Patent Application
20130110723
The present invention is related to an electronic transaction system, and particularly, to an electronic transaction system which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data and method thereof.
Conventionally, there are a number of existing methods to embed data in physical environments. For instance, QR codes are a method for embedding URL or other data in a pictograph or a diagram. User can obtain the embedded URL by reading the pictograph or diagram of the QR code.
Another method is to utilize Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for embedding a tag or code in a physical device (e.g. user device). The tag or the code can be read passively by a RFID reader, when the physical device is close to the RFID reader (e.g. base device), for interactions such as money transactions, etc.
Recently there is another technology called Near-Field-Communications (NFC). One advantage of NFC is the ability to mimic a RFID tag in a physical device (e.g. user device) which can be read by a conventional RFID reader (e.g. base device). However, one drawback is that the physical device (e.g. user device) still requires to be modified for NFC technology to mimic a RFID tag in the modified physical device (e.g. user device). Therefore, certain limitations still exist for current NFC technology, consequently NFC has not been able to gain significant popularity.
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a user device which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The user device comprises a storage module, a data/audio conversion module, an audio transmission module and a control module. The storage module is for storing user identification data. The data/audio conversion module is for converting the user identification data into a first audio signal. The audio transmission module is for transmitting the first audio signal. The control module is for controlling the storage module, the data/audio conversion module and the audio transmission module.
Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a base device which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The base device comprises an audio reception module, an audio/data conversion module, an internet module and a control module. The audio reception module is for receiving a first audio signal. The audio/data conversion module is for converting the first audio signal into user identification data. The internet module is for transmitting the user identification data and transaction content to a server device via internet, so as to obtain a transaction number. The control module is for controlling the audio reception module, the audio/data conversion module and the internet module.
Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a user device which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The user device comprises a storage module, an audio reception module, an audio/data conversion module, an internet module and a control module. The storage module is for storing user identification data. The audio reception module is for receiving a first audio signal. The audio/data conversion module is for converting the first audio signal into transaction content. The internet module is for transmitting the user identification data and the transaction content to a server device via internet. The control module is for controlling the storage module, the audio reception module, the audio/data conversion module and the internet module.
Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a base device which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The base device comprises a data/audio conversion module, an audio transmission module and a control module. The data/audio conversion module is for converting transaction content into a first audio signal. The audio transmission module is for transmitting the first audio signal. The control module is for controlling the data/audio conversion module and the audio transmission module.
Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a system which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The system comprises a user device, a base device and a server device. The user device is for providing user identification data. The base device is for providing transaction content. The server device is for providing a transaction number. Communication between the user device and the base device is accomplished via audio. Communication between the user device and the server device is accomplished via internet. Communication between the base device and the server device is accomplished via internet. After the server device obtains authorization from a validation entity according to the user identification data and the transaction content, the server device provides the transaction number to the user device or the base device.
Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The method comprises in a user device, converting user identification data into a first audio signal and transmitting the first audio signal to a base device; in the base device, converting the first audio signal into the user identification data; in the base device, transmitting the user identification data and transaction content to a server device; and in the server device, obtaining authorization of a validation entity by utilizing the user identification data and the transaction content, for obtaining a transaction number and transmitting the transaction number to the base device.
Another embodiment of the present discloses a method which utilizes an audio signal to transmit data. The method comprises in a base device, converting transaction content into a first audio signal and transmitting the first audio signal to a user device; in the user device, receiving the first audio signal and converting the first audio signal into transaction content; in the user device, transmitting user identification data and the transaction content to a server device; and in the server device, obtaining authorization of a validation entity by utilizing the user identification data and the transaction content, for obtaining a transaction number and transmitting the transaction number to the user device.
These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.
Therefore, the present invention provides a method which allows data communication between the user device and the base device to conduct an electronic transaction, without requiring the user device or the base device to be modified.
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For easy understanding, one preferred embodiment of operational environment of the method 100 can be exemplified as follows: the user device can be a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a tablet PC, etc.), the base device can be a Point of Sale (POI) (such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC or a cash register, etc.) in a store, and the server device can comprise a server or a plurality of servers. When performing method 100, transmission of the audio signal can be carried out by approaching the user device close to the base device. For instance, when a user has made purchases and wishes to check out, the user can put his mobile phone close to the cash register in the store, for transmitting audio signals between the mobile phone and the cash register.
In step 101, the user device converts user identification data into a first audio signal and transmits the first audio signal to the base device. For instance, the user device can convert the user identification data into the first audio signal via a data/audio conversion module, and transmits the first audio signal via an audio transmission module (such as a speaker) outputting sound. This way, in step 102, the base device can receive the first audio signal via an audio reception module (such as a microphone), and then converts (or reverts) the first audio signal into the user identification data. An advantage of this method is that the user can quickly and conveniently input the user identification data to the base device, meaning the corresponding audio signal can be transmitted to the base device by utilizing only the relative facilities of the user device, so as to save input time. Also, since an audio signal is highly directive and possesses a high degree of attenuation, a distance between the user device and the base device must be less than a predetermined range when the user is to perform step 101 and step 102. This way, security of the transaction can be ensured (i.e. the audio signal is received only by the corresponding base device), and the user can be ensured for communicating with the corresponding/desired base device.
