EP1360660A2

EP1360660A2 - Accounting method and accounting machine

Info

Publication number: EP1360660A2
Application number: EP01271613A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bouke Christiaan Stoffelsma
Original assignee: in medias res Gesellschaft fur Kommunikationstechnologien mbH
Current assignee: in medias res Gesellschaft fur Kommunikationstechnologien mbH
Priority date: 2000-12-18
Filing date: 2001-12-18
Publication date: 2003-11-12

Abstract

The invention relates to an accounting method for recording a transaction initiated by a user (C) and a transaction point (V), in which the user operates a mobile telephone that is identifiable by a telephone number associated with a user account, and in which the point-of-sale (V) transmits point-of-sale-related (V), transaction-dependent accounting data to an accounting point. A method of this kind is to be further developed such that the user's mobile telephone number remains unknown to the point-of-sale, thus enabling greater anonymity of the user. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the accounting data are stored in the memory of the accounting point, and in that the accounting data can be confirmed by the user's (C) call to the accounting point and matched to the user's account by means of the telephone number.

Description

Accounting method and accounting machine

The invention relates to an accounting method for recording a transaction initiated by a user at a transaction point, in which the user operates a mobile telephone that is identifiable by a telephone number associated with a user account, and in which the transaction point transmits transaction point-related and transaction-dependent accounting data to an accounting point .

The term "transaction point" means any point where the user executes a financial transaction, e.g. a cash register, an automatic teller machine or the like.

A known accounting method of this kind is the "Paybox" system. In this m-commerce accounting method, the point-of-sale transmits the transaction-dependent data to the accounting point (referred to as Paybox) by means of a telephone call. These data include the purchase amount due for the transaction, the code of the point-of-sale and the mobile telephone number of the user. In the next step, Paybox calls the customer's mobile telephone and has the transaction (retailer and transaction amount) confirmed by the entry of a PIN previously agreed on with Paybox by the user. Finally, Paybox collects the money by means of direct debit and forwards it to the Internet retailer.

This method is associated with various disadvantages. One bla- tant disadvantage is that the seller knows the user's telephone number and can use it after the transaction to make calls or send SMS advertisements. In addition, two calls with the associated costs are required.

The object of the invention is to further develop a generic method such that it can be executed anonymously, more quickly and more simply.

According to the invention, the object is solved in that the accounting data are stored in the memory of the accounting point, and in that the accounting data can be confirmed by a call from the user's mobile telephone and matched to the user's account by means of the telephone number.

In this context, the account can be any processing point asso- ciated with the user or a user group, e.g. a bank account, a credit card account, a prepaid system or the like.

The accounting method according to the invention also enables the user to confirm the transaction by using his mobile tele- phone. However, compared to the known method, the method according to the invention is much simpler in terms of the procedure. When the procedure is initiated, the transaction point generates accounting data that include the account information (account number and bank sort code) associated with the trans- action point. This account information alone enables the machine to identify the transaction point in the subsequent steps. In contrast to the known credit card payment method, the account is associated not with the user, but with the transaction point itself. This can be achieved, for example, by as- signing account numbers reserved for this purpose, which need not be associated with an actual bank account. In terms of the method (program) , this can be achieved in that the accounting machine contains a list of the account numbers assigned to the transaction points for the purpose of mobile payment (m- commerce) . Alternatively, the point-of-sale can be identified by transmitting a fixed, reserved account number ("system account number") together with the terminal number of the card reader that is customary in such systems (e.g. the terminal number of the credit card reader) . With this alternative, the terminal number indicates the transaction point and the account number indicates that the transaction is to be confirmed and concluded with a user's mobile telephone. In both alternatives, the accounting data include the transaction-related sum of money. All of these accounting data are referred to below as a "blank entry" .

The blank entry is stored in the memory of the accounting point and can be confirmed by the user's call. Since the user's mobile telephone number is linked to the user's personal account number, the blank entry can only be converted into a personal customer transaction entry when the user makes the confirmation call to the accounting point, which can be unequivocally identified by its point-dependent telephone number (referred to below as the "machine number") . In this context, the bank sort code and the account number of the blank entry are converted from information relating to the accounting point, to information relating to the user, meaning that a set of entirely user- dependent accounting data results. Accordingly, the transaction is opened by initiation at the transaction point and closed by the user's call with his mobile telephone.

