NL2016439B1 - A method, an object, a system and a computer program product. - Google Patents
A method, an object, a system and a computer program product. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2016439B1 NL2016439B1 NL2016439A NL2016439A NL2016439B1 NL 2016439 B1 NL2016439 B1 NL 2016439B1 NL 2016439 A NL2016439 A NL 2016439A NL 2016439 A NL2016439 A NL 2016439A NL 2016439 B1 NL2016439 B1 NL 2016439B1
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- communication device
- portable electronic
- electronic communication
- short
- distance
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
- H04B5/70—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
- G06Q20/3278—RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for performing a process. The method comprises the steps of providing a portable electronic communication device having a user interface and a short range connectivity, and preparing a process based on user-specified data that are received by the portable electronic communication device. Further, the method comprises the steps of subsequently checking whether a short range signal that has been transmitted by a short range transmitter provided on an object associated with the prepared process and that has been sensed by the portable electronic communication device has a signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold level, if the result of the checking step is positive, performing the prepared process by the portable electronic communication device.
Description
P111177NL00
Title: A method, an object, a system and a computer program product
The invention relates to a method for performing a process.
In practice several methods are known for supporting payment transactions to charitable institutions. However, such methods are typically digital based loosing any interaction with the usual, physical way of donating cash money in a physical item.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method supporting digital payment transactions while preserving a physical touch of donating. Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, a method for performing a process is provided, comprising the steps of: providing a portable electronic communication device having a user interface and a short range connectivity, preparing a process based on user-specified data that are received by the portable electronic communication device, subsequently checking whether a short range signal that has been transmitted by a short range transmitter provided on an object associated with the prepared process and that has been sensed by the portable electronic communication device has a signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold level, if the result of the checking step is positive, performing the prepared process by the portable electronic communication device.
By including a step of checking the signal strength of a short range signal transmitted by a transmitter on the object, the user is required to bring the communication device in a physical proximity to the object associated with the process, thereby preserving a relational gesture of offering money or otherwise visually indicating a personal relationship with the process associated with the object.
The invention also relates to an object. In addition, the invention relates to a system.
Further, the invention relates to a computer program product. A computer program product may comprise a set of computer executable instructions stored on a data carrier, such as a flash memory, a CD, a DVD or a cloud storage. The set of computer executable instructions, which allow a programmable computer to carry out the method as defined above, may also be available for downloading from a remote server, for example via the Internet, e.g. as an app. Instead of being run by the operator of the remote infrastructure network, the computer program can be executed in the accessible cloud location and offered back to the operator as a service.
Other advantageous options and embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.
By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a portable electronic communication device and a system for performing a process according to the invention; and
Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention.
The figures merely illustrate a preferred embodiment according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a portable electronic communication device 1 and a system 10 for performing a process according to the invention. In the shown embodiment, the portable electronic communication device 1 is a smartphone. However, the device 1 may also be implemented as a phablet or a small or medium sized tablet, or as another communication device such as a smartwatch.
The portable electronic communication device 1 is provided with a user interface such as a touch screen 2 and/or an alphanumeric keyboard, a short range connectivity device including a receiver 3 receiving short range wireless signals, and a processor 4 for performing tasks.
The system 10 for performing a process includes an object 12 associated with the process, the object 12 including a short range transmitter 14 for transmitting a short range signal Si. The shown object 14 is collection bag, but can also be implemented otherwise, e.g. as a collecting-box, collection basket, collection pot, offertory plate, offertory box or other item for collecting cash money such as a hat or another attribute of a street musician such as a reversed paper coffee cup. The object may be portable, semi-stationary or stationary. As an example, the collection basket may be placed on the ground, may be passed on or may be put or affixed to a supporting structure such as a post arranged in the pavement. The shown system 10 further includes another short range transmitter 16 transmitting another short range signal.S2 with identification data of a party associated with the object 12.