In step 103, the base device can transmit the user identification data and transaction content to the server device. One way for the base device to transmit data to the server device is via interne. The transaction content can be, for instance, transaction amount, a transaction item, cost of each transaction item, and total transaction amount, etc. The user identification data can be, for instance, account name of the user registered for the server device, password corresponding to the account name or credit card information (such as credit card number, expiry date, security code and phone number, etc.) A preferred embodiment is that a user can register a user account for the server device in advance, and provides the server device credit card information corresponding to the user account. This way, the user device only requires converting the registered user account into an audio signal and transmits the audio signal to the base device. The base device can then perform transmission to the server device according to the user account obtained. Afterward, the server device can then obtain the corresponding credit card information according to the user account received. Step 104 can then be preceded.
In step 104, the server device can then provide the user identification data and the transaction content to a validation entity, for confirming authorization. The validation entity can be, for instance, a bank. If authorization is successful, meaning credit card information of the user is valid and the validation entity approves the transaction content, step 105 can then be proceeded. The server device then provides a transaction number to the base device, completing the transaction.
Furthermore, after step 105 is performed, meaning the base device has obtained the transaction number, the base device can then print out the corresponding transaction (i.e. include transaction number, transaction amount, transaction item, cost of each transaction item . . . , etc.) for the user to keep as a receipt. Alternatively, the base device can also convert the transaction number into a second audio signal and transmits the second audio signal to the user device according to methods described in step 101 and step 102. This way, the user device can store the transaction number and conveniently logs into the server device to obtain the transaction content corresponding to the transaction number. The server device can also transmit the transaction number to the user device via internet during or after step 105.
Please refer to
For easy understanding, one preferred embodiment of operational environment of the method 200 can be exemplified as follows: the user device can be a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a tablet PC, etc.), the base device can be a Point of Sale (POI) (such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC or a cash register, etc.) in a store, and the server device can comprise a server or a plurality of servers. When performing method 200, transmission of the audio signal can be carried out by approaching the user device close to the base device. For instance, when a user has made purchases and wishes to check out, the user can put his mobile phone close to the cash register in the store, for transmitting audio signals between the mobile phone and the cash register.
In step 201, the base device converts transaction content into a first audio signal and transmits the first audio signal to the user device. For instance, the base device can convert the transaction content into the first audio signal via a data/audio conversion module, and transmits the first audio signal via an audio transmission module (such as a speaker) outputting sound. This way, in step 202, the user device can receive the first audio signal via an audio reception module (such as a microphone), and then converts (or reverts) the first audio signal into the transaction content.
In step 203, the user device can transmit user identification data and the transaction content to the server device. One way for the user device to transmit data to the server device is via internet. The transaction content can be, for instance, transaction amount, a transaction item, cost of each transaction item, and total transaction amount, etc. The user identification data can be, for instance, account name of the user registered for the server device, password corresponding to the account name, or credit card information (such as credit card number, expiry date, security code and phone number, etc.) A preferred embodiment is that a user can register a user account for the server device in advance, and provides the server device credit card information corresponding to the user account. This way, in step 203, the user device only requires transmitting the registered user account to the server device. The server device can then obtain the corresponding credit card information according to the received user account. Step 204 can then be proceeded.
In step 204, the server device can then provide the user identification data and the transaction content to a validation entity, for confirming authorization. The validation entity can be, for instance, a bank. If authorization is successful, meaning credit card information of the user is valid and the validation entity approves the transaction content, step 105 can then be proceeded. The server device then provides a transaction number to the user device, completing the transaction.
Furthermore, after step 205 is performed, meaning the user device has obtained the transaction number, the user device can convert the transaction number into a second audio signal and transmits the second audio signal to the base device, according to methods of step 201 and step 202. This way, the base device can store the transaction number and confirms the transaction has completed. The server device can also transmit the transaction number to the base device via internet during or after step 205.
An advantage of the method 200 of utilizing an audio signal to transmit data of the present invention is that the user is not required to provide the user identification data (such as user account, credit card information . . . , etc.) to the base device. In other words, data being communicated between the base device and the user device only include the transaction number and the transaction content, so information related to the user is not revealed. This way, security of the transaction can be ensured (i.e. information related to the user is transmitted only between the user device and the server device) and transaction duration can reduced by utilizing audio signal.
According to the above description, method 100 and method 200 of utilizing an audio signal to transmit data for conducting an electronic transaction of the present invention can effectively provide the user device to conduct electronic transaction with the base device, for reducing transaction duration and also increasing transaction security.
