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I was going to write that these machines are easy to use and the interface is logical. But then I looked at the instructions and realized that the operator requ

I was going to write that these machines are easy to use and the interface is logical. But then I looked at the instructions and realized that the operator requires that the license plate should be entered as a first step. The rest of the interface flows from that IMO stupid requirement (alphanumeric keypad, long usage instructions). However, there is still an obvious main display and main keypad that you start the process on. The separate display and numeric keyboard unit is obviously part of the card reader that you only need to interact with if you want to pay with a card. Its presence as an entirely isolated unit within the machine is mandated by payment processors. It is a separately certified secure enclave that shields the card payment authorization process from the rest of the system so your information, most importantly your PIN, can't leak. The text on the machine is actually well structured: T&C glued on at the very top. The usage instructions are in the wide top window. The smaller window to the side details the parking fees.

Nextgrid 4y ago
> Its presence as an entirely isolated unit within the machine is mandated by payment processors. It is a separately certified secure enclave that shields the card payment authorization process from the rest of the system so your information, most importantly your PIN, can't leak. There's absolutely a way to get (non-sensitive) display output out of it so they can reuse the main screen for display at least (fast food self-checkout machines do this in my area - the status display from the card terminal is replicated on the main screen during the payment process).
benhurmarcel 4y ago
They need the license plate because they control for illegally parked cars and send fines by scanning plates with image recognition. I don't see another way to achieve that.

Nextgrid 4y ago

> Its presence as an entirely isolated unit within the machine is mandated by payment processors. It is a separately certified secure enclave that shields the card payment authorization process from the rest of the system so your information, most importantly your PIN, can't leak. There's absolutely a way to get (non-sensitive) display output out of it so they can reuse the main screen for display at least (fast food self-checkout machines do this in my area - the status display from the card terminal is replicated on the main screen during the payment process).

benhurmarcel 4y ago

They need the license plate because they control for illegally parked cars and send fines by scanning plates with image recognition. I don't see another way to achieve that.