WO2001077862A2

WO2001077862A2 - Apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2001077862A2
Application number: PCT/GB2001/001368
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Bowerman; Jonathan Mark Kendrick; Michael Wigg
Original assignee: The Rok Group Of Companies Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-29
Filing date: 2001-03-29
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: GB0007558D0; WO2001077862A8; AU2001244317A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for effecting electronic transactions between an end user and a provider of goods or services against a cash payment made by the end user, which system comprises: a plurality of end user individual apparatuses, at each of which an end user can enter details of a transaction to be effected with a specified provider and can make payment by cash for that transaction; and means located at said end user apparatus for receiving and verifying a cash payment for a transaction to be effected and to store that payment securely to await collection by or on behalf of an operator of a server computer within the system in communication with the end user apparatus.

Description

TITLE: APPARATUS AND METHOD

The present invention relates to an apparatus and system, notably to an apparatus and system for accepting payment for goods and services and to a method for operating a payment service using the apparatus and system of the invention.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION:

Mobile phone operators often offer a service by which users can pre-pay for the calls they make, rather than operating a monthly credit and billing account. Such a pre-payment service reduces operating costs to the operator and provides the user with a simple means for monitoring his expenditure on using the mobile phone. A typical pre-payment system involves the purchase of a card for fixed denomination from an authorised distributor. This card carries a unique identification number which the user must then communicate to the telephone service provider in order to have the value of the card credited to his phone account held on a database by or on behalf of the phone service provider. This can be done either by telephone call to the provider, which requires the provider to provide a manned switch board to receive these calls and to enter the data into the provider's account system. Or the card can be validated using a data entry system via the user's handset. For the user, such a system requires that the user be able to purchase the necessary cards, and an authorised distributor's sales outlet may not be open or readily available to the user when the user needs to purchase such a card. For the distributor, such a system requires the distributor to hold a stock of the cards, usually for a number of different providers in order that the cards can be provided from stock to a purchaser. This requires the distributor to make a large investment in such stock. The system also relies at some stage in the manual entry of data either by the user or the switch board operator at the service provider.

It has been proposed in GB 2, 339, 635A to provide a system in which the user purchases a phone card from a distributor and the distributor enters details of the card and its value and of the credit card used to purchase the phone card at the point of sale terminal. This communicates this information to a central processing station which verifies the payment made with the credit card account provider and then notifies the phone service provider of the transaction. Such a system still requires the use of a credit or charge card to pay for the phone card and the traffic of information between the end user, the distributor and the phone provider.

There exists a need for a pre-payment system which is readily available to the user, but which does not impose extra costs and manpower requirements on the service provider or the distributor.

Other forms of electronic commerce exist in which a user provides details of his credit or charge card to a supplier of goods or services. The supplier debits the user's account with the card operator and despatches the goods or delivers the service for which the user has then paid. However, such transactions can only be achieved where the user has a credit or charge card account . The service is not available to those users who operate on a cash basis and it has been estimated that 45% of the population of the UK do not have or use a credit or charge card. Furthermore, many users are concerned at the potential fraudulent use of their account details when they give those details to third parties over whom they have no control and of whose integrity they have no knowledge. Such concerns mean that many potential end users of electronic commerce do not use the system and it has been estimated that 85% of the population of the UK do not avail themselves of electronic commerce.

We have devised a novel form of apparatus and system for accepting cash from a user and for carrying out electronic transactions which reduces the above problems.

In the system of the invention, payment is made at an end user apparatus which is open to public access and thus enables a user to make payments to the system at any time or location convenient to him. Furthermore, the system of the invention accepts payments to the end user apparatus by way of cask. This makes the system available to those hitherto denied access to electronic commerce. Since the payment is made by cash, problems of privacy and security in accessing confidential financial details of the end user during the validation of account details are reduced. This removes one of the major reservations that potential users have about using electronic commerce. Furthermore, since payment by cash obviates the need to verify the credit status of a bank or other account to which the payment needs to be debited, the system of the invention simplifies the operation of electronic commerce for the provider of the goods or services to the end user. Since all transactions are, effectively, made on a pre-paid basis, no credit is being made available to the end user, cash flow to the provider of the goods or services is enhanced and protected.

