WO2022037734A1

WO2022037734A1 - Payment system

Info

Publication number: WO2022037734A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2021/050090
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lukáš Glimmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-08-21
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2022-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-21
Also published as: CZ2020467A3; CZ308806B6

Abstract

The present invention relates to a payment system (7) comprising a payment unit (4), a payment terminal (19) and a telecommunications network (17). The payment unit (4) is interactively connected to the payment terminal (19) which is connected bi-directionally to an application server (10). The application server (10) is connected bi-directionally to a business and information service provider server (12) as well as to a clearing server (11), the clearing server (11) being connected to a payment network operator account (16) and the payment network operator account (16) being connected to a commercial and information service provider account (13). The payment terminal (19) is further connected to the clearing server (11) as well as bi-directionally to an authorisation centre server (14) which is interactively connected to a bank server (15) connected to the payment network operator account (16).

Description

Payment system

This invention relates to a payment system belonging to the field of telecommunications technology, e-commerce and payment service providing.

At present, a known self-service payment terminal is disclosed in the Czech utility model CZ 12011 U1 and already allows the provision of payment and information services to the public on a limited scale. However, its disadvantages are that it has limited user possibilities for the currently more demanding requirements and is characterized by demanding operation. It is not known to operate a network with national or international range and scope that would allow the centralised use of self-service payment and information terminals, bringing together information, communication, payment and business functions into a single technical facility, which would provide the public with free payment by payment cards according to the EMV standard, electronic banking tools and, where appropriate, micro-payment instruments such as an electronic smart wallet.

In this field, an arrangement disclosed in the Czech patent CZ 295990 B6 is also known, where some shortcomings of the existing designs are already remedied, but in view of the ever-increasing requirements for the versatility and capacity of electronic payment systems and their wider use and security, it turns out that even this arrangement is no longer satisfactory.

Finally, the Czech utility model CZ 25913 U1 is also known and it describes the closest prior art to the problem of interest. It is a payment system with a payment and information terminal connected via a telecommunications network with an application server of a payment terminal network operator centre, to which application server a commercial or information service provider server and a clearing server are interactively connected. This server manages a self-service and payment terminal network operator account to which account a corresponding financial amount is transferred by means of a payment unit and a payment card authorisation centre server via a user bank server, wherein said amount is subsequently transferred from the self-service and payment terminal network operator account by means of the clearing server to the commercial or information service provider account. Furthermore, the payment system includes a mobile unit connected bi-directionally to the authorisation centre server and the clearing server as well as to the application server of the self-service and payment terminal network operator centre.

An advantageous embodiment of the payment system with the self-service payment and information terminal has the mobile unit connected to the application server and the authorisation centre, which authorisation centre is further connected to the financial institution server, which server is connected to the application server, wherein the clearing server is an integral part of the financial institution server with the possibility of transferring business and information services to the business and information service provider account.

The aim of this invention is to provide a payment system that would allow further financial and information operations. The present payment system includes two payment execution schemes, i. e. an online payment execution scheme, where payment terminals must have access to a clearing server to execute the transaction, and an offline payment execution scheme, where terminals can execute payment transactions even without connectivity.

The above-formulated aim is achieved by a payment system comprising a payment unit, a payment terminal and a telecommunications network. The underlying idea of the payment system is that it comprises the payment unit interactively connected to the payment terminal; the payment terminal being connected bi-directionally to an application server. The application server is connected bi-directionally to a business and information service provider server as well as to a clearing server; the clearing server being connected to a payment network operator account and the payment network operator account being connected to a commercial and information service provider account. The payment terminal is further connected to the clearing server as well as bi-directionally to an authorisation centre server, the authorisation centre server being interactively connected to a bank server and the bank server being connected to the payment network operator account.

The advantage of the present payment system is that the payment terminal does not have to be immediately connected to the application server, that is, it is fully functional even without this connection, which can occur later. The terminals keep all transactions in their internal memory and try to establish connections with the application server at defined intervals. If the connection is not established, the terminal continues to store transactions in the memory; if a connection is established, all transactions from the memory are transferred to the application server for further processing.

Furthermore, the payment system allows a main account to be billed in the currency of the region in which the payment system is operated. The account is activated automatically with customer registration and serves as the primary account for online payments.

Furthermore, the payment system allows the billing of a "Card" account, which is an additional account for the use of offline card payments. The account only mirrors the status of the card, the account itself does not top-up, only the card is topped-up by a transfer from the main account or by direct topping-up. The card may also take the form of a bracelet, a pendant, etc. with a micro-tag built or inserted therein.