The full set of data required to execute the accounting entry comprises various sub-data (user's mobile telephone number, system account number, transaction code of the machine, etc.). These sub-data can be transmitted together or separately via various transmission media to the accounting point, where they are combined to form the complete accounting entry in order to close the entry. Provision can be made for the complete accounting entry to remain open until all sub-data are received by the accounting machine. One item of sub-data can be trans- mitted via the user's mobile telephone, for example, and another by means of the subsequent exchange of data media containing the data stored at the point-of-sale.

In another configuration, the accounting point can send the user's mobile telephone a processing code in the form of a transaction code, which matches the intended utilisation mode and/or the transaction point. Upon entering the transaction code at the transaction point, the latter is enabled for the respective transaction, e.g. to access chargeable content on the Internet, buy a product at a machine or the like.

If various accounting points operate on the basis of the method according to the invention, each accounting point must be assigned an individual machine number in order to be unequivocally addressable by a user.

Because the machine number is preferably a freephone number, the user only incurs the costs of a standard EC-card or credit card transaction. However, compared to the known methods, this accounting method also has a neutral effect on the costs in- curred by the point-of-sale, e.g. a retailer who uses the accounting method according to the invention, because the accounting point need not necessarily take the user's call in order to close the accounting entry. The call signal is sufficient for converting the blank entry into the personal user en- try, because the user's telephone number can be identified by means of CLI (Calling Line Identification) or comparable methods .

If the transaction point is a cash register, the transaction can be initiated by a card in credit card format, whose magnetic strip or chip contains the accounting data for the blank entry. As a result, the accounting method according to the invention can utilise the existing infrastructure of the existing EC or credit card readers in shops and automatic teller ma- chines.

If the transaction point is designed as an automatic teller machine, the accounting data for the blank entry can be initiated simply by pressing a button that can, for example, be addition- ally provided on the automatic teller machines. In order to get money from the cash dispenser, the user need only press the button and confirm the transaction by making a call with his mobile telephone.

The accounting data in the blank entry are preferably only saved in the memory of the accounting point for a certain length of time. If the user does not call within a specified time, the blank entry is automatically deleted from the memory.

Because the accounting point knows the respective user and his account information via automatic number identification, the method can also be used for the simple realisation of a collection process for the respective type of use. To this end, the transaction point stores data comprising the transaction code entered by the user and possibly also the type of use. Provi- sion can be made for the respective entry not to be closed and the user's account not to be debited until these data are matched with the accounting point, this also being possible offline at a later time.

Furthermore, a user who would like to participate in m-commerce using the accounting method according to the invention can arrange a PIN (Personal Identification Number) during registration for participation, which is assigned to his telephone number. When processing a transaction, e.g. a purchase, the user can then be required to enter this PIN at the transaction point. In contrast to the known EC card payment method, this PIN only seems to be related to the card used. In fact, once it receives the confirmation call from the user, the accounting point confirms that the PIN is assigned to the user's mobile telephone and thus confirms the transaction.

When using the method according to the invention in a car park, the user need no longer get out of the vehicle to pay the parking fee. The blank entry can be initiated by the car park at- tendant and shown on a display at the exit. The transaction is confirmed by the user making a call with his mobile telephone. In order to further enhance the security of the transaction, the machine can call the user back and request entry of a PIN via mobile telephone in order to close the entry.

Provision can additionally be made for the user's telephone number or assigned bank account to be checked against a blocking list at the accounting point, prior to converting the blank entry into a personal customer entry, in order to take the reported loss of mobile telephones into account, for example. Payment defaulters can also be excluded from participation via the blocking list.

The accounting method according to the invention also enables particularly simple accounting of transactions at vending ma- chines, such as cigarette and drinks vending machines and the like. Up to now, the possibility of mobile payment at vending machines of this kind has been dismissed, because each vending machine would have to be retrofitted with an expensive and fault-susceptible transmitter and receiver module for transmis- sion of the radio data to a central computer.

