How do I make a prototype of my credit-card-terminal invention?
July 13, 2010 7:39 PM Subscribe
I have an idea in my head that I want to create so I can show it to my potential customers. It is a credit card terminal of sorts that is custom-made to do a specific task. Bear with me while I try and figure out what I want/need!
Let me try and paint a picture for you:
I want to make a device that is stationary, about the size of a credit card terminal you see in retail stores, and that will only accept payments in pre-determined dollar amounts and do NOTHING ELSE. There will be no services or products given in return for the payments.
So, someone will come over and 1) swipe his/her card, 2) pick their desired amount to pay (say, $2, $5, $10 or $20), 3) hit submit and be done.
I have an idea and want to develop it by making a prototype first. Who do I turn to?!
Thank you!
Let me try and paint a picture for you:
I want to make a device that is stationary, about the size of a credit card terminal you see in retail stores, and that will only accept payments in pre-determined dollar amounts and do NOTHING ELSE. There will be no services or products given in return for the payments.
So, someone will come over and 1) swipe his/her card, 2) pick their desired amount to pay (say, $2, $5, $10 or $20), 3) hit submit and be done.
I have an idea and want to develop it by making a prototype first. Who do I turn to?!
Thank you!
There are parking meter replacement kiosks that do essentially this.
posted by sammyo at 7:45 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by sammyo at 7:45 PM on July 13, 2010
If such a thing were required, it could probably be created by reprogramming a standard swipe terminal or self-service checkout kiosk's firmware. A similar thing already exists, as the Salvation Army started taking CCs at their kettles last year in some locations:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-26-salvation-army-credit-cards_N.htm
posted by randomkeystrike at 7:45 PM on July 13, 2010
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-26-salvation-army-credit-cards_N.htm
posted by randomkeystrike at 7:45 PM on July 13, 2010
Response by poster: I am looking for technical advice.
Randomkeystrike pretty much has the idea. Except I want a machine that is custom-made for this purpose and simpler to use for the user.
posted by seatofmypants at 7:49 PM on July 13, 2010
Randomkeystrike pretty much has the idea. Except I want a machine that is custom-made for this purpose and simpler to use for the user.
posted by seatofmypants at 7:49 PM on July 13, 2010
Response by poster: "If such a thing were required, it could probably be created by reprogramming a standard swipe terminal or self-service checkout kiosk's firmware."
Who would I approach to do something like that?
posted by seatofmypants at 7:50 PM on July 13, 2010
Who would I approach to do something like that?
posted by seatofmypants at 7:50 PM on July 13, 2010
Research the manufacturers / distributors of credit card terminals and self-service kiosks (you should be able to find many with a quick web search). Call up their sales departments.
posted by brain at 7:53 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by brain at 7:53 PM on July 13, 2010
I'm not sure what the idea here is. I'm not trying to be mean, but punching a single key for 5,10,20,whatever and swiping is nearly identical to punching the 4+ keys for a dollar amount and swiping. It could reduce errors, but you give up a huge amount of freedom in return.
Also, I'm fairly sure there are programmable credit terminals already available, I just don't think many merchants find them useful.
So who do you turn to? Well, first I'd look and see if this device exists. Search around for credit terminals, find reviews on a website and contact a reviewer to see if their device does this already.
Re-reading, I think you want to offer a DIY credit terminal- So shoppers can just walk up, swipe and pick an amount? No staff needed? This is a shot in the dark, but it may violate merchant agreements. Ask around and see if you can find one before you start developing a device no one can use.
posted by GilloD at 7:53 PM on July 13, 2010
Also, I'm fairly sure there are programmable credit terminals already available, I just don't think many merchants find them useful.
So who do you turn to? Well, first I'd look and see if this device exists. Search around for credit terminals, find reviews on a website and contact a reviewer to see if their device does this already.
Re-reading, I think you want to offer a DIY credit terminal- So shoppers can just walk up, swipe and pick an amount? No staff needed? This is a shot in the dark, but it may violate merchant agreements. Ask around and see if you can find one before you start developing a device no one can use.
posted by GilloD at 7:53 PM on July 13, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you all.
brain: i have researched and called a bunch of major distributors and manufacturers and they don't make an item like i have in mind. they also can't custom make a terminal to my specifications.
gillod: if there are programmable terminals out there, i'd like to get my hands one. i DO want a DIY terminal and you bring up a good point about the merchant agreement.
posted by seatofmypants at 8:09 PM on July 13, 2010
brain: i have researched and called a bunch of major distributors and manufacturers and they don't make an item like i have in mind. they also can't custom make a terminal to my specifications.
gillod: if there are programmable terminals out there, i'd like to get my hands one. i DO want a DIY terminal and you bring up a good point about the merchant agreement.
posted by seatofmypants at 8:09 PM on July 13, 2010
Hmm. Tried electronics manufacturers in China? I've always heard "if you can draw it, they can make it".
posted by brain at 8:25 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by brain at 8:25 PM on July 13, 2010
Your proposed device has basically four components.
Mag-stripe reader
Display of some sort
Input of some sort
Communications device to exchange amount & cc number with clearinghouse.
Honestly, for what you want? I'd look into the itouch/iPhone card swipe reader (the company that makes the one used at the apple store is now selling them, some minor searching should turn them up) and some iOS programming. Because I just cant see how you could his a comparable price-point on a small-run custom job.
However that doesn't mean I'm right. If you're determined then I'd suggest you decide whether you want this to be wired or wireless and look at what's out there in existing terminals and then try to find out who makes the underlying hardware. Because you really want the same thing but with FEWER buttons. And it's easy to make a device that just has less interface on it. They can use the same chips and board but just not add a keypad, for example. Once you find the existing maker (you might need to disassemble one) you can contact them and ask about a custome device.
