WO2020125863A1

WO2020125863A1 - Physical payment means

Info

Publication number: WO2020125863A1
Application number: PCT/DE2019/101093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Rummel; Michael Schäfer
Original assignee: Dd Deutsche Diamant Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-16
Publication date: 2020-06-25
Also published as: EP3671674A1; DE102018133104B4; DE102018133104A1; EP3671674B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a new payment means (1), preferably in the form of a coin or a banknote or a credit card, in which an RFID chip (6) is integrated, so that the nominal value of the payment means (1) can be read electronically in a contactless manner, and also a valuable object, preferably a diamond (4), which represents the value of the payment means (1). Neither the diamond (4) nor the RFID chip (6) can be removed non-destructively from the payment means (1), and the value and also the properties of the diamond (4) or valuable object are furthermore documented in the block chain in encrypted form as well as the current digital proprietor. On the basis of this documentation a digital payment means, namely a so-called unique, i.e. irreplaceable, cryptographic token, can be generated, which can be freely traded via a secured digital trading platform, i.e. it can be sold, purchased or returned to the issuer of the payment means (1) upon payment of the monetary value.

Description

Physical means of payment

Already in the seventh century BC The natural or commodity money used until now, represented by food, farm animals, weapons, jewelry, clothing or snail shells, was replaced by coins. This coin money made trading much easier. Even then, the value of the corresponding coins was only a result of the trust that those involved in the money market would receive these coins. The ancient rulers therefore began to mint their portraits on coins in order to increase trust in these coins.

Paper money was first used as a means of payment in China in the tenth century AD. The Bank of Stockholm first introduced paper money in Europe. The English government declared banknotes legal tender in 1833.

Paper money is so-called fiat money, i.e. an object with no intrinsic value that serves as a medium of exchange. The opposite of fiat money is commodity money. B. tobacco, rice, gold or silver, which in addition to the external exchange value also has an intrinsic value.

In fact, nothing has changed until recently that the value of coins or money essentially depends solely on the trust placed in payment transactions. In most states, a central bank guarantees the value of the money. However, there has always been the problem that those institutions that are able to increase the value of money guarantee, are also those who can influence the value of money by, for example, accelerating or reducing the production of currency units and thereby changing the value of money.

Only in recent years, so-called cryptocurrencies in various forms have become established as an alternative.

The term cryptocurrency is used differently. Colloquially, in addition to the best known cryptocurrency, the "Bitcoin", "cryptocurrencies" such as "Ripple" or "Ether" based on various technical concepts are also referred to as such.

What all cryptocurrencies have in common in a broader sense is that they use blockchain technology.

A blockchain is a continuously expandable list of individual data records that are linked together using a cryptographic process. A blockchain can also be described as a decentralized database management system. A blockchain consists of a series of data blocks, in each of which one or more transactions are summarized and provided with a checksum. As the word blockchain suggests, more elements are constantly added to the block until this block is complete. Another block must then be generated, this block containing a checksum of the previous block, the so-called hash value. As a result, the blockchain is a series of hash trees in which only the roots and their concatenation are of interest.

Cryptocurrencies in the narrower sense are also called "coins", while the other cryptocurrencies are technically referred to as tokens. A token usually does not need its own blockchain, and rather builds on an existing blockchain protocol or blockchain such as Ethereum. Tokens can serve different purposes. Security tokens are comparable to a security where a profit or sales promise is stored as a smart contract in the blockchain. Utility tokens only serve as a tool or exchange medium on the blockchain. There are also so-called asset back tokens, in which the value of the token is supported with a real value. All types of coins and tokens are "cryptoassets". This generic term includes Various assets generated or managed using cryptographic processes. Real cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are no more intrinsic than a state currency. In contrast, a crypto-asset like an asset-backed token can embody a real value, similar to a currency according to the gold standard.

