WO2010094980A1

WO2010094980A1 - Improvements relating to digital content distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2010094980A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Wolsey
Original assignee: Admatica Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-20
Filing date: 2010-02-22
Publication date: 2010-08-26
Also published as: GB0902865D0

Abstract

A method for accessing content held on a server. The method comprises receiving at the server, via a communications channel, an initiation communication which comprises identification data. The method further comprises associating the identification data with the content, generating a data package containing confirmation information, sending the data package from the server via the communications channel, receiving at the server further data from a module, validating the further data, and sending content data from the server, thereby enabling access to the content.

Description

Improvements Relating to Digital Content Distribution

Field of Invention

The present invention concerns improvements relating to digital content distribution. In particular, the invention relates to the security of digital content distribution, and to the compatibility of the equipment used in digital content distribution.

Background to Invention

There are currently a number of methods to produce, distribute and use printed and digital vouchers for discount, loyalty and prepaid purposes. Traditional printed vouchers are printed directly onto paper or other synthetic materials. Once produced they are then distributed by hand, by post or via other media, for example with magazines, newspapers or marketing material. Printed vouchers come in various shapes and sizes and contain information such as offer details, the amount of the discount available and the period of validity. A printed voucher may contain other information such as a serial number and/or a barcode.

Printed vouchers are collected and sorted by voucher users who take those vouchers to a shop for presentation at the shop's checkout counter as and when required. The shop's checkout assistant then normally reads the printed voucher to identify the relevant offer and if it is still valid, then either accepts the voucher and keys in a discount code or uses a barcode, if the voucher has one, to scan the voucher code directly into the retailer's electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) system.

Traditional printed vouchers have costs associated with printing, packaging, distribution and storage. Unused or expired printed vouchers are often discarded which creates waste, or even litter if the vouchers are not disposed of responsibly.

Once a trader decides to implement a voucher campaign, due to the period of time taken to produce and distribute printed vouchers, it can often take days, or even weeks, to get the vouchers to market.

It is very difficult to target specific users or demographics of users with printed vouchers because printed vouchers are usually identical. When a user receives a printed voucher of interest to them, the user is inconvenienced in that they are required to safely store the voucher.

If a printed voucher is damaged in some way, such damage may render it unusable. For example, the voucher may be unreadable, either by a person or a barcode reader.

Finally, audit and the reconciliation of printed vouchers is time consuming, can be erroneous and costly.

A web voucher is a type of voucher which is offered in "digital form" from a website where a voucher user can search, select and print the voucher on a local printer. Web vouchers are redeemed in much the same the same way as traditional paper vouchers. Therefore, web vouchers share the same limitations, after being printed, as traditional printed vouchers. A further problem with web vouchers is that they are only available to users who have access to the Internet and a printer, and who possess the relevant skills to use them. Accordingly, web vouchers are only suitable for a portion of the world's voucher using population.

A further form of voucher redemption is provided in the prior art by voucher codes. These are vouchers represented by a single simple voucher code which can be numeric or alphanumeric, and are generally six to twelve characters in length. A user requests a voucher code either via an SMS request or via a website in much the same way as mobile barcodes (discussed below) are requested. Voucher codes are generally targeted at Internet users so that the user can simply type, or cut-and-paste, the voucher code into a website to receive an immediate discount online. Accordingly, voucher codes are typically sent to the user's email address.

Voucher codes are generally not suitable for use in retail stores because, typically, they are not compatible with checkout equipment. Also, voucher codes are unavailable to voucher users who do not have access to the Internet and email, similar to the web voucher example discussed above.

Another type of digital voucher is a mobile barcode voucher. A digital image of a barcode is sent in the form of a multi-media message service (MMS) message, or as a "smart" picture message (smart SMS) to a user's mobile telephone. In addition to the barcode image, the MMS message may include a numeric or alphanumeric code. Although sending an electronic voucher as a barcode image might appear to be an ideal voucher solution, generally, receiving graphic images is not a simple task for a typical mobile phone user. This is because not all mobile phone handsets are capable of receiving and displaying barcode graphic images of a size, format and resolution to guarantee its use at a checkout. For those handset models that can receive and display such messages, there is typically a configuration procedure to execute before messages can be sent or received.

