DE20019233U1 - User interface device for electronic payment - Google Patents

Description

MÜLLER & HOFFMANN - PATENT ATTORNEYS

European Patent Attorneys - European Trademark Attorneys

Innere Wiener Strasse 17 D-81667 Munich

Lawyer's file: 52,944 Gö/My/le

13.11.2000

infin

Engineering company for

Information Technologies mbH & Co. KG

Aidenbachstrasse

81479 Munich

User interface device for electronic payment

MÜLLER & HOFFMANN lnfin

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File: 52,944

-2-13.11.2000

Description

The invention relates to a user interface device for electronically selecting and/or paying for services.

Electronic payment for services or products has become established as an alternative means of payment in many business areas in recent years. You can now choose between a variety of different types of electronic payment.

One common payment system is electronic payment by credit card. After selecting a service on a service/product provider's website using a communication tool such as a computer, a buyer usually enters his credit card number in an input mask, which is then encrypted and forwarded to the service provider via the Internet for payment. However, this payment process involves a significant security risk. In order to avoid paying by credit card and the security risk associated with it, it is also known to have the buyer register with the service provider beforehand. The buyer then does not have to use his credit card number when paying, but registration represents a certain amount of time and effort, which many buyers shy away from. Registering with the service provider also has the disadvantage that personal data may be "stolen" by the buyer during the transfer of personal data to the service provider, which is necessary for registration, or personal data already stored by the service provider may be misused by the service provider. On the one hand, goods could be ordered in the buyer's name, and on the other hand, the data could be sold, for example to an address dealer.

Furthermore, electronic payment systems are known that require the installation of specific software on the communication medium, such as the user's computer. Once the buyer has selected a specific service, the installed software coordinates the electronic purchase process. Since there are a large number of different communication instruments and corresponding operating systems on which the software is based, a considerable amount of work is required for the service provider.

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The service provider is limited in that it must provide specially adapted software for all communication instruments and operating systems. This special software must then be obtained by the buyer before the electronic payment process, for example by "downloading" it from the Internet. However, this in turn represents a security risk, since computer viruses can be introduced into the communication instrument via the download, which can cause considerable damage to the buyer. In addition, the software, once installed, must be updated regularly, so that both the buyer and the service provider must invest work and time before the electronic payment can be made.

The object underlying the invention is to enable a buyer who wants to acquire services with the help of an electronic communication instrument to purchase services electronically without any upstream work steps and, if possible, without disclosing critical personal data.

The object is achieved by a user interface device for electronically selecting and/or paying for services with the features of protection claim 1. The object is further achieved by a system for electronically selecting and/or paying for services with the features of claim 17. Advantageous further developments of the invention can be found in the respective subclaims.

The user interface device according to the invention for electronically selecting and/or paying for services, which can be connected to an electronic service sales device, has a first, second, third and fourth unit. The first unit is used to retrieve and/or receive service selection information from the electronic service sales device, the second unit is used to transmit the service selection information to the electronic service sales device, the third unit is used to receive and/or provide service selection confirmation information from the electronic service sales device and the fourth unit is used to transmit the retrieved service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales device. It is essential that the second unit has a telephone device by means of which the transmission of the service selection information to the electronic service sales device can be carried out by simply calling and the provision of the service selection confirmation information can thereby be initiated.

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The system according to the invention for electronically selecting and/or paying for services has an electronic service sales device from which service selection information can be called up and via which payment for the services can be processed, and a user interface device according to the invention for controlling the system, which can be connected to the electronic service sales device.

The user interface device according to the invention, which will be described in detail later, enables the buyer to use a purchasing or payment method which is described below in exemplary form.

The buyer selects a service or a product on a service provider's preferably interactive service information website. By clicking on the service with a corresponding price, the buyer is directed to a preferably interactive payment website that has an input mask with an input field for a TAN (transaction number). The payment website contains service selection information associated with the service, for example a TAN retrieval number. The service selection information contains at least part of a telephone number. The buyer can then call an electronic service sales facility of the service provider by dialing the TAN retrieval number, whereby he listens to a TAN associated with the TAN retrieval number as service selection confirmation information over the telephone. The buyer then enters the listened TAN in the input field on the payment website and sends it to the service provider by clicking on a confirmation button. By sending the TAN to the service provider, payment (billing) is initiated. If the TAN is not entered, no payment is made. Alternatively, payment is made after entering the TAN number into the telephone, i.e. by simply calling, so in this case the buyer does not have to listen to any service selection confirmation information and enter it into the input field on the payment website. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the buyer can choose between these two payment methods by clicking on a selection button on the payment website. After payment, the buyer is redirected to a service area, which consists of a download page, for example, since he is then authorized to use the ordered service. He can now, for example, download a file from the service provider's database. Billing is done via the buyer's telephone bill.

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and preferably with the next telephone bill delivered. The debt collection is handled by the telephone company.

