GB2523611A

GB2523611A - Transmission of information in a transaction system

Info

Publication number: GB2523611A
Application number: GB1415529.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Spragg
Original assignee: FIDELIS TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: FIDELIS TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-27
Filing date: 2014-09-02
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Also published as: GB201403473D0; GB201503090D0; GB201415529D0; GB2525293A

Abstract

A method of transmitting data to a communications device that has a touch screen, characterised by simulating human touch actions at a transmitter device for input via the touch screen of the communications device. The claimed invention relates to a method of carrying out a transaction, which may include use of a point of sale terminal, and an external server as well as communications device, which may be a touch interface mobile phone, and transmitter and the exchange of a token identifier code via the simulated touch action from the transmitter to the phone, tablet or other touch enabled communication device. The transmitter device may also include movement inertial sensors and light intensity or frequency sensors to detect the proximity of the communications device to initiate data transfer via a simulated touch event. The simulated touch may be enabled by conductive pads which are controlled by a microprocessor to mimic spatially and/or temporally separated touches of a human.

Description

Transmission of Information in a Transaction System

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting information in an transaction system for events such as sales, authentication procedures, entrance to public places] wherein a transaction may be initiated by the transfer of information into a user mobile communication device.

Background art

At point-of-sale transactions ("PoS"), typically at a retailer store, there needs to be mechanisms that facilitate transfer of data between the vendor's systems and the consumers' means of payment, in order to initiate payment and to provide authentication, thereby providing the retailer with security of payment. The most common form in which this is provided at present is by "Chip and pin" verified payments by credit card or debit card.

There are emerging methods of paying bills and making payments to individuals by use of a mobile phone, typically a smart phone. These require corresponding means whereby the vendors systems transfer data to and from the consumer's smart phone.

Additionally there are emerging processes for capturing loyalty data related to transactions at PoS. These benefit both retailer and consumer and now a great many consumers belong to loyalty schemes whereby rewards and notifications are transmitted to the consumer for redemption and event participation. These processes can be enacted at the same time as the payment processes in order to provide a seamless speedy transaction experience for retailer and consumer.

Current mechanisms for such data exchange are flawed in any or all of the following ways: * Fail to provide for authentication at a monetary level beyond any amount "stored" on the phone in a mobile wallet type application; * Fail to allow for 2-way communication between the phone and the retailers systems at PoS; * Fail to provide for adequate security of access to data being exchanged; * Fail to provide for sufficient speed of data transfer to allow the process to be enacted sufficiently quickly to satisfy retailers' needs for a good consumer experience on checkout.

A number of different mechanisms exist for transferring data in to, out of, and between consumer mobile communication devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and lap tops. These mechanisms generally rely on a specific hardware capability which is often updated regularly to keep pace with competing technology. Such mechanisms include: * OR codes -these require the use of an expensive scanner by the receiver and only allow one-way communication, hence can only provide verification in limited amounts.

* Near Field Communication ("NFC") -The main negative for NFC is the fact that only a minority of mobile devices support the technology, and that it is very expensive. It is designed for high speed applications, e.g. it is currently in use on low value "swipe" application where speed is the essence. Hence it cannot carry out higher value secure transaction processing.

* Bluetooth -Bluetooth 3 and earlier requires authentication between the communicating devices, and is therefore not suitable for arbitrary communication such as that required by a monetary transaction.

Bluetooth 4 offers a less stringent authentication process, but it is not precise enough in its measure of proximity to know for sure which device (in an environment where several devices are attempting to communicate) is the one attempting to instigate a transaction.

Universal consensus amongst manufactures of consumer electronic devices on a certain communication standard or technology is rare, and adoption of a single standard for data transmission at close proximity with or without authentication has therefore been slow (Near Field Communication is given as an example).

CA-A-2790387 describes a method of transmitting data into a touch sensor enabled smart phone using a transmitting apparatus that is pressed onto the touch sensitive screen of the smart phone. This transmitting apparatus is designed to simulate touch events on the touch screen, and thereby transfer a data packet comprising a unique ID code associated with the apparatus, a time stamp, and a piece of message data. US-A-2014/0043264 describes a method of transmitting data into a smart phone having a touch sensitive screen, using a transmitting apparatus that is pressed onto the screen of the smart phone and simulates touch events. This apparatus is designed to transfer information such as credit card information, password information, or other changeable unique identifiers.

