CA2273309A1 - Cashless vending system with logging of user card balances - Google Patents
Cashless vending system with logging of user card balances Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2273309A1 CA2273309A1 CA 2273309 CA2273309A CA2273309A1 CA 2273309 A1 CA2273309 A1 CA 2273309A1 CA 2273309 CA2273309 CA 2273309 CA 2273309 A CA2273309 A CA 2273309A CA 2273309 A1 CA2273309 A1 CA 2273309A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- card
- user
- services
- balance
- vending
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/08—Mechanisms 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
- G07F7/10—Mechanisms 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 together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
- G07F7/1008—Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/341—Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/40—Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
- G06Q20/409—Device specific authentication in transaction processing
- G06Q20/4093—Monitoring of device authentication
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/08—Mechanisms 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
- G07F7/0866—Mechanisms 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/08—Mechanisms 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
- G07F7/0873—Details of the card reader
Abstract
Products or services are vended in transactions with users, using a method and apparatus wherein account balances are stored on user cards, preferably smartcards having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited in the transactions, the data memory also containing a unique code that distinguishes each user or card and is also printed externally on the card. A card reading and writing device is associated with a vending machine, access controller or the like, and reads the account balance of a card presented by a user, enables vending and debits and re-writes a new balance to the card. Value adding machines can enter an account balance to add to an existing balance in a similar manner. At least one of the value adding apparatus and the card reading and writing device, and preferably both, contains a memory buffer that stores a log of the unique codes and the latest account balances of each successive user card to which an account balance was written. The log can be searched for a unique code and the most recent balance read out, if a card becomes unreadable. The log is preferably stored in a recirculating memory buffer of the value adding apparatus, which holds data on a predetermined number of most recent transactions only.
Description
(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CASHLESS VENDING SYSTEM WITH LOGGING OF USER CARD
BALANCES
(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
The invention relates to the field of cashless vending systems in which user cards, e.g., integrated circuit smartcards, carry data representing a cash balance that is debited when the card is used to obtain products or services. In particular, the invention concerns an improved cashless vending system wherein the balance of credits on each card used for obtaining products or services is logged in a recirculating memory when the value stored on the card is set or adjusted (c) BACKGROUND
User debit cards, e.g., integrated circuit smartcards are used to obtain various products and services, e.g., telephone services, transportation, vending machine products, laundry machine usage, photocopies, parking services, access to entertainment, etc. A
user obtains a card having a credit balance from which an amount is deducted as a function of usage. The user may purchase a card that has been pre-loaded with a corresponding sum, or preferably the user can add credit to the card as well as to debit the card with usage. For adding credit to the card, a value-transfer machine may accept currency or operate as an element of a banking or credit card network to transfer funds from a user account to the card.
Debit card systems as described have many benefits, one being that it is not necessary to conduct data communications between every usage or access controlling machine, e.g., each vending machine or laundry machine that the user might seek to employ, and a centralized data source where a user's account balance is stored. Such centralized data communications would be impractical in the case of a large number of remote locations of usage, e.g., the many and physically-separate washers and dryers at laundromats in a Laundromat chain, turnstiles in the stations of a subway system, public pay phones and the like. Instead, the balance is represented by the data stored locally on the card. The necessary data link between the usage-controlling machine and the memory containing the balance available to the user is possible because the card is physically accessed by the usage control machine. The usage control machine reads the the card may identify the card by a serial number, for accessing centrally stored data associated with the user or card.
However, in a usage control system for vending machines, laundromats, subway turnstiles and the like, the point is to avoid centralized data communications so that there is no need for wiring or the like to engage in communications with central management computing equipment storing account balances. That is the function of the card. In a distributed system suitable for such vending and access control, there is no point in discriminating among users for accessing central data stores.
Security features are typically limited to preventing unauthorized alteration of data on the card. In addition to the card balance, the stored data may be limited to a serial number and an authorization code. The serial number can be printed externally on the card and used in a manner resembling a public encryption key. The authorization code can be inaccessibly stored in the card memory, and resembles a private encryption key.
Smartcards, magnetic strip cards and other forms of user cards can become damaged and incapable of being read or written to. When a user card storing an available balance is damaged and unreadable, the user has effectively lost the associated value. It would be unfair for such lost balances, even though typically being limited to a maximum of $20.00 or $50.00, to escheat to the card issuer.
It would be advantageous for holders of damaged cards to be able to present the cards to the issuer and demand refund of the value on the card. However if the card is not readable and the balance of the user's account is not stored at a central location as in a smartcard system, the issuer must rely on the honesty or recollection of the user. This is uncertain, particularly because users often do not closely monitor the remaining balance on their cards. A technique used with paper user cards having magnetic strips is to print the remaining balance on the card after every use. This is helpful but is of limited value for a non-paper card such as a smartcard, that is intended to be reusable indefinitely.
Furthermore, it requires that every card issuing machine, value adder and usage control apparatus be equipped with a printer, which is impractically expensive.