The payment and details of the transaction required are transmitted to a server computer serving the apparatus by means of a secure land line or other linkage so that details of the payment and card details are protected from access by third parties. The server computer then transmits details of the transaction and the payment to the provider of the service or goods, again by a secure land line or other linkage. Since the transaction passes through the server computer and not direct to the provider over a public access telephone line or via the internet, the transmissions between the end user apparatus and the server computer and between the server computer and the provider can be by way of dedicated linkages such as those used between banks which have a higher security level than public linkages.

By providing public access end user apparatus through which the user makes his payment, the user is freed from the need to purchase items from authorised distributors during the opening hours of that distribution outlet. The end user apparatus can be linked to a range of service providers, so that the apparatus has a wider range of potential users than apparatus tied to a specific service provider, increasing the impetus for an end user to adopt the system in preference to other systems for the payment of goods or services . By providing a high level of security in its communication linkages, the system addresses the concerns of providing details of a credit card or other payment means over public communication linkages. By routing all transactions through the server computer, the operator of that computer can generate user confidence in the integrity of the system thus addressing the concerns of fraudulent use of information provided to the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for effecting electronic transactions between an end user and a provider of goods or services against a cash payment made by the end user, which system comprises: a. a plurality of end user individual apparatuses, at each of which an end user can enter details of a transaction to be effected with a specified provider and makes payment by cash for that transaction; and b. means located at said end user apparatus for receiving and verifying a cash payment for a transaction to be effected and to store that payment securely to await collection by or on behalf of an operator of a server computer within the system in communication with the end user apparatus; and c. a server computer adapted to receive from the end user apparatus information confirming that a payment has been made by the end user at the end user apparatus and to relate that payment to a transaction which the end user wishes to effect, which server computer acts as an interface between the plurality of end user apparatuses and a plurality of provider computer systems operated by or on behalf of providers of the goods or services offered to the end user at the end user apparatus; and d. a first data communication linkage network between each of the end user apparatuses and the server computer whereby information relating to the transaction which an end user wishes to effect and the identification and verification of the payment made for that transaction is transmitted from the end user apparatus to the server commuter and confirmation that the transaction requested is being effected by the provider of the goods or services requested by the end user; and e. a plurality of provider computers operated by or on behalf of providers of goods or services which can be the subject of transactions requested at the end user apparatus, which provider computers are adapted to receive the information relating to a transaction and payment from the server computer, to process the transaction requested and to provide to the server computer verification of the implementation of the transaction by the relevant provider; and f . a second data communication linkage network between the server computer and the plurality of provider computers, whereby information relating to the transaction which an end user wishes to effect and the payment made for that transaction is transmitted from the server computer to the relevant provider computer and verification of the implementation of that transaction is transmitted to the server computer from that provider computer; and g. a mechanism at the end user apparatus for providing to the end user a receipt or other confirmation that the transaction requested has been effected or for providing the end user with a voucher to be redeemed against the goods or service to be provided to the end user by the specified provider against the payment made by that end user.

The term cash is used herein to denote coins and paper money as opposed to a machine readable credit or charge card which carries details of an account from which money may be withdrawn to fund a transaction. As stated above, one problem with existing electronic commerce systems is that they are design solely with the presentation of a credit or charge card as the source of payment and this inherently excludes some 45% of the UK population.

However, it is within the scope of the present invention for an end user to make a cash pre-payment to the system of the invention at an end user apparatus and to receive a card carrying in machine readable form information identifying the payment which has been made. The end user can then use that card as if it were cash to pay for goods or services using the system of the invention. In such an embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the end user apparatus be provided with a card reader or similar mechanism whereby the credit value of the card can be read at the end user apparatus to verify that payment for a transaction has been made.

Accordingly, from another aspect, the invention provides a system of the invention, characterised in that the end user apparatus provides to the end user a card carrying information as to payments made by that end user to the end user apparatus, which information may be used to verify payments to a provider of goods or services for that or a subsequent transaction requested by the end user at an end user apparatus.

It is also preferred that a second server computer be provided in the system of the invention, whose function is to act as an account manager computer to process information relating to the status of accounts of end users in response to payments made by them either into their account or from their account to a provider of goods or services.

