Data processing systems or methods that are specially adapted for managing, promoting or practicing commercial or financial activities.

Systems or methods not involving significant data processing (see definition for group G06Q 90/00) and specially adapted for managing, promoting, or practicing commercial or financial activities, provided that:

Classification in this subclass is quite difficult, as the question whether a document qualifies for this place might rest to some extent on the intended use rather than on any "hardware"/technical features.

Further, documents here are often directed at complex systems where the interactions and the overall effect might be decisive, where no single technical, tangible feature will be a pointer to a particular group.

For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising (G09B vs. G06Q).

As another example, an application describing technical details particular to a resonant tag and its mode of operation or production that merely mentions that the tag can be used in automatic stock management (G06Q 10/08, G06Q 10/087) will probably not be classified here.

When different aspects/parts of a document should be classified in different subgroups, more than one symbol is to be allocated.

Attention is drawn to the special rules of classification in group G06Q 90/00, reserved for systems or methods not involving significant data processing, and for G06Q 99/00, reserved for new technologies (e.g. q-bits computers for a special business purpose).

Whenever a document does not contain more than general statements/information/notorious features (e.g. automation using a computer), and no particular technical adaptation can be understood/no particular combination of technical features is found or inferred, the document can be classified in one of the main groups, i.e. G06Q 10/00.

In this subclass, Indexing Codes G06Q 2220/00 and subdivisions, as well as G06Q 2250/00 and subdivisions, are used.

Due to their character of Indexing Codes, they can be used only for additional information and only in association with other symbols of G06Q.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specially adapted for the management of an organisation or its employees, such as:

Information and communication Technology (ICT) specially adapted for computerised record keeping systems for recording reservations, such as:

This group covers "reservations" per se, e.g. administration of reservations. For rental transactions or leasing transactions, see group G06Q 30/0645.

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations wherein the computerised system is adjusting existing reservation processes.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations that includes adaptations for overbooking or overselling reservations.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the processing system coordinating multiple distinct reservations for a single itinerary.

The term "multiple distinct reservations" is not intended to include a plurality of similar reservations, e.g. reservations for a plurality of seats.

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for sport or leisure activities.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for changing the assignment of an existing reservation to another person or owner for the reservation.

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for seating or rooms in a venue.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for arena or stadium seating.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for assigning seating for travel arrangements operating on a fixed time schedule.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for record keeping systems for recording reservations for lodging, e.g. vacation homes, hotels.

ICT specially adapted for record keeping system for recording reservations for portions of office space.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Information and communication Technology (ICT) specially adapted for forecasting or optimisation.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Optimisation in a specific technical field is usually not found this group and should be searched for in the specific field, e.g. optimisation of placement of servers in a data farm, optimisation for reducing fuel consumption, etc.

Group G06Q 10/04 covers mathematical methods for optimisation or forecast purpose specially adapted to as administrative/business application or context.

Group G06F 17/11 covers mathematical methods for solving generic mathematical optimisation problems. Likewise, group G06F 17/18 covers mathematical methods for analysing generic time series data for forecasting/extrapolation purposes.

Optimisation in a specific technical field is usually not found here, and should be searched for in the specific field, e.g. : optimisation of placement of servers in a data farm, optimisation for reducing fuel consumption, etc... A document classified here should be forwarded to the relevant technical field of application.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for finding the optimal placement of shapes on stock material, e.g. for cutting of paper, leather or sheet metal.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for finding an optimal route under certain constraints, e.g. salesperson visiting a number of customers.

This subgroup includes route finding algorithms in graphs (e.g. A* algorithm).

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for resources, workflows, human or project management, e.g. organising, planning, scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources; enterprise planning; organisational models.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for applying systematic or scientific analysis, evaluation or other problem-solving technique to the operation(s) of an enterprise to understand the operation(s), improve effectiveness and guide decision making or management; or to the planning, organising, directing or controlling of an enterprise, i.e. a group of one or more people or entities, for the purpose of accomplishing a goal.