Users who request mobile barcode vouchers usually do so by sending an SMS text message to a pre-determined telephone number, known as an activation telephone number, shown on advertising material, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, barcode vouchers can be requested via the Internet. If the user's handset is capable of receiving the barcode image then it may be redeemed in-store, providing that checkout equipment for mobile barcode scanning is installed.

To redeem the voucher, the user's mobile phone is orientated such that the image of the barcode is read by a mobile barcode reader which is configured to read barcodes displayed on a screen. The mobile phone barcode reader then translates and enters the voucher's details into the retailer's checkout system. As with traditional printed vouchers, mobile barcode vouchers must be stored by the user, in this case on their mobile telephone.

All of the prior art voucher distribution methods suffer from a lack of security in that once a voucher has been issued it can be passed person-to-person. Therefore, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to monitor voucher use by users which may be useful for marketing. Furthermore, the voucher systems of the prior art are open to abuse by users who may use prior art vouchers repeatedly.

The table 2 shown in Figure 1 provides a summary of the prior art voucher distribution methods discussed above.

The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially mitigate the above mentioned problems.

Statements of Invention

The invention aims to overcome at least some of the problems and limitations of the voucher systems of the prior art by providing a method for accessing content held on a server, the method comprising receiving at the server, via a communications channel, an initiation communication, the initiation communication comprising identification data, associating the identification data with the content, generating a data package containing confirmation information, sending the data package from the server via the communications channel; receiving at the server further data from a module, validating the further data, and sending content data from the server, thereby enabling access to the content.

The initiation communication may be an SMS message sent to the server, which indicates a voucher to which a user requires access. The server associates, and preferably matches, the identification data with the voucher and generates and sends the data package containing the confirmation information. The further data may be sent from the module by the user as a security step for validation by the server. After which the server sends the voucher data, which allows the user to use the voucher.

Content stored on the server may be linked to a user's mobile telephone number, thus allowing the use of the voucher to be tracked and, therefore, reducing the risk of errors in marketing analysis. In addition, unauthorised multiple use of a voucher is prevented because the status of the voucher is stored and administered centrally at the server.

The problem of the disposal of used or expired vouchers is solved since the voucher redemption method of the present invention does not require printing of the vouchers. Users of the present invention do not require an Internet connection, computer, printer or the skills to use them to use the invention. Furthermore, the invention is not dependent on the user's mobile being compatible with MMS or smart SMS messaging.

Preferably, the content data may be sent to the module. The module may be a dedicated point-of-sale terminal, an EPOS terminal, or a mobile telecommunications device which is preferably a mobile telephone.

The identification data preferably comprises user identification information which may be a code unique to a user's mobile telecommunications device. The user's mobile telecommunications device is preferably a mobile telephone.

As an alternative, the identification data may be a user identification number (UIN) which may be stored in a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. Suitably, the initiation communication may further comprise an initiation key, and the content may be associated with the initiation key. The associating step preferably comprises matching the initiation key contained in the initiation communication with the initiation key of the content. Preferably, the further data comprises the initiation key.

In a preferred embodiment, the further data may comprise at least part of the identification data. The method of the invention preferably further comprises creating content on receipt of the initiation communication.

The content may comprise a status field, and the method may further comprise verifying that the status field is set to "unused", and may comprise changing the status of the content to "used". The method may further comprise linking at least part of the identification data with the content.

The method may further comprise creating a user account on the server in response to receiving the initiation communication, wherein at least part of the identification data is used to identify the user account. The one or more further initiation communication requests may be associated with the user account.

The confirmation information may contain information relating to the content. The method may further comprise creating an encrypted communication session for receiving the further data from the module. The method may further comprise displaying the content data on the module. The method may further comprise verifying the content data at the module. The content data may comprise a barcode.

Preferably, the method may further comprise generating and sending an acknowledgment data package to a user confirming that the content has been accessed. Preferably, the content comprises product code data, and the method may further comprise receiving product code data and matching the received product code data against the product code data of the content.