A problem arises in the methods described in these references on account of the slow data transfer speed from the transmitting apparatus into the smart phone, which slows significantly a transaction.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for data communication via a touch screen of a mobile communication device, incorporated in a method and apparatus for transmitting information in an event transaction, such as a sales transaction.

Summary of invention

Embodiments of the invention employ a transmitter device for transmitting information to a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, the transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen.

The touch sensitive screen, or touch sensor, has become ubiquitous as a way to control many types of electronic devices, and has been adopted by most major manufacturers.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "mobile communication device", is intended to mean a portable user device, which includes a processor and a mechanism for coupling to a wireless mobile telecommunications system (20, 30, 40, etc), and includes but is not limited to smart phones, tablets and laptops, and includes an arrangement wherein a portable user device is enabled to communicate with to a local base station or router device by means S of any type of RF connection, for example WiFi, Bluetooth.

Embodiments may transmit data to any device equipped with a touch sensor regardless of manufacturer or generation, and may do so with or without the authentication process necessary in many wireless standards. Due to the relatively slow data transfer rate of such transmitter devices, embodiments provide a means of communicating a short token into a touch sensitive screen, which is transferred very quickly and can enable secure and fast transfer of much larger data packets via other means at the same time, hence avoiding any blockage to speedy transaction processing.

Embodiments of the invention provide: * Communication 2-way between the consumer's smart phone and the retailer's PoS systems; * Initiation of a payment from consumer to retailer driven by the information in the PoS systems; * Verification of the payment to the retailer at amounts not bounded by preloaded credit on the smart phone such as in mobile wallets; * Speed of transaction by use of a token transferred between smart phone and retailers system that enables fast authorised data between the retailers systems, bank or payment processor servers and the invention providers servers; * Transference and enablement of consumer loyalty data and reward at the same time.

For the purposes of the present invention, a "PoS system" is intended to include electronic PoS (EPoS), Automated Teller Machines (ATM), and like devices.

Embodiments provide a method of inputting data into any receiving mobile communication device equipped with a capacitive touch sensor by synthesising and/or modulating a signal that the touch sensor recognises as a touch event. Multiple inputs may be used with multi-touch sensors, and may be switched rapidly to transmit data as a stream of touches. The receiving device may be programmed to receive and interpret these touch signals, and does not need to be equipped with any new or unusual hardware. Embodiments may include: * a transmitter device having a source that provides similar capacitive qualities to that of a human touch, such that the touch sensor of a mobile device may register a touch when that source is coupled with a contact placed near, or in direct contact with said touch sensor; * a plurality of conductive pads to simultaneously come into near or direct contact with the touch sensor of the receiving device; * a rubberised or similar material to separate the conductive pads from the touch screen to prevent damage to the latter; * a plurality of mechanical relays or solid state switches to electrically couple each individual conductive pad to one or more electrical sources (as described below); * one or more computers or micro-controllers to individually toggle the plurality of the mechanical relays or solid state switches, together with handling any other tasks; * a set of instructions executed by the above computer or micro-controller to trigger a set of spatially and/or temporally separated touches on the receiving touch sensor in order to transmit an arbitrary token, * an app or piece of software running on the receiving mobile communication device to register and decode the touch events produced by the output device.

* the ability to transfer data back from the smart phone to the transmitter device using light intensity or colour variation at multiple points on the smart phone device, sensed by the multiple light intensity or colour sensors on the transmitter device.

Embodiments further provide a method by which a token system may be used to overcome the technical problem resulting from the relatively slow data transmission rate through the touch sensor when transferring data larger than a few bytes. In embodiments of the invention a token is generated, which may characterise the transaction, or is an arbitrary identifying code, and which is supplied to the transmitter device from the external server means. A token may be at maximum a 32 bit number.