In this context, a coin is known from WO 2010/112002 A1 which, in a manner known per se, consists of a disc-like, metallic Grundele element and an at least flat insert element which is accommodated in the disc-like metallic base element, the flat insert element not consisting of one conductive material, preferably made of plastic, and at least one RFID identification device is integrated in this flat insert element. The non-conductive plastic element is a plastic sheathing for the RFID identification device. The RFID identification device is preferably an RFID transponder known per se, which in turn is preferably a passive unit, i.e. is trained without its own energy supply. It is therefore a passive unit which can be activated by induction by means of an RFID reader, so that data can be transmitted from the RFID transponder to the RFID reader. As a result, by integrating the RFID transponder into a coin, a simple and trouble-free check of the originality of the coin is to be made possible in order to be able to reliably detect counterfeit coins.

In addition, from DE 201 13 518 U1 a jewelry item, fashion accessory or a decorative item is known, in which at least one coin suitable as a means of payment is contained, which is canceled by deformations, impressions and / o the profiling.

Furthermore, WO 2018/204970 A1 discloses a software and hardware element of the system, which provides a technological infrastructure to carry out monetary transactions using physical, monetary tokens, the individual value of each token being available to the public Database is documented.

From WO 2012/135346 A1, a device and a method are previously known for the authenticity of a noble metal unit, with regard to the degree of purity, the ownership, the chain of owners, and the current status with regard to Features "stolen" or "not to be checked", whereby a so-called "ping bar" generates a resonance tone that represents the degree of purity of a silver unit in terms of verifying the authenticity of the noble metal unit mentioned.

In the event of any changes that can be recognized in the response, the potential buyer or owner is hereby informed of this.

For the inspection of gold, platinum or palladium objects, the known device comprises a surface inspection, with which any attempts to process the objects of value with drills, flakes or other tools are made visible.

In a further embodiment of this test device, the objects of value and their properties, as well as information relating to their authenticity, ownership and the chain of storage locations are recorded in a global register and / or stored in an individual RFID chip.

Furthermore, from US 2013/0062165 A1 a further method and a device for checking the authenticity of valuables are known. The object of value to be secured is provided with an RFID tag and the information for checking the authenticity of the object of value is created in this RFID chip, which in turn is then stored when the RFID chip is read out using a suitable test device with those also stored elsewhere Information for checking authenticity can be compared. This check can be carried out, for example, when the valuable object secured in this way is resold.

This procedure for documenting and verifying the authenticity of an object of value can also be used in conjunction with a coin. In this case, the corresponding coin is provided with an RFID chip. The integrated chip can be partially integrated in the coin or on the coin with flarz or epoxy glue in the coin and, if necessary, secured with additional packaging material. The validation information is then stored in the RFID chip, which can then be read out contactlessly using near-field communication (NFC) with an NFC-compatible reader. In addition, the said information for checking the authenticity can also be stored in a remotely located database to which only an authorized dealer has access.

Finally, a coin is previously known from DE 20 2013 003 501 U1. This consists of a surface and at least one physical structure arranged in a respective receiving area. At least one of the physical paintings is adorned with a piece of jewelry. This piece of jewelry is ensured by a firm connection between the material of the physical structure and the metallic surface of the coin.

Starting from this prior art, the invention is based on the object

Reason to create a physical means of payment, the authenticity and value of which are verified with the help of the blockchain and thus create a means of payment that can be traded or exchanged both physically and electronically using the blockchain.

This object is achieved by a means of payment according to the current claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims 2-17.

According to the applicable claim 1 is in a conventional means of payment in the form of a widened credit card, in which an RFID chip is integrated, with a memory element being integrated in this RFID chip, in which a monetary amount is stored in plain text or in encrypted form , which contains an indication of the value of the means of payment, so that this value can be read out contact-free using a conventional RFID transponder. Within the scope of the solution according to the invention, a natural, polished diamond is also integrated into the said means of payment, which represents the value of the respective means of payment, so that the nominal value of the means of payment corresponds to the actual value of the means of payment when issued.

To protect the payment method against counterfeiting, the integrated diamond is packed in such a way that the packaging cannot be opened without being destroyed or at least not without visible changes. This means that the value of the means of payment can be checked at any time using a simple RFID transponder and can be easily read on site. In a specific embodiment, the diamond and / or the RFID chip are secured with a tamper-evident label known per se, so that the integrity of this label ensures that the corresponding means of payment also represents the readable value of the means of payment.

In an alternative embodiment, the counterfeit security of the payment means can also be established in that the diamond and / or the RFID chip are secured together or separately with a security print that contains a pigment and a component that ensures that when using conventional ones Solvent for detaching the adhesive, the security print is also detached and forms visible stains, which make it clear that the payment medium has been manipulated.

