WO1995002227A1

WO1995002227A1 - Process and arrangement for the selling of goods and/or services offered by different suppliers

Info

Publication number: WO1995002227A1
Application number: PCT/EP1994/002120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Lemmer
Original assignee: Cibic Ptc Systems Ag
Priority date: 1993-07-08
Filing date: 1994-06-29
Publication date: 1995-01-19
Also published as: DE4322794C1; EP0707734A1; AU7073494A

Abstract

A process and device are disclosed for the selling of goods and/or services offered by different suppliers (12), in particular travel agencies. The suppliers (12) issue and administrate vouchers (9) by means of common data processing network (1). The vouchers (9) have a machine-readable data field carrying various items of information. These items of information are also stored in the data processing network (1) and when the voucher (9) is collected, they are compared with the voucher data through the data processing network and their conformity is checked. Depending on the result of the check, a booking is performed and if required a payment transfer is released. The suppliers are equipped with at least one data processing station (2) with a reader (3) for reading the information of the data field (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method and arrangement for handling the distribution of goods and / or services from different providers

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for handling the distribution of goods and / or services from different providers and a valuable voucher.

In practice, voucher systems for department stores, snack chains, etc. are known. The valuable vouchers are issued by the companies and are only valid at the place of issue or at branches of the same company. The vouchers are in the form of printed sheets of paper, on which the value of the voucher is visually indicated.

The known voucher systems have the disadvantage that they are tied to certain companies and narrow scope. In addition, the validity of the voucher cannot be checked.

From DE-PS 34 01 319 a self-contained data processing system for the central billing and management of services or goods in a nursing home or the like is known. The system comprises a data processing network with one or more computers, several credit stores assigned to the different customers, several terminals also assigned to the customers, money input and output devices, various monitoring devices and several programmable service devices. Every customer receives from the system a customer card assigned to him with a customer-specific identifier in a machine-readable Data field. Using the customer card, the customer can identify himself to the system and get access to the services or goods of the care institution. The customer can also deposit and withdraw money from his credit store. The customer card is labeled, issued and managed by the system, the customer data being stored in the computer. When the customer requests performance, the customer card is read by a reading device of the terminal, the computer checking the status of the customer's credit store and releasing the service if the account has sufficient funds. At the same time, a booking process is triggered by loading the credit store. The customer card is a customer-related ID for cashless payments and not a voucher. It is not transferable and is only valid within one nursing home. There is also only one service provider.

Various types of machine-readable cards in the form of employee ID cards, check and credit cards and telephone cards are known from the literature reference Funkschau 13/1986, pp. 24-28. Credit cards or credit cards, like the aforementioned customer card, are bound to the card or account holder and are not transferable. In this respect, they are not a voucher, but an authorization for access to the account. Telephone cards have a certain total value, which is stored on a readable chip. The total value consists of a large number of individual values that can be deleted individually. The phone cards are tied to a specific provider, namely Telekom, and can only be used for phone calls. They are not a voucher that can be transferred between different providers and redeemed for any goods and / or services. Rather, they are a directly bookable and self-sufficient coin substitute. The current total value of the card is read by the telephone machine, whereby the telephoned units on the telephone card are gradually deleted. This requires a complex extinguishing device in every telephone machine.

It is the object of the present invention to show a possibility for handling the sale of goods and / or services on a voucher basis with a broader useful area.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the subordinate method and claims.

The invention makes it possible to sell goods and / or services on a voucher basis in an arbitrarily large group of different providers. The providers can be independent and do not have to be part of a common company or group. The providers can also belong to different industries. The providers are about a common one

Data processing network connected directly or via a central office. The valuable voucher creates a means of payment common to the group of providers, which is freely transferable among customers and providers and which can be redeemed by the participating providers for basically any goods and / or services.

Via the common data processing network and the machine-readable data field on the voucher, the voucher can be checked and payment transactions between providers can be processed and monitored quickly, efficiently and securely. With the invention, the voucher traffic is largely secured against counterfeiting. This is one of the prerequisites for a voucher system to work at all with third-party providers.