There may be in addition to a small amount of other data to form the packet', for example a prefix code and some sort of error checking. The token may consist of a string of raw binary data, including -as an example -a shod prefix (for example a four bit binary string), a data packet (for example a 32 bit binary string), a CRC packet (for example a 16 bit binary string calculated from the aforementioned data string), and a short suffix (for example a four bit binary string). Alternative token structures will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In contrast, the sales transaction information would be very variable, but would be very much larger in terms of data bits, and may consist of basket information (item names, costs, barcode numbers, relevant offers, sell-by dates, expiry dates, nutritional information, sizes, weights, packaging information, similar items, quantities, etc.), general information about the retailer (retailer name, location, etc.), and any other general information (time, date, temperature, ambient noise level, etc. This token approach solves the problem with the above-mentioned references, where transmission speed is a direct function of the quantity of data transmitted. Embodiments decouple the relationship between the transmission speed and the quantity of data transmitted. Features of this method may include: * said transmitter device (pad device) able to output an arbitrary token, and optionally well as a unique identifier; * said transmitter device with a connection to a server or cloud service using a cellular (GPRS, 30, 40, etc.), WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, serial, or any similar connection; * said transmitter device collecting information or data which is considered S too large to transfer using the touch method; * a mobile communication device operative as a receiving device with a connection to a server or cloud service; * a server or cloud service designed to receive relevant transaction information, create an arbitrary token to earmark this information, and send the token back to said transmitter device; * said transmitter device transmitting said token to said receiving device via a touch sensitive screen; * said receiving device may receive and decode the above token via its touch sensor, query the server or cloud service with this token, and access the information relevant to the transaction.

For the purposes of the present specification, "external server means" is intended to refer to an external server or a cloud device or server.

Embodiments of the invention provide a method by which an implementation designed for use with a point of sale system may acquire information about the transaction in order to present the information to the user during the transaction, and to gather data about that user's transaction history.

Features of this aspect may include: * said transmitter device with one or more breakouts or interceptions between the physical connections between a point of sale (a till, or PoS) and the hardware peripherals connected to the PoS; * a set of instructions running on said transmitter device designed to read and decode the transaction information sent between the PoS and its connected peripherals; * said transmitter device with one or more wired or wireless connections to a PoS; * a PoS executing an app or piece of software designed to break out or intercept the data sent between the PoS and the drivers responsible for controlling the hardware peripherals connected to the PoS; * a PoS executing an app or piece of software designed to break out or intercept the data sent between the drivers responsible for controlling the hardware peripherals connected to the PoS and the physical or virtual corn ports (or equivalent) connected to the hardware; * a PoS executing an app or piece of software designed to collect the above collected data and forward it on to said transrnitter connected to the PoS via a wired or wireless connection; * a PoS executing an app or piece of software designed to receive instructions frorn said transmitter; * a PoS executing an app or piece of software designed to collect the above collected data and -with the addition of a wired or wireless connection to a server or cloud service -perforrn a token based transaction in place of the computer or micro controller described above. In this case the PoS would also use a wired or wireless connection to said transmitter with limited functionality in order to transmit the token to the touch sensitive screen of the receiving mobile cornrnunication device.

The present invention is not limited to sales transaction systems, but includes transaction systerns for other events, such as horne purchases, authentication systems, and entrance to public places.

In embodiments, a number of other features may be included: * said transmitter device may be fitted with a light intensity sensor to evaluate whether it is in close proximity to a device (touch-sensitive surfaces are often used in conjunction with screens that emit light), at which point it may begin transmitting.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with one or more light intensity sensors to provide a means for data to be communicated from the device back to the transmitter (touch-sensitive surfaces are often used in conjunction with screens that emit light at variable intensities).

* said transmitter device may be fitted with a light frequency sensor to evaluate whether it is in close proximity to a device (touch-sensitive surfaces are often used in conjunction with screens that emit light at variable frequencies), at which point it may begin transmitting.

Preferably, said transmitter device would be fitted with one or more light frequency sensors to provide a means for data to be communicated from the device back to the transmitter (touch-sensitive surfaces are often used in conjunction with screens that emit light at variable frequencies).

* said transmitter device may be fitted with an Inertial Measurement Unit to evaluate any characteristic gestures or events that indicate it is in close proximity to a device, at which point it may begin transmitting.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with an Inertial Measurement Unit to facilitate the generation of a shared key between the transmitter and IMU-enabled device based upon the shared orientation and/or motion of the transmitter and device, as the transmitter and device must be in contact for data to be transmitted.

* said transmitter device may be linked using a wireless or wired connection to the internet.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with a GPS capability.

* said transmitter device may have the ability to store data, either internally, or using a removable storage medium.

* the transmitter may be fitted with a Real Time Clock system to accurately record the date and time.

* the transmitter may use any or all of the above additions to produce a shared key with the device, which may be used to encrypt the data transmitted.

