IES83700Y1 - A system and method for validation of electronic vouchers - Google Patents
A system and method for validation of electronic vouchersInfo
- Publication number
- IES83700Y1 IES83700Y1 IE2004/0572A IE20040572A IES83700Y1 IE S83700 Y1 IES83700 Y1 IE S83700Y1 IE 2004/0572 A IE2004/0572 A IE 2004/0572A IE 20040572 A IE20040572 A IE 20040572A IE S83700 Y1 IES83700 Y1 IE S83700Y1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- voucher
- identifier
- user
- validation
- combination
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT The invention relates to a validation system and method adapted to enable a validation of electronic vouchers. A validation server is provided on which is maintained a data correlation between a user identifier specific (UID) to an individual user and a voucher identifier (VID) specific to a specific electronic voucher. A delivery identifier (DID) specific to a device associated with that user may also be provided. A valid voucher is defined by a combination of the VID with at least one of the UID and/or DID. A copy of the voucher identifier is provided to the user. In order to validate a voucher, the user provides a combination of their user identifier/delivery identifier and the voucher identifier to a remote terminal, adapted to be in communication with the validation server. The remote terminal requests validation from the server and if the presented combination match the previously stored combination a match is determined and the voucher is validated.
Description
Title
A system and method for the validation of electronic vouchers
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the validation of vouchers and in particular to a
system and method adapted to validate electronic vouchers. More particularly,
the invention relates to a method and system that utilises data messages within
mobile telecommunication networks to validate electronic vouchers.
Background Of The Invention
The use of vouchers is well known within commercial environments.
Traditionally a voucher is provided by one or more promoters in the form of a
paper coupon which can be subsequently redeemed by a user for specific
goods or services. Examples of vouchers include promotional discounts on
specific products, monetary tokens, tickets and the like.
The emergence of new retail channels such as mobile phone-based
“mcommerce” and Internet-based “eCommerce” have brought to the forefront
issues surrounding the delivery of commodities purchased through these
channels via electronic and/or mobile devices. Consumer demand generated by
the convenience of these new channels has enabled a wide variety of consumer
goods that can be purchased using mobile devices; however, scarce few of the
commodities that could be purchased through these channels can actually be
delivered via the same channel. instead, these goods are typically shipped via
post or other delivery means to the consumer, but this creates an additional
cost of goods to both the consumer and retailer
A preferred, cost-savings method is for the purchasing consumer to be
presented with a voucher, which can be exchanged for the commodity at a
designated location. Again, this voucher could be delivered to the consumer via
post to the consumer, but the most efficient and cost—effective way is to deliver
the voucher via the same electronic channel as the purchase was made, ie,
back to the mobile device. To date, however, electronic vouchering systems
and methods have been found to have several shortcomings.
Historically, vouchers have been used for decades as a means to “bridge the
gap” when there is a lag between the payment for and actually delivery of an
commodity. Examples of “vouchers” include tickets, gift certificates and money-
off coupons. Traditionally, these vouchers have been paper-based, with special
features such as serial numbers, bar-codes, magnetic stripes and holograms
which are used to limit risk of fraudulent activities such as misuse and
counterfeiting. Such features, however, cannot be easily replicated through
mCommerce and eCommerce channels. Many current electronic vouchers have
been limited to simple text. MCommerce and eCommerce retailers have
struggled to create a process where vouchers can be issued electronically to
their channel customers and later exchanged for a commodity at a traditional
retail store without compromising the validation process of the voucher at the
point of exchange.
The complexity of the required validation process varies based on the
requirements of the voucher issuer; however, the core requirements of a
voucher validation process, be it paper-based or electronic, can be summarized
as follows: any issued voucher should be used in the manner intended by the
issuer; ie, in a specified retail outlet(s), in exchange for a specified product(s),
prior to a specified expiration date, valid for a limited number of transactions,
typically once—only. The voucher can also be used as a means to receive a
discount on a specified product. The Voucher has unique qualities, to ensure
that only the original and not a counterfeit copy is redeemed.
Previous attempts to create an electronic voucher (one that can be sent via the
mCommerce or eCommerce channels and redeemed through either of these
channels as well as “traditional” retail stores) have failed to be successful for a
variety of reasons. These include:
o The voucher was in a format that was easily copied, e.g., a coupon
printed from a home computer.
o The voucher could be validated, but the process was inefficient and time—
consuming for the retailer, e.g. the store clerk had to check a list of “valid
voucher codes” and/or call a central help desk to confirm the vouchers’
validity.
Furthermore if multiple vouchers are associated with a specific user it is
often difficult to ascertain which is the correct voucher for redemption, ie
it is difficult to associate multiple offers to be redeemed by a single user.
- Little or no restriction can be placed on who can use a voucher
The market place demand, therefore, has created the need for an electronic
voucher validation process that can pass the core requirements tests as stated
above. Examples of known processes that try to address these issues include
that described in WOO1/97131 of Catalina Marketing lnternational. In this
document a process is described which attempts to standardize delivery,
acceptance and redemption of promotions using various electronic devices. The
process utilizes a registration server having a registration database including
registration information provided by consumers. The information provided by the
customers requires an active participation by the consumer with the registration
process, ie the consumer is required to complete a form with multiple fields
which are then extracted and used to complete the registration fields of the
registration database. This is a cumbersome and time-consuming exercise.
