GB2425621A

GB2425621A - An electronic token for authorising payment at a retail outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2425621A
Application number: GB0505544A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurizio Pilu
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2005-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-18
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Also published as: GB0505544D0

Abstract

A electric token for authorising payment to a third party in order to enable completion of a transaction between the third party and the holder, the token having a memory containing machine-readable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction to be authorised. The token may be an integrated circuit card with an RF coil. The token 100 is read by reader 300 at a retail outlet (third party). The token is of particular use by a child wherein a parent programs the token using a mobile phone 302 with the transaction characteristics including time, location and nature of goods/services.

Description

A TOKEN AND RELATED METHODS

This invention relates to payment tokens and related methods and in particular the invention relates to tokens for use, by a holder thereof, in authorising payment to a third party.

Tokens such as book tokens, luncheon vouchers and gift certificates which can be redeemed at a specified one or more retailers are known. These are often provided as gifts and provide the donor with some control over how their gift is used. This may be attractive in particular when giving gifts to children as the donor may believe that if a corresponding cash amount was given, the child may spend it on sweets, cigarettes or alcohol or other less desirable purchases. Further, a child with cash may be the target of thieves, to whom, for example, a book token is less attractive than cash.

A further example of a token is a coupons offering money off a purchase of a product. Both of these types of payment voucher are usually provided with a barcode which, when read, identifies the product and/or retailer for which the voucher may be used and will prevent an attempt to use the voucher in anything other than a purchase intended by its issuer.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a token for use, by a holder thereof, in authorising payment to a third party in order to enable completion of a transaction between the third party and the holder, the token having a memory containing machine-readable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction to be authorised.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling payment in a transaction between the holder of a token and a third party, the method comprising providing the token with machinereadable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction, and the method further comprising reading the machine readable data before the transaction is authorised to check that the transaction conforms to conditions specified by the machine readable data.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of authorising a transaction between a third party and the holder of a token holding machine-readable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction, the method comprising accessing the machine-readable data held on the token, checking that the transaction conforms to conditions specified by the machine-readable data and authorising the transaction if the conditions are met.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method controlling payment in a transaction between a holder of a token and a third party, the method comprising programming the token with machinereadable data specifying characteristics of the transaction that must be met before a transaction can proceed.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which: Figure 1 shows a token according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit as may be utilised in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic layout of a network of apparatus arranged to carry out an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a flowchart describing a process involved in carrying out one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a flowchart describing a process involved in programming a token according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

The token shown in Figure 1 comprises a card printed with the rightful holder's name and a unique reference number. The token 100 further comprises an integrated circuit 102 which, as is shown schematically in Figure 2 comprises an interface means provided by a microprocessor 202 with an associated read/write memory 204 and an antenna coil 210.

Figure 2 schematically shows the components of the integrated circuit 102.

The integrated circuit 102 is arranged such that the microprocessor 202 can access the memory 204, thereby accessing program code to instruct it how to access data. The microprocessor 202 is further arranged to process the data as outlined by the program code. The microprocessor 202 is also capable of writing to the memory 204 to add program code or other data into the memory 204. The memory comprises a non-volatile memory, for example FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) or MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory), which, as will be familiar to the man skilled in the art, retain data when the power to the memory is turned off. This can be contrasted with volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), which is wiped of data when the power is turned off.

In this embodiment, the integrated circuit 102 comprises an RFID transponder circuit which operates at roughly 2.45GHz, and is of an area of approximately 0.5 mm2. The memory 204 provides iMbit of capacity and is of an area of approximately 1 mm2, The integrated circuit as a whole has an external dimension D for their sides of around 1mm.