* said transmitter device may employ a rubberised or similar material on its contact surface to prevent it from sliding on the device surface during transmission.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with a means to sense the presence of a receiving device using a physical switch, an ultra-sonic proximity sensor, a radio-based proximity sensor, or any of the sensors mentioned above.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with a physical connector or series of contacts for charging the battery and/or data transfer. In the first case, contacts may serve multiple functions.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with a wireless induction charging circuit for wireless charging.

* said transmitter device may be fitted with means to a scavenge energy from the surroundings in order to increase battery life.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of transmitting information in an event transaction system, the method comprising: providing an event transaction means including a transmitter device, providing an external server means and providing a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, and said transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, the event transaction means providing event transaction information to said external server means, which returns to said event transaction means a token identifier related to said information, said transmitter device transmitting said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said mobile communication device via said touch sensitive screen, and said mobile communication device transmitting via a wireless connection said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said external server means, which returns an acknowledgement to said mobile communication device.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of transmitting information for a sales transaction system, the method comprising: providing a PoS system, providing a transmitter device, providing an external server means and providing a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, and said transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, the PoS system providing sales information to said transmitter device, which transmits said sales information to said external server means, which returns to said transmitter device a token identifier related to said information, said transmitter device transmitting said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said mobile communication device via said touch sensitive screen, and said mobile communication device transmitting via a wireless connection said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said external server means, which returns an acknowledgement to said mobile communication device.

The present invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the aforesaid methods.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows the basic method of initiating a touch event for a transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen; Figure 2 shows a schematic of the transmitter device in touch mode; Figure 3 shows a schematic of the transmitter device in non-touch mode; Figure 4 shows three possible electrical sources in the transmitter device; Figure 5 shows the footprint of a multi-contact transmitter when positioned on the receiving device, transmitting in symbol mode; Figure 6 shows the footprint of a multi-contact transmitter when positioned on a receiving smart phone device, transmitting in clock mode. The accompanying graph gives an example of the data and clock signals; Figure 7 shows a front view of a multi-contact transmitter device with multiple S light intensity sensors; Figure 8 shows a front view of a multi-contact transmitter with multiple light frequency sensors; Figure 9 presents an example of a way to detect a "tap" as the transmitter comes into contact with the receiving device; Figure 10 shows how the transmitter device and receiving device may produce a shared key based upon their shared orientation; Figure 11 shows an implementation of a wireless data connection from the transmitter device to a second receiving device or network; Figure 12 shows a schematic of an exemplary implementation of a transmitter device; Figure 13 shows an example schematic block diagram of a transmitter device; Figure 14 shows a preferred embodiment of the physical manifestation of the transmitter device; Figure 15 shows a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the transmitter device; and Figure 16 a schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of a method according to the invention, comprising a payment transaction system.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, these are schematic views illustrating the essential functionality of a transmitter device 6 for transmitting data to a receiving mobile communication device 5 (smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) having a touch sensitive screen 4 operating on a capacitive effect principle, by means of an array of electrical contacts 1 that may be selectively switched between energised and grounded conditions. The array of contacts 1 is physically positioned against the touch screen 4 in use. Device 5 includes an app which is arranged to detect and register touch events. The design of such app will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

In Figures 1 to 3, one or more contacts I are electrically connected via their respective electrical switches 2 to an electrical source 3. All contacts may use the same source, or multiple sources may be used for all or specific contacts. The electrical switches may take the form of physical switches or solid-state switches. When a particular switch is closed, the electrical characteristic of the source is propagated through to the respective contact, and with the contact positioned against the touch sensor 4 on the device 5 registers a touch event. When a particular switch is open, the electrical characteristics of the source are no-longer propagated through to the contact, and a touch event is no-longer registered. This binary signal may be modulated sequentially over time to transfer information.

The source 3 comprises a component that either simulates or propagates an electrical characteristic that the device recognises as a touch, and exhibits the same or similar electrical properties to that produced by a user to initiate a touch event. This constitutes the base functionality of a transmitter 6. There are a number of possible sources, including (Figure 4) the physical touch of a user 7 onto an external contact 8, a direct connection to earth 9, or a length of wire 10. In a possible implementation, a micro controller or computer may be used to individually control each switch to output meaningful data.

The electrical characteristic may be modulated in a number of different ways. A synchronous binary scheme may be used, where the receiver checks whether the transmitter is producing a touch on not at regular intervals, resulting in a string of bits. An asynchronous scheme may be used, where each element in the string may take a range of values depending on the duration of a touch or non-touch, which may then be converted into a string of bits.