A promotion server is provided which stores and retrieves information in the
registration database and a global consumer database — the global consumer
database including records containing information for providing purchase
incentives. This requires a monitoring of purchases made by a customer in a
retail store. Once it is determined that a customerjustifies a promotion it is
described with reference to Figure 7 how this is achieved. Firstly, the
promotions database generates a reward table, which is then sent to each
retailer, an electronic incentive is then sent to one or more electronic device
associated with a customer. Once notified, in order to redeem this incentive, the
users present themselves at the retail outlet. An incentive ID provided by the
user is compared with a locally stored list of users eligible for incentives and if a
match is found, then the store computer effects the reward. It will be
appreciated that the reward is therefore given on the local verification of one
presented identifier. Once the reward is effected then the store computer
communicates with the promotions sewer, remotely located and maintained
independently of the retail outlet, so as to ensure that the promotion server is
updated to detail that the reward is effected. This means that the reward is
given prior to checking separately that the reward has not been previously
redeemed. There are problems associated with this approach. Firstly, because
the match is effected locally, it means that multiple separate lists of users who
are eligible for rewards need to be maintained, a costly and inefficient
processing requirement. Secondly, as the check is then done locally there is a
‘possibility that a fraudulent user could present an identifier simultaneously at
two or more locations to effect redemption. There is no central or a priori check
of whether the promotion has been redeemed and as the authentication is only
based on a single parameter there is always the possibility of this system being
compromised.
With regard to geographic locations where specific vouchers are valid it is
known from US2003/023482 that a merchant can determine that a coupon
issued by and valid for Store A will not be accepted by Store B. This however is
again done at a local point of sale, the examination of the presented coupon is
conducted in a manual exercise by the local merchant and is therefore open to
exploitation by persons of unscrupulous nature. Irrespective of whether it is
accepted on purpose or by mistake, as the check is a local parameter check,
there is a possibility that a coupon that should not be valid is mistakenly
accepted. The local retailer is then at a loss.
There is therefore a need to provide a system and process that creates a
unique and verifiable link between an electronic voucher, the point of
redemption and a validation-requirements rule set. There is a further
requirement to increase the security associated with voucher validation and
redemption.
There is therefore a technical requirement to provide a system and method that
can provide for an electronic voucher validation process that can pass the
requirements tests as stated above whilst by-passing the constraint that these
vouchers can only exist in a closed-loop environment. There is a further
requirement for a system that can be easily implemented in existing retail
environments without requiring a costly investment in new hardware to facilitate
this additional functionality, i.e. if it was possible to “piggy back” on existing
infrastructures and architectures it would be preferable. There is yet a further
requirement for the provision of an efficient and quick way for a customer to
present and redeem a voucher.
Summary Of The Invention
Accordingly the present invention provides a system and method adapted to
enable the validation of electronic vouchers. Within the present specification the
term “voucher” is intended to encompass and define any negotiable certificate
that can be used for redemption against goods or services. Typical examples of
such vouchers, as defined by the present invention, include value tokens for
commodities, coupons exchangeable for meals, services or the like, and offers.
The term voucher is therefore a broad term defining any instrument relating of
or to commerce and will be used interchangeably with terms such as coupon or
offer.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention a validation system
adapted to provide for validation of electronic vouchers is provided, the system
including:
a validation server adapted to initially define a valid voucher by associating a
voucher identifier (VID) with one or more identifiers specific to a user so as to
define a valid voucher/user identifier combination for that voucher,
a first data communication means adapted to enable a subsequent
communication of the voucher identifier in the form of a mobile data
communication packet from the server to a mobile device associated with the
user,
a second data communication means adapted to enable data communication
between the server and a remote terminal, such that an electronic voucher/user
identifier combination presented at the remote terminal may be communicated
to the validation server for validation,
and wherein the validation server includes comparison means adapted to
compare the voucher identifier/user identifier combination received from the
remote terminal with the defined valid combination to determined validity of the
received voucher such that on determination of a valid voucher/user identifier
combination a data communication is transmitted via the second communication
means to the remote terminal confirming that the presented electronic voucher
is a valid voucher.
It will be appreciated that in such a system the validation of the voucher is done
remotely from the point of presentation of the voucher, thereby removing the
possibility of a local compromise of the security ofthe voucher. Secondly, as
the voucher is verified as a valid voucher prior to redemption as opposed to
being updated after redemption there is less chance of a voucher being
redeemed twice. Thirdly, the validation of a voucher requires the receipt of a
concatenated voucher identifier/user identifier. This requires two identifiers to be
presented by the user at the remote terminal. One identifier is specific to the
user, the second is specific to the voucher; the two are presented, combined
and checked against a previously stored combination at the validation server
remote from the remote terminal, and it is the combination of the two that define
a valid voucher.
Desirably the system and method of the present invention utilise a plurality of
identifiers including a voucher identifier (“VID”), a user identifier (“UID”), a
delivery identifier (“DID”) and a point of redemption identifier (“PID”). By
effecting a comparison of a presented set of selected ones of these plurality of
I identifiers at a central server, the system of the present invention is adapted to
enable a user to redeem an electronic voucher for one or more of a commodity,
discount, points, promotion or cash. In specific embodiments the validation of
the voucher is effected by conducting a comparison of a combination of a UID
and associated VID to trigger a voucher validation process between a PID and
the validation server. In other embodiments, the validation of the voucher is
effected by conducting a comparison of a combination of a DID and associated
VID to trigger a voucher validation process between a PID and the validation
server. In specific embodiments, the VID is specific to a registered UID and said
VID is linked to a UID in the form of a data message to that recipient’s unique
DID address. Validation requires the recipient to provide both their UID and VlD
at a designated PID redemption point, where these data elements are applied
electronically against a rule set and data store at the validation server to confirm
or deny electronic voucher validity.