This subject matter is applied to problems that concern understanding, conducting, coordinating or optimising the operations or activities within an enterprise.

The operations and activities of the organisation are business level operations and activities and are not specifically network or computer operations related.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for planning or assigning of resources in an optimal or systemic way in order to achieve a business goal or drawn to the management or planning of a business task or operation.

This group includes planning, allocating, distributing or scheduling resources among various projects or business units in a business or commercial environment based on analysis of operations of the enterprise.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the scheduling or assigning of tasks to an individual or group, the scheduling or assigning based on analysis of factors such as the needs or requirements of the enterprise, the task and the individual or groups qualifications or availability, schedules of individuals or groups or the goal of a specific task.

The designation of an individual may be either by name or other designation, e.g. position.

The individual or group may be either internal or external to the organisation, such as a current employee, job candidate or contractor.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for optimally matching an individual or group to a job based on factors such as the individuals or groups qualification(s) and the requirement(s) defined by the particular type of work.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the monitoring or tracking of work performed or assigned to an individual or group to provide an indication of work that is in queue to be started, work in-progress or work that is completed.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for reassessing an established staff task schedule to ensure that the schedule is still valid, and then optionally rescheduling a task to an available individual or group, in order to improve efficiency, accommodate employees or achieve a business goal or objective.

This area includes subject matter where evaluation of whether or not a change to the initial task schedule is needed, even if no change is claimed or the result of the evaluation is that no change is needed.

This area includes staff driven adjustment or reassignment of a shift or work schedule, such as by way of staff trading or swapping of shifts or other means.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for scheduling, assigning roles, tasks or responsibilities, or the sequence of tasks executed by a team or a team member with respect to a unified managed undertaking.

For classification herein, this group requires a process, method, system, apparatus or program that is associated with a project, e.g. establishing of goals, deliverables, roles, calendar schedules or considered constraints, such as cost or time.

ICT specially adapted for planning or adjustment of the allocation or distribution of staff, e.g. cashiers or salespersons, at a location or physical establishment, e.g. retail store, where the planning or adjustment is based on the tracking or predicting of arrivals of individuals at the establishment.

The individuals may be customers, staff or any other individual that impacts the staffing needs at the physical establishment.

The tracked or predicted arrival data can include consideration of arrival rates, crowd congestion, wait times, queue length.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for reassessment of the established asset utilisation plan or schedule to ensure the plan is still optimal or valid and then to optionally reschedule or reassign asset usage in order to improve efficiency, or achieve a business goal or objective, accomplished by techniques such as resource or task leveling or dynamic rescheduling.

This area includes applications where evaluation of whether or not a change to the initial schedule is needed, even if no change is claimed or the result of the evaluation is that no change is needed.

The reassessment may be based on consideration of factors such as cost, failure or maintenance in order to optimally reschedule or plan resource utilisation through workload balancing, leveling or other means.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for organising or allocating resources, such as time, equipment or money, within a defined scope or constraints in order to meet an objective associated with a unified managed undertaking.

For classification herein, this group requires a process, method, system, apparatus or program that is associated with a project, e.g. establishing of goals, deliverables, roles, calendar schedules or considered constraints, such as cost or time.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for a calendar-based means which facilitates time planning associated with business resources, operations, production planning or other administrative activities.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the evaluation or determination of resources required by the organisation to satisfy an internal or market-driven need. 

Market-driven demand herein includes planning associated with consumer demand that require various resources of a business to meet the consumer order demand, which may include planning for anticipated future orders.

Market research or market demand prediction which does not also involve resource planning or resource adjustment is classified elsewhere.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for planning or governing the order of steps for completing a task, for planning or governing the order of plural tasks performed by the resources of a business, or for using problem solving techniques such as network analysis, e.g. shortest path, minimum spanning trees, maximum flow problems, precedence graphs, job dispatch prioritisation or minimum cost flow problems, to determine the most optimal sequence or ordering of entities or resources.

Classified herein are systems that control workflow, automated systems that process tasks or that display instructions directing the order of task execution or a template with a series of required fields for execution of the task.