What is needed to make fair and accurate refunds on damaged and unreadable cards, in a system that stores the user's account balance only on the user card, is a way for the card issuer more accurately to determine the value of a card even though that card is not readable.
(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a backup temporary data memory that logs the balance of a user credit/debit card together with an identification of the user card, when the card balance is adjusted.
5 It is also an object to provide such a temporary data memory in a distributed manner so as to avoid the need for data communications with a central data store.
It is a further object to enable the actual value on an unreadable card to be estimated notwithstanding possible usage and debiting of the card subsequent to the time that its balance was last logged.
It is another object of the invention to provide a backup data storage means in a user card system wherein account balances are stored on the user cards only, without the need to undertake communications between the card and a central data store.
These and other objects are accomplished by vending products or services in transactions with users, using a method and apparatus wherein account balances are stored on user cards, preferably integrated circuit smartcards having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited in the transactions.
The data memory on the card also contains a unique code that distinguishes each user or card and is also printed externally on the card. A card reading and writing device is associated with a vending machine, access controller or the like, and reads the account balance of a card presented by a user, enables vending and debits and re-writes a new balance to the card. Value adding machines can enter an account balance or add to an existing balance in a similar manner. At least one of the value adding apparatus and the card reading and writing device contains a memory buffer that stores a log of the unique codes and the latest account balances of each successive user card to which an account balance was written. The log can be searched for a unique code and the most recent balance read out, even if a card becomes unreadable. The log is preferably stored in a recirculating memory buffer of the value-adding apparatus, which holds data on a predetermined number of most recent transactions only.
(e) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
r FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to the invention, in this case for vending laundry services.
FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a preferred smartcard integrated circuit user card therefor.
FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of the contents of the integrated circuit card.
FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of the contents of a value-transfer machine for use with the invention.
FIGURE 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method of the invention and the operation of the processors of FIGURES 3 and 4.
(fj AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGURE 1, a system is provided for vending products or services in transactions with users. In the illustrated example, a service is vended, namely the operation of laundry machines 20. However, the invention is likewise applicable to other forms of vending, e. g. , telephones, transportation access control turnstiles, article vending machines for snacks or drinks, photocopiers, parking access controllers and entertainment access controllers, e. g. , arcade games.
In lieu of currency in the form of bills, coins or tokens, a plurality of user cards 22 are employed to store the user's account balances, and the balances are debited as a function of the usage of the card in the vending process. The balance can be debited, for example, by an equal increment for each cycle of machine 20, or by a timed amount, etc. Each card may have an on-board processor 24 coupled to a data memory 26 on the card for carrying a user's account balance. In the unattended configuration shown, the card is initially loaded via a value-transfer machine 30 whereby currency is accepted by a bill reader 32 or the user effects a credit or bank card transaction to provide a certain sum of money to the proprietor. The user card, also shown in FIGURE 2, is placed in a card reading and writing device 36 known as a throat. A processor 38 (See FIGURE
4) in value-transfer machine 30 accepts data from the currency reader 32, throat 36 and/or a credit card and/or bank card reader 34, and causes throat 36 to write data to the user card 22 that represents the amount the user has paid in to be loaded onto the card, possibly in addition to an amount found already loaded onto the card and not used.
When user card 22 is then loaded into a similar throat 40 of vending machine 20 (e.g., washer or dryer, etc.) to effect a vending transaction, a processor 38 associated with throat 40 reads the balance on the card, enables the vending machine, debits the balance and writes the resulting new balance back to card 22. Preferably the balance is also displayed.
In the embodiment shown, an integrated circuit chip 42 is embedded directly in user card 22, which is otherwise plastic. Electrical contact between the embedded chip 42 and throat 40 is accomplished by contacts in throat 40 (not shown) bearing against conductive pads 44 on the surface of user card 22. As explained in more detail below, preferably there are also one or more other types of cards that can be read and written to by the respective throats 30, 40 for managing the system, including a manager's card 46 to be used for auditing the usage of the system, the amounts taken in, for clearing counters associated with the throats, and the like.
According to an invention aspect, in addition to storing the balance against which transactions are to be debited, the data memory 26 (see FIGURE 3) on user cards 22 and preferably also the data memory on the manager card 4 further includes a unique code 48 that distinguishes each user card from other user cards, and in the case of manager card 46 enables managerial functions to be performed. However for user cards 22, the card ID 48 is not used as a means to associate each user with some centrally-stored data.
The smartcard system is such that the card forms the means by which data is moved, stored and updated and no other wiring or signal paths are required between the various units. The card ID 48 is used instead to log the balance of the card after each user transaction at a given throat, at least at throat 40 and optionally at throat 30 as well.
The user card 22 is shown schematically in FIGURE 3, and the processor and devices in a throat, e.g., that of the value-transfer machine 30 are shown schematically in FIGURE 4. The user card 22 may contain a processor or control logic 24 coupled to a memory, which may include a read only memory 50 for storing machine instructions and the like, and at least a small amount of nonvolatile read/write memory 26 for storing the card ID 48 and the present balance 56. Various temporary data values can also be stored in RAM, e. g. , register values, display values, etc. , but that can be volatile RAM.
