Self-contained payment system with circulating digital vouchers
First Claim
1. A system for making payments using vouchers having an identifying element and a dynamic log to which additional data representing the transfer of the voucher is added whenever there is a transaction involving the voucher, wherein a transaction includes a creation of, any use of or movement of the voucher comprising:
- a remote device comprising the following components;
an input signal receiver for receiving said vouchers sent to the said remote device;
a memory for storing said vouchers and storing an identification number of said remote device and storing an account number;
an output signal generator for sending said vouchers;
a processor storing said received vouchers in said memory, wherein said processor generates and attaches a remote device set of log digits to said voucher, and wherein said processor retrieves vouchers from said memory and sends them to said output signal generator linked to said processor;
user controls for inputting operating instructions to said remote device;
a central system comprising the following components;
a central memory where memory locations represent accounts having account numbers, vouchers are stored in said accounts, the memory is connected to a central processor;
central operator controls for inputting operating instructions, the controls are connected to the central processor;
a central processor which;
provides user with an account number in the central system and which allocates space in said central memory for said account numbers;
creates said identifying element of said voucher;
attaches a central system identifying set of log digits when performing a transactions;
transmits said voucher to a first remote device being configured according to said remote device;
receives said voucher from a second remote device being configured according to said remote device where said first remote device and said second remote device can be the same remote device;
evaluates said identifying digits and log digits of said received voucher; and
redeems said voucher only after verifying that said voucher has not been received earlier in said central system;
a central input signal receiver which receives said vouchers from said remote device and which is linked to said central processor; and
a central output signal generator which is linked to said central processor and sends said vouchers to said remote device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained payment system uses circulating digital vouchers for the transfer of value. The system creates and transfers digital vouchers. A digital voucher has an identifying element and a dynamic log. The identifying element includes information such as the transferable value, a serial number and a digital signature. The dynamic log records the movement of the voucher through the system and accordingly grows over time. This allows the system operator to not only reconcile the vouchers before redeeming them but also to recreate the history of movement of a voucher should an irregularity like a duplicate voucher be detected. These vouchers are used within a self-contained system including a large number of remote devices which are linked to a central system. The central system can be linked to an external system. The external system, as well as the remote devices, are connected to the central system by any one or a combination of networks. The networks must be able to transport digital information, for example the internet, cellular networks, telecommunication networks, cable networks or proprietary networks. Vouchers can also be transferred from one remote device to another remote device. These remote devices can communicate through a number of methods with each other. For example, for a non-face-to-face transaction the internet is a choice, for a face-to-face or close proximity transactions tone signals or light signals are likely methods. In addition at the time of a transaction a digital receipt can be created which will facilitate a fast replacement of vouchers stored in a lost remote device.
419 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for making payments using vouchers having an identifying element and a dynamic log to which additional data representing the transfer of the voucher is added whenever there is a transaction involving the voucher, wherein a transaction includes a creation of, any use of or movement of the voucher comprising:
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a remote device comprising the following components; an input signal receiver for receiving said vouchers sent to the said remote device; a memory for storing said vouchers and storing an identification number of said remote device and storing an account number; an output signal generator for sending said vouchers; a processor storing said received vouchers in said memory, wherein said processor generates and attaches a remote device set of log digits to said voucher, and wherein said processor retrieves vouchers from said memory and sends them to said output signal generator linked to said processor; user controls for inputting operating instructions to said remote device; a central system comprising the following components; a central memory where memory locations represent accounts having account numbers, vouchers are stored in said accounts, the memory is connected to a central processor; central operator controls for inputting operating instructions, the controls are connected to the central processor; a central processor which; provides user with an account number in the central system and which allocates space in said central memory for said account numbers; creates said identifying element of said voucher; attaches a central system identifying set of log digits when performing a transactions; transmits said voucher to a first remote device being configured according to said remote device; receives said voucher from a second remote device being configured according to said remote device where said first remote device and said second remote device can be the same remote device; evaluates said identifying digits and log digits of said received voucher; and redeems said voucher only after verifying that said voucher has not been received earlier in said central system; a central input signal receiver which receives said vouchers from said remote device and which is linked to said central processor; and a central output signal generator which is linked to said central processor and sends said vouchers to said remote device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for making payments using vouchers within a self-contained system comprising the steps of:
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setting up an account by providing a user with an account number in a central system and allocating memory space to said account; prompting a central processor to create a voucher having an identifying element and a dynamic log, wherein said central processor adds a series of log digits to said dynamic log representing said account number and a first transaction code recording the history of the transaction creating the voucher; transferring said voucher from a central system to an "n-transaction" remote device, wherein a series of log digits are added to said dynamic log representing an "n-transaction" transaction code recording the history of the transaction of said voucher being transferred from said central system to said "n-transaction" remote device; transferring said voucher from said "n-transaction" remote device to an "n+1-transaction" remote device representing the first of a series of remote devices in a transaction series n, n+1, n+2, . . . n+y, ending with an "n+y-transaction" remote device, a series of log digits are added to said dynamic log representing an "n+1-transaction" transaction code and successively adding additional codes ending with an "n+y-transaction" transaction code recording the history of the transactions transferring said voucher from said "n-transaction" remote device to said "n+y-transaction" remote device; and transferring said voucher from said "n+y-transaction" remote device to said central system, wherein a series of log digits are added to said dynamic log representing a transaction code recording the history of the transaction transferring the voucher from said "n+y-transaction" remote device to said central system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification