Method for using applications in a mobile station, a mobile station, and a system for effecting payments

• US 6,078,806 A
• Filed: 05/08/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Rautiola, Markku, Heinonen, Petri, Terho, Mikko, Marttila, Matti J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gantt, Alan
• Application Number:
  US09/074,864
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/557, 455/558, 455/556, 455/406, 455/408, 455/90
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3226 Use of secure elements separate from M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3227 using secure elements embedded in M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3229 Use of the SIM of a M-device as secure element
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3576 Multiple memory zones on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 : using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 : for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 : by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 : electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 : Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 : Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 : Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 : Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A method is provided for using an application (18) in a mobile station (1). The application has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The first mode of operation is passive. In the second mode of operation the application (18) controls a master control unit (MCU) of the mobile station (1). Also provided is a system for making payments, comprising at least one mobile station (1) which has an associated application (18), a component for using the application (18), and a first transceiver (IR, 20) for providing local data transfer. The system also comprises at least one cash register (21) or the like, which has a second transceiver for providing data transfer (IR2). The application (18) has a capability for causing data to be transferred from the first transceiver (IR) to the second transceiver (IR2)

Claims

1. A system for effecting payments, wherein the system comprises:

at least one mobile station that includes;

an application,

means for using the application, and

a first means for providing local data transfer;

wherein said system for effecting payments further comprises;

at least one payment reception terminal which has a second means for providing local data transfer, said second means for providing local data transfer being coupled to said first means for providing local data transfer through a wireless interface; and

wherein the application comprises means for transferring data between the first means for providing local data transfer and the second means for providing local data transfer through said wireless interface, for registering a payment transaction in the payment reception terminal.

2. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one payment reception terminal includes a cash register.

3. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first means for providing local data transfer and the second means for providing local data transfer includes an IR transceiver.

4. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data is transferred between the first means for providing local data transfer and the second means for providing local data transfer using one of an ultrasound communication, an electromagnetic induction communication, and a radio communication.

5. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the application includes a cash card application.

6. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the application is incorporated in an external application module that is attachably coupled to the at least one mobile station.

7. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 6, wherein there is also at least one of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card and another external application module coupled to the at least one mobile station.

8. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 6, wherein the external application module includes a plurality of separate applications.

9. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the application is included in a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) module.

10. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one payment reception terminal includes an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) application that is in communication with said second means for providing local data transfer.

11. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the application normally resides in a first, passive mode, said application being controllable for operating in a second, active mode of operation, wherein said means for using the application includes a master control unit (MCU) that is coupled to said application, said MCU normally operating in a first, master control state for controlling operations of the at least one mobile station, said MCU being switchable for operating in a second, slave state, wherein said MCU controls the switching of said MCU from said first, master control state to said second, slave state upon said application being set in said second, active mode of operation, and wherein in the second, slave state said MCU operates under the control of said application.

12. A system for effecting payments as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one mobile station further comprises a transceiver, said transceiver being bidirectionally coupled to a communication network.

13. A method for operating a payment system that includes a first, user terminal and a second terminal, the first, user terminal having at least one application, the method comprising the steps of:

entering information into the first, user terminal specifying that a payment be made from the first, user terminal to the second terminal;

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through a wireless interface; and

registering a payment transaction with at least one of the second terminal and the at least one application.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein prior to the performance of the registering step, further steps are performed of:

entering identification information into the first, user terminal; and

in response to the step of entering identification information, the first, user terminal performs a step of;

comparing the identification information to prestored identification information to determine if the entered identification information and the prestored identification information are similar; and

, if they are similar, the registering step is performed.

15. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application has an associated account balance, and wherein the method further comprises a step of decreasing the associated account balance by an amount of said payment transaction.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein prior to the performance of the decreasing step, further steps are performed of:

receiving information representing the associated account balance from a network; and

storing the received information representing the associated account balance in the first, user terminal.

17. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the decreasing step is performed in response to an occurrence of a predetermined time.

18. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second terminal has an associated account balance, and wherein the method further comprises a step of increasing the associated account balance by an amount of said payment transaction.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the second terminal has an associated Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) application, and wherein the step of increasing is performed at least in part by the EPOS application.

