Systems and methods for operating transaction terminals

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for operating a transaction terminal. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a proximity reader processor via a first channel, an activation signal from a payment terminal processor indicating initiation of a payment transaction with a proximity payment device. The proximity processor then executes a first process having a first queue that causes transmission of first instructions to a second process comprising a second queue, and then the second process is executed to run concurrently with the first process, wherein the second process causes the proximity processor to transmit application activation instructions via a reader interface and a second channel to the proximity payment device. The proximity processor terminates the second process when the application activation is completed without error.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A payment terminal comprising:
 a payment terminal processor;   a communications controller operably coupled to the payment terminal processor;   a terminal data storage device operably coupled to the payment terminal processor; and   a proximity reader operably coupled to the payment terminal processor, the proximity reader comprising:
 a proximity processor; 
 a reader storage device in communication with the proximity processor and storing a reader control program; 
 a reader interface operably connected to the proximity processor, the reader interface configured to communicate with a payment device; and 
   wherein the reader control program comprises instructions configured to cause the proximity processor to:
 receive an activation signal via a first channel from the payment terminal processor, the activation signal indicating initiation of a transaction involving a proximity payment device with the proximity reader; 
 execute a first process causing transmission of first instructions to a second process, wherein the second process causes transmission of second instructions via the reader interface and a second channel to a proximity payment device; and 
 wherein the first process comprises a first queue and the second process comprises a second queue in which received instructions are placed and handled in a first in first out basis allowing each of the first and second processes to run concurrently with each other. 
   
     
     
         2 . The payment terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the reader control program comprises further instructions configured to cause the proximity processor to transmit data received from a proximity payment device to the payment terminal processor via the first channel. 
     
     
         3 . The payment terminal of  claim 2 , wherein, subsequent to receiving the proximity payment device data from the proximity processor, the payment terminal processor transmits the proximity device data via the communications controller to at least one of an acquirer computer and a merchant processing system. 
     
     
         4 . The payment terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the first process comprises a reader management process controlling the overall functions of the proximity reader and managing communications between the proximity processor and the payment terminal processor. 
     
     
         5 . The payment terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the reader control program comprises further instructions configured to cause the proximity processor to execute a third process upon receipt of instructions from the first process, wherein the third process comprises a third queue in which received instructions are placed and handled in a first in first out basis allowing the third process to run concurrently with the first process and the second process, and wherein the third process causes transmission of third instructions via the reader interface and the second channel to a proximity payment device. 
     
     
         6 . A payment terminal process, comprising:
 receiving, by a proximity processor of a proximity reader via a first channel, an activation signal from a payment terminal processor indicating initiation of a payment transaction involving a proximity payment device;   executing, by the proximity processor, a first process comprising a first queue in which received instructions are placed and handled in a first in first out basis, the first process causing the proximity processor to transmit first instructions to a second process comprising a second queue in which received instructions are placed and handled in a first in first out basis;   executing, by the proximity processor, the second process to run concurrently with the first process, the second process causing the proximity processor to transmit application activation instructions via a reader interface and a second channel to the proximity payment device; and   terminating, by the proximity processor, the second process when the application activation is completed without error.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting, by the proximity processor to the payment terminal processor via the first channel, data received from the proximity payment device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising executing, by the proximity processor a third process upon receipt of instructions from the first process, wherein the third process comprises a third queue in which received instructions are placed and handled in a first in first out basis allowing the third process to run concurrently with the first process and the second process. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the proximity processor controls the third process to complete processing, inform the first process of the results, and exit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the proximity processor controls the third process to request data via the first channel from the payment terminal processor, receive a response, inform the first process of the results, and exit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first process is a reader management process controlling overall functions of the proximity reader including overall control and sequencing of reader processes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first process is a reader management process coordinating other processes, configuring and activating kernel processes, and processing outcomes.