The initiation communication may comprise recipient identification information for identifying a recipient, which may be a code unique to a recipient's mobile telecommunications device which may be a mobile telephone. The method may further comprise linking the recipient identification information with the content. The initiation communication may comprise first agent identification information. The data package may be sent to the recipient's mobile telecommunications device. The further data and content may comprise an agent identification code.

The above embodiment is particularly useful for people that need to send money to a recipient to a remote part of the world. It is particularly useful for sending small amounts of money (micro cash payments) from one person to another.

In a further preferred embodiment, communication is not limited to a single channel, but uses two or more communication channels. The content data may therefore be sent to a second mobile telecommunications device which may be a mobile telephone.

Preferably the content is accessed at the module, which may be effected by scanning a barcode. Preferably, the module is a chip-and-pin terminal.

The invention also resides in a computer program data carrier carrying a computer readable code for controlling a computer to carry out the method of the invention.

The invention also resides in a server for accessing content held on a server, the server comprising communication means arranged to receive an initiation communication, the initiation communication comprising identification data, comparison means arranged to compare the identification data with the content, data generating means arranged to generate a data package containing confirmation information, wherein the communication means is arranged to send the data package, and receive further data from a module, validation means arranged to validate the further data, and wherein the communication means is arranged to send content data.

Preferably, the sever further comprises a database in which the content is stored. The content may comprise identification data. The initiation communication may comprise one or more of an initiation key, content data, identification data or a user identification number.

The invention also resides in a system comprising the server and a module for enabling the content to be used, or accessed, by a user. According to a second aspect, the invention resides in a method for enabling a user to obtain access to content held by a content owner, preferably on a server, the method comprising the steps of receiving via a communication channel an initiation communication comprising an initiation key and a user identification information, validating the initiation communication, generating a data package comprising a first code, or the initiation key, sending the data package to the user via the communication channel, entering the first code, or the initiation key, and the user identification information into a module, forwarding the first code, or the initiation key, and/or the user identification information via the communication channel, validating the first code, or the initiation key, and/or the user identification number, and displaying a second code for use by the user to obtain access to the content.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in order to access the content the user initiates communication via the communications channel with a server which then generates a first code, or an initiation key, for the user which is returned via the communications channel. A further communication is then sent via the communications channel, the further communication comprising the first code, or the initiation key, which is sent via the communications channel to a communications terminal belonging to a content owner, or which communicates with the server. The server then validates the further communication and sends a second code to allow the user to access the content.

In a preferred embodiment of either the second or third aspects of the invention, communication is not limited to a single channel, but uses two or more communication channels.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention further resides in a system for enabling a user to obtain access to content held by a content owner, the system comprising a server comprising a database of initiation keys, first codes and second codes, validation means for validating an initiation communication, the initiation communication comprising an initiation key and user identification information, sending means for sending, via a communications channel, a data package comprising a first code which relates to the initiation key, and receiving means for receiving the first code; and forwarding means for forwarding a second code such that the user may obtain the content.

In a preferred embodiment of any of the second, third or fourth aspects of the invention, the content is stored on the server and is associated with the initiation, first or second codes. It will be clear to the skilled person that one or more features of any of the aspects of the invention may be combined.

Advantageously, vouchers according to the present invention can be used without the need to change barcode readers and checkout software.

The invention provides a solution to the problem of how to enable a user quick and easy access to remote content. In particular, the invention enables the remote content to be targeted to specific demographics. Where the content is in relation to vouchers, the present invention is capable of servicing a user request for a discount, loyalty, or prepaid voucher within a few seconds of the request, as and when the user needs a voucher. The invention provides a solution that is simple to adopt and allows retailers to tailor voucher discounts to specific user types or individual profiles. As discussed above, previous attempts have been made to use digital or part digital vouchers but each of the prior art methods is limited to certain subsets of the voucher using population, and requires new standards and equipment to be adopted by retailers.

Vouchers are allocated to users in real-time and are held on the server until used at the checkout as only a voucher notification is sent to a user's mobile via SMS. Neither voucher codes or barcode images are sent or stored on a user's mobile phone. Rather the vouchers are stored in a central database which vastly reduces the risk of loss or damage to the vouchers.

