TECHNICAL FIELD

Hybrid voucher belongs to the field of methods, devices, and software solutions for recognizing the data presented printed or written characters or geometric figures (patterns) which contain code characters that were presented to record carriers, which are encoded and then transferred to an image source (one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code) in reading using a device with a built-in image code reader, and it belongs to the field of encoding, decoding and converting one code to another.

Int. CI. ⁸ : G06K 9/18 ^{(2012 01} > _; G07F 19/00 P° ^{12 01)} _; H03M 7/00 ^{(20I2 01)} _; G06Q 20/00 ^{(20,2 0I)}

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The progress of technology, forms of communication, and the appearance of modern multifunctional devices for communications, have contributed to finding new, faster, more automated solutions for monitoring, control and use of customer accounts for the purpose of payment of goods and services, transfer funds from one account to another account and for recharging any amount (payment on account). Modern communication and transaction infrastructure that allows users to companies that sell goods and services (for example, mobile telephony providers) granting to its customers, a personalized accounts for automated purchase of goods and payment of services. This form of accounts also enables its increase by payments a certain, desired amounts. One form of funds payment to the account is by the purchase vouchers that contain information and procedures necessary to supplement the account. Specifically, voucher is containing a unique PIN code i.e. a string of alphanumeric characters that represents a certain amount. The user has to apply defined procedures and to send PIN code as the command to a transactional remote server that verifies and approves increase i.e. the supplement of accounts balance. Since the PIN code usually contains more characters and since the user must manually type-in the PIN code characters and the command to the transaction server using the communication devices keyboard, to what is quite a complicated process with the possibility of making a typographical error, it may arise a need for the repeating the entire procedure of data entry.

By hybrid voucher, according to the invention, the technical problem is solved by easier, faster and more secure automated enter of ΡΓΝ code, and it's sending to a transactional server, which after receiving the PIN code sent through a communication channel, processes the PIN code, and after confirmation of its accuracy and authenticity, allow the change to the users account balance. It is well known that today a many users of a different services are buying the cards with prepaid amounts of money, which allow access via the communication channel to the user account stored in the financial institution database, where the account balance may be changed by its increase or decrease in amount that is prepaid and loaded on the card.

On the market, today are present the following modes for a changing the amount of money to the user's account (by its increase or decrease):

• By hidden or visible PIN number, whose typing in the mobile phone recharge the credit;

• e-top up recharge - electronic recharge via mobile device or equivalent terminal. Such a system and process for information processing, as well as device and application that are used in the data processing system is shown in the published European patent application EP 2023246 Al 11.02.2009.

• e-voucher - electronic voucher which use pre-loaded data base with secret numbers (PIN personal identification numbers) and from this base, at the users request, prints a number by number;

• internal system of service providers e.g. mobile operators in their stores directly enter the paid amount into the system to perform accounts recharge of a pre-paid credit;

• Use of ATM machines (bankomats) to enter the credits;

• QVoucher is the system of prepaid payment amount for the use of the Internet;

• QiwiSpot stations - are also a system of pre-paid amount for the internet payments;

• Recharging using a landline telephone with instructions on IVR (Interactive voice response);

The basic disadvantage of all of these aforementioned procedures is a need that the identifying information about the pre-paid amount and the user data must be entered with an alphanumeric terminal by typing the PIN number.

This has led to need for applying the two-dimensional codes - linear (the bar code) or QR code (Quick response code) that compared to some of the above mentioned ways of changing the amount in the account have the following advantages:

• Charging the account is much easier and faster;

• Charging process is automated

• Facilitated is the entry of coded data to persons which have a weak sight and to persons with disabilities (elderly and disabled);

• There is no possibility to errors that can occur when the coded data are manually entered;

• Reduced is the possibility for misuse;

• Discretion during the data entering (the user himself charge the account without disclosing any personal information); Published patent application U.S. 2004/0020989 Al 05.02.2004 describes a device tor the two- dimensional code reading, a process and a program of two-dimensional code reading, as well a portable terminal and a digital camera;

In recent years, by progress in technology, there has occurred a large number of different solutions using different systems for displaying, encoding, storing and subsequently reading data and in the specialized literature, like in the patent documentation can be found a variety of solutions based on the use of procedures and devices enabling safe reading, verification and authentication of a document holders to whom is allowed changing the amount of money on the customer's account.

