Arrangement for acquisition of services via a telephone set

The invention relates to an arrangement for acquisition of services via a telephone set. The arrangement comprises a communication element which connects the calling service purchaser to a service provider station with associated computer equipment. The arrangement contains a reader unit which operates in conjunction with an identity element for communicating with the computer equipment, The identity element is provided with information for identifying the purchaser. The identity element is preferably a smart card and the communication element comprises a reader unit which, together with software, can handle smart cards. The arrangement has a built-in keyboard for feeding in data.

SER VICE PRO V/DER TELEPHONE

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WO 92/21110

PCT/SE92/00293

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: ARRANGEMENT FOR ACQUISITION

OF SERVICES VIA A TELEPHONE SET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrangement . . . .

for acquisition of services via a telephonemore , , '-vse. °F A specifically^ reader which is coupled to the telephone. The reader contains a reader unit which, together with software, can handle smart cards. The reader can communicate with a receiver at the service provider end. The arrangement Sfcgya built-in keyboard for feeding in data.

The arrangement is controlled in its entirety from the telephone service which the service purchaser is ringing. This can be a voice answering equipment or any other equipment which is built for communicating with a reader for smart cards. The reader is controlled via any one of the two accessible communication channels.

PRIOR ART

It has previously been known to order services from a computer equipment via telephone. In this case, the computer is controlled with the aid of the key set on the telephone set and information is obtained from the computer in the form of speech which is generated by the computer. The user himself must keep track of all codes for identification and different instructions to the computer.

Automatic banking machines are also already known. In these, a card is introduced which identifies the user. The user then requests an amount and feeds in his personal identification code via the key set on the terminal. The automatic banking machines only provide limited services, withdrawal and account information, and the bank card only contains a code which identifies the

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SUMMARY of the invention

The present invention relates to an arrangement for the acquisition of services via a telephone network with increased possibilities. Several different services can be provided and the safety functions can be improved.

According to the present invention there is provided a system for accessing a service provided via a telephone network, comprising:

a communication device to connect a calling party to a service-providing station having associated computer equipment, via the telephone network;

an identity device in the form of a smart card provided with data for identifying a calling party; and a reading unit within the communication device to facilitate communication between the identity device, the calling party and the computer equipment; wherein, in use, the reading unit permits communication between the identity device and the calling party to establish the calling party’s identity, and only after that has successfully been established permit communication, under the control of the computer equipment, between the communication device and the service-providing station.

Preferably the communication device includes a keyboard for inputting information to the identity device and computer equipment.

Preferably the communication device is equipped with tone signal transmitter and receiver.

Preferably the communication device is equipped with a modem.

Preferably the communication device is connected to the telephone network in parallel with a telephone set, preferably by means of an adaptor plug.

Preferably the communication device is built into a telephone set which is provided with a slot for feeding in the identity device.

Preferably in use, the calling party is requested by the computer equipment to feed in an authorisation code for the required service to become accessible and/or for confirming the required transaction.

Preferably the service-providing station consists of a bank, mail order firm, film hire shop or pharmacy. Optionally in the case of the pharmac,

2a service, information about prescription, medical status and the like is introduced on the identity device.

Preferably in the case of a sales function, the identity device is provided with units which can be counted down, for example a number of goods, which are counted down on the basis of the use of the identity device.

Preferably two-way communication occurs in several steps between the computer equipment and the calling party.

Preferably when a calling party orders goods or services, the computer equipment sends back a request for further identification from the calling party. ::,: IO Preferably the computer equipment is arranged to provide

I » ί, · , · acknowledgment/voice response with respect to a service requested by the &lt; · calling party.

« * • · : ' Service providers can increase the security of the existing applications or '«lit» ’ ’ , develop new services with the aid of the reader. Security is guaranteed by the

,.., 15 security functions which are built into smart cards. Among other things, these « · · • » ‘,,,: . cards can encrypt and sign electronic transactions which, together, have the • · · • · · .,, ϊ result that service providers can offer very advanced services via the telephone • * ,, , : network. A smart card which is used as information carrier can use the reader » « : for transmitting the stored information items. ·

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0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the subsequent drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the arrangement according to the invention connected to a telephone system; and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an alternative coupling of the arrangement according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

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Figure 1 shows the arrangement according to the

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- 3 invention coupled to a telephone system. The arrangement is located at the subscriber who is a service purchaser. A connection can be coupled via a telephone system, for example the general telephone network, to a service provider, one of which is shown. At the service provider station, a computer and communication equipment are located.

The arrangement according to the invention consists of a card reader for smart cards. The reader is connected in parallel with the telephone to a normal telephone jack via a standard adaptor plug. The reader contains a reader unit which, together with software functions, can handle smart cards. The reader can communicate with the receiver at the service provider station either by means of tone dialling signalling and/or by means of a modem. It also has a built-in keyboard for feeding in data. The reader is completely controlled from the telephone service which the user is calling. The computer equipment of the telephone service normally has a voice answering equipment or other equipment intended for communicating with a reader. The reader is controlled via any one of the two communication channels which are accessible, by means of tone dialling signalling or modem.