The present invention enables retailers to accurately measure the success of a voucher. Advantageously, as the service is driven by the user, every action or event can trigger an automated marketing response in real-time.

The provision of a user account allows the user's behaviour to be monitored and thus create further vouchers for the user to use which are "chained" into comprehensive marketing strategies. For example, a marketing plan could be a discount campaign where the user is offered vouchers at an initial discount of 10%. If the user takes up the offer, they could then be given an additional discount on future vouchers.

Brief Description of the Drawings Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a table which summarises voucher distribution methods according to the prior art and the problems associated with those methods;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communications network according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a method for obtaining a voucher according to the present invention;

Figure 4a shows a voucher point-of-sale (VPOS) terminal according to the present invention;

Figure 4b shows a close-up view of the screen of the VPOS terminal shown in Figure 4a;

Figures 4c and 4d show close-up views of the screen of the VPOS terminal and illustrate a portion of the method for obtaining a voucher according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of voucher redemption according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of voucher redemption for the transfer of money.

Detailed Description A communications network 4 according to the invention is shown in Figure 2. The communications network 4 includes a server 6 which is connected to and communicates with a database 8 and a client terminal 10. The client terminal 10 communicates with the server 6 for administration of the voucher redemption service. The communications network 4 also includes a mobile telecommunications network 12, and a retail transaction and accounting system 14 which is typically found at the checkout in a retail store. The server 6 is connected to the Internet 15 to enable communication between the server 6 and a mobile telecommunications network 12. The mobile telecommunications network 12 includes an SMS gateway 16 which provides a software interface and protocols to convert internet protocol (IP) messages from the Internet 15 into SMS messages for the mobile telecommunications network 12 and visa versa. The mobile telecommunications network 12 comprises a number of mobile communications devices. For simplicity only one mobile communications device, a user's mobile telephone 18, is shown in Figure 2. The SMS gateway 16 transmits and receives data to and from the mobile telephone 18 via an aerial 20.

The retail transaction and accounting system 14 includes an electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) terminal 22 which usually comprises a cash register and is used to execute sales transactions at a checkout. The EPOS terminal 22 includes a barcode reader 24, a screen 26 and a keypad (not shown in Figure 2) and can communicate with the server 6 via the Internet 15. In accordance with the present invention, the retail transaction and accounting system 14 comprises voucher point-of-sale (VPOS) software loaded on to the EPOS terminal 22, or, alternatively, a separate VPOS terminal 30 which carries the VPOS software and is connected to the EPOS terminal 22. For the sake of clarity, a VPOS terminal 30 is shown separate to the EPOS terminal 22 in Figure 2. The VPOS terminal 30 may have its own screen 32 and keypad 34 (shown in Figure 4a) and communicates with the server 6 via the Internet 15.

In a conventional retail transaction and accounting system 14, a chip-and-pin card reader which is used to take payment for goods may function as the VPOS terminal 30, as described in the following description (as shown in Figures 4a to 4d). Alternatively to a chip-and-pin card reader, the card reader may be a conventional magnetic stripe sensing reader.

To initiate the voucher system of the present invention, a client creates a client account on the server 6. The client will typically be a retail outlet or a chain of retail outlets. The client administers its client account via the client terminal 10 which is shown connected directly to the server 6 for simplicity. Alternatively, the client terminal 10 may communicate with the server 6 via the Internet 15 and will, therefore, have an allocated server address on the server 6. When the client creates an account, the server 6 generates an access key for that client account. The access key is unique to that client account and is provided to the client together with a username and password. When the client uses the client terminal 10 for the first time the client will be asked to enter its access key.

The client defines its client account in terms of the voucher campaign. For example, the client will define the type(s) of voucher(s) it wishes to initiate in a promotion and against which products and in which retails spaces. The promotion may represent an offer or a group of offers which is assigned an activation telephone number which handles all inbound and outbound SMS messages relating to an offer or a group of offers in a promotion. An offer relates to one or more discounted products and is linked to one or more promotions. An offer is identified by an offer code, discussed below. The offer code could be linked to the promotion using the activation telephone number, then to the offer using the offer code.