Solving the problems and disadvantages of known solutions, the hybrid vouchers according to this invention, are described

DISCLOSUREOF THE INVENTION

Hybrid voucher, according to the invention, represent a combination of alphanumeric PIN code that is presented in a two-dimensional QR bar code, by which is the recharging or reduction of the customers account faster, simplified and automated, because the user does not have to type a n-digits number (hidden number - PIN number) who is the carrier of a financial value, because the same information is included into QR/bar code, so that instead of manually typing numbers in the mobile phone, performed is taking a photograph and scanning QR/bar code with existing camera mobile phone. The invention also applies to procedures and programs for:

- encoding a vouchers PIN code used for the change of the users accounts balance into code image (onedimensional or twodimensional bar code) suitable for reading by device with built-in camera; and

- scanning the code image, automated decoding into original PIN code and communication to a transactional server, which after sent PIN code processing, carry out the balance modification of the users account i.e. recharge it or diminish the user accounts balance (amount balance).

QR/bar code scanning by camera is possible by software application installed in the camera. Using all the transmission channels that exist between service providers and users of mobile devices (USSD, SMS, IVR ...) performed is the transaction, recharging or the payment of an amount of money, to or from the user's account in a financial institution (bank) or an account in the service facility.

Brief Description of Drawings

Hybrid voucher, according to the invention, will be shown on the attached drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows the manufacturing process of the hybrid vouchers i.e. the sequence of process phase's for the integration of PIN code images into the existing concept of voucher. Optional encryption oi the ΡΓΝ code using encryption algorithms help to increase security in distribution of vouchers in digital form and reduces the possibility of misuse;

Fig 2 shows encryption process of original PIN code like the representation of the encrypted ΡΓΝ code in a form readable by the human eye which enable encryption of alphanumeric sequence of characters into the optical, machine readable code image. Encryption process use public encryption algorithms based on the secret key principle (known only in the voucher manufacturing process and by specialized software of the device);

Fig. 3 shows the manufacturing process of optical, machine readable image of alphanumeric characters sequence i.e. of ΡΓΝ code. Algorithms used for generation are public and are implemented within voucher's manufacturing process either in paper or in the digital form.

Fig. 4 describe the entire process from the moment of code image scanning using device with camera as a bar code scanner to the procedures that device's specialized software use during the exchange of data with the transaction server. The entire process is automated, with clearly defined and signaled outcome (successful or unsuccessful transactions) and the authentication and verification procedures on the transaction server's side:

Fig. 5 shows the process order for the scanning code image, authentication and verification of the validity of the aspect ratio of the original code format, like the decryption of original series of alphanumeric characters that representing the PIN code;

Hybrid voucher, according to the invention, automates the process of entering a ΡΓΝ code and entering the commands to a remote transactional server, respectively enable the user to perform any transaction in his account, without tedious manual input of PIN code and respective commands using the device's keyboard on the terminal, where the use this hybrid vouchers help for increasing security, because these distributes vouchers in digital form, thereby also reducing the possibilities of misuse.

The invention includes a process of hybrid vouchers production, shown in Fig. 1, where is shown the integration process of ΡΓΝ code image into the existing vouchers concept, so that after generating a unique PIN code, performed is optional PIN code encryption using an encryption algorithm (according to the procedure shown in Fig. 2), and then is effected a code image generation (based on the encrypted PIN code) by procedure shown in Fig. 3, and after that is made a code image integration with other required data and performed production of the united hybrid voucher according to this invention.

Fig. 2 presents a encrypting process 100 of original ΡΓΝ code like the presentation of encrypted ΡΓΝ code in the form readable by the human eye, which allows encoding a string of alphanumeric characters in an optical, machine readable code image 600. Encryption process

200 uses public encryption algorithms based on the secret key principle (known only in the vouchers production process and in the device's specialized software). Unique encrypted ΡΓΝ code in machine-readable form (binary string) in a subsequent step, by method 300, using an .,.

algorithm (e.g. encoding with base 32) encrypts machine code in a form 400 readable by the human eye.

