DE102017123477A1 - Method for optical information transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

A method in a mobile terminal (70) for optically transmitting digitally stored information as part of a transaction to a terminal (80), the information comprising a plurality of separate information units comprises the following step (S5): automatically, sequentially displaying a predetermined sequence of optically detectable and automatically decodable codings (101, 121, 141, 161) via a display device (72) of the terminal, wherein each of the codings (101, 121, 141, 161) each encode the information content of one of the separate information units.

Description

The invention relates to a method in a portable terminal, in particular a smartphone, for the optical transmission of digitally stored information as part of a transaction at a terminal, in particular as part of a payment process at a point-of-sale terminal in the food retail trade.

Technological background

Portable terminals, in particular smartphones, are becoming increasingly important in connection with the use of customer cards and in so-called "couponing".

A user no longer has to "buy" customer cards, coupons, vouchers or the like physically, d. H. as plastic cards, paper coupons or vouchers carry with you, but the corresponding information units that are associated with a loyalty card or a coupon or voucher, such. As a customer number or discount information, digitally store and manage in his smartphone.

Coupon and loyalty card information are in the vast majority as barcode information. Conventional customer cards or coupons can be photographed by the user by means of a camera of the smartphone or scanned by means of a barcode recognition application. It is also possible to make customer card or coupon information directly digitally available to the user.

As part of a transaction, for. As a payment process at a POS terminal in the supermarket, then a displayed on the part of the smartphone of the user barcode, which z. B. encoded a customer card belonging customer number, displayed and captured by the terminal and processed.

The method described above has the disadvantage that in the case that a user z. For example, if you want to use a loyalty card and coupons from various sources as part of a transaction, there are delays and difficulties in handling the smartphone.

The object of the present invention is to propose a method which takes into account the disadvantages described above.

Summary of the invention

This object is achieved by a method and a portable terminal with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the idea that a plurality of information units, for. For example, a customer card information and a plurality of coupon information to be used in connection with a transaction to summarize and the respective information elements encoding bar codes or the like in a common display operation, in rapid succession, to display sequentially.

• - automatisches, sequentielles Anzeigen einer vorgegebenen Abfolge von optisch erfassbaren und automatisch decodierbaren Codierungen über eine Anzeigeeinrichtung des Endgeräts, insbesondere ein Display, wobei jede der Codierungen jeweils den Informationsgehalt einer der separaten Informationseinheiten codiert.

Das Endgerät kann dabei insbesondere als Smartphone ausgebildet sein. Als Transaktion kann insbesondere ein Bezahlvorgang an einem Kassenterminal im Einzelhandel angenommen werden.According to a preferred embodiment, a method in a mobile terminal for optically transmitting digitally stored information as part of a transaction to a terminal, wherein the information comprises a plurality of separate information units, comprises the following step:

• - Automatic, sequential displaying a predetermined sequence of optically detectable and automatically decodable encodings via a display device of the terminal, in particular a display, each of the encodings each encode the information content of one of the separate information units.

The terminal can be designed in particular as a smartphone. In particular, a payment transaction at a POS terminal in the retail trade can be accepted as a transaction.

A preferred embodiment of a portable terminal comprises a memory device which is arranged to store information comprising a plurality of separate information units, and a display device which is arranged to display a sequence of optically detectable and automatically decodable codings. The terminal further comprises a control device, which is set up to control an automatic, sequential display of a predetermined sequence of optically detectable and automatically decodable codings via the display device, wherein each of the codings respectively codes the information content of one of the separate information units.

The invention offers a number of advantages.

According to the invention, a plurality of actions to be performed repeatedly according to a conventional method, such as the loading and displaying of a bar code coding an information unit, or the like, are combined into a single operation. The handling is considerably simplified for the user.

Furthermore, the time for performing the information transfer is significantly shortened. Characterized in that the bar codes encoding the information units in rapid succession, z. B. ten bar codes per second, automatically, ie without further user interaction, are displayed sequentially, more information per unit time can be transmitted.