Another additional account is a "Meal voucher" account for payment with selected partners while maintaining tax deductibility. These can only be made as online payments.

Another additional account is a "Fuel" account for fuel and toll payment, wherein the payments can only be made online.

Another additional account is a "Cashier" account, which is an additional account for payments of company expenses, wherein these payments can only be made online.

Another additional account is an "Other" account for special purposes, such as loyalty credit, etc., where payments can only be made online.

The payment system will enable the application of new modern communication systems and devices, such as smart mobile phones, portable personal computers, etc.

Other advantages of the payment system are:

Possibilities of different types of payments or benefits in one place
Multiple types of electronic wallets
Possibilities of limiting the use of funds (e. g. due to tax deductibility, method and direction of use, user groups, merchant groups, etc.)
Possibility to use a card/bracelet as a means of entry (to a building, zone, etc.)
Possibility to establish third-party loyalty programs (1 card = higher usability, savings for all parties concerned, etc.)
Possibility to have sub-accounts in currencies other than the national currency

Such a payment system enables to provide free or paid information, communication, payment and business services to institutions and the public, while ensuring payment by means of proprietary cards and cards according to EMY standards, electronic banking tools and, where appropriate, micropayment tools such as electronic smart wallets.

Another advantage is the securing of the payment service even where the terminals do not have connectivity to the payment centre.

The advantage of the payment system is that the topping-up of the card and card payments can be made at terminals without immediate connection to the application server, the clearing server, the authorisation centre server, the bank server, the telecommunication network and the payment terminal network operator centre.

The underlying idea of the invention is further clarified in the examples of its embodiments, which are described using the attached drawings, where:

Fig.1

illustrates a block diagram of a connection of the payment terminal;

Fig.2

illustrates a block diagram of a connection of the payment system with the payment terminal, in combination with other elements necessary for providing paid or unpaid commercial or information services;

Fig.3

illustrates a credit topping-up scheme for offline use by means of a transfer from a main account;

Fig.4

illustrates a credit topping-up scheme for offline use by means of topping-up a card directly;

Fig.5

illustrates a scheme for offline payments;

Fig.6

illustrates a scheme when a card is discharged;

Fig.7

illustrates a scheme for offline use of the payment terminal for topping-up cards online;

Fig.8

illustrates a scheme for offline use of the payment terminal for topping-up cards offline; and

Fig.9

illustrates a scheme for offline use of the payment terminal scheme for topping-up a SAM topping-up card.

Examples

These embodiments illustrate exemplary variants of the invention, which however have no restrictive effect in terms of the scope of protection.

The invention will be further clarified in the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the payment system 7 with reference to the relevant drawings.

An exemplary embodiment of the payment terminal 19 is shown in . In this embodiment, the payment terminal 19 includes a processor unit 1, the processor unit 1 being connected bi-directionally to a display unit 2 and to a communication unit 3, the communication unit 3 being connected to the telecommunications network 17. The processor unit 1 is connected bi-directionally to a hybrid card reader 5 as well as to a peripheral device unit 8 and a top-up card slot 9, wherein the payment terminal 19 is electrically powered from an external power supply unit 6.

At least one device from the group including a keyboard, a scanner, a printer unit, and a coin dispenser can be included in the peripheral device unit 8.

The function of the payment terminal 19 according to is as follows. The processor unit 1 coordinates the operation of the payment terminal 19 and the peripheral device unit 8 with the help of operational, service, communication and application software and communicates by means of the communication unit 3 via the telecommunications network 17 with other servers that are integrated into the payment system 7.

The payment terminal 19 ensures the implementation of payment functions with the help of magnetic and chip payment cards of the standard EMV/EuroCard/MasterCard and VISA issued by any bank or non-bank entity and secured by identification of the cardholder using a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The payment terminal 19 also supports smart card payments in e-wallet mode, as well as the use of proprietary smart and magnetic cards.

The power supply unit 6 provides power to the payment terminal 19 and its connection to the electric network. An extension with a cordless (accumulator) solution is suitable with regard to ensuring connection stability, therefore it is not mandatory equipment.

The processor unit 1 ensures the control of activities and control of the peripheral device unit 8, which is not mandatory equipment of the payment terminal 19, by its user.

illustrates a block diagram of a connection of an exemplary embodiment of the payment system 7 in conjunction with other elements/units needed to implement the provision of paid or unpaid business or information services to users of the payment system 7. shows a two-way connection between the payment unit 4, in this exemplary embodiment being a "card", and the payment terminal 19 via a telecommunications network 17 with an application server 10. This server is also bi-directionally connected to a clearing server 11, wherein the application server 10 is also bi-directionally connected to a business and information service provider server 12. The clearing server 11 manages a payment network operator account 16. To the payment network operator account 16, both a business and information service provider account 13 and a bank server 15 are connected. Furthermore, the payment unit 4 is connected to an authorisation centre server 14, which is further bi-directionally connected to the bank server 15 of the user.

