Abstract:
A technique for delivery of a personalized identification number (PIN) from a centralized database of a prepaid PIN service provider along with a digital signature for verification of the transaction. As a response to a cash amount inputted by the user to a PIN vending machine, an unassigned PIN in a centralized database is assigned to the user as a unique user PIN, and delivered to the user as an imprinted receipt along with an associated digital signature for authentication.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to an electronic prepaid cash system and, more particularly, to a methodology and a concomitant system whereby a user can purchase a personal identification number (PIN) by depositing cash in a PIN vending machine and obtain a receipt with a PIN and a digital signature as a proof of purchase.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0004]    Presently prepaid card systems are used mainly for long-distance telephone calls. However, it is widely anticipated that prepaid cards will be soon introduced for buying various kinds of products and services. Privacy, anonymity and ability to limit spending are some beneficial features of prepaid cards.  
           [0005]    A major disadvantage of many existing prepaid card systems is that personal identification numbers (PINs) have to be physically printed on cards and the cards have to be distributed to the sellers of the cards, and in turn, to the purchasers of the cards. Some prepaid card systems obviate the need to distribute the cards by making them available as virtual cards on the Internet. As an example, a known method of prepaid calling card system not requiring physical cards uses the Internet to provide the PIN or the account access number (http://www.wqn.com/cards.asp). However, this system requires the user to have a credit/debit card account and enter the credit/debit card number to buy the account. A limitation of such Internet-based approaches is that the user has to provide sensitive information such as his credit/debit card number for purchase of such cards. Also, identity of the buyer is revealed in this approach. Further, the user should have access to a computer with an Internet browser.  
           [0006]    The ability to anonymously purchase and use prepaid cards is highly desirable for many forms of commerce. Therefore, a system wherein a user can buy prepaid cards from vending machines without revealing any personal identity is very useful in practice. An example of such a PIN-vending dispenser can be found U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,236 issued to Rademacher. The phone card vending machine of Rademacher has: (a) a secure, locking cabinet; (b) a card dispenser; (c) a bill acceptor or similar cash acceptor; (d) a printer for printing slip receipts containing an activated PIN; (e) and a controller board within the cabinet and connected to the dispenser, printer, and cash acceptor. The card dispenser contains a supply of zero-value telephone cards. The controller board has a PIN memory that stores PINs for each of several amounts of long distance calling time. The customer purchases a card by inserting paper currency or coins, and making a selection from a keypad on the cabinet. The customer can select from eight (or more) different dollar values, and then press a select button to dispense the card. At the time the card is dispensed, the printer also prints and dispenses a paper receipt that shows the purchase price, including any relevant taxes, the amount of long distance service time purchased, and the PIN. The vending machine can replenish its stock of activated PINs by modem from a remote location. A limitation of this system is that activated PINs are downloaded and stored in the local memory of the vending machine. This ties up the PINs with the vending machine until they are purchased. In practice, it is desirable to allocate PINs to vending machines only at the time of purchase. This allows any escrow amount of an owner of vending machines to be utilized through any of the vending machines that the merchant owns. Another limitation of such a PIN vending system is that a user can purchase only pre-defined values. So, there is a need for a PIN vending system wherein a user is permitted to buy a PIN of any value up to a maximum limit. Yet another limitation of the prepaid card dispenser is that the receipt is produced on plain paper slip and the printed information on the receipt is insufficient to validate the authenticity of purchase of the PIN through that vending machine.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    These shortcomings and other limitations and deficiencies are obviated in accordance with the present invention by a method, and concomitant system, to provide for delivery of a PIN from a centralized database of a prepaid service provider along with a digital signature for verification of the transaction.  
           [0008]    In accordance with a broad method aspect of the present invention, a method for delivering a unique personal identification number (PIN) representative of a cash amount inputted by a user into a PIN vending machine supplied by a merchant, includes: (a) storing in a centralized database a plurality of personal identification numbers (PINs) and an escrow amount associated with the merchant; (b) in response to the cash amount inputted by the user, allocating an unassigned one of the PINs as the unique PIN and subtracting the inputted cash amount from the escrow amount; and (c) dispensing to the user from the vending machine the unique PIN along with an associated digital signature.  
           [0009]    In accordance with another broad method aspect of the present invention, a method for transmitting a unique personal identification number (PIN) representative of a cash amount inputted by a user into a PIN vending machine supplied by a merchant includes: (a) storing in a centralized database a plurality of personal identification numbers (PINs) and an escrow amount associated with the merchant; (b) allocating an unassigned one of the PINs as the unique PIN in response to the cash amount inputted by the user, and subtracting the inputted cash amount from the escrow amount; and (c) sending to the user the unique PIN along with information for providing an associated digital signature.  