The client may also define events in their client account. An event represents one of many actual events which may take place on the server 6. An event code and event details are represented as a data record inserted into an event table in the database 8. An event record may be generated for any activity and communication to and from a user and are discussed further below. Timers, known as triggers, may be linked to events to execute an action, a number of which can be "chained" into comprehensive marketing strategies.

The relationship between an event, trigger and action is defined as a condition which enables marketing campaigns to be supported. Each condition terminates with the execution of an action. Conditions may be grouped into an action plan which supports either in part, or full, a marketing plan. An example of a marketing plan could be a discount campaign where users are offered vouchers at an initial discount of 10%. Users who take up the offer could then be given an additional discount on future vouchers. This method of user driven campaign can be automated using action plans to offer users a personalised voucher service.

Once the client has entered their requirements, the electronic vouchers are produced on the server 6 by a voucher mint. The voucher mint is a service that configures and generates electronic vouchers for storage in the database 8. Vouchers created by the voucher mint process each have a unique identification code (UIC). Each UIC is created using a true random number generator (TRNG) which uses known sampling processes of analogue states. For example, TRNG devices can use electrical noise of light in order to produce true random results. The voucher mint keeps an archive of all TRNG codes used in order to ensure that a UIC is not used more than once.

As mentioned above, the vouchers are stored in the database 8, specifically, in a voucher bank (VB) which holds all vouchers produced by the voucher mint process. Vouchers held in the VB may be grouped into voucher types and allocated a unique account number and database table particular to the client account. For example, all vouchers of a type "10% discount" may be held in the 10% credit account table.

It will be clear to the skilled reader that vouchers could be grouped together in other ways, such as by expiry date, offer, product, promotion or campaign, as required by the client. Conveniently, offer codes may be linked to a campaign, promotion, offer, product or a voucher type.

Several types of voucher are produced by the voucher mint and may contain some or all of the following attributes:

1 . Offer code

2. Voucher type 3. Voucher discount value

4. Validity period or lifetime

5. Unique identification code (UIC)

6. Valid Checkouts - VPOS, WEB, Mobile

7. Status - used/unused 8. Activation telephone number

9. User's telephone number

10. Product code

Examples of voucher types include discount vouchers, where a percentage discount is given off selected products; loyalty vouchers which are given to users who qualify for loyalty discounts; prepaid vouchers which are given in exchange for payment and can be redeemed against goods and services; and bonus vouchers which can be used to upgrade existing vouchers. Once the client has set up an account and the electronic vouchers have been produced by the voucher mint, the client displays information in its store(s) promoting the vouchers and giving instructions on how to obtain them.

A method of redeeming vouchers according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

A mobile telephone user sees information relating to a voucher offer in a retail store at step 100 in relation to an item that they wish to purchase, as illustrated in Figure 3. After reading the information, the user understands that if they text an "offer code" to an activation telephone number they will receive a 10% discount on the item they wish to purchase. The activation telephone number is essentially the telephone number of the server 6. Accordingly, messages sent to the activation telephone number will arrive at the server 6. In the present example (as shown in Figure 4c) the offer code is "101 ", but any alphanumerical string may be used.

The user creates an initial SMS message which contains the offer code on their mobile phone and sends the SMS message to the activation telephone number at step 102. The SMS message travels to the server 6 via the mobile network 12 and the Internet 15.

At step 104 the SMS message is received at the server 6. In step 106, the server 6 searches the database 8 for vouchers which have an offer code that matches the offer code contained in the SMS message. If a match is found, and at least one voucher is valid and unused, the server 6 records the user's mobile telephone number against that voucher at step 108 to create a unique link to that voucher stored on the server 6, and sends a voucher notification SMS to the user's mobile telephone 18 at step 110.

The voucher notification SMS contains a message such as "10% Discount Voucher - Please go to checkout to receive your discount. Offer Code: 101", and may contain a time limit for use and any other necessary information. The time between the user sending the initial SMS message and receiving the voucher notification is, at most, a few seconds.