In the simplest embodiment, the providers are only connected to one another by data lines, each provider having its own computer system. When checking and redeeming a voucher, the information is exchanged via the data lines, whereby payment transactions can be processed in parallel by bank. In the preferred embodiment, one or more central computers are integrated in the data processing network, which offers more options for data exchange and also simplifies payment transactions. Accounts of the individual providers can be kept in the central booking computer and booked directly when the vouchers are redeemed. From a central location, e.g. The easiest and safest way to issue vouchers and check them in subsequent traffic is from the central booking computer or the system operator.

The providers are equipped with a data processing station and a reader, which can be present one or more times. In the preferred embodiment, largely pre-made vouchers can be made valuable by the reader at the provider and given to the customer. This simplifies the production and issue of the vouchers and at the same time protects against misuse. Due to the value setting via the reading device, the provider does not need any additional complex hardware, in particular a simple reading device without a special writing device is sufficient. This makes the voucher system particularly economical. The vouchers can be designed differently. In the preferred embodiment, the voucher is designed as a stable card in credit card format, which simplifies handling and storage and ensures high data security. The voucher can also be used as an advertising medium. It can also become a collector's item.

The invention is basically suitable for the distribution of all types of goods and / or services as well as for any supplier industries. There is a particular suitability for providers in the travel industry, especially travel agencies. The providers involved are opening up a much broader market. In the travel industry in particular, travel agencies can offer and market ancillary services on a broader basis in addition to travel services. On the provider side, in addition to the travel agencies, the providers of travel services such as hotels, rental car companies, bus, train, ship and airline companies, holiday parks and other providers of tourist services and goods can also be integrated. The voucher is issued by a travel agency, for example, and can be redeemed by the customer at another travel agency or at a hotel, bus company, etc. Vouchers can also be collected for a longer trip. They are suitable as gifts and collectibles, and the fact that they can be redeemed at various providers in the travel industry increases the benefits and customer acceptance considerably.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. The invention is shown in the drawings, for example and schematically. Show in detail

Figure 1: in broken and schematic view of a data processing network with - central booking computer and several providers and

Figure 2: a voucher in side view.

Figure 1 shows a highly schematic representation of several providers (12), preferably travel agencies or other agents or providers of travel services, which are interconnected by a data processing network (1). The providers (12) can be shops, offices, etc., but also machines, such as ticket machines or the like. The providers (10) can provide any services and / or goods, e.g. Travel needs, lead or mediate.

The goods and / or services of the providers (12) can be paid in full or in part by the customer with one or more vouchers (9). The customer can purchase a voucher (9) from a provider (12) and freely from the same provider (12) or any other provider (12) in association with

Redeem the data processing network (1). Any goods and / or services of the redeeming provider (12) can thus be paid for. The voucher (9) can also be freely transferred among customers, for example, given away or sold. Each provider (12) integrated in the data processing network (1) has one or more

Data processing stations (2) and one or more input devices (3) or reading devices (4). In the preferred embodiment, the data processing stations (2) are connected to at least one central booking computer (6) by data lines (8). As an alternative or in addition, the data processing stations (2) can also be connected to one another directly by data lines (8).

In a data processing network (1) with a central booking computer (6), the data processing stations (2) can consist of simple terminals. Alternatively, they can also be designed as computers with a higher level of intelligence. The input devices (3) consist, for example, of keyboards. The readers (4) are designed as card readers, which scan magnetic strips or chips and record the information they contain.

Figure 2 illustrates the voucher (9). It is a stable card in credit card format, which is preferably made of plastic. It carries a data field (10), preferably in the form of a magnetic strip (11), which can be read in the reader (4). The data field (10) can also consist of a chip or the like. The card (9) can have free additional fields (13) for printing with value information, advertising labels and other information from the provider (s) (12).

The machine-readable data field (10) contains, preferably in coded and optionally encrypted form, information about the identification of the voucher (9), the issuing provider (12) and possibly its nationality and about the value of the Coupons (9) included and saved permanently. In contrast to telephone cards, the voucher value is not included as legible and rewritable information. The aforementioned value of the voucher (9) means that the voucher (9) is valid and has a certain value, but which is only by asking about the

Data processing network (1) can be queried and debited from the issuing provider (12) or from the central booking computer (6). The aforementioned information of the data field (10) can additionally be given as a number and / or letter code in a legible manner on the voucher (9), for example stamped on the card.