During operation, a user may specify an intended process by introducing user-specified data in the portable electronic communication device 1, preferably via the user interface 2. The intended process may include transmitting a message S3 to a server 20 processing a process related to a party associated with the above-mentioned object. The server 20 may be included in the above-mentioned system 10. The message S3 sent to the server 20 may relate to a payment transaction. Then, the server 20 might be arranged for processing a process of payment transactions to the party associated with the object 12, such as registering an automatic debit or payment authorization. As an example, the object 12 is associated with a charitable institution, a church, a non-profit organization such as the Ronald McDonald foundation or the KNRM foundation, or a private person. Further, the object 12 may be associated with a specific donation account.
In practice, the step of specifying an intended process may include entering an amount of money in the portable electronic communication device 1.
Then, the portable electronic communication device 1 checks whether a short range signal Si transmitted by the short range transmitter 14 provided on the object 12 associated with the prepared process and that has been sensed by the portable electronic communication device 1 has a signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold level. Generally, when the communication device 1 is in the proximity of the object 12, the short range receiver 3 of the communication device 1 will be able to receive the transmitted short range signal Si. In order to proceed with the intended process, the user may be expected to bring the communication device 1 in proximity with the object 12, thereby implementing a relational gesture of offering money or otherwise visually indicating a personal relationship with the process associated with the object 12.
If the result of the checking step is positive, the portable electronic communication device performs the prepared process, e.g. by transmitting a message S3 to the server 20.
Generally, short range wireless signals may travel from a few centimeters to several meters, up to circa 100 meter. Preferably, the short range signal is a Bluetooth (BT) signal, more preferably a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE or Bluetooth Smart) signal thereby more efficiently exploiting a source of energy such as a battery that may be provided in the object 12 to energize the short range transmitter 14. Obviously, when a BT or BLE signal is generated, the short range transmitter 14 on the object 12 is a BT transmitter element. It is noted that, theoretically, also other types of short range signals can be applied, e.g. Near Field Communication signals. However, generally, BT signals have the ability that they can be received by devices located at relative proximity, i.e. at a distance of several decimeters from the object.
Generally, the short range transmitter 14 on the object 12 may serve as a short range beacon transmitting short range signals Si to be picked up by portable electronic communication devices 1 brought in proximity to the object 12.
The short range signal Si can be sensed prior to, during or after the step of preparing a process based on user-specified data that are received by the portable electronic communication device 1. Advantageously, the prepared process is only performed if the sensed short range signal is above the predetermined threshold level. Then, the signal strength of the short range signal Si is above the predetermined threshold level if a distance between the portable electronic communication device 1 and the object 12 is smaller than a pre-defined wireless contact distance, while the signal strength of the received short range signal SI is below the predetermined threshold level if a distance between the portable electronic communication device 1 and the object 12 is larger than a pre-defined wireless contact distance. Since, generally the signal strength of the short range signal Si and the propagation distance are mutually correlated, a predefined wireless contact distance can be set by predetermining a threshold level that is equal to a signal strength that is received at said predefined wireless contact distance, thus enabling the prepared process to proceed if the communication device 1 is within the predefined wireless contact distance. As an example, the pre-defined distance is less than circa 1 meter, preferably circa several decimeters. Then, the signal strength of the received short range signal Si exceeds the predetermined threshold level only if the user of the communication device 1 brings the device 1 into proximity of the object 12, assuming an intended and desired activity of the user aiming to perform the intended process. As a result, it is counteracted that an unintended receipt of the short range signal Si achieved, and also an unintended proceeding of the intended process. On the other hand, the process will only be performed if the device 1 is brought closer than said predefined wireless contact distance. Said pre-defined contact distance can be several decimeters, such as circa 5 decimeter, or circa 3 decimeter. However, the pre-defined contact distance can be selected smaller, e.g. in the order of several centimeters, or larger, in the order of several meters.
Preferably, the predetermined threshold level is distinguishable but relatively close to a noise level, thus saving energy. As an example, the predetermined threshold level is an order of magnitude above the noise level. In practice, the predetermined threshold level can be set to 3dB, 6dB, 9dB or 12 dB above the noise level.