When a user uses the voucher service for the first time a user account is automatically created by the server 6 using the user's mobile telephone number as a unique account reference. The user account is essentially a depository for the user's vouchers. The initial voucher is linked to the user's user account, by means of a dynamic link for example, and has a status of "unused". Vouchers associated with any further voucher requests are linked to the user account in a similar manner.

A method of redeeming the voucher is now described with reference to Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 5. After the user receives the voucher notification SMS message at step 1 10, he or she takes their chosen item to the checkout. Conveniently, the VPOS terminal 30 is located at the checkout. The user then informs the checkout assistant he or she has a voucher in respect of the item.

The assistant initialises the VPOS terminal 30 to make a request to the server 6 which provides an encrypted service key which is then used for the duration of the VPOS session. Once the VPOS 30 is initialised, the user to enters their mobile telephone number 36 using the keypad 34, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, and the offer code (not shown in Figures 4a and 4b), into the VPOS 30 at step 1 12.

The VPOS terminal 30 sends an authentication request at step 114 to the server 6 via the Internet 15 to verify that a voucher with the offer code in question has been allocated against a user account for that mobile telephone number. If a valid and unexpired voucher is found allocated against that user account, the voucher details are sent to the VPOS terminal 30 and displayed on the screen 32 at step 1 16, as shown in Figure 4c, within a few seconds of the authentication request being sent. The checkout assistant checks the offer information and confirms that the information is correct by pressing the return key. Alternatively, the checkout assistant can reject the details and cancel the voucher transaction by selecting "Cancel".

If the assistant confirms that the information is correct, the VPOS sends a confirmation message to the server which replies with the voucher's details which are displayed on the screen in the form of a barcode 38 at step 118, as shown in Figure 4d. As can be seen, the displayed data also includes the user's mobile telephone number, offer code and a description of the item - "Nokia N96".

The VPOS terminal 30 produces a standard barcode 38 image which is readable by the

EPOS terminal's 22 barcode reader 24. Alternatively, if VOPS software is loaded on to the

EPOS terminal 22, the barcode 38 will be displayed on the EPOS terminal's 22 screen 26. The checkout assistant scans the displayed barcode 38 using the barcode reader 24 at step 120. The assistant then scans the item to be purchased in the normal way and the EPOS terminal 22 applies the discount at step 122 to the user's purchase. The user then purchases for the item in the normal fashion. Once the transaction is complete at step 122, the EPOS terminal 22 communicates to the VPOS terminal 30 that the voucher has been used. The VPOS terminal 30 forwards that message to the server 6 which accordingly changes the voucher's status from "unused" to "used".

To confirm that the voucher has been used, a voucher receipt in the form of an SMS is sent to the user at step 124 confirming that the voucher has now been used. The voucher receipt may include additional information such as bonus vouchers, voucher upgrade offers and the like.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of entering their mobile telephone number and offer code into the VPOS terminal, the user sends a further SMS message from their mobile telephone 18 to the server 6 after receipt of the voucher notification SMS. The further SMS message confirms that the user would like to redeem the voucher. The voucher details are then sent and displayed on a screen of the user's mobile telephone 18, rather than the VPOS terminal 30, which is then scanned by the barcode reader 24. In a further alternative embodiment, the user may specify another mobile communications device on which to display the barcode 38.

As part of the above method, each voucher has an event record which represents one of the many actual events which take place on the server. For example, an event code and event details are recorded against each voucher in the event record. Event records are generated for events such as communications to and from the server 6 and include "User SMS Received"; "Voucher Notification Sent to User's Mobile"; and "Voucher Used at Checkout".

As will be readily apparent, the invention described above is not limited to physical retail spaces, but can be used online when shopping at a website. For example, a user may see an offer code on a website and send an SMS to a promotional offer telephone number. The authorisation SMS has a code which the user enters into the website to obtain the discount.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the user is given a loyalty card or key-fob which contains a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The RFID chip contains a unique user identification number (UIN) linked to the user's account which also contains the user's mobile telephone number and the vouchers allocated to the user.

