WO2013132304A1

WO2013132304A1 - Device and method for cashless shopping

Info

Publication number: WO2013132304A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/000311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter Gang
Original assignee: Rösler, Wolfgang
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2013-03-07
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: EP2823474A1; DE102012004346A1; DE112013001319A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for cashless payment of a product (2) by a customer. The product comes from a product group that comprises things, services, official services, in particular groceries or parking tickets. The system (1) has at least one mobile communications device (3) which is assigned to the customer and which comprises at least one transmission unit (4) for transmitting transaction data (5) that are relevant to the cashless payment process. The system (1) also has at least one automated machine (6) which the customer can access and which comprises an automated reception unit (7). The automated machine (6) is suitable for exchanging data with at least one automated database (8) that is spatially separated from the automated machine (6). The system (1) also has at least one customer database (9) which is spatially separated from the automated machine (6) and/or from the automated database (8) and which is suitable for exchanging data with the mobile communications device (3). At least one mobile telephone number of a mobile telephone network provider is assigned to the automated reception unit (7), whereby transaction data (5) that are relevant to the cashless payment process can be exchanged between the mobile communications device (3) and the automated reception unit (7). The transaction data (5) that are relevant to the cashless payment process can be exchanged partially or entirely with the automated database (8) and/or with the customer database (9) via the automated machine (6) such that the relevant transaction data (5) can be partially or entirely saved in the automated database (8) and/or in the customer database (9).

Description

Apparatus and method for cashless shopping

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for cashless payment of a product by a customer, the product originating from a product group comprising goods, services, official services, in particular food or parking tickets.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

A settlement system for electronic payments can be found in DE 200 23 263 U1. Accordingly, it is provided that the customer uses a short message service (SMS) with a mobile communication device, such as a mobile radio device, in order to thus

CCNFIRMATION COPV

information to a payment processing center. After the credit card information has been validated, the payment processing center sends a payment release to a cash register of a payment addressee. The disadvantage of this is a complex network for communication between the payment addressee and the customer, as well as the fact that comparatively many sensitive (customer) data are exchanged for each payment transaction.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention has the object to simplify generic systems for cashless payment.

This object is achieved by a system for cashless payment of a product by a customer according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the system according to claim 1 comprises at least one mobile communication device associated with the customer with at least one transmission unit for transmitting transaction data relevant for the cashless payment process. The association between the communication device and the customer may be that the communication device is registered with a mobile service provider under the name of the customer and his address data. The communication device can be a mobile device ("mobile phone"), or a communication-capable tablet PC, a smartphone or comparable, in particular portable, communication devices As a rule, these services are upgraded in monetary terms by transferring a sum of money from the customer to the mobile service provider in the form of a prepaid mobile service. The system according to the invention further comprises at least one customer-accessible machine with an automatic machine receiving unit. The machine may be, for example, a vending machine with which the customer can purchase drinks. It can also be provided a parking or parking ticket machine, with which the customer acquires fees for the provision of parking space, especially for motor vehicles. There are also stamp vending machines, cigarette vending machines, food vending machines, newspapers, golf balls and the like conceivable. The machine is suitable for data exchange with at least one machine database spatially separated from the machine. The vending machine database is preferably located at the vending machine operator. The database may include a storage medium for storing and / or reading electronic data and a computer for managing the electronic data.

The system according to the invention also comprises at least one customer database spatially separated from the machine and / or from the machine database, which is suitable for exchanging data with the mobile communication device. The customer database is preferably arranged at the mobile service provider, i. H. where the customer data and possibly the credit account for the mobile service are managed. The vending machine receiving unit is assigned at least one mobile radio number of a mobile service provider, whereby transaction data relevant for the cashless payment process can be exchanged between the mobile communication device and the vending machine receiving unit. The transaction data relevant for the cashless payment process can be partially or completely exchanged by the vending machine with the vending machine database and / or with the customer database in such a way that the relevant transaction data can be stored partially or completely in the vending machine database and / or in the customer database.

If the customer decides to buy the product which is offered in or on the machine, he sends by means of his communication device Trans- action data to the machine. This can be done, for example, by the fact that the data are first sent to the mobile service provider, from where they are forwarded to the receiving unit of the machine. The automaton transmits transaction data to the mobile operator's customer database, thereby allowing the purchase price of the product to be debited to the customer's account associated with the mobile number of the customer's communication device. The machine operator receives the purchase price for the product by exchanging transaction data between the customer database of the mobile service provider and the machine database of the machine operator. For example, a credit of the purchase price is made by the mobile service provider to the machine operator.

Optionally, the machine can be assigned several phone numbers, such as when the machine several different products are offered with particular different purchase prices. Each product can be assigned its own phone number. The customer can then make the product selection by selecting the appropriate phone number. For example, the machine could be assigned the numbers 0xxx-yyyyy-01, 0xxx-yyyyy-02, 0xxx-yyyyyy-98, 0xxx-yyyyyy-99, where x and y are placeholders for integers. With this set of telephone numbers, the customer could select the products with the identifiers or commodity codes 01, 02, .... 98, 99 by selecting the corresponding telephone number. The labeling of the products may be placed on the machine or on the product itself.