Accordingly, from a further aspect, the invention provides a system of the invention, characterised in that a second computer, the accounts manager computer, is provided which is adapted to contain and process account details for individual end users in response to cash or other payments made by an end user through an end user apparatus or by other means and to provide funds by which transactions requested by that end user through an end user apparatus may be paid for. Once the end user has set up the initial account in the accounts manager computer, he can add further funds to the credit of his account either by way of further cash payments through an end user apparatus, or by way of charges against his credit or charge card.

The invention also provides end user apparatus for use in combination with a server computer in the system of the invention, which apparatus comprises in combination: a. a mechanism for receiving, identifying and verifying a payment presented to it by a user in the form of cash and for storing that payment securely; and b. an alpha numeric keypad or other information input means by which the user presenting the payment to the apparatus can identify the payment being made and the provider of goods or services to whom that payment is to be directed; and c. means for communicating the information about the payment and the goods or services required to a remote server computer; and d. a mechanism for providing to the user a receipt, voucher or other confirmation that the transaction requested has been effected against the payment made by the user; and e. a micro processor or other computer means to control the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention can be used to accept prepayment for a wide range of goods or services, for example rail tickets, theatre tickets, flowers etc. In this case, the apparatus will print or otherwise issue a receipt for the payment made. The user can then present that at the appropriate railway station, theatre or other location of the provider to whom the receipt relates to purchase the goods identified on the receipt. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus can print or otherwise issue a ticket or voucher for the goods or services purchased, for example a rail ticket. The user can then present this at the appropriate outlet of the provider to use the service or obtain the goods for which he has paid. However, it will be appreciated that the provider of the goods or services may deliver the goods or services at a later date, for example by delivery of goods to the home of the end user. In such cases, the receipt or voucher issued by the apparatus can serve as a delivery note and can identify the expected delivery date and serve as proof of purchase if delivery is not effected.

The end user apparatus may also be used to effect purely financial transactions, for example the payment of invoices from utility companies or to transfer funds from one account to another making use of the secure transmission links between the end user apparatus and the server computer and between the server and provider computers . Where the end user have opened an account with the accounts manager computer of the system, he may use the end user apparatus to top up his account to ensure that funds are available for a later purchase he wishes to make.

The end user apparatus thus provides a ready access point to a wide range of goods or services via a single payment point and such payment points can be located at a multiplicity of locations. The user can thus pre-pay for the goods or services at any time of the day or night without the need to go to the specific outlet of the provider. The goods or services may then be collected from an appropriate outlet of the provider at a time to suit the user, thus giving the user flexibility in purchasing goods and services. Since the apparatus of the invention can accept payment by way of cash, a user who does not have a credit card can avail himself of the benefits of the apparatus. This is not possible with many of the telephonic or electronic teller machine (ETM) type systems which can only operate on the use of a credit card. Furthermore, as described below, the apparatus can embody other functions, such as the issue and use of loyalty cards, which further promote the use of the system of the invention by users, thus enhancing the sale of goods and services through the apparatus.

However, the invention is of especial application in the pre-payment for mobile phone services and, for convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of this preferred application.

The end user apparatus will be essentially the same as required for the pre-payment for other types of goods and services, except that it incorporates a microprocessor or other computer system which has been programmed to identify to the user the range of providers of such services to the user so that the user may select the provider to whom the payment is to be directed and the telephone number or account to which the payment is to be credited; and a means for receiving and processing cash payments and for storing the cask within the apparatus awaiting collection of the cash by or on behalf of the operator of the system or the server computer. The apparatus of the invention is distinguished from a card swipe machine for making credit card payments for goods or services (an ETM type of machine) in that the microprocessor or computer controlling the operation of the apparatus of the invention is adapted: a. To accept a pre-payment by cash, not just credit cards ; b. The user selects the provider to whom the payment is to be made from a wide range of providers; and c. The user is required to identify to the apparatus of the invention the identity of the provider, the value of the pre-payment being made, and the goods or services to be provided against the pre-payment.