The RFID transponder circuit comprises a capacitor which, in combination with the antenna coil 210, forms a resonant circuit with component values being chosen to tune the combination to approximately 2.45GHz for inductive coupling with a token reading/writing device. A portion of transponder circuit comprising a diode and capacitor is responsible for power supply, with the diode rectifying the alternating current generated by the inductive coupling and the capacitor acting as power supply storage. A portion of the transponder circuit responsible for receiving transmitted data from the read/write device 16 comprise a diode, capacitor and resistor which form a simple envelope detector; the data thus received is stored in the memory 204. A portion of the transponder circuit is responsible for the reading of data from the memory 204 comprise a the tuned LC circuit in combination with a switch and a capacitor, switching the capacitor in and out of the circuit using Si changes the resonance of the tuned circuit resulting in phase modulation of the reflected power from the integrated circuit 1 02 to a read/write device.

One amplitude modulation format which may be used to apply the data to be transmitted to the 2.45GHz signal is Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) which only requires a simple envelope detector. However, other amplitude modulation formats may also be employed.

Further alternatives are Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) and Phase Shift Keying (PSK) that provide near constant envelope modulation, i.e. without any significant amplitude modulation, however these options have more complex demodulation requirements and thus demand more complex circuitry in the integrated circuit 102.

The memory 204 is used to hold instructions that are being executed, such as program code, etc., and contains a program storage portion 206 allocated to program code that can be used to cause the microprocessor 202 to perform predetermined actions.

In this embodiment, the program code stored in the program storage portion 206 includes a database query means 212, data identification means 214, and a data retrieval means 216. The function of these will be expanded upon hereinafter.

The memory 204 also comprises a data storage portion 206 allocated to holding data and in embodiments of the present invention in particular provides a shop code database 218, a product code database 220, a time code database 222, a monetary value storage means 226, an instructions storage means 228 and a date code database 230.

The antenna coil 210 is arranged about the periphery of the integrated circuit 102 and arranged to provide power to the microprocessor 202 in the presence of an Radio Frequency (RF) electromagnetic wave, which, as will be familiar from the field of RF tagging, induces a current in the coil; i.e. power is provided to the token when the antenna coil 210 is excited by incident radio frequency radiation. The integrated circuit 102 may therefore be considered similar in structure to a micro-controller such as a Plc chip supplied by the Microchip Company, but powered by induction of the RF antenna coil in place of a battery as in the prior art.

Such a integrated circuit 102 is described in greater detail in Patent Publication Number GB 2395592.

The system shown in Figure 3 is used for carrying out an embodiment of the invention and comprises a reader 300, arranged to read the token 100.

In use of the system, the reader 300 would generally be situated in a retail outlet (i.e. a third party) in the region of, or incorporated in, the checkout tills. The system further comprises a token 100 as shown in Figure 1 and a token programming means, which in this embodiment comprises a mobile telephone 302 comprising a token reading/writing device 304 and arranged, as will be familiar to those skilled in the art, to emit a signal in order to connect to a base station or radio antenna in order to communicate with other devices such as other mobile telephones and in this example, the Internet. The mobile phone 302 also incorporates a camera 306 and is arranged to allow a user to program the token 100 connected to the reading/writing device 304 using the keypad of the mobile phone 302 as an input device. The connection is a wireless connection between the reading/writing device 304 and the token 100 and allows data to be transmitted between the two. The reading/writing device 304 powers the token 100 by transmitting radio frequency signal of the correct frequency to induce power in the antenna coil 210.

It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the token reading/writing device 304 may be incorporated into a different device, for example any of the following non-exhaustive list may be suitable: a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a television, a watch, a camera or the like. Alternatively, the token reading/writing device 304 may be a stand alone device or may be external to any of the devices mentioned above but arranged to be connected thereto by a bus cable, BluetoothTM, Infrared, or the like.

The token reading/writing device 304 comprises a circuit comprising a signal generator which generates a signal at the chosen frequency of 2.45GHz. This signal passes via an amplitude modulator, where it is amplitude modulated with data to be written to the integrated circuit 102, and a splitter, to an antenna and a capacitor which form a tuned circuit.

The component values of the antenna and the capacitor are chosen to tune it to 2.45GHz which is the same value as for the tuned circuit in the integrated circuit 102, in order to maximise inductive coupling between the two circuits. Thus the reading/writing device 304 transmits power and data to the integrated circuit 102.