In this second embodiment, the user requests a voucher as described above, i.e. by creating and sending a text message containing an offer code to an activation telephone number. When the user wishes to redeem the voucher at the checkout, rather than entering their mobile telephone number the user places the RFID chip on a scanner which communicates with the VPOS terminal 30 and, in turn, with the server 6. The UIN is used by the server 6 to identify the user and access the user's account. The user then enters into the VPOS terminal 30 the voucher code of the voucher that they wish to use. Alternatively, the server 6 can transmit the details of all of the user's unused allocated vouchers to the VPOS terminal 22, or alternatively the EPOS terminal 30, so the user can select the voucher that he or she wishes to use.

It may be that the user has a large number of items to purchase and a large number of vouchers in their account. In which case, selecting a large number of vouchers to use is both time-consuming and laborious. The need for the user to manually select the vouchers to use at the checkout is removed by a yet further embodiment of the invention in which the barcode reader 24 communicates with both the EPOS terminal 22 and the VPOS terminal 30.

In this third embodiment, the user places their loyalty card or key-fob which contains the RFID chip on the RFID reader. The VOPS terminal transmits the UIN to the server which accesses the user's account. The barcodes of each item selected by the user are then scanned in the usual way. As the product code (which is encoded in each product's barcode) of each item is scanned by the barcode reader 24, product code data is generated by the barcode reader 24. The product code data is transmitted to both the EPOS terminal 22 and the VPOS terminal 30. The VPOS terminal 30 transmits the product code data to the server 6 which compares this data against the product codes of the vouchers contained in the user's account. When a match is found, the server 6 transmits the voucher details to the VPOS terminal 30. The VPOS terminal 30 automatically forwards the voucher details to the EPOS terminal 22 which applies the discount to the user's purchase.

In a fourth embodiment, illustrated in Figure 6, the invention provides the facility to enable easier transfer of money by the provision of mobile cash vouchers. In this embodiment, a user 201 purchases a voucher stored on the server 6, which represents a monetary value, from a deposit agent. The deposit agent is equipped with a mobile telephone 218 which is registered as the deposit agent's mobile telephone. When the user 201 purchases the voucher, he or she also gives the deposit agent their mobile telephone number, if the user has one, and the mobile telephone number of a recipient 203 of the voucher. The deposit agent creates an initial SMS message 202 on their mobile telephone containing the user's mobile telephone number, the recipient's mobile telephone number and the value of the voucher, and sends the initial SMS 202 to the server 6.

As in the first embodiment of the invention, the server 6 searches for, or creates, a voucher which matches a value of the voucher in the initial SMS message 202. The server 6 records the user's mobile telephone number, if one is sent in the initial SMS message 202, and the recipient's mobile telephone number against the voucher.

A voucher confirmation 209 is instantly sent to the deposit agent's mobile telephone 218, and a duplicate voucher confirmation 209' is sent the user's mobile telephone, if they have one. The voucher confirmation messages 209, 209' contain details of the voucher's value and the recipient 203. The recipient 203, a few seconds later, receives a voucher notification SMS message 210 informing them that they have a cash voucher ready for redemption.

To redeem the voucher, the recipient 203 contacts a credit agent who is equipped with a mobile phone 230 which is registered as the credit agent's mobile telephone 230. The credit agent provides the recipient with an "Agent I. D. No." which the recipient 203 sends in an SMS message 212 to a voucher service number. A few seconds later the credit agent's mobile telephone 230 receives a service notification SMS message 214 containing an authorisation code to complete the cash transaction. The credit agent then gives the recipient 203 the authorisation code which the recipient 203 sends in a authorisation SMS message 214 to the voucher service number. After a few seconds the credit agent receives a confirmation SMS message 216 from the server 6 that a cash amount relating to the value of the voucher has been deposited in a bank account of the credit agent. The credit agent then gives the recipient 203 cash equal to the voucher value, thereby ending the transaction process.