In contrast, with the accounting method according to the invention, the keypad already provided for product selection on many vending machines is sufficient for confirming the transaction. During product selection, the vending machine generates a transaction code that at least identifies the selected product, and possibly also the vending machine, for the accounting machine. For example, the transaction code can be read from a pre-defined list or generated by an algorithm that generates different transaction codes based, for example, on the time of day. The vending machine shows the user this transaction code, e.g. on a display, as a telephone number that must be called to execute the transaction. If the user's mobile telephone is equipped with an infrared interface, it can be used to transmit the transaction code to the mobile telephone. When the user calls the indicated telephone number in order to pay, the ac- counting machine, which also knows the algorithm or means for generating the transaction code, can generate a second, time- dependent transaction code (enable code) , where the time delay between generation in the vending machine and the accounting machine is taken into account. This enable code, which is transmitted to the user's mobile telephone, is then entered on the vending machine by the user and checked by it with regard to its validity. Acceptance of the enable code by the vending machine, e.g. based on the identity of the enable code and an internal code generated in the vending machine, leads to the release of the desired goods. This can be achieved, for example, in that the vending machine and the accounting machine generate the same codes in delayed fashion. In this application, the transaction code represents a group of telephone num- bers assigned to the accounting point, on the basis of which the accounting point can identify the product and/or the vending machine.

For the user, the purchasing process is thus as follows:

1. Select the product on the vending machine,

2. Call the telephone number displayed using your mobile telephone,

3. Receive a second, time-dependent transaction code (enable code) with your mobile telephone, and

4. Enter the enable code on the vending machine, e.g. via the keypad, infrared interface or the like.

The vending machine then 'dispenses the desired product.

As indicated above, a simpler configuration can involve the generation of only one, product-dependent transaction code at the point-of-sale. In this case, the user can be informed of the telephone number of the accounting machine he must call by a sticker affixed to the vending machine, for example.

Furthermore, provision can be made for the accounting machine to use the transaction code and the known user PIN in a mathematical operation and only to transmit the result of the operation to the user, e.g. in the form of an enable code. As the vending machine also knows the algorithm, it only releases the desired goods when the enable code and the PIN are entered. This method rules out abuse of the mobile telephone in the event of loss, because the user needs the PIN in order to pay. A higher level of security can be achieved if the algorithm in the accounting machine and the vending machine changes from time to time.

The telephone number shown on the display of the vending machine, which the user is to call, can also contain - possibly in encoded form - all or part of the last enable code used successfully on the vending machine. In this way, the accounting machine can discover from the user whether a previously transmitted enable code led to an effective transaction. Thus, failed transactions can easily be identified and cancelled.

The above-described transmission of an enable code to the user's mobile telephone for the purpose of enabling a transaction is naturally not limited to use in vending machines, but can be used whenever the transaction-dependent sum of money for an object or item of information to be sold, e.g. access to proprietary content in a mobile telecommunications network or the Internet, is to be billed via an account. For example, it is also conceivable for the user to be prompted by a conventional sales or credit card terminal payment to obtain an enable code by calling a specific or generated telephone number in order to effect payment. For example, a user prompt of this kind can be generated or displayed by the user pressing a switch provided for this function or inserting a card with sys- tern account number reserved for this purpose into the terminal. Entry of the enable code transmitted back to the user on the terminal then leads to the initialisation of any kind of data transmission link, such as an ISO 8583 transaction, between the terminal and a verification point, whose responsibility is to check the required parameters of the desired transaction, e.g. the solvency of the user, or also the validity of the transmitted enable code. This makes it possible to have the enable codes checked by a central point. Assignment of the enable code to a specific transaction can also take place in delayed fashion in order to book the transaction, e.g. at regular intervals, such as at the end of the month.

If the user has not yet been cleared for payment by the method according to the invention, the accounting machine first asks for the user's account information. In order verify the account information, the registration process can require that a password only be transmitted to the specified account. In order to obtain the password, the user must give evidence of access au- thorisation for the account, so that the specified account can be used to debit the transaction-dependent sum of money. Consequently, the password is transmitted via the existing and secure communication channel of the bank system, for which the access authorisation of the customer has already been verified. The password can, for example, be a telephone number that the user must call. If the call is made by the user, his access au^¬ thorisation for the account specified by the user is confirmed. At the same time, the transaction-dependent sum of money can be billed via the account. With regard to this identification method, reference is made to international patent application PCT/EP 01/11333, the disclosed content of which thus becomes an integral part of this patent application.

In another configuration, the vending machine can be designed to display different transaction codes for the user to call, depending on the maintenance status. On the basis of the tele- phone number called, the accounting point then knows which vending machine requires servicing. In this way, for example, the transaction code that represents the number to be called can signalise that the level of a certain brand of cigarettes in a cigarette machine has dropped below a pre-defined minimum level and a refill is necessary.