The splitter takes a part (as much as 50% of the power) of the amplitude modulated signal, for use as a reference signal, and passes it to a multiplier.

The signal received from the integrated circuit 102 via the tuned LC circuit and divided from the outgoing signal by a coupler, is also passed to the multiplier. Thus the transmitted amplitude modulated signal and received signal are multiplied and then passed through a low pass filter to provide a signal comprising the phase modulation from the integrated circuit 102 and thus indicative of the data read from the integrated circuit 102. This signal is then passed to the mobile telephone 302 in which the token reading/writing device 304 is housed, for subsequent data processing.

With the apparatus of the integrated circuit 102 and token reading/writing device 304 described above, power transfer of around 25% can be achieved with a distance of around 1.8mm between the antenna of the token reading/writing device and the antenna coil 210 of the integrated circuit 102. This is sufficient to transfer enough power to the integrated circuit 102 for it to operate.

The integrated circuit 102 has an external dimension D of around 1mm, as described above, and therefore the token reading/writing device 304 can communicate with them it a relatively short range, in this example of approximately 2D. However, the distance over which the token reading/writing device 304 and integrated circuit 102 will communicate effectively will clearly vary with the exact details of their construction, and it may therefore be up to 1OD. Distances greater than this would limit the ability to use a plurality of integrated circuits 102 on a single token 100, or other item, due to the distances which would be necessary between the integrated circuits 102 to ensure that the token reading/writing device 304 does communicate with the desired integrated circuit 102 out of a number present. To ensure that communication is with the correct integrated circuit 102 in every circumstance a communication distance of 5D or less is preferable.

The integrated circuit 102 has a data rate of l0Mbitss', which is two orders of magnitude faster than is typical in prior art devices. Such a data rate enables the token reading/writing device 304 to be held over the integrated circuit 102 for a short period of time ("brush and go") for data to be read or written as appropriate.

The reader 300 comprises a token reader 308, a barcode reader 310 and a display 312.

The system also comprises a printer 312 arranged to print the token 300 in a manner well known to the person skilled in the art.

Figure 4 shows a flowchart outlining the steps in carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. In step 400, the token is printed. In the embodiment now described, the token 100 is supplied to a user ready printed and bearing a integrated circuit 102 with data in the memory, in this embodiment amounting to instructions akin to the Operating System of a computer, which provides instructions on how to receive, identify and process data according to its identity.

In step 402, the integrated circuit 102 is programmed with machinereadable data specific to the intended holder of the token 100. In the example now given, as shown in the flowchart of Figure 5, the intended holder is a child and the machine-readable data is set by the child's parent as follows. Thus, the parent is provided with a method of controlling a payment that his/her child can make with the token.

First, the parent connects to the Internet using the mobile phone 302, accessing a website which provides a Graphic User Interface to guide the parent through the options available (Step 500).

The parent is then guided through a series of options which are used to determine the machine-readable data which they believe represents a suitable ambit of use of the token for their child. The machine-readable data may provide characteristics of a transaction relating to one or more of the following non-exhaustive list: Category of store/service (i.e. the nature of the goods/services), location of store/service (as defined by, for example, a postcode.

This may provide an effective anti-theft means), goods/services, category of goods/service, time of purchase (both in terms of time of day and within a prescribed time limit).

For the purposes of this example, the parent is asked the age of their child which is entered in step 502 then provided with choices suitable for that age group, such as a list of shops in which the token 100 may be used. The parent is presented with an editable list of acceptable shops/retail outlets from a first list in step 504. Acceptable shops may be named example of chain stores such as toyshops, bookshops, and newsagents. The parent is then presented with an editable list of unacceptable shops from a second list in step 506. Unacceptable shops may be, for example, off-licenses and betting offices. Each shop is assigned a code to assist identification.