The present invention can be easily integrated into an existing POS terminal infrastructure. Display and transmission parameters, according to which the encodings of the sequence are displayed, are set so that conventional terminals can recognize and process the individual encodings without having to adapt the hardware or software of the terminals.

The invention is simple, fast and universally applicable because it uses existing standards and does not incur integration costs on either the user or merchant side.

• - Eine Reihenfolge, in der die Codierungen angezeigt werden. In der Regel ist diese Reihenfolge beliebig. Es können jedoch, je nach Terminalanforderung, auch spezifische Reihenfolgen vorgegeben sein, z. B. dass eine Codierung, welche eine Kundenkarteninformation codiert, als erste Codierung angezeigt wird. Eine Zeitdauer, während derer nur eine Codierung unverändert angezeigt wird. Eine solche Zeitdauer kann beispielsweise zumindest 100 ms betragen, um ein sicheres Erfassen und Erkennen der Codierung durch das Terminal zu gewährleisten, vorzugsweise 50 ms, und bei geeigneten Empfangsgeräten besonders bevorzugt weniger als 50 ms, d. h. mehr als 20 Anzeigen pro Sekunde.
• - Alternativ kann auch eine Anzahl der während eines vorgegebenen Intervalls angezeigter Codierungen angegeben werden, z. B. zehn Codierungen pro Sekunde.
• - Die Art der Codierung kann vorgegeben werden. Zumindest herkömmliche Barcode-Formate, die bereits von derzeit in Betrieb befindlichen Terminals erkannt werden, wie z. B. EAN-8, EAN-13, GTIN, GS1 DataBar, 2-of-5-interleaved, Aztec oder QR-Codes, können hier vorgegeben werden.
• - Weiterhin kann das Format der Anzeige der Codierung vorgegeben sein. Dies betrifft z. B. eine Größe, in der ein Barcode oder dergleichen angezeigt wird, eine Anordnung des Barcodes im angezeigten Bild (oben, unten, zentriert), eine Größe oder Lage von Ruhezonen, und dergleichen.
• - Eine Helligkeit der Anzeige der Codierungen kann vorgegebenen sein, wie auch;
• - Angaben zum Kontrast der Anzeige.

The automatic display of the sequence of the codings preferably takes place according to predetermined display and transmission parameters. Such display and transmission parameters may include at least one of the following specific parameters:

• - An order in which the codes are displayed. In general, this order is arbitrary. However, depending on the terminal requirement, specific sequences may also be predetermined, eg. B. that a coding which codes a customer card information is displayed as the first coding. A period of time during which only one encoding is displayed unchanged. Such a period of time may, for example, be at least 100 ms in order to ensure secure detection and recognition of the coding by the terminal, preferably 50 ms, and with suitable receivers particularly preferably less than 50 ms, ie more than 20 displays per second.
• Alternatively, a number of the codes displayed during a given interval may also be indicated, e.g. B. ten encodings per second.
• - The type of coding can be specified. At least conventional barcode formats, which are already recognized by currently operating terminals, such. EAN-8, EAN-13, GTIN, GS1 DataBar, 2-of-5-interleaved, Aztec or QR codes can be specified here.
• - Furthermore, the format of the display of the coding can be specified. This concerns z. A size in which a bar code or the like is displayed, an arrangement of the bar code in the displayed image (up, down, centered), a size or location of quiet zones, and the like.
• - A brightness of the display of the codes can be predetermined, as well;
• - Information on the contrast of the display.

Other, analog or similar, display and transmission parameters can be specified.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the predetermined sequence of the displayed codings comprises at least one of the codings several times. Particularly preferably, all codes are displayed multiple times.

For example, to five different information elements, eg. B. to a customer card and four coupons, the corresponding codes BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4 and BC5 are displayed, so the sequence z. The first five pictures (pictures 1 to 5) comprise the codes BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4 and BC5 to the five different information units, and the second five pictures (pictures 6 to 10), the the third five images (FIGS. 11 to 15) and the fourth five images (FIGS. 16 to 20) each again comprise the codes BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4 and BC5.