The user ID (UID) is desirably a unique number or indicia that identifies a
specific user within the system of the present invention. Desirably, the validation
server is adapted to further associate one or more delivery identifiers (DlDs)
with the user ID, Each of the D|D’s are desirably unique identifiers specific to a
users contact device such as a phone number, SIM card ID, email address, a
Mobile Device ID. The unique user ID (UID) can have multiple Delivery IDs
(DlDs) associated with it. It will be appreciated that a voucher identifier code
does not have to be unique but that the combination of Voucher ID with the
User or Delivery ID is a unique combination. Furthermore if the system of the
present invention is utilised with or interfaced with other databases of users it is
possible that a specific user may have other UlD’s specific to those databases.
it is possible therefore for the validation server to associate two or more UlD’s
for a specific user, each ofthe UlD’s being related to different third party service
providers.
Avalid voucher is defined by the unique combination of the voucher identifier
and at least one of the user identifier and/or delivery identifier. As such it will be
appreciated that the present invention provides a voucher having at least two
specific components. The voucher lD (VlD) is desirably an electronic code or
indicia that is suitable for transmission in a mobile data message. It will be
appreciated that a voucher identifier can be provided in any suitable
electronically transmittable format such as for example a sequence of numbers
or letters or a barcode.
Desirably, the Point Of Redemption ID (PID) is a unique identifier that is
associated with a specific terminal and is also stored at the validation server.
The validation server may be further adapted to selectively validate voucher
transaction requests on comparison of the PID associated with the transaction
with authorised PlD’s. Examples of suitable PlDs are: a POS terminal identifier,
a web site , a phone number, shortcode etc.
Typically, in order to register with the system of the present invention, a user
initially transmits an activation code, usually the user identifier (UID), in the form
of a data message from the mobile device of the user to the validation server
using the first communication channel. On receipt at the validation server, the
UlD is associated with the mobile delivery identifier (DID) in order to create an
associated UID/DID combination. For a voucher to be validated it is necessary
for a valid combination of a voucher identifier with at least one of the user
identifier and/or delivery identifier to have been defined at the validation server.
Once such a valid combination has been defined it is then possible for a user to
validate a voucher using the system and method of the present invention. It is
possible using the voucher validation system of the present invention to provide,
amongst other items, an electronic loyalty schema. As a user shops he may get
rewarded for his loyalty to a single branch or brand by being awarded vouchers.
Upon successful purchase at a merchant store/\Nebsite, the user's account may
be updated with Voucher “points” by the user having his card swiped at a
merchant store, or by entering his account number on a merchant checkout
webpage etc. The swiping of the card associates the UID with the points
accrued, and this combination is stored at a loyalty server, typically separate
and remote from the validity server. The user may also buy voucher “points”. it
will be appreciated that the accrual of points or purchasing behaviour is not
controlled or monitored by the validation server, but by the loyalty server,
typically controlled by a Voucher Sponsor Company running the loyalty scheme.
Once the user reaches a pre—determined number of points it is possible for the
user to redeem a voucher, the redemption of which requires the initial issuance
of a VID specific to that voucher.
Once a specific transaction has been associated with a voucher, the VID
specific to that voucher is associated at the validity server with the UID of the
user for whom the voucher is associated. The validity server additionally stores
an associated DlD with the UID, and the validity server issues the VID through
the first communication means to the associated mobile device of the DID. A
valid voucher is thereby defined by the stored combination at the validation
server of the voucher identifier with one or more of the user identifier or delivery
idenfifier
The user makes a claim for redemption of a voucher by supplying his Voucher
Code (VID) with one of the user identifier or delivery identifier at a pre specified
Point of Redemption (PID). The Point of Redemption (PID) sends a validation
request to the validation server through the second communication means and
receives a positive or negative acknowledgement response from the validation
server. The validation server, on receipt of such a request, checks to see if the
unique combination of presented identifiers exists in its database; if it does, then
the request is validated and a positive acknowledgement returned. Upon
receiving a positive response, the user may receive the claimed reward specific
to the voucher. The valid voucher defined by the combination of identifiers may
typically have some associated security features such as an expiry time period
within which the voucher is defined as valid. The validation server may also
associate a valid voucher with specific Points Of Redemption (PlDs) location
where the voucher may be redeemed.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
The present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a network system according
to the present invention.
Figure 2 is an example of a card associated with a user for use with the
methodology of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing an exemplary mode of registration by a user
with the system of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow chart sequence as conducted by the server for the interaction
with the user during the registration process of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an exemplary flow sequence showing the use of the card of Figure 2
in the provision of a loyalty system in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6 is an equivalent flow sequence for that of Figure 5, as observed at the
server.
Figure 7 is an exemplary flow sequence indicating how a user of the system of
the present invention may redeem one or more offers.
Figure 8 is a schematic of an implementation of the present invention in a
loyalty system architecture.
Figure 9 is an example of an implementation of a Voucher Validation Request
Module on a gateway switch according to one implementation of the invention.
Figure 10 is an example of an implementation of a Voucher Validation Request
Module on a communication terminal in accordance with another
implementation of the invention.
Detailed Description Of The Drawings
The present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10.
The present invention provides a validation system and method adapted to
enable a validation of one or more electronic vouchers. The system enables the
provision of such validation by defining a valid voucher as a unique combination
of a voucher identifier with one or more of a user identifier or a delivery
identifier. On subsequent submission of request for voucher validation, the
submitted combination are compared with the previously defined combination
and if a match is effected the presented voucher is determined as a valid
voucher
As shown in Figure 1, the present invention provides a network architecture 100
including a server 105 adapted to enable communication between a wireless
device 110 of a user, and a remote terminal 115. The wireless device is
preferably a wireless telecommunication device such as a mobile telephone
incorporating a SIM card and the remote terminal is desirably of the type
commonly known to authorise and verify credit or debit card transactions. It will
be appreciated that these are illustrative examples of the type of wireless device
and remote terminal and it is not intended to limit the present invention to such
specifics. Each of the wireless device 110 and the remote terminal are adapted
to effect communication with the server 105 via a communication protocol 120,
125.