It can be advantageous if the automaton comprises an automaton transmitting unit and / or an automaton transmitting / receiving unit. Thus, the machine can not only receive transaction data from customers but he can also send them, for example, to a database. Preferably, a data exchange of relevant for the payment transaction data or part of this transaction data between the machine database and the customer database may be provided. It may then be appropriate for the vendor database and customer database to be part of a common database if and mobile service providers use a common database.

The data exchange of the transaction data between the mobile communication device and an automatic transceiver unit and / or between the automatic transceiver unit and further transceiver units is preferably bidirectional. The transceiver units may be assigned to the customer database and / or the vending machine database in particular in terms of information technology.

A special simplification of the payment process results when the exchange of transaction data between the mobile communication device and the machine-receiving device or the machine-transmitting device by using a short message service (SMS) takes place. An alternative message service may also be claimed, for example a multimedia messaging service (MMS). In this case, a standard for a digital mobile radio network can be used, for example a Groupe Special Mobile Standard (GSM) or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Standard (UMTS). The short message according to the Short Message Service (SMS) of the following information may include one or more of: mobile number of the machine receiving device (0xxx-yyyyyy-01, ...), mobile number of the mobile communication device (mobile phone number of the customer) , Product related information, in particular product name, product characteristic, number of products. The customer can send a text message or MMS or other message to the machine with a small amount of information which can be displayed very simply, whereby the SMS can contain a text which contains information about the product. If, for example, the machine number 0xxx-yyyyy-03 is selected as the destination number of the short message (SMS) in a parking ticket machine of a system according to the invention, and if the SMS contains, for example, the text "60", a parking ticket could be used for a parking zone with the designation "03" a parking period of 60 minutes become acquirable. In this way, products can be purchased at a machine with little effort.

The exchange of transaction data between the machine and other transceivers can be done via a data line or by radio. The exchange can take place before, during or after a data processing, in particular according to the EVA principle (input processing by a data processing system output, EVA). The data processes can use a Data Transformation Service (DTS) of a database. If the data exchange takes place via a data line, a telephone line or a network connection or local area network connection (LAN) can be provided. If the data exchange takes place by radio, a wireless LAN connection (Wireless LAN, WLAN) can be provided. It can also be a data exchange by using a short message service (Short Message Service, SMS or MMS) may be provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the automaton may comprise a data processing unit, which is preferably connected to the computer transceiver in terms of information technology. The transaction data transmitted by the mobile communication device can be processed by the data processing unit in terms of information technology so that it is compatible for further processing in the automaton database and / or in the customer database.

It may be advantageous with regard to the maintenance and regular filling of the machine by the machine operator, if the machine comprises a stock evaluation unit, with the product inventory is monitored, and which for the exchange of current product inventory data of the machine preferably via the machine transceiver compatible with the machine database. The inventory evaluation unit may be integrated in or connected to the data processing unit. As soon as the stock of one or more products offered with the machine is exhausted or soon to be used up the stock evaluation unit can notify the machine operator. The machine operator can then send his maintenance team to the machine, renewing the inventory of the products.

So that the customer receives the product after a successful cashless payment process, the machine may include an output device which releases the product for removal by the customer during the cashless payment process or after the cashless payment process. The dispensing unit may comprise a mechanism for releasing a product package or, if the product concerns a value ticket or a parking ticket, a device for producing the ticket or bill. This may include, for example, a paper printer and / or a paper dispenser.

So that the vending machine operator receives at least the purchase price of the product for the products cashlessly sold with the vending machine, a data exchange between the vending machine database and the customer database can take place after the cashless payment process or during the cashless payment process, such that the operator of the vending machine database is informed by the operator of the customer database Is credited with a monetary value equal to the sales value of one or more products or close to the sales value of one or more products. In the customer database, the product value or the sales price is assigned to the customer account that can be assigned to the transaction data in particular in terms of information technology, so that the customer account is at least charged with the sales price. It may be provided an additional burden about the amount of a fee for the cashless payment process. If the customer account includes a prepaid account, the prepaid credit will be deducted from the sales price and, if applicable, the sales charge. Otherwise, it can be provided that the customer receives an invoice from his mobile service provider via the cashless payment process. Once the invoice has been settled by the customer, this information is registered in the customer database. An advantage of the cashless payment process according to the invention is that the payment process requires no exchange of sensitive customer data. Only by sending an SMS, a payment process can be initiated and completed. If the mobile communication device of the customer is assigned to a prepaid account of the mobile service provider, there is no need to invoice for the purchase of the product at the machine. The purchase price will be charged to the prepaid account.

Various security measures can be provided to counter fraudulent abuse of the system according to the invention. For example, it may be provided that the cashless payment process requires an acknowledgment message from the customer through the exchange of short messages from the short message service (SMS). This is especially the case when the product is high-priced items such as electrical appliances, clothing accessories, watches or jewelry. Here, the customer could conclude the payment process by confirming a short message that was sent by the machine to his communication device.

It can also be provided that the automaton exchanges data with the customer database before completing the payment process, which shows what coverage the customer account has with the mobile service provider. Should the coverage be insufficient, the machine could indicate this to the customer by a note on a display in the machine or by the machine sending a short message to the customer's communication device. In both cases, the payment process would be aborted, so that neither the machine operator nor the mobile service provider a monetary loss.

