Technical Field

This invention generally relates to a swivel assembly and more particularly to a swivel assembly incorporated with a code reader.

Background Art

QR code abbreviated from Quick Response code is a type of matrix barcode that can be read quickly by an electronic gadget such as smartphone via an application. QR is used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to user smartphone. QR codes have been widely used due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. For instance, the QR codes can be used on a billboard for general marketing, a parking area for location tracking or a web page for information management. In expansion of its' application, it has now become popular in use for transaction as e-wallet. QR codes enable consumers to make a bill payment in seconds, simply by scanning the QR code on their paper or electronic bill with their mobile or tablet device, or by displaying their unique QR code to the retailer for identification and transaction via mobile wallet.

A point of sale terminal (POS terminal), also known as electronic fund transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminal, or Electronic Draft Capture (EDC) has been commonly used as an electronic device to process card payments for electronic fund transfers at retailer locations in replacing cash register. It allows a retailer to insert, swipe, or manually enter the required credit or debit card details for authorization and fund transaction. It further evolves to have a built-in RFID or NFC technology to accommodate contactless or mobile device payment methods. In the latest evolution, the terminal offers an optional payment method by combining use of additional barcode reader. Patent No. US 9,430,681 B2 discloses one of the examples of mobile barcode scanner in a gun-like system. The mobile scanner gun system has a mobile tablet device attached to a pistol grip base housing and connected thereto through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling. The upper receiver of the mobile scanner gun system has a USB MSR input device mounted on one edge of the mobile tablet device and the barcode scanner is incorporated within the pistol grip base, the scanner being operable by pressing a trigger provided in the mobile scanner gun. Said mobile scanner system is meant for inventory management rather than transaction.

Patent Publication No. US 2007/0007353 A1 discloses another example of scanner that relates to a laser scanner module having integral interface with hand-held data capture terminal, proximity and label sensing, and enhanced sensitivity and power efficiency. In one of the aspect, the terminal means is utilized by an individual at various locations for direct communication with another computer system for the purpose of carrying out desired individual transactions. In one of the embodiment, the handheld terminal system may be provided with a scanner for optically scanning visual information such as bar codes. The laser scanner is assembled with radio into a housing shell.

Swivel base is known for housing a POS terminal at payment counter, which is rotatable to ease the payment process by the retailer and consumer back and forth. Considering the evolution of POS terminal into a multi-options payment method, combination use of payment devices such as POS terminal with external gun-like bar code or QR code reader, has created hassle to the retailers particularly on the devices arrangement due to the space consumption, multi-cables management due to twist and turn when in use between retailer and consumer for authentication of transaction. Accordingly, it can be seen in the prior arts that there exists a need to provide an assembly for reducing the space consumption while minimizing the cable faults due to the over twist and turn, back and forth of the multiple payment devices. Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a swivel assembly incorporated with a code reader.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a swivel assembly that allows three modes of payment including contactless waving, contact chip and pin, and code scanning. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a swivel assembly accommodating different payment schemes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a swivel assembly that houses a terminal and a code reader to provide different modes of payment.

Accordingly, these objectives may be achieved by following the teachings of the present invention. The present invention relates to a swivel assembly comprising a base, a swivel means coupled to the base, and a housing mounted on the swivel means, characterized in that: the swivel assembly comprising a code reader coupled thereto, wherein the swivel assembly receives a terminal that is operatively connected with the code reader for payment mode selection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the swivel assembly; Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the swivel assembly in opposite angle to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the swivel assembly;

Fig. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the swivel assembly; Fig. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the swivel assembly;

Fig. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the swivel assembly;

Fig. 7 is an exploded view illustrating attachment of the base plate, code reader and the base of the swivel assembly; and

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of Fig. 7.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for claims. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to. Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means one or more, unless otherwise mentioned. Where the abbreviations or technical terms are used, these indicate the commonly accepted meanings as known in the technical field. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures. The present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 -8.

The present invention relates to a swivel assembly (100) comprising a base (10), a swivel means (20) coupled to the base (10), and a housing (30) mounted on the swivel means (20), characterized in that:

the swivel assembly (100) comprising a code reader (50) coupled thereto; wherein the swivel assembly (100) receives a terminal that is operatively connected with the code reader (50) for payment mode selection.

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the code reader (50) is preferably a Quick Response (QR) code reader or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the terminal is received by the housing (30). In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the code reader (50) is coupled to the housing (30).

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the code reader (50) is coupled to the base (10).

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the swivel assembly (100) further comprising a base plate (12) for mounting the code reader (50) to the base (10) of the swivel assembly (100). In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the base (10) comprising a compartment (14) underneath for receiving the code reader (50).

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the base (10) comprising a window (16) to allow code scanning by the code reader (50).

In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the housing (30) comprising a through hole (32) aligned with the swivel means (20) for receiving cables. In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the base (10) comprising an opening (18) aligned with the through hole (32) and the swivel means (20) for receiving cables. In a preferred embodiment of the swivel assembly (100), the swivel assembly (100) is detachable, particularly the swivel means (20) that is fabricated as a separate component. In another embodiment, the swivel assembly (100) is non-detachable and is fabricated as a whole. In the said embodiment, the swivel means (20) is made of the same material as the base (10) and the housing (30), such as plastic.

According to one of the preferred embodiment, the swivel assembly (100) is incorporated with a QR code reader (50) at one end of the base (10). The base (10) has the compartment (14) at the underneath for seating the QR code reader (50) facing upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the base (10) comprises a transparent window (16) on top, wherein the QR code reader is facing the window (16) to facilitate reading of the QR code for transaction means. In another preferred embodiment, the window (16) is slanted at an angle facing one direction, as shown in Fig. 1 .

Still referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the housing (30) is positioned at another side of the base (10) in opposite to the window (16). The housing (30) has protrusions and abutments for receiving and retaining the terminal within the swivel assembly (100). Bottom of the housing (30) comprises the through hole (32) aligned with the swivel means (20), whereby the terminal cable is extended through the hole to an electronic system via the swivel means (20). The housing (30) mounted on the swivel means (20) is rotatable around the swivel means (20), thereby enabling the turning of terminal to face between the merchant and the consumer. The cables are well organised without being over twisted when turning the housing (30) for couple of times.

Figs. 3 - 6 show different views of an embodiment of the swivel assembly.

Figs. 7 - 8 show a different perspective view in an exploded view of the swivel assembly. As seen, the swivel assembly (100) further comprising a base plate (12) for mounting the code reader (50) to the base (10) of the swivel assembly (100). In a more preferred embodiment, the code reader (50) is mounted on the base plate (12), and the base plate (12) is fastened to the base (10) with screws.

In a further embodiment, the code reader (50) is mounted at the housing (30) of the swivel assembly (100). Different variation may be formed to accommodate the placement of the terminal and the code reader (50) at the swivel assembly (100) to enable the three modes payment.

Aforesaid, the swivel assembly of the present invention offers three modes of payment, which include contactless waving via NFC technology, contact chip and pin, or QR code scanning. After merchant enter the sales amount into the terminal, the terminal is swivel to face consumer and allow consumer to choose three modes of payment as aforementioned. Said swivel assembly benefited the merchant by overcoming the existing shortcomings as mentioned earlier. Up to date, QR code scanning payment schemes that is available in the market includes AliPay, We Chat Pay, and the upcoming Visa and Mastercard QR code payment. Therefore, the present invention would be of technical advantage to unite the payment devices into a single assembly. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, also shown in the appended figures, it will be apparent for those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be done within the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined in the following claims.

Description of the reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings according to the present invention:

Reference

Description

Numerals

100 Swivel assembly

10 Base

12 Base plate

14 Compartment

16 Window

18 Opening

20 Swivel means

30 Housing

32 Through hole

50 Code reader