EP1272354A1

EP1272354A1 - Internet payment method and means

Info

Publication number: EP1272354A1
Application number: EP01913998A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guy Favreau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-13
Filing date: 2001-03-13
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Also published as: FR2806192B1; AU2001239390A1; WO2001068381A1; FR2806192A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a payment method with trustee instruments capable of clearance in a commercial transaction [a prepaid card, delivery means, a gift cheque or card or random set process] for joint utilisation on a communication network [Internet, WAP, videotext, mobile telephone and the like] and in the physical world comprising a step which consists in delivering to a user a trustee instrument and a second step which consists in transmitting at least an identifier of said trustee instrument to a server. The invention is characterised in that the trustee instrument consists of a material support including a first information zone wherein there is single identifier and a second information zone masked prior to use, wherein there is a key correlated to said single identifier and the second step consists, for a first operating mode on a communication network [Internet, WAP, videotext, mobile telephone and the like] in unblinding the second information zone and transmitting to the server the identifier and/or the key, and for a second possible operating mode with the same means, in delivering to the real world addressee the trustee instrument necessarily exhibiting a non-masked second zone.

Description

INTERNET PAYMENT METHOD AND MEANS

The present invention relates to the field of payment by prepaid cards and means of delivery or gift vouchers.

We know in the prior art the general principle of cards or gift vouchers which are issued by a store or a sign, and which can be used as a means of payment for items or which allow to benefit from discounts on the price d 'a purchase.

These means of payment are generally anonymous and guarantee the merchant the payment of a purchase. They can be edited by the merchant, or by a third party centralizing the issue of such checks, means of delivery or prepaid cards for several brands, and ensuring the management of financial flows as well as control.

The merchant visually checks the validity of the gift voucher. To this end, the support includes more or less elaborate security signs, such as watermark, hologram or marking with special inks.

Also known is the patent FR2780339 describing a process for carrying out on a data medium such as a card (C) a masking of an area (Z2) containing information (12) previously written on this medium. This process consists in fixing on this zone (Z2) a label (EG) made of transparent material on which an opaque scrapable ink has been previously printed. Preferably, the information (12) to be masked is entered in a single operation and the removable label (EG) is fixed to the masking area (Z2).

Also known is patent FR2779381 concerning a telephone card with an attached code. It is intended to make available to a user a telephone credit determined by one or more numbers access to a server and to a specific code, printed on two separate supports assembled by gluing. The main medium is intended to receive the fixed and constant characteristics of the server in particular and can also receive information or messages of a promotional or advertising nature. The secondary support is intended to receive the characteristics specific to a given credit, and therefore variable.

Also known is the French patent FR2780339 describing a method and a system for producing masked areas on data carriers such as maps.

French patent FR2665006 describes a means of protection against fraudulent use of anonymous stolen or lost checks or investments.

These solutions are not suitable for payment online, on the Internet or on other telecommunications networks (WAP, Minitel, Mobile phone, etc.).

French payment FR2739322 has also proposed a payment voucher on networks, in particular the Internet, comprising a flat rectangular support carrying a serial number as a means of identification. The medium also includes the mention of a certain number of sub-amounts, the sum of which constitutes the value of said payment document, a box being associated with each of the sub-amounts and this box bearing a masked code number which can be discovered by scraping. The value of said payment voucher is reduced by the sub-amount (s) associated with the box (es) whose code number has been discovered by scratching.

This solution certainly allows online payment, but it is a source of errors for the user, and the multiplication of the number of code numbers on each card distributed increases the risk of fraud, or requires the use of elaborate coding keys. and therefore more difficult to exploit. Furthermore, this payment title is not suitable for mixed use, for online payment and also in the real world, in a store.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fiduciary security or a means of discount simple to implement for a user wishing to be able to use it both for online purchases on the Internet or any other telecommunications network and for purchases in a store. To this end, the invention relates first of all to a method of payment by compensable fiduciary securities in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for use mixed on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world comprising a step of giving the user a fiduciary title and a second step of transmitting at least an identifier of said fiduciary title to a server, characterized in that the fiduciary title consists of a material medium comprising a first information zone in which a unique identifier appears and a second information zone masked before use, in which a key appears correlated with said unique identifier and in that the second step consists, for a first mode of use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] to unmask the second information zone and to transmit to the server the identifier and / or the key, and for a second possible mode of use with the same means, to be returned to a recipient of the real world the fiduciary title presenting an imperatively unmasked second zone.