It can also be provided that the mobile phone number of the customer initially requires an activation by the mobile service provider. A simplification of a cashless payment process is also achieved by a system according to claim 13, whereby the system according to claim 13 is of independent inventive importance. Accordingly, it is provided that the system comprises at least one mobile communication device assigned to the customer. The mobile communication device comprises at least one transmitting unit for transmitting transaction data relevant for the cashless payment process and a display device. In addition, the mobile communication device comprises a reading device for reading product information. The system further comprises at least one accessible to the customer, in particular portable, machine with a display. The automaton is preferably suitable for exchanging data with at least one automaton database, in particular spatially separated from the automaton.

At least one customer database arranged spatially separated from the automaton and / or from the automaton database is provided, which is suitable for data exchange with the mobile communication device and / or with the automaton. The display shows product information, in particular encrypted. The product information can be transmitted via the display via the reading device to the mobile communication device. The transaction data relevant to the cashless payment process are partially or completely exchangeable by the mobile communication device with the vending machine database and / or with the customer database in such a way that the relevant transaction data can be stored partially or completely in the vending machine database and / or in the customer database, in particular further processable.

It can be provided that the transaction data is processed by a data processing device of the mobile communication device by means of a data processing routine stored on the data processing device.

It may further be provided that the data processing routine includes application software for, in particular mobile, operating systems (App). The product information displayed by the display is preferably contained in a one- and / or two-dimensional image code. Here, a one-dimensional bar code or bar code can be provided or a two-dimensional image code, which is referred to as "QR Code" (Quick Response Code, QR code) depending on the production method , Codings of the information be provided.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the machine can be assigned a printing device with which a purchase confirmation, in particular on paper, can be printed. The purchase confirmation can be a receipt or a comparable receipt.

A further embodiment of the system provides that the machine comprises an automatic reading device, such as a digital camera. The transaction data can be processed in the customer database and / or in the automated database and / or in the data processing device for processed transaction data. The processed transaction data may differ from the (unprocessed) transaction data in that it contains additional information or changed information. Thus, the (unprocessed) transaction data may contain the information "no release acknowledged" while the processed transaction data contain the modified "release confirmed" information. But it can also be provided that the customer changes the purchase price data, for example, if a tip or a purchase price reduction is desired. Thus, the purchase price information of the (unprocessed) transaction data may include the purchase price information "P", while the purchase price information of the processed transaction data is "P" ', where: P is greater than P' or P is less than P '.

The processed transaction data can be transmitted to the mobile communication device and / or to the automaton. The processed transaction data can be displayed on the display device and / or on the display. You are from the Reading device and / or the automatic reading device readable. The processed transaction data contain at least confirmation information, whereby the payment process can be confirmed. The confirmation information can consist in that, for example, a financial transaction was initiated by the customer database. The confirmation information may have a different "sign" in that the information may be "Payment canceled due to shortage of the account assigned to the customer" or "Payment process is denied".

Preferably, confirmation information can be generated by the customer by means of a data processing routine stored on the data processing device. The routine may be associated with application software for, in particular, mobile communication devices referred to as an "application" or "app" for short. Confirmation information can preferably be generated by the customer database and / or the automation database.

It may be a virtual system for presentation respectively for sending and receiving or reading a paid product or a service provided. It can be paid amounts of any amount, a coupling to or a limitation by a PrePaid volume or by a PrePaid money account balance is optional but not mandatory. The settlement of the amounts or the purchase price is made by transactions of at least one financial institution or a pay company by bank transfer or direct debit. The required data and information are utilized and processed in the vending machine database and / or in the customer database. A validation of a financial transaction may be in the customer's mobile communication device and / or in the machine and / or in an associated database.

The presentation system or the presentation device (the automaton) has the ability to process the product or service, the price, the location, the seller and the time date by means of a data processing program in such a way that the data relevant for a legally binding course of a purchase transaction is available a picture code can be displayed. This data can optionally manually, for example, by the seller, be entered into the machine.

The generated image code may be, for example, a two-dimensional QR code. For a service or for a product, especially for a specific purchase transaction, exactly one image code is generated. The image code effectively forms a "fingerprint" for the transaction, and the image code is read, decoded and forwarded directly to a database through a corresponding program counterpart (for example, an "app"). The database may, for example, be associated with a financial institution, a mobile operator or a so-called pay company offering and distributing credit cards and related services.

The financial institution to which the database is assigned confirms the booking by additional information in the initially generated image code. This additional information is "counter-read" in the mobile communication device and / or in the automaton and, in particular, displayed visually or acoustically.

The receipt of the information or confirmation information from the seller, i. in the machine or a database associated with the machine completes the payment process. Optionally, for example, can be provided by the machine a paper printout as a receipt.

A simplification of a cashless payment process is also achieved by a machine according to claim 21, whereby the machine according to claim 21 is of independent inventive importance. The machine is suitable for cashless payment of a product by a customer or user. The product comes from a product group that includes goods, services, government services, especially food, parking tickets and catering services. The machine may be associated with a cashless payment system according to any one of claims 1 to 20. In or on the machine is at least one product and / or product information can be displayed and / or displayed for a customer.

