KR20000068838A - Method of, and system for, effecting cashless transactions and a device for use in such a system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for achieving a transaction that does not use cash, wherein the payment is a bidirectional pager having non-volatile storage means 56 comprising data such as currency units or credit card data required in the execution of the transaction. Is performed via a distributor of the device 12 including a point-to-point wireless transceiver. The currency unit is entered into the device by radio transmission and deducted at the point of sale. Credit card sales are accomplished by radio waves to the first station 10 connected to the appropriate database 18.

Description

METHOD OF, AND SYSTEM FOR, EFFECTING CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS AND A DEVICE FOR USE IN SUCH A SYSTEM}

European patent (EP-B-O 538 933) discloses information downloading from an insertable card to a pager memory. The information may include, for example, a prepaid credit unit consumed by the use of the pager on an hourly basis.

Smart cards are used in many applications, including making cash payments for prestored credit units. The smart card has an electrical contact paired with the corresponding contact in the card's recording / reading device, and the user selects the amount to be loaded electronically into the card's nonvolatile memory, considering that the user is always in credit. The card can then be used by the user to insert a smart card into the card reader and the operator to pay for a small transaction obtained by deducting the required cash amount from the nonvolatile memory of the smart card. While smart cards have proved valuable in many areas, especially in payments of cash transactions, users must always use more currency units or currency units to be deducted and use them in an appropriate recording / reading device for credit cards. There are disadvantages.

Payment by credit card may require a card to be presented by the user during a transaction or for a card number and expiration date to be given, for example, via a phone call. The merchant usually checks to obtain certification of the transaction involved.

The present invention relates to a method of achieving a cashless transaction, a system for achieving this, and an apparatus for use in such a system. The present invention has a special but non-exclusive application for achieving payment for goods and / or services by electronic transfer or credit transaction in currency units.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a temporary embodiment of a system made in accordance with the present invention.

2 shows a device in use.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate monetary transactions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a transaction that does not use cash in a transaction achieved via a distributor of a device comprising a point-to-point wireless transceiver having non-volatile storage means containing data required during execution of the transaction is achieved. A method is provided.

The data stored in the non-volatile storage means includes pre-stored currency units in which payment is deducted or credit card details in which payment is made as a credit card transaction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device having a point-to-point wireless transceiver and non-volatile storage means for storing a unit of value data that can be consumed during sale, and storing non-volatile by two-way wireless transactions or credit transactions. Cash comprising subtracting one or more units of amount data that can be consumed from those stored in the means to achieve payment, detailing the transaction at the first remote station, and storing the details of the transaction in non-volatile storage means A method of achieving a transaction that does not use is provided.

When the stored consumable amount data is deducted, the device can deliver a request message to the first station to refill the amount of money data that can be consumed in the non-volatile storage means, and the first station indicates that the request message is true. In response to the proof, the expendable amount data is delivered to the requesting device as a radio signal, which stores the consumable data in the non-volatile storage means. The request message may include a personal identification code of the user of the device.

If the required level of consumable money data stored in the non-volatile storage means can be monitored, the refill signal is automatically generated when the preselected threshold level is reached or below.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for achieving a cashless transaction comprising a device having point-to-point wireless transmission and reception means and non-volatile storage means containing data required during transaction execution. .

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a first station comprising means for connecting to a source of expendable money data and means for transmitting at least some expendable money data when the data is required; One or more second stations having receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by one station, non-volatile storage means having a storage area for consumable money data, and consumable received by the receiving means Delivering consumable amount data to non-volatile memory means, including means for transferring the amount data to non-volatile storage means, and means for changing the level of consumable amount data stored in non-volatile memory. A system is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use in achieving a cashless transaction, the apparatus comprising point-to-point wireless transmit and receive means and non-volatile storage means comprising data required during execution of the transaction. It includes.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second station for use in a system for delivering money data that can be consumed in non-volatile memory, the system comprising means for connecting to a source of data and required data. A first station having one or more second stations with means for transmitting the data, the second apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by the first station, a storage area for expendable money data Non-volatile storage means comprising: means for delivering the expendable amount data received by the receiving means to the non-volatile storage means, and for changing the level of the expendable amount data stored in the non-volatile storage means. Means;

Other aspects and auxiliary features of the invention are disclosed in the appended claims.