The apparatus makes use of many of the features of an electronic teller machine as used for the issue of cash to authorised users of the machine or for the making of credit card payments at retail or other providers of goods or services . Many components of the apparatus of the invention can be derived from components of such machines with little or no modification to render them suitable for present use .

Thus, the apparatus of the invention incorporates a mechanism for accepting a payment made to it. Such payment can be by means of a bank note and/or coins . The apparatus of the invention thus incorporates a conventional mechanism for receiving and identifying such bank notes or coins. Typically, such mechanisms will also incorporate mechanisms for verifying the validity of the bank note, for example by scanning for the metal strip present in the bank note, or by weighing each coin and measuring its diameter and identifying the denomination of the coin against a look up memory containing reference lists of acceptable combinations of the weight and diameter for a specific range of acceptable coins and the corresponding cash value of that coin.

The end user apparatus also incorporates a safe or other secure means for storing the cash it receives from end users in pre-payment of the transactions being effected through the end user apparatus . Such means can be of any suitable form and preferably incorporate some means of external access whereby the cash held within the secure means can be removed by a security guard or other authorised collection agent.

The apparatus preferably also incorporates a device for scanning the magnetic stripe, chip or other information storage device carried by a credit card presented to the apparatus to verify the holder of the card, the bank or other organisation to which the account held by the user relates and which is to be debited with the value of the pre-payment, and so on. Such scanning devices and information retrieval, handling and interpretation devices in the apparatus of the invention can be of conventional design and operation.

The term credit card is used herein to denote in general credit cards, direct debit cards and other cards, such as smart cards, which carry information about a bank, finance house or other account to which the transaction being carried out is to be debited. Such cards typically carry the information in a magnetically coded strip or ferromagnetic or other material which can be machine read by the scanning device within the apparatus of the invention. However, other forms of storage medium, for example imbedded electronic memory chips, can be used in the credit card, with appropriate scanning mechanisms in the apparatus of the invention. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of the use of a conventional credit card carrying information in a machine readable form in one or more stripes of a magnetic storage medium on a surface of the card. Such cards can be scanned using a conventional card scanner to derive information to be used in the operation of the apparatus of the invention, for example the identity of the user, details of the account to be charged with the transaction and any PIN or other unique identification number which the user may be required to enter via the alpha-numeric keyboard to verify the validity of the transaction.

As indicated above, the end user apparatus preferably incorporates a mechanism for enocoding and discharging a card carrying information relating to a pre-payment made by an end user where the end user has elected to open an account with the accounts manager computer of the system. Preferably, such a mechanism incorporates means for printing PIN numbers or other security codes on the cards or an information leaflet which accompanies the card it issues so that the card cannot be used until the account has been activated by the end user by quoting the security code to the accounts manager computer, for example by telephone or by keying that code into the alphanumeric key pad or other information input device of the end user apparatus.

The end user apparatus of the invention is provided with a mechanism by which the user can select or identify aspects of the transaction he wishes to make. Typically, such a mechanism will take the form of a key pad by which the user can key in the aspects he wishes to be used in the transaction. However, the mechanism could be a touch screen offering a progressively selective series of options from which the user selects from options presented on the screen, or a combination of both. Alternatively, other information input devices, for example speech recognition devices, can be used to enable the user to input information or make selections from options presented to him by the apparatus. Again, such mechanisms can be of conventional design, construction and operation. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a liquid crystal or other display device which presents selection options to a user and an alpha-numeric key pad by which the user makes his selection from the options presented and keys in other information if so requested.

The user is thus able to present cash or a credit card to the apparatus and to select or input information relating to the transaction which he wishes to carry out. Typically, such operations are carried out by the user and require no input or actions by the provider of the goods or services. The possibility of human error in keying in data about the user, the cash value of the transaction to be carried out, the account details of the user and the provider can thus be minimised since the majority of such information can be assembled for the transaction using machine reading of data held on the credit card and electronic handling and interpretation of that data and further data selectively provided by the user directly to the apparatus .