The machine comprises a machine-reading device and / or a display and / or an automatic machine receiving unit, wherein the machine-receiving unit is suitable for receiving product-related transaction data, and wherein the machine, in particular via the machine-receiving unit, with an outside of the machine Anordbaren database information technology, in particular via a data interface, connectable.

Preferably, the machine-receiving unit is assigned at least one mobile number of a mobile service provider. The machine-receiving unit is suitable for receiving short messages of a short message service (Short Message Service, SMS or MMS). A data processing unit of the machine can be provided with which transactional data relevant to the payment process can be extracted and / or further processed from a short message of a short message service (SMS).

Incidentally, a simplification of a cashless payment process is achieved by using a receiving unit or a transmitting / receiving unit for communication data of a mobile communication device as an automatic receiving unit or as an automatic transmitting / receiving unit according to claim 24 and claim 25, respectively. Both uses are of independent inventive significance.

The use may be such that the machine has its own mobile communication device that allows "direct" communication with a customer. "Direct" in this context may mean that data is transmitted between the customer's mobile communication device via the customer database of the mobile service provider and the (transmitting) receiving unit of the machine are interchangeable, or that, for example via radio interfaces according to "Bluetooth" or WLAN data between the communication device and the machine are interchangeable.

Cashless payment of a product by a customer may also be facilitated by a method according to claim 26, which is of independent inventive significance. Accordingly, it is provided that for the cashless payment transaction relevant transaction data are sent from a customer associated with the mobile communication device with at least one transmitting unit. The transaction data relevant for the cashless payment process are received and further processed by an automatic machine receiving unit of a machine accessible to the customer. The machine-receiving unit is assigned at least one mobile phone number of a mobile service provider, so that the relevant for the cashless payment transaction data between the mobile communication device and the machine-receiving unit are directly exchanged.

It can be provided that transaction data is exchanged between the machine and at least one machine database arranged spatially separately from the machine, and / or that transaction data is exchanged between the machine and at least one customer database arranged spatially separate from the machine and / or from the machine database.

Preferably, a data exchange of relevant for the payment transaction data or a part of this transaction data between the machine database and the customer database is provided. Thus, in addition to the mobile phone number of the customer and / or a mobile phone number of the receiving unit of the machine, the transaction data may include such data that are product-related insofar as they include product type, product size, product number and / or product variant. It may therefore be expedient to separate a part of this data or to further process it in another way and to transmit this part of the transaction data to one of the databases. In order, for example, to confirm the payment process to the customer, it can be provided that the transaction data is exchanged bidirectionally between the mobile communication device and an automatic transceiver unit and / or between the automatic transceiver unit and further transceiver units. Preferably, the transaction data is exchanged between the mobile communication device and the machine-receiving unit or between an automatic transmitting unit and further transceiver units by using a short message service (SMS). The short message according to the short message service (SMS) may comprise one or more of the following information: mobile number of the machine-receiving device, mobile number of the mobile communication device and / or product-related information, in particular product name, product characteristic and / or product number.

The transaction data can be exchanged between the machine and other transceivers via a data line or by radio. The transaction data can be processed or processed in terms of information technology by a data processing unit of the machine in such a way that it can be further processed compatible in the machine database and / or in the customer database.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention can be provided that the product inventory in the machine is monitored in particular by means of a data processing unit, with current product inventory data of the machine are sent to the machine database.

With regard to payment transactions, it is expedient if, after the cashless payment process or during the cashless payment process, transaction data are exchanged between the vending machine database and the customer database, so that the operator of the vending machine database is credited by the operator of the customer database a monetary amount whose monetary value corresponds to the sales value of a or more than one product or nearly the same value of one or more products. The compensation of this credit to the mobile service provider is made by invoice or by the fact that the amount of money is charged to a customer account maintained at the mobile service provider.

Cashless payment of a product by a customer may also be facilitated by a method of cashless payment of a product by a customer according to claim 34, the method of claim 34 being of independent inventive importance. Accordingly, it is provided that product information is displayed by a display of a machine, and that product information and / or transaction data are encoded in a two- and / or three-dimensional image code and displayed on the display. The transaction data is read by a reading device of a mobile communication device. The transaction data is interchangeable between one or more of the set of devices including the vending machine, the mobile communication device, an automated database, and a customer database. Data processing of the transaction data into processed transaction data is provided in one or more devices from the group of devices comprising the automaton, the mobile communication device, a data processing device, an automaton database and a customer database. The processed transaction data contains at least confirmation information. The processed transaction data can be displayed on a display device of the mobile communication device. They are readable by a vending machine reading device, whereby the payment process can be confirmed and / or locked. A conclusion of the payment process may consist in the fact that the purchase price for the product was paid by the customer, in particular legally binding.

Cashless payment of a product by a customer may also be facilitated by use of a two- and / or three-dimensional image code according to claim 35, wherein the use according to claim 35 is of independent inventive significance. In use, it is therefore provided a two-dimensional and / or three-dimensional image code is used for transmitting product information and / or transaction data and / or processed transaction data in a method for cashless payment of a product by a customer.