Figure 2 shows an alternative way for cQnnecting the reader. The reader is here directly connected via its plug to the telephone network and the telephone set is coupled directly to the card reader. Here, too, the reader and the telephone set are coupled in parallel.

It is also possible to build the telephone set and the card reader together to form one unit. In this case, the unit has only one key set and a slot for introducing the smart card.

The reader is controlled by a central processing unit. This is an eight-bit central processing unit designed for maximum integration of the card reader's functions directly in the central processing unit. The central processing unit is made in CMOS technology which ensures low current consumption. Internally, there is a

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- 4 random-access memory RAM with 256 bytes which is adequate for the functions to be carried out by the reader. The program code can be stored in a programmable read-only memory PROM or mask-programmed directly in the central processing unit for minimising current consumption and price.

The card reader is equipped with a built-in keyboard which contains 12 keys: the digits 0-9 and characters * and #. The appearance corresponds to key sets of normal tele-phones. The keyboard is directly coupled to the central processing unit which eliminates the risk of leakage of information fed in.

The reader unit itself is designed for being mounted directly on the circuit board which is important for keeping down the total size and price of the construction. The reader unit is adapted to be able to handle all smart cards on the market. The reader unit is completely passive and is only a link between the card and the central processing unit. The central processing unit can communicate with the card via the reader unit and contribute power supply and clock. Different feed voltages and clock frequencies are supplied to the card depending on which card is connected.

The basic communication with the computer equipment called occurs with the aid of tone dialling signalling. The reader is equipped both with tone dialling transmitter and receiver.

The transmission speed is normally 10 characters (10 x 4 bits) per second. The tone dialling receiver is coupled in parallel with the normal telephone traffic which means that it can receive data both from the user's telephone and from the telephone network. The reader also contains a relay for disconnecting the user when the reader and the service provider's equipment are directly communicating with one another.

Since tone dialling signalling greatly limits the amount of data which can be transferred, the reader is also equipped with a built-in modem. The modem can handle communication according to. CCITT V.21 and V.23 which

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PCT/SE92/00293 “ 5 provides a transmission speed of up to 1200 bps. This gives higher flexibility with respect to the functions to be executed by the reader.

The reader is also provided with a number of light-emitting diodes in different colours, the functions of which are described below.

The reader is built up of low-current components but the component with the highest current demand is the smart card. Since different cards are being used, the current consumption cannot be calculated accurately.

Moreover, the cards draw more current when they are being written on, so the current consumption varies with time.

The power supply is provided by a battery or by battery eliminator. A 9-V alkaline battery supplies jntinuous drive for the reader for approximately 3-4 hours. One of the abovementioned light-emitting diodes indicates low battery voltage and need for exchanging the battery.

When a card is inserted into the reader unit of the reader, the reader automatically starts. When the card is pulled out, the reader is shut down. Since smart cards are dependent on the power supply from the reader, they are returned to rest position when they are pulled out of the reading unit. When the reader is started by inserting a card into the reader unit, a yellow lightemitting diode is illuminated. The reader tests the card in order to identify the type of smart card which is being used. If the card is recognised, the yellow lightemitting diode is extinguished and the reader is ready for use. This means that the reader proceeds to listen to tone signals which are sent from the called system. If the reader does not recognise the card as one of the acknowledged types, the card is either of an unknown type or misused. A red light-emitting diode is then illuminat35 ed and the reader waits for the card to be pulled out.

All calls to the reader then mly produce an error message as response.

The user can feed data in locally to the reader with the aid of the keyboard. The information items fed

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- 6 in can then be used as data for an instruction to the card. The most usual type of information fed in is a personal code which will be tested in the card but it can also be another type of data, for example information to be encrypted. None of the operations at the keyboard will be output in plain text on the telephone line. The reader accepts the input from the keyboard after an instruction from the called system. When this happens, a green lightemitting diode is illuminated in order to indicate that the data will be fed in. The input is concluded with and the green light-emitting diode is extinguished. When the light-emitting diode is extinguished, no operations at the keyboard will be stored or sent out on the line.

In the connected condition, the reader continuously listens to the data in the form of tone signals or via the modem, which are sent from the called system. When a start character is detected, the reader interprets this as a start of an instruction. The telephone is then disconnected from tha line and the reader changes into instruction mode. The reader now collects all data including the signal which indicates the end of the instruction. If a holdup of more than one second occurs between the different characters, the instruction is considered to be disturbed and the reader goes back to looking for the start character. When the entire instruction is received, it is decoded and executed. After the executed instruction, the reader always sends back a response. After that, the telephone is connected again to the line and the reader goes back to listening. When the modem is connected, the user is always disconnected from the line. From the moment the reader has detected the start character to the time when the reader has sent out the complete response, the yellow light-emitting diode is lit.