In a specific embodiment, the means of payment is produced by means of two acrylic glass panes to be connected to one another, which are connected to one another in such a way that they cannot be separated from one another without being destroyed. At least one or both of the acrylic glass panes is provided with at least one recess for receiving at least one diamond, so that the payment means contains at least one diamond and at least one RFID chip. Subsequently, the above-mentioned acrylic glass panes are glued flush to one another and then sealed using a tamper-proof envelope, which completely encloses the means of payment and seals such that the plastic glass panes can no longer be separated from one another without destruction, and the diamond enclosed between the acrylic glass panes is not without visible destruction or Damage to the aforementioned envelope can be removed from the means of payment.

As a further security feature, the antennas of the RFID chip or chips integrated into the payment medium are carried inside the envelope over all sides of the envelope, so that the unauthorized opening of the envelope is inevitably linked to the destruction of the antenna of the RFID chip integrated in the payment medium that is, so that the value of the diamond contained in the means of payment can then no longer be read out via NFC communication.

As an additional safeguard, the envelope for the means of payment is at least provided with all the security features that a normal bank note has today. Under normal circumstances, the envelope enveloping the means of payment cannot be abused so that the forgery cannot be counterfeited corresponding professional review would be identifiable as such. It is also not possible to provide the means of payment with an additional, subsequently applied, counterfeit envelope, or to produce a counterfeit means of payment as a whole.

When the means of payment is manufactured, a certified diamond appraiser first determines the market value of the diamond integrated in the means of payment using an industry-standard list for determining the value, in which an appraiser determines and evaluates the unique properties of a cut diamond, i.e. its weight in carats as well as proportions and cut , Symmetry, clarity, dimensions, color and fluorescence.

The data determined in this way are then stored and stored in the blockchain, i.e. in a list of data sets that are linked together using cryptographic methods, preferably as a separate block that can be identified at any time, preferably by the independent diamond appraiser. The information stored in this context can also be read out using a QR code, which is clearly assigned to the data record and the means of payment - for example, by the diamond appraiser.

For each individual means of payment with an encapsulated diamond, a unique cryptographic token is created on a blockchain using the ERC-721 protocol for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which (compared to a fungible token such as a Bitcoin) are not interchangeable. The tokens are unique and cannot be replicated or destroyed due to their existence in the blockchain.

With the generation of the NFT in the blockchain, the means of payment is activated or can be activated.

This means of payment can now be introduced into the money market or offered on the market. The means of payment in question can now be offered and traded on the Internet in the form of a digital token, both physically and electronically.

The physical means of payment itself is first insured by the issuer of the means of payment and theft-proof in a high-security area Security company. The information about the storage of the means of payment is also documented irreversibly and counterfeit-proof in the blockchain.

The token and thus the means of payment can then be acquired, for example, via an internet platform by making a payment corresponding to the value of the means of payment, either in a conventional currency or in a cryptocurrency. As soon as the payment has been made to the issuer, the purchaser of the means of payment is documented in a forgery-proof manner as the holder of the non-fungible token in the blockchain. The NFTs, which represent a unique diamond and are stored in the globally accessible blockchain, can be traded digitally on any platform worldwide as a counterfeit-proof but also largely inflation-free currency.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the holder of the token can request the deposit of the payment means from the depositary, so that the payment means according to the invention is released to the current owner upon his request, whereupon this change in status of the payment means is also documented in a forgery-proof manner in the blockchain, in particular but the token representing the means of payment is devalued, which can be represented, for example, by changing the color of the token from green to red on an internet platform to change this currency. As soon as the means of payment has been issued, it can be used as a physical means of payment, but no longer as an electronic means of payment due to the deactivation of the token.

Conversely, the means of payment can be returned to the fiduciary administration at any time for safekeeping and storage, which in turn is documented in a tamper-proof manner on the blockchain and displayed again on the internet platform for the change in the means of payment, in which, for example, the token shown there again in the color Red is switched to the color green and can therefore participate in electronic payments again.

