NL1006833C1 - Portable unit to transfer electronic cash - Google Patents

Abstract

Completely portable electronic transfers of cash amounts The payer and receiver insert their smart cards (6) into slots (5) in the housing (1) of the unit. They use the numeric keyboard (2), display (3) and function keys (4) to enter PIN numbers and amounts to make the transfer.

Description

Korle Designation: Systems for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card 5

Field of Invention The invention relates to systems which can exchange data and, in particular, electronic money between or with so-called chip cards.

Known such systems are currently currently mostly owned by companies and can be found in, for example, ehip ticket machines such as: charging points from banks, payment terminals at suppliers. These systems perform financial transactions with the aforementioned chip cards: money is loaded or unloaded.

The invention focuses on compact portable systems that are important with consumers and small suppliers.

Thaw the Tinding it becomes possible that these users, as with the current coin / banknote wallet, in each other's presence and third party intervention, can quickly and easily make cash electronic payments, as the important area of payments is with the other direct exchanges of data between consumers are also possible.

Backgrounds, State of the Art 30 - Chip cards are plastic cards in which an electronic component (chip) is included, of which on original; safe man n the information can be changed, edited and stored. On the outside of this card are electric gels, having 35 contacts for connecting the chip to the (each conical) outside world.

There are also cards with chips where contact with the electronic outside world could otherwise take place, for example via 1006 833 o radio signals (the so-called contactless cards). Other butt-munition techniques such as TufraRed-liebt are also conceivable.

This invention focuses in particular on chip quays with electrical contacts.

- On the surface, different chip card systems are very similar. The main shape is usually rectangular. The card thickness and card outer dimensions, the number of electrical contacts, their shape, dimensions and their position on a card 10 varies pei card system. Most cards are slid roughly half into a slot on peripherals. We refer to this retracted map section as a 'functional map section' because only this section is associated with the proper functioning of the map and peripheral equipment.

An important function of chip cards is the payment function.

The cardholder can load money on his card from a bank account accessible to him (by means of a personal PIN code) and spend this money in various ways (offload). No personal (PIN) code is required for this shipper.

In addition to electronic money, chip cards can also contain other information such as, for example, customer data for shops, points saved in savings transactions, etc. Different information types are stored in different memory domains, which are usually only accessible after authorization.

In the Netherlands, the Chipknip and the Chipper are well-known chip quays that are distributed in millions of numbers to customers of banks, among others.

A wide range of 'peripherals' is available for loading and unloading electronic money compared to chip cards.

For example, the card can be topped up at charging points such as ATMs or at home by telephone, linked to a 'pi .der. Chipper cards can also be topped up in public telephones.

Payment of money or other values can be effected at bettc: minals in shops, at parking machines, telephone booths, quay! Automat and so on.

1 EARficiQ

3. In addition to relatively 'fixed' chip card machines, there are also portable machines that are intended to collect money independent of place. These types of vending machines are generally used by professional acceptors such as waiters, shopkeepers, couriers, etc. This portable 5 equipment is currently not so small that it can be put in any pocket like a wallet. This equipment cannot give electronic money back to customers.

There are also so-called balance readers. This is peripheral equipment (for example in the form of a credit card-like box or 10 key fob) with the option of displaying information on a chip card (for example, the balance) via a display.

- The following are argued as advantages of the massive use of chip cards with payment function: 15 The payment sector for consumers. The card user no longer needs to exchange banknotes and coins to, for example, be able to park. He also no longer has to search for the right change when paying for purchases so that payments can be processed faster.

20 Convenience and cost reduction for acceptors (such as retailers). Payments become less physical (coins, bills) and more electronic and cashless with all the additional benefits in terms of handling, transport, security and costs.

An important advantage of chip cards over the so-called PIN-25 pass lies in the fact that a telephone connection need not be established for every transaction, but that a group of payments is transferred to the bank in one telephone contact.