The processor 38 in the value-transfer machine is likewise coupled to a read only memory and read/write memory, as well as to the bill acceptor 32, credit card and/or bank card processing reader 34 for communicating outside by modem, and the user/manager card reading and writing throat 36.
According to an inventive aspect, at least processor 38 in the value-transfer machine 30 uses a portion of read/write memory 54 to log the results of its transactions involving user cards 22. In particular, processor 38 stores in memory buffer 54 the ID
code 48, resulting balance 56 and the date and time 58 of each transaction, e.g., reading, loading or adding to the value stored on a user card 22. At least one of the value adding apparatus 30 and the card reading and writing throat 40 at vending machine 20 contains such a memory buffer .54 to store a log of the unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card 22 to which an account balance is stored. In this manner, without the need for data communications or a central store of data, it is possible to read out the unique codes and the account balances by accessing the memory buffer to determine the most recent value stored on the card. It is also possible to determine earlier balances and thereby monitor the usage of the card.
It would be possible, for example using pushbutton switches, to enable scrolling through the contents of the memory buffer. Preferably, however, manager card 46 is used for this purpose. The manager card can be used together with switch inputs to step through the contents of the memory buffer or to input an ID number to be searched, or the display or ID number selection can be advanced each time the manager card is reinserted, until a desired user card ID code is found. Alternatively, the device can accept code input from a keypad or the like (not shown) such that the processor can search memory buffer 54 for a particular code.
When a user card is inserted, the throat attempts to read the card ID 48, if not damaged, and if the ID 48 is readable, but the balance is not readable, the throat can determine the card balance from the stored table.
The ID code 48 for each user card 22 preferably is printed on the outside of the card as shown in FIGURE 1. Therefore, if a card becomes unreadable, the memory buffer can be consulted to determine the value on the card. If only the value transfer machine 30 contains a memory buffer log 54, then the actual balance on the unreadable card may be lower than the amount stored in the memory buffer log, i.e., if the card was used for vending purposes after its last reading at value transfer machine 30.
Nevertheless, the maximum value on the card is known. Alternatively, logging can be done both at the value transfer machine and at the throats of the vending machines 20.
Memory buffer 54 can be a recirculated table that holds sufficient data to represent some hundreds of successive transactions. In a Laundromat environment, eight hundred transactions have proved to be sufficient for a value transfer apparatus in most instances, and a smaller number can be maintained at the vending machine throats. When that number of transactions has been completed, the oldest entries in the buffer are overwritten.
The means to read out the log of the unique codes and the account balances preferably comprises at least one management card 46, and may include several different types for different uses. Inasmuch as a smart card can carry a substantial quantity of data, the log or portions of the log also can be written to the memory of the manager card and otherwise searched or reported. For example, a manager card can be provided for periodically transferring the log data to a back office PC.
The method steps effected according to the invention are shown in FIGURE 5.
After providing users with user cards 22, each having on-board data memory for carrying account balances to be debited in transactions as described above, and a unique code 48 distinguishing each user card from other user cards, data representing an account balance is stored on the user cards. This can be by storing the account balance on a new card having no balance or adding to an account balance found on an issued card after reading it. During a transaction with the user involving an exchange of value, and preferably when using the value transfer machine, the account balance of a card presented to the machine is read (block 60). Whereas the card may be a user card or a manager card, its ID code and balance are read from memory by interaction of processors on the card and in the throat or value transfer processor and the data are checked to distinguish between user and manager cards (block 62). Additional authorization codes may be provided on user or manager cards, for example a code that is specific to the enterprise such as a particular chain of Laundromats, various forms of authorization or encryption codes, etc.
If the card is determined to be a user card is distinguished, the balance can be debited (block 64) by the cost of a vend, and provided the resulting sum is not negative, vending is enabled and the debited balance is rewritten to the user card. When the balance is written to the card, it is logged in recirculating data memory, together with the card ID
48 and the date and time 58.
FIGURE 5 shows in dotted lines the steps that are specific to debiting the card and vending. These steps normally are not undertaken by the value-transfer machine, which is separate from the vending units. However, the functions of value-transfer and vending control can be combined. In a preferred embodiment, the data logging is accomplished primarily at the value-transfer machine, because this is a centralized location for accessing information and typically has more processing power and/or memory capacity than the vending machine throat. The value-transfer machine has all the functions in FIGURE 5 except for those in the dotted box. The value-transfer machine reads and writes to the card, entering and perhaps adding to an account balance, and storing in the memory buffer the log of unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card to which an account balance has been stored. This can be the result of a credit or banking card transaction over a modem to an outside service (block 66) or can be from accepting and discriminating a denomination of currency (block 68). In any event, the card ID, balance, and preferably the date and time, are stored in log 54.
