Method for transmitting a code

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a code to a user.

Conventionally, awarded companies offering or sale of goods, the services, personal codes to the users who want to use the services offered or decide to purchase the goods, so that they can identify itself to the company without much effort. Furthermore, for example, awarded financial institutions personal identification numbers (PIN), so that their customers can withdraw money through ATMs or make over computer transfers, Dauerauftrag or other services of the bank can avail. When a user first gets connected to such a company, there is the problem that his personal code it must be transmitted safely and with little effort. Conventionally, a new user his personal code is personally delivered or mailed. While both are relatively secure transmission paths, however, is the effort which is necessary for the transmission of relatively large. Either a special note shall be made in which it is not possible for third parties to acquire knowledge of the Code, without opening the letter, or the user must personally with a representative of the company, which verifies the identity of the user, for example on his identity card , appear. Furthermore, in particular on-line service providers transmit personal code via e-mail. While this is a simple transmission path, but a very uncertain.

If the personal code has been transmitted to the user, is also clear the problem, like the later payments can be handled with the user when such services makes use or acquires goods. Particularly advantageous settlement of payments, the so-called direct debit has proved. Here, the user agrees that the company whose services he makes use or whose goods he acquires, the equivalent amount of money from his account debits, without having to give the consent for each debit again. In the collection process, the abbuchende company informs the financial institution of the user whose connection data for this financial institution and the debited amount of money with. This can be especially easily done via an electronic data carrier such. As a floppy disk or an online remote data connection. The financial institution checks the respective financial institution connection data and posts at positive result the equivalent amount of money from the user's account and writes him the abbuchenden company well. This debit arises for the company abbuchende a problem that they must ensure that all data transmitted to the financial institution are correct. Run example, financial institution data connection is not a valid connection to an account, the financial institution does not execute the debit and represents the company relatively high fees. For new users thus the problem arises that in addition to the transmission of the personal code to the users whose financial institution connection data must be checked to ensure that the subsequent payments can be handled easily with the new user. Such testing is particularly important for a company that does not personally come to the new user in contact or z. B. briefly can dispose of his debit or credit card to test, very complicated and difficult. Typically therefore the audit of financial institution connection data of a new user is not performed and disadvantageously received a Fehlbuchungs- and risk of abuse.

It is thus the object of the present invention provide a method for transmitting a code to a user that is safe, causing the least possible effort in the transmission and thus is inexpensive, and further the financial institution connection data of the user can be checked.

This object is achieved by the method defined in claim 1, wherein advantageous embodiments arise from the dependent claims.

According to the invention transmits the user's financial institution connection data to a code allocation unit. The allocation unit transfers a sum of money to the user-specified financial institution and / or booked an amount of money from the financial institution specified by the user from which the connection data is provided as additional information in this transfer and / or write-off of to be transmitted code. Once the financial institution has made the transfer and / or direct debit, it passes a document on for the transfer and / or direct debit along with the additional information to the user.

An advantage of the novel process that the transmission is very safe. The financial institution guarantees the confidentiality of Überrnittlungsweges because the financial institution no not for confidentiality verpffichteten person will make the credit transfer or direct debit data available, and the other only the user has access to his personal credit transfer or debit vouchers.

Furthermore, it is verifiable in the inventive method that the code of the additional information of the transfer or withdrawal has been delivered to the specified financial institution connection data. The financial institution assumes the function of a third independent guarantors. So that the user can not subsequently deny access. The transmission method of the invention thus essentially corresponds to a transmission by registered letter, but it is not as expensive and less complicated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention a verification unit of the bank checks the data of the transfer and / or debiting of the allocation unit, prior to effecting the transfer and / or direct debit, on whether the data provided lead to a valid connection to the users. If the test is positive, the financial institution performs the transfer and / or debiting of the allocation unit. This measure can be ensured that a referral and / or debit occurs only if the user has a valid connection to the financial institution. For example, if his account has been blocked or the account of this user does not exist, there is no false entry. Thus, it is no longer necessary when using the inventive method to examine the financial institution connection data of the user separately or take costly accounting errors at a later collection procedures in purchasing.

Advantageously, transmits the verification unit of the bank, if the examination of the financial institution connection data is negative, this result to the code allocation unit. In this way, it may be decided in the code allocation unit that initially no personal code is assigned to the user and is optionally taken up again with him in another way contact.

Advantageously, transmits the user of the other identification data to the dispatcher. These identification data are given in the transfer and / or debit together with the connection data. The verification unit verifies the identification data then together with the connection data. This may advantageously be not only checked whether the connection data provided lead to a valid connection, but also if the connection with the specified user exists.