Amongst the data selections or input made the user will be the identity and possibly also the location of the provider of the goods or service required. The apparatus comprises a means by which the details of the transaction are communicated to the appropriate provider. However, in distinction from conventional systems for carrying out electronic transactions, the apparatus does not communicate directly with the service or goods provider. It communicates with the server computer which thus acts as an isolating interface between the end user and the provider of goods and services and provides a break in the communication between the user and the provider of the goods or services. Such a break enables communication between the end user apparatus and the server computer to be via secure linkages, for example dedicated land lines or secure radio wave communications. Alternatively, the communications can be encrypted which would not otherwise be feasible where information was being transmitted to a large number of potential recipients.

Such communication is typically via a data communication land line, for example a telephone line or optic fibre link, or via a radio, microwave or other wire-less transmitter. Other forms of communication can be used if desired. However, or convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a land line link between the apparatus and a bespoke or public service data transmission line to the server computer. Such communication may be to a server computer servicing a wide area. However, it will usually be preferred that the apparatus communicates with a local network hub server computer which then distributes the information from the apparatus to the data handling and storage system operated by the appropriate provider. In this way a- network of end user apparatuses within a given area can be linked to a local server who provides a franchised or local service for the providers in that area for collecting and forwarding transactions to them either directly, or more preferably via a central distribution server computer. In this way the necessary telecommunications linkages to the individual end user apparatuses can be simplified and made more secure by the use of dedicated land lines or other links which would not otherwise be feasible if each end user apparatus were to communicate directly with each of the potential providers. The operator of the local network can also provide the service of collecting cash from the end user apparatus on a regular basis and forwarding that to the appropriate provider according to the copy receipts held within the server computer. The end user apparatus incorporates a mechanism for printing a receipt for the payment made by the user. This mechanism may also be used to print a voucher or ticket for the goods or services purchased by the payment being made. Such printing is conveniently done by a hot foil or ink jet printer where the image printed can readily be varied from one print operation to another under the control of the microprocessor or other computer device controlling the operation of the end user apparatus of the invention. However, if desired a separate microprocessor can be provided to control the image and information printed onto the receipt or voucher. Such printers can be of conventional design and operation and can print monochrome or polychromatic images onto paper, plastic coated paper or other substrates drawn off a suitable storage reel or the like.

As indicated above, the end user apparatus of the invention may incorporate other features to enhance its appeal to the user. For example, the apparatus can incorporate a mechanism for encoding loyalty or discount cards with data relating to the user, issuing such a card to the user upon a first use of the end user apparatus and encoding further points or discount onto the card at subsequent transactions made by that user. Upon subsequent use of the end user apparatus, the user presents this second card to the apparatus, for example at a second reader/writer slot, and points or discount are coded onto the card according to the value of the transaction being made through the apparatus. Such cards and the points or discount given may relate to one or more specific providers or may relate to the use of the apparatus, regardless of the identity of the provider. As stated above, the operation of the apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor or other computer mechanism to integrate the various operations of the apparatus, to display the menus of options appropriate to the goods or services accessible through the apparatus and to respond to the information input by the user at the keyboard or touch screen. If desired more than one such micro- processor may be used, each controlling the operation of part of the apparatus or transaction. Such microprocessors can be of conventional design and can be controlled using software of any appropriate form.

The end user apparatus communicates information about the transaction requested by the end user and the payment made to the server computer. This computer may be of any suitable form and may comprise a network of linked computers as described above for a franchised operation. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the server computer to have processing cells devoted to specific providers to facilitate handling of transactions directed at providers to whom large numbers of transactions are directed. The term computer is therefore used herein to denote any single means for storing and handling data or networks or groupings of such means.

The server computer identifies the provider for the goods or services requested by the end user at the apparatus. This will usually be in response to data entered by the user at the apparatus as described above. However, the data can be entered in the form of a transaction number or other identification which the user has obtained from the provider in response to a previous enquiry, for example an Internet order for goods from the provider for which the user had not at the time offered payment. Thus, a user can browse the Internet to check on the availability or pricing of goods or services. He receives a transaction number when he places an order for the goods or services from a specific provider. However, if the user does not have a credit card, he will not be able to complete the purchase. He can then take the transaction number he has been given to an end user apparatus of the system of the invention, enter details thereof and make a cash payment at the apparatus against the transaction number. The transaction number may enable the server computer to identify the provider and to verify to the provider that payment has been made so as to complete the purchase of for the goods or services from the provider. Alternatively, the provider can issue the transaction number to both the end user and the server computer so that matching of the payment, the goods or services and the provider can be done electronically at the server computer.