And a bidirectional pager having a non-volatile memory for storing expendable amount data such as currency unit and / or credit card details in a particular implementation of the device. The size of the pager is practically the same as a commercially available plastic smart card, but thicker, roughly the equivalent of six standard plastic cards. In other implementations the device may be the same size as the remote radio controlled electronic car door key. An advantage over the standard smart card of what can be termed a two-sided paging smart card is that in this case, expendable amount data, including currency units, can be written to the nonvolatile memory by the transmission of the appropriate wireless message at the first station. Can be. Optionally, deduction of currency units in nonvolatile memory may be effected by propagation. The transfer of currency units may be initiated by the user upon confirmation of the credit balance in non-volatile storage, or perhaps automatically achieved by the level of the monitored currency unit, the level reaching or falling below a preselected threshold. When dropped, the device automatically sends a request message to the responding first station by sending a full message to the device. As a supplement, the uplink message in the pager contains a Personal Identification Number (PIN) associated with the user, and the PIN, along with the pager's unique address, ensures that only the intended device receives the transmitted unit of call. It can provide the level of complement needed to

When using a device such as a credit card, the device is provided at the point of sale at which the details of the proposed sale or transaction are entered. For example, details of the credit card, such as the card number and expiration date, and the user's PIN, are passed to the first station relaying to the credit card center. At the center, it is checked that the amount to be charged does not exceed the credit limit of the user's account, and if not, the credit card center sends a transaction authorization via radio waves to the device via the first station. At the point of sale, the retailer is notified that the transaction is valid and immediately completes the sale. Conversely, the retailer is notified immediately because the user's credit limit has been reported to have been over, lost or stolen, so that if the proposed transaction is not accepted, such as an example in which the card is not valid, the sales transaction will not be completed as a result.

The device can be used to retrieve and display financial information over the display panel via a man / machine interface. The information may include a list of more recent transactions or a statement of the user account at a bank or credit card center.

The invention will be described with reference to the following figures by way of example.

The system shown in FIG. 1 comprises one or more fixedly positioned first stations 10 and a plurality of transportable devices, namely a second station 12, of which only one is shown in detail. The first station 10 includes an input interface 14 connected by a ground line 16 to an external database 18 which may include a bank and / or credit card center. Input information to the input interface 14 is encoded, optionally encrypted, and formatted within the stage 20 under the control of the controller 22. The data may be formatted according to a known type of paging signaling protocol, such as CCIR radio paging code 1 (also known as POCSAG). The address of the second station to which a message encoded according to the POCSAG protocol is to be sent is added in front of the message, and the addresses of all pagers operating on the system are stored in the address store 24. The encoded and formatted message is provided to the transmitter 26 from which it is propagated as a point-to-point downlink signal using an antenna 28 and an intervening diplexer 30.

Any uplink radio signal to the first station 10 is detected by the antenna 28 and transmitted by the deplexer 30 to the receiver 32. The received signal is demodulated and decoded at decoder 34. Such messages scheduled in the database 18 are provided to the database from an output interface 36 connected to the ground line 16.

The second station 12 includes an antenna 38 connected to the reception stage 40. The output of the receive stage 40 is connected to a decoder 42 which decodes and, if appropriate, encrypts the received signal and passes the output of the decoder to the microcontroller 44. The microcontroller 44 is operated in accordance with the program stored in the read only memory 46. The microcontroller 44 is via the display driver 48 of the LCD panel 50, the notification device represented by the speaker 52, the random access memory 54 for storing messages, and the transmitter 26. And an output coupled to a non-volatile storage 56 that stores consumable data and / or credit card numbers to be relayed from the database 18. The man / machine interface including the keypad 58 is connected to the microcontroller 44. A set of electrical contacts 60 for interfacing with the IRDA sensor and the card reader is connected to the microcontroller 44. The microcontroller 44 is coupled to a transmitter 62 having an output coupled to the antenna 38.

In the first mode of operation the second station behaves like a normal pager for alpha-numeric messages. Since this mode is well known in the art, it will not be described in detail, but for complete reference, the "CCIR radio-paging code # 1" issued by British Telecom, Wireless Paging Code Standardization Group, Secretary, Book "is used.