ICT specially adapted for planning or adjustment of the allocation or distribution of resources, e.g. assets or equipment, at a location or physical establishment, e.g. retail store, where the planning or adjustment is based on the tracking or predicting of arrivals of individuals at the establishment.

The individuals may be customers, staff or any other individual that impacts the resource needs at the physical establishment.

The tracked or predicted arrival data can include consideration of arrival rates, crowd congestion, wait times, queue length.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for analysis or evaluation of a model or other abstract representation of the flow or sequence of real work in order to understand or optimise a work process performed by entities within an enterprise or organisation.

This subject matter is applied to problems that concern understanding, conducting, coordinating or optimising the operations or activities within an enterprise or organisation.

The operations and activities of the organisation are business level operations and activities and are not specifically network or computer operations related.

ICT specially adapted for workflow analysis where the workflow is based on a template or standardised definition of a business process.

Subject matter covered includes (1) an analysis of a business process for the creation of templates or standardised definitions for future workflow implementation; or (2) the analysis of whether existing templates or standardised process definitions are still valid or need to be modified in order to optimise a workflow.

This area includes applications where evaluation of whether or not a change is needed to the initial template or standardised business process definition, even if no change is claimed or the result of the evaluation is that no change is needed.

ICT specially adapted for forecasting or predicting aspects of a workflow or its stages, e.g. forecasting completion, predicting outcomes or predicting duration of the workflow.

The stages of a workflow may include individual steps, tasks or sub-processes.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for applying techniques to identify and analyze or assess factors that may adversely affect the success of a business undertaking or the achievement of a business goal.

This subject matter includes identifying preventive measures to reduce the probability of these factors occurring or identifying countermeasures to successfully minimise possible negative effects on a business or an entity.

Evaluation of risk factors with respect to credit, loan or other financial matters is not classified herein.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for providing overall direction to a business by (1) developing a business mission, vision or objective; (2) formulating a planned course of action based on a business mission, vision or objective; or (3) evaluating or reevaluating whether the developed mission, vision or objective or planned course of action was effective, produced a desired outcome or needs to be modified.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised arrangement for forecasting how a business will perform under potential scenarios including identifying an outcome or impact of a proposed change or estimating what changes are needed to accomplish desired goal(s) or outcome(s), including techniques such as change impact analysis or return on investment.

This group includes subject matter where analysis occurs, even when none of current or proposed plans, processes or practices are implemented in the operation of an enterprise.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for evaluating the efficiency, productivity or performance of an employee or other entity employed by an enterprise or an organisational operation.

The efficiency, productivity or job performance of the employee or other entity occurs within the enterprise and thus explicitly or implicitly impacts the operations of that enterprise.

The evaluations may include recommendations for performance improvement.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for (1) comparing business performance with a known standard of excellence; or (2) analysis of an operational activity of a company, in order to establish a performance standard or to determine if actual performance is aligned with the goals or objectives of the business.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for applying systematic and scientific evaluation related to standards set or required for various business practices, operations, processes, incoming materials, products or services.

This subject matter may include analysis of test data from suppliers, internal incoming inspection, in-line test, final test data or other data associated with analysis of business operation standards, and may also include determination of corrective actions.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for evaluating individual or group performance with respect to an assigned job or task.

This area includes applications that include evaluations such as end of year reviews.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for modelling of a business operation or a function.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for the generation of a model or other abstract representation of the reporting relationships or business hierarchy of an organisation or enterprise, e.g. organisational charts.

ICT specially adapted for the modelling of a business using simulation of organisation processes or organisational activities.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping (involving movement of material/products between different locations), as well as inventory or stock management.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the delivery of goods or items between parties, or for the monitoring of the status of that delivery.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for managing the delivery of goods that are transported over international waters or across international borders.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the handling of a shipment of goods that requires particular preparation measures or transport specifications.