The data in the log is accessed and read out, for example on a front panel display of the value-transfer machine (see FIGURE 2). The unique code for each card, which is printed on the card, is searched for and found, preferably after determining that the card that was presented is a manager card (block 62). The appropriate time, data and balance are then displayed, printed out or loaded onto the manager card data memory for access in another manner, e.g., using a PC.
The manager card 46 can have a number of other functions to maintain the vending system. These can include, for example, the abilities to read and clear accumulated sums from the throats at the laundry or other vending machines, to set the incremental sum charged with each vend, to check the expected amount in the till of the value-transfer machine 30, and generally to handle control and accounting functions.
The invention is particularly useful when an unreadable card is presented by a customer for refund. Using the manager card, the maximum possible amount of loss to the customer can be determined. This amount, or a proportion thereof intended to account for vending usage, is then refunded to the customer.
The preferred system employs integrated circuit smartcards, which have security and identification features that are particularly apt. However, the invention can be practised with other forms of user cards as well. For example, a solid state memory card that lacks a processor can be used, or other forms of memory, e.g., magnetic strip, are possible. Additionally, the value-transfer machine can be of varying degrees of complexity, for example, ranging from a back room device for loading a predetermined value on cards to a currency-only add-value machine to a full function machine that effects credit and bank card transactions, issues new cards and refunds the balance on a card at user request.
CASHLESS VENDING SYSTEM WITH LOGGING OF USER CARD
BALANCES
(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
The invention relates to the field of cashless vending systems in which user cards, e.g., integrated circuit smartcards, carry data representing a cash balance that is debited when the card is used to obtain products or services. In particular, the invention concerns an improved cashless vending system wherein the balance of credits on each card used for obtaining products or services is logged in a recirculating memory when the value stored on the card is set or adjusted (c) BACKGROUND
User debit cards, e.g., integrated circuit smartcards are used to obtain various products and services, e.g., telephone services, transportation, vending machine products, laundry machine usage, photocopies, parking services, access to entertainment, etc. A
user obtains a card having a credit balance from which an amount is deducted as a function of usage. The user may purchase a card that has been pre-loaded with a corresponding sum, or preferably the user can add credit to the card as well as to debit the card with usage. For adding credit to the card, a value-transfer machine may accept currency or operate as an element of a banking or credit card network to transfer funds from a user account to the card.
Debit card systems as described have many benefits, one being that it is not necessary to conduct data communications between every usage or access controlling machine, e.g., each vending machine or laundry machine that the user might seek to employ, and a centralized data source where a user's account balance is stored. Such centralized data communications would be impractical in the case of a large number of remote locations of usage, e.g., the many and physically-separate washers and dryers at laundromats in a Laundromat chain, turnstiles in the stations of a subway system, public pay phones and the like. Instead, the balance is represented by the data stored locally on the card. The necessary data link between the usage-controlling machine and the memory containing the balance available to the user is possible because the card is physically accessed by the usage control machine. The usage control machine reads the the card may identify the card by a serial number, for accessing centrally stored data associated with the user or card.
However, in a usage control system for vending machines, laundromats, subway turnstiles and the like, the point is to avoid centralized data communications so that there is no need for wiring or the like to engage in communications with central management computing equipment storing account balances. That is the function of the card. In a distributed system suitable for such vending and access control, there is no point in discriminating among users for accessing central data stores.
Security features are typically limited to preventing unauthorized alteration of data on the card. In addition to the card balance, the stored data may be limited to a serial number and an authorization code. The serial number can be printed externally on the card and used in a manner resembling a public encryption key. The authorization code can be inaccessibly stored in the card memory, and resembles a private encryption key.
Smartcards, magnetic strip cards and other forms of user cards can become damaged and incapable of being read or written to. When a user card storing an available balance is damaged and unreadable, the user has effectively lost the associated value. It would be unfair for such lost balances, even though typically being limited to a maximum of $20.00 or $50.00, to escheat to the card issuer.
It would be advantageous for holders of damaged cards to be able to present the cards to the issuer and demand refund of the value on the card. However if the card is not readable and the balance of the user's account is not stored at a central location as in a smartcard system, the issuer must rely on the honesty or recollection of the user. This is uncertain, particularly because users often do not closely monitor the remaining balance on their cards. A technique used with paper user cards having magnetic strips is to print the remaining balance on the card after every use. This is helpful but is of limited value for a non-paper card such as a smartcard, that is intended to be reusable indefinitely.
Furthermore, it requires that every card issuing machine, value adder and usage control apparatus be equipped with a printer, which is impractically expensive.
What is needed to make fair and accurate refunds on damaged and unreadable cards, in a system that stores the user's account balance only on the user card, is a way for the card issuer more accurately to determine the value of a card even though that card is not readable.
(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a backup temporary data memory that logs the balance of a user credit/debit card together with an identification of the user card, when the card balance is adjusted.