The reader always starts in tone dialling mode, that is to say it listens for tone dialling signals from the called system. An instruction can be used for changing communication channel and instead coupling in the modem. Thus, a number of different operating

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- 7 conditions are obtained: tone dialling signalling and signalling by means of the modem with different transmission speeds. The operating condition of the modem can be changed while modem traffic is in progress by means of a new instruction on the modem line. This provides, for example, the possibility of switching between 1200/75 bps as transmission speed. The response to the instruction is always given on the communication channel on which the instruction is sent, tone dialling or modem. Only after the response has been sent out does the exchange of communication channel or operating condition of the modem occur.

The reader can be commanded to accept data from the user via the keyboard by sending an instruction. The green light-emitting diode is illuminated in order to indicate that there will be input from the keyboard. The inputting is concluded by the user pressing the # character. The green light-emitting diode is extinguished when inputting is concluded. The user has a maximum of 30 seconds for feeding in data. If inputting is riot concluded within this time, an error code is returned instead. This instruction is normally used for accepting the personal identification code which is to be used for opening the connected card.

An instruction can be directly sent to the connected card. The reader waits for a response from the card and then sends this back. The reader waits for the response for a maximum of 30 seconds. After that, an error code is returned instead, The reader only examines the length of the instruction as a check that a sufficient amount of data has been sent over. Otherwise, there is no check of the instruction. It is the task of the calling system to see that the instruction follows the specification for the connected card.

If data have been fed in from the keyboard, they can be transmitted to the connected card by means of a special instruction. The input data are stored in the keyboard buffer and transmitted to the card together with the instruction. Here, too, only the xength of the data

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- 8 in the keyboard buffer is checked.

EXAMPLE

The arrangement according to the invention can be used for obtaining bank services. The service provider station is therefore the computer equipment of a bank for checking different accounts. The service purchaser is an account owner who has been allocated a smart bank card. To use the card, the user first calls up the bank via the telephone set and feeds the card into the card reader. When communication has been established, the computer equipment senses what the card is and what account is accessible. The user confirms his authorization by feeding in his personal identification code which is usually secret. The user can then obtain information on various accounts, carry out transactions and obtain other services by inputting requested information by means of the keyboard. At the same time, the computer equipment and the smart card automatically interact for transmitting information.

The card reader can bs based at the account owner's home. It is also conceivable that the card reader is generally accessible, for example at post offices and banks. After each transaction, the user can be requested to sign the transaction by inputting a further code.

The arrangement according to the invention can also be used fof obtaining services from a pharmacy. The card can then be programmed with a prescription, medical status or the like on a visit to the hospital or to the doctor. The card can also specify the amount; of medicine which is dispensed within a certain time. The card user can UJe the card for ringing in prescription orders to the pharmacy. The card and the computer equipment at the pharmacy then interact so that the correct medicine is dispensed. The card keepz track of how much medicine is dispensed and within what time.

The arrangement according to the invention can also be used as means for payment for purchases by telephone. A video film hire shop, for example, can sell

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- 9 cards which have been programmed with a certain number of films in the form of units which are counted down with each purchase or hire. The smart card then has the function of a credit card or payment card.

Other embodiments of the invention are apparent to an expert in the field. The invention is only limited by the patent claims following.

WO 92/21 HO

- 10PCT/SE92/00293

<td></td><td> Key 1</td><td> SERVICE PROVIDER</td>

<td></td><td> Key 2</td><td> TELEPHONE NETWORK</td>

<td></td><td> Ke; 3</td><td> Computer equipment</td>

<td></td><td> Key 4</td><td> Telephone module</td>

<td> 5</td><td> Key 5</td><td> Plug</td>

<td></td><td> Key 6</td><td> Jack</td>

<td></td><td> Key 7</td><td> Telephone exchange</td>

<td></td><td> Key 8</td><td> SERVICE PURCHASER</td>

<td></td><td> Key 9</td><td> Telephone</td>

<td> 10</td><td> Key 10</td><td> Plug</td>

<td></td><td> Key 11</td><td> Adaptor plug</td>

<td></td><td> Key 12</td><td> Jack</td>

<td></td><td> Key 13</td><td> Card reader</td>

<td></td><td> Key 14</td><td> Card</td>

<td> 15</td><td> Key 15</td><td> Telephone</td>

<td></td><td> Key 16</td><td> Plug</td>

<td></td><td> Key 17</td><td> Plug</td>

<td></td><td> Key 18</td><td> Jack</td>

<td></td><td> Key 19</td><td> Jack</td>

<td> 20</td><td> Key 20</td><td> Card leader</td>

<td></td><td> Key 21</td><td> Card</td>