In this way, detection errors of the terminal can be prevented. Should a coding, z. B. the coding BC2, in the first "pass", ie. during the display of the second image, have not been detected correctly by the terminal, this can be done in one of the subsequent "runs" when viewing one of the images 7, 12 or 17 ,.

It should be noted that a multiple detection is usually unproblematic, especially in the most common POS systems, and especially in the use cases "discount and customer information capture". For example, a second or multiple entry only leads to coupon redemption if the corresponding product is also present several times and a defined cash flow rule exists that allows this. In the event that the displayed sequence comprises one of the codings several times, a first display of this coding can take place in accordance with first display and transmission parameters. A further display of this coding then takes place in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the method with compared to the first display and Transmission parameters changed display and transmission parameters.

With reference to the example described in the previous paragraph, for example, the "brightness and contrast" display and transmission parameters can be varied per "pass". In this way, potentially occurring detection difficulties can be further prevented. According to this embodiment, in the event that a particularly large number of information elements are to be transmitted (eg more than 20), a reasonable compromise can be achieved from the number of passes (detection reliability) and speed in terms of the duration of the entire transmission action ,

• - Bestimmen einer Orientierung eines zum Anzeigen der Abfolge verwendeten Endgeräts im Raum, z. B. mittels eines Gyroskops, und/oder
• - Bestimmen eines Abstandes des Endgeräts zum Terminal, z. B. mittels eines Abstandssensors.

According to a preferred variant of this embodiment, the method may comprise the following further steps:

• Determining an orientation of a terminal used to display the sequence in space, e.g. B. by means of a gyroscope, and / or
• Determining a distance of the terminal to the terminal, z. B. by means of a distance sensor.

Depending on such a determined orientation and / or a distance determined in this way, the changed display and transmission parameters can then be determined. If, for example, it is detected that a distance of the terminal to the terminal approaches a predetermined maximum distance, then the size of a displayed coding can be maximized.

In addition, it may be provided that the terminal informs the user suitable to correct the arrangement of the terminal relative to the terminal, for. B. by emitting an acoustic signal or by vibration, if an orientation or a distance are detected, which probably complicate a correct detection of the coding by the terminal or even prevent.

According to another preferred embodiment, a step of recognizing a specific terminal to which the information is transmitted may be supplemented. Such detection of the terminal may, for. B. via image recognition or with the help of radio signals, z. B. via NFC done. In this case, in particular, a specific type of terminal can be detected. Depending on this, display and transmission parameters, according to which the automatic display of the sequence of the codes takes place, can then be adapted to the recognized terminal. This also makes it possible to improve a correct detection of the codes.

The steps of recognizing the terminal and adjusting the display and transmission parameters may occur before or during the display of the encodings. An adaptation during the display is particularly useful if one or more codes, as described above, are displayed multiple times.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, before the sequence of codings to be displayed is created in the terminal, a step of recognizing a specific transaction to be performed may precede. In this step, it is identified by means of the specific transaction which of the information units stored in the storage device of the terminal can in principle be used within the framework of the identified transaction. For example, if the transaction involves a payment process in a supermarket of a particular supermarket chain, only coupons accepted by that supermarket chain can be redeemed. Alternatively or additionally, only coupons valid at the current time can be used as relevant for the transaction. The sequence of encodings to be displayed is then created with reference to the identified transaction. In other words, this sequence then does not include encodings to pieces of information that can not be used in connection with this transaction; H. no codes of coupons that are not accepted by this supermarket chain. In this way, the time for transmitting relevant information is again shortened and a correct detection and processing of the displayed information is ensured.

An above-described recognition of a specific terminal or recognition of a specific transaction can take place in various ways.

According to a first variant, a user of the terminal can enter information required for recognition, for example a specific dealer. Associated with this, the terminal may then have stored information about terminals of the merchant and details of accepted coupons and the like.