The server computer is linked to the providers of services or goods which are offered to the user at the end user apparatus by secure linkages . Since the communications will be between two parties who frequently communicate, specific encryption and/or pass words may be applied to the communications in addition to the security of dedicated land lines, radio frequencies or other security measures applied to the communications links between the server and provider computers. It is thus possible to provide enhanced security to the communication between the server and provider computers and to incorporate firewalls and other security devices not normally available to end users. Furthermore, the security measures applied to one linkage can be radically different from those applied to other linkages. It will also be appreciated that the security measures applied to the communications linkages between the end user apparatus and the server computer can also be radically different from those used in the communications linkages between the server computer and the provider computers, further enhancing the overall security of the system.

It will be appreciated that the invention has been described above in terms of an end user accessing the system via a public access end user apparatus. However, the present invention includes the use of a user's personal computer or other access means for communicating with the server computer once the end user has made a pre- payment to the system at the end user apparatus and has opened a pre-paid account at the accounts manager computer. In which case some of the functions normally carried out electronically at the end user apparatus, for example scanning of the end users account card, may have to be carried out manually by the user inputting data via the keyboard of his computer. In such a case it may be desired that the end user obtain a transaction number from the server computer in return for the payment he makes and uses that transaction number to effect a transaction direct with the provider of the services or goods required. In such a case the communication linkage between the server computer and the provider computer is not direct as described previously, but is via the user himself and therefore under his direct control.

In a further variation of the system of the invention, a user can be put into communication with a search engine for the Internet via the server computer so that the end user can browse the Internet to establish prices and availability of goods or services where he has not selected a specific product or provider. The user can then identify the selected goods or services and the selected provider directly to the server computer whilst still on line to the server computer from the end user apparatus, for example by a link between the web site selected and the server computer. If desired, the end user apparatus can incorporate some form of meter for such a service which then incorporates a search charge into the price for the goods or services.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The system of the invention will now be described by way of illustration with respect to preferred embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying diagrammatic block diagrams in which Figure 1 illustrates a simple form of the system of the invention for pre-paying a mobile phone server; Figure 2 illustrates a system of the invention incorporating an accounts manager computer; and Figure 3 illustrates a system of the invention incorporating access to the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

The system of Figure 1 comprises an end user apparatus 1, for example housed in a kiosk or the like to provide a measure of weather protection and privacy to the end user during the effecting of a transaction. The apparatus 1 has a touch screen display 2, a data entry key pad 3, a cash insertion slot 4 for bank notes, a coin insertion bucket 5, a card reader slot 6 and a printed receipt/voucher output slot 7. These items are integrated using conventional techniques, equipment and software to provide a mechanism which accepts and identifies cash inserted into slot 4 or bucket 5 and feeds that to a secure box 8 which retains the cash secure until the box is opened by an authorised person. Details of the identity of the end user, the transaction he wishes to effect and the provider from whom he wishes to purchase goods or services are entered through key pad 3 or via touching of icons on the touch screen 2. This data is fed to a microprocessor 9 and transmitted by a secure land line 10, optionally after being encrypted, to the server computer 20.. The apparatus 1 also contains an ink jet or other suitable printing device 11 for printing receipts or other items which are discharged through output slot 7 and some means 12 for scanning coins and bank notes to determine their denomination and validity and thus assess the value of the payment being made. A plurality of such apparatuses 1 are connected by a network, for example the public telephone system or dedicated radio links or land lines, to a single server computer, which may itself be one of a network of server computers extending over a wide geographic area. For simplicity and security, it will usually be preferred to have a single server computer 20.

The server computer 20 is linked by suitable secure communications links 21 to a plurality of provider computers 30.

In operation, an end user enters information at an end user apparatus 1 via the key pad 3 or the touch screen 2 to identify himself, the goods or services he wishes to purchase and the provider from whom such goods or services are to be provided. He then pays the price required by the provider for those goods or services by inserting the appropriate bank notes and coins via slot 4 or bucket 5.