The second step is carried out at the time of the transaction in the case of online use or subsequently by the merchant, in the event of use in the real world, in real or delayed time, or even by withdrawal by the beneficiary (the merchant or his agent) of the unmasked support, after allocation of the advantage in the physical world.

According to a preferred variant, the server comprises a secure database in which the unique identifier of each of the titles sold is recorded, as well as an indicator on the state of use of said titles sold.

Advantageously, the indicator of the state of use consists of the balance of fractional shares partially used.

According to a preferred variant, the payment step further comprises the transmission of an identifier of an order and in that the server transmits to the merchant associated with the order identifier a payment notification after verification of the validity of the 'title identifier and / or associated key.

The invention also relates to a compensable fiduciary security in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world characterized in that it comprises at least one part having a first information zone in which there is a unique identifier and a second information zone masked before use , in which there is a key correlated to said unique identifier.

Preferably, the title is constituted by a support having a tear line passing through said second information zone, so as to cut the printing zone of the key in two and make it unusable.

According to a variant, it is constituted by a plurality of adjacent parts each comprising a first information area in which there is a unique identifier and a second information zone masked before use, in which a key correlated to said unique identifier appears.

According to a preferred variant, the second information area is covered by a masking means integrating in an inseparable manner the nominal compensation value, and appearing on another part of the ticket only in a visibly distinctive form.

The nominal value is for example printed on the coating to be scratched, and is definitively degraded when the second zone is unmasked. The nominal value therefore disappears definitively during this unmasking, and avoids unexpected compensation in the event of an inadequate verification. The nominal value may appear "for the record" on another part of the title, in particular in the second zone, in a clearly distinctive form, for example in the form of a print in small characters, possibly supplemented by a message advising that this second mention should not be interpreted as allowing a new compensation for the title presented.

The invention also relates to a payment system on the Internet or any other telecommunications network for implementing the invention, characterized in that it comprises a server comprising means for receiving messages from users, comprising at least one identifier of a title, an associated key and an identifier of an order, the server comprising a database in which the identifiers of the titles sold are recorded, as well as means of verifying the validity of an identifier and the associated key and notification of payment in case of positive verification.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment which follows, referring to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a top view of a first embodiment of the ticket according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a top view of a second embodiment of the ticket according to the invention. The organization for managing the payment system according to the invention publishes prepaid tickets or prepaid checks which are sold normally or online in consideration for the payment of a nominal amount entered on the security or check. Each title includes, in addition to the nominal amount and advertising or professional information, first “open” information, forming a unique serial number, and an area masked by scratch-off ink. The serial number is assigned when the title is produced so that two titles never have the same number. They can be assigned randomly with a uniqueness check or even serially. The serial numbers printed at the time of production of the title are also recorded in a database. In the same database, the date of entry into circulation is also recorded, in the example proposed. The period of validity may be limited in time.

At the time of manufacture, a key is also calculated, for example by a cryptographic algorithm, correlated in a non-determinable manner to the serial number.

This key is printed in an area covered with removable ink or by any other removable sealing means by an irreversible action. The holder who purchases this title or who holds it (following a gift or theft) can use it as well for a traditional purchase, on presentation of the title where the key has not been unmasked, as for an online purchase. In the latter case, it will proceed in a known manner to an online order. Payment will be made by transmitting the serial number appearing on the title and by entering the key which will be read after unmasking the area covered with the ink to be scratched off. The transmission of this information can be done securely in an SSL session. The message transmitted by the user to the server therefore includes: the serial number of the title used, the “masked” key, -identification information of the order, and if possible an identifier of the merchant, for example his URL or his IP address, and possibly the amount to pay. The server receives this information and checks whether the serial number is valid and whether it appears in the serial number database of the securities issued. In the event of a positive verification, the server verifies whether the key corresponds to a key recalculated from the transmitted serial number. In the event of a positive response, the server will notify the merchant that the payment has been made, and assign a consumption indicator to the serial number in the database. This indicator can be a binary "yes / no" indicator.

