| Windows handheld collects in-flight payments |
Nov. 20, 2008
 GuestLogix announced a Windows CE handheld computer that lets airline flight attendants accept payments via credit or debit cards. The "OnBoard PowerSeller 2" includes a PIN entry keypad, an MSR (magnetic strip reader), a Smart Card reader, an imager/barcode scanner, and a thermal printer, says GuestLogix.
(Click here for a larger view of the GuestLogix PowerSeller2)
GuestLogix calls the new PowerSeller 2 its "next generation" mobile payment handheld, apparently because the company's previous such product did not have a keypad allowing customers to enter their own PINs. The PED (pin entry device) subsystem is said to comply with ECBS (European Committee for Banking Standards) and a variety of other certifications. For high security, the PED hardware does its work independently, supplying output to applications running on the device but not requiring any assistance from them, the company says.
Thanks to the new PED, airline customers can now use both debit cards and credit cards to pay for duty-free goods, in-flight entertainment, and other items. The PowerSeller 2 reads cards via an onboard Smart Card reader or MSR, and can print receipts via its integral 2.3-inch thermal printer, GuestLogix says.
For reading barcodes on products being purchased, the PowerSeller 2 is equipped with a 1D barcode scanner, and is optionally available with 2D scanning capabilities as well. The device has a 1900mAh battery that is claimed to provide "all-day transaction processing."
In addition to the PED already mentioned, the lower half of the PowerSeller 2 includes a 128 x 16 matrix display for prompting card users. Above this, for the flight attendant's use, there's a 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 resolution, plus buttons on the front and sides that can trigger barcode scanning.
At the top of the device, there's a thermal printer that's said to be capable of spitting out 3.5 inches of tear-off receipts per second. Meanwhile, an aperture for the barcode scanner is on the other side of the device, GuestLogix says.
According to GuestLogix, the PowerSeller 2 includes a tri-band GMS cellular modem, and will be available with CDMA too. Bluetooth 2.1 is optional, but all models include 802.11b/g wireless networking, a serial port, and a USB 1.1 port, according to the company.
The PowerSeller 2 runs Windows CE 5.0 on a Marvell PXA270 processor clocked at 520MHz. It has 128M of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and a microSD slot, says GuestLogix.
Finally, the device is said to be spill-proof and to withstand a three-foot drop onto a concrete floor. While concrete is an unlikely ingredient in aircraft construction, the PowerSeller 2 no doubt also copes admirably with turbulence.
Features and specifications listed by GuestLogix for the PowerSeller 2 include:- Processor -- Marvell PXA270 clocked at 520MHz
- Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash
- Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 resolution, plus 128 x 16 customer display
- Keyboard -- PED subsystem, with numeric keypad
- Printer-- 2.3-inch thermal printer, using roll paper and capable of 3.5 inches/sec. output
- Wireless:
- WAN -- GSM or CDMA cellular modem
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1 (optional)
- Other I/O:
Barcode scanner (1D, 1D/2D is optional)
- MSR (magnetic stripe reader)
- Smart Card reader
- USB 1.1 port
- RS232 port
- Expansion -- microSD slot
- Battery type -- 1900mAh
- Dimensions -- 9.5 x 3 x 2.3 inches (242 x 76.8 x 58mm)
- Weight -- 1.2 pounds (550g)
GuestLogix did not release pricing or availability information for the PowerSeller 2. More information may be available from the company's website, here.
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