AU2047199A - Access and billing method using a chip card - Google Patents

Access and billing method using a chip card Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2047199A
AU2047199A AU20471/99A AU2047199A AU2047199A AU 2047199 A AU2047199 A AU 2047199A AU 20471/99 A AU20471/99 A AU 20471/99A AU 2047199 A AU2047199 A AU 2047199A AU 2047199 A AU2047199 A AU 2047199A
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Australia
Prior art keywords
chipcard
procedure
transaction
data
accordance
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AU20471/99A
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Rudiger Klein
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority claimed from DE19812125A external-priority patent/DE19812125A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of AU2047199A publication Critical patent/AU2047199A/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/0866Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means by active credit-cards adapted therefor
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/343Cards including a counter
    • G06Q20/3433Cards including a counter the counter having monetary units
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/36Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
    • G06Q20/363Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using electronic wallets or electronic money safes with the personal data of a user
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0014Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Meter Arrangements (AREA)

Description

Description Access and Clearing procedure via Chipcard. 5 The present invention concerns an access and clearing procedure via chipcard for the purchase of contents and provision from telecommunication and supply networks as well as a clearing procedure via chipcard to purchase services and / or merchandises via an electronic transaction of money. 10 In the past different billing- and access systems have been developed, which use cards with magnetic stripes, chipcards, creditcards or any other form of a card (smart-card). 15 From DE-A-195 13 746 it is obvious to protect a telephone-connection against misuse. In this version a first chipcard and a second chipcard are used. The first chipcard is integrated into a terminal box and the second chipcard is located in the central relay station. The subscriber enters his PIN (Personal Identification Number) at the keyboard 20 and identifies himself towards the first chipcard. The first chipcard authentifies towards the second chipcard. In this case it is also possible to use a chipcard with a certain credit. This card is to be entered into a card-reader and its credit-value will be deducted on to the first chip card via a cryptological procedure. The deducted credit-v'alue-points will be used for balancing with the service-provider. 25 Although it is not described more detailed the only logical interpretation is that clearing with the service provider will be realized in that way that the single value points of credit will be cancelled step by step via the network according to the delivered service, which means according to the costs of a connection, which will be realized usually by a centrally generated metering device. This means that the 30 system calls for a centralized counting pulse or similar device, in order to devaluate 2 the stored credit-value-points and is thus works similar to the traditional card telephone. From DE-A-44 08 655, the use of a creditcard in connection with a mobile telephone is known. The creditcard can be a rechargeable card. The credit on the card will be devaluated similarly to the system described above by centrally generated pulses of rates. The procedures described above are mainly to be used in telecommunication io networks and represent furthermore centrally controlled systems, since a pulse rate, generated in a control center, for instance a central relay-station, will be used to devaluate an existing credit amount. This however shows the disadvantage that for instance in case of a defect of the pulse transmission over a more or less long distance distribution no devaluation of credit can take place, which means, that the 15 service provider of the telecommunication network has to bear the expenses himself Furthermore another substantial disadvantage is, that a constant communication or at least the transmission of a pulse rate from the central relay station to the terminal device is necessary, which increases the necessary procedures inside the central station. 20 Therefore it is the purpose of the present invention to eliminate the problems of the existing status of technology mentioned above and to create an access and clearing procedure via chipcard which does not require a return path within the system, also to'find a way that there is no need for a permanent forward pulse for a 25 clearing procedure, and additionally to provide a high level of security and make it available for a large number of services. This problem will be solved by the present invention with the procedure, described in claims 1 - 13. 30 3 Furthermore in claims 11 - 21 chipcards are mentioned which are apt to be used in these procedures. It the purpose of this invention to create an access and clearing procedure via 5 chipcard in order get supplies and / or to get services delivered from telecommunication networks, supply-networks and others by using a decentralized subscriber access system with a peripheral metering and controlling device and a subscriber access box connected to it. With this procedure a chipcard with a storage-device for value-points will be provided and / or initialized, which to authorize an access to services and / or supplies of one or more selected operators and / or suppliers. Furthermore one or more designated cash-amounts will be transferred to one or more operators and / or suppliers and an equivalent number of value points proportional to this or these amounts are stored in the first storage device of the chipcard. While the peripheral counter and controller is 15 communicating with the chipcard is inserted into the access box, the decentralized subscriber access system will provide free access and the requested services and / or supplies will be available. Finally the number of value points will be reduced corresponding to the consumed services and / or supplies. 20 This means, that on the one side in above the described procedure no return path of the system is necessary since on the chipcard a preselected number of value points can be stored, on the other side a high security level is guaranteed, because the control of access by a decentralized subscriber access system will not be realized by communication with a central control unit but by communication 25 between the chipcard and a peripheral metering and controlling device. In particular the procedure does not require the transfer of a counting pulse or something similar from a central unit, because the clearing, i.e. the devaluation, will be realized decentrally, so that all procedures within the centrally controlled system 30 can be reduced essentially, as there is no value pulse or something similar to be 4 provided for every existing subscriber. The decentralized peripheral metering and blocking mechanisms do not have to be connected online with a centrally controlled unit. 5 Furthermore a clearing procedure via chipcard in order to purchase merchandise and / or services by using a programmer at the site of a dealer and a service provider and an access box at the site of the subscriber will be created by this present invention. Within this procedure a chipcard with a first storage unit for data relevant to money transfer will be provided and / or initialized. The data for lo money transfer will be stored by a programmer via a network in the first storage unit of the chipcard inserted into the access box. Finally the remittance (transaction) will be ordered by means of the data relevant for the money transfer and the purchase of merchandise and / or services will be initiated. Within this procedure there is no exchange of data equivalent to an amount of 15 money or data e.g. creditcard numbers between the programmer and the access box, but only the exchange of the data for money transfer. This way a high level of security is guaranteed. Thereby the transfer is ordered and arranged by the subscriber. 20 Further advantageous versions of the present invention are matter of the dependent claims. The present invention is described by the following examples, considering the corresponding drawing. 25 It will be exposed to view: Fig. 1. A decentralized subscriber access system for telecommunication networks used in a first example of an embodiment of the invention.