In the second mode the second station functions like a smart card and can store various information in the nonvolatile storage 56 for later use. The second station can operate as an electronic cash card, and the currency unit is loaded into the nonvolatile storage 56 by wireless transmission at the first station 10. By properly operating the keypad 58 in one device, the user can display on the LCD panel 50 the amount of cash he wishes to load in the non-volatile reservoir 56 for subsequent use. This can be accomplished by displaying various preset amounts and are selected by the user using the cursor. By selecting the amount, microcontroller 44 formats the request message and adds the user's PIN code. The request message is transmitted to the receiver 32 via the transmitter 62 as a point-to-point signal within the first station 10. The signal may be delivered as a pseudo random bit sequence. The message is decoded and the PIN number is verified against the PIN number associated with the address in address store 24. If it is confirmed that the request signal is a true message, the request is sent to the database 18 by the controller 22 using the output interface 36. The database 18 checks whether the user's bank account is in credit, and if it is in credit, authentication of the amount is sent to the input interface 14. The controller 22 takes a message indicating the amount of currency units to be written to the user along with the PIN number and adds the user's address. Encoder 20 formats the message data delivered to transmitter 26 for transmission as a point-to-point signal within the proper form of a POCSAG message to the second station.

The second station 12 is powered according to the battery-saving protocol of the paging system and, when receiving the transmission at the receiver 40, is decoded at the decoder 42 and the message is addressed to a particular second station. Is passed to the microcontroller 44 to check if it is verified and the PIN number is compared with the number assigned to the pager user as an additional security check. If the two are satisfactory, then the currency unit is passed to the nonvolatile storage 56.

The second station 12 can then be used as a smart card, and the deduction of the unit of call in the nonvolatile storage 56 can be performed wirelessly via radio waves or via an appropriate IRDA or smart card reading station. The payment is made while the number of units in the non-volatile storage 56 is reduced while electronically entering the currency unit at the provider of the goods or services.

When the number of currency units is low or missing, the user may assume that the user is in credit in the database 18 and request more currency units for the user's second station to be in credit. Since such an operation can cause a time delay that can be annoying for the user, the second station can be placed in auto-cash load mode. In this mode, the microcontroller monitors the number of currency units in the storage 56 and compares the number with a preselected threshold. When the number of call units drops to a value equal to or less than the threshold level, the microcontroller 44 formulates the request message sent to the first station 10 via the transmitter 62. As before, the message is decoded and acknowledged, and if the request is deemed to be true, the database is requested to release the predetermined number of call units to be written to the particular second station. By requesting the current balance using the keypad, the user can tell the number of currency units in the storage 56 and can also get the most recent transaction displayed anyway on the plate 50. The user can also request via the first station that the database 18 can grant access to the current state of the user's bank account. Such a message will require the use of a PIN code.

In the state of a user account that has been withdrawn and no longer given any credit, the database 18 invalidates the paging smart card and, at the second station, ensures that the microcontroller 44 has invalidated the paging smart card. Generating a message relayed via the first station to generate and transmit the message.

The paging smart card can be updated by taking it to the bank or sending a propagation message.

In the case of a lost or stolen second station, it will be disabled by the message as a radio wave sent by the first station 10 in accordance with the notification of the loss or theft.

When using the second station 12 as a credit card, the second station is presented at the point of sale at which the details of the proposed sale or transaction are entered. These details with details of the credit card, such as the card number and expiration date and the user's PIN, stored in the nonvolatile storage 56, may be used to relay the details to a database 18 that functions as a credit card center. 1 is transmitted to the station 10. A check is made to see if the amount to be billed in the database 18 does not exceed the user's credit limit of the user's account, and if not, the database 18 sends the transaction via radio to the device via the first station. Send authentication. At the point of sale, the retailer is notified that the transaction is valid and completes the sale. Conversely, if the proposed transaction is not authenticated, for example because the user's credit limit is over, or the card is reported as lost or stolen and is not valid, the retailer is immediately notified and consequently the sales transaction is not completed.

The second station 12 may also store details of all purchases made and the current standard credit limit. Such information may be displayed on the LCD plate 50 for the convenience of the user.

2 shows the second station 12 in the IRDA reader 64 at the point of sale. The remotely located first station 10 communicates with the second station by a point-to-point message. The database 18 is shown connected to the first station 10.

In addition, assuming that second station 12 is functioning as a loyalty card for supermarket 66, supermarket computer 68 is coupled to IRDA reader 64 and first station 10. Connection 70 to IRDA reader 64 may allow a computer to monitor a customer's purchases, award loyalty scores, and discount as appropriate. The supermarket 66 can inform all or selected customers of specific offers, new products, new or changed services, and others via a wireless link between the first and second stations, where the customers can receive goods by the uplink. The payment can be made either at the time of ordering or later, during the selection by credit card deduction or currency unit deduction.