Typically, the communication protocol 120 utilised by the wireless device 120 is
a wireless telecommunication protocol such as a GSM network or the like and is
desirably adapted to enable the communication between the wireless device
and the server using data messaging such as SMS or MMS messages.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that although the protocol 120 is indicated as
two—way traffic directly between the server and the wireless device that such
communication may be via standard mobile networks such as Short Message
Switching Centres (SMSC’s) or the like. The communication protocol 125
utilised between the remote terminal 115 and the server 105 is again typically a
telecommunication protocol although it is not necessarily provided by a wireless
network. For example it is known in the art for point of sale terminals to
communicate with remote servers via a standard wired telephone
communication connection.
The server is provided with a communication protocol interface 130. This
interface is shown for the sake of convenience as a single integer within the
schematic of Figure 1, and is adapted to enable communication between each
of the wireless device and server and the remote terminal and the server,
thereby providing first and second communication means. It will therefore be
appreciated that these communication means may be provided as one or more
distinct components, such as for example a GSM interface in the case of the
wireless device and a modem in the case of the remote terminal.
The validation server is additionally provided with one or more data stores 135,
140, 145. in the schematic of Figure 1, three data stores are provided as distinct
integers. Such distinction between the functionality of the three is for
convenience purposes only as it will be appreciated that a data structure may
be easily sub-divided in the form of a relational database or the like to provide
distinct storage areas within a single data structure. In the case of the present
invention, desirably three distinct types of identifiers are stored at the central
identifiers, and as such three separate data structures are shown in Figure 1. A
registered user of the system of the present invention is associated with two
identifiers types, which are typically:
) A unique identifier associated with their mobile device such as the
device MSISDN number or the like, the delivery identifier (DID). It will be
appreciated that a specific user may be provided with two or more DlD’s as that
user may have more than one wireless communication device associated with
them.
) A unique assigned identifier associated with that user, the user
identifier (UID).
The third data store is adapted to store one or more voucher identifiers VlDs.
The voucher identifier is used in combination with one or more of the UID and
DID to define a valid voucher. A voucher identifier is defined for a specific
voucher and can therefore be considered as being temporary in nature. Once
the voucher has been redeemed the voucher identifier is redundant, However
the UID and DID are of a greater longevity as they are specific to a user of the
system.
It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention utilises a first
identifier (DID) which is assigned to the wireless device and is typically
assigned by a network operator and a second personal identifier (UID) which is
specific to a user of the system. Either of the UID or DID may then be used with
subsequently issued VlDs, typically in the form of temporary PIN numbers or
indicia, to define a valid voucher at the validation server. This valid combination
may then be subsequently used to ensure that a user presenting a voucher is
presenting a valid voucher. The second identifier, the UID is typically provided
to the user as a sequence of numbers or indicia and may be stored on an
issued card for the personal use of the registered user. It is also possible for the
system to incorporate previously issued card identifiers specific to that user, for
example loyalty cards, bank cards or the like, and to use those card identifiers
as the UID of that user. In such implementations the system of the present
invention can be used with existing issued cards such as credit or debit cards
that are already in the possession of the user so as to provide additional
functionality without additional expense or effort to the user.
Alternatively, the system may be adapted to associate two or more UlD’s with a
specific user, at least one of the UlD’s being associated with a specific third
party service provider. As such the system may be used to share vouchers
between different service providers, ie a voucher generated by one service
provider may be redeemed at another service provider.
An example of such a card 200 is shown in Figure 2. The card includes a
plurality of identifiers, some of which are generic to the system of the invention
and some of which are specific to the user. The most important identifier on the
card is the personal identifier associated with the user, shown in Figure 2 as a
sequence of numbers 205. In certain embodiments this sequence may also be
represented as a bar code 210 or other machine readable interface. A brand
logo 225 may also be provided as a graphic on the card so as to enable a user
to distinguish the card of the present invention with other similarly dimensioned
cards such as credit cards or the like. As mentioned above with reference to the
possibility to use the methodology of the present invention in conjunction with
previously issued debit or credit cards (or the like) it is possible that the logo
could be simply provided on the credit card to indicate that the card may be
used with the system of the present invention. Such using of branding will be
well known to persons skilled in the art, where for example the inclusion ofthe
logo CIRRUSTM on a transaction card indicates to the user that that card may
be used with any CIRRUSTM enabled hardware system. The card will also
typically incorporate a contact number 215, via which the user may
communicate with the server using their mobile device. This number will
preferably be provided as a SMS short code, the type and format of which will
be apparent to those skilled in the art of the use of SMS messaging in mobile
networks. Such short codes are advantageous in that the message is directed
to the network operator specific to the user such that different tariffs may be
applied based on the operator preference and large numbers of messages can
be handled concurrently. lf a normal number was used, that number could be
connected directed to the SMSC of the operator but that would only work for the
users of that operator. As such the number of users that could concurrently use
that service would be limited. Mobile operators have found that the use of such
short codes is an efficient way of collecting tariffs for different categories of
services or goods accessed through that operator, and heretofore have been
used for the provision of ring tones and the like. Similarly, if the user wishes to
interface with the system of the present invention using a web interface portal or
the like, the URL 220 of the portal may also be provided.