By means of the payment unit 4, in this case a "card", and the payment terminal 19, the corresponding amount of money is transferred via the authorisation centre server 14 to the bank server 15, with which the payment network operator account 16 is maintained. From this account, the amount is subsequently transferred via the clearing server 11 to the business and information service provider account 13.

The application server 10 ensures the exchange of information with the business and information service provider server 12 via the telecommunication network 17. The connection of the payment terminal 19 with the application server 10 is realized by means of an X.25 IP protocol, transactions are secured and encrypted according to standards and norms for payment transactions carried out by Point Of Sales (POS) terminals, the IP (Internet protocol) environment is completely separate from public IP networks.

The clearing server 11 secures, in cooperation with the application server 10, the transfer of the corresponding amount paid by the user for business or information services by means of the payment unit 4 from the payment network operator account 16 to the business and information service provider account 13 and the transmission of the corresponding information about the executed transaction via the application server 10 to the business and information service provider server 12. The clearing server 11 also ensures that messages are sent about other necessary actions if they are required by paying for a service or goods.

An example of topping up credit for offline use by transfer from a main account 20 is schematically shown in . shows a two-way connection between the payment unit 4 (card), which includes a card account 23, and the payment terminal 19 via the telecommunications network 17 with the application server 10, which is bi-directionally connected to the clearing server 11. Both a card account 21 and the main account 20 are linked to the clearing server 11. The card account 21 is further linked to the main account 20, which is back-connected to the clearing server 11, wherein the clearing server 11 may (see ) and may not (see ) be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

The topping up of the credit is as follows. The user enters a request to top up the payment unit 4 (card) in a defined amount from the main account 20 in the payment system 7 and sends it. This request is transferred to the transaction processor environment, which in this case is the application server 10, where it is waiting to be implemented. The clearing server 11 ensures the transfer of the corresponding amount in co-operation with the application server 10. In order for the request to be implemented and the amount transferred from the main account 20 to the physical payment unit 4 (card), several consecutive steps are needed to confirm what is referred to as "validation", i. e. at the payment terminal 19, to use an appropriate button to invoke the correct validation function and attach the payment unit 4 (card) to the payment terminal 19, which has connectivity (is online); the payment terminal 19 connects with the environment, which is the application server 10, retrieves all requirements for the respective payment unit 4 (card) and adjusts the data directly on the payment unit 4 (card), e. g. a change of balance. This allows the payment unit 4 (card) to function in a closed environment. The payment terminal 19 then transmits the validation information back from the transaction processor environment, the application server 10, from where the information is transferred to the clearing server 11, which in this case is part of the payment network operator centre 18, where the status on the payment unit 4 (card) and at the same time on the main account 20 is updated.

The data flow is as follows: clearing server 11 - application server 10 - payment terminal 19 - payment unit (card) 4 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - payment terminal 19 - payment unit (card) 4 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

An example of topping up credit online for offline use by directly topping up the card on the terminal is shown schematically in . illustrates a two-way connection of the payment unit 4 (card) and a card account 23 to the payment terminal 19, which is connected via the telecommunications network 17 and via the application server 10 to the clearing server 11, which is connected to the card account 21, wherein the clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

A direct topping up of the card is as follows. At the payment terminal 19, an appropriate function (card top-up) is invoked, the amount to top up is entered, and the payment unit 4 (card) is added. This will top up the payment unit 4 (card) which is ready to operate in a closed environment. The payment terminal 19, from which it was topped up, sends information about the topping up of the payment unit 4 (card) to the application server 10, which further forwards this information to the clearing server 11, thus updating the status of the balance on the payment unit 4 (card) and the card account 23.

The data flow is as follows: payment terminal 19 - payment unit (card) 4 - payment terminal 19 - any repetition of sequence 19-4-19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

The example for offline card payments is shown schematically in . illustrates an interactive connection of the payment unit 4 (card) and the card account 23 to the payment terminal 19, which is connected via the telecommunications network 17 to the application server 10 connected to the clearing server 11, to which the card account 21 is connected, wherein the clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18. In this case, the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18 also communicates with both the payment network operator account 16 and the business and information service provider account 13.

