser via their respective financial institutions. During the authenticated communication session, response to an input indicating the user of the mobile device wishes to make a payment, the mobile device generates a unique payment key that is based on at least one unique data of the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the payment key to the payment agent, and then transfers a copy of the payment key to the point of sale system. The merchant's payment system that transmits the payment key to the payment agent in a transaction request. The payment agent then verifies that the received payment key is the same as they received from the mobile device, and that the authenticated communication session is still valid, and then approves the transaction.

According to an embodiment, a transaction settlement apparatus includes a communication interface connectable, to a clerk-operated register machine and at least one other transaction settlement apparatus. A processor of the apparatus operates as a master device or a satellite device. When operating as the master device, the processor is configured to receive settlement information from the register machine, perform settlement processing according to the settlement information when available for settlement processing, and transfer the settlement information to another settlement apparatus when unavailable. When operating as the satellite device, the processor is configured to receive the settlement information transferred from another settlement apparatus, perform settlement processing according to the transferred settlement information when available for settlement processing, and transmit a busy notification to the register machine if unavailable for settlement processing.

A method and system are provided for validating a promotional token redeemed at a Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal, can include receiving, at the Point of Sale (PoS) terminal located at a physical retail location, a promotional token ID from a mobile device associated with a customer. The promotional token ID can be configured to uniquely identify a promotional token to promote a consumer packaged good (CPG) distributed on a social media platform. A CPG is entered at the PoS terminal to determine a CPG ID configured to uniquely identify the CPG. Next, a validation request is generated. The validation request comprises the promotional token ID and the CPG ID. The validation request is then transferred to a server having access to a private blockchain ledger. Upon completion, the PoS terminal will receive, from the server, the redemption status for the promotional token ID based on information stored in the private blockchain ledger responsive to the validation request.

A method and system are provided for validating a promotional token redeemed at a Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal, can include receiving, at the Point of Sale (PoS) terminal located at a physical retail location, a promotional token ID from a mobile device associated with a customer. The promotional token ID can be configured to uniquely identify a promotional token to promote a consumer packaged good (CPG) distributed on a social media platform. A CPG is entered at the PoS terminal to determine a CPG ID configured to uniquely identify the CPG. Next, a validation request is generated. The validation request comprises the promotional token ID and the CPG ID. The validation request is then transferred to a server having access to a private blockchain ledger. Upon completion, the PoS terminal will receive, from the server, the redemption status for the promotional token ID based on information stored in the private blockchain ledger responsive to the validation request.

Improvements to existing technologies associated with point-of-sale transactions and merchant ecosystems to, among other things, reduce in-person contact and, in some examples, improve the efficiency at which point-of-sale transactions are completed (i.e., reduce friction) are described. In some examples, such reduced in-person contact and/or improved efficiencies can limit transmission of infectious diseases. As such, techniques described are directed to modifying aspects of point-of-sale transactions such that they occur on different computing devices (e.g., customer computing devices instead of merchant computing devices), are automated, and/or occur at different times than with conventional point-of-sale transactions. Furthermore, in at least one example, techniques described can leverage a distributed, network-based merchant ecosystem—comprising multiple merchant computing devices and/or customer computing devices that are specially configured to communicate with a service provider—to facilitate social distancing, which can reduce in-person contact and, in some examples, improve the efficiency at which point-of-sale transactions are completed.

Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.