It can also be made up of the credit balance after subtracting the previous balance from the amount to be paid. This variant makes it possible to manage fractional shares for payments of an amount different from the nominal value of the security.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the title. The ticket is formed by a support (1) made of cardboard or plastic. The title presents a zone (3) containing an identifier of the title and a second zone (4) covered by an opaque material which can be removed by scraping, but only definitively. This area (4) contains a number which can be used in two forms. The designation of the counterparty financial, for example the value of the voucher, is overprinted on this opaque masking material, in contrasting color. It does not appear on any other part of the voucher. The scraping of the opaque material with a view to unmasking the zone (4) produces the definitive removal of this indication of the value of the voucher.

For use of the title for payment or online delivery, the user unmasks this area and transmits the number that appears on the Internet. It then destroys the indication relating to the value of the voucher, which avoids a second use in the real world, of a voucher already used on the Internet.

For use in the real world, the holder of the title gives the unmasked title to the merchant who cuts it at the breaking line (2), insofar as this line passes through the area (4), the merchant returns the title thus unusable for transmission on the Internet, it keeps the section detached from the title for destruction or classification for archival purposes. Optionally, he gives a shutter to the client.

In both cases, the original holder can no longer use it for an online transaction.

The merchant keeps the section containing the title identifier, and will subsequently communicate it to the server or to a centralizing organizer who will inhibit the corresponding title by removing it from the server's database.

If the voucher which is given to the merchant has an unmasked zone (4), he will deduce therefrom that this voucher is invalid, and in any event will not be able to determine a transaction value, the indication of this value having been destroyed by unmasking.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment, where the title is made up of three parts (8 to 10). The two side flaps (8, 10) are separated from the central flap (9) by breaking lines (11, 12). Each side panel (8, 10) can be used as a title previously described.

Claims

1 - Method of payment by compensable fiduciary securities in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world comprising a step of giving the user a fiduciary title and a second step consisting in transmitting at least one identifier of said fiduciary title to a server characterized in that the fiduciary security consists of a material medium comprising a first information zone in which there is a unique identifier and a second information zone masked before use, in which there is a unique key correlated to said unique identifier and in that the second step consists, for a first mode of use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] has dema squer the second information zone and transmit the identifier and / or the key to the server, and for a second mode of use possible with the same means, give a fiduciary title presenting a second zone to a recipient in the real world imperatively unmasked.

2 - Method of payment by compensable fiduciary securities in a trading operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 1 characterized in that the server comprises a secure database in which the unique identifier of each is recorded of the titles sold, as well as an indicator on the state of use of said titles sold.

3 - Method of payment by compensable fiduciary securities in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 2 characterized in that the indicator of the state of use consists of the balance of fractional shares partially used.

4 - Method of payment by compensable fiduciary securities in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game method] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone, ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 1 characterized in that the second step further comprises the transmission of an identifier of an order and in that the server transmits to the associated merchant to the order identifier a payment notification after verification of the validity of the title identifier and / or the associated key.

5 - Fiduciary title compensable in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of delivery, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world for the implementation of at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one part having a first information zone in which a unique identifier appears and a second area information masked before use, in which there is a key correlated to said unique identifier.

6 - Compensatable fiduciary title in a business transaction [a prepaid card, a means of delivery, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 5, characterized in that it consists of a support having a tear line passing through said second information area.

7 - Fiduciary title compensable in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of adjacent parts each comprising a first information zone in which there is a unique identifier and a second information area hidden before use, in which there is a key correlated to said unique identifier.

8 - Fiduciary title compensable in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second information zone is covered by a masking means integrating inseparably the value nominal compensation, and appearing on another part of the title only in a visibly distinctive form.

9 - Fiduciary title compensable in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 8, characterized in that the nominal value is printed exclusively on the masking means of the zone constituted by a removable ink.

10 - Compensatable fiduciary title in a business transaction [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for mixed use on a communication network [Internet, WAP, Minitel, mobile phone , ...] as well as in the physical world according to claim 8, characterized in that the nominal value is printed exclusively on the means for masking the area containing the correlated unique key.

11 - Payment system comprising a compensable fiduciary security in a trade operation [a prepaid card, a means of discount, a gift voucher or a card or random game process] for the implementation of at least one of the claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it comprises at least one server comprising means for receiving user messages, comprising at least one identifier of a title, an associated key and an identifier of an order, the server comprising a database in which the identifiers of the securities sold are recorded, as well as means of verifying the validity of a identifier and associated key and notification of payment in case of positive verification.