Offline payments are made as follows. The payment terminals 19 are divided for online and offline payments, i. e. the payment terminal 19 must be set up for each type of payment. The payment function is invoked at the relevant payment terminal 19, an amount is entered and the payment unit 4 (card) is added. A payment transaction is entered in the payment terminal 19 and the balance is changed on the payment unit 4 (card). These transactions are stored in the payment terminal 19 and, if the payment terminal 19 establishes connectivity, all transactions are transferred to the application server 10, from which they are sent to the clearing server 11 or the payment network operator centre 18, which subsequently displays these transactions to the customer in the transaction overview and at the same time updates the balance on the card account 21.

The data flow is as follows: payment terminal 19 - payment unit (card) 4 - payment terminal 19 - any repetition of sequence 19-4-19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11 - card account 21.

The example of card discharge (balancing to zero) is schematically shown in . illustrates an interactive connection of the payment unit 4 (card) and the card account 23 to the payment terminal 19, which is connected via the telecommunications network 17 to the application server 10, which is interactively connected by the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18. Both the card account 21 and the main account 20 are connected to the clearing server 11, with the card account 21 linked back to the clearing server 11. The clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

The card is discharged (balanced to zero) as follows. The discharge of the payment unit 4 (card), i. e. a refund to the main account 20, is entered in the payment network operator centre 18 in the corresponding card account 21. This request is transferred via the clearing server 11 to the application server 10, where its implementation is pending.

In order for the request to be implemented and the amount transferred from the payment unit 4 (card or the card account 23) to the main account 20, several consecutive steps for confirmation, referred to as "validation" are needed, i. e. at the payment terminal 19, to use an appropriate button to invoke the correct validation function and approach the payment unit 4 (card) to the payment terminal 19, which has connectivity; the payment terminal 19 connects to the clearing server 11, retrieves all requirements for the respective payment unit 4 (card) and adjusts the data directly to the payment unit 4 (e. g. a change of balance, in this case to 0.00). This will discharge the payment unit 4 (card).

The application server 10 sends information about the discharge performed and the amount transferred to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, where the relevant amount is credited to the main account 20 of a user, and at the same time the balance on the card account 21 is updated.

In this case, the data flow is as follows: clearing server 11 - application server 10 - payment terminal 19 - payment unit 4 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - payment terminal 19 - payment unit 4 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

In this payment system 7 with the payment terminals 19, they can top up cards in both online and offline modes. Each option will be described below.

An example of using the payment terminal 19 in online card top-up mode is shown schematically in . illustrates a two-way connection of the payment unit 4, in this case a card and the card account 23, to the payment terminal 19, which is connected via the application server 10 to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, to which the card account 21 is connected, wherein the clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

Online topping up of the payment unit 4 (card) takes place as follows. The online top-up function is invoked, an amount is entered, the payment unit 4 (card) is approached, which tops up the payment unit 4 (card). The top-up information of the payment unit 4 is transferred immediately to the application server 10 and from there it is transferred to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, where the balance status of the payment unit 4 (card) is updated.

In this case, the data flow is as follows: payment terminal 19 - payment unit 4 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

For an example of using the payment terminal 19 to top up cards offline, see . illustrates a two-way connection of the payment unit 4 (card) and the card account 23 to the payment terminal 19, which is bi-directionally connected to a SAM top-up card 24 (such as cards for use with SAM kiosks or SAM payment terminals widely used in Singapore) and further connected via the telecommunications network 17 to the application server 10 connected to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, to which the card account 21 is connected, wherein the clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

Offline topping up of the payment units 4 (cards) takes place as follows. In order for the system to be fully autonomous and to top up the payment units 4 (cards) even offline, the respective payment terminal 19 needs to be equipped with an internal SAM top-up card 24, which is pre-topped up to a desired balance. The procedure for topping up the SAM top-up card 24 is shown in . Therefore, if the payment terminal 19 does not have connectivity and has a topped-up SAM top-up card 24, topping up of the payment unit 4 (card) takes place as follows.

The corresponding offline top-up function from the SAM top-up card 24 is invoked, an amount is entered and the payment unit 4 (card) is approached.

The balance on the payment unit 4 (card) is increased by the topped-up amount, the balance on the SAM top-up card 24 is decreased by the topped-up amount.

