INFORMATION NETWORK AND AN ELECTRONIC CARD USABLE THEREIN

Abstract: The invention relates to an information network comprising a control and information unit, at least one data channel, and a number of detached card readers connected with the control and information unit via a data channel, which card readers are suitable for the exchange of information with an electronic card to be inserted into such a card reader, wherein the data channel between the card readers and the control and information unit consist, at least in part, of the electronic card. The electronic card is provided with a memory for the storage of messages from and to the detached card readers. Part of the memory is reserved for storage and transport of information deviating from the object information of the electronic card, and be addressable to at least one of the card readers.

Description: Information network and an electronic card usable therein The invention relates to an information network comprising a control and information unit, at least one data channel, and a number of detached card readers connected with the control and information unit via a data channel, which card readers are suitable for the exchange of information with an electronic card to be inserted into such a card reader, wherein the data channel between this detached card reader and the control and information unit consists, at least in part, of the electronic card, and the electronic card is provided with a memory for the storage of messages from and to the detached card readers. WO 96/08798 discloses a system for the control of game machines comprising a smart card reader with which transactions can be carried out. Such a smart card is used as playing card and is provided, by means of a separate device, with playing information and a balance. In addition, a central management and security unit is provided to which a card reader is connected. The control and information unit is fed with the playing cards and is generally equipped as secured system for the control of the game machines . EP-A 0 360 613 discloses a data transmission system for a game machine which also uses a smart card provided with a memory and a processor. The card provides the necessary address and storage functions. This card can further be read in via a card reader at the separately placed game machines. In addition, a central control and information unit is provided by which means the card can be read. When the card returns to a central location to be processed by a central processor, relevant information is obtained from the card and centrally processed further. There also is a system known in practice, in which by means of electronic cards payments are made in shops and other transaction centres. To make the payment, the electronic card is inserted into the card reader in order to have the information which is electronically stored on the card, read. After the communication link between the card reader and the co . ntrol and information unit is established, this information is sent to the control and information unit to select the bank account of the holder of the card being read while, to have the balance of the bank account unblocked, usually also an electronic signature in the form of a personal identification code has to be entered. This latter code is also provided on the electronic memory of the card with which it is compared, for the benefit of said authorization function. Nowadays advanced electronic cards are being intro¬ duced which are provided with electronic circuits in the form of one or more chips. Due to provisions in the card reader such electronic cards are able to exchange information. Known are the so-called memory cards and smart cards; these are available as contact and blank contact cards. These cards serve for identification, payment and other purposes and are standardized in accordance with, among others, ISO/NEN 7816 and ISO 10536. In addition to the information network, the present invention relates in particular to those electronic cards which allow multiple information exchange . The invention proposes that part of the memory on the electronic card be reserved for storage and transport of information deviating from the object information of the electronic card, and be addressable to at least one of the card readers. In this way it will be possible, accord¬ ing to the invention, to exchange information even with the detached card readers not directly connected with the control and information unit, due to their being part of a virtual data network comprised of the successive electronic cards which are inserted into the card readers. In this way, for instance, actual status information relating to the card readers is able to reach the control and information unit, while the possibility is created to up-date data in the card readers, because this information reaches the card readers by means of transport with the electronic cards which are inserted into the card readers . It is desirable that the network comprises at least one card reader, which is continuously, or at least temporaryly but repetitively directly connected with the control and information unit by means of a physical data channel . Such a directly connected card reader provides the data input and output unit by which information exchange between the electronic card and the control and information unit can take place. Card readers possessing such a direct non-temporary or temporary but repetitive connection with the control and information unit are, for instance, pay telephones, cash dispensers, point of sale terminals and the like. Detached card readers are known in the form of vending machines, parking meters, gambling machines and the like. In this way the information network proposed according to the invention can be made cheaper than the known information network comprising non-temporary or temporary but stationary data channels. The electronic cards are able to store failure and status data from the detached card readers . Via the vir¬ tual data network, a maintenance indication regarding a detached card reader can thus reach the control and information unit without physical control by a technician, after which appropriate action can be taken. In a further aspect of the invention the control and information unit feeds the same information to several electronic cards in succession. In this way the supply of information to a detached card reader to be addressed, is less dependent on the regular use of the electronic card employed in the system, so that, statistically, there will always be an electronic card ensuring directly or indirectly that the necessary information arrives at the intended destination. An additional advantage is that detached card readers receiving information via an electronic card which is not intended for this reader, will load