According to a further variant, the recognition of the specific terminal or the recognition of the specific transaction may be based on a current position of the terminal. The position of the terminal can be detected, for example, based on GPS data or the like and compared with stored in the terminal position data from various dealers. Such automatic detection of a terminal or an upcoming transaction additionally minimizes one Required user interaction and increases the handling of the process.

The invention further comprises a computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program is set up, when executed on a processor of a portable terminal, to control a method of the type described above.

list of figures

• 1A bis 1D Coupons und eine Kundenkarte, die jeweils eine Informationseinheit umfassen, die mittels eines Barcodes codiert ist;
• 2A bis 2D mittels eines Endgeräts anzuzeigende Bilder, welche die Codierungen aus den 1A bis 1D in einer Form anzeigen, die für eine Erfassung durch ein Terminal optimiert ist;
• 3 eine Anordnung eines portablen Endgeräts relativ zu einem Terminal zum optischen Übertragen von mittels Barcodes codierter Information; und
• 4 schematisch Schritte einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to an embodiment and associated drawings. The figures show:

• 1A to 1D Coupons and a customer card, each comprising an information unit encoded by a bar code;
• 2A to 2D images to be displayed by means of a terminal, which encodes the codes 1A to 1D in a form optimized for detection by a terminal;
• 3 an arrangement of a portable terminal relative to a terminal for optically transmitting bar code coded information; and
• 4 schematically steps of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Customer cards, coupons, vouchers and the like are increasingly used in commerce, eg. B. in connection with discount campaigns or the like. On the one hand, a coupon for a user should include directly usable information, i. H. the user should be able to see what value the coupon has for him. On the other hand, customer card and coupon information is now largely transmitted and evaluated by machine. Consequently, loyalty cards, coupons, coupons or the like typically include optically readable information, e.g. As a barcode or the like.

In the 1A to 1C are coupons 10 . 12 . 14 shown. Each of the coupons 10 . 12 . 14 carries an optically detectable and automatically decodable coding 101 . 121 . 141 in the form of a barcode. Such a barcode 101 . 121 . 141 encodes an information unit corresponding to the corresponding coupon 10 . 12 . 14 is assigned, for example, a product 103 . 123 . 143 and a discount information 102 . 122 . 142 related to this product. Further coupon information may be, for example, a GTIN / RPID of a single product or multiple products of the same category or brand, a granted discount (absolute or relative, 2 for 1 product), validity of the coupon (from ... to, unlimited).

For machine decoding and processing of the bar code encoded information unit are the human readable information applied to the coupon 102 . 123 . 143 regarding the product and the discount information 102 . 122 . 142 rather a hindrance. Consequently, it suffices to present only a "reduced" image of the coupon to a terminal for optically detecting the information unit encoded by the coupon. Therein, for example, the supplementary human-readable information may be omitted. The machine readable coding, however, can, for improved detection by the terminal, z. B. enlarged and centered, as shown in the 2A to 2C is shown.

1D shows a customer card 16 with corresponding elements (machine-readable coding 161 for optically transmitting the corresponding information unit, e.g. A customer card number, to a terminal) and human readable information 162 for the user. 2D shows accordingly an image which only the (machine-readable) information content of the customer card 16 in optical detection of optimized form.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of a method and a system for optical information transmission of customer data (eg loyalty card information, coupon information, etc.) at a so-called "point of sale", eg. B. at a checkout of a supermarket, with reference to the figures shown as an example.

In this case, digitally stored customer data (customer card number, payment method, vouchers, coupons) in the form of barcodes or 2D codes are sent or read to a suitable receiver terminal (eg scanner) using optical information transmission (image recording). In this case, several actions of the checkout process, which must be performed separately according to conventionally known methods, summarized in a single operation. The method thereby minimizes the transmission time for transmitting the information and greatly facilitates the handling for the user, as described in detail below with reference to the 3 and 4 is described.

In a first step S1 the user activates a set up for optical data transmission portable terminal 70 such as a smartphone. In the smartphone is an application ("App"), which is adapted to control a method described below.