The above-mentioned and the claimed components to be used according to the invention described in the exemplary embodiments are not subject to special conditions of size, shape, material selection and technical design, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be used without restriction

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims, as well as from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which - by way of example - an embodiment of a system for cashless payment is shown on a machine. Also, individual features of the claims or of the embodiments may be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the drawing show

Fig. 1 A / B A schematic representation of a system for cashless

Pay; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a system for cashless payment according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A schematic representation of a system for the cashless payment of products 2 can be taken from FIGS. 1A and 1B. The system 1 comprises a machine 6 in which products 2 can be arranged so that a customer can see them. The machine 6 is set up so that it is accessible to the customer. For example, the machine 6 can be set up in a publicly accessible location such as a train station or an airport terminal. The machine 6 could also be in a lobby of a hotel or in the accessible area of an authority. If the automatic machine 6 is a parking ticket machine or parking garage machine, it could also be in the area of parking spaces or on a road.

In the machine 6, at least one machine compartment 17 is arranged, in each of which a product 2 is arranged. The machine compartment 17 is provided with a window that allows the customer to look at the product 2. On the window or on the product 2, a commodity number may be arranged, which may be part of the transaction data 5 relevant for the cashless payment process.

Alternatively or additionally, a display 18 may be provided in the machine 6. On the display 18 relevant for the payment transaction data 5 can be displayed. The display 18 may be an electronic display, which may also display a commodity number if needed.

If the automatic machine 6 is a parking ticket or parking garage machine, the payment process can be carried out, for example, so that the customer can read information such as parking fees and mobile phone number of the machine 6 on the display 18. Then he sends with his mobile communication device 3 ("cell phone") a short message ("SMS") to the machine 6. The text content of the short message could, for example, contain information by the desired parking time can be determined. If the short message has, for example, the text "60", then a payment process is initiated when the short message is sent, in which a parking ticket with a parking period of 60 minutes is acquired. If the parking ticket machine is provided for different parking zones, the information relating to the parking zone selected by the customer can be transmitted to the machine 6 in various ways. Either the short message contains additional information in addition to the information regarding the parking duration (for example "60" for 60 minutes), for example "60-A", where the information "A" stands for the parking zone A. Alternatively, the parking zone (for example parking zone A In this case, the customer sends a short message ("SMS") with the parking time information ("60") to the mobile phone number of the machine 6 associated with the parking zone ("A").

If the automatic machine 6 is, for example, a drinks machine for hot and / or cold drinks, a similar procedure can be followed. Thus, one group of beverage products (for example "hot drinks") may be assigned a mobile phone number and another group (for example "cold drinks") a different mobile phone number. By means of different text contents of the short messages sent to the machine 6, the customer can, for example, make a selection with regard to the size of the cold drink. Thus, for example, a short message with the content "L" to the mobile phone number "0xxx-yyyyyy-1" could cause the customer to pay a large portion of coffee without cash, whereas a short message with the content "S" could be sent to the mobile phone number "Oxxxyyyyy- 2 "provides the customer with a small portion of lemonade (x and y are placeholders for integers).

The machine 6 comprises in particular for receiving the short message of the customer, an automatic machine receiving unit 7 (hardware), with the transaction data 5 can be received. The machine receiving unit 7 is associated with a mobile calling number of a mobile service provider (telephone company, network operator). The transaction data 5 are sent by a mobile communication device 3. The mobile communication device 3 may be a mobile device (mobile phone) or a smartphone. Preferably, such mobile devices are suitable, the a credit or prepaid account of a mobile associated with the service provider. According to FIG. 1B, the dispatch of the transaction data 5 relevant for the payment process can be effected such that this data 5 is first sent to a customer database 9 of a mobile service provider. The customer database 9 is preferably arranged at the mobile service provider, ie it is spatially separated from the communication device 3 and the machine 6. From the customer database 9, the data is sent to the machine-receiving device 7 of the machine 6, for example by radio. The data may be arranged in a short message service (Short Message Service, SMS) or formatted as a short message. The machine 6 can interrogate by means of a data processing unit 13 and a suitable data interface 16 the (prepaid) credit of the customer at the customer database 9 of the mobile service provider by data exchange. If the cover of the credit account is sufficient, the cashless payment process can be completed. The query of the credit information can be made via a data line 12.

Transmission standards such as the Groupe Special Mobile Standard (GSM), the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Standard (UMTS), the Data Transformation Services Standard (DTS) in conjunction with the Input Processing Issue Principle (EVA), or a Direct Exchange Uniform Communications Standard (DEX / UCS, Sales Data Exchange). Data can be exchanged over a Local Area Network (LAN) connection or over a wireless network connection (Wireless LAN, WLAN).

It is also possible to provide a known near-field wireless communication (English: Near Field Communication, NFC), in which case, for example, an NFC-compatible mobile radio device is expedient.

After completion of the payment process, the product 2 is released by the machine. The release can also consist in a validation of a service that the customer can use elsewhere, for example. Is it? If the product 2 is a matter, it can be removed from the customer after release by the automatic machine 6 from an output device 15.