The transmission of the identification and / or financial institution connection data of the user, the transfer and / or debiting the amount of money and / or forwarding the remittance or debit document with the additional information can advantageously be via a remote data connection. Thereby, the carrying out of the process is greatly simplified. Furthermore, can be transmitted very quickly to the user in the use of Datenferrlverbindungen the Code. As remote data connection, for example, a computer network and / or an automatic telephone interface such. As a telephone voice computers ( "interactive voice response") are used.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, the code of at least two sub-code sets together, with part code by means of the inventive method in the transfer and / or direct debit is transmitted as additional information and another part of code is transmitted on a different transmission path to the user. This embodiment has the advantage that, even if a third party access to the code transmitted in the inventive process obtained, you can not use this use illegally later because the actual later used code from the at least two sub-codes composed. Even if the other code is transmitted at a relatively insecure transmission, such as on the phone or on the Internet, it is extremely unlikely that receive unauthorized third parties aware of two sub-codes. This embodiment thus provides a very secure transmission of the code. Advantageously, the identification data, which transmits the user to the arbitration unit, at least the full name of the user. Further advantageously comprise the connection data to the financial institution that transfers the user to the arbitration unit, at least the account or credit card number of the user and / or the name or routing number of the bank or the credit card operator.

Furthermore, the financial institution can also send a receipt for the transfer and / or debit to the dispatcher. This has the advantage that demonstrates access code on the documents of the bank not only the user, but also the operator of the allocation unit. This embodiment of the method according to the invention corresponds to substantially a submission by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, avoiding the related letter delivery drawbacks.

In the following embodiments of the method according to the invention are explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The figure shows schematically a system with which the inventive method can be carried out.

Reference numeral 1 is an input unit of a user is called, the code example would receive from a company in order to receive services from this company to complete. As input unit, for example, a computer or a telephone system used. For the company itself a code allocation unit is 3. This allocation unit 3 may, for example, the central computer of the company or of a plurality of connected individual computers. The to be assigned code can be any information that is made available to a user so that it can identify itself to any point. The code may be a permanent personal access code such as a PIN. Furthermore, can be a valid code once such a transaction number of the code.

The input unit 1 of the user and the allocation unit 3 of the company are interconnected via a remote data connection 2nd The remote data link 2 may be a telephone voice computer, for example, a computer network such as the Internet or an automatic telephone interface such. B.. The user transmits via the input unit 1 by means of remote data connection 2 its financial institution connection data to the arbitration unit 3. Under financial institution connection data, such data is understood here that allow in any way a payment with the user. Among financial institution is here generally understood an instance, on a payment can be processed. Of course, the term financial institution includes a composite of individual institutions, such. As the financial institution of the user, that of the company and, if a central bank through which the payment is settled. The payment can be effected, for example, an account with a financial institution such as a bank or a savings bank, or a credit card account. As link data indicates the user's account or credit card number and the name or routing number of his financial institution or his credit card operator.

Then transfer the allocation unit 3 an amount of money to the user-specified financial institution stating the financial institution connection data and, where appropriate, the identification data of the user. The transfer can be done automatically by transmitting the data of the new user. Furthermore, is transmitted as additional information in this Transfer of Information to be transmitted with code. Under additional information is here understood information that is transmitted with the transfer in any way related. They can be transmitted containing unencrypted or encrypted form, in addition to the transfer data or in this.

For example, the communications happen in the following ways. In a referral to a financial institution, a use can be specified. As such, the code to be transmitted can be specified. Advantageously, a very small amount of money, such as EURO 1, -. Remitted. Further, the to be transmitted code can be included in the remitted amount. Should be transmitted, for example, the code 1498 EURO 14,98 could be transferred. Later, the transferred money amount may be made to the new user again charged. The transfer can take place via a remote data link 4 between the allocation unit 3 and a financial institution. 5

The financial institution 5 advantageously has a verification unit, which checks the data transfer of the allocation unit 3 whether the data provided lead to a valid connection to the users. It is checked as to whether the specified account number exists, and possibly also whether it exists for the specified user. If the test is positive, leads the financial institution 5 the transfer of the allocation unit 3 and writes the account of the user releases the funds well. A proof of the transfer head of the financial institution 5 together with the additional information to the user via a further connection 6 on, which can also be a remote data connection 6 as a computer network or an automatic telephone interface. Furthermore, it is possible to pass the document over a statement printer to the user.

In addition, the financial institution 5 can also send a receipt for the transfer to the allocation unit 3, so that the operator of the allocation unit 3 demonstrates access code.