           [0010]    In accordance with a broad system aspect for delivering a unique personal identification number (PIN) representative of a cash amount inputted by a user into a PIN vending machine supplied by a merchant, the system includes: (a) a storage device for storing in a centralized database a plurality of personal identification numbers (PINs) and an escrow amount associated with the merchant; (b) a processor, operative in response to the cash amount inputted by the user and coupled to the storage device, for allocating an unassigned one of the PINs as the unique PIN and for subtracting the inputted cash amount from the escrow amount; and (c) a dispenser, responsive to the processor, for dispensing to the user from the vending machine the unique PIN along with an associated digital signature.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a high-level block diagram of a prepaid account system based on PIN vending machines in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of an embodiment of prepaid accounts server of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement for the VMO database of FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement for the PIN database of FIG. 2;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement for the vending machine database of FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram for an illustrative process in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 illustrates the layout of a receipt presented to the user. 
     
    
       [0019]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    A schematic representation of a prepaid account system based on PIN vending machines in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. In this system, a designated PIN vending machine owner (VMO)  100  who is registered with the prepaid service provider  160  controls the sale of PINs through a PIN vending machine  110  that the VMO owns. VMO  100  deposits or charges an amount of money as an escrow account with prepaid service provider  160  against PINs that the VMO wishes to sell through the vending machines owned by the VMO. After this registration of the VMO, a prepaid account user  120  can purchase PINs through the vending machines owned by that VMO.  
         [0021]    A user deposits cash in terms of paper currency or coins into a vending machine  110  and selects, via the keys on the vending machine (not shown, but conventional), the value of a PIN that the user wishes to purchase—this activity may be characterized as a user request transaction. PIN vending machine  110  is connected to the transaction processor  170  of the prepaid service provider  160  through the Internet/PSTN  130  or other conventional communication arrangements. After receiving the cash and instruction from the user for purchasing a unique PIN, PIN vending machine  110  sends a request to the transaction processor  170  for issuance of a PIN against the prepaid account of VMO  100 . Transaction processor  170  is connected to a prepaid accounts server  180  that stores the databases for a plurality of VMOs and the PINs assigned under each of their accounts as a centralized database. Transaction processor  170  then verifies the availability of escrow amount for the VMO associated with the current user, and assigns a unique PIN to the current user and sends the PIN data to vending machine  110 . The prepaid account of the particular VMO is then decreased by the PIN amount in server  180 .  
         [0022]    As a transaction response to the user request transaction, vending machine  100  responds by printing the unique user PIN on a paper tape or card or suitable medium for delivery to the user (conventional imprinting mechanism is not shown). As a receipt for the PIN amount, vending machine  110  also prints a unique digital signature along with the PIN. Well-known public key cryptographic techniques can be used to produce the digital signature. For example, unique identification information pertaining to vending machine  110  along with information such as date and time of purchase can be encrypted using a private key of vending machine  110  and printed on the receipt as a digital signature. The digital signature may then be used to authenticate validity of PIN purchased by the user using the public key known to the prepaid service provider and VMOs. The generation of a digital signature provides protection against imposters attempting to forge fake PINs and claiming rights to use the prepaid PIN.  
         [0023]    The user can then use the PIN for anonymous purchase of products and services from product suppliers  140  and other service providers  150  by ordering through known channels such as the Internet/PSTN  130 . Alternatively, the users can get the products and services at the premises of the sellers via the popularly used Point-Of-Sale(POS) terminals. Product suppliers  140  or service providers  150  contact the transaction processor  170  via Internet/PSTN  130  or other communication means when they receive a request to provide products or services against PINs issued through the prepaid service provider. Transaction processor  170  verifies the validity of each PIN and the corresponding available amount and sends an authorization message to the product suppliers  140  or service providers  150  to fulfill the requests of users. Transaction processor  170  decrements the prepaid stored value of the particular user PIN after receiving confirmation of product delivery or service completion from the product suppliers or service providers. In the case of incrementally utilized services such as prepaid long-distance calling, the transaction processor may receive additional information from the service providers  150  regarding the charge for the services utilized.  
         [0024]    Referring next to FIG. 2, a schematic representation of an embodiment of prepaid accounts server  180  is shown. Server  180  typically includes memory  220 , and at least one processor  210  in communication therewith. Memory  220  typically includes one or more machine-readable media. Such media include, as is well known in the art, an appropriate combination of magnetic, semiconductor and optical media. Memory  220  is preferably capable of supporting searching and storing of digital data such as text. Memory  220  (or portions thereof) may reside on single computer, or may be distributed in a known manner among multiple computers that may be included in the server.  
         [0025]    In the present embodiment, memory  220  includes VMO database  230 , PIN database  240  and vending machine database  250 . Memory  220  also stores a program  260 , which includes instructions for controlling the processor  210  in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the process described herein.  