5 It is also an object to provide such a temporary data memory in a distributed manner so as to avoid the need for data communications with a central data store.
It is a further object to enable the actual value on an unreadable card to be estimated notwithstanding possible usage and debiting of the card subsequent to the time that its balance was last logged.
It is another object of the invention to provide a backup data storage means in a user card system wherein account balances are stored on the user cards only, without the need to undertake communications between the card and a central data store.
These and other objects are accomplished by vending products or services in transactions with users, using a method and apparatus wherein account balances are stored on user cards, preferably integrated circuit smartcards having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited in the transactions.
The data memory on the card also contains a unique code that distinguishes each user or card and is also printed externally on the card. A card reading and writing device is associated with a vending machine, access controller or the like, and reads the account balance of a card presented by a user, enables vending and debits and re-writes a new balance to the card. Value adding machines can enter an account balance or add to an existing balance in a similar manner. At least one of the value adding apparatus and the card reading and writing device contains a memory buffer that stores a log of the unique codes and the latest account balances of each successive user card to which an account balance was written. The log can be searched for a unique code and the most recent balance read out, even if a card becomes unreadable. The log is preferably stored in a recirculating memory buffer of the value-adding apparatus, which holds data on a predetermined number of most recent transactions only.
(e) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
r FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to the invention, in this case for vending laundry services.
FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a preferred smartcard integrated circuit user card therefor.
FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of the contents of the integrated circuit card.
FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of the contents of a value-transfer machine for use with the invention.
FIGURE 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method of the invention and the operation of the processors of FIGURES 3 and 4.
(fj AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGURE 1, a system is provided for vending products or services in transactions with users. In the illustrated example, a service is vended, namely the operation of laundry machines 20. However, the invention is likewise applicable to other forms of vending, e. g. , telephones, transportation access control turnstiles, article vending machines for snacks or drinks, photocopiers, parking access controllers and entertainment access controllers, e. g. , arcade games.
In lieu of currency in the form of bills, coins or tokens, a plurality of user cards 22 are employed to store the user's account balances, and the balances are debited as a function of the usage of the card in the vending process. The balance can be debited, for example, by an equal increment for each cycle of machine 20, or by a timed amount, etc. Each card may have an on-board processor 24 coupled to a data memory 26 on the card for carrying a user's account balance. In the unattended configuration shown, the card is initially loaded via a value-transfer machine 30 whereby currency is accepted by a bill reader 32 or the user effects a credit or bank card transaction to provide a certain sum of money to the proprietor. The user card, also shown in FIGURE 2, is placed in a card reading and writing device 36 known as a throat. A processor 38 (See FIGURE
4) in value-transfer machine 30 accepts data from the currency reader 32, throat 36 and/or a credit card and/or bank card reader 34, and causes throat 36 to write data to the user card 22 that represents the amount the user has paid in to be loaded onto the card, possibly in addition to an amount found already loaded onto the card and not used.
When user card 22 is then loaded into a similar throat 40 of vending machine 20 (e.g., washer or dryer, etc.) to effect a vending transaction, a processor 38 associated with throat 40 reads the balance on the card, enables the vending machine, debits the balance and writes the resulting new balance back to card 22. Preferably the balance is also displayed.
In the embodiment shown, an integrated circuit chip 42 is embedded directly in user card 22, which is otherwise plastic. Electrical contact between the embedded chip 42 and throat 40 is accomplished by contacts in throat 40 (not shown) bearing against conductive pads 44 on the surface of user card 22. As explained in more detail below, preferably there are also one or more other types of cards that can be read and written to by the respective throats 30, 40 for managing the system, including a manager's card 46 to be used for auditing the usage of the system, the amounts taken in, for clearing counters associated with the throats, and the like.
According to an invention aspect, in addition to storing the balance against which transactions are to be debited, the data memory 26 (see FIGURE 3) on user cards 22 and preferably also the data memory on the manager card 4 further includes a unique code 48 that distinguishes each user card from other user cards, and in the case of manager card 46 enables managerial functions to be performed. However for user cards 22, the card ID 48 is not used as a means to associate each user with some centrally-stored data.
The smartcard system is such that the card forms the means by which data is moved, stored and updated and no other wiring or signal paths are required between the various units. The card ID 48 is used instead to log the balance of the card after each user transaction at a given throat, at least at throat 40 and optionally at throat 30 as well.
The user card 22 is shown schematically in FIGURE 3, and the processor and devices in a throat, e.g., that of the value-transfer machine 30 are shown schematically in FIGURE 4. The user card 22 may contain a processor or control logic 24 coupled to a memory, which may include a read only memory 50 for storing machine instructions and the like, and at least a small amount of nonvolatile read/write memory 26 for storing the card ID 48 and the present balance 56. Various temporary data values can also be stored in RAM, e. g. , register values, display values, etc. , but that can be volatile RAM.