The parent is then presented with options as to categories of goods which may be purchased by the child. In this example, the parent selects from a list of allowable products such as of books, stationary, toys, magazines, video games, music, confectionary, etc. in step 508. The parent is further able to select from a list of prohibited products, such as cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, pornography and the like in step 510. Next, in step 512, the parent is asked to set the acceptable hours of use of the tokenfor example between O600hrs and 2300hrs each day. Each category of goods is assigned a code to assist identification.

The parent is next presented with options as to how the shop keeper is to proceed in the event of a purchase. The parent selects that a purchase is not to be allowed if an attempt is made to use the token in prohibited shops or on prohibited items and further selects to be contacted in that event in step 518. The parent is therefore asked to enter contact details such as a mobile telephone number, an email address or the like. If an attempt to use the token 100 in shops or on items that are neither acceptable or prohibited, or outside acceptable hours, the purchase is not allowed, but the parent is not to be contacted. The parent may then be contacted via telephone, email, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS) or in some other way.

The parent is next asked to set the monetary value of the token 100.

Therefore, in this embodiment the token itself provides a source of monetary value for use in a transaction. In this embodiment, the monetary value is charged to the parent's mobile phone 302 (i.e. the monetary value is provided by a credit account of the parent - monetary value that the parent will be charged for later) in a manner known to those skilled in the art, but other payment methods may be suitable, as are discussed below.

In other embodiments the monetary value may be provided by an account (which may be a debit or credit account) accessed across a network connection (for example the Internet) to the reader 300 and/or the reading/writing device 304.

Finally, the parent is asked to set a time limit on the monetary value held on the token. For example, if the token 100 is used to provide a monthly allowance, the parent may select that the monetary value expires in one month.

Once the process is complete, the conditions of use are programmed onto the integrated circuit 102 in step 404 by bringing the token into proximity with the token reading/writing device 304 provided in the mobile telephone. The token reading/writing device is arranged to generate an RF signal capable of both exciting the antenna coil 210 in order to power the microprocessor 202 and further providing data to be read in to the memory 204. In other embodiments the telephone or other token read/writing device may physically connect to the token rather than relying on a wireless connection.

The shop and product codes are identified as such by the data identification means 214 and, along with an associated attribute of Acceptable' or Prohibited' for each code, are written into the shop code database 218 and the product code database 220 respectively. A time code indicating the acceptable time of purchase is identified as such by the data identification means 214 and written into the time code database. The monetary value, data indicating the instructions to be followed during an attempted purchase and the date code providing the expiry date of the monetary value are each identified and written to the monetary value storage means 226, instructions storage means 228 and date code database 230 respectively.

Once the token 100 has been programmed, it is given to the child for use.

In an example of use, the child presents the token 100 in a bookshop in order to purchase some books, which is then inserted into the reader 300 and read in step 406. It will be appreciated that because the token can be read with a wireless connection thereto that it need not be inserted into a reader 300 and may be read at distances of up to IOD as described above.

The next step 408 is to determine whether the purchase meets the conditions specified by the parent. In order to achieve this, the reader 300 reads the token by generating an RF signal which excites the antenna coil 210, powering the microprocessor 202 which, as specified by the operating system, asks for data further providing instructions to microprocessor 202 to access data held in the memory 204 which provides the allowed characteristics of the transaction.

In the embodiment here described, the reader 300 first provides the identity code of the shop in which the reader 300 is situated to the microprocessor 202 which, on receipt of the information queries the shop code database 218 using the database query means 212 to find out if the shop is an allowed or prohibited shop. Depending on the outcome of the query, the microprocessor 202 accesses instructions from the instructions storage means 228 using the data retrieval means 216 as follows. In step 416, it is considered whether the shop is prohibited, in which case the purchase is not allowed and the salesperson is issued with instructions to contact the parent (step 418). If no match for the shop code is found in the shop code database 218, the purchase is not allowed (step 420). If the shop is an allowed shop, microprocessor 202 generates a transaction clearance data signal indicating that the attempt to purchase should proceed.