This group includes such special goods or handling procedures, such as the shipping of goods in refrigerated vehicles or the special packing or transport measures for handling hazardous or delicate materials.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for systems allowing various parties in a delivery transaction to determine the location of goods during their preparation for delivery or during transport between destinations.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for determining which carrier a particular shipper or supplier should utilise for a specific delivery transaction.

One example includes selection of carriers based on locations of items or goods to be picked up, delivery location and communication with a device of a carrier. Carriers can include vehicles, employees, drivers, contractors, freelancers.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised arrangement to assist shippers, suppliers or recipients of goods in managing the determination of an appropriate or established price for a delivery transaction.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised arrangement directed at handling the transactions between a shipper or supplier of goods and the carrier who will deliver the goods.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for determining optimum routing of certain goods in an existing delivery system or to identify an appropriate route for delivery of specified goods.

The routing method is often directed at cost savings or delivery time minimisation.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for managing the handling of delivery of goods to allow recipients to pick up the goods at a location, such as a centralised location, a retail store or dedicated lockers.

ICT specially adapted for handling of delivery of goods to allow recipients to pick up the goods at a location involving data processing for pick-up from storage lockers.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the sending of received goods back to a supplier or manufacturer.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised arrangement for the maintenance or tracking of information collected in shipping transactions, such as customer data, established routes, load history and cost information.

ICT for managing compliance with shipping requirements. The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for using forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for shipping.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for inventory planning to guide future inventory management actions, procedures or decision making.

ICT specially adapted for shelf level or retail level inventory management. The management includes analysis such as visual representations of a retail store's arrangement of products, such as a planogram that can indicate the location and quantities of products to be placed on display or that are on display for customers. The visual representations can be planograms, realograms, schematics.

This subgroup also covers plans or data processing for displaying or recommending how workers should physically arrange merchandise or items in a retail environment to maximise sales.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for inventory replenishment processing, procedures or recommendations using forecasting or optimisation.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for returning inventory processing. This can include procedures, processing or planning for how organisations handle the return of merchandise and/or re-stock the merchandise and update inventory on-hand. This can also include how inventory is sorted, such as broken or damaged inventory from a vendor or supplier.

ICT specially adapted for inventory fulfillment. This covers data processing for managing the fulfilment of ordering inventory and moving inventory in a facility as needed.

ICT specially adapted for inventory selection methods or data processing for managing the selection or picking of inventory. The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for the optimisation of routes or paths for inventory management.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for identifying or managing inventory items available at distributed locations. Examples of distributed inventory as used herein include:

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for generating an itemised listing of the components needed either totally or based on specific tasks in an organisation.

ICT specially adapted for inventory control or inventory reporting. The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for inventory counting. The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for consumer inventory monitoring or reporting. The special adaptation here is focused on the inventory belonging to the consumer or located at one or more consumer locations. The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

ICT specially adapted for management of inventory considering the storage life of perishable or hazardous inventory.

ICT specially adapted for inventory reporting for managing mis-shipments, lost items, stolen goods or adulteration of goods.

Office automation; human resources in the sense of employee administration, contracts, reporting, job applications, etc.; office software especially for collaborative work (groupware) for instance for the electronic equivalent of an office paper flow (drafting, approval, archival).

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for initial conceptual development, through cooperation between plural parties, e.g. brainstorming, idea development, of a commodity or of work that can be performed for another.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the routing or approving of projects between workforce units or for organising and managing of resources, e.g. people, in such a way that a planned undertaking is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for keeping of records, e.g. benefits, of the departments or employees of an organisation or hiring of employees.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for engaging the services of a person or persons for wages or other payment either directly or through a third party.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the maintenance, regulation or the monitoring of non-monetary employment compensation provided to employees by an organisation, e.g. health insurance, leave or retirement.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for document workflow and groupware based upon e-mail, computer aided management of electronic mail (essentially on the client side).

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for management of appointments, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive:

Special adaptations of time recording for administrative or management purposes. Subject matter includes analysis or allocation of time worked by an individual.

For example, this includes time management in businesses, e.g. monitoring working time or billable hours or time management in an enterprise environment, e.g. monitoring billable hours or working time accounting for employees.

Time recording is to be understood here from an application perspective in this group, e.g. recorded time used for management purposes. Group G07C 1/00 covers time registers, i.e. devices for time recording.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially for the creation or maintenance of a list or schedule of planned events or activities giving dates and details which is used by an individual or group for planning or assigning a time and optionally a place for meetings, appointments or tasks.

Calendar-based systems that allow the client or the business entity to schedule appointments in a place of business are classified herein.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised calendar-based operation used by an individual or group for determining the availability of a person or group for a task, or for assigning a time or a place for a task.

Subject matter drawn to a computerised arrangement for the development or the utilization of a system for notifying the customer of servicing which is due on his product or to the tracking or monitoring of services performed on a product, e.g. car maintenance.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the creation or maintenance of a system for taking used or waste commodities and either (1) treating or processing them so as to make them suitable for reuse; or (2) getting rid of them.

Data processing systems or processes, i.e. information and communication technology [ICT], specially adapted to implement procedures for fulfilling a financial obligation or debt.

Complete systems involving payment protocols, e.g.:

This group covers "payment protocols" with the meaning explained in the Glossary below.

It does not cover the generic network protocols, e.g. Internet protocols, which are instead classified in H04L 9/40, but it covers those network/secure protocols specially adapted for payments, which may be of lower layer or be security oriented.

G06Q 20/02:

Subject matter drawn to an arrangement in which the involvement of a neutral third party is essential to implementing a payment protocol.

G06Q 20/04:

Subject matter drawn to the means with which payment is realised, e.g. cheques, electronic tickets, e-cash.

G06Q 20/08:

Subject matter drawn to the infrastructure, or the configuration of systems and devices, involved in a payment procedure.

G06Q 20/22:

Subject matter drawn to the arrangement of a payment concept, e.g. peer-to-peer, multiple accounts, pay after, pay now, pay before, micropayments.

G06Q 20/30:

Subject matter drawn to payment protocols that are characterised by the use of specific devices.

G06Q 20/38:

Subject matter drawn to the steps involved in a payment protocol, e.g. authorising a payment or confirming the validity of a proposed transaction before realising it.

The involvement of a neutral third party is an essential aspect of the payment protocol and it serves to coordinate the payment protocol.

In case the third party manages the encryption keys, both the present group and G06Q 20/3829 should be allocated.

Automated Clearing House (ACH) is accepted as a trusted authority for the bundling of payments between banks or payment authorities.

If the Administration and Accounting of the Banking is managed by the Automated Clearing House, G06Q 40/02. If the Payment is managed, G06Q 20/023.

Subject matter wherein the transfer of funds or payment due includes a communication node connecting two different financial networks.

Subject matter the means with which payment is realised, e.g. cheques, electronic tickets, e-cash.

Any payment scheme which requires a payment cheque.

Payment schemes in which (at least for a part of the procedure) the cheque is in electronic form, e.g. as an image.

Payment schemes in which a ticket is defining rights such as access rights or payment rights e.g. payment done.

Payments by means of tickets sent in an electronic form.

Payments using an electronic form of a proof of payment.

Payment protocols for executing payments using rules defined, agreed and shared by all members within a private group of participants.

Payments by means of electronic cash.

Payments using e-cash of which the value decreases or changes according to a parameter, e.g. time.

Payment system where all transactions using e-cash are centrally monitored and checked.

Payment system where the bookkeeping of the e-cash is managed locally.

Subject matter drawn to the infrastructure, or the configuration of systems and devices, involved in a payment procedure.

The determination at a remote vendor site of a payment due or a transfer of funds from a buyer to a remote vendor.

Payment schemes in which a third party (neutrality is not mandatory) is essential to the remote charging.

The implementation of payment protocols for the explicit user initiated fund transfers from one account to another account such as in home banking systems.

In this group, the term EFT is understood to include credit transactions.

Generating notices of payment due, or transferring funds in response thereto.