- The money on the chip cards (according to the card-issuing 30 authorities), like the current coin / banknote money, is anonymous and untraceable. All that is required is a PIN code to withdraw the money from a bank account. To issue it from the card, neither the payer nor the recipient requires a PIN code. In that respect, the chip card with payment function 35 therefore resembles a real wallet with coin / banknote money.

- In practice, the major difference between currency / banknotes and electronic money on chip cards is that a 1006833 4 card owner cannot immediately transfer his electronic money to another card owner. Direct communication between chip cards is not possible.

This signaled possibility is a serious limitation in a serious comparison between the conventional and the electronic wallet.

In other words: The current chip card infrastructure limits payment transactions to bank <-> consumer and consumer <-> supplier transactions. Without the possibility of electronic payments 10 between individuals / consumers themselves, the currency / banknote system will have to remain.

- Systems that enable direct communication between at least 2 chip cards (with payment function) enable people to pay each other immediately and without the intervention of third parties or third-party systems. When enough people own or have such systems. it will no longer be necessary to maintain the conventional system of coins and notes.

20 Because private individuals will continue to feel the need to exchange money among themselves (such as second-hand purchases, lending small amounts of money, giving pocket money) for a long time to come, these systems will meet a need.

25 - The current systems for transactions with chip cards with payment function are mainly intended for professional merchants, they are not cheap to purchase. Important reasons for this are the relatively low print runs, additional technical facilities for security and data communication (modem).

30 So there is a financial barrier for many consumers to receive electronic money other than from their own bank account.

- This resulted in a product concept as follows: 35 A peripheral device contained in a compact, wallet-like housing containing the chip card (for example chipknip / chipper) of the owner, which is incorporated semi-permanently. The chip card is only removed from the housing when it has to function in a different environment, for example as a PIN card for payments between remote bank accounts. (A separate PIN card is more convenient and logical and not inconvenient.)

The peripheral device contains possibilities for reading and processing certain chip card data. It is also possible to exchange electronic money with the conventional chip card machines of banks / companies and with other chip cards of the same money system, whereby these chip cards in turn may or may not be located in another copy of the peripheral device.

10 In short, a product that turns the chip card into a real wallet with which private individuals can exchange electronic money with any party (and not just companies).

- Below are described some of the systems found in the patent literature that are relevant to the sketched concept. This is to clarify the novelty of the present invention.

WO 97/02548 Value Transfer System describes a system for the off-line transfer of electronic money between pairs of electronic wallets in the form of a chip card. It concerns a description of electronics and software with objectives in the field of security. This includes a portable terminal with a chip card for the retailer and an easily inserted and removable chip card from a consumer.

25 - EP 0708424 'Electronic Geldboerse' describes extensively a credit card-like box with electronic exchange functions. This fair has a display, a keyboard, an electronic memory, an operating system, a communication input and output. The application claims electrical connections in the form of an electric cable or a telephone line. A fast, direct and compact connection between 2 exchanges as in the present invention is neither mentioned nor claimed. The application does mention a PIN code to secure access to the stock exchanges.

EP 0662674 describes a box-like system intended as an interface for a chip card inserted in the system. The system is equipped with display, keyboard, contacts to a chip card inserted in the system and contacts to the 1006833 6. (electronic outside world) for communication with other terminals. Here too, the physical design of the external contacts is not further specified.

- TO 97/14121 describes a portable box-like system in which 5 chip cards with electrical contacts can be inserted. The system forms a kind of interface through which the chip card with electrical contacts can still communicate (radiographically) contactlessly with a terminal suitable for contactless communication.

WO 97/00500 'chip card read / write device' describes a portable box-like system including a chip card. Data on this chip card can only be read or deleted. Communication with the outside world can only be done with a standard connector plus cable.

15 - KL 1000352 'Electronic Payment System ...' describes an electronic payment system, emphasizing the possibility of working with multiple currencies. There is also a 'wallet', a device for managing the payment method (= chip card). This wallet is a housing 20 into which a chip card can be inserted. The wallet contains a display, keyboard, communication options with the chip card and any communication options (optical / electric acoustic etc.) to the payment stations (such as cash registers, not to other consumers).