As a result, the solution according to the invention thus describes the development of a newer means of payment that is completely decoupled from the usual money market, which is physically existing at the same time as can be traded with cryptographic methods, with high security features, the value of which is no longer guaranteed by a governmental promise or guaranteed by a bank but rather by the largely stable value of one or more in each by an NFP diamond. in the Incidentally, this currency naturally participates in the steady increase in the value of diamonds for many decades, so that the currency is not only secure against forgery, but also has the quality of a good investment.

The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing:

Show it:

1 a: the representation of the means of payment in a longitudinal sectional view

1 b: the rendering of the means of payment in a cross-sectional view

Fig. 2: the envelope of the means of payment in a plan view

According to FIG. 1 a, the payment medium 1 shown in a longitudinal section is produced from two solid plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^' , the thickness of which each ensures that the plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^{' are} largely unbreakable. One or both plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^' are each provided with a recess 3, which allow the inclusion of a diamond 4.

1 b shows the means of payment 1 in a cross-sectional view, that is to say the interconnected plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^' with the diamond 4 received in a recess in at least one plastic glass pane. The payment medium 1 according to FIG. 3 is then to be released from a non-destructive manner enveloped the envelope 5.

The diamond or diamonds 4 used in the means of payment 1 are initially uniquely identified, documented and, in particular, evaluated in terms of their current monetary value by an independent diamond expert. The correspondingly assessed and certified diamonds 4 are each, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, in a recess 3 of one or both plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^' , which can then no longer be separated from one another without destruction, in a tamper-proof and not Packaged non-destructively from the plastic glass panes 2, 2 ^' which are connected to one another. The payment means 1 are then ready for dispatch and can then in a so-called Duty free warehouse or in another secured warehouse of a security company.

Then or in parallel, the means of payment 1 are documented in the blockchain and, for security reasons, in parallel in a storage module. The blockchain contains the value, as well as the characteristics of the diamond, so that it is clearly identified. In addition, the documentation includes the respective owner and status of the means of payment 1, the digital image of which is a unique token, which is generated on the basis of the information stored in the blockchain without the intermediary of human understanding and is therefore also tamper-proof.

This token is sold on a secure website of the issuer of the means of payment 1, traded and - if requested by the current holder - also bought back by the issuer of the means of payment 1. The token is sold for the first time at the current value of the diamond integrated in the means of payment. The token can be purchased either in a standard currency or using a standard cryptocurrency.

When the token is returned to the issuer, the current value of the diamond stored in the cash, minus a processing fee, is returned to the holder of the token.

Alternatively, the holder of the token can also have the means of payment 1 issued to him, whereupon the issuance is then documented in the blockchain.

For example, tokens that are still available for purchase are shown in green, tokens that are no longer available are shown in red. The red display occurs, for example, if the owner has the form of payment issued as such in physical form.

According to the illustration in FIG. 3, the means of payment 1, as already mentioned, is encased by a forgery-free envelope 5, which completely or at least partially encloses the means of payment 1. This envelope 5 is provided with the usual security features of a bank note, namely optical, haptic and / or acoustic security features, in particular using a special printing material, and using a steel engraving rotogravure process for printing on the envelope, incorporating watermarks, positive and / or negative guilloches, nano-type security grids, variable-sized microscript, hologram foil and / or security stripes in the envelope 5, embossing of finely resolved raster images, see-through windows and / or see-through registers in the envelope, the use of fluorescent colors, foil elements, gloss effects , Micro-perforations and / or other security features.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST Payment methods

lower plastic glass pane

upper plastic glass pane

Recess

diamond

envelope

RFID chip

antenna

Claims

PATENT REPRESENTATION

1. Physical means of payment, preferably in the form of a coin or a bank note or a credit card, characterized in that in the means of payment (1) an object of value, preferably a cut diamond (4) is integrated, which the value of the means of payment (1) represents, this value also being the nominal value, an RFID chip (6), preferably an RFID transponder, being integrated into the payment means (1), this RFID chip (6) containing a storage element in which the nominal value the means of payment (1) is stored in plain text or in encrypted form at the time of issuance of the means of payment (1), which contains an indication of the value of the means of payment (1), this nominal value being able to be read out contact-free by means of an RFID transponder and the diamond (4) and / or the RFID chip (6) either in each case or together are accommodated in a sealing sheath which is not non-destructive or not without frequent changes Fnen is recorded, where the sealing sleeve (5), such as a tamper-evident label, is glued to the diamonds (4) and / or the RFID chip (6) and its respective support, this sealing sleeve (5) is provided with perforation lines, fold lines or incisions as intended, so that it cannot be removed and reattached undamaged and the diamond (4) and / or the RFID chip (6) sticks with an adhesive layer that has a security print This security print contains a pigment and a component which also dissolves in solvents with which the adhesive can be removed, so that the security print is also detached and forms visible stains.