The reader 300 identifies the goods by reading the barcode using the barcode reader 310 then accessing a website over the Internet which places the goods in a category according to their barcode and identifies the category by a product code. As will be familiar to the person skilled in the art, a barcode generally identifies the goods, the manufacturer, if relevant the package size, etc. with a unique number assigned by the Uniform Code Council. This can be used with a look-up table to match the goods to a product code. The resulting code is returned to the reader and supplied to the token 100. This is then used to query the product code database 220 using the database query means 212 to find out if the product is an allowed or prohibited product. Depending on the outcome of the query, the microprocessor 202 accesses instructions from the instructions storage means 228 using the data retrieval means 216 as follows. In step 416, it is considered if the product is prohibited, in which case the purchase is not allowed and the salesperson is issued with instructions to contact the parent (step 418). If no match for the product code is found in the product code database 218, the purchase is not allowed (step 420). If the product is an allowed product, the microprocessor 202 generates a transaction clearance data signal indicating that the attempt to purchase should proceed.

The microprocessor 202 next requests the time from the reader 300, which returns a timecode. The microprocessor compares this with the allowable purchase times stored in the time code database 222. Depending on the outcome of the comparison, the microprocessor 202 accesses instructions from the instructions storage means 228 using the data retrieval means 216 as follows. If the time of purchase is prohibited, the purchase is not allowed and the salesperson is issued with instructions to contact the parent (step 418). If the time is allowed, the microprocessor 202 generates a transaction clearance data signal indicating that the attempt to purchase should proceed.

The next step is to determine whether the time for spending the monetary value has expired. The reader 300 accesses the expiry date of the monetary value using the data retrieval means 216 to access the date code database 230 and displays this to the salesperson. If the date is in the future, the microprocessor 202 generates a transaction clearance data signal indicating that the attempt to purchase should proceed; otherwise the purchase fails (step 420).

The next step 410 is to determine whether there is sufficient monetary value on the token (i.e. monetary value held in machine-readable data held on the token) to cover the purchase. The reader 300 accesses the amount of monetary on the token using the data retrieval means 216 to access the monetary value storage means 226 and compares this amount to the total of the goods to be purchased. If there are sufficient funds available (i.e. monetary value), the microprocessor 202 generates a transaction clearance data signal indicating that the attempt to purchase should proceed; otherwise the transaction fails.

If the purchase is allowed (step 414), the reader 300 deducts the value of the purchase from the monetary value amount retrieved from the monetary value storage means 226 (i.e. within the machine-readable data held on the token) and instructs the microprocessor to overwrite the value in the monetary value storage means 226 with the new available monetary value.

The shop will then recoup the cost of the purchase from the tokenproducing organisation. Thus, it will be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the shop has been provided with a method of authorising a transaction between itself (i.e. a third party) and the holder of the token 100.

The skilled person will appreciate that there are many variations on the present invention that do not depart from the scope of the invention. In particular, although not discussed in detail herein, the token could be in the form of a piece of paper and could for example be printed on the home printer of a parent or other user. The user could stick an integrated circuit 102 to the token or alternatively the printer could be provided with an attachment arranged to attach integrated circuits 102 to the token from a store of such integrated circuits. The checks described in the preceding paragraphs need not be performed in the order described and indeed, fewer or more checks may be made.

Further, while the example herein has been directed to controlling the spending of a child, it will be appreciated that there may be other circumstances where it is desirable to limit the range of goods that can be purchased. For example, such a token may be issued to a person who is heavily in debt to ensure that the token is used on essential items rather than luxuries. It could be used to ensure that child support funds are only used to purchase items which contribute to a child's well being.

Alternatively, it could be used simply to show that some thought has gone into selecting a gift- for example, allowing the token to be spent on books by a certain author on whom the recipient is keen. These are provided by way of example to illustrate that the embodiment described in detail herein is not intended to be restrictive.

The skilled person will also appreciate that precise locations and mechanisms described herein are made by way of example. For example, the machine-readable data in the above example is held on the token.