EP 0768628 'an electronic cashless system' describes a chip card which includes a display and a keyboard. This card can only communicate by means of its electrical contact surfaces and does so with a Point of Sale Terminal that exchanges amounts offline with chip cards. The keys serve for entering a PIN code and for giving transaction orders.

35 Kadelen / Problems with the current State of Affairs

Summarizing the patent research above, it can be stated that: 1006833 7 - The idea of exchanging electronic money between at least 2 chip cards is not new, but that this idea has never been sufficiently elaborated into one. practical product for payments between consumers in particular.

5 - Patent application EP 0708424 'Electronic Geldboerse' most closely approximates the product concept we strive for, although the communication between exchanges / chip cards (by means of electric cables or telephone lines) outlined in this application is ambiguous, slow and inconvenient and leads 10 to less compact products.

- The other systems described above in the applications have: .. or no possibility of mutual communication between chip cards, 15 ..or a permanent (= non-temporary) connection between chip cards, .. or (as well as the 'Geldboerse') an impractical communication link.

20

The results of the invention - The invention relates to a new, simple and meaningful solution for the implementation of a communication connection for a system for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card, wherein this one chip card is semi-permanently in this system.

- This new connection makes it possible for 30 consumers to pay each other in an unambiguous way with electronic money, while charging and unloading in peripheral equipment of banks and suppliers takes place in ways that are already in use: .. Charging a chip card. , placed in a system 35 according to the invention, the current charging points go in the same way as it was a chip card.

1006833 8 .. The loading of a chip card, placed in a system according to the invention, at the current payment points is done in the same way as it was a chip card.

.. The exchange of money by two consumers, whereby both consumers use their chip card, placed in their system according to the invention, takes place as if the recipient were a supplier in possession of a portable payment terminal and as if the payer was a payer in possession of a chip card.

.. The exchange of money by 2 consumers x and y 10 whereby 1 consumer (x) has permanently placed his chip card in a system according to the invention and in which the other consumer (y) only has a chip card as described above. paragraph with the understanding that if consumer pays x to y (which is a new situation) consumer y will get this 15 transaction shown on the display of the system of x and y must approve this transaction (by means of an OK key on the system of x ).

With the introduction of this invention, the current system of chip cards (eg Chipknip / Chipper) will remain in use, but 20 new options will be added.

- The invention always aims to achieve a quick contact between chip cards and peripherals and between chip cards. This is possible because every connection is always the same physically: 25 'functional card section in slot'.

- The invention aims to enable a compact electronic wallet: no cables with connectors are required for a connection.

- The invention aims to realize a practical and handy electronic wallet: there are no cords with connectors that always have to be stored or that can be lost.

- The invention aims to enable a gradual market penetration of the electronic wallet: with a transaction between 2 consumers, the presence of 1 system is sufficient, so it is not immediately necessary that everyone has this peripheral from the beginning. People who work a lot with cash will be the first to purchase this device.

1006833 9 - The invention also aims to realize equipment that enables professional merchants (eg shopkeepers) to refund customers electronic money, for example when exchanging items.

5 - The invention also aims to make a cheap portable terminal possible for small companies, in which the terminal owner's chip card functions as money storage. The intended terminal can remain cheap due to the lack of all kinds of technology, such as modem and heavy security.

10 - In a broad sense, the invention aims to make possible a society in which all current payment options can be carried out by anyone electronically (and thus completely without coins / banknotes).

15 - the purpose of the invention is to enable direct cash payments by consumers between chip and chip cards (provided that cards are physically identical and software-linked).

20

Description of the invention

The invention will be explained with reference to the figures

Figure 1 gives a 3-dimensional impression of a simple implementation of a system according to the invention. This system is shown on the front and seen on the back.

Figure 2 gives a 3-dimensional impression of a more extensive implementation of a system according to the invention. The system is shown in 2 operating modes, both seen from the front. Figure 3 35 schematically pays off the components that make up a system according to the invention.