In step S2 the user starts the corresponding application. In this case, all stored in the smartphone, in connection with the application relevant customer data can be loaded, such. As customer card number, available coupons, coupons available, or the like.

The information units (customer card number, coupon information, etc.) assigned to the respective customer data can be present to the application numerically or in the form of an image file. In both cases, the application is set up, from the coupon and card information suitable for the transmission display format with a corresponding barcode 101 to create. In a subsequent step S3 For example, pertinent parameters for an upcoming transmission of customer data are recognized or entered by the user. This applies in particular to the specific transaction in which the customer data is to be transferred.

If the transaction is, for example, a payment transaction at a point-of-sale terminal of a particular merchant, then a user may take part in a sub-step TS3.1 For example, enter the dealer information manually.

Alternatively, the trader can in this sub-step TS3.1 be recognized automatically by the application, for. B. based on the current GPS coordinates of the terminal 70 , through a subsequent database comparison with GPS coordinates of various dealers, identifying a regional area, dealer and a specific branch of the dealer.

In partial step TS3.2 then the customer data relevant for the upcoming transaction at this merchant, ie customer cards usable by this merchant and / or coupons redeemable at this merchant, are put together. This can again be done manually, by the user, but preferably automatically, by the application, based on the already known dealer information. Corresponding information about customer information that can be used by the merchant can be stored in the application, for example in a corresponding database.

For each of the information units identified as being relevant in the forthcoming transaction, the application now generates an image which can be displayed on a display of the smartphone.

It can in sub-step TS3.3 additional display and transmission parameters are specified. By means of these parameters, the type of images to be displayed can be determined, as well as the way in which these images are to be subsequently displayed, ie the manner in which the automatic display of the sequence of the codes should follow.

• - eine Reihenfolge, in der die Codierungen 101, 121, 141, 161 angezeigt werden;
• - eine Anzahl, gemäß derer eine spezifische Codierung 101 angezeigt werden soll;
• - eine Zeitdauer, während derer nur eine Codierung 101 angezeigt wird;
• - eine Anzahl der während eines vorgegebenen Intervalls angezeigter Codierungen;
• - eine Art der Codierung, d. h. z. B. spezifischer Barcode, QR-Code, etc.
• - ein Format der Anzeige, d. h. z. B. wie groß ist die Codierung im Vergleich zum gesamten Bild, wo sind Ruhezonen, wie ist die Codierung angeordnet (oben, unten, zentriert, etc.);
• - eine Helligkeit der Anzeige;
• - ein Kontrast der Anzeige;
• - etc.

The display and transmission parameters may include at least one of the following parameters:

• - an order in which the codings 101 . 121 . 141 . 161 are displayed;
• a number according to which a specific coding 101 to be displayed;
• a period during which only one coding 101 is shown;
• a number of codes displayed during a predetermined interval;
• a type of coding, ie eg specific barcode, QR code, etc.
• a format of the display, ie eg how big is the coding compared to the whole picture, where are quiet zones, how is the coding arranged (top, bottom, centered, etc.);
• - a brightness of the display;
• a contrast of the display;
• - Etc.

Each of the images includes an encoding, e.g. B. a bar code that encodes the corresponding information unit, as shown in the 2A to 2D is shown. Alternatively, one can also use the barcode 101 Comprehensive image file loaded, for example, if a coupon 10 (see. 1A) has been detected by photographing. Such an image file can be reworked in accordance with the given display and transmission parameters by the application by z. B. only the proportion of the image is displayed, which includes the barcode.

From the images thus generated, and preferably optimized for transmission 100 . 120 . 140 . 160 The application then generates a sequence of images which allows the images on the display of the smartphone to be displayed automatically and sequentially, in rapid succession.

Display and transmission parameters can be set automatically, either after a general presetting or with reference to a specific terminal, which is recognized by the already known dealer information. Once again, the application can have stored predefined display and transmission parameters in a database for each merchant terminal.