5 Fig. 2. A decentralized subscriber access system for supply networks, used in the first example of an embodiment of the mentioned present invention. Fig. 3. A further decentralized subscriber access system for supply networks, used in the first example of an embodiment of the present invention. 5 Fig. 4. A flow chart of the charging of value-points according to the first example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5. A flow chart of devaluating (debiting) used in the first example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6. A pre-paid process according to the first example of an embodiment of the 10 present invention. Fig. 7. An access system used in a second example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8. A total view of a realized system according to the second example of an embodiment of the present invention. 15 Fig. 9 A flow chart of a first part of a simplified electronic transaction procedure according to the second example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10. A flow chart of a second part of a simplified electronic transaction procedure according to the second example of an embodiment of the 20 present invention. Fig. 11. A pre-paid process according to the second example of an embodiment of the present invention. Here follows the description of a first example of an embodiment of the present 25 invention: From WO 98/05163 a decentralized subscriber access system for telecommunication networks is known, which consists of at least one programmable peripheral access-point, which first locks the network access for the 30 connected subscriber at least partially and after this peripheral access-point will be 6 unlocked or switched on finally after connection with at least one access-box by the subscriber himself, after inserting a chipcard if the microprocessor on the chipcard has transferred valid value-points to the microcontroller inside the access device, so that it can open it (for a certain time-range partially or for a certain 5 contingent of fees), which enables the subscriber, to use services and time-range supplies via the network (partially) within a certain corresponding range of time. It is to be referred to Fig. 1, in which a decentralized subscriber access system, described in the application mentioned before, is shown. In this Figure, reference io numeral 1 means the decentralized subscriber access system, reference numeral 2 means a programmable peripheral access device, reference numeral 2a means a telephone connection or antenna-socket, reference numeral 3 means a subscriber access-box, reference numerals 4 and 6a mean single dwelling access lines, reference numeral 5 means a telecommunication network or a program distribution 15 network, reference numerals 6 and 7 mean connecting lines and reference numeral 8 means a single receiving device or a subscriber terminal. The decentralized subscriber access system 1 consists of the peripheral access device 2, which is connected in series to the single dwelling access lines 4 and 6a, 20 to the already existing telephone- or antenna socket 2a and the mobile subscriber access box 3, which is connected in series to line 6 from the telephone line socket or antenna socket 2a. The peripheral access device 2, constmcted as an intelligent locking device for 25 analog twisted pair- as well as for broadband coaxial networks or realized as a controllable network terminator of ISDN twisted pair networks, is connected at its input to at least one trunk line, which means to connecting line 4 and it is connected to at least one telecommunication network or to a program distribution network 5. The output of the access device 2 is connected via the single dwelling 30 access line 6 and the line socket 2a, to the access box 3 and this access box 3 is 7 furthermore connected to at least one receiving set or subscriber terminal 8 via connecting line 7. A contacting device for chipcards is located inside the access box 3 and the 5 corresponding programmable micro-controller is inside access point 2. Between them the procedure of devaluation takes place in order to devaluate a certain number of value-points on the chipcard. A process of recharging of the chipcard can be realized in an electronic-cash-terminal where money transfer is introduced at the same time. The telephone socket or antenna socket 2a with coaxial networks is 10 constructed as a tapline terminal antenna socket. [n the above mentioned application a valuechip- or authorization-card is described, which can also be realized as a purse card. In order to create a homogenous application however the clearing procedure is not described here. 15 Moreover the decentralized subscriber access system is only described for telecommunication networks but not for supply networks in general, for which this access system can also be implemented. 20 As in telecommunication networks a peripheral locking device at a peripheral access point can be unlocked by the subscriber only after having got the authorization and while maintaining a clearing card with valid value-points, a peripheral access controller as an electronic metering and switching device in the case of'supply networks can also be used in the same way, so that complete or 25 partial supply is dependent on the existence of the pre-payment of value-points by the subscriber, which means he has to possess a valid access-smart-card. In this case value points also are transferred to the microcontroller inside the access point, so that it can unlock for a certain contingent of services or supply (in case of electric energy kWh in case of gas and water m'). This way generally said a pre 30 paid or pre-cash system for networks is created.