Figure 4 1006833 10 shows one above the other the functional part of a chip card (above) and the functional part of a cornice connection according to the invention, including the lines to the electronics, the latter also referred to as a dummy card.

Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show possible uses of the system according to the invention.

Figure 5a shows a temporary contact between a system according to the invention and another chip card. Figure 5b shows a temporary contact between 2 copies of a system according to the invention.

Figure 5c shows a temporary contact between a system according to the invention and a regular chip card machine for loading or unloading electronic money.

Figure 6a shows the display of a system message on a 1-line display, readable by user x Figure 6b shows the display of a system message on a 1-line display at a later time, readable by user y, which is opposite user x located.

Figure 1 gives an impression of a possible simple embodiment of the system. The system is shown seen on the front and seen on the back.

- In this case, the system looks like a small calculator on the outside. The owner's chip card is located in the housing (1). Visible on the front are a keyboard (2) for entering amounts and orders, for example, by the owner. In this case a 1 line display (3) shows numbers in numbers and messages in letters to both the owner and the other party.

The other party can communicate with the system by means of 3 keys (4): 0K = confirm the transaction proposed on the display, STOP = stop and? = request balance. These tests are almost standard in NTL. An arrow (see also further down) on the display indicates in which direction the money flow will run or have walked.

1006833 11. In the top side of the housing there is a slot (5) in which the other party holds his chip card or. can copy his system.

At the bottom of the housing is a protruding 5 part (6), functionally equal to the functional part of the chip card present in the housing and therefore to be called 'dummy card'. This part acts as the internal chip card and can be inserted into the slot of any suitable peripheral (for example to charge or pay money).

10

Figure 2 gives an impression of a more extensive embodiment of the system according to the invention.

This embodiment is largely the same as the simple embodiment of Figure 1. The system now looks more like a wallet and has more facilities.

After opening a cover (7), keyboards (2,4) and display (3) are visible. When closed, this cover protects keyboards and display. The lid also functions as a storage place for coins and banknotes, cards, receipts, etc. This lid can also be made very thin to only cover. A lid for storing items could then be located on the other side (8) of the housing.

The display is more luxurious and consists of 2 lines. The dummy card (6) is movable and in this case can be slid in and out of the housing 25 by means of button (9). A rotatable dummy card is also conceivable. There is a connector (10) for making a telephone connection. The energy supply of the system is provided by solar cells, for example placed under the display (3).

30

Components that may be present in a system according to the invention are schematically shown in Figure 3: a first chip card (11) belonging to the owner of the system and which is permanently incorporated in the housing (1) of the system and electrical contact makes an electrical contact set (12) with another chip card (13), owned by a counterparty, which, after being inserted into the slot (5) of the housing, makes electrical contact 1006833 12. with the electrical contact kit (14). Incidentally, this other chip card (13) can also be placed in a copy of the system, after which this copy can be inserted into the same slot (5) and can contact the contact set (14).

5 - electronics (15) for data input output to peripheral components, and for data processing and storage, peripheral components are: - 1 set of electrical contacts (12) for 2-way data transfer between the first chip card (11) and said 10 electronics (15).

- a second set of electrical contacts (14) for two-way data transfer between another chip card (13) and electronics (15) or for two-way data transfer between another instance of the system according to the invention, including the 15 other chip card (13) and said electronics (15) - a 3 rd set of electrical contacts (16), functionally identical to the electrical contacts of the chip cards (11, 13) placed on a dummy card (6) for data transfer between peripherals {*) and electronics (15). The dummy card is also suitable for communication with another copy of the system according to the invention (including another chip card (13).

- an input unit (17) for user commands from the system owner, such as a keyboard (2). One can also think of, for example, voice-controlled input of 25 commands.

- an input unit (18) for orders from the other party, for example a keyboard (4).

- an output unit (19) for displaying system information (eg balance, orders given, questions to users) such as a visual (alphanumeric) display (3).

