INFORMATION NETWORK AND AN ELECTRONIC CARD USABLE THEREIN

RESEAU TELEINFORMATIQUE ET CARTE ELECTRONIQUE UTILISABLE DANS CE CADRE

English 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.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un réseau téléinformatique comprenant un ensemble à contrôleur et ordinateur, au moins un canal de données, et un certain nombre de coffrets lecteurs de cartes raccordés via un canal de données à l'ensemble contrôleur et ordinateur. Ces lecteurs de cartes permettent l'échange d'informations avec une carte électronique à introduire dans un tel lecteur de carte. Le canal de données entre les lecteurs de cartes et l'ensemble à contrôleur et ordinateur comprend une partie au moins de la carte électronique. Cette carte électronique est dotée d'une mémoire permettant le stockage de messages échangés avec les coffrets lecteurs de cartes. Une partie de la mémoire, réservée au stockage et au transport des informations autres que les informations objets de la carte électronique, permet un adressage au profit de l'un au moins des lecteurs de cartes.

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, 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.

Description

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W097/36265 PCT~97/00160
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 co~mllnication link between the

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W097/36265 2 PCT~L97/~160
card reader and the control 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
35- 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

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W O 97136265 3 PCTnNL97/00160
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
~5 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.

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W097/36265 4 PCT~97/00160
Another desirable provision in respect of the
information network accordlng 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 ch~nnPls 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.
EXAMP~E 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
~ch~nge 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

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W 0 97/36265 5 PCTnNL97/00160
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. ~he
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
3~ participation in the chance game.
EXAMPLE 5
In an information network equipped with a control
and information unit and card readers directly connected

CA 02249294 1998-09-21
W O 97136265 6 PCTANL97/00160
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
S 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.
,._