A number of contacts may be used simultaneously to increase data throughput, or to increase reliability. Where the number of contacts is less than or equal to the maximum number of simultaneous touches readable by the device, each contact may represent a specific bit, allowing several bits to be transferred simultaneously. Where the number of contacts is greater than the maximum number of simultaneous touches readable by the device, the contacts may be arranged at predetermined positions over the bottom of the transmitter.

Data may then be transferred as symbols rather than individual bits, and then be converted into a string of bits. For transmission over a period of time, by respective switching of switches 3, that is dynamic transmission, one contact may also be used to provide a clock pulse 11, potentially simplifying asynchronous data transfer, and also increasing reliability.

A passive or non-dynamic transmitter may transmit a defined packet on a continuous loop. It may alternatively sleep and be woken up to begin transmitting by an external event -again on continuous loop -before returning to sleep after a time delay or second external event. A smart transmitter may employ either method to begin transmission, but would be capable of also receiving data from the device. This may be used to inform what data is outputted by the transmitter, or may be used to report on the success or failure of the transmission.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the transmitter may employ a light intensity sensor 12. This may be used to detect the proximity of a device that emits light in order to begin and/or terminate transmission. This may also be used to facilitate data transfer from the device back to the transmitter. For a device equipped with a visual screen, data may be modulated by altering the backlight intensity or by changing the colour of the screen below the estimated location of the light intensity sensor. Several light intensity sensors may be used at predetermined locations to increase throughput.

The transmitter may employ a light frequency sensor (colour sensor) 13.

This may be used to detect the proximity of a device that emits light in order to begin and/or terminate transmission. This may also be used to indicate to the transmitter the type or manufacturer of the device, as different devices may require different transmission schemes in terms of data transfer speed and maximum possible touches. This may finally be used to facilitate data transfer from the device back to the transmitter. For a device equipped with a visual screen, data may be modulated by altering the colour of the screen below the estimated location of the colour sensor. Several colour sensors may be used at predetermined locations to increase throughput.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the transmitter may include an Inertial Measurement Unit to measure and calculate its acceleration, velocity, displacement and orientation. This is achieved through the use of MEM5 accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer technology, along with appropriate algorithms to estimate the data required. Other technologies may also be used, such as a mercury tilt switch. This may be used to detect characteristic motions to initiate a response. For example, detection of the tap' as the transmitter comes into contact with the device may initiate transmission due to a peak 14 in acceleration 15. This may also be used to generate a shared key between the transmitter and the device based upon the shared orientation 16 of the transmitter and device during transmission.

Referring to Figure 11, the transmitter may include a wired or wireless connection to a second device 17 or network 18. This may allow a second device to control the transmitter. This may also provide the transmitter with a connection to a local network, or to the internet.

The above features may all be used alone or in conjunction with one another to produce a shared key between the transmitter and the device. This allows encryption of the transmitted data based upon the shared key.

As shown in Figure 13, the transmitter will typically consist of one or more contacts 1, physical or solid state switches for each contact, a micro controller 19, FPGA, logic circuit, or equivalent to control the switches, a battery with or without a battery charging circuit 21, a power management unit 22, some form of user input, some form of user feedback 23, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a light intensity sensor, a colour sensor, an external connector for recharging and connection to a computer 24, a wireless connection circuit or module, an electrical connection to ground, a contact for the user touch 25, a length of wire to synthesise a user touch, and a physical or ultrasonic sensor to detect the device proximity.

The transmitter may use a GPS capability to record and/or transmit its physical location when it is used, or otherwise.

As shown in Figure 12, a physical manifestation of the transmitter 6 may be as a small hand-held unit to be placed, held or pressed onto the touch-sensitive device to allow transmission. In this case the transmitter may bear a similar physical and practical resemblance to stamps used to apply ink markings, and stamps used to produce seal impressions. The user touch may be used as a source, and may be propagated using a conductive pad or knob 27 on the transmitter.

Alternatively and as preferred in one embodiment, the transmitter device may comprise as shown in Figure 14 an array of contacts on the top face 26 of a box-like device 28.

The transmitter device may be incorporated on the surface of a table, on a wall, in a car, or possibly within another device.

The transmitter device may use one or more photo voltaic cells to scavenge energy from ambient light, or from the light emitted by the device screen. It may also scavenge energy from any movement, including any vibration produced by the receiving device. This may be implemented using a piezo-electric component, or some equivalent.