The visual output unit can be read by the 2 parties (system owner and other party) simultaneously or alternately for 1 of the parties.

A synthetic voice as an output unit is also conceivable.

35 - an energy source (20) (e.g. battery, solar cell, heat couple) - an electric connector (10) for connecting the electronics to a telephone line (21). This can be used 1006833 13 for loading and unloading to a bank, for example, or for direct cash payments of purchases.

The components are connected in accordance with figure 3 to suitable electrical lines.

5

A chip card as drawn at the top of Figure 4 has a functional area (22), being in this case the entire area below the dotted line (23). Characteristics such as card thickness and dimensions and shape, and shape dimensions and positioning of the electrical contacts (16) determine whether a card can work well with the peripheral equipment.

Figure 4 shows at the bottom the aforementioned dummy card (6) according to the invention.

The dummy card according to the invention contains all those characteristics of the first chip card (11) that are required for proper functioning with the peripheral equipment. In addition, there are electrical lines (24) in the dummy card, which connect each electrical connection to the electronics (15) of the system.

The possible situations of use with a system according to the invention are shown in Figures 5a to 5c.

Figure 5a shows 2 copies (25,26) of the system according to the invention. In accordance with the current method of use of chip cards, the paying party (in this case system 26) slides the dummy card according to the arrow into the slot (5) of the receiving party's system. Owner and counterpart are opposite each other. The receiving party operates his system and orders that the amount of the paying party's chip card be debited. As with figure 5b, the paying party must respond to the proposed transaction by means of its 3 keys.

In this case, the paying party's system behaves completely passively, that is, this system behaves completely as if it were the built-in chip card. It is conceivable that the paying party can release access to his chip card by entering a PIN code prior to the transaction (inserting it). The display shows a 1 Π 0 R Q o o 14 during the transaction. arrow (27) visible which indicates in which direction the money flow is running.

After completion or termination of the transaction, both copies (25.26) can be taken apart.

5 - Figure 5b shows 1 system according to the invention (25) and 1 other chip card (13). This chip card is inserted into the contact slot (5) of the system according to the arrow. Owner and counterpart are opposite each other.

The owner of the system can now give 10 payment orders to or from his chip card via the keyboard. The other party sees on the display of the system what the intended action is and can respond to it by means of the 3 keys intended for him.

After completion or termination of the transaction, the other chip card is removed again.

Figure 5c shows the situation where a system according to the invention (25) according to the arrow is inserted into a regular loading or unloading point (28) (for example a charging point from a bank or a payment terminal from a supplier). The system behaves (possibly after release by means of a PIN code) as if it were the chip card (11) placed in the system according to the invention.

- It is obvious that the display of a system according to the invention is preferably small and inexpensive. In the current position, it often concerns LCD or LED displays. It has also been stated that 2 opposite parties must be informed (almost) simultaneously about the state of affairs, each with their own information.

To realize this with 1 display with 1 line of symbols, messages for the 2 parties can be shown alternately, with each message being readable for a short time.

Figure 6a shows a message for user x at time x.

Figure 6b shows a message for user y at a short time after y.

Many versions of alphanumeric symbols exist, consisting of point grids and / or segments, sometimes with a small angle of inclination. With almost each of these embodiments, it is possible to display alphanumeric symbols in the 2 user reading directions, even if the dots or. segments show a slight slope.

Figure 6c shows a 2-line display with each line targeting 1 user. If messages are more extensive and require 2 lines of 5, the alternate display of messages described above can also be applied here, but then with 2 lines.

- Because the system (in contrast to the regular system) has money transactions in 2 directions with the same peripherals, the system according to the invention is not always immediately clear in which direction a transaction is going. Therefore, a clear arrow-like symbol indicating this direction will have a calming effect during the transaction. This symbol is absent if no transaction is in progress. Such an arrow can for example be included on the display, where it is built up by 15 points / segments or 'custom-made' is present on the display. Figures 5a and 5b show this arrow (27) on the display of a system according to the invention.