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The user device 310 comprises a control module 311, a storage module 312, an internet module 313, a data/audio conversion module 314, an audio transmission module 315, an audio/data conversion module 316 and an audio reception module 317. The base device 320 comprises a control module 321, a storage module 322, an internet module 323, a data/audio conversion module 324, an audio transmission module 325, an audio/data conversion module 326 and an audio reception module 327. The server device 330 comprises a control module 331, a storage module 332 and an internet module 333. For instance, the user device 310 and the base device 320 can be a mobile phone or a tablet PC, the audio transmission module 315/325 can be a speaker equipped on the corresponding mobile phone or tablet PC, and the audio reception module 317/327 can be a microphone equipped on the corresponding mobile phone or tablet PC. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frequency range of the audio signal can be 200 Hertz (Hz)˜20 k Hz (depending on reception frequency limitation of the microphone).
In the user device 310, the storage module 312 can be utilized to store the user identification data, the transaction content or the transaction number, etc. The internet module 313 can be utilized to communicate with the server device 330. The data/audio conversion module 314 can be utilized to convert data (such as user identification data) of the storage module 312 into an audio signal. The audio transmission module 315 can be utilized to transmit the audio signal converted by the data/audio conversion module 314. The audio reception module 317 can be utilized to receive an audio signal. The audio/data conversion module 316 can be utilized to convert the audio signal received by the audio reception module 317 to data and the data can be stored in the storage module 312. Further, the control module 311 can be utilized to control the storage module 312, the internet module 313, the data/audio conversion module 314, the audio transmission module 315, the audio/data conversion module 316 and the audio reception module 317.
In the base device 320, the storage module 322 can be utilized to store the user identification data, the transaction content or the transaction number, etc. The internet module 323 can be utilized to communicate with the server device 330. The data/audio conversion module 324 can be utilized to convert data (such as transaction number) of the storage module 322 into an audio signal. The audio transmission module 325 can be utilized to transmit the audio signal converted by the data/audio conversion module 324. The audio reception module 327 can be utilized to receive an audio signal. The audio/data conversion module 326 can be utilized to convert the audio signal received by the audio reception module 327 to data and the data can be stored in the storage module 312. Further, the control module 321 can be utilized to control the storage module 322, the internet module 323, the data/audio conversion module 324, the audio transmission module 325, the audio/data conversion module 326 and the audio reception module 327.
In the server device 330, the storage module 332 can be utilized to store the user identification data, the transaction content or the transaction number, etc. Preferably, the storage module 332 is utilized to store the user account and the corresponding financial information (such as credit card information corresponding to the user account). The internet module 333 can be utilized to communicate with the user device 310 and the base device 320, etc. The internet module 333 can also communicate with the validation entity 340 for obtaining authorization. Further, the control module 331 can be utilized to control the storage module 332 and the internet module 333.
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For ensuring transaction security, the server device 330 can comprise a plurality of servers, where one particular server stores credit card information only while another server stores the corresponding security codes only. Alternatively, security code of a credit card may not be stored in the server device 330; hence in this case the user device 310 can manually input security code corresponding to a credit card to the base device 320, and then transmit the security code to the server device 330 via internet through the internet module 323, so the server device 330 can then transmit the security code to the validation entity 340 for obtaining authorization. On the other hand, the user device 310 can store security code corresponding to a credit card in the storage module 312, and at the same time converting the security code into an audio signal. The user device 310 then transmits the audio signal to the base device 320 for the base device 320 to transmit the security code to the server device 330 via internet, so the server device 330 can then transmit the security code to the validation entity 340 for obtaining authorization.
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For ensuring transaction security, security code of a credit card may not be stored in the server device 330, hence in this case the user device 310 can manually input security code corresponding to a credit card to the base device 320, and then transmit the security code to the server device 330 via internet, so the server device 330 can then transmit the security code to the validation entity 340 for obtaining authorization. On the other hand, the user device 310 can store security code corresponding to a credit card in the storage module 312, and in this case, transmits the security code to the validation entity 340 through the server device 330 via internet, for obtaining authorization.
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In the present invention, conversion from data to an audio signal can be done through a specific coding mechanism and conversion from the audio signal to the data can also be done through this specific coding mechanism. This way, both encoding end and decoding end of the data transmission can obtain correct data without errors.
In summary, the method of utilizing an audio signal to transmit data for conducting electronic transactions of the present invention allows user to conduct electronic transactions directly without requiring to modify the user device and the base device, consequently lowering threshold for system applications. Hence user can apply the disclosure of the present invention more extensively to various types of electronic transactions. In addition, by utilizing characteristics of an audio signal, which is highly directive and possesses a high degree of attenuation, the method of utilizing an audio signal to transmit data for conducting electronic transactions of the present invention can increase transaction security, providing more convenience.
Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the meters and bounds of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61554061 | Nov 2011 | US |