8 Fig. 2 and 3 show decentralized subscriber access systems, which can be used in the case of supply networks. 5 In figure 2 reference numeral 10 means the decentralized subscriber access system for supply networks, reference numeral II means the supply line at the input, reference numeral 12 means a peripheral metering and locking device, reference numeral 13 means a line, reference numeral 14 means a subscriber access box with chipcard reader and -writer and reference numeral 15 means the output line. 10 As shown in Figure 2, the input line I1 is connected to the peripheral metering and locking device 12. The peripheral metering and locking device 12 is furthermore connected to the subscriber access box 14. Finally the subscriber access box 14 is connected via the output line 15, so that the supply with energy for example, 15 electricity, gas, water and so on is guaranteed. In Figure 3 the same reference numerals as in figure 2 denote the same corresponding parts. 20 As shown in figure 3 the supply line 11 at the input is connected to the peripheral metering and locking device 12. Furthermore the peripheral metering and locking device 12 is connected to the output line 15. Via line 13 the peripheral metering and locking device 12 is furthermore connected to the subscriber access box 14, whereby this connection can be as long as recommended or it can even be realized 25 wireless, for example via broadcast. Therefore supply with e.g. energy, electricity, gas, water and so on is guaranteed. According to the previous embodiments the access of subscribers to communication networks and supply networks can also remain anonymous and the 30 use of supply and services will be selected by the subscriber himself Because the 9 return path of systems for managing, handling, controlling and clearing of subscribers used to be very costly the present invention shows a new way to avoid these high costs and creates this way an access permission with pre-paid character. 5 The return path of the system is realized by the payment itself, which is transacted as purchase or charging of valuepoints or even as money transfer from the chipcard to the account of an operator, who has the right to take fees for selling supplies via his networks. This operator previously has programmed his peripheral access point with all the necessary data for clearing and managing. This programming can be io done by a handprogramming device or PC-programmer, which is not described in further detail, via his specific own network or also via other networks by long distance data transmission. The basic idea of the procedure is that with this system it is not necessary to 15 provide a specific return path or an online connection to a clearing or evidence central unit or even to a bank, but the payment is in this case realized via transaction to an account of an operator stored inside the chipcard shortly before, just when the subscriber charges the chipcard on the load terminal with the cash amount of his choice. In this case this new use of a chipcard or authorization-card 20 will be realized as a transfer-card which only transfers money from a subscriber's account to an operator's account and with this transfer the subscriber, in free choice of the transferred amount, receives a certain amount of value-points corresponding to the transacted amount with which he can order and get services and supplies. This utilization can be stored with any kind of an electronic purse 25 card in the section additional operations so that any form of electronic commerce can be realized. In this case no cash amount is to be charged on the chip, but the money will be electronically transferred from the subscriber's or user's account to the operator's or provider's account.
10 The access to the services of networks, for example communication networks or supply networks, is solely guaranteed if the user has an authorization therefore. This is why in the case of a decentralized subscriber access system for telecommunication networks or supply networks a so called metering and locking 5 device is used, which is able to count the quantity of use and will cause the locking of the access completely or partially, if the supply quantity has reached the limit of the pre-paid credit. A partial locking, for instance in case of service categories, minimum load or 10 maximum load or micro-supplies or full-supplies is apt to maintain a certain emergency supply if it is necessary or if a complete locking is too severe. If the access box is not integrated in the peripheral access controller, the subscriber access box can be connected with the peripheral locking device via a separate line, 15 over which the subscriber access box can supply the peripheral access controller with energy or data and vice versa, and over which a cryptological data exchange between the microcontroller and the peripheral metering and locking device and the microcontroller on the chipcard, inserted into the subscriber access box, can be realized. 20 When using the decentralized subscriber access system the chipcard reads at the moment of the first insertion the data stored in the peripheral metering device, which were previously transacted via a programmer by the operator or provider, these data include information about locality, identity and bank connection of the 25 operator / provider. In order to execute the transaction the subscriber / user has to insert the chipcard into a loading terminal of a bank, respectively he must transfer these data via long distance data transmission so that the transaction is executed. Immediately after that, the amount will be converted by using one of the additional operations of the purse-card into a so called substitutional currency in form of 30 individual valuepoints.