         [0026]    The rows and columns of the databases  230 ,  240 , and  250  described herein represent records and fields thereof, respectively. In the described embodiments, the databases are used in a relational arrangement, as is known in the art, so that the databases relate to one another by way of fields that store common data. It is to be noted that while the following description refers to specific individual databases, formats, records, and fields, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of VMO database  230  is depicted in detail. Database  230  stores data relating to VMO accounts that are maintained for account holders. Each record (row) of database  230  represents such an account. For exemplary purposes, two records R 1  and R 2  are shown.  
         [0028]    Field  310  stores a VMO identifier that is associated with and uniquely identifies a VMO account. In this embodiment, the VMO identifier is a four-digit VMO number. The number of digits in this filed can be fixed depending on the maximum expected number of VMOs in any prepaid account system. Of course, other types of numerical or alphanumeric account identifiers may be used as desired.  
         [0029]    Field  320  is used to store the name of a VMO. Field  330  is used to store the pass-code of the VMO identified in fields  310  and  320 . In this embodiment, the pass-code is a six-digit number. The number of digits in this field can be fixed depending on any particular implementation of the system and the required amount of security. The pass-code is required by a VMO to access the prepaid accounts server and know the details of his/her account. Field  340  is used to store VMO&#39;s phone number. It possible to store multiple possible phone numbers here.  
         [0030]    Field  350  stores the escrow amount in the credit of each VMO&#39;s account. The currency for storage of the escrow amount can be different depending on the country where the system is implemented. Alternatively, a common currency unit could be used and appropriate currency exchange can be performed corresponding to any transaction for the account.  
         [0031]    Referring next to FIG. 4, an embodiment of PIN database  240  is depicted in detail. Database  240  stores data relating to one or more PINs. One record (row) of database  240  is maintained for each PIN account. For exemplary purposes, two records designated R 3  and R 4  are shown. Field  410  stores the digits of a PIN. Field  420  stores the vending machine identifier. Field  430  is used to store a transaction number that identifies the sale of PIN through the vending machine identified in field  420 . Field  440  stores the month and field  450  the date when the transaction was performed. The balance amount available against the PIN is stored in field  460 . The amount in this field is updated when a user purchases products or services using the PIN or when an additional amount is added from the amount available against another PIN as for example, when a user wishes to merge two or more PIN accounts into a single account. It is possible to have PINs of different types each with its set of privileges and restrictions. For example, a type of PIN may be restricted for buying only books from a known set of stores.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 shows a vending machine database  250  that indicates the owners of vending machines. Field  510  stores a vending machine identifier number and field  520  stores the VMO identifier of the owner of the vending machine. Alternatively, it is possible to store lists of vending machine identifiers of vending machines owned by VMOs.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart for the PIN issuance process is shown. A user approaches PIN vending machine  100  and deposits a certain amount into the vending machine to buy a PIN account as in process step  600 . The user indicates via the keyboard on the vending machine the type and monetary value of the PIN. Processing step  610  is then invoked so that the vending machine then sends its identification and PIN issuance instruction to transaction processor  170  via the Internet/PSTN  130  or similar communication means. The vending machine also sends other information such as the transaction number, and month and date of the transaction. The transaction number can be simply the serial number of the PIN sold by the vending machine on any particular day. Next in Step  620 , the transaction processor looks up the VMO database to ascertain whether sufficient escrow amount is available to issue the PIN. If it is found that the PIN can be issued, then in Step  630  the transaction processor assigns a PIN to the user by picking up the next available PIN from a pool of pre-generated PIN numbers. In step  640 , the transaction processor decrements the escrow amount of the VMO by the PIN amount sold in the current transaction. It is possible that the amount by which the escrow amount is decremented is less than the PIN amount due to any commissions the prepaid service provider may give to the VMOs. Next, in step  650 , the PIN digits are sent to the vending machine. For security in communications well-known methods of encryptions and decryption may be adopted to transmit the PIN to the vending machines. The vending machine then generates, in step  660 , a digital signature based on information unique to the current transaction and the vending machine. For example, vending machine identification number and date and time of issuance of PIN may be used to produce the digital signature. Next in step  670 , the vending machine imprints the PIN on a receipt as well as the digital signature and other relevant information useful to the user. A typical receipt  700  is shown in FIG. 7. The user collects the receipt and change amount, if any, in step  680  from the vending machine. It is also possible to print the PIN on a separate card and issue the receipt with the digital signature separately. After the PIN is obtained, the user can at any time enter the PIN number via the keyboard of a vending machine and get the information about the available balance amount. Also, amounts from two or more PINs may be consolidated into a single PIN at the vending machine. Some other alternative means by which a user may access his account information include telephone-based access and Internet-based access.  
         [0034]    Although the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. Thus, the previous description merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those with ordinary skill in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, that is, any elements developed that perform the function, regardless of structure.  
         [0035]    In addition, it will be appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art that the block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems and sub-systems embodying the principles of the invention.