Verifier 12 verifies the validity of the notes and coins and identifies them through their size and weight using a look up table. Such a verifier and its operation are of conventional design, construction and operation. The cash is collected in secure box 8. The microprocessor 9 communicates all this information to server computer 20.

Server computer 20 then communicates the details of the transaction to the appropriate provider computer 30 which then responds to confirm that the transaction is being processed, for example by transmitting a transaction code number and issuing a suitable receipt. The server computer 20 verifies this to the end user apparatus 1 which then prints a suitable receipt, voucher or other transaction slip using printer 11. This issues through slot 7 and provides the end user with proof that the transaction has taken place. In the apparatus shown in Figure 2, there is provided an accounts manager computer 40 which operates alongside the server computer, although they may be geographically separated. The function of the accounts manager computer 40 is to administer pre-payments accounts for the end users against which the end users can make purchases of goods and services using an end user apparatus 1. In this case, the end user enters the appropriate data to indicate that he wishes to open a pre-payment account through the touch screen 2 and key pad 3. This information is passes by server computer 20 to the accounts manager computer 40, which generates the account number, security PIN number and other data. These are transmitted to the end user apparatus 1, usually via server computer 20, which then draws a plastic or other account card from a store 41, reads the number of that card and transmits that to the accounts manager computer 40 and then encodes the value of the credit in the account onto the card. The security PIN number is also printed, for example on a separate slip by printer 9 and issued through slot 7 when the new card is issued through slot 6 of the card reader/writer. The card represents money value, but for further security the account on the accounts manager computer 40 is not activated until the PIN number and card number are both keyed into the key pad 3 by the end user, either then or at a later date.

The end user can now use the card as if it were cash since the cash to open the account has already been pre-paid to the end user apparatus 1 and credited to the account in the account manager computer 40. To effect a transaction, the end user enters the details of the goods, services, provider and his card and PIN number as described above. He inserts the card into slot 6 and apparatus 1 verifies the account details and PIN number and that there is sufficient credit in the account to pay for the transaction to be effected. The transaction then proceeds as described above, except that the card reader re-codes the magnetic stripe or other machine readable memory carried by the card with the new credit balance in the card after the transaction has been completed. Such card reading and re-coding can be carried out using conventional equipment and software and additional security features can be provided, such as locking out of the account whilst the transaction takes place and delaying completion of the transaction until the transfer of funds from the account on the accounts manager computer 40 to the providers computer 30 has been completed and verified.

If the end user wishes to top up his account he can do this either by making a further cash payment via apparatus 1, or by transferring funds from a bank or other account using a credit or charge card inserted into slot 6.

In the systems described above, the end user has already identified the goods and services which he wishes to purchase. However,, we may not have identified these and the system of the invention can incorporate an Internet linkage as shown in Figure 3 which allows the end user to access and browse the Internet via end user apparatus 1, either directly through a telephone line 50, or via an Internet server computer 60 programmed to interface with the Internet and the accounts manager computer 40. If desired, the user can be charged a fee for the browsing time, either by way of a cash pre-payment or by way of a charge against his account with the account manager computer 40. Having identified the goods or services he requires, the end user can purchase these as described above. If desired, the server computer 20 can capture the data for the desired transaction directly from the Internet link which the end user has established or via the Internet transaction computer, so as to minimise user error in completing the transaction. If desired, as shown in Figure 3, the end user can establish the link to the Internet direct from his own computer and then direct the site on the Internet to communicate with the Internet server computer 60 to complete the transaction. In this case it will usually be necessary for the end user to have an established account with the accounts manager computer 40 so that the transaction can be funded direct from that account as if the end user were proffering cash to the provider. Hence, even though the transaction is made independently of the end user apparatus 1, the funds to permit such a transaction to take place have initially been provided by way of a cash pre-payment through an end user apparatus 1.