Typically, in order for a user to utilise the system of the present invention, it is
necessary for the user to first register with the system. Such a registration
provides for the population of the validation server with the specific UlD and/or
DlD of that user. Figure 3 shows an example of such a registration process. The
user obtains a system card (Step 300) from a retail outlet or other such physical
location. Using the contact number 215 provided on the card, the user sends a
data message including the personal identifier provided on the card, in the form
of an SMS text message or the like, to the server (Step 305). Once the user has
been registered they may then receive a confirmation of enrolment and
activation from the server, again in the form of a text message (Step 310). Such
a message is typically automated. It will be appreciated that this registration
process is very efficient in that it utilises the originating telephone number ofthe
mobile phone (the DID) which is always visible to the recipient of a SMS— in
accordance with SMS protocols, and then extracts that from the incoming
message and associates it with the personal identifier embedded in the body of
the message. Such extraction and association can be efficiently achieved using
computer software without human interaction and as such the registration
process is achieved in a single step, with minimal information input by the user.
Figure 4 outlines what the registration process looks like from the server
perspective. The server receives over the communication interface, a request
for activation from a user (Step 400). The server extracts, from the data
communication message, the personal identifier associated with the card and
user and stores that identifier in a data store, such as for example data store 2
shown in Figure 1. The server also extracts from the message, a hardware
identifier such as the mobile device MSISDN and stores that in a data store,
such as data store 1 of Figure 1. It will be appreciated that in this way the
present invention is using the functionality defined by the SMS system where
the user identifier is always identifiable to the server, ie there is always a Caller
ID on SMS messages. As such there is no additional information required to be
input by the user. They simply text a message to the server and the server
interrogates that message to extract the required identifier. Each of the personal
identifier and hardware identifier are then associated with one another through
the use of a relational data structure or the like (Step 405). Once both identifiers
have been stored and associated with one another the user may then be
notified of activation of account (Step 410). A subsequent valid voucher is
defined by generating a voucher identifier and associating that voucher identifier
with one or more of the user identifier or personal identifier.
The system of the present invention may be adapted to enable a user to
implement a loyalty account system or the like whereby transactions conducted
by a user may be used to obtain points/prizes or the like for subsequent
redemption. Figure 5 shows an example of an implementation of such a loyalty
system whereby the user, on conducting a transaction at a retail outlet, presents
their card to the retailer (Step 500). The retailer swipes the card at a point of
sale terminal, which is remote from, but in communication with, the server of the
present invention (Step 505). Such swiping of loyalty cards will be well known to
those familiar with the operation of loyalty cards and ensures that a transaction
is associated with a specific user. On completion of the transaction, details of
the transactions or the points that have accrued resulting from the transaction,
are sent from the remote terminal to a central server specific to the loyalty
account, where they may be stored and associated with that specific user (Step
510). The loyalty account server may be co—resident with the validity server or
may be remote from but adapted to be in communication with the validity
server. The accrual of a certain amount of points or other predetermined factors
may then be used to reward a user, in the form of “pushing” reward vouchers to
that user. Such reward or redemption of items is detailed in Figure 7.
An additional benefit of the methodology of the present invention is that the user
of the system can select one or more user specific rewards based on specific
keywords in the message that they send to the operator, preferably using a
short code as the access number. This ability to enable a user to select a
desired voucher from a plurality of different available vouchers, which are
configured as a list specific to that user, is an improvement over prior art
arrangements.
Figure 6 shows how using the identifiers established by the methodology of the
present invention, it is possible for a user to also “pull” or request vouchers. in
the field of mobile commerce it is well known for users to interface with remote
servers to obtain items such as games, ring tones for the mobile device and the
like. Typically, these are provided by a third party service provider and the cost
of the desired product or service is deducted from the account of the user by
use of premium interface numbers, such as the short codes mentioned above.
For example, if the cost of the service is €5, then by calling the premium
number necessary to effect the download, the call account of the user is
decremented by the value of the call. This can be disadvantageous to certain
users where they are using pre-paid telephones and the value desired for
effecting the call is greater than that currently on their account. Using a system
in accordance with the present invention it is possible to provide such a service
without decrementing the call value account of the user. As shown in Figure 6, a
user wishing to avail of a certain service sends a data communication message
to the central server including details of the requested service (Step 600). The
message is received at the server and is associated with a registered user
(Step 605). Such association typically includes the extraction from the data
message of the hard ware identifier (DID) and the association of that identifier
with the personal identifier of a registered user. As was detailed in the
discussion of Figure 5, a user may maintain a personal-‘account resulting from a
series of loyalty transactions. Such an account may then be decremented to the
value of the desired service and the requested items returned to the user in the
form of a further data communication (Step 610). As such the system ofthe
present invention enables the provision of a voucher by either debiting their
mobile telephone account or by debiting another account such as a loyalty
account or a cash based (bank) account associated with that user.
Figure 7 shows in schematic form an example of an interaction between a user
and the server of the present invention in order to receive a specific offer. On
reaching a certain level in their loyalty account or in other circumstances where
the user profile matches certain criteria, the system determines that the user
warrants a reward. A PIN number, the voucher identifier (VID), specific to that
voucher or reward is generated at the sewer, stored and associated with the
personal identifier (UlD) or delivery identifier (DlD) of a registered user. A copy
of the PIN number, typically in the form of a 4 digit offer code, is then sent to the
wireless device of the user in the form of an SMS text message (Step 1). It will
be understood by those skilled in the art that an SMS text message is a specific
form of data message, restricted in length to a maximum of 160 characters and
containing no images or graphics. Once the SMS message is generated by the
server, it is received by a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) of an
appropriate telecommunications operator, which must then get it to the
appropriate mobile device of the user. To do this, the SMSC sends a SMS
Request to the home location register (HLR) to find the roaming customer.