However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be carried out by storing the information on a server that can be accessed by the reader 300 via a network, for example the Internet. By way of contrast, it may be that the system does not require access to the Internet at all, with sufficient data being provided on the token and/or reader to categorise goods/service or retail outlets. This could have a structure similar to the pricing information as stored at present in relation to barcodes. A store will generally have a database giving the price of an item as identified by its barcode. A similar database could provide the category of goods.

The monetary value limit may be set by the contents of the holder's bank account (i.e. a debit account of the holder - an account which already contains monetary value such that the monetary value required for a purchase can be met at the time the monetary value is requested) or an agreed amount of credit may be extended to the holder (i.e. a credit account in which the user is charged for the monetary value at a time after the transaction). Further, in the embodiment described herein, the token 100 is used to pay for goods. In alternative embodiments, it may be used to pay for services such as travel fares, delivery, etc. It will be appreciated that a purchase is intended to relate to the purchase of goodsas well as of services.

The token 100 may take many forms. In embodiments described above it is described as being a paper voucher printed by a printer. However, it may also be a payment card similar in nature to a credit card and may be made of a plastics material. In yet further embodiments the token may be an IC fastened to an object or may be the memory of an electronic device such as a telephone, a pda, a watch or the like.

Claims

I. A token for use, by a holder thereof, in authorising payment to a third party in order to enable completion of a transaction between the third party and the holder, the token having a memory containing machinereadable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction to be authorised.
2. A token according to claim 1 in which the characteristics of the transaction include at least one of the following: * the times at which the transaction can be executed; * the locations at which the transaction can be executed; * the nature of the goods/services that can be the subject of the transaction;
3. A token according to claim I or 2 which is arranged such that the memory can be written to such that the machine-readable data can be at least one of created and altered.
4. A token according to any preceding claim which further comprises an antenna coil arranged to provide power to the token when excited by incident radiation.
5. A token according to claim 4 in which the antenna coil is arranged to be excited by radio frequency radiation
6. A token according to any preceding claim in which the memory comprise non-volatile memory.
7. A token according to any preceding claim which provides at least any one of the following: a voucher, a payment card, such as a credit card or the like.
8. A method of controlling payment in a transaction between the holder of a token and a third party, the method comprising providing the token with machine-readable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction, and the method further comprising reading the machine readable data before the transaction is authorised to check that the transaction conforms to conditions specified by the machine readable data.
9. A method according to claim 9 in which the characteristics of the transaction include at least one of the following: * the times at which the transaction can be executed; * the locations at which the transaction can be executed; * the nature of the goods/services that can be the subject of the transaction;
10. A method according to clam 8 or 9 in which the payment is made from at least one of the following sources: * monetary value held in the machine-readable data on the token; * monetary value held in a debit account of the holder; * monetary value provided by a credit account of the holder.
11. A method according to claim 10 which comprises updating the source of the payment with the transaction.
12. A method of authorising payment between a third party and the holder of a token holding machine-readable data specifying one or more characteristics of the transaction, the method comprising accessing the machine-readable data held on the token, checking that the transaction conforms to conditions specified by the machine-readable data and authorising the transaction if the conditions are met.
13. A method controlling payment in a transaction between a holder of a token and a third party, the method comprising programming the token with machine-readable data specifying characteristics of the transaction that must be met before a transaction can proceed.
14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 in which the characteristics of the transaction include at least one of the following: * the times at which the transaction can be executed; * the locations at which the transaction can be executed; * the nature of the goods/services that can be the subject of the transaction;
15. A method according to claim 12 or 14 in which the method comprises printing a token for subsequent use in at least one transaction.
16. A method according to claim 15 in which the token is printed and subsequently programmed.
17. A method according to any of claims 13 to 16 in which the token is programmed using a token reading/writing device.
18. A method according to claim 17 in which the token reading/writing device is arranged to communicate with a remote computer which may be provided by an Internet site.
19. A token substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A method of controlling payment in a transaction between the holder of a token and a third party substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A method of authorising payment between a third party and the holder of a token substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A method controlling payment in a transaction between a holder of a token and a third party substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.