the respective information onto one or more successive electronic cards which are inserted into this card reader to pass on the information, in order to advance the arrival of this information at the intended destination. Another desirable provision in respect of the information network according to the invention is that at least a detached card reader is able to collect and to electronically label inserted electronic cards for instance, to selectively invalidate them in reaction to information which has reached the respective card reader from the control and information unit. By spreading the respective data via the virtual network, electronic cards that perhaps have been stolen can be traced quickly, after which the necessary further action can be taken such as alerting the police and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the information network according to the invention one or more card readers are provided with audio visual means for the display of information coming from the control and information unit and sent via data channels which connect these card readers with the control and information unit. In this way it is also possible for detached card readers to exchange information via the respective audio visual means with a card user pertaining to commercials which may be intended for persons or target groups . The information network according to the invention makes the efficient and effective distribution of information possible between, and to, card readers having a direct connection with the control and information unit and also card readers which do not have such a direct connection, but are detached. The invention further makes it possible to employ the information network in various applications, as will be elucidated by means of the following, non-limiting examples . EXAMPLE 1 Via an electronic card a detached card reader, such as a parking meter, receives information from a central control and information unit. The information relates to exchange rates, price changes, holidays on which a differ¬ ent tariff applies, change from summer to winter time and vice versa. The information reaches the card reader via other card readers maintaining a direct connection with the control and information unit, and which write to disk the respective information on the electronic cards that have been inserted into directly connected card readers . EXAMPLE 2 A detached card reader connected with a vending machine, for instance, a cigarette vending machine, feeds a central management system via electronic cards which are inserted into the card reader. The information communicated relates to balance, failure report, stock status . The information on the electronic cards reaches the management system via other card readers maintaining a direct connection with that management system. EXAMPLE 3 A card reader which is provided with audiovisual means displays messages to the card user, for instance, commercial messages. Possible special marketing actions, such as special offers may be brought to the attention of, and possibly focused on, the respective card user. The communicated information may be provided with a maximum period of validity to prevent presentation of this information after the date of validity. EXAMPLE 4 Provided the respective law concerning chance games is complied with, at certain points of transaction involving card readers a chance game might be offered by, for instance, attaching to a transaction the chance of winning a certain amount of money which will be automatically credited on the electronic card while possibly, in exchange, a certain amount of money is debited on the electronic card to pay for the participation in the chance game. EXAMPLE 5 In an information network equipped with a control and information unit and card readers directly connected with the control and information unit as well as detached card readers, management information is exchanged, in particular between detached card readers and the control and information unit, by means of the electronic cards employed in the information network. This information may relate to the issue of failure reports, statistic user information relating to a card reader, balance status, and the distribution of data relating to invalid electronic cards.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An information network comprising a control and information unit, at least one data channel, and a number of detached card readers connected with the control and information unit via a data channel, which card readers are suitable for the exchange of information with an electronic card to be inserted into such a card reader, wherein the data channel between this detached card reader and the control and information unit consists, at least in part, of the electronic card, and the electronic card is provided with a memory for the storage of messages from and to the detached card readers, characterized in that part of the memory on the electronic card be reserved for storage and transport of information deviating from the object information of the electronic card, and be addressable to at least one of the card readers . 2. An information network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the network comprises at least one card reader which is continuously, or at least temporaryly but repetitively directly connected with the control and information unit by means of a physical data channel . 3. An information network in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one card reader is provided with audio visual means for the display of information coming from the control and information unit and sent via the data channel which connects this card reader with the control and information unit. 4. An information network in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and information unit feeds the same information to several electronic cards in succession. 5. An information network in accordance with any one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that detached card readers receiving information via an electronic card which is not intended for this reader, will load the respective information onto one or more successive electronic cards in order to be further routed. 6. An information network in accordance any with one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that at least a detached card reader is able to collect and to electronically label inserted electronic cards in reaction to information which has reached the respective card reader from the control and information unit . 7. An electronic card as described as part of the information network in accordance with any one of the claims 1-6.

Inventors: VRIEND GERRIT, VRIEND, GERRIT
Applicants: VRIEND GERRIT, VRIEND, GERRIT
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G07F7
IPC codes: G07F7, G07F9