Once the HLR receives the request, it will respond to the SMSC with the
subscriber's status: 1) inactive or active 2) where subscriber is roaming. If the
response is "inactive", then the SMSC will hold onto the message for a period of
time. When the subscriber accesses his device, the HLR sends a SMS
Notification to the SMSC, and the SMSC will attempt delivery. The SMSC
transfers the message in a Short Message Delivery Point to Point format to the
serving system. The system pages the device, and if it responds, the message
gets delivered. The SMSC receives verification that the message was received
by the end user, then categorizes the message as "sent" and will not attempt to
send again. The use of such SMS technology by the system of the present
invention provides for an efficient communication between the users of the
system and the validation server without requiring repeated attempts by either.
The “piggy back” on and interface with the SMS infrastructure provides the
necessary technology to provide for the sending of messages without requiring
handshaking to ensure that the message is sent.
An SMS message is sent by a mobile user by typically entering text into using
the phone’s keypad, entering a destination number (shortcode or long number)
and clicking “Send”. The message would have the following attributes:
a message text
- from number
to number
date and time
The data then gets transmitted and is picked up by a wireless receiver and
handled by an SMSC. The SMSC then routes the SMS message based on the
destination number. The message is sent down a “bind” in SMPP format to an
SMS Gateway which then fon/vards it to the validation server for further
processing. Such interconnectivity with SMSC’s will be well known to those
familiar with the art. Any communication between the validation server and the
user in the form of a SMS messages are sent from the validation server to the
user via the SMSC in the reverse order.
On receipt of the text message the user presents themselves with their card
(Figure 2) and the 4—digit offer PIN code to a retailer (Step 2). The choice of
retailer may be detailed in the original message received by the user from the
server, for example the offer may be specific to certain retailers. The retailer
then swipes the card at the remote terminal of the retailer- in a manner well
known to those skilled in the art for example in the use of credit/debit cards— and
enters the 4 digit code (Step 3). A validation request is then sent from the
remote terminal to the validation server (Step 4). The validation request
includes a concatenation of both the 4—digit code and the information retrieved
from the swipe card; ie two separately presented identifiers are combined at the
remote terminal and then sent in a single data validation request to the server.
The server interrogates the validation request, separates the request so as to
extract the PIN offer code and the personal identifier and determines whether
the provided material matches that previously stored at the server. A further
level of security may include an extraction of a hardware identifier from the
remote terminal to ascertain whether such a terminal is of the correct type to
effect the reward of the type associated with the PIN offer code, ie the validation
request is a concatenation of three separately provided identifiers. If the desired
identifiers and PIN numbers match then the server determines that the
reward/offer is to be provided and the database is updated to reflect that the
voucher has been redeemed (Step 5). This validation process, it will be
appreciated, is separate from and remote to the point at where the identifiers
are presented.
Authorisation is then sent to the remote terminal to provide the reward (Step 6).
This may effect the printing of a receipt so that the retailer may later correlate
the redemption of the goods with their stock. On receiving the authorisation to
provide the redemption, then the user receives the voucher defined product or
service such as a detailed prize/offer from the retailer (Step 7). In this manner
the presented request is always validated priorto a reward being effected.
It will be appreciated that the redemption of such a voucher in accordance with
the present invention requires a correct presentation by the user of both their
personal identifier—either the user identifier or delivery identifier- and a correct
VID such as a PIN number for the desired voucher. Only if both identifiers are
matched at the central server is the voucher validated. Suitably, the personal
identifier will remain a static identifier associated with a specific user for the
length of their registration with the system of the present invention whereas the
PIN numbers used are dependent on specific vouchers and will therefore vary.
The validity of a PIN number may be limited to certain time periods or retail
outlets such that if not used in the correct environment of time frame that it a
requested transaction will be denied. A single PIN number may be uniquely
identified with a specific transaction and a plurality of registered users. For
example if a user belongs to a group profile and it is determined that such a
specific profile is to be notified of a reward, then it is possible that each member
of the group- each having their own unique personal identifier- will be provided
with the same PIN. The combination of any one of the personal identifiers
associated with the PIN and the PIN will effect an authorised transaction.
Therefore, although a matching of two identifiers is required to effect completion
of a transaction, both identifiers do not need to be uniquely associated with the
same user. It is only necessary that one identifier (the personal identifier) is
uniquely associated with a user, and that the second identifier (the PIN) has
been associated with the personal identifier, the combination of the two
identifiers defining a valid voucher.
Figure 5 described the flow sequence associated with the implementation of a
system in accordance with the present invention in a loyalty card environment.
Figure 8 shows a schematic of a network arrangement for such an
implementation, which is an extension to that described with reference to Figure
1. Those integers or components that are common to both Figure 1 and Figure
8 are referred to by the same reference numerals. In this Figure it will be
evident that the user of the mobile device 110 has arrived at a merchant store
800 and has presented themselves at the merchant checkout, the remote
terminal 115. The checkout includes an electronic point of sale (EPOS) 820
which is adapted to be in optional communication with a voucher validation
request module (WRM) 815, provided by the system of the present invention.
The WRM is typically a software module and is where requests for voucher
validation occur. In this embodiment, the WRM is installed at each merchant
checkout till where vouchers are to be redeemed. The WRM captures the card
number and the voucher code which has been entered on the pin pad and
sends them both in a HTTP voucher validation request to the validation server.