Also after completion of the cashless payment transaction or during the transaction data relevant for the payment transaction between the customer database 9 and an automatic database 8 are exchanged. The exchange can take place via a data line 2, for example via a telephone or ISDN line. It can also be provided a data exchange via radio. In the data exchange, the mobile service provider notifies the vending machine operator and his vending machine database 8 via his customer database 9 that a customer with his mobile communication device 3 has purchased a product 2 at a retail price, whereby the mobile service provider transfers or credits the vending machine operator the selling price. At the same time, the selling price is debited to the (credit) account of the customer.

With the inventory evaluation unit 14, which may be assigned to the data processing unit 13 or integrated in the data processing unit 13, it is possible for the vending machine operator to remotely monitor the stock of products 2 in the vending machine 6 and, if necessary, to initiate the replenishment of the stock. Inventory monitoring can take place by means of telemetry, in which the machine 6 or the software installed thereon is acted on remotely on the machine 6 or on the data processing unit 13 of the machine. The inventory evaluation unit 14 transmits inventory data to the automaton database 8, for example in the case of telemetric action by the automaton operator. The inventory data can be transmitted via an automaton transceiver unit to the automaton database 8, for example by radio. It can also be provided a transmission of the inventory data via data line.

The data exchange between the customer database 9 and the vending machine 6 and / or between the customer database 9 and the vending machine database 8 can take place bidirectionally in accordance with FIG. 1B for a better detection of the goods and cash flow. With the invention, it is possible for the customer to acquire a product 2 cashless, provided he has a mobile communication device 3, but this is the case regularly. The entire payment and purchase process is simplified for the customer. Searching for small change is not necessary for the customer. There are further advantages for the machine operator: it is no longer necessary to have change in the machine 6 or to collect the money from the customer on a regular basis and bring it to the bank. This avoids possible damage to the machine 6 through attempted theft of money from the machine 6 or vandalism on the machine 6. It can also be the operation of the machine 6 cheaper, since maintenance operations are only required if the stock of products 2 is to be filled in the machine 6. The financial overhead compared to machines that do not work cashless, is relatively low, since a machine-receiving unit 7 in the electronics accessories is in principle available.

FIG. 2 shows a cashless payment system 1 according to an alternative embodiment, such as may be used in a gastronomic establishment, for example. The product may therefore be a hospitality service including the food and / or drinks offered. Seller is the restaurateur, customer is the guest, for example, selects food and / or drinks on the menu based on a menu and ordered from the restaurateur.

If the bill is to be paid for, for example, after consumption, (product information or transaction data relating to consumed food and / or drinks is displayed on a display 18 of a machine 6. The display preferably takes place in plain text 25 readable by the customer, ie in a readable language The automatic device 6 according to Fig. 2 may be a portable device with a wireless communication interface, alternatively or additionally an interface for communication with a cable may be provided. The transaction data 5 are encrypted by a software stored on the machine 6 in a picture code 24 (QR code). The image code 24 is also displayed on the display 8.

The machine can be assigned an automatic database 8, on which information about the products and / or the customers can be stored.

The transaction data 5 of the checkout are transmitted to the mobile communication device 3 of the customer by the fact that the image code 24 is detected by a reading device 19 of the mobile communication device 3. The mobile communication device 3 may be, for example, a smart phone with display device 20 and camera (reading device 19). By means of an application software for mobile communication devices 3 ("Application", in short "App"), which is arranged on a data processing device 21 of the mobile communication device 3, the transaction data 5 are decrypted according to the image code 24. The data 5 can be displayed on a display device 20 of the mobile communication device 3, so that the customer can check the transaction data 5.

The transaction data 5 may contain information concerning the product (food, drink, number or quantity, price information, date, location, etc.). If the customer agrees, he can confirm the transaction via the application software ("App").

By confirming, transaction data processed by the data processing device of the mobile communication device is generated. These are in particular sent by the transmitting unit 4 of the mobile communication device 3 to a database (8, 9), for example via a radio interface.

For example, the database may be the customer database 9 of a financial institution or a (credit card) bank. There the transaction data compared to information in the database. If the customer account has sufficient coverage, the transaction data is reprocessed and sent back to the mobile communication device 3 of the customer as processed transaction data 5 '.

With the application software ("App"), the customer can thereby approve the purchase and conclude that he again confirms the processed transaction data 5 'and transmits via the display device 20 of the communication device 3 to the machine 6. The transmission after release by the customer can by an automatic reading device 23 takes place, which reads the transaction data 5 '(and optionally encoded in a picture code) displayed by the display device 20. The machine signals to the seller that the payment process has been completed.

Finally, by appropriate measures of the operator of the customer database of the amount of money according to the customer's confirmed purchase on an account of the operator of the machine 6, d. H. of the seller, credited. For this purpose, a communication between the customer database 9 and the machine database 8 may be provided.

It can be provided that the machine 6 comprises a printing device 22, with a receipt for the purchase process is printable. The receipt can be given to the customer immediately after completing the cashless payment process.