For a user who purchases a travel ticket or theater ticket by phone or electronically, payment can be accomplished by radio wave without going to the place of sale and the proof of the transaction will be stored in a non-volatile storage.

By reading this specification, other changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications may include design, manufacture, and other features already known in the use and components of the data transmission apparatus, and may be used in place of or in addition to the features already described herein.

It can be used for methods and systems for achieving cash transactions in a non-cash manner.

Claims (17)

In a method for achieving a transaction that does not use cash, Payment is achieved via a distributor of a device comprising a point-to-point wireless transceiver having non-volatile storage means comprising data required for the execution of the transaction. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile means stores a currency unit that is deducted from a payment transaction. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile storage means stores credit card details, and the payment is accomplished as a credit card transaction. In a way to achieve cashless transactions, Presenting a device comprising a point-to-point wireless transceiver and non-volatile storage means for storing units of value data that can be consumed during sale; Achieving a payment by deduction of one or more expendable monetary units from stored in said non-volatile storage means by two-way wireless transaction or credit transaction; Relaying details of the transaction to a remote first station; and Storing details of the transaction in the non-volatile storage means. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the device sends a request message to the first station to refill the consumable amount data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, wherein the first station indicates that the request message is true. A cashless transaction, characterized in that it conveys the amount of data that can be consumed as a radio signal upon confirmation to the requesting device, the device storing the consumed data in the non-volatile storage means. How to achieve it. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the device monitors the level of the consumable money data of the non-volatile storage means, and automatically when the level reaches or is below a preselected threshold level. Sending a request message to the cashless transaction. In a system to achieve cashless transactions, Point-to-point wireless transmission and reception means, And a device having non-volatile storage means comprising data required for said execution of the transaction. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data comprises currency units, The system further comprises a first station having wireless transmitting and receiving means for delivering a unit of currency by point-to-point to the device via radio wave transmission. A system for delivering money data that can be consumed in non-volatile memory, A first station having means for connecting to the source of consumable money data and means for transmitting at least some of the consumable money data when needed; At least one second station having receiving means for receiving signals transmitted by the first station, Nonvolatile storage means having a storage area for said expendable amount of data; Means for conveying said expendable amount of money data received by said receiving means to said non-volatile storage means, and Means for changing said level of said expendable amount of data stored in said non-volatile memory. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, And said first station comprises receiving means for receiving signals transmitted by said second station. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the second station, Control means for controlling the operation of the apparatus; Display means for displaying data, and A man-machine that allows a user to enter a transmission request to the first station and to request the control means to display signals to be received or selected by the information currently stored in the non-volatile storage means and to be transmitted. And interfacing means for transferring data that can be consumed in non-volatile memory. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said means for monitoring said level of said expendable amount of money data currently in said non-volatile storage means comprises: responsive to a current level falling or lowering to a preselected minimum level; Generating a message to be delivered to the first station requesting that the level of the consumable amount data of the nonvolatile storage means be filled to the end. System for doing so. An apparatus for use in achieving a cashless transaction, Point-to-point wireless transmission and reception means, And non-volatile storage means comprising data required for the execution of the transaction. A first station having means for connecting to a source of data, and at least one second station having means for transferring the data when required, for delivering consumable money data to non-volatile memory. In a second station for use in the system, Receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by said first station, non-volatile storage means having a storage area for said expendable amount data, and said expendable amount data received by said receiving means. Means for delivering to said non-volatile storage means, and means for changing said level of said consumable money data stored in said non-volatile storage means. 15. The second station of claim 14, wherein said transmission means for transmitting a signal to said first station. 16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, further comprising: control means for controlling said operation of said apparatus, display means for displaying data, allowing a user to enter a transmission request at said first station, And a man machine interface means for requesting said control means for displaying on said display means a signal to be received or selected and transmitted by the information stored in the volatile storage means. 18. The non- volatile storage as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control means for monitoring the level of the consumable amount data currently in the non-volatile storage means, in response to the level falling or lowering to a preselected minimum level. Means for generating a message to be delivered to said first station requesting that said level of said expendable amount of data be filled to the end.