2. Payment means according to claim 1, characterized in that a security element with the diamond (4) and / or the RFID chip (6) is glued together or in each case separately, the security element having a layer structure such that the security element after gluing with the diamond (4) and / or the RFID chip (6) can no longer be removed without changing the safety element.

3. Payment means according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the payment means (1) consists of two plastic glass panes (2, 2 ^' ) to be connected to one another in such a way that they cannot be separated without being destroyed, one or both plastic glass panes (2, 2 ^' ) are provided with at least one recess (3) for receiving at least one diamond (4) and / or at least one RFID chip (6), and after the at least one diamond (4) and / or at least one RFID chip ( 6) glued together in at least one of the recesses (3) and then provided with a forgery-proof envelope (5), namely with the usual security features of a bank note, namely optical, haptic and / or acoustic security features, in particular using a special printing material , as well as using a steel engraving gravure printing process for printing on the envelope (5), incorporating watermarks, positive and / or negative Guilloche patterns, nanotype security grids, variable-sized micro-writing, hologram film and / or security strips in the envelope (5), embossing of finely resolved raster images, see-through windows and / or see-through registers in the envelope (5), the use of fluorescent colors, film elements, gloss effects, micro- Perforations and / or other security features that completely encloses the means of payment (1) are sealed.

4. Payment means according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (7) of the RFID chip (6) integrated in the payment means (1) is guided over all sides of the envelope (5).

5. Means of payment according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the order (5) has at least the same security features as a bank note, namely optical, haptic and acoustic security features, in particular a special printing material, and the use of a steel engraving depth printing process for printing on the envelope (5), incorporation of watermarks, positive and / or negative guilloches, nano-type security grids, variable-size micro-writing, hologram foil and / or security strips in the envelope (5), embossing of finely resolved raster images, See-through windows and / or see-through registers in the envelope (5), the use of fluorescent colors, film elements, gloss effects, micro-perforations and / or other security features.

6. The means of payment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nominal value of the means of payment (1) on the day of issuance of the means of payment (1) in a blockchain, that is to say in a list of data records, in the broader sense of data blocks which by means of cryptographic methods are linked to one another, each block being unambiguously documented by a cryptographically secure hash value of the previous block, and being readable using a QR code.

7. Payment means according to claim 6, characterized in that the payment means (1) with the documentation of the payment means (1) is activated in a blockchain.

8. The means of payment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of payment (1) can be acquired by a customer via a digital trading platform against payment in a conventional currency, but also in a cryptocurrency, the acquisition of the means of payment (1 ) is documented in the Ethereum blockchain, i.e. the means of payment (1) is assigned to a digital ID in the blockchain, the means of payment (1) then being documented as no longer available on the Internet.

9. The means of payment according to claim 8, characterized in that the means of payment (1) is furthermore transferable worldwide with the interposition of a digital trading platform, the change of ownership of the means of payment (1) being documented in a forgery-proof manner in the blockchain.

10. Payment means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the issuance of the payment means (1) as such to the respective holder of the unique, ie non-exchangeable, cryptographic tokens can be realized by issuing the means of payment (1) by requesting the owner himself, by picking up the means of payment (1) himself from the high-security area and to the corresponding to a respective request of the respective token holder via a digital trading platform current owner can be transferred, whereupon the changed status of the means of payment (1) is documented in the blockchain, and on the trading platform the means of payment (1) is marked as not available.

1 1. A means of payment according to claim 9, characterized in that the means of payment (1) can also be stored after a corresponding check of the security features, which in turn is documented again in a blockchain, and then the means of payment (1) is either marked for purchase or else is assigned to the current or a new owner.