In order to enable transmission of the assembled customer data to the terminal, the user keeps in step S4 , as in 3 shown his smartphone 70 suitably (eg with a distance of about 5 to 25 cm, suitably inclined) to the terminal 80 and starts the transfer process. It is also the reverse order possible, ie the transfer process is started, and the display starts automatically when the smartphone is held to the terminal. Starting the transfer process can be done by manual entry, eg. B. by pressing a start button, or automatically, controlled by a position detection of the smartphone 70 , respectively.

The actual data transfer takes place in step S5 instead, by automatic, sequential display of the predetermined sequence of images, each of which comprises the above-described, optically detectable and automatically decodable codings, ie the bar codes, QR codes or the like. The display is via a display device 72 of the terminal 70 , in particular a display. Each of the codes 101 . 121 . 141 . 161 encodes each of the information content of one of the separate information units, as described in detail above.

The transmission takes place using the in step TS3.3 specified display and transmission parameters.

If necessary, the terminal 80 if the barcodes are correctly recorded, send out a feedback signal.

At the conclusion of the data transmission, that is, when the prepared sequence of images with the corresponding codes has been displayed completely, at least once or several times in succession, the data transmission is completed.

The application signals the completion of the transmission, z. B. by sound or vibration, and the user can use the smartphone 70 from the terminal 80 remove.

Optionally, a termination of the process at any time during transmission by the user is possible by this the smartphone 70 from the terminal 80 removed or the application ended. All previously completely transmitted codings can still be successfully processed by the terminal.

Claims (12)

A method of optically transmitting information as part of a transaction to a terminal (80), the information comprising a plurality of separate pieces of information comprising the step of: - Automatic, sequential display (S5) of a predetermined sequence of optically detectable and automatically decoded codings (101, 121, 141, 161), wherein each of the codings (101, 121, 141, 161) each encode the information content of one of the separate information units. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the automatic display of the sequence of codings (101, 121, 141, 161) takes place according to predetermined display and transmission parameters (TS3.3). Method according to Claim 2 wherein the display and transmission parameters comprise at least one of the following parameters: sequence in which the codes (101, 121, 141, 161) are displayed; Time during which only one code (101) is displayed; Number of codes displayed during a given interval; (101, 121, 141, 161) - type of coding (101, 121, 141, 161); - format of the ad; - brightness of the display; - Contrast of the display. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the predetermined sequence comprises at least one of the codings (101, 121, 141, 161) multiple times. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4 in which, in the event that the sequence comprises one of the codings (101, 121, 141, 161) several times, a first display of this coding (101) takes place according to first display and transmission parameters and a further display of this coding (101) with im Compared to the first display and transmission parameters changed display and transmission parameters takes place. Method according to Claim 5 method comprising the steps of: determining an orientation of a terminal (70) used to display the sequence in space and / or determining a distance of the terminal (70) to the terminal (80), and determining the changed display and transmission parameters based on Orientation and / or distance. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 comprising the further steps of: - detecting (TS3.1) a specific terminal to which the information is transmitted, and - adapting (TS3.3) display and transmission parameters according to which the automatic display of the sequence of the codes (101, 121, 141, 161), to the recognized terminal (80), wherein the steps of recognizing and adapting may occur before or during the step of displaying. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 comprising the further steps of: - detecting (TS3.1) a specific transaction to be performed, and - generating the sequence of encodings (101, 121, 141, 161) related to the identified transaction. Method according to one of Claims 7 or 8th wherein the identifying of the specific terminal or the recognition of the specific transaction is based on a current location of the terminal (70). Portable terminal (70) comprising a memory device which is set up to store information comprising a plurality of separate information units, - A display device (72) which is adapted to display a sequence of optically detectable and automatically decoded codings (101, 121, 141, 161), as well as a control device which is set up to control an automatic, sequential display of a predetermined sequence of optically detectable and automatically decodable codings (101, 121, 141, 161) via the display device (72), each of the codings (101, 121, 141, 161) each encode the information content of one of the separate information units. Terminal (70) after Claim 9 , arranged for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , A computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium, the computer program being adapted to execute, when executed on a processor of a portable terminal (70), a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 to control.

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