User operated arrangement for programming an object having a value carrying memory, e.g. an ATM card, prior to use, with details of the desired transaction.

Such cards usually include an integrated circuit (IC) element, and are often referred to as "smart cards".

Included herein is a transaction specific card preprogramming arrangement.

Arrangements for effecting the custody, loan, exchange, or issue of money for the extension of credit or for facilitating the transmission of funds from a computer at a location geographically spaced apart from a banking establishment.

Such a computer may be located in a user's residence or place of business.

Payments protocols which involve an ATM (in particular for EFT and banking payment transactions).

Implementation of payment protocols for electronic shopping.

Payments for data files e.g. films, audio, pictures, software.

Payments for billed time-usage or access permitted to service or object for a limited defined time, e.g. streaming video.

Protocols for the payment of bills.

Dispensed quantity or service provided metered in another way than by time-metering.

Payment protocols in which payments are settled by the telecommunication provider which serves as payment aggregator.

Payment protocols for payments made from Self-Service Terminals (SSTs) or for services provided by SSTs.

Implementation of payment protocols for payments made by means of a POS or ECR (or Vending machine or Dispenser serving as POS device) within a network.

Data processing of payment transactions by means of such an apparatus or device are classified in G06Q 20/20. In particular POS network systems are classified in G06Q 20/20.

Subject matter including a feature of a memory or file arrangement for looking up the price of an item being purchased where an item designator is entered into the terminal.

Subject matter wherein two or more spaced apart electronic cash registers (ECR) are connected for cooperation there-between; or a connection to an ECR is connected for cooperation with a host computer spaced apart there-from. The ECRs are most often connected in a network configuration.

Inventory monitoring within POS network systems.

Payments by means of POS including an arrangement for reading a customer associated payment effecting data bearing medium or carrier.

Such a data bearing medium is intended to include a credit card, debit card or a value bearing ticket.

Use of the point-of-sale device is dependent upon the identification of the user, possibly by user ID card, e.g. waiter key. The user is not limited to the operator of the point-of-sale device and can also include the customer.

Subject matter in which the sales terminal system computes tax on the transaction.

Payment by means of a POS where the sales information is input by sensing a property of the product being purchased or a record attached thereto.

Payment by means of a POS where a journal or transaction data overview is output.

Subject matter drawn to the arrangement of a payment concept, e.g. peer-to-peer, multiple accounts, pay after, pay now, pay before, micropayments.

Payments involving peer-to-peer networks with no participation of a third party.

During payment transaction, payer has the possibility to choose between multiple of his/her accounts for use during the transaction.

Payment accounts used by different users, with payment accounts having use rights particular to each user or a hierarchy of use-rights.

Payment accounts having parent-child type hierarchy of use-rights, where a parent user decides on the use conditions of the payment accounts applying to one or more dependent persons.

Implementation of protocols in which payment according to a pay-later, credit card or deferred payment scheme is an essential aspect contributing to the inventive concept or technical merit of the protocol.

Implementation of protocols in which payment according to a pay-now, debit card or immediate payment scheme is an essential aspect contributing to the inventive concept or technical merit of the protocol.

Implementation of protocols in which payment according to a pay-before or advance payment scheme is an essential aspect contributing to the inventive concept or technical merit of the protocol.

Payment schemes which include the use of micropayments or multiple small payments which get bundled and paid as a total of multiple micropayments, e.g. used for getting access to video, audio files or information.

Subject matter drawn to payment protocols using specific devices. This group and its subdivisions are based on details of the protocol based on the type of hardware used.

This group covers details of hardware used as a part of the protocol for the payment to be realised.

Payments where the wired telephone network plays an essential role in the transaction.

Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific wireless devices.

The following are examples of the subject-matter covered by this group:

Group G06Q 20/32 relates to the use of specific wireless devices for payment architectures, schemes or protocols.

Group H04W 4/24 relates to rating, charging or billing services for wireless communication networks. This includes rating/charging for added value services, m-commerce, payment transactions using prepaid calling cards, SIM cards or the mobile phone itself, insofar as these services are billed by the network operator.

