IDENTIFICATION MEANS

5

0 The invention relates to a system for exchanging information, comprising at least one identification means and at least one reading device which can read an identification means located in the vicinity.

Systems of this type are known. They are for instance used to automatically open a5 door to a carrier of the identification means when the carrier is allowed to enter a space located behind the door. For this purpose the reading device comprises information relating to the carrier, and in fact of all carriers of such an identification means who are allowed to enter the space located behind the door. The drawback of the known systems is that, when the status of the carrier changes, the reading0 device must generally be modified at a number of locations.

The system according to the invention obviates this drawback and has the feature that it also comprises at least one storage means for storing information relating to carriers of an identification means, and first connecting means for connecting the at5 least one reading device to the at least one storage means. The advantage is that only the data in the storage means has to be changed and that the reading devices are always provided with the most recent information.

The system according to the invention has the more particular object of recognizing0 the carriers of an identification means at a large number of locations and of

providing specific services on the basis of the information available.

A carrier may not welcome the fact that he/she is constantly being recognized. A favourable embodiment which provides a solution to this has the feature that the5 system also comprises means for disabling the identification means. The fact that information is constantly available relating to the carrier may also be unwelcome. A favourable embodiment which provides a solution to this has the feature that the system also comprises second connecting means for blocking information relating to the carrier from the at least one storage means.

A highly favourable embodiment of the system has the feature that the second connecting means comprise a wireless telephone apparatus and that the identification means is mounted on or in the wireless telephone apparatus. This does in fact assume that people always carry their wireless telephone apparatus with them in public places. The wireless telephone apparatus can then be utilized to block information from the at least one storage means. A significant additional advantage is that the storage means sends a message to the carrier, when this is necessary or desirable, in the form of a spoken message or an SMS or an e-mail, depending on the type of mobile phone.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the identification means comprises a radiographically readable circuit. The identification means is for instance formed by an RF transponder known in the field accommodated in a sticker which can for instance be adhered to the inner side of a cover of the telephone apparatus. A slidable aluminium plate adhered to the outer side of the cover can then be used to make identification impossible.

In a highly desirable embodiment of the system which is very practical and takes account of the privacy of the carrier, the information of each carrier is stored in a carrier profile, the system comprises means for editing of a carrier profile by the carrier, the system comprises means for formulating and storing one or more selection criteria for selecting one or more carriers on the basis of the carrier profile, the system comprises means for performing a selection on the basis of the selection criteria, the system comprises means for storing information about services and/or articles to be supplied and associated with a selection criterion, and the exchanged information comprises only the identification code and data relating to the services and/or articles to be supplied. Said means are preferably embodied as web pages which can form part of one central website. The means for editing of a carrier profile by the carrier can only be accessed by the carrier, wherein the carrier him/herself can designate which services and/or articles are desired. The means for formulating and storing one or more selection criteria for selecting one or more carriers on the basis of the carrier profile, the means for performing a selection on the basis of the selection criteria and the means for storing information about services and/or articles to be supplied and associated with a selection criterion can only be accessed by the suppliers of the services and/or articles to be supplied.

The invention also relates to a system for providing articles and/or services to a carrier of an identification means, comprising a system according to the invention and one or more machines according to the invention. The system provides an infrastructure for storing carrier profiles which are accessible via a central storage location. There is only one carrier profile per carrier, so that changes in the carrier profile can be managed at a single website location. The carrier profile can only be changed by the carrier. The carrier has full control over the carrier profile and can specify the information which may be stored in the carrier profile. The carrier also has control of the rights which specify which services/articles may be used and how often, optionally at a specific location.

The invention also relates to a machine for providing articles and/or services provided with a reading device and first connecting means as specified in the foregoing paragraphs. A beverage vending machine in a departure hall of an airline anywhere in the world can thus automatically prepare for instance the correct type of coffee for a regular customer of the airline. A cigarette vending machine can automatically deliver the correct brand of cigarette to a customer. A ticket vending machine, making use of a known travel pattern of a traveller, can suggest a journey or several different journeys and also suggest a method of payment, so that a ticket can be sold at one push of a button.

The invention also relates to a reading device and first connecting means as specified in the foregoing paragraphs suitable for placing close to an entrance of a shop. A customer is then recognized when entering the shop. Specific privileges can then be granted to this customer, depending for instance on the frequency with which he/she visits the shop or on his/her gender or age. Highly targeted advertising can in this way be placed by a retailer.

The invention also relates to a reading device and first connecting means as specified in the foregoing paragraphs suitable for placing in or close to a public place. In for instance a restaurant the carrier can then register by holding his/her mobile phone at the reading device. The storage means can then easily check whether acquaintances are in the vicinity and, by sending several SMS messages or e-mails, bring about a possible pairing.

The invention also relates to a storage means provided with information relating to carriers of an identification means as specified in the foregoing paragraphs.

The invention likewise relates to a reading device as part of a system as specified in the foregoing paragraphs. Finally, the invention relates to a method for providing articles and/or services to a user of a system according to the invention, comprising the steps of:

a) reading an identification code from the identification means by means of the reading device,

b) transmitting the identification code to the means for performing a selection via the first connecting means;

c) performing a selection on the basis of selection criteria;

d) determining the services and/or articles to be supplied and associated with the selection criteria;

e) transmitting the determined services and/or articles to be supplied to one or more machines via the first connecting means;

f) providing with the one or more machines the services and/or articles to be supplied.