Any external contacts on the device may be used to provide an electrical connection to perform the same function as an external USB connection (for example charging or data transfer).

The invention may be applied at PoS in a retailer store or similar (non-exhaustive), or at other such locations where verification and initiation of consumer payment to a vendor and gathering of reward and loyalty data takes place, together with consumers claiming benefits of reward or loyalty schemes at the same time.

Within the same period of transaction, or alternatively expressed as at check-out or similar, completion of the transaction to settle for goods or service purchased, the following objectives are achieved: * Verification of payment to settle for goods or services delivered is provided to the vendor.

* Initiation of payment from consumer to vendor is made.

* Provision of loyalty and reward benefits earned from the current transaction or at the vendor's initiative is made to the consumer or communicated.

* Loyalty and reward benefits earned previously are redeemed by the S consumer in settling the current transaction.

One or more transmitter devices are connected to one or more PoS systems/tills (or similar) of the vendor and appropriate connectivity with remote servers is established as described above.

To achieve objectives above, the following sequence occurs (in summary); * The consumer opens a pre-installed app on his/her smart phone.

* The PoS systems/tills of the vendor generate a draft bill for settlement of goods or services supplied (in the normal way for that vendor). This may include goods or services paid for in advance of delivery.

* The vendor opts for "TFC payment" or similar words, on the PoS systems/tills on instruction of the consumer.

* The consumer touches his/her smart phone onto the device and follows the instructions in the app on the smart phone in sequence.

* The displayed loyalty and rewards earned to date are claimed" by the consumer as instructed to the vendor to apply and a revised bill is automatically generated reflecting the benefits and rewards claimed.

* If all details of the transaction are satisfactory to the consumer then the consumer instructs payment to be effected by selecting the option so to do on the app on the smart phone.

* Loyalty and reward data resulting from the current transaction is collected and sent to the providers' servers for use in future payments and other uses to include notification to the consumer of promotions and rewards available.

The unique enablers of this invention to allow the objectives to be met in a very fast time period compared to existing alternative methods whilst also providing an attractive consumer experience are; * The use of touch field communication between the transmitter device and the smart phone; combined with * The sending of limited information between the smart phone and the transmitter device to enable fast communication of wider dynamic data in a secure manner via servers interfacing the smart phone and the transmitter device; combined with * The two-way communication process hence facilitated between the transmitter device and the smart phone; together with * Enabling software for the servers and device, together with an app written for the smart phone The above mode of operation is not viewed as the exclusive usage of the device and associated enablers. It could be provided at any suitable point where the objectives above are desired to be achieved.

Additional modes of operation include; * Connection and use of the device in a home environment, for example a home computer or TV.

* Connection and use of the device fixed into machines, for example vending machines * Connection and use of the device as a means for authentication, for example in a building or event entry system.

A number of possible use cases have been identified. In these cases, each transmitter may transmit a unique identifier. Software on the receiving device may use this unique identifier to time-stamp the device at a particular location at a particular time. Ultimately the transmitter could be used in public spaces to access location specific information (for example in an art gallery).

The transmitter device may also be used to instigate or verify a transaction. In this case the transmitter may send a unique identifier or a token code (valid for a short time) to the receiver device. This unique identifier may -possibly with some additional information -identify a vendor to the device in order to initiate a payment process. A token code may be generated by a remote server, and be used by the device to query the same server to authorise a transaction.

The transmitter device may be used to enable a consumer loyalty scheme, where transmitters with unique identifiers are used as stamps to be collected by software on the device.

It is expected that the transmitter device will be most widely used in conjunction with mobile devices equipped with capacitative touch screens (smart phones and tablets). These devices are able to provide feedback to the user in a number of ways. When used in conjunction with a transmitter, the device may provide the user with some indication of the progress and validity of the transmission. This may be in the form of a visual indicator on the screen, showing a progress bar, progress wheel or dynamic colour scheme to display progress, along with a visual indicator to announce success or failure. This may use any other visual indicators on the device, such as LEDs. This may also be in the form of a sonic indicator, evidencing transmission with a particular sound, and reporting on success or failure with a particular sound. This may finally be in the form of physical feedback, making use of a vibrator in the device.