11 On the one side the operating system of a classical purse-card is used, which is introduced within a wide range as a means of electronic-cash money-transfer, on the other side a system of additional operations is used, by which the valuepoints 5 on the charged purse-card in a decentralized subscriber access system will be devaluated step by step or completely, and along this devaluation the peripheral access controller will open itself for a certain time-range, for a certain kind of supply , or for any quantity of supply or a certain amount of fees according to its value; this way the subscriber can use services from his single dwelling connection, 10 if required. Therefore it is recommended to install the operating system on a chipcard in this way, that the initially chosen amount of money can be transferred into a new value coupon, whenever it is intended or whenever the transaction is really done and finished. 15 In the decentralized subscriber access system the peripheral access device of a telecommunication network or supply network is connected to the subscriber access box via the single dwelling signal line, over which the power supply of the peripheral access controller as well as the data exchange between the controllers inside the peripheral access device and the chipcard will happen. Across this data 20 connection the data transfer will be done, which finally controls the kind of authorization and the period of the subscriber access and / or the level of the contigent of fees, respectively the supply quantity. The peripheral access device can be located in the area of competence of the operator, even outside the reach of the subscriber, and can be programmed anew or reprogrammed, if necessary, by 25 the operator before the installation at the site itself or optionally via an extern network or via the distribution network by the signals, sent by a programmer. It is equipped with a serial programmable microcontroller, which can be programmed with data of a network operator, his address, his bank account, furthermore with data of the locality, its exact position and number as well as with the data of the 12 purchased services and corresponding clearing factor, which is a basis of the authorization evidence and price control. This peripheral access point can be implemented into networks as a single access 5 controller or also as a peripheral metering and locking device between the corresponding output of telecommunication networks and supply networks and the single dwelling connection line or can also be inserted as a single element into networks so that so called single locking devices are created which are to control access to these networks in one or both directions totally or partially. 10 By option of long distance programming via the own distribution network or a second distribution network, data which can be altered, e.g. name, address of the network operator or service provider, his bank data and the clearing factor as a basis for the clearing can be changed by the software at any time. This is 15 recommended in order to avoid misuse and unauthorized access. Furthermore the network operator / service provider can lock, limit, or switch on again in preference if he deems it necessary. This can make sense, if he doesn't expect that the subscriber accepts the pre-paid procedure and he therefore offers him this way a permanent free access, a free-coupon in form of a free-access-chipcard or 20 supplies him against bill or debit as usual and he has to lock access again in case of payment delete. If purchases from supply networks (energy, electricity, gas, water etc.) are done, a decentralized subscriber access system similar to the one described for the 25 telecommunication networks is realizable. Here follows a description of energy, respectively of electricity: 13 The installation of a peripheral metering and locking device will be convenient at the point of interaction between metered electricity and not-metered electricity, at the very same place where we find a conventional meter today. This way the locking device can be integrated into the so called meter or even be put in series to 5 it. The total or partial interruption can be realized with a high- or low-power controlled output, whereby the low-power control can guarantee distinct emergency supply, to avoid, if necessary, secondary damages because of complete interruption. An emergency supply can be arranged for safe. In the future modern metering devices must also be in the position to enable energy reflux, so that to especially here additional methods are necessary to make an energy reflux into the network possible. Both energy transports, the one into the network and the other one out of the network, can be controlled via the same clearing procedure. The metering of the distinct energy fluxes can be integrated into the whole clearing procedure. The locking of the supply can be constructed by a so called power relay 15 or any other switch like an electronic power switch. The programming of the microcontroller inside the peripheral metering and locking device can be realized by the modern concepts for communication, for example via the energy network (power-line communication systems) by which over all medium voltage lines down to the low voltage area network and to the single house connecting controller low 20 frequent data can be transmitted in order to realize checking and controlling functions. Since this data network is still in a state of development (though in future universal use will be possible) influencing of this microcontroller, which is programmed at the time of the installation, will be possible at any time via the own data network over any distance by the network operator. In this case, the energy 25 supplier holds the possibility to realize alternations himself and to protect against manipulation and tamper. The access box can be integrated into the peripheral metering and locking device or should better be connected to any point of this single dwelling power network, also inside the dwelling. If a valid value chipcard is inserted, the locking will be cancelled and the display shows for which quantity of 30 supply or for how long the existing amount of valuepoints is sufficient.
14 Here follows a description of the supply of gas: 5 In case of gas supply the locking of the access-point is also totally or partially possible, but here no forward data transmission is possible. In this case the usual possibilities via power line or telephone line have to be used to influence the peripheral metering and locking device by forward programming, if desired. The peripheral metering and locking device, integrateable into a meter has to be io supplied with electric current separately, so that the data can be stored and changed, which are controlling the access point by the subscriber access box, according to the authorization of any subscriber. In the control division of a so called valve (peripheral access controller) has to be a microcontroller, which can be programmed by an extern serial socket or can be influenced by extern long 15 distance data transmission. Here follows a description of the purchase of water: In the case of water the same can be said as in the case of gas. No data 20 transmission is possible, too, but in both cases it is seems necessary to say that the subscriber access box should be in direct contact with the corresponding meter , so that the used quantity can be metered in real. In both cases electrical data have to be provided by the output and by electronically scanning