Before the customer transmits the confirmed transaction data to the database 9, a change in the purchase price can be provided, for example with regard to a consideration of a tip. This purchase price change and the associated processing of the transaction data can be effected with the application software ("App"). The application software ("App") can for example be offered by the seller, the operator of the database 9 (financial institution, pay company, credit card provider, etc.) and made available to the customer via mobile download on the mobile communication device 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 system

2 product

3 communication device

4 transmission unit

5 transaction data

5 'processed transaction data

6 automat

7 vending machine receiving unit

8 machine database

9 customer database

10 automatic transmission unit

11 Transceiver unit

12 data line

13 data processing unit

14 Stock evaluation unit

15 output device

16 data interface

17 vending machine compartment

18 display

19 reading device

0 display device

1 data processing device 2 printing device

3 automatic reading device 4 picture code

5 plain text

Claims

A system (1) for cashless payment of a product (2) by a customer originating from a product group comprising goods, services, governmental services, in particular food, gastronomic services and parking tickets, the system (1) comprising at least one the customer associated with the mobile communication device (3) with at least one transmitting unit (4) for sending for the cashless payment transaction data (5), at least one accessible to the customer machine (6) with a machine receiving unit (7), wherein the machine (6) is suitable for data exchange with at least one automaton database (8) arranged spatially separated from the automaton (6), at least one customer database (9) spatially separated from the automaton (6) and / or from the automaton database (8) is suitable for data exchange with the mobile communication device (3), wherein the machine receiving unit (7) at least a mobile phone number of a mobile service provider is assigned, whereby for the cashless payment transaction relevant transaction data (5) between the mobile communication device (3) and the machine receiving unit (7) are interchangeable, and wherein the relevant for the cashless payment transaction data (5) by the Automatically (6) partially or completely with the machine database (8) and / or with the customer database (9) are so interchangeable that the relevant transaction data (5) partially or completely in the Automated database (8) and / or in the customer database (9) are stored.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the automaton (6) comprises an automatic transmission unit (10).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a data exchange of relevant for the payment transaction data (5) or part of this transaction data (5) between the machine database (8) and the customer database (9) is provided.

4. System (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the data exchange of the transaction data (5) between the mobile communication device (3) and an automatic transceiver unit (7, 10) and / or between the auto-transmitting Receiving unit (7, 10) and further transceiver units (11) is designed bidirectional.

5. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the exchange of the transaction data (5) between the mobile communication device (3) and the machine-receiving device (7) or the automatic transmitting device (10) by using a Short Message Service (SMS).

6. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein the short message according to the Short Message Service (SMS) of the following information includes one or more: mobile number of the machine receiving unit (7), mobile number of the mobile communication device (3), product related information , in particular product name, product characteristic, number of products.

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the exchange of the transaction data (5) between the machine (6) and further transceiver units (11) via a data line (12) or by radio takes place.

8. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the machine (6) comprises a data processing unit (13), which is preferably connected to the information technology machine with the machine transceiver unit (7, 10).

9. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein the from the mobile communication device (3) transmitted transaction data (5) from the data processing unit (13) are technically editable so that they for further processing in the machine database (8) and / or in the customer database (9) are compatible.

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the machine (6) comprises a stock evaluation unit (14), with the product inventory is monitored and which for the exchange of current product inventory data of the machine (6) preferably via the machine transmit Receiving unit (7, 10) with the automaton database (8) is suitable.

11. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the machine (6) comprises an output device (15) which releases the product (2) for removal by the customer during the cashless payment process or after the cashless payment process.

12. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein after the cashless payment process or during the cashless payment transaction, a data exchange between the machine database (8) and the customer database (9) is such that the operator of the machine database (8) of the customer database (9) is credited with a monetary amount whose monetary value is equal to the sales value of one or more products (2) or close to the sales value of one or more products (2).

System (1) for cashless payment of a product (2) by a customer originating from a product group comprising goods, services, governmental services, in particular foodstuffs .Park coupons and gastronomic services, the system (1) having at least one Customer associated with mobile communication device (3) with at least one transmitting unit (4) for sending transaction data relevant to the cashless payment transaction (5), with a display device (20) and with a reading device (19) for reading product information, at least one for the customer A machine (6) accessible, in particular portable, having a display (18), wherein the machine (6) is preferably suitable for data exchange with at least one automaton database (8) arranged spatially separate, in particular from the machine (6), at least one of the customer (6) and / or from the machine database (8) spatially separated customer database (9) which is suitable for data exchange with the mobile communication device (3) and / or with the automaton (6), the display (18) displaying product information, in particular encrypted, the product information being transmitted via the display (18) via the Reading device (19) to the mobile communication device (3) are transferable, and wherein the transaction data (5) relevant for the cashless payment process are partially or completely exchangeable by the mobile communication device (3) with the automaton database (8) and / or with the customer database (9) in such a way that the relevant transaction data (5) is partially or completely in the machine database (8) and / or in the customer database (9) can be stored, in particular weiterverarbeitbar are.

14. System (1) according to claim 13, wherein the transaction data are processed by a data processing device (21) of the mobile communication device (3) by means of a data processing device (21) stored data processing routine.

15. System (1) according to claim 14, wherein the data processing routine comprises an application software for, in particular mobile, operating systems (App).

16. System (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the product information displayed by the display (18) are contained in a one- and / or two-dimensional image code.

17. System (1) according to one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the automaton (6) is assigned a printing device (22) with which a purchase confirmation, in particular on paper, can be printed.