The vouchers (9) could be issued for certain staggered values, e.g. DM 20, -, DM 50, - or DM 100, -. However, it is also possible to enter a surprise value of any amount, e.g. a very specific travel service, such as a first class train journey between two locations.

In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the information on the data field (10) includes a first segment with the year and month of the voucher issuance, a second segment with a circulation identifier of the voucher series, a third segment with a continuous voucher serial number and a fourth segment with the value of the voucher ( 9). This data can also be visibly indicated in the additional fields (13). The data field (10) additionally contains, in coded form, the personal identity number of the issuing provider (12). This can also include an identifier for the exhibiting employee, the branch or the device. The data field (10) may also contain a country code and an identifier for the value date and thus the validity of the voucher (9). In the preferred embodiment, the data fields (10) are described at a central point, for example at a system operator or at the central booking computer (6). This information can also be stored in parallel in the data processing network (1), in particular in the central booking computer (6). An output device (7), for example assigned to the system operator or the central booking computer (6), is arranged in the data processing network (1) for the labeling of the data fields.

The vouchers (9) prepared in this way are then delivered to the respective providers (12) and sold by them to customers. The vouchers (9) are only valuable and thus made valid when sold. For this purpose, the intended sale of the voucher (9) and the relevant information from the data field (10) are reported to the central booking computer (6) via the data processing network (1) and, if not yet done, stored there. The information in the data field (10) can be read with the reader (4). The central booking computer (6) then checks whether the voucher has already been paid and should be in circulation, has already been redeemed, has been blocked or can it really be sold. The status of the voucher (9) is thus found.

The central booking computer (6) gives feedback to the data processing station (2) after the check. If the voucher (9) is released and sold, the data is entered at the data processing station (2) using the keyboard (3) and a corresponding input mask on the screen. The voucher (9) is thereby stored in the central booking computer (6). When selling a voucher (9)

Processing surcharges will be charged. When the sale has been made, the goods and / or service value of the voucher (9) is credited to a blocked account held in the central booking computer (6). Part of the processing fees charged will be credited to the issuing provider (12) on his provider account and the rest will be distributed to the other providers (12) involved in the association and their accounts. The provider accounts are also managed in the central booking computer (6).

In a departure from the procedure described above for storing information when labeling vouchers, the information in data field (10) can only be read in when the voucher is sold (9) and when the card is inserted into the reader (4), transmitted to the central booking computer (6) and for the first time saved together with the date of sale and booking times.

When the voucher (9) is redeemed by any of the providers (12) involved in the association, the card (9) is pushed through the reading device (4). The information read from the data field (10) is thus available in the data processing station (2). The information about the time of issue, the circulation identification, the continuous map series and possibly the country identification are transmitted to the data processing network (1) and, in the preferred embodiment, directly to the central booking computer (6). There, in turn, it is checked whether the voucher is valid and valuable, that is, whether the card has already been paid for and should be in circulation, has already been redeemed or blocked, or is really available. The test result is reported back to the data processing station (2). If the voucher (9) is valid and of good value, the voucher value available for the goods and / or service along with the date and time of issue can be displayed on the screen of the data processing station (2). If the voucher (9) is actually to be redeemed after the card check, this is reported in turn to the central booking computer (6). The voucher (9) is canceled in the central booking computer (6) and the amount thus available is claimed as a down payment for the desired trip or other goods and / or service from the redeeming provider (12).

The devaluation process is logged in the central booking computer (6), and at the same time a change of booking is given which transfers the amount in the blocked account to the account of the redeeming provider (12). The voucher data is also transferred to a database area for the vouchers that have been canceled and no longer valid. From this point on, the canceled voucher is only collectible and will be given back to the customer. If the attempt was redeemed again, the central booking computer (6) would issue an error message stating that the voucher (9) had already been canceled.

If a voucher (9) is lost or stolen from the customer after it has been issued, it can be blocked. For this purpose, the voucher (9) can be identified by the issuing provider (12) on the basis of a booking list or other data and blocked by a corresponding entry to the central booking computer (6). At the same time, a replacement voucher can be issued. At a Attempt to redeem a blocked voucher (9) is given a corresponding error message by the central booking computer (6) to the data processing station (2).

The following is an example of an explanation of data and information management.