the metering pulses. It has to be 'pointed out, that in case of supplies from supply-networks and 25 telecommunication-networks, the above described clearing system with a pre-paid character can be used besides and parallel with other existing and convenient payment systems, because the subscribers can use value-cards, smart-cards with limited or unlimited authorization at any time. The microprocessors inside the peripheral switching devices can be re-programmed via the optionally installed 15 forward-transmission of data, respectively they can be influenced by the operator or supplier for the purpose of their unlocking or locking. The individual subscriber gets or purchases an access box with chipcard reader as 5 well as optionally an initialized microprocessor-chip-card. This chipcard with microprocessor is one special embodiment of a clearing-card, which has been previously described. This clearing-card is programmed with the control system as mentioned above and it will open the access-point at the moment of insertion into the subscriber's access-box first for a certain time range and / or for a certain io contingent of fees or a certain quantity of supplies, and via the contacts of the card reader, the operator-specific data e.g. name, bank-data of the operator or of the clearing service provider, purpose and position of the peripheral connecting point etc. can be stored. 15 After the progressing devaluation of the card, the subscriber has to recharge the chipcard similar to a purse-card or credit-card, whenever it is discharged. For this purpose he will insert the card exactly like an electronic purse-card into a recharging terminal and by use of one of the additional operations of the chip, the cash amount, the subscriber can choose himself, will not be stored as electronically 20 transferred cash, but will be transferred, because of the special features of the card according to information initialized on the card, to the account of the corresponding network operator by also transferring the purpose and locality of the specific connecting device and other specific data. This order can also be an offline or onlijie long distance data transmission. The money has to be provided by the 25 subscriber in the same way, as he charges a common electronic purse-card either with cash or with a credit card with conventional identification (PIN) and the selected money amount can be transferred, while ordered online, to the account of the operator or service provider and the subscriber can be informed in the same way. 30 16 At the same time a corresponding value according to the transacted money will be created by the software, implemented on the microchip, which can be credited via the additional operations of the corresponding storage unit. Then the subscriber inserts his card into his accessbox. There he can (re-)open his corresponding 5 peripheral access point because of the new value points, which means he can purchase or use services or supplies. The number of value points is proportional to the accessible time units, service units or supply units for which the access to the telecommunication- or supply networks stays accessible. The corresponding difference, e.g. days, telephone fees, supply quantities, or data quantities are shown 10 on a display or controlpanel of the accessbox. This way the operator or supplier holds the advantage that he is informed at any time about the profit of his network because the locality of any subscriber is evident by his transfer, so that the operator and supplier can feed subscriber management systems. This way the supplier knows exactly if these access-points are used seldom or not and then he can 15 advertise to get more subscribers without knowing subscribers by name and address, if desired.. The subscriber himself stays anonymous and is totally free in choosing the desired services from certain communications and supply over his specific dwelling lines 20 and he can lock the access to his access point, even then, when he wants to make expenses, to be able to stay away from the dwelling in case of vacation, illness or in case of a second domicile. The subscriber knows to which address and for what purpose money has to be paid and can determine any amount, either chosen by himself'or established by the transfer of the provided amount. In case of charging 25 of a chip card with cash the receipt or statement of account can be printed at any time. This is an advantage, because networks are sheltered against access and tamper of unauthorized persons, because the access itself has a self-service character. 30 17 Here follows a description of access limitation: If the subscriber gets an access card only for a certain purpose, for a certain range of time, certain services or the subscriber otherwise wants to avoid access in time 5 of absence from his dwelling for unauthorized family members without his permission or wants to prevent their use of unauthorized or expensive services , a second authorization card can be provided with which, by a certain modification in the operating system, the access to these high level products or services is locked. Thus a so called children-access-card or guest-access-card or similar can be io provided which is to be inserted into the accessbox, whenever the subscriber has removed or hidden his main authorization card. Even those ,,limitation-cards,, can be made valid according to the previous description by transferring an amount of money, chosen by the subscriber himself and the validity will be reduced corresponding to the prices of the chosen categories, consumed day-wise, fee-wise 15 or quantity-wise. The ,,limitation-card,, is also able to provide only a single limiting function, whenever the devaluation of the main-card at the peripheral connecting point by transmission of value-points is already finished. Here follows a description of a distinct transfer amount to different payees: 20 If it is necessary, that the network operator or supplier distributes the received amount to others, for example providers of telephone networks, or primary suppliers of supply-networks, it can already be determined in the software, which part of the transfer amount should be distributed to the corresponding sub 25 suppliers. This happens by storing of further transfer data, which depend from a certain clearing percentage, so that a so called clearing cascade is created. Here follows the description of the combination of different access-boxes: 30 18 Any number of single access-boxes can be integrated into one multimedial clearing box for one subscriber in order to purchase supply-services from different communication-networks or supply-networks. This way a so called multimedia] or multifunctional clearing- and switching central station can be created. It can be 5 installed preferably into a telephone terminal device (Comfort-Telephone). Here follows the description of a discount procedure: 10 If a subscriber wants to transfer a greater amount via the authorization-card to the account of the network-operator / supplier and wants thus to obtain a higher credit for a longer range of time or if he wants to have small credit of charges, a non linear quantity of value-points should be offered in order to compensate for the loss of interests. This kind of discount is popular within chipcard methods and pre 15 payment procedures. The subscriber therefore has the possibility to determine his budget, if connected to a media-supply or any other kind of services to telecommunication networks and supply networks. The network operator