18. System (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the machine (6) comprises a machine-read device (23), wherein the transaction data (5) in the customer database and / or in the machine database (8) and / or in the data processing device (21) to be processed transaction data (5 ¹ ) are processable, wherein processed transaction data (5 ') to the mobile communication device (3) and / or to the machine (6) are transferable, wherein processed transaction data (5') on the display device (20) and / or on the display (18) can be displayed , and readable by the reading device (19) and / or the automatic reading device (23), the processed transaction data (5 ') containing at least confirmation information, whereby the payment process can be confirmed.

19. System (1) according to claim 18, wherein a confirmation information can be generated by the customer by means of a data processing device (21) stored data processing routine.

20. System (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein a confirmation information from the customer database (9) and / or the machine database (8) can be generated.

A vending machine (6) for cashless payment of a product (2) by a customer originating from a product group comprising goods, services, governmental services, in particular food, parking tickets and gastronomic services, in particular for a system (1) for Cashless payment according to one of Claims 1 to 20, in which at least one product (2) and / or product information for a customer can be displayed and / or displayed in or on the machine (6), and wherein the machine (6) is an automatic machine. Reading device (23) and / or a display (18) and / or a machine receiving unit (7), wherein the machine receiving unit (7) is adapted to receive product-related transaction data (5), and wherein the machine (6) , in particular via the machine-receiving unit (7), with an outside of the machine (6) can be arranged database (8, 9) information technology, in particular via a data interface (16), connectable.

22. Automat (6) according to claim 21, wherein the machine receiving unit (7) is associated with at least one mobile number of a mobile operator, and wherein the machine receiving unit (7) for receiving short messages of a short message service (SMS) is suitable ,

23. Automat (6) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein a data processing unit (13) is provided, with the from a short message of a short message service (Short Message Service, SMS) for the payment process relevant transaction data are extractable and / or further processed.

24. Use of a receiving unit for communication data of a mobile communication device (3) as a machine-receiving unit (7) for a system (1) or a machine (6) for cashless payment in or on the machine (6) represented products (2), in particular for a system according to one of claims 1 to 20 or for a machine (6) according to one of claims 21 to 23.

25. Use of a transceiver unit for communication data of a mobile communication device (3) as an automatic transceiver (7, 10) of a system (1) or a machine (6) for cashless payment in or on the machine (6) shown Products (2), in particular for a system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20 or for a machine (6) according to one of claims 21 to 23.

26. A method for cashless payment of a product by a customer originating from a product group comprising goods, services, governmental services, in particular food, gastronomic services and parking tickets, in which it is intended to that for the cashless payment transaction relevant transaction data are sent from a customer associated with the mobile communication device with at least one transmitting unit, that the relevant for the cashless payment transaction data from an automatic receiving unit of an accessible to the customer machine and further processed that the machine receiving unit at least one mobile phone number of a mobile service provider is assigned, so that the relevant for the cashless payment transaction data between the mobile communication device and the machine-receiving unit are directly exchanged.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein transaction data are exchanged between the automaton and at least one automaton database spatially separated from the automaton, and / or wherein transaction data are exchanged between the automaton and at least one customer database spatially separated from the automaton and / or from the automaton database become.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein transaction data between the mobile communication device and an automatic transceiver unit and / or between the machine transceiver unit and further transceiver units are preferably exchanged bidirectionally.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein transaction data between the mobile communication device and the machine-receiving unit or between a machine-transmitting unit and other transceiver units by using a short message service (SMS) are exchanged.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the short message according to the Short Message Service (SMS) of the following information comprises one or more: mobile number of the machine receiving device, mobile number of the mobile communication device, product related information, in particular product name, product characteristic, product number.

31. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein transaction data between the machine and other transceiver devices are exchanged via a data line or by radio.

32. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 31, wherein the product inventory in the machine is monitored in particular by means of a data processing unit, and wherein current product inventory data of the machine are sent to the machine database.

33. The method according to claim 26, wherein after the cashless payment process or during the cashless payment transaction, transaction data is exchanged between the vending machine database and the customer database, so that the operator of the vending machine database is credited by the operator of the customer database a monetary amount whose monetary value corresponds to Sales value of one or more products or close to the sales value of one or more products.

34. A method for cashless payment of a product by a customer originating from a product group comprising goods, services, governmental services, in particular food, parking tickets and gastronomic services, in which it is provided that product information is displayed by a display of a machine, in that product information and / or transaction data are encrypted in a two- and / or three-dimensional image code and displayed via the display that the transaction data is read by a reading device of a mobile communication device, that the transaction data is exchangeable between one or more devices from the group of devices comprising the automaton, the mobile communication device, an automaton database and a customer database, that data processing of the transaction data (5) to processed transaction data (5 ') is provided in one or more devices from the group of devices comprising the automaton, the mobile communication device Data processing device, an automated database and a customer database, that the processed transaction data (5 ') at least confirmation information that the processed transaction data on a display device of m obilen communication device can be displayed and read by a vending machine reading device, whereby the payment process can be confirmed and / or locked.

Use of a two-dimensional and / or three-dimensional image code for transmitting product information and / or transaction data (5) and / or processed transaction data (5 ') in a method for cashless payment of a product (2) by a customer.