The inventive method it is possible, particularly easy to transmit a new user's personal code. The user needs to know how it can take its code additional information about the transfer only. This can be disseminated widely available on the Internet by the company awarding the Code, or from any other source such. B..

At the same time it is checked with such notification, if the user specified by the financial institution connection details are correct, since only in this case the transfer is carried out at him. This is for future payment transactions between the user and a company that provides services to him or sells goods, particularly important. Furthermore, the user receives its code very quickly, because the time it takes the transmission to complete, is determined only by the time required by the financial institution 5 for the transfer.

It is noted that under remote data connection in addition to an on-line connection and an off-line connection is understood as long as a data transfer between the respective units is performed. For example, data storage media can be sent.

If it follows when examining the verification unit of the bank 5 that in the transfer no valid connection data were reported, leading the financial institution 5 the

Transfer not. Advantageously, this is transmitted via the remote data link 4 to the examination and allocation unit. In this case can be decided in the allocation unit if z. B. to be included on the remote data link 2 again to contact the user 1, or if not a personal code to be assigned to this user.

In a further embodiment of the inventive method is the code that is to be later used by the new user, of two or more sub-code together. For example, the first part code represents the first four digits of the actual code and the second part code, the last four digits. The actual code could, for example, result from the multiplication of the two codes or by any other users known arithmetic operation. Some code is transmitted by the inventive process to the user and the other or the other part of code via another transmission path is not so sure where appropriate. For example, the second part code on a computer network such as the Internet to the user are sent.

This embodiment of the method further increases safety since, even if a third unauthorized person gains access to the sub-code transmitted by the inventive process, it has no knowledge of the actual later used code. That it is aware of two or all part codes, is extremely unlikely.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the to be transmitted code is instead carried out by a transfer by debiting a monetary amount geringfiigigen from the financial institution specified by the new user. Even when debiting the connection data are used as complementary data to be transmitted on the code. Otherwise, the method corresponds to this embodiment to that described above, always rather a transfer debiting is performed.

Furthermore, both a transfer and a payment of the same amount of money can be performed. This increases slightly the effort, but results in a balance of payments to the new user.

The present application may also refer to one of the following aspects:<ul><li>Aspect: 1. A method for transmitting a code to a user by means of a code allocation unit 3, characterized by the following steps:<ul><li>the user transmits his financial institution connection data to the arbitration unit 3;</li><li>the allocation unit 3 transfers a sum of money to the user-specified financial institution 5 and / or booked an amount of money from the financial institution 5 provided by the user from which the connection data is provided as additional information in this transfer and / or the write-off of to be transmitted code;</li><li>the financial institution 5 passes a document on for the transfer and / or direct debit along with the additional information to the user.</li></ul></li><li>Aspect 2. The method according to aspect 1, characterized in that before the financial institution 5 carrying out the transfer and / or direct debit, a verification unit of the bank 5 examines data on the transfer and / or debiting the allocation unit 3 whether the data given to a valid connection to the users perform, and if the check is positive, the financial institution 5 carrying out the transfer and / or debiting of the allocation unit. 3</li><li>Aspect 3. A method according to Aspect 2, characterized in that, if the examination of the verification unit is negative, this result this transmits to the arbitration unit 3rd</li><li>Aspect 4. A method according to any of aspects 2 or 3, characterized in that the user of the further identification data transmits to the arbitration unit 3 that the allocation unit 3, the identification data indicates, together with the connection data in the transfer and / or debiting, and in that the verification unit, the identification data shall, together with the connection data. </li><li>Aspect 5. The method according to any of the above aspects, characterized in that the transmission of the identification and / or financial institution connection data of the user and / or transfer and / or debiting the amount of money via a remote data connection 2 takes place.</li><li>Aspect 6. A method according to any of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the forwarding of the bank transfer and / or debit document is done with the additional information via a remote data connection 6 and / or a statement printer.</li><li>Aspect 7. A method according to any of aspects 5 or 6, characterized in that the remote data links 2, 4, 6, a computer network, or an automatic telephone interface is / are.</li><li>Aspect 8. The method according to any of the above aspects, characterized in that the code is composed of at least two sub-codes and that a portion of code in the transfer and / or direct debit is transmitted as additional information and another part of code is transmitted on a different transmission path to the user ,</li><li>Aspect 9. A method according to any one of the above aspects, characterized in that the identification data comprise at least the full name of the user.</li><li>Aspect 10. A method according to any of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the connection data includes to the financial institution 5 at least the account and / or the credit card number of the user and / or the name or routing number of the financial institution or credit card provider.</li><li>Aspect 11. A method according to any of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the financial institution 5 passes also a proof of the transfer and / or debit to the arbitration unit. 3</li></ul>