and supplier has the advantage, that the offered service is already paid in the moment of order and it is no longer necessary, to distribute value-cards or bills, or any other 20 kind of survey of the billing and payment process. The interest income of the pre paid character for the network operator and supplier will be equalized this way. Part-payments can also be realized in the same kind. It has to be said at this point that figure 4 shows a previously described procedure 25 of charging of a number of value-points on the chip-card in order to purchase telecommuncations or supply-services from networks and lines. Figure 5 shows a previously described process of devaluation of the chip-card in order to purchase telecommuncation and supply-services form networks and lines. And figure 6 shows a simple pre-paid process in the decentralized subscriber access system, 19 whereby after the realized transaction between operator, subscriber and bank the number of value-points is created on the card. Because these figures are self explaining, detailed description of them is not 5 necessary. Here follows a description of the second example of an embodiment of the present invention: 10 It has to be pointed out that the second example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly because of the differences to the first example of an embodiment of the present invention, which means, that the train of thoughts concerning the first example of an embodiment of the present invention will be the same as the second example of an embodiment of the present invention. 15 The second example of an embodiment of the present invention describes a clearing procedure via chip-card for the purchase of merchandise and services in the general form, that, via the telecommunication-network, data which are relevant for transaction, will be transferred to the chip-card from a programmer of a dealer 20 or service-provider, which is similar to the previously mentioned programmer of the network-operator, and the chipcard, inserted into an accessbox, for that purpose of the subscriber or client being able to order the payment thereafter, if he introduces the transaction or several transactions, which are read into the chip card, inserted into the accessbox, so that he orders directly on the charge terminal 25 of a bank or online via a long distance data transmission system to a bank, by placing.to the debit of the account, which is chosen by himself and by using the common securities by the bank institute of his choice. The difference between the described action and the previously described action concerning the first example of an embodiment of the present invention is that 30 there is no number of value-points (electronical substitutional currency) necessary, 20 but that the second application does give to the subscriber or client an instrument to order the transaction himself, exactly when he really wants to do it, when his account disposes the necessary credit and he knows at the same time that he will get merchandise or service after the dealer or service-provider has received the 5 transaction in the pre-cash procedure. In this case C.O.D.-parcels or insecure online money transactions can be avoided. The special feature of this procedure is, that the service ,,money-transport,, lies exclusively in the responsibility of banks, all pre-cash services can be thus claimed 10 comfortably and there is a high-level of security for the money-transfer and the transaction-orders guaranteed. As well as in the first example of an embodiment of the present invention the basic idea of the procedure is that for this system there is no own return path or an 15 online-connection to a central station for clearing and evidence or any other institute necessary. According to this second example of an embodiment the payment of a transaction to an account of a dealer or service-provider, stored on the chipcard before, will be done in exactly that moment, when the subscriber orders a transaction with the chipcard at the loading terminal. This way the new 20 chipcard or authorization-card can be used as a transaction-card, which only orders transactions of a client's or subscriber's account. This operation can be stored in any kind of an electronic purse-card into an existing additional operation, so that any kind of e-Commerce can be realized. With this card there is no loading of cash necessary, but the money will be transferred electronically from a subscriber's or 25 client's account to the dealer's or service provider's account. This way an uncontrollable amount of money can be avoided. In fig. 7 an access-system for electronic transfer i.e. electronic cash transfer is shown. In this figure, reference numeral 16 means network lines, reference numeral 21 17 means a programmer at the side of the service provider / dealer and reference numeral 18 means an accessbox for a chipcard at the site of the subscriber. Here the service-provider / dealer with his programmer 17 and an optionally 5 integrated dealer card is in connection with the access-box 18 over the network lines 16. The programmer 17 transfers an order for transaction, respectivley data relevant for transaction, to the access-box 18 in order to store them after the confirmation by the subscriber on the chipcard of the subscriber, 10 According to fig. 8 the same reference numerals like in fig. 7 mark the same corresponding parts. In fig. 8 a total view of a system, used in the second example of an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. To be more clear - fig. 8 shows the installation of 15 programmers 17 which are connected via the network lines 16 and which are at the site of the service provider or dealer, and on the other site the access-box 18 which is on the site of the subscriber or client for the purpose of transmission and confirmation of transaction orders. 20 Contrary to the decentralized subscriber access system, which will be used in the access-system in the first example of an embodiment of the present invention an electronic cash transfer procedure, which will be used in the second example of an embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of purchase of services and merchandises the clearing procedure, can be simplified further more in a way, that 25 in this case is not necessary for a value-point to be generated for a distinct cash amount. In this case it is sufficient, to realize a simple transaction, without generating an equivalent number of value-points in order to purchase distinct merchandises and services against pre-cash or payment-in-advance. This chip-card can also be 22 described as a transaction-card without devaluation function, as an authorization card or an electronic card with a function of transaction. Within the operating system, as well as within the additional operations, the 5 general steps of security, designed to the according cryptological standard, are integrated to reduce misuse. The transaction process is in the responsibility of the bank. This way the chipcard is more secure as the cash-card and not in danger of theft, because it can fulfill its 10 task only within one destined dwelling and is dependent on the actual confirmation of the chipcard holder and on the credit of his account, on his electronic-cash-card or on his cash amount. Here follows a detailed description of a clearing procedure via smart-card for the 15 purchase of merchandise or services by an electronic-cash-transaction, with is a use of the electronic-cash purse-card for transactions. This operation will be a possible by combination of one or more access-boxes at the site of the subscriber or client, which are connected via the network, for 20 example internet, telephone network or broadband network to one or several programmers of service providers or dealers. This operation is also to be integrated into all kinds of peripheral solutions and all kinds of operations, which are confirmed by the level of technology of today. 