It will be appreciated that the end user may operate wholly via the Internet and with providers on the Internet who link to the accounts manager computer 40 to verify payment to them. However, it may also be appropriate for the transaction to take place with the provider computers 20 via the Internet computer 60, the accounts manager computer 40 and the server computer 20, with the end user inputting the request for the transaction to the system of the invention over the Internet.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A system for effecting electronic transactions between an end user and a provider of goods or services against a cash payment made by the end user, which system comprises: a. a plurality of end user individual apparatuses, at each of which an end user can enter details of a transaction to be effected with a specified provider and can make payment by cash for that transaction; and b. means located at said end user apparatus for receiving and verifying a cash payment for a transaction to be effected and to store that payment securely to await collection by or on behalf of an operator of a server computer within the system in communication with the end user apparatus; and c. a server computer adapted to receive from the end user apparatus information confirming that a payment has been made by the end user at the end user apparatus and to relate that payment to a transaction which the end user wishes to effect, which server computer acts as an interface between the plurality of end user apparatuses and a plurality of provider computer systems operated by providers of the goods or services offered to the end user at the end user apparatus; and d. a first data communication linkage network between each of the end user apparatuses and the server computer whereby information relating to the transaction which an end user wishes to effect and the identification and verification of the payment made for that transaction is transmitted from the end user apparatus to the server commuter and confirmation that the transaction requested is being effected by the provider of the goods or services requested by the end user; and e. a plurality of provider computers operated by or on behalf of providers of goods or services which can be the subject of transactions requested at the end user apparatus, which provider computers are adapted to receive the information relating to a transaction and payment from the server computer, to process the transaction requested and to provide to the server computer verification of the implementation of the transaction by the relevant provider; and f. a second data communication linkage network between the server computer and the plurality of provider computers, whereby information relating to the transaction which an end user wishes to effect and the payment made for that transaction is transmitted from the server computer to the relevant provider computer and verification of the implementation of that transaction is transmitted to the server computer from that provider computer; and g. a mechanism at the end user apparatus for providing to the end user a receipt or other confirmation that the transaction requested has been effected or for providing the end user with a voucher to be redeemed against the goods or service to be provided to the end user by the specified provider against the payment made by that end user.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a second computer, the accounts manager computer, is provided which is adapted to contain and process account details for individual end users in response to an initial cash payment made by an end user through the end user apparatus so as to provide funds by which transactions requested by that end user through an end user apparatus or otherwise may be paid for.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the end user apparatus provides to the end user a card carrying information as to payments made by that end user to the end user apparatus, which information may be used to verify payments to a provider of goods or services for that or a subsequent transaction requested by the end user.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end user apparatus can also accept payment from an end user for a transaction requested by that end user by way of a card carrying information in machine readable form relating to a bank, credit or other account from which payments may be extracted in response to a request from the end user presenting that card to the end user apparatus .

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that in addition to a card carrying information relating to the payment (s) made by an end user through the end user apparatus, the end user apparatus provides to the end user a security code which the end user must also provide to the end user apparatus when wishing to use the card to fund transactions .

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that one or more of the provider computers are accessed through the Internet and an Internet transaction server is provided through which the end user may effect transactions with the Internet provider once he has made a payment to the server computer or the accounts manager computer through an end user apparatus to open an account on the accounts manager computer.

7. An end user apparatus for use in combination with a server computer in the system of claim 1 , which comprises in combination: a. a mechanism for receiving, identifying and verifying a payment presented to it by a user in the form of cash and for storing that payment securely; and b. an alpha numeric keypad or other information input means by which the user presenting the payment to the apparatus can identify the payment being made and the provider of goods or services to whom that payment is to be directed; and c. means for communicating the information about the payment and the goods or services required to a remote server computer; and d. a mechanism for providing to the user a receipt, voucher or other confirmation that the transaction requested has been effected against the payment made by the user; and e. a micro processor or other computer means to control the operation of the apparatus.

8. A system or apparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 or 7 respectively, characterised in that the transaction to be effected is the purchase of telephone services.

9. A system or apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means for communicating information to the server computer is a data communication land line.

10. A method for effecting electronic transactions by an end user, characterised in that the end user enters information about the transaction required and makes payment for that transaction at an end user apparatus of a system or apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and receives a receipt, voucher or other confirmation that the transaction requested has been effected from that end user apparatus.

11. A system, apparatus or method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described.

2. A system, apparatus or method substantially as hereinbefore described with respect to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.