In order to realize the payment method described above, the invention provides the user interface device which is essentially formed by the telephone device and the communication instrument and via which the buyer inputs purchase information to the service provider or receives purchase information from the service provider.

The telephone device preferably has a conventional telephone, which can, however, also be replaced by a mobile telephone or a fax. It is important that service selection information can be transmitted to the service provider by simply dialing a telephone number using the telephone device. The advantage of the user interface device according to the invention is that a buyer only needs a telephone and a telephone connection in addition to the communication instrument in order to be able to select and/or pay electronically, which almost every household has.

The user interface device has four units. The first unit is used to retrieve and/or receive service selection information from the service provider, which is technically "represented" by the electronic service vending device. The received service selection information is transmitted by the buyer back to the service provider's electronic service vending device via the second unit. After transmitting the service selection information to the electronic service vending device, the buyer can receive or retrieve service selection confirmation information from the electronic service vending device via the third unit. The service selection confirmation information can then be transmitted to the electronic service vending device via the fourth unit.

The first unit is preferably an Internet-enabled computer, but can alternatively or additionally comprise any communication device or any communication-enabled instrument such as an SMS-enabled telephone, a WAP (wireless application protocol)-enabled telephone, a UMTS-enabled telephone or communication device, a handheld or similar. With this communication instrument, the electronic service sales device can provide service information or service

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Retrieve choice information in the form of service information records that can be displayed graphically or via sound/noise/voice, for example as a web page. Each service is assigned specific service selection information that serves as the basis for the purchase process via the second, third and fourth facility. The service selection information is contained either in the service information records or in a payment information record underlying the payment web page and can be displayed graphically or via sound/noise/voice.

In a preferred embodiment, the service selection information is at least partially implemented by a telephone number assigned to the service, for example by a 0190-0 number. The use of different telephone numbers, e.g. different 0190-0 numbers, makes it possible to assign each service its own telephone number, which in turn makes it possible to clearly identify a desired service by simply dialing a single telephone number.

The second unit has the telephone device described above. If the service selection information is in the form of a telephone number and this can be clearly assigned to a service, as mentioned, the call using the telephone as such is sufficient to transmit the complete service selection information to the electronic service sales device. If the telephone number cannot be clearly assigned to a service, or if further differentiation of the service selection information is to be made, it is intended to extend the service selection information received by the first unit by means of appropriate extensions to the second unit with additional suffix digits or direct dial digits attached to the telephone number. This can be used, for example, to provide the electronic service sales device with information on how many of a service selected by the telephone number is to be purchased. Further information to the electronic service sales device can also be transmitted interactively by means of a tone dialing menu, a voice recognition system or a voice energy recognition system using the second unit after a general telephone number has been dialed. Furthermore, it is possible to transmit further information in the form of an SMS (Short Message Service) or its technical development to the electronic service sales unit.

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Different telephone numbers, e.g. 0190-0 numbers today, as service selection information can also be assigned to different price classes, i.e. a number can be abstractly assigned to a price class under which various services fall. The exact service selection is preferably made via suffix/direct dial digits that are attached to the number, or via tone dialing and the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to assign a single number to a service provider that applies equally to all of its services. Here, too, the actual service selection can be made via additional suffix/direct dial digits, voice recognition or the like.

The third unit is used by the buyer to receive the service selection confirmation information. For example, it is possible for the service selection confirmation information to be transmitted to the buyer via the telephone device as a third unit by voice or SMS. In this case, both the second and third units can be implemented using a single telephone device. The service selection confirmation information can also be forwarded to an e-mail account (third unit) as an e-mail, which would then be accessible to the buyer via the first unit, the computer. Another example of a third unit is a fax, which can be part of the telephone device.

The service selection confirmation information, for example a TAN, is preferably entered on the payment website, which can be displayed on the first unit and which is based on a payment information data set that can be retrieved from the electronic service sales unit, and sent to the electronic service sales device by clicking on a confirmation button. In this case, the fourth unit is to be understood as the same as the first unit, which serves both to retrieve and receive service selection information and to transmit the retrieved service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales unit.

As already mentioned, the selection and/or payment of the selected service is preferably initiated by transmitting the retrieved service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales facility; if the service selection confirmation information is not transmitted, the selection and/or payment are not initiated. Since the "identification" of the buyer is based on a call to the electronic service sales facility, the amount to be paid for the service

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can be conveniently billed via the telephone bill. This makes it sensible for a service provider to charge small amounts.

One advantage of the user interface device according to the invention is that the buyer can select and pay for goods electronically, regardless of the technical equipment of the first unit. All that is required is a telephone connection or a mobile phone connection and a telephone device linked to it. There is no need to update the user's special hardware or software. If the electronic service sales device does not require the user to register separately, the user remains anonymous to the service provider, so that the high data protection standards for telephone services apply. Disclosure of personal data and the associated security risk, as well as upstream work steps such as downloading special software, are therefore not necessary.