25 With this operation a pre-cash procedure for a service, ordered by the subscriber / client (tele-shopping, e-Commerce, ordering of catalogue-merchandise, books, even all kinds of services e.g. insurances and other similar things for which an attention of purchase is obvious) can be created in that form, that the supplier of these services and merchandises, which the subscriber respectively client orders 30 binding e.g. by telephone or online via mouse-click, via a programmer, which the 23 dealer or supplier also has to provide, while his number of account and the single purpose, which means all necessary data for transaction including bank connection, if necessary after confirmation, will also be transferred online to the chipcard inside the accessbox of the subscriber, so that these data will be stored on the chipcard of 5 the subscriber and this subscriber can then, after having done and confirmed different purchases and orders or payment orders, take the chipcard at any day to his bank, in order to transfer all stored transactions, by confirming each single one of them at the loading terminal, one after the other. 10 He draws money from cash or from the common creditcard or electronic cash card in the same way as usual and it will be checked online, whether the credit is sufficient for the transactions to be ordered. Having to go to the loading terminal of the bank can be avoided by using the 15 existing long distance data transmissions for transactions along the standard SET (Secure Electronic Transaction) or HBCI (Home Banking Computer Interface). Only after successful transaction the subscriber can be sure, that the already paid service will be provided. The difference between the procedure using the decentralized subscriber access system according to the first example of an 20 embodiment of the present invention and this procedure using the common access system according to the second example of an embodiment is that it is not necessary to implement an additional number of value-points as an electronical substitutional currency which does not have to not to be stored, in order to purchase anything e.g. a service, because with the payment itself, the order is 25 already done. The service provider / dealer will deliver service i-e. merchandise only if he can proof the payment. It can be said that this kind of operation according to the second example of an embodiment of the present invention simplifies the use 30 according to the first example of an embodiment of the present invention in a very 24 essential point and both, dealer and client, will maintain all their rights. The purchaser has a right for exchange, as if he would pay by C.O.D. and the operations executed before when paying via credit card or via other billing systems, which bring with them a lot of dangers, are no longer necessary. The simple 5 operation at the terminal is can to be executed by everybody, even if there is no PC etc. available. All necessary data for the transaction can be shown on a small display on the access-box. The access-box should have a keyboard, on which for example the key ,,confirmation,, should play a special role. 10 The advantage of this billing procedure is, that any money-transfer will be realized within bank responsibility, as well the storage of the money transaction as an order to the card, as also the execution of the money-transaction-,order which can be confirmed on the card by the subscriber himself and that at every purse-terminal, an identification of the card and an investigation of plausibility will be done, so that by 15 dual confirmation a high protection against misuse is obvious. The payment account can be checked by ec-Card or a cash-payment can be realized in the same way. On the other side it can be investigated online whether the credit for transaction is large enough; otherwise it will not be transacted. 20 At this point it has to be pointed out that fig. 9 shows a flow chart of one part of the simplified electronic transaction procedure for getting services and / or merchandises. Hereby the flow chart is referring to the first transmission step of transaction data into the additional function storage or advanced function storage of the chipcard. Figure 10 shows a flow chart of one part of a simplified 25 electronical transaction process for purchasing services and / or merchandises. Hereby the flow chart refers to the second step of a money transaction, i.e. the procedure of a money-transaction via the additional operation and in fig. 11 there is shown a simple prepaid process or payment-in-advanced-procedure without creating a credit of value-points, whereby the money transaction is stored on the 25 chipcard in the accessbox and the transaction of the client's or subscriber's account to the dealer's or service provider's account will be realized. Since these figures are self-explaining a detailed description of these figures is not 5 necessary. Finally it has to be mentioned, that a chipcard can also be realized, which will be used as well for the procedure according to the first example of an embodiment of the present invention as for the procedure according to the second example of the jo an embodiment of the present invention. Concerning further effects and advantages of the present invention, which can not be explained in detail, one should refer to the figures in the appendix.

Claims (20)

  1. 2. Procedure in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a decentralized 25 subscriber access system locked by the peripheral metering and locking device, whenever the value-points are devaluated.
  2. 3. Procedure in accordance to claim I or 2, characterized by steps [a] to [d] are to be repeated. 30 27
  3. 4. Procedure in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterized by a chipcard which provides a second storing device for storing address data, bank account data and data about the purpose of use and an additional operation to release a transaction of a certain cash amount to an address and bank account, 35 stored in the second storage device.
  4. 5. Procedure in accordance with claim 4, characterized by address and bank account of the operator to be transferred during the first communication between chipcard and peripheral metering and locking device to the second 40 storage device.
  5. 6. Procedure in accordance with claim 4 or 5, characterized by transferring specific data of the corresponding connection, e.g. position, locality and number to the chipcard. 45
  6. 7. Procedure in accordance to any other previous claims characterized by providing a third storage device in the chipcard, on which the kind of services and / or supplies are stored which can be purchased. 50 8. Procedure in accordance to any of the previous claims, characterized by transferring the number of value-points, stored in the chipcard at the time of the first communication between the chipcard and the peripheral metering and locking device, to the decentralized subscriber access system. 55 9. Procedure in accordance to any of the previous claims, characterized by purchasing or blocking a selected part of services or supplies with an additional card.