The WRM can capture the card number from a barcode reader or from
magnetic strip or chip card readers (chip and pin readers). As discussed above
with reference to alternative identifiers that may be included in the validation
request, other fields that may be sent in the validation HTTP request include but
are not limited to:
- Outlet name
o Outlet id
- POS ID
The validation server responds to the HTTP request indicating whether the
validation was a success or failure. Upon successful validation, the WRM can
perform any or all of the following steps:
o communicate the product/offer code to the EPoS system
- display the product/offer code and description on screen for both cashier
and customer to see
a print information about the voucher on the customer's receipt.
in order to kick offthis validation process, the user presents their card (Figure 2)
which is swiped at a card reader such as a barcode scanner 810 and enters the
voucher identifier using a keypad 820. The two are concatenated and then
transmitted to the validation server 105 though the WRM. Once authenticated
at the central validation server the voucher is honoured. If the conducting of
transactions at the merchant store leads to the generation of loyalty or bonus
rewards, then these are communicated to the store promotion server 830
though the EPOS in the usual fashion. The pushing of vouchers to the user may
then be effected through a communication between the promotion server and
the validation server, in a manner similar to that outlined above.
Two additional or alternative places where the Voucher Validation Request
Module can typically reside are at:
1. at a gateway switch where one or more terminals connect to or
2. on a communication terminal such as a GPRS or other
telecommunications based terminal.
Figure 9 shows the installation on a gateway switch. in such an implementation
a single WRM 815,,is provided for a retail outlet and resides on a Gateway
Switch 905 where all the terminals 900 of that retail outlet connect. When a
voucher validation request is received by the WRM 815, it fonivards it onto the
Validation Server 105 typically using an XML API. The WRM typically logs all
the traffic that goes through it for reporting and reconciliation purposes. The
Validation Server would typically be previously advised of all IP addresses of all
Gateway Switches to prevent hacking and spoofing requests.
In an alternative embodiment, such as that shown in Figure 10, the WRM
module 815 may be provided on a communication terminal 900a such as a
GPRS enabled terminal. In such an implementation, a plurality of WRM
Modules are provided, each residing on a respective terminals and they
communicate directly with the validation Server 105 using for example an XML
APl. Because the potentially large number of terminals that may be used, it may
not be possible to keep track of all their IP addresses so the use of
cryptographic keys may be necessary to prevent hacking and spoofing voucher
validation requests. it will be appreciated that this differs from the gateway
switch implementation in that a one to many architecture is set up between the
promotion server and the terminals, whereas in the gateway implementation the
gateway provides a common node of access to all the terminals. In the first
implementation described above with reference to co—residence of the WRM on
each of the EPoS devices, it will be appreciated that this is probably
advantageous in that such co-location enables the WRM to take advantage of
the functionality of the EPoS such as the use of EAN & UPC numbering codes
and/or the EANCOM standards for EDI.
In order to incorporate the system of the present invention with an existing
loyalty system, it is possible to use the existing loyalty cards that are associated
with the registered users of the loyalty program. This will typically require a
registration or association process. Customers must first activate their existing
loyalty card with validation server by sending a text message to the validation
server using an appropriate short code for that loyalty program. It will be
understood that each loyalty program does not require a dedicated unique short
code as the differentiator can be effected on other parameters for example the
combination of the loyalty program, the customer ID defined by their hardware
device and/or the use of keywords specific to that program. The SMS message
will contain their existing loyalty card number. There are two possible
architectures for the Registration process outlined below, although as will be
appreciated alternatives may be equally suitable or more applicable for specific
registration processes.
The loyalty club organiser can submit a complete list of valid card numbers to
the validation sewer. The validation can then locally check the validity of
registration text messages as received from the phone users. If the card
number received in the text message matches the card number in the database
then the mobile phone number is associated with this card number and an
appropriate text message is returned to the mobile phone user acknowledging a
successful registration. If the card numbers do not match then a message
indicating an unsuccessful registration has occurred.
Every time a registration text message is received, the validation server makes
a secure HTTP POST XML request querying the promotion database server if
this card number element is valid. If the HTTP response indicates that it is then
the validation Sewer adds this card number to its database and associates it
with this mobile phone number and a successful registration text message is
sent back to the mobile user. If the HTTP response indicates failure then a
failure message is sent back to the mobile user.
It will be noted that in.both of the architectures above the validation Server can
optionally send a registration success message to the promotion database
server so that it can maintain its own records of registered users of the system
of the present invention. This would typically be an XML file sent using secure
HTTP POST.
It will be understood that the validation server may be used to provide detailed
and real—time reporting on a secure website allowing the organisers of the
promotion or loyalty system to make statistical analyses on voucher
redemptions by a wide variety of criteria such as but not limited to:
card user,
- store,
0 PCS,
- Vouchers,
- date.
The communication of the WRM with the validation server requires a
communication channel between the two. Typically this is achieved using
TCP/lP and could take place over the Internet using secure HTTP, over a
secure VPN (virtual private network) solution using for example an lPsec tunnel
or over a direct leased line connection. It is of course possible to implement an
architecture where multiple WRM communicate with the validation server via a
proxy server as opposed to each talking directly with the validation server.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides for a validation system
and method adapted to enable a validation of electronic vouchers. A validation
server is provided on which is maintained a data correlation between at least
one user identifier (UID) specific to an individual user and a voucher identifier
(VlD) of a specific electronic voucher. At least one delivery identifier (DID)
specific to a hardware device of the user is also provided. A valid voucher is
defined at the validation server by a combination of at least one of the UlD and
DID with the VlD. A copy of the voucher identifier is provided to the user. In
order to validate a voucher, the user provides a combination of their user
identifier and the voucher identifier to a remote terminal, adapted to be in
communication with the validation server. The remote terminal requests
validation from the server and if the presented combination match the
previously stored combination a match is determined and the voucher is
validated. Some examples of how this electronic voucher validation process can
be applied to particular business cases are as follows:
a Commercial Brands can use this invention to issue electronic vouchers
redeemable via this invention at a wide variety of retail outlets
o Mature, closed-loop loyalty schemes such as a grocery loyalty club can
offer their members the ability to convert “points" to electronic vouchers,
redeemable for a variety of commodities
- Retailers which have both eCommerce and traditional “bricks and
mortar” retail stores can allow their customers to purchase gift vouchers
that can be redeemed in-store or on-line but eliminate the risk that they
can be redeemed in-store AND on-line
o A registered consumer reads an in-store sign that they can receive a
% instant discount voucher to their mobile phone if they text the word
“DISCOUNT” to an SMS short code number. They do so, and receive a
Voucher code (VID) to their mobile phone, which can be redeemed
though our invention.