These transactions remain in the payment terminal 19 until connectivity is reached; once the payment terminal 19 is connected to the application server 10, all transactions transferred to the application server 10, from which the balance data is then transferred to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18 - SAM top-up card 24 - payment unit 4 - payment terminal 19 - any repetition of sequence 19-4-19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

An example of using the payment terminal 19 in offline mode when topping up from the SAM top-up card 24 is shown schematically in . illustrates a two-way connection between the payment unit 4 (card) and the payment terminal 19, which is also bi-directionally connected to the SAM top-up card 24, via the telecommunications network 17 to the application server 10, which is connected to the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, to which the top-up account 22 of the SAM top-up cards 24 is connected, wherein the clearing server 11 may or may not be part of the payment network operator centre 18.

The topping up of the SAM top-up card 24 takes place as follows. The SAM top-up card 24 is a special card that is inserted into offline payment terminals 19. It is always topped-up online by entering a top-up request in the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18 and synchronizing the SAM top-up card 24 data in the payment terminal 19. The request to top up the SAM top-up card 24 is entered in the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, from where it is transferred to the application server 10, where it is waiting for implementation. In the payment terminal 19, which has the SAM top-up card 24 inserted, a corresponding synchronization function is invoked, and the data is transferred to the SAM top-up card 24, which makes the SAM top-up card 24 topped up. Information about topping up of the SAM top-up card 24 is forwarded back to the application server 10 and the clearing server 11 of the payment network operator centre 18, where the balance on the SAM top-up card 24 is updated.

In this case, the data flow is as follows: clearing server 11 - application server 10 - payment terminal 19 - SAM top-up card 24 - payment terminal 19 - application server 10 - clearing server 11.

The invention can be used for networks of self-service payment and information terminals bringing together information, communication, payment and business functions into a single technical device enabling the provision of free or paid information, communication, payment and business services to institutions, offices and the public using a secure execution of payments by payment cards according to the EMV standard, electronic banking tools and, where appropriate, micropayment tools such as an electronic smart wallet.

processor unit
display unit
communication unit
payment unit
hybrid card reader
power supply unit
payment system
peripheral device unit
top-up card slot
application server
clearing server
business and information service provider server
business and information service provider account
authorisation centre server
bank server
payment network operator account
telecommunications network
payment network operator centre
payment terminal
main account
card account
top-up account of the SAM top-up card 24
card account of the payment unit 4
SAM top-up card

Claims

A payment system (7) comprising a payment unit (4), a payment terminal (19) and a telecommunications network (17), characterised in that it comprises the payment unit (4) interactively connected to the payment terminal (19), the payment terminal (19) being connected bi-directionally to an application server (10), the application server (10) being connected bi-directionally to a business and information service provider server (12) as well as to a clearing server (11), the clearing server (11) being connected to a payment network operator account (16) and the payment network operator account (16) being connected to a commercial and information service provider account (13), wherein the payment terminal (19) is further connected to the clearing server (11) as well as bi-directionally to an authorisation centre server (14), the authorisation centre server (14) being interactively connected to a bank server (15), the bank server (15) being connected to the payment network operator account (16).
The payment system (7) according to claim 1, characterised in that the clearing server (11) is part of a payment network operator centre (18).
The payment system (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the payment terminal (19) includes a processor unit (1), the processor unit (1) being connected bi-directionally to a display unit (2) and to a communication unit (3), the communication unit (3) being connected to the telecommunications network (17), wherein the processor unit (1) is connected bi-directionally to a hybrid card reader (5) as well as to a peripheral device unit (8) and a top-up card slot (9).
The payment system (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the payment terminal (19) is connected to a power unit (6), which is preferably an integral part of the payment terminal (19) and preferably comprises a rechargeable electric battery.
The payment system (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the payment unit (4) includes a card account (23) of the payment unit (4) and is connected bi-directionally to the payment terminal (19), the payment terminal (19) being connected to the application server (10), the application server (10) being connected to the clearing server (11) and the clearing server (11) being connected to a card account (21).
The payment system according to claim 5, characterised in that the clearing server (11) is connected to the card account (21) as well as to a main account (20), wherein the card account (21) is further connected to the main account (20), the main account (20) being connected back to the clearing server (11).
The payment system according to claim 5, characterised in that the clearing server (11) is connected to the card account (21) and the main account (20), wherein the card account (21) is connected back to the clearing server (11).
The payment system according to claim 5, characterised in that the payment terminal (19) is further connected to a SAM top-up card (24).
The payment system according to claim 8, characterised in that the payment terminal (19), being connected bi-directionally to the SAM top-up card (24), is connected to the application server (10), the application server (10) being connected bi-directionally to the clearing server (11), the clearing server (11) being connected to a top-up account (22) of the SAM top-up card (24).