Under certain circumstances, the customer may not receive his goods due to a defect in the vending machine. In order to pre- vent erroneous debiting of the user's account, another configuration can include the provision of a transaction memory in each vending machine that stores the enable codes accumulated over a period of time, these being compared with the accounting point at specific intervals. The transaction data in the trans- action memory also contain information on whether the transaction was concluded successfully or a malfunction occurred. The user's account is only debited after comparison if the process was concluded at the vending machine without any malfunction.

Furthermore, other transaction-dependent data can be logged in the vending machine and stored in the transaction memory.

The accounting machine can also transmit a universally valid enable code to the user, which can be entered on all vending machines that operate in accordance with the invention. Billing of the transaction and, in particular, product-specific price determination, take place when the respective transaction memory is compared with the accounting machine. Because registration to participate in the accounting method according to the invention requires the user to state his mobile telephone number, which can then be detected by the accounting point at any time by CLI, the accounting point can, by not transmitting the enable code, prevent the issue of products for which the user does not have the required authorisation to purchase (age, solvency and the like) . Similarly, the accounting point can also restrict the quantity of purchasable prod- ucts .

Because the user's telephone number remains unknown to the point-of-sale, in contrast to the known method, the transaction point cannot abuse this telephone number. In the simplest version, the accounting method is implemented in practice in the form of a computer program running on an accounting point that functions as a server. Alternatively, it can be realised by a circuit on a plug-in circuit board.

The invention further relates to an accounting machine for recording a transaction initiated by a user at a transaction point, where the user operates a mobile telephone that is identifiable by a telephone number associated with a user account, and where the point-of-sale transmits point-of-sale-related, transaction-dependent accounting data to the accounting machine.

On the basis of the described disadvantages of the known method and the resulting object, the invention provides for an accounting machine characterised in that the accounting data can be stored in the memory of the accounting point, and in that the accounting data can be confirmed by the user's call and matched to the user's bank account by means of the telephone number.

All known transmission media can be used to transmit the accounting data from the point-of-sale to the accounting point, e.g. telephone, Internet, remote data transmission line or ra- dio link.

It is particularly advantageous to operate the accounting machine as a server in a distributed data network, such as the Internet .

The functional principle of the accounting machine according to the invention, and the accounting method according to the invention, are illustrated in examples in the figures and described in detail below. The figures show the following:

Fig. 1 The functional principle of an accounting machine operating according to the prior art,

Fig. 2 The functional principle of a first configuration of the accounting machine according to the invention, and

Fig. 3 The functional principle of an alternative accounting machine .

The figures symbolically show the accounting machine as A, the user as C, the bank system as B and the point-of-sale as V. The bank system can comprise one or more financial institutions. The transmitted data are shown in boxes on the arrows connecting the objects. The direction of the arrows indicates the direction of data flow.

The functional principle is described using the example of the purchase of goods by customer or user C at a retail outlet, which represents the point-of-sale.

In Step 1 of the known Paybox method, the retailer transmits data TI, comprising the transaction-dependent data and the mobile telephone number of user C, to Paybox. In Step 2, Paybox calls the mobile telephone of user C and transmits data Tl to user C. In order to confirm the transaction, user C must enter a PIN (T2) assigned to him by Paybox at the time of registration. Paybox then books the transaction to the user's account (not shown) .

In contrast, the accounting machine according to the invention works as follows (see Fig. 2) : card reader K for an EC card or credit card is connected to the retailer's cash register, which represents point-of-sale V. The points shown are networked by data links.

To initiate the transaction, the retailer slides a credit card through credit card reader K, which initiates the blank entry. This credit card is either given to him by the user, or he has one himself because he previously registered to use the accounting system according to the invention.

In a first step, the retailer's cash register transmits accounting data II to bank system B. Accounting data II at least contain the sum of money to be debited and a code for the point-of-sale, i.e. a bank sort code and account number or a terminal number. Based on the account number, the bank system identifies the data as being a blank entry that works by the method according to the invention and, in Step 2, forwards accounting data II from the bank system to accounting machine A.

Accounting machine A stores accounting data II in a buffer mem- ory and then waits for the telephone call from user C to confirm the entry. In Step 3, user C dials the telephone number of accounting machine A, which is free in this case, and transmits telephone number 13 of the mobile telephone to accounting machine A. Because user C's account information was assigned to the telephone number at the time of registration, accounting machine A need only receive the call from the customer to exchange the bank sort code and account number in the blank entry for the personal customer bank sort code and account number, so that accounting machine A can transmit personal customer entry 14 to the bank system in Step 4, and user C's account can be debited with the purchase data of the retailer.

Secure transmission media, such as SSL codes, are preferably used for transmission between the individual points.

Alternative accounting machine A shown in Fig. 3 differs from the one shown in Fig. 2 in that user C must enter a PIN on an input field P when the card data are read by card reader K. As the PIN is known only to user C, the ownership situation of the mobile telephone can thus also be checked using the existing infrastructure of EC card readers with PIN entry capability. In contrast to the known methods, this PIN is not linked to the card, but to the user's mobile telephone number. In this case, accounting machine A ensures that point-of-sale V considers the PIN to be the one belonging to the card, and concludes the transaction.

In order to conclude the transaction, the accounting machine can send the user a receipt, e.g. by SMS or e-mail. A receipt can also be sent to the retailer. The retailer preferably re- ceives the customary receipt of his point-of-sale (terminal) .

List of reference numbers

A Accounting machine

B Bank system

C User

V Point-of-sale

K Card reader

P PIN entry field

Claims

Patent claims

1. Accounting method for recording a transaction initiated by a user (C) at a transaction point (V) , in which the user (C) operates a mobile telephone that is identifiable by a telephone number associated with a user account, and in which the point-of-sale (V) transmits point-of-sale-related

(V) , transaction-dependent accounting data to an accounting point, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the ac- counting data are stored in the memory of the accounting point, and in that the accounting data can be confirmed by a call from the user to the accounting point and matched to the user's account by means of the telephone number.

2. Accounting method as per Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n h a t the accounting point transmits a time- dependent transaction code (enable code) to the mobile telephone of the user (C) , which is entered by the user on the transaction point to execute the transaction.

3. Accounting method as per Claim l or 2, c h a r a c t e ri s e d i n t h a t the accounting data are only saved in the memory for a certain length of time.

4. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t at least part of the accounting data is transmitted from the point-of-sale (V) to the accounting point by the user's mobile telephone.

5. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the transaction is completed (closed) , after the user (C) makes the call, once all accounting data have been transmitted.

6. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting data comprise a telephone number, on the basis of which the transaction point can be identified.

7. Accounting method as per Claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the telephone number represents product- specific features of a product involved in the transaction.

8. Accounting method as per Claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the telephone number represents technical system features of the point-of-sale.

9. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting data comprise a PIN entered by the user (C) .

10. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting data can be entered by a card reader (K) provided at the transaction point (V) for reading card data.

11. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting data are generated by pressing a button provided at the transaction point (V) .

12. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting point checks a blocking list and/or PIN number upon receiving the call from the user (C) .

13. Accounting method as per Claim 12, c h a r a c t e ri s e d i n t h a t the PIN number is entered with the mobile telephone.

14. Accounting method as per Claims 9 to 13, c h a r a ct e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting point combines the enable code and the PIN in a mathematical operation and only transmits the result of this operation to the user.

15. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the transaction point is designed as a vending machine, e.g. a cigarette or drinks vending machine or the like, on which the enable code for purchasing the goods is entered.

16. Accounting method as per one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t one or more enable codes are buffered in the transaction point and compared with the accounting machine at certain intervals.

17. Accounting method as per Claim 16, c h a r a c t e ri s e d i n t h a t the comparison with the accounting point can take place online or offline.

18. Accounting method as per one of Claims 6 to 17, c h a r- a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the telephone number displayed by the transaction point contains all or part of the last enable code used successfully at the transaction point .

19. Accounting machine (A) for recording a transaction initiated by a user (C) at a transaction point (V) , in which the user operates a mobile telephone that is identifiable by a telephone number associated with a user account, and in which the transaction point (V) transmits transaction- point-related and transaction-dependent accounting data to the accounting machine (A) , c h a r a ct e r i s e d i n t h a t the accounting data are stored in the memory of the accounting machine (A) , and in that the accounting data can be confirmed by the user's call to the accounting ma- chine and matched to the user's account by means of the telephone number.

20. Vending machine for operation with an accounting machine

(A) according to Claim 19, which has means for displaying a transaction code generated by it.

21. Vending machine for operation with an accounting machine

(A) according to Claim 19, which has means for transmitting the transaction code to the user's mobile telephone.

22. Computer program with program code means for performing all the steps according to Patent Claims 1 to 18 when the program is executed on a computer.