In general, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential attributes. It will also be apparent to the skilled person that features of one or more of the above embodiments may be readily combined. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims and other general statements herein rather than to the foregoing specific description as indicating the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for accessing content held on a server, the method comprising: receiving at the server, via a communications channel, an initiation communication, the initiation communication comprising identification data; associating the identification data with the content; generating a data package containing confirmation information; sending the data package from the server via the communications channel; receiving at the server further data from a module; validating the further data; and sending content data from the server, thereby enabling access to the content.

2. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the content data is sent to the module.

3. The method of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the module is a dedicated point-of-sale terminal or an EPOS terminal.

4. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the module is a mobile telecommunications device.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the mobile telecommunications device is a mobile telephone.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the identification data comprises user identification information.

7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the user identification information is a code unique to a user's mobile telecommunications device.

8. The method of Claim 7, wherein the user's mobile telecommunications device is a mobile telephone.

9. The method of Claim 6, wherein the identification data is a user identification number (UIN).

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the UIN is stored in a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip.

11. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the initiation communication further comprises an initiation key.

12. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the content is associated with the initiation key.

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the associating step comprises matching the initiation key contained in the initiation communication with the initiation key of the content.

14. The method of any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the further data comprises the initiation key.

15. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the further data comprises at least part of the identification data.

16. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising creating content on receipt of the initiation communication.

17. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the content comprises a status field.

18. The method of Claim 17, further comprising verifying that the status field is set to "unused".

19. The method of Claim 17 or 18, further comprising changing the status of the content to "used".

20. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising linking at least part of the identification data with the content.

21. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising creating a user account on the server in response to receiving the initiation communication, wherein at least part of the identification data is used to identify the user account.

22. The method of Claim 21 , further comprising associating one or more further initiation communication requests with the user account.

23. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the confirmation information contains information relating to the content.

24. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising creating an encrypted communication session for receiving the further data from the module.

25. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising displaying the content data on the module.

26. The method of any preceding claim, the method comprising verifying the content data at the module.

27. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the content data comprises a barcode.

28. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising generating and sending an acknowledgment data package to a user confirming that the content has been accessed.

29. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the content comprises product code data, and the method further comprises receiving product code data and matching the received product code data against the product code data of the content.

30. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the initiation communication comprises recipient identification information for identifying a recipient.

31. The method of Claim 30, wherein the recipient identification information is a code unique to a recipient's mobile telecommunications device.

32. The method of Claim 31 , wherein the recipient's mobile telecommunications device is a mobile telephone.

33. The method of any of Claims 30 to 32, the method further comprising linking the recipient identification information with the content.

34. The method of any Claims 30 to 33, wherein the initiation communication comprises first agent identification information.

35. The method of any of Claims 31 to 34, wherein the data package is sent to the recipient's mobile telecommunications device.

36. The method of any of Claims 30 to 35, wherein the further data and content comprise an agent identification code.

37. The method of any previous claim, wherein communication is not limited to a single channel, but uses two or more communication channels.

38. The method of any previous claim, wherein the content data is sent to a second mobile telecommunications device.

39. The method of Claim 38, wherein the second mobile telecommunications device is a mobile telephone.

40. The method of any previous claim, further comprising, at the module, accessing the content.

41. The method of Claim 40, the method further comprising accessing the content by scanning a barcode.

42. A computer program data carrier carrying a computer readable code for controlling a computer to carry out the method of any preceding claim.

43. A server for accessing content held on a server, the server comprising: communication means arranged to receive an initiation communication, the initiation communication comprising identification data; comparison means arranged to compare the identification data with the content; data generating means arranged to generate a data package containing confirmation information, wherein the communication means is arranged to send the data package, and receive further data from a module; validation means arranged to validate the further data; and wherein the communication means is arranged to send content data.

44. The server of Claim 43, further comprising a database in which the content is stored.

45. The server of Claim 43 or 44, wherein the content comprises identification data.

46. The server of any of Claims 43 to 35, wherein the initiation communication comprises one or more of an initiation key, content data, identification data or a user identification number.

47. A system comprising a server of any of Claims 43 to 46 and a module for enabling the content to be used by a user.

48. The method of any of Claims 1 to 41 , wherein the module is a chip-and-pin terminal.