- A mobile network operator could enable a definition of a subset of those
subscribers to the operator network who wish to avail of special offers or
discounts to their phones, using the vouchers validation system of the
present invention. Such a subset could then be made available by the
operator to third party vendors thereby enabling the mobile operator to
generate for example advertising revenues.
o The mobile operator could also use their network billing system to
enable a user to pay for specific goods or services whereby vouchers for
those goods or services are provided to the user by means of the
system and technique of the present invention.
- An m- Commerce company can provide the ability for the consumer to
buy a voucher using an mPayment application, and deliver a VlD via
SMS to the consumers mobile phone
This invention also satisfies the previously mentioned requirements test for
vouchers including the fact that if the original voucher is used by the intended
recipient in an incorrect manner, ie, afterthe expiration date or at the wrong
retail outlet, this is detected at the point of redemption prior to redemption, and
the voucher may not be redeemed.
The present invention has the additional benefit in that it can be easily
implemented and provides for a secure and efficient manner in which to validate
vouchers. By using SMS architectures, and the inherent information that is
available as part of such an architecture, as a basis for the registration of a user
and the transmission of the voucher PIN codes if is possible to take advantage
of the ease of pulling registration information about the user from the SMS
message that they use to effect registration. Furthermore when they request
offers there is no multiple enrolment or request process. As such, there is no
complicated interface required between the user and the promotion server of
the present invention, no handshaking of electronic devices as in Internet
applications and no multiple field filling for registration as in prior art systems.
The use of short codes enables a simplification of payment capture which
heretofore was not possible in voucher systems. The technique for redemption
or validation of a voucher is a simple operation requiring a presentation of the
user card and the appropriate input of the voucher identifier, which is a quick
and efficient means to effectively validate vouchers which heretofore was not
possible.
Furthermore, the present invention then takes advantage of terminal
architectures that are already present in retail outlets such as barcode swipersl
chip and pin arrangement and the like for the redemption of the voucher. In this
way there is no dedicated hardware specific only to the system of the present
invention for use in implementing the methodology of the present invention. it is
also possible to use existing cards that are issued to and associated with a user
to provide the card of Figure 2 for use in the present invention. The use of all
this existing hardware enables the system and methodology of the present
invention to be rolled out on a large scale area much easier than would be
possible if dedicated equipment/cards networks etc were required.
Where reference is made to specific protocols or formats such as APl’s, XML,
TCP/IP, HTTP Post and the like it will be appreciated that these formats are
exemplary of the type of formats that may be utilised with a system in
accordance with the present invention but it is not intended to limit the present
invention to any one specific format.
Similarly, the words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers ,
steps, components or groups thereof.
Claims (5)
1) A validation system adapted to provide for validation of electronic vouchers, the system including: a validation server adapted to initially associate a voucher identifier (VID) with at least one of a user identifier (UlD) or delivery identifier (DID) to define a valid identifier combination thereby defining what is considered a valid voucher, a first data communication means adapted to enable a subsequent communication of the voucher identifier in the form of a mobile data communication packet from the server to a mobile device associated with the usen a second data communication means adapted to enable data communication between the server and a remote terminal, such that a voucher defined by an identifier combination presented at the remote terminal may be communicated to the validation server for validation, and wherein the validation server includes comparison means adapted to compare the identifier combination received from the remote terminal with the defined valid combination to determined validity of the received voucher such that on determination of a valid identifier combination _a data communication is transmitted via the second communication means to the remote terminal confirming that the presented electronic voucher is a valid voucher, and wherein the identifier combination communicated by the remote terminal to the validation server is generated by at least two separately input identifiers that are combined at the remote terminal into a single combination for communication to the validation server.
2) The system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the validation server is further adapted to store at least one remote terminal identifier (PID), each of the at least one remote terminal identifiers being uniquely associated with a specific remote terminal, and wherein a valid voucher is defined by a unique combination of at least one of the user identifier and/or delivery identifier with a voucher identifier and a remote terminal identifier.
3) The system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two identifiers are provided, the first identifier, the voucher identifier, being provided as characters within the SMS message, and the second identifier, the user identifier, being provided as a series of characters on a machine readable card, a valid voucher being defined by a combination of the two identifiers separately entered at the remote terminal and combined prior to dispatch to the validation server.
4) A method of validating an electronic voucher, the method comprising the steps of: defining at a validation server a valid voucher by associating an electronic voucher identifier with at least one of a user identifier associated with a specific user and a delivery identifier specific to a hardware device associated with the user to define a valid combination, fon/varding a copy of the electronic voucher identifier from the validation server to the user in a mobile data packet communication, receiving a request for validation of a voucher at the validation server from a remote terminal, the request including a combination of an electronic voucher and at least one of a user identifier associated with a specific user and a delivery identifier specific to a hardware device associated with the user, comparing the received combination with the defined combination and confirming that the voucher is a valid voucher if the received combination matches the defined combination.
5. A method of validating an electronic voucher substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EPEUROPEANPATENTOFFICE(EPO)13/02/2 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IES83700Y1 true IES83700Y1 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
IE20040572U1 IE20040572U1 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
Family
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