Btw - while you say that what you describe doesn't exist, the Square iPhone app will let you pre-define certain items/prices. You might be old and gray bfore they ever ship you a groddamned reader, but you could do certain basic amounts. You are also insuring that your device will only be eligible for certain higher/less desirable discount rates by virtue of not requiring a signature and/or security code.
posted by phearlez at 8:47 PM on July 13, 2010
Mag-stripe reader
Display of some sort
Input of some sort
Communications device to exchange amount & cc number with clearinghouse.
Honestly, for what you want? I'd look into the itouch/iPhone card swipe reader (the company that makes the one used at the apple store is now selling them, some minor searching should turn them up) and some iOS programming. Because I just cant see how you could his a comparable price-point on a small-run custom job.
However that doesn't mean I'm right. If you're determined then I'd suggest you decide whether you want this to be wired or wireless and look at what's out there in existing terminals and then try to find out who makes the underlying hardware. Because you really want the same thing but with FEWER buttons. And it's easy to make a device that just has less interface on it. They can use the same chips and board but just not add a keypad, for example. Once you find the existing maker (you might need to disassemble one) you can contact them and ask about a custome device.
Btw - while you say that what you describe doesn't exist, the Square iPhone app will let you pre-define certain items/prices. You might be old and gray bfore they ever ship you a groddamned reader, but you could do certain basic amounts. You are also insuring that your device will only be eligible for certain higher/less desirable discount rates by virtue of not requiring a signature and/or security code.
posted by phearlez at 8:47 PM on July 13, 2010
There are automated car wash terminals that do this. Press button for desired service, swipe card, get confirmation that funds were received on a LCD. Perhaps you should ask the people who design and build these systems? Here's a dealer directory for one brand of automated car wash.
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:50 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:50 PM on July 13, 2010
Response by poster: Some great answers here. Thanks again.
phearlez: you pretty much hit the nail on the head. the square iphone app is the kind of thing i'd like as far as processing goes because their rates are excellent. as far as hardware goes, the iphone is a little expensive and a security risk for an unattended unit.
posted by seatofmypants at 9:04 PM on July 13, 2010
phearlez: you pretty much hit the nail on the head. the square iphone app is the kind of thing i'd like as far as processing goes because their rates are excellent. as far as hardware goes, the iphone is a little expensive and a security risk for an unattended unit.
posted by seatofmypants at 9:04 PM on July 13, 2010
Your original question was along the lines of thinking of this as an "invention" that you were going to develop and show to your customers. My reply (and some of the others) was intended mainly to show you that it's essentially already been done. If you want to get something like this to use yourself as a consumer, step one would be to talk to companies offering merchant bank services, as they are generally also the distributors of the card swipe equipment (the box isn't much good without a merchant account).
If that's what you're interested in, memail me and I can put you in touch with a merchant bank company which seems pretty tech-savvy - I use them for my e-commerce payments. However, realistically you should know that these kinds of companies are not going to be receptive to someone trying to offer a very slightly different spin on an established technology when there are several large hardware companies that provide tested solutions to about any CC application you can think of.
The PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance testing on these gadgets is amazingly rigorous, and a constantly moving target, so there is a quasi-regulatory hurdle to get over as well.
posted by randomkeystrike at 6:46 AM on July 14, 2010
If that's what you're interested in, memail me and I can put you in touch with a merchant bank company which seems pretty tech-savvy - I use them for my e-commerce payments. However, realistically you should know that these kinds of companies are not going to be receptive to someone trying to offer a very slightly different spin on an established technology when there are several large hardware companies that provide tested solutions to about any CC application you can think of.
The PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance testing on these gadgets is amazingly rigorous, and a constantly moving target, so there is a quasi-regulatory hurdle to get over as well.
posted by randomkeystrike at 6:46 AM on July 14, 2010
My point to you was that the iPhone/iTouch is - in my belief - NOT going to be expensive in comparison to anything you custom build. Small-lot electronics runs are not cheap, particularly not if you want an attractive and professional look.
But, if you really want to try to price something you can do this all with off the shelf components and software. You need a strip reader (available on eBay), some sort of display device (you can find serial-driven LCDs which will accept a keypad) and a computer to do the rest of the magic.
Authorize.net will let you submit charges over the internet via an API you can call from almost anything. For a prototype I'd use a little palmtop like a $200 acer 7.1" pc but you could graduate to an Arduino with an ethernet shield on it.
In thinking about it you may want to contact the people who make things like the automatic coffee maker in my local grocery. It takes a credit card and, based on a button press, charges a set amount and dispenses some of Seattle's Best. Really that's just what you want, minus the coffee.
posted by phearlez at 1:50 PM on July 14, 2010
But, if you really want to try to price something you can do this all with off the shelf components and software. You need a strip reader (available on eBay), some sort of display device (you can find serial-driven LCDs which will accept a keypad) and a computer to do the rest of the magic.
Authorize.net will let you submit charges over the internet via an API you can call from almost anything. For a prototype I'd use a little palmtop like a $200 acer 7.1" pc but you could graduate to an Arduino with an ethernet shield on it.
In thinking about it you may want to contact the people who make things like the automatic coffee maker in my local grocery. It takes a credit card and, based on a button press, charges a set amount and dispenses some of Seattle's Best. Really that's just what you want, minus the coffee.
posted by phearlez at 1:50 PM on July 14, 2010
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posted by Think_Long at 7:40 PM on July 13, 2010