Using the method according to the invention it is possible to identify carriers, determine which services and/or articles are offered to the carriers, and finally provide the services and/or articles.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a possible embodiment of an identification means

according to the invention;

Fig. 2shows schematically a possible system according to the invention;

Fig. 3shows schematically a further possible system according to the invention; Fig. 4shows schematically a further possible system according to the invention; Fig. 5A shows a flow diagram of the protocol for creating and editing a carrier profile by the carrier, for formulating and storing one or more selection criteria for selecting one or more carriers on the basis of the carrier profile, for storing information about services and/or articles to be supplied and associated with a selection criterion;

Fig. 5B shows a flow diagram of the protocol for the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1 A shows schematically a possible embodiment of an identification means 1 according to the invention. Identification means 1 is formed by an RF transponder 2 known in the field which is embodied as a sticker and adhered to the inner side of a cover 3 of a mobile phone. Use is made here of the fact that the owner almost always carries his/her mobile phone. Information available in transponder 2 can be read using a reading device known in the field, after which the identity of the owner is known. Fig. 1 B shows schematically the rear side of the mobile phone. Visible is the outer side of cover 3 to which are glued two guide strips 4a, 4b between which an aluminium plate 5 can slide. In the shown position transponder 2 can be read. If plate 5 is displaced such that it covers transponder 2, transponder 2 cannot then be read and the owner cannot be identified. An RF transponder 2 can also be incorporated in for instance a smart phone, the external connections of which can be managed in per se known manner. Transponder 2 can therefore be enabled or disabled as desired in similar manner so that the carrier can or cannot be identified.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a possible system according to the invention consisting of a number of coffee vending machines 6a,6b,.. arranged dispersed around the world in the waiting areas of an airline. A customer known to the airline approaches a coffee vending machine 6 and is identified by reading device 7 present in coffee vending machine 6 using identification means 1. Coffee vending machine 6 consults a central database 8 via an internet connection and prepares for the customer a cup of coffee in accordance with his/her known wishes. It is possible that the customer does not wish to be recognized. He/she can then disable the identification means, for instance as indicated with reference to Fig. 1 , but can also instruct the database 8 via a GSM connection 9 not to provide information to determined groups of users of the system.

It will be immediately apparent that use can advantageously also be made of the invention in other types of machine in order to significantly improve service to a customer. Fig. 3 shows schematically a further possible system according to the invention, consisting of a security pillar 10 at the entrance to a shop which is coupled to a reading device 7. A customer is identified using identification means 1 and is subsequently greeted via a screen 11. The data of the customer are retrieved from database 8. Depending on for instance age, purchasing behaviour, the time of year and the like, a targeted special offer can then be made to this customer, for instance discount on an article, this offer being displayed on screen 1 1. This special offer is also transmitted to the cash desk 12 so that no misunderstandings can occur during payment. If discretion is desired, the greeting and possible special offers can then also be transmitted per SMS or e-mail to the customer.

Fig. 4 shows schematically a further possible system according to the invention consisting of a meeting place in for instance an entertainment district or a large restaurant, wherein the meeting place is equipped with a reading device 7. An owner of an identification means wishing to eat around lunchtime holds his/her mobile phone to the meeting point and is identified by reading device 7. Reading device 7 informs database 8 which sends per GSM connection 9 an SMS or an e- mail to friends of the owner of the identification means, whereby a meal can perhaps be taken together.

Fig. 5A shows a flow diagram of the protocol for creating and editing a carrier profile by the carrier, for formulating and storing one or more selection criteria for selecting one or more carriers on the basis of the carrier profile and for storing information about services and/or articles to be supplied and associated with a selection criterion. The protocol is preferably implemented as a website, wherein:

K: is the database in which the carrier profiles are stored, wherein the database is controlled and managed by a database management system,

A: is the homepage of the website,

C: is the page (accessible only to the carrier) in which a carrier can register, enter and edit his/her personal data, and define his/her preferred settings related to the selection criteria used to select a carrier,

B: is a page in which new or changed options are shown to the user,

H: is a decision for determining whether the data stored in C have to be updated. If so, then go to B. If not, the data are then stored in database K,

D: is an administrator page for the administrator of the website in which new options are shown and maintenance of the system can be carried out. G: is a page in which the manager can administer data access and can edit carrier options,

I: is a decision for determining whether maintenance needs to be carried out in respect of the data. If so, then go to D. If not, the data is then stored in the database.

E: is a page accessible only to suppliers of services and/or articles in which these suppliers can register and manage campaigns, wherein selection criteria can be formulated for the purpose of selecting carrier profiles. Machines can also be added to this page, wherein the location of the machines is also stored.

J: is a decision wherein it is determined whether the information obtained in E has to be edited prior to storage. If so, then go to F. If not, the information is then stored in database K.

F: is a page in which new or changed information is shown to the suppliers. Fig. 5B shows a flow diagram of the protocol for the method according to the invention. Si and S ₂ are machines according to the invention equipped with a reading device according to the invention. Two machines are shown in this example. In reality there is no limitation to the number of machines. are solely reading devices. At O the carrier allows the identification code to be read from the identification means by means of the reading device either passively (e.g. when passing by) or actively (by presenting the identification means). The read identification code M is sent via an interaction L to the database K, wherein it is determined on the basis of stored selection criteria whether services and/or articles are offered. The services and/or articles to be offered are then made known by L to the machines Si and S ₂ and to reading devices The offered services can indicate that interactive contact has to be made with the carrier. This is determined in the decision T. the contact can then take place via e-mail, SMS, IMM (Q).

In addition, the mobile phone of the carrier can be equipped with detection technology, wherein an application installed on the mobile phone can be controlled such that information is shown on the mobile phone subject to the location of the carrier (R^.R*).