Further, in practice, the object 12 can be handed over by different users, each of the users individually preparing and performing the process by subsequently having the possibility to sense the generated short range signal SI as the object 12 is brought so close to the user that the user may bring the communication device 1 in proximity to the object 12.
In an advantageous embodiment, the checking step includes verifying whether an identification parameter of the sensed short range signal matches with data of the prepared process. Then, a chance is minimized that the user pays a charitable amount of money to an unintended donation account. As an example, the transmitted short range signal Si may include such an identification parameter. As an alternative, a short range communication connection is established between the object 12 and the communication device 1, and an identification parameter is transmitted using said connection.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the portable electronic communication device 1 receives another short range signal S2 from the another short range transmitter 16 with identification data of the party associated with the object 12. Then, a user of the portable electronic communication device 1 may be informed about the associated party and/or a single or a multiple number of donation purposes, prior to sensing the short range signal SI of the object 12.
In yet a further advantageous embodiment, the portable electronic device 1 is arranged for determining a geographical position of said device 1, e.g. by using GPS technology, and for linking the determined geographical position to the party associated with the object. Then, information about donation purposes may be retrieved from the server 20, and can be transmitted to the communication device as a message S4, e.g. via a wireless communication channel, e.g. Internet, Intranet etc.
It is noted that the steps of determining a geographical position and linking the said position to the party associated with the object can be performed as an alternative to receiving a signal from the another short range transmitter 16, or in addition thereto. Further, in principle, the system 10 can be provided without such another short range transmitter 16. Then, the portable electronic communication device 1 receives data about the party associated with the object 12 in another manner, e.g. by entering such information via the user interface 2.
As indicated above, the preparing step, the checking step and the performing step may be executed for different objects 12 provided with a respective short range transmitter 14, thereby enabling the user to perform multiple processes, e.g. multiple donations to different donation purposes.
Figure 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 100 according to the invention. The method 100 is used for performing a process, and comprises a step of providing 110 a portable electronic communication device having a user interface and a short range connectivity, a step of preparing 120 a process based on user-specified data that are received by the portable electronic communication device, a step of subsequently checking 130 whether a short range signal that has been transmitted by a short range transmitter provided on an object associated with the prepared process and that has been sensed by the portable electronic communication device has a signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold level, a step of performing 140 the prepared process by the portable electronic communication device if the result of the checking step is positive.
The method of performing a process can be facilitated using dedicated hardware structures, such as computer servers, e.g. a cloud-based server. Otherwise, the method can also at least partially be performed using a computer program product comprising instructions for causing a processor of a portable electronic communication device or another computer system to perform the above-mentioned steps. All (sub)steps can in principle be performed on a single processor. However, it is noted that at least one step can be performed on a separate processor. A processor can be loaded with a specific software module. Dedicated software modules can be provided, e.g. from the Internet.
The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.
These and other embodiments will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016439A NL2016439B1 (en) | 2016-03-15 | 2016-03-15 | A method, an object, a system and a computer program product. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016439A NL2016439B1 (en) | 2016-03-15 | 2016-03-15 | A method, an object, a system and a computer program product. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2016439B1 true NL2016439B1 (en) | 2017-10-02 |
Family
ID=56411849
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016439A NL2016439B1 (en) | 2016-03-15 | 2016-03-15 | A method, an object, a system and a computer program product. |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2016439B1 (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20090098825A1 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2009-04-16 | Heikki Huomo | Method and mobile terminal device including smartcard module and near field communications |
| US20100176948A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Duncan Garrett | Methds and systems for activating a proximity information device |
| GB2519284A (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-04-22 | Thomas Anthony Devlin | Charitable donation payment collection system |
-
2016
- 2016-03-15 NL NL2016439A patent/NL2016439B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20090098825A1 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2009-04-16 | Heikki Huomo | Method and mobile terminal device including smartcard module and near field communications |
| US20100176948A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Duncan Garrett | Methds and systems for activating a proximity information device |
| GB2519284A (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-04-22 | Thomas Anthony Devlin | Charitable donation payment collection system |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MM | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20190401 |