  7. 10. Procedure in accordance to any of the previous claims, characterized by 60 storage of different amounts of value-points on the chipcard which are 28 corresponding to different decentralized subscriber access systems and which will be transferred via one or more subscriber access boxes, to one or more peripheral metering and locking devices. 65 11. Chipcard that provides: - a first storage device to store value-points - a second storage device to store address data, bank account data and data about purpose and - the function to release a money transaction, respectively in order 70 transact a specific amount of money, while transmitting the purpose to an address and bank account to an address stored on the second storage device, by using a device to charge the chipcard.
  8. 12. Chipcard in accordance with claim 11, characterized by using it in a procedure 75 in accordance to any of the claims I to 10.
  9. 13. Clearing procedure via chipcard in order to purchase merchandise and or services by using a dealer / service provider-specific programmer and a client / subscriber-specific access box with the following steps: so [a] providing and / or initializing a chipcard with a first storage device for data relevant for transaction; [b] storing of data relevant for transaction with the programmer via the network on the first storing device of the chipcard inserted into the access lox and 85 [c] operating a transaction via data relevant for the transaction and introducing the purchase of merchandises and / or services.
  10. 14. Procedure in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the data, which are relevant for transaction are data for address, bank account or purpose of use 90 and by the chipcard to provide a function to transfer a certain amount of money 29 to the address of the corresponding data relevant for transaction, stored in the first storage device.
  11. 15. Procedure in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterized by realization of 95 the purchase of merchandise or services only in case of a transaction successfully finished.
  12. 16. Procedure in accordance with any of the claims 13 to 15, characterized by a high number of transaction data being storable to provide the according data 100 relevant for transaction in the first storage device.
  13. 17. Procedure in accordance with any of the claims 13 to 16, characterized by realization of the transaction via long distance data transmission, by insertion of the chipcard into a terminal or by handing over the chipcard at the bank 105 window.
  14. 18. Procedure in accordance with any of the claims 13 to 17, characterized by checking the authorization of the transaction and / or of solvency and reliability and / or authorization can be investigated. 110
  15. 19. Procedure in accordance with any of the claims 13 to 18, characterized by storing an authorization code on the chipcard referring to step [b]. 115 20. Procedure according to any of the claims 13 to 19 characterized by first storing of bank data of at least one transacting bank and / or at least one credit account on the chipcard.
  16. 21. A chipcard that provides: 120 - a first storage device to store data relevant for transaction and 30 - a function to cause or transact a money transfer by the data relevant for transaction, which are stored on the first storage device.
  17. 22. Chipcard in accordance to claim 21 characterized by realization at the bank 125 terminal or by a function to be executed by the software for example by the standard HBCI according to the existing rules and security specifications.
  18. 23. The chipcard according to claim 21 or 22 characterized by its ability to store a great number of data for transaction on the first storage device. 130
  19. 24. A chipcard according to any of claims 21 to 23 characterized by its use in a procedure according to any of claims 13 to 20.
  20. 25. Chipcard according to claim 11 to 12 characterized by additional specifications 135 according to one of the claims 21 to 24.
AU20471/99A 1997-10-10 1998-10-12 Access and billing method using a chip card Abandoned AU2047199A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19744806 1997-10-10
DE19744806 1997-10-10
DE19812125 1998-03-19
DE19812125A DE19812125A1 (en) 1997-10-10 1998-03-19 Access and payment method for purchasing services via telecommunications network using chip card
DE19835909 1998-08-07
DE19835909 1998-08-07
PCT/EP1998/006471 WO1999020035A2 (en) 1997-10-10 1998-10-12 Access and billing method using a chip card

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2047199A true AU2047199A (en) 1999-05-03

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AU20471/99A Abandoned AU2047199A (en) 1997-10-10 1998-10-12 Access and billing method using a chip card

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EP (1) EP1050031A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2001520427A (en)
AU (1) AU2047199A (en)
CA (1) CA2307032A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999020035A2 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0963097A1 (en) * 1998-06-05 1999-12-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Communication terminal for processing and evaluating chip cards or coins

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT399599B (en) * 1990-10-04 1995-06-26 Uher Ag DEVICE FOR ELECTRICITY COUNTING
ATE148800T1 (en) * 1991-09-27 1997-02-15 Schlumberger Ind Ltd PREPAYMENT SYSTEM
DE4408655A1 (en) * 1994-03-15 1995-09-21 Peter Forster Hand-held radio telephone or car telephone
WO1996003720A1 (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-02-08 Magyar Gázméro^' Technika Kft. Apparatus for metering and dispensing a commodity
US7156300B1 (en) * 1995-06-07 2007-01-02 Electronic Data Systems Corporation System and method for dispensing of a receipt reflecting prepaid phone services
GB2321753B (en) * 1997-01-31 2001-06-06 Landis & Gyr Ag Metering system
DE29704120U1 (en) * 1997-03-06 1997-05-22 Bauer, Franz Hans Peter, 87719 Mindelheim System for the cashless operation of cash counter dispensers

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EP1050031A2 (en) 2000-11-08
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WO1999020035A2 (en) 1999-04-22
CA2307032A1 (en) 1999-04-22

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