METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING A PAYMENT TRANSACTION USING A CRYPTOCURRENCY WALLET

Abstract

A method is described for processing a payment transaction using a cryptocurrency wallet. The method involves the following features: an operating state profile of a vehicle is called up, the address is subjected to a plausibility check based on the operating state profile, and a release of the payment transaction is granted if the address bears up against the plausibility check.

Claims

1. A method for processing a payment transaction using a cryptocurrency wallet to a payee having a predefined address, comprising: calling up an operating state profile of a vehicle; subjecting the address to a plausibility check based on the operating state profile; and granting a release of the payment transaction when the address bears up against the plausibility check.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: when the release is granted, performing by the wallet a transaction calculation based on the address and on the released payment transaction.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: exchanging the payment transaction and the address between the wallet and the vehicle via a wireless interface; and exchanging the payment transaction and the address between the vehicle and a cloud via a wireless interface.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: operating the vehicle to perform a buyer function, the payee performing a corresponding seller function in a cloud; generating the address of the payee by repeatedly ascertaining a scatter value of different random numbers and of a secret key; and using the scatter value as the address when the scatter value codes, according to a predefined scheme, the operating state profile of the vehicle typical for a performance of the buyer function.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein: the address is numerical, and the scatter value codes the operating state profile according to the scheme when a partial digit sequence of a polyadic representation of the address established by position codes the operating state profile.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of the following seller functions of the payee is assigned a fixed value of the partial digit sequence: a gas station, a charging station, a toll station, a parking facility. or a data provider.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the operating state profile takes a past value of at least one of the following operating states of the vehicle into account: a tank fill level a battery charge level, a driving speed, a state of a door a position of a window, a driving direction, a steering angle, a parking time, or a locked state.

8. A computer program configured to carry out a method for processing a payment transaction using a cryptocurrency wallet to a payee having a predefined address, the method comprising: calling up an operating state profile of a vehicle; subjecting the address to a plausibility check based on the operating state profile; and granting a release of the payment transaction when the address bears up against the plausibility check.

9. A machine-readable memory medium, on which a computer program is stored and configured to carry out a method for processing a payment transaction using a cryptocurrency wallet to a payee having a predefined address, the method comprising: calling up an operating state profile of a vehicle; subjecting the address to a plausibility check based on the operating state profile; and granting a release of the payment transaction when the address bears up against the plausibility check.

10. A device configured to carry out a method for processing a payment transaction using a cryptocurrency wallet to a payee having a predefined address, the method comprising: calling up an operating state profile of a vehicle; subjecting the address to a plausibility check based on the operating state profile; and granting a release of the payment transaction when the address bears up against the plausibility check.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to a first specific embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 schematically shows a cryptocurrency wallet according to a second specific embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] According to the present invention, transfer addresses (hashes) for the account of a seller are generated per attempt and error until an address could be found, which codes according to a predefined scheme the operating state profile of the customers' vehicles typical for a performance of the buyer functions of potential customers.

[0013] The more decimal digits relating to operating states a transfer address according to one specific embodiment of the present invention contains, the greater are the costs and effort for generating this address. This suggests, in turn, that the address is used more frequently due to the high costs for generating it and ultimately the greater the trustworthiness is of the address structured in such a way.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the basic sequence of a method 10 according to the present invention in a use scenario according to FIG. 2: an HW wallet 20 detects selected vehicle data (process 11FIG. 1) and checks whether the profiles of these vehicle data correspond to particular expected values (process 12FIG. 1). The expected values for checking the profiles are selected as a function of a code within transfer address 14.

[0015] When vehicle 30 is delivered a transfer address 14, it then checks whether a known digit sequence having associated expected values of vehicle data is stored in an internal table, as is illustrated by way of example by the following particular applications.

[0016] Transfer address 14 of a gas station or charging station, for example, could begin with the digit sequence 498001, which is linked to the following expectations: The tank fill level or battery charge level is to have increased shortly prior to a payment to this address 14; the tank cap is to be opened at this time or the charging plug is to have been inserted; and the driving speed during this time is to have been 0 km/h.

[0017] In contrast, transfer address 14 of a drive-in could begin with digit sequence 498003, which is linked to the following expectations: vehicle 30more precisely, one of its windows or one of it doorsis to have been opened shortly prior to payment transaction 16 to this address 14 and the driving speed during this time is to have been 0 km/h.

[0018] Transfer address 14 of an expressway toll station could accordingly begin with the digit sequence 498005, which is assigned the following expectations: vehicle 30 drove over long distances in the same direction prior to a payment 16 to this address 14 and its steering angle over long distances was minimal, whereby large steering angles could be equally compensated for by changing lanes. This lane change compensation may be achieved by averaging the steering angle over a sliding time window of multiple seconds. The steering angle quasi filtered in this manner should, according to expectation, not have exceeded a threshold value over long distances before a payment 16 is directed to address 14 of the toll station.

[0019] Transfer address 14 of a parking facility may begin with the digit sequence 498007, which is linked to the expectation that vehicle 30 has been parked and locked prior to a payment 16 to this address 14.

[0020] Finally, transfer address (14) of a provider of road condition data or hazard data could begin with the digit sequence 498009, which is assigned the expectations that vehicle (30) received relevant road condition data or hazard data immediately prior to a payment (16) to this address (14).

[0021] A transfer limit and a maximum frequency for transfers may also be established as additional expectation values for all digit sequences or payment categories.

[0022] In addition, a location reference may be checked or a call number may be coded using the digits of transfer address 14, with which the plausibility of the authorization of payment transaction 16 is additionally checked. For this purpose, the digit sequence should be defined by position within address 14 in such a way that additional partial digit sequences of the same allow a corresponding check. If the values actually measured by HW wallet 20 meet the expectation values (branch YFIG. 1), then the HW wallet carries out the transfer (process 13FIG. 1).

[0023] The method steps and considerations described by way of example for paying with a vehicle 30 may be similarly applied to paying with the aid of smartphones, computers, GPS receivers, automotive diagnostic units, or other mobile devices without departing from the scope of the present invention.