The processor 38 in the value-transfer machine is likewise coupled to a read only memory and read/write memory, as well as to the bill acceptor 32, credit card and/or bank card processing reader 34 for communicating outside by modem, and the user/manager card reading and writing throat 36.
According to an inventive aspect, at least processor 38 in the value-transfer machine 30 uses a portion of read/write memory 54 to log the results of its transactions involving user cards 22. In particular, processor 38 stores in memory buffer 54 the ID
code 48, resulting balance 56 and the date and time 58 of each transaction, e.g., reading, loading or adding to the value stored on a user card 22. At least one of the value adding apparatus 30 and the card reading and writing throat 40 at vending machine 20 contains such a memory buffer .54 to store a log of the unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card 22 to which an account balance is stored. In this manner, without the need for data communications or a central store of data, it is possible to read out the unique codes and the account balances by accessing the memory buffer to determine the most recent value stored on the card. It is also possible to determine earlier balances and thereby monitor the usage of the card.
It would be possible, for example using pushbutton switches, to enable scrolling through the contents of the memory buffer. Preferably, however, manager card 46 is used for this purpose. The manager card can be used together with switch inputs to step through the contents of the memory buffer or to input an ID number to be searched, or the display or ID number selection can be advanced each time the manager card is reinserted, until a desired user card ID code is found. Alternatively, the device can accept code input from a keypad or the like (not shown) such that the processor can search memory buffer 54 for a particular code.
When a user card is inserted, the throat attempts to read the card ID 48, if not damaged, and if the ID 48 is readable, but the balance is not readable, the throat can determine the card balance from the stored table.
The ID code 48 for each user card 22 preferably is printed on the outside of the card as shown in FIGURE 1. Therefore, if a card becomes unreadable, the memory buffer can be consulted to determine the value on the card. If only the value transfer machine 30 contains a memory buffer log 54, then the actual balance on the unreadable card may be lower than the amount stored in the memory buffer log, i.e., if the card was used for vending purposes after its last reading at value transfer machine 30.
Nevertheless, the maximum value on the card is known. Alternatively, logging can be done both at the value transfer machine and at the throats of the vending machines 20.
Memory buffer 54 can be a recirculated table that holds sufficient data to represent some hundreds of successive transactions. In a Laundromat environment, eight hundred transactions have proved to be sufficient for a value transfer apparatus in most instances, and a smaller number can be maintained at the vending machine throats. When that number of transactions has been completed, the oldest entries in the buffer are overwritten.
The means to read out the log of the unique codes and the account balances preferably comprises at least one management card 46, and may include several different types for different uses. Inasmuch as a smart card can carry a substantial quantity of data, the log or portions of the log also can be written to the memory of the manager card and otherwise searched or reported. For example, a manager card can be provided for periodically transferring the log data to a back office PC.
The method steps effected according to the invention are shown in FIGURE 5.
After providing users with user cards 22, each having on-board data memory for carrying account balances to be debited in transactions as described above, and a unique code 48 distinguishing each user card from other user cards, data representing an account balance is stored on the user cards. This can be by storing the account balance on a new card having no balance or adding to an account balance found on an issued card after reading it. During a transaction with the user involving an exchange of value, and preferably when using the value transfer machine, the account balance of a card presented to the machine is read (block 60). Whereas the card may be a user card or a manager card, its ID code and balance are read from memory by interaction of processors on the card and in the throat or value transfer processor and the data are checked to distinguish between user and manager cards (block 62). Additional authorization codes may be provided on user or manager cards, for example a code that is specific to the enterprise such as a particular chain of Laundromats, various forms of authorization or encryption codes, etc.
If the card is determined to be a user card is distinguished, the balance can be debited (block 64) by the cost of a vend, and provided the resulting sum is not negative, vending is enabled and the debited balance is rewritten to the user card. When the balance is written to the card, it is logged in recirculating data memory, together with the card ID
48 and the date and time 58.
FIGURE 5 shows in dotted lines the steps that are specific to debiting the card and vending. These steps normally are not undertaken by the value-transfer machine, which is separate from the vending units. However, the functions of value-transfer and vending control can be combined. In a preferred embodiment, the data logging is accomplished primarily at the value-transfer machine, because this is a centralized location for accessing information and typically has more processing power and/or memory capacity than the vending machine throat. The value-transfer machine has all the functions in FIGURE 5 except for those in the dotted box. The value-transfer machine reads and writes to the card, entering and perhaps adding to an account balance, and storing in the memory buffer the log of unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card to which an account balance has been stored. This can be the result of a credit or banking card transaction over a modem to an outside service (block 66) or can be from accepting and discriminating a denomination of currency (block 68). In any event, the card ID, balance, and preferably the date and time, are stored in log 54.
The data in the log is accessed and read out, for example on a front panel display of the value-transfer machine (see FIGURE 2). The unique code for each card, which is printed on the card, is searched for and found, preferably after determining that the card that was presented is a manager card (block 62). The appropriate time, data and balance are then displayed, printed out or loaded onto the manager card data memory for access in another manner, e.g., using a PC.
