The contactless card reader is the first step towards a successful bank transaction. In a parking meter application, the parking machine interacts with the telemetry terminal to trigger a fixed value transaction on the reader, but that is where the interaction ends. The telemetry terminal ensures the contactless reader performs checks of the card and carries out the transaction, and prepares an encrypted message containing cardholder data for the Payment Service Provider (PSP).

This message goes to a back office first, which links all payment terminals in the field to the PSP. This software service can be your own, Gemini 2000’s or provided by a third-party payment specialist. Once the transaction request is received by the PSP, it makes the relevant checks with Visa and Mastercard and responds with an Accept and Decline message that is delivered back down the chain to the parking meter. The whole process takes seconds and a ticket can now be printed.