20 25 30 35 1006833

Claims (5)

System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that contact option A is situated at the top (5) of the system housing (1). Conclusion 4 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that contact option B is situated at the bottom (6) of the system housing (1). Conclusion 5 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that contact possibility B is included in a movable part (6) having a position in which it is located in or on the system housing (1), and also a position where it is outside the 20 system enclosure and can then be retracted into a peripheral (eg 28). Claim 6 Data transfer system to / from at least 1 chip card according to claims 1 and 5, wherein said moving part (6) is located in or on the system housing (1), characterized in that said moving part is the operating part (keyboards and display (2,3,4) in whole or in part 30 Conclusion 7 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that the system simultaneously at the same time only via 1 of the at least 2 contact options A and B with the electronic 1006833. Conclusion 8 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that when only 1 of the at least 2 contact options A and B is connected to the outside world, this contact automatically switches the working cornice channel Claim 9 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, wherein the comma unification via option A. It can possibly be unblocked by means of a PIN code, characterized in that, if the communication is via option A., the system has the option orn, in an integer manner, according to an accepted operating procedure, in both directions. electronic money or. exchange certain other data between the first chip card (11) and the other chip card (13). Claim 10 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card 20 according to claim 1, wherein the communication via option B. can optionally be unblocked by means of a PIN code, characterized in that, if the communication with the outside world is via possibility B. system behaves fully as if the above-mentioned first chip card (11), and the system can establish a complete 1 to 1 electrical connection between the first chip card (11) and communication connection B. (6,16) of the system. Conclusion 11 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that there are contact options C1 and optionally C2, C3, ... for communication between the system and chip cards according to systems / shapes / dimensions deviating from those of the above first chip cart (11) and other chip cards (13), these contact options being located at the top of the system enclosure. 1006833. Claim 12 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, wherein the display is wholly or partly alphanumeric and shows symbols 5 (numbers / letters / icons) in 1 or more lines, letters and numbers being composed of segments or grid points characterized in that: A. if the display can show 1 line of symbols, this one line 10 can be read alternately from one side (29) and the opposite side (30), B. simultaneously 1 half of the line (s) is readable from one side (29) and the other half of the line (s) is readable from 15 the opposite side (30), C. if the display can show 2 or more lines, at least 1 line is readable from 1 side (29) and at the same time read at least 1 line from the opposite side (30). Claim 13 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that the display can show at least 1 arrow-like symbol (27) 25 readable on both reading sides (29, 30), representing the direction of the ( intended or just realized) money transfer. Claim 14 Data transfer system to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to unblock the system use by means of a PIN code, characterized in that the first chip card (11) is encased in the system housing (1) after mounting. with a curing mass. Conclusion 15 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to unblock system use by means of a PIN code, characterized in that the 1006833 first chip card (11) is mounted in the system housing (1), after which this housing is closed by means of a one-off closure (such as one-off snap connections, one-off tightening screws). Claim 16 Data transfer system to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that during mounting in the system housing (1) on the functional part (22) of the chip card the first chip card (11) is mutilated such that the chip will continue to function properly in the system, but that the chip card can no longer cooperate with peripherals after it has been removed from the housing, for example because the card can no longer be inserted, for example because the said mutilation consists of a bend of or a mountain formation on the plastic part of the functional card part (22). Claim 17 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card 20 according to claim 1, characterized in that the system housing (1) also has facilities, for example a cover (7), for storing items as present in conventional wallets such as: other ( chip) cards, coins and banknotes, receipts, passport photos, keys. Conclusion 19 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware and software of the system offers the possibility to also use the system as eg clock / calendar, calculator, agenda. Claim 20 System for data transfer to / from at least 1 chip card according to claim 1, wherein this system comprises a first chip card 35, which is also provided on one side with a strip with magnetically stored information, characterized in that the system housing exposes the card part with said strip in such a way allow or allow the magnetic strip to pass through 1006833 and be readable by associated peripherals, which does not require removal of the first chip card from the system enclosure. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 1006 833