The manager card 46 can have a number of other functions to maintain the vending system. These can include, for example, the abilities to read and clear accumulated sums from the throats at the laundry or other vending machines, to set the incremental sum charged with each vend, to check the expected amount in the till of the value-transfer machine 30, and generally to handle control and accounting functions.
The invention is particularly useful when an unreadable card is presented by a customer for refund. Using the manager card, the maximum possible amount of loss to the customer can be determined. This amount, or a proportion thereof intended to account for vending usage, is then refunded to the customer.
The preferred system employs integrated circuit smartcards, which have security and identification features that are particularly apt. However, the invention can be practised with other forms of user cards as well. For example, a solid state memory card that lacks a processor can be used, or other forms of memory, e.g., magnetic strip, are possible. Additionally, the value-transfer machine can be of varying degrees of complexity, for example, ranging from a back room device for loading a predetermined value on cards to a currency-only add-value machine to a full function machine that effects credit and bank card transactions, issues new cards and refunds the balance on a card at user request.
Claims (20)
1. A system for vending products or services in transactions with users, comprising:
a plurality of user cards, each having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited to account for the transactions, the data memory further including a unique code distinguishing each user card from other user cards;
a card reading and writing device associated with a vending machine for providing said products or services, the card reading and writing device being operable to read the account balance of a card presented by a user, to enable the vending machine, and to debit and re-write the balance to the card to account for vending of the products or services;
wherein the card reading and writing device contains a memory buffer and is operable to store in the memory buffer a log of the unique codes and the then current account balances of each successive user card to which said account balance is stored; and, means to read out the unique codes and the account balances stored in the memory buffer.
a plurality of user cards, each having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited to account for the transactions, the data memory further including a unique code distinguishing each user card from other user cards;
a card reading and writing device associated with a vending machine for providing said products or services, the card reading and writing device being operable to read the account balance of a card presented by a user, to enable the vending machine, and to debit and re-write the balance to the card to account for vending of the products or services;
wherein the card reading and writing device contains a memory buffer and is operable to store in the memory buffer a log of the unique codes and the then current account balances of each successive user card to which said account balance is stored; and, means to read out the unique codes and the account balances stored in the memory buffer.
2. The system for vending product or services of claim 1, further comprising at least one value adding apparatus operable for one of writing an original account balance to the card, and reading, increasing and rewriting the account balance on the card, and wherein the memory buffer is maintained at the value adding apparatus.
3. The system for vending products or services of claim 1, wherein the means to read out the log of the unique codes and the account balances comprises at least one management card.
4. The system for vending products or services of claim 2, wherein the log is stored on the value adding apparatus, said value adding apparatus including a processor, and further comprising at least one management card readable by the processor to trigger scanning of the codes and the account balances.
5. The system for vending products or services of claim 1, wherein the memory buffer additional contains date/time data and the processor is operable to search the log, wherein one of said unique codes and codes cross referenced to said unique codes, is printed externally on each of the user cards, and further comprising means for entering the code printed externally on the user card.
6. The system for vending products or services of claim 2, wherein the log is stored on the value adding apparatus, said value adding apparatus including a card reader and writer, and a processor coupled to a display, the processor displaying the account balance of a user card placed in the reader, and further comprising at least one management card, the processor displaying contents of the log on the display when the management card is placed in the reader.
7. The system for vending products or services of claim 1, wherein the memory buffer has a predetermined number of memory locations and is used in a recirculating manner to log said predetermined number of most recent transactions.
8. The system for vending products or services of claim 1, wherein the vending machine is chosen from the group consisting of telephones, transportation access controllers, article vending machines, laundry machines, photocopiers, parking access controllers and entertainment access controllers.
9. The system for vending products or services of claim 8, wherein the user cards comprise integrated circuit smartcards.
10. A method for vending products or services in transactions with users, comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of user cards, each having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited to account for the transactions, the data memory further including a unique code distinguishing each user card from other user cards;
storing data representing an account balance on the user cards by one of storing the account balance on a new card having no balance and adding to the account balance found on an issued card after reading the data;
reading the account balance of a user card presented to effect a transaction, vending said products or services provided the account balance is sufficient, debiting and re-writing the account balance to the card to account for the products or services;
reading the unique code of the user card at least during one of storing the account balance of the new card, adding to the account balance of the issued card and re-writing the account balance to the card during the transaction, and storing in a memory buffer a log of the unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card to which said account balance is stored; and, accessing the log and reading out the unique codes and the account balances stored in the memory buffer, for verifying the account balance as of said account balance being stored.
providing a plurality of user cards, each having on-board data memory for carrying user account balances to be debited to account for the transactions, the data memory further including a unique code distinguishing each user card from other user cards;
storing data representing an account balance on the user cards by one of storing the account balance on a new card having no balance and adding to the account balance found on an issued card after reading the data;
reading the account balance of a user card presented to effect a transaction, vending said products or services provided the account balance is sufficient, debiting and re-writing the account balance to the card to account for the products or services;
reading the unique code of the user card at least during one of storing the account balance of the new card, adding to the account balance of the issued card and re-writing the account balance to the card during the transaction, and storing in a memory buffer a log of the unique codes and the current account balances of each successive user card to which said account balance is stored; and, accessing the log and reading out the unique codes and the account balances stored in the memory buffer, for verifying the account balance as of said account balance being stored.
11. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, comprising accessing the log and reading out the unique codes when an unreadable card is presented by a customer for refund, and further comprising refunding to the customer at least a portion of the account balance found in the log.
12. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, further comprising limiting access to the log of the unique codes and the account balances using at least one management card, the management card being readable in place of reading the user card.
13. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, comprising storing the log on the value adding apparatus.
14. The method for vending products or services of claim 13, further comprising:
printing said unique codes externally on the user cards;
reading the unique code on one of the user cards;
searching the log for said unique code of said one of the user cards; and, reading out a corresponding account balance for said one of the user cards.
printing said unique codes externally on the user cards;
reading the unique code on one of the user cards;
searching the log for said unique code of said one of the user cards; and, reading out a corresponding account balance for said one of the user cards.
15. The method for vending products or services of claim 13, further comprising:
printing said unique codes externally on the user cards;
reading into the value adding apparatus the unique code printed on one of the user cards;
searching the log for said unique code of said one of the user cards using a processor in the value adding apparatus; and, reading out a corresponding account balance for said one of the user cards by at least one of displaying, printing and transmitting said corresponding account balance.
printing said unique codes externally on the user cards;
reading into the value adding apparatus the unique code printed on one of the user cards;
searching the log for said unique code of said one of the user cards using a processor in the value adding apparatus; and, reading out a corresponding account balance for said one of the user cards by at least one of displaying, printing and transmitting said corresponding account balance.
16. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, comprising storing the log in a recirculating memory such that the log contains data representing only a predetermined number of most recent transactions.
17. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, wherein the products or services are chosen from the group consisting of telephone service, transportation, article vending, laundry, photocopying, parking and entertainment.
18. The method for vending products or services of claim 10, comprising storing the data representing the account balance on user cards comprising integrated circuit smartcards.
19. The method for vending products or services of claim 2, wherein at least one of the card reading and writing device and the value adding apparatus is operable in a case of a user card having a readable unique code and an unreadable balance, to credit the user card in an amount equal to a most recent balance of said user card in the memory buffer.
20. The method for vending products or services of claim 2, wherein the memory buffer contains a most recent balance and at least one earlier balance.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US8850898A | 1998-06-01 | 1998-06-01 | |
| US09/088,508 | 1998-06-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2273309A1 true CA2273309A1 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
Family
ID=31186064
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2273309 Abandoned CA2273309A1 (en) | 1998-06-01 | 1999-05-31 | Cashless vending system with logging of user card balances |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2273309A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1492067A1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2004-12-29 | Vesiel S.p.A. | Method for managing credit/debit stored on electronic media used for commercial operations |
-
1999
- 1999-05-31 CA CA 2273309 patent/CA2273309A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1492067A1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2004-12-29 | Vesiel S.p.A. | Method for managing credit/debit stored on electronic media used for commercial operations |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4767917A (en) | Automatic vending machine | |
| US3941977A (en) | Off-line cash dispenser and banking system | |
| US3845277A (en) | Off-line cash dispenser and banking system | |
| US6155484A (en) | Electronic money system of token and value mixed type | |
| US5520275A (en) | Method and device for servicing a terminal | |
| CA2160496A1 (en) | Electronic funds acceptor for vending machines | |
| EP0357634B1 (en) | Card operated vending machine | |
| GB2356268A (en) | Transaction system with independent transaction modules and associated executing code | |
| CA2273309A1 (en) | Cashless vending system with logging of user card balances | |
| JPH1170264A (en) | Game machine | |
| EP1002301B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for performing transactions | |
| JP2729493B2 (en) | Store parking lot management device | |
| EP0660962B1 (en) | A data information system | |
| JP2005276050A (en) | Betting system, and information recording medium | |
| KR100363204B1 (en) | System for exchange the items of an account use for vending machine and Method for exchange the items of an account | |
| JPH05266314A (en) | Empty can collection device | |
| JP2000200383A (en) | Automatic vending machine | |
| JPH11267343A (en) | Game machine | |
| JPH11102468A (en) | Prepaid card system, card reader and card unauthorized use preventing method | |
| JP4286467B2 (en) | Game media lending management system | |
| JP2000268234A (en) | Information processing system for prepaid card with attached function | |
| WO1998003944A1 (en) | Automatic cash handling machine using shopping membership card | |
| JP2000268142A (en) | Card conversion system | |
| JPH02202692A (en) | Prepaid/credit card type vending machine system | |
| JPH0838722A (en) | Customer card operating system for game house |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |