BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Nowadays, electronic terminals used for commercial transactions, whether made with debit, credit or the so called"multiple-cards", are chained to a single card label. It is very rare to see an establishment which operates with a single label, therefore the counter dedicated to transactions through cards is overburdened by various terminals from the different card operators. Moreover, the wiring needed for power supply, phone lines for on-line access and PIN input devices create cable confusion over the counter area that makes terminals operation difficult, as well as present an esthetic/visual problem. One should also take into consideration that in certain transactions it may be necessary to do voice consultation to the operator, which demands a telephone, and a phone line, over the counter area, which tends to be already very limited. It is, therefore, one of the objectives of the invention presented herein to provide a terminal that allows the operation of different card labels, eliminating the need of various terminals.

Typically, the terminals in use today access the public dialed telephone network (fixed phoning) as means of on-line connection with the card operator.

Even though using the dialed telephone network may be the only available form for on-line transactions, especially in the countryside, we are dealing with a telephone connection rated for its duration, with a minimum value equivalent to a 4-minutes pulse. In certain types of commercial transactions (sales of newspapers, magazines) the cost of a minimum telephone fee is a meaningful fraction of the retailer's profit, especially if you take a large number of daily transactions, which occurs, in general, in big cities. Even in these cities there is a wide offer of faster

means of communications, the so-called"wide-band", permanently connected to the internet or other networks, which cost less than the dialed connection when one has a volume of at least 30 transactions. This information hasn't-been profited by any of the present manufacturers of commercial transaction devices. It is, therefore, another of the objectives of the invention herein to provide a terminal which has multiple options for connectivity.

Another common trace in known terminal devices is their using their own operational systems. Utilizing its own operational system increases the product's cost, once the manufacturer needs to pay off investments in developing this operational system, and also makes it more difficult the research and development of new features by the card operators themselves, since in most occasions they cannot access the software databases for developing within this particular operational system. In most cases, this obstruction is deliberate, in order to assure that all new features will be developed by the manufacturer and, therefore, charged for. It is a third objective of this invention to provide a terminal based in a non-exclusive operational system, available in the market (MS Windows CE. NET or Embedded Linux) with widely publicized databases, allowing card operators, software-houses and other possible system developers to have an abundance of information that allows the development of any feature they need. Additionally, graphic friendliness, internet access, multimedia, incorporated WEB/FTP/Telnet servers availability, XML support and strong encryption, as well as all the possibilities of interfacing through Ethernet/USB/Wireless/telephonic network provide a range of resources that widen the utilization of the terminal herein to a level much beyond a simple card transaction terminal.

It should also be considered that known terminals are made available to, at most, two separate kinds of card readers, one for magnetic cards and another for the so-called smart cards, which have an integrated storage and/or processing circuit. New kinds of commercial transaction cards are being created, especially the wireless smart cards, that needn't be inserted in a specific reader: just by placing the card in a specific range from the device the data exchange is performed. It is another of the objectives of the invention herein to promote a terminal able to read all three most common kind of commercial transaction cards:

Magnetic, Contact Smart Cards and Wireless Smart Cards.

Using small displays, monochromatic and, in general, having resources only for displaying text, is another characteristic to known terminals. This lack of resources of color and imaging prevents, for example, the display of marketing messages, retailer to client offers, etc., for the duration of the time necessary for the completion of the transaction. Eliminating this functionality limitation, through a high resolution color liquid crystal display, with graphic resources, is another objective of this invention.

The data entry by the retailer in currently known terminals is normally made through a conventional keypad. For the customer, it is common the usage of an additional module with its small display, known as PIN entry device, connected to the base unit through an electric cable, where the customer inputs his PIN during the commercial transaction. Considering that, for devices that do not possess this additional module, the solution is to rotate the terminal so that the customer can input his PIN directly to the keypad. Although currently used keypads have keys made of conducing rubber or reed-switch type, defects occasionally occur due to usage of mobile contacts, subject to degradation. These defects can prevent countless transaction before repair or substitution of the keypad is achieved, causing losses for both the store as for the card operator.

Besides, the above mentioned PIN entry device detached from the terminal, subject to cable rupture or short circuit, not to mention possible problems in the keyboard and an increase to the cost of the terminal, due to the incorporation of a new device. Therefore, it is also an objective of this invention to minimize the frequency of the mentioned defects, through utilizing touch pads, with no mobile contacts. Its location, in the single tilting terminal display will allow usage by the salesperson as well as costumer, dismissing the need for the above mentioned additional module.

Nowadays, in a large portion of products, the encryption keys for data transmission are stored in the same integrated circuit that holds the terminal's operational program (PROM, EPROM or EEPROM). Storing these encryption keys along with in these (PROM, EPROM or EEPROM) devices, generates a considerable logistic problem for implementing and maintaining the terminals

network, once each device must be generated in an individualized manner for a particular terminal. Besides, in case the terminal is substituted for repairs, the terminal must be opened, the EPROM removed and transferred to the substitute terminal, once the encryption keys refer to that particular store and station.

In recent terminals, the problem described above was dealt with through storing the encryption keys in a device different from the one which contains the program; this device is usually a SAM (Secure Access Module) or a SIM (Security Identity Module) or another module with similar characteristics. This devices are integrated circuits similar to the ones in the contact Smart Cards, positioned in a socket and, consequently, removable, and located in a compartment in the inferior portion of the terminal, and accessible through removing a cover that is held by screws. The problem in adopting this solution is the simplicity in accessing the SAM device, for it takes only unscrewing a few screws and the device is accessible. If the device is removed the terminal ceases to operate, for the encryption keys to data transmitting are not present. This is a serious safety flaw of the equipment currently in use, and it is also an objective on this invention to promote a protection system against unauthorized access to the terminal circuits.

Another safety aspect and objective of this invention is the incorporation of a finger print identification system in order to prevent fraudulent usage, which eventually occur through cards and PIN illegally obtained. This kind of system usually possesses a finger print sensor device, a memory to store finger print data and a comparing device which verifies if the finger print detected by the sensor device corresponds to the finger print stored in the memory. Currently available smart cards allow the storage of their owner's finger print data, which excuses this function of the above mentioned memory for storing the finger print to be compared. The finger print sensor device may be optic or direct-contact type, possibly even being incorporated to the smart card.

As mentioned previously, in certain transactions there is a need for verbal consultation to the operator for clarification or authorization of amounts that exceed the limit established to either the retails or the customer. This telephonic communication demands an extra phone line, a telephone over the counter, increasing operational cost and creating a cable confusion over the counter. It is

another of the objectives of this invention to provide a terminal which has incorporated voice communication through VolP (Voice over IP) technology, using the communications structure already installed for the transaction. This saves space over the counter and makes phone calls to the card operator possible, as well as calls among the various points-of-sale of a retailer at zero cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to provide better understanding of this MULTIFUNCTIONAL TERMINAL FOR COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS, follows a detailed description, referring to the annex drawings, where: Figure 1 presents a perspective view of the multifunctional terminal for commercial transactions; Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the tilting display, with is input functions (touch pad) and output of the information in a transaction; Figure 3 shows an example of implementing the protection system against unauthorized access to the terminal's circuits.

Figure 4 illustrates the hardware which would compose a preferred assembly of the multifunctional terminal ; DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS As shown in Figure 1, the terminal contains a base (1) where the display is assembled so it tilts (7) the display (2), a thermic printer (4) to print transaction receipts, a hybrid reading device (5) for magnetic and contact-smart cards, and a reading device (6) for wireless smart cards. For voice communication through IP phoning in the terminal, a head set is used (8).

In a preferential assembly of the proposed terminal, the tilting display is a high resolution and graphic resources color LCD, in this display the touch pad is positioned (3) allowing the data input, either by retailer or customer. As shown in Figure 2A, the display is initially facing the salesperson, who uses the touch pad on the screen to begin the transaction. The sales person uses one of the customer's cards, in the appropriate reading device, and inputs the amount of the transaction. At this point the customer must authorize the transaction, inputing a PIN. For that, the display is simply tilted towards the customer as shown in Figure 2B. A position sensor informs the program that the image must be rotated 180

degrees, so that it is presented correctly.

Mind that the customer's privacy in inputing the pin is ensured by the display, which faces him, as well as by foreseeing a polarizing filter over the display, which reduces the visibility angle. There is no need for a PIN entry separate device, nor to rotate the terminal so it becomes accessible to the customer. Also, the touch pad has no mobile keys, securing a flawless operation for long periods of time. Once the customer inputs the data, the display is tilted back to the salesperson and the image on the screen is automatically inverted so the transaction may be completed.

As mentioned before, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a terminal that can operate more that one card label. In a preferred, but not excluent, assembly, four different labels are allowed. To achieve that objective, the encryption keys are stored in 4 SAM devices, allowing up to four different card labels per terminal. This characteristic enables the counter area needs to be reduced in a 4: 1 reduction when compared to traditional solutions.

Access to each SAM compartment is independent and locked by an electric-mechanical device that has an opening sensor. The lock in each compartment is only released after the input of a specific password for each compartment through the display's touch pad. Any attempt to violate the locks, detected by the opening sensor, will result in the destruction of the SAMs data.

Figure 3 shows, as a non exclusive example, an implementation of the mentioned protection system against unauthorized access to circuits, where it can be observed the SAM (9) devices mounted on the sockets, inside individual compartments (10). Each compartment has a lid (11) with a spring (12) acting over it towards its opening and a lock (13) which, in its closed position, is held by a counterlock (14) through another spring (15) acting on it. Once the correct password is imputed, the system commands the action of a solenoid (16), which attracts the bottom part of the counterlock and releases the lid lock, which opens through action of the spring (12).

As shown in Figure 4, a preferred assembly of the terminal of this invention may be described as a microcomputer system with a CPU (18), RAM (19), Flash memory (20), controller (21) for the LCD (22) and peripheric controllers

(24). Through serial interfaces (27,28, 29 e 30) the hybrid reading device is interconnected (32) for magnetic and contact-smart cards, the reading device (33) for wireless smart cards, the printer (31) and the safety module (34). It can be seen also an auxiliary VGA output (23) which allows usage of an external video monitor, a PS2 interface (26) for compatible mouse and/or keyboard, Compact Flash Memory cards interface (36), PCMCIA interface (25), sensors input (35) and bus extension (37).

A particularly relevant characteristic is the connection configurability foreseen for the terminal. It can be through Ethernet, for a LAN or wide-band connection, through modem for conventional dialed access, through a PCMCIA in the correspondent slot, for a wireless network connection. This PCMCIA slot can provide a GSM cellular connection, in a situation where there are no phone lines or wide-band connection. In other words, the PCMCIA slot can provide connectivity in present forms as well as other that may come in the future, with no need for building a new hardware, simply inserting the new module and loading the appropriate software driver. As for USB connection, it offers countless additional peripherics to be connected to the terminal, such as bar code readers, scanners, checks readers/printers, etc.

As for the aspect of incorporating voice communication through VolP (Voice Over IP technology), two implementation options must be considered, regarding the multifunctional aspect of this terminal. The simple IP phone or a router assembly with a VPN option and VolP gateway. The final effect of the gateway/router is to provide VolP communication. However, the gateway also allows the connection of the retailer's PABX central (if there is one) and therefore allows the communication to be performed, not only though the terminal's head-set but also through any extension of the mentioned PABX central. The VPN router brings, also, the security of a VPN to the communications, ensuring the possibility of internet connection in an absolutely secure manner.

Please note that all the descriptions presented above are preferred assemblies. Variations and modifications are possible and do not escape the invention's scope.