Unique PIN code 100 is thus transformed into a unique encrypted alphanumerical PIN code 400 in the form readable by the human eye, which is as command, using the vouchers production software (shown in Fig. 1) encrypted by algorithm 500 which a series of alphanumeric characters generate into code image 600 which presents an optical, machine- readable representation of a series of alphanumeric characters, as shown in Fig. 3.

In the hybrid vouchers production process (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) during encryptions 200, 300 and 500 are used public algorithms. At the end of the vouchers manufacturing process code image 600 is represented by one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code that is integrated with other relevant information printed on the hybrid voucher so that the final product provides a hybrid voucher, according to this invention.

Fig. 5 shows how the device 700, which has a digital camera, using the specialized software gets the role of a bar code scanner that by scanning detects, verify and authenticate the code image 600 and out of the same decode the original PIN code 100.

Fig. 4 shows the entire process from the moment of scanning a code image using a device 700 with the camera, as a bar code scanner, where in the next phase, effects code image 600 decryption into the original string of alphanumeric characters i.e. PIN code 100. After successful decoding, in the next phase, the specialized software automatically sends a PIN code using the available communication channels and protocols (internet, SMS, standard USSD service or IVR a mobile phone service) to transactional server, which in the next step, by use of authentication and verification procedures, verify the validity of the received PIN code. If the received PIN code is valid, the transaction server further executes the transaction and updates the status of the account, and then, in the next stage, the subject specialized software of the device 700 receives from the transaction server information on the transaction outcome and notifies the user by sending the information and/or content of the outcome, by visual message on the device's display that the transaction succeeded or failed.

It may be seen that the application of hybrid vouchers, according to the invention, the entire process is automated with clearly defined and signaled outcome (successful or unsuccessful transaction) and that the authentication and verification procedures are performed on the transaction server's side.

APPLICATION METHOD OF THE INVENTION

Method of application of hybrid voucher according to the invention will be shown by way of examples where:

EXAMPLE 1 shows the use of hybrid vouchers for prepaid accounts for mobile phones.

Prepaid vouchers for a prepaid mobile phone account contain information about the PIN code and commands that the user must send to a provider transactional mobile service center to recharge his account. On the prepaid voucher is printed an QR code or a bar code that is generated by the manufacturing process of a hybrid vouchers, according to this invention and itself contains information about the unique PIN code and commands for the recharging the account.

User, equipped with a mobile phone with camera and the preinstalled software, described in this invention, scan the QR code or bar code printed one at hybrid prepaid voucher. Specialized software in the mobile phone decode image of the QR code or bar code and sends PIN code and commands to the transactional center of a mobile provider. Transaction Center verifies a sent code and command and, in the case that the ΡΓΝ code and commands are proper, recharge user's prepaid account notifying him of a successful transaction.

EXAMPLE 2 Purchase of digital content using specialized gift cards ("GIFT").

GIFT card is restricted monetary equivalent (or temporary currency) that sell or rent traders or banks as a substitute for non-monetary gift.

The user buys a hybrid GIFT card and gives it to another user that can use it to purchase goods or services.

On the hybrid GIFT card is, according to the procedure described in the present invention, printed the QR code in which is encoded unique PIN code for verification, the maximum amount of cash given to this GIFT card and the location information (WEB Link) on the Internet where can be found the digital content (e.g. music songs, pictures or movies) to be charged.

User, with a mobile phone equipped with camera and the preinstalled software described in this invention, scan the QR code or bar code printed on the GIFT card. Specialized software in the mobile phone decode QR code image and sends the PIN code, a value of the GIFT card and internet applications containing digital content. Internet application verify a ΡΓΝ code and a GIFT card value, and in the case of a valid PIN code, allows the user to access, select and purchase digital content worth to the money amount on the GIFT card.

Although is the hybrid voucher, according to the invention, described with reference to specific embodiment shown in the drawings, it is clear that the details of construction and individual realization, as well as certain phases of a process can be altered with respect to those described and shown on the drawing, but without departing from the idea of the subject invention, as defined in the following claims.

QUADRA GRAPHIC d.o.o.

R E P R E S E N T A T I V E