The voucher (9) can e.g. are in four different states:

In neutral status, it has not yet been paid for and made valuable. He can then be in the custody of the selling provider (12), at the card manufacturer or on the shipping route. It can also be in the possession of a collector who bought the card for the material value from the provider (12). The voucher (9) can also be stolen from the provider (12) or stolen or otherwise lost. In the status valued / valued, the voucher (9) was purchased and paid for by a customer, but has not yet been redeemed. He can then be in the custody of the customer or on a shipping route between customers. It can also be stolen or lost in some other way.

In the blocked status, the voucher (9) was paid and not yet redeemed and reported as blocked. He may then be ignorantly in the custody of the buyer, a gift recipient or a collector, but also in the possession of a thief. The voucher (9) can also be lost and / or destroyed.

With the status canceled, the paid voucher (9) was paid and redeemed and only has the pure material value of the card. He can then be in the custody of the buyer, a gift recipient or a collector. Vouchers (9) that were purchased by a collector from the issuing provider (12) for material value and without value date can also be validated. Depending on the possible voucher status, various database areas or lists are kept in the central booking computer (6), in which the information from the data field (10) is set according to the status. In addition, the central booking computer (6) can also store the PIN numbers of the provider (12) who blocks or invalidates an issued voucher (9). Corresponding address fields with relevant individual data of the providers (12) are coupled to the PIN numbers.

Variations of the described embodiment are possible in different ways. On the one hand, the information from the data field (10) can be entered manually on the keyboard in the event of damage, etc. On the other hand, with appropriately equipped reading devices (4), information can be placed on the voucher (9), for example the data field (10). Such information can be an identifier of the recoverability, the card status or the like. This is possible, for example, by means of an erase pulse or some other mechanical marking, for example.

B E Z U G S Z E I C H E N L I S T E

Data processing network Data processing station input device reader marking device booking computer output device data line voucher, card data field magnetic stripe provider, travel agency additional field

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1.) Process for handling the sale of goods and / or services from different providers, in particular travel agencies, using valuable vouchers, the vouchers (9) being issued and managed using a common data processing network (1) of the providers (12), before and / or when issuing a voucher for a voucher (9) with a machine-readable data field (10), various information about at least the identification of the voucher (9) and about the issuing provider (12) is written and stored permanently and this data is also stored in the data processing network (1 ) are saved, and when the voucher (9) is redeemed, the information in the data field (10) is read by machine, compared with the data stored in the data processing network (1) and checked for correctness, after which, depending on the test result and the value of the voucher (9 ) a booking process and, if applicable, a payment nsfer be triggered.

2.) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data field (10) of the voucher (9) is prescribed with information which is read in by the provider (12) and reported to a central booking computer (6) for the value of the voucher (9) become.

3.) Arrangement for handling the sale of goods and / or services from different providers, in particular travel agencies, using valuable vouchers, the vouchers (9) having at least one machine-readable data field (10) that contains information at least on the identification of the voucher and on the issuing provider (12), the providers (12) being connected to one another by means of a data processing network (1) in which the information of the vouchers (9) is stored in parallel, each provider (12) having at least one data processing station (2) with one Reader (3) for the information of the data field (10) is assigned.

4.) Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one central booking computer (6) is arranged in the data processing network (1).

5.) Arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that programs for monitoring and managing the vouchers (9) and for managing accounts of the providers (12) are provided in the data processing network (1).

6.) Arrangement according to claim 3 or one of the following, characterized in that one or more output devices (7) for creating the vouchers (9) and labeling of the data fields (10) are provided in the data processing network (1).

7.) Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the programs and the output devices (7) are assigned to the central booking computer (6).

8.) Arrangement according to claim 3 or one of the following, characterized in that the reading devices (4) have a marking device (5) for identifying the voucher (9) or the data field (10).

9.) Voucher for a method and / or an arrangement according to claim 1 or one of the following, thereby g e k e n n e e c h n e t that the voucher (9) is designed as a stable card in credit card format and has a machine-readable data field (10).

10.) Voucher according to claim 9, characterized in that the data field (10) is designed as a magnetic stripe (11) or chip.

11.) Voucher according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the voucher (9) has free additional fields (13) for printing advertising, value details and other information from the provider (12).