In an exemplary example, a system to facilitate a monetary transaction and/or loyalty scheme based upon user smart phones may be implemented. In this case, a transmitter device (Fig. 15) may consist of a flat pad with a rubberised surface covering one or more conductive pads 29, a 3G/WiFi/Ethernet connection to the internet 30, one or more wired or wireless connections to a PoS 31, a simple or complex display 32, and a control computer 33. This may collect information about a transaction from a PoS 34 by intercepting -at a hardware or software level -the transmission of transaction information to and from the attached hardware peripherals (for example, a pole display 35, barcode reader, or receipt printer). Information about the payment process may also be gathered (for example, to indicate when the customer is ready to pay).

Referring to Figure 16, once the transaction data has been captured and the customer is ready to pay, the transmitter device 36 may send the transaction data to a server or cloud service 37, where a unique payment ID -20 -token may be generated and used to tag the information. This payment ID token may then be sent back to the transmitter device 36, and the transmitter device sends the payment ID token on to the customer's mobile device 38 via the touch screen when contact is made between the transmitter device and the mobile device. The mobile device may then query the server or cloud service 37 with this payment ID token in order to acquire information about the transaction.

The customer may then confirm or cancel the payment, and communicate this choice to the server or cloud service. At this point the server or cloud service may communicate with a third party payment processor 39 to check if the required funds are available, and -if so -request the transfer of funds. In another example, the mobile device or transmitter device may communicate with the third party server. The results of this process and the user choice may then be communicated back to the transmitter device, which may indicate directly -or via the PoS or -to the retailer whether the payment has been successful or not.

In another exemplary example, a similar system to that described above may be implemented, but with the difference that functions of the transmitter device computer are instead carried out by the PoS itself. In this case an internet connection provided by the PoS may be used in place of a 3GIWiFi/Ethernet connection on the device, and only one wired or wireless connection from the PoS to the transmitter device may be required for the required software on the PoS to control the payment ID token output by the TFC technology.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of transmitting information in an event transaction system, the method comprising: providing an event transaction means including a transmitter device, providing an external server means and providing a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, and said transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, the event transaction means providing event transaction information to said external server means, which returns to said event transaction means a token identifier related to said information, said transmitter device transmitting said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said mobile communication device via said touch sensitive screen, and said mobile communication device transmitting via a wireless connection said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said external server means, which returns an acknowledgement to said mobile communication device.
2. A method of transmitting information in a sales transaction system, the method comprising: providing a PoS system, providing a transmitter device, providing an external server means and providing a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, and said transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, the PoS system providing sales information to said transmitter device, which transmits said sales information to said external server means, which returns to said transmitter device a token identifier related to said information, said transmitter device transmitting said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said mobile communication device via said touch sensitive screen, and said mobile communication device transmitting via a wireless S connection said token identifier, or a version thereof, to said external server means, which returns an acknowledgement to said mobile communication device.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said acknowledgement includes information relating to said event or sale.
4. Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, comprising means for processing event transactions, comprising event transaction means, a transmitter device, a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen and a means for transmitting wireless information, and an external server means, said transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, said event transaction means being arranged to transmit event data to said external server means, said external server means being arranged to generate a token code identifying said transaction, and to transmit said token code to said event transaction means, said transmitter device being arranged to receive said token code, and to transmit said token code, or a version thereof, to said mobile communication device via said touch sensitive screen, and said mobile communication device including means for transmission of said token code, or a version thereof, to said external server means, and to receive an acknowledgement therefrom.
5. Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 2, comprising a transmitter device for transmitting information to a mobile communication device having a touch sensitive screen, the transmitter device including simulation means for creating a plurality of simulated touch events for sensing by said touch sensitive screen, the transmitter device including means for connection with a PoS system, and means for connection with an external server means, and processor means for controlling and coordinating operation of said simulation means, said means for connection with a PoS system, and said means for connection with an external server device.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said transmitter device includes means for receiving light signals from said mobile communication device, which are intensity or frequency modulated.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said transmitter device includes inertial measurement means,
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for generating an encryption code in dependence on the output of said inertial measurement means, when said transmitter device and mobile communication device are positioned for data exchange.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 8, including a GPS means.
1O.A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said token transmitted to said mobile communication device is an encrypted version thereof.
11.A method according to claim 10, wherein said encryption is generated by carried out by said transmitter device, based upon the orientation of said transmitter device and mobile communication device.
12.A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, 10, or 11, comprising said transmitter device detecting light signals from said mobile communication device to detect relative proximity and! or to receive data.