20. A method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the step of increasing is performed at least in part by the at least one application.

21. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the communication link includes at least one of an IR communication link, an ultrasound communication link, and an electromagnetic induction communication link.

22. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the step of registering is performed by the first, user terminal exchanging enciphered data with the second terminal.

23. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein prior to the registering step, a step is performed of verifying that an account associated with the at least one application has at least a predetermined balance, and wherein the registering step is performed in response to the performance of the verifying step.

24. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the second terminal includes a cash register.

25. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application resides in a first, in-active mode, wherein prior to the performance of the entering step, further steps are performed of:

coupling a controller for the first, user terminal to the least one application, the controller normally operating in a first, master control state, the controller being switchable for operating in a second, slave state, wherein in the first, master control state, the controller operates as a master controller for controlling operations of the first, user terminal;

activating the at least one application for causing the at least one application to operate in a second, active operating mode;

in response to the activating step, switching the operation of the controller from the first, master control state to the second, slave state, wherein in the second, slave state the controller operates under the control of the at least one application, and wherein the communication link is established from the at least one application to the second terminal through said controller and said wireless interface.

26. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein information indicating a balance of a user account is stored in an external storage device, and wherein further steps are performed of:

a user entering information into the first, user terminal requesting that the information indicating the balance of the user account be retrieved from the external storage device;

in response to the first, user terminal receiving the user-entered information, communicating a message from the first, user terminal to the external storage device requesting that the information indicating the balance of the user account be provided to the first, user terminal; and

providing the information indicating the balance of the user account from the external storage device to the first, user terminal.

27. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein information indicating a balance of a user account is stored in a memory of the first, user terminal, and wherein further steps are performed of:

a user entering information into the first, user terminal requesting that the information indicating the balance of the user account be retrieved;

in response to the first, user terminal receiving the user-entered information, retrieving the information indicating the balance of the user account from the memory; and

providing the information indicating the balance of the user account to the user.

28. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application relates to a first user account having a first balance, wherein an external storage location stores a second user account having a second balance, and wherein further steps are performed of:

the first, user terminal communicating with the external storage location so as to retrieve at least a portion of the second balance from the second user account stored in the external storage location; and

increasing the first balance by an amount that is equal to the portion of second balance retrieved from the second user account.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, and further comprising a step of decreasing the second balance by an amount that is equal to the portion of second balance retrieved from the second user account.

30. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application has an associated account balance, and wherein prior to the establishing step, and in response to the performance of the entering step, a further step is performed of decreasing the associated account balance by an amount of said payment transaction.

31. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application has an associated account balance, and wherein prior to the establishing step, and in response to the performance of the entering step, a further step is performed of storing information representing a value of the payment transaction in a memory of the first, user terminal.

32. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein an external storage location stores information specifying a transaction credit value for the first, user terminal, the transaction credit value being at least as great as a value of said payment transaction, and wherein the method further includes steps of:

the first, user terminal sending a message signal to the external storage location requesting that the external storage location provide the information specifying the transaction credit value to the first, user terminal;

receiving the message signal at the external storage location;

in response to the external storage location receiving the message signal, forwarding the information specifying the transaction credit value to the first, user terminal;

receiving the information specifying the transaction credit value at the first, user terminal; and

in response to the first, user terminal receiving the information specifying the transaction credit value, storing the information specifying the transaction credit value in the first, user terminal.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32, wherein the external storage location is located within a communication network.

34. A method as set forth in claim 32, wherein the message signal includes a Short Message Service (SMS) message.

35. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first, user terminal has an associated account balance, and wherein prior to the entering step, further steps are performed of:

providing information representing a credit value from a credit source to the first, user terminal, the credit value being at least as great as a value of said payment transaction; and

increasing a value of the associated account balance by the credit value provided to the first, user terminal.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35, wherein after the step of registering is performed, a further step is performed of decreasing the value of the associated account balance by the value of said payment transaction.

37. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one application is included in an external application module that is coupled to the first, user terminal, wherein prior to the entering step, a further step is performed of storing information specifying a credit value in the external application module, and wherein after the registering step is performed, a further step is performed of manipulating the information specifying the credit value so as to decrease the credit value by a value of the payment transaction.