As soon as the buyer has sent the service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales facility, i.e. has initiated the selection/payment via telephone bill, the purchased goods are delivered to him or the customer is redirected to a service area in which he is entitled to use the purchased service. For example, he can use the first or third unit to download information that requires payment, such as weather information, in the form of a file, send it to a fax number or similar. If the purchased service is not information but objects, these are sent to the buyer by post or courier service before or after payment via telephone bill.

These and other features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of examples in the figure. It shows
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Fig. 1 shows a system for electronic payment of services, which comprises a user interface device according to the invention.

A system 1 for electronic payment of services comprises a user interface device 2, an electronic service sales device 3, which has a service provider device 4 and a service payment device 5. The user interface device 2 comprises a

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Internet-capable PC (personal computer) 6 and a telephone 7, which are connected to the electronic service sales device 3 via a communications network 8.

A buyer can use the PC 6 via the communications network 8 to call up service offers in the form of a service information website from the service provider facility 4. If the buyer selects one of the services with a mouse click, the buyer is taken to a payment website provided by the service payment facility 5 via a link, and the payment process for the service is carried out using the following steps: The PC 6 reads a telephone number as service selection information from the service payment facility 5 via the communications network 8. This telephone number is entered into the telephone 7 and sent back to the service payment facility 5. The service payment facility 5 sends a TAN as service selection confirmation information to the buyer via the telephone 7. The buyer enters the TAN into an input mask on a payment website displayed on the PC 6 and sends it back to the service payment facility 5. This initiates the payment process.

Claims (20)

1. User interface device ( 2 ) for electronically selecting and/or paying for services, which can be connected to an electronic service sales device ( 3 ), wherein the user interface device ( 2 ) - a first unit ( 6 ) for retrieving and/or receiving service selection information from the electronic service sales device ( 3 ), - a second unit ( 7 ) for transmitting the service selection information to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ), - a third unit ( 6 , 7 ) for receiving and/or providing service selection confirmation information from the electronic service sales device ( 3 ), and - a fourth unit ( 6 ) for transmitting the retrieved service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ), - wherein the second unit ( 7 ) has a telephone device by means of which the transmission of the service selection information to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) can be carried out by a mere call and the provision of the service selection confirmation information can be initiated. 2. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a selection and/or payment of a service can be initiated by means of the fourth unit ( 6 ) by transmitting the associated retrieved service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) or by simply transmitting the service selection information to the electronic service sales device by means of the telephone device. 3. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first unit ( 6 ) for retrieving a performance information data set from the electronic performance sales unit ( 3 ) has a communication network-capable device on which the retrieved performance information data set can be displayed graphically and/or by sound/noise/speech. 4. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one payment information data record associated with the respective service information data record can be called up by the communication network-capable device ( 6 ) and can be represented graphically and/or by sound/noise/speech, in particular by selecting a service from the service information data record. 5. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the payment information record comprises telephone number information associated with a price of a selected service. 6. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the provision of service selection confirmation information about a service by the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) can be initiated by means of the second unit ( 7 ) by entering the telephone number information into the telephone device. 7. User interface device ( 2 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the third unit ( 6 ) or the telephone device ( 7 ) is designed to receive requested service selection confirmation information. 8. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a performance information data set is a performance information Internet page. 9. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that a payment information record is a payment Internet page which has an input field for entering and forwarding the received service selection confirmation information to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ). 10. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a selected service can be called up by means of the first or third unit ( 6 , 7 ) from the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) if an associated received service selection confirmation information has been forwarded to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ). 11. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the third unit ( 6 , 7 ) has a fax, an e-mail account, a conventional telephone or an SMS-capable telephone. 12. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the communication network-capable device ( 6 ) comprises a computer, a handheld device, or a WAP telephone. 13. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fourth unit ( 6 ) is integrated with the first unit ( 6 ). 14. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second unit ( 7 ) is integrated with the third unit ( 7 ). 15. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second unit ( 7 ) is designed to transmit an identification of a telephone connection to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ). 16. User interface device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second unit ( 7 ) is designed to transmit additional information, beyond the identification of the connection, to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ), wherein the additional information is in particular suffix/direct dialing, digit information, tone dialing information or spoken information appended to the telephone number information. 17. System ( 1 ) for electronic payment of services, comprising - an electronic service sales device ( 3 ) from which service selection information can be retrieved and via which selection and payment for the services can be carried out, and - a user interface device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 16 for controlling the system ( 1 ), which is connectable to the electronic service sales device ( 3 ). 18. System ( 1 ) according to claim 17, characterized in that the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) has a service provider device ( 4 ) which is connectable to the user interface device ( 2 ) and from which service information can be retrieved. 19. System ( 1 ) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) has a service payment device ( 5 ) which can be connected to the user interface device ( 2 ) and via which the selection and/or payment processing of the services can be carried out. 20. System ( 1 ) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the electronic service sales device ( 3 ) has a speech recognition system and/or a tone dialing recognition system and/or a voice energy control system.