General details of payments by means of mobile apparatuses.

Banking information presentation by means of M-devices.

Banking transactions processed and realised by means of M-devices.

Location of the mobile device used plays an essential role in executing or authorising a payment transaction.

Security aspects used during payments executed by an M-device are reliant on a secure element which does not form part of, or is not installed in the M-device, i.e. not the SIM or USIM.

Security aspects used during payments executed by an M-device are reliant on a secure element which does form part of, or is installed in the M-device.

Security aspects used during payments executed by an M-device are reliant on a secure element which forms part of the SIM or USIM.

Use of the wireless network forms an essential part of the execution of the banking transaction or payment protocol.

Communication via a wireless messaging system, e.g. SMS, MMS, USSD forms an essential part of the payment protocol.

Payments by means of M-device using short range or proximity communication with the transaction partner or payment terminal.

Short range communication protocol where the device and the transaction partner communicate using an audio communication protocol, such as DTMF.

Short range communication protocol using a pictured code such as a barcode or QR-code displayed on the display of the M-device and read by the transaction partner.

Short-range communication protocol using a pictured code such as a barcode or QR code, being read by the M-device.

Payments using RFID or NFC-technology to communicate between the transaction entities.

This group and its subdivisions concern all aspects of data processing, i.e. information and communication technology [ICT], methods and protocols used for payments by means of cards.

Active cards, i.e. cards containing their own processing means, are used as payment medium in the payment protocol.

Payment by active payment card that can execute or authenticate (part of) a payment transaction autonomously, without intervention of the payment terminal.

Cards defining a quantity of service or facility or objects for which the payment already took place and which the bearer has a right to access: e.g. prepaid cards, gift cards or anonymous debit cards, which are received after payment.

Card includes a counter or memory with discrete units of value that change by increase or decrease when the card is used.

Card includes a counter or memory with discrete units of money or payment units that change by increase or decrease when the card is used.

Card includes a counter or memory with discrete units of number of actions registered, such as number of times card is used, which can change by increase or decrease when the card is used.

Card is only used as intermediate carrier for identification data of user or for transaction data.

Payment using passive cards, i.e. cards that do not contain their own processing means. Card usually only contains a magnetic stripe or path.

Single-use value tokens or cards, which cannot be recharged.

Rechargeable tokens or cards which may be recharged or have their value updated.

Virtual cards used to access accounts or effectuate payments, without the user using any physical device, i.e. no physical card or mobile phone is used, but where the virtual cards emulate all the characteristics of its 'real' counterpart.

Cards using contactless communication protocol to communicate.

Cards using contactless communication protocol to communicate, where the card is plugged into an M-device, but communicates using its own contactless communication means.

Locally or remotely enabling or disabling cards or tokens, e.g. blocked when stolen or after expiration.

General aspects relating to the personalisation of payment cards before use.

Downloading of payment applications or user-related data into or onto the card before use.

Personalisation of two or more cards or personalisation of multiple users, possibly hierarchically.

Personalisation of payment cards before they are transferred to the user.

Details relating to software used to execute card payments.

Details relating to the software residing on the (active) payment card, which plays a part in execution of the payment transaction.

Details relating to the software residing on the card reader used in a card payment and which plays a part in execution of the payment transaction.

Cards having a multitude of a specific feature.

Token or card that can be used to execute payment from a multitude of payment accounts.

Cards which store or accommodate a multitude of software applications to be used in a payment context.

Memory zones on a card assigned to one or more users and /or payment related services.

Zone-allocation conditions and setting access conditions of zones allocated to different payment related applications and/or users of payment related applications.

Aspects of the data processing method and protocols of payments by means of electronic wallets and money safes, i.e. electronic purses.

The difference between "purses" and "wallets" is that the latter are the user's complete personal data files.

The electronic wallet stores the personal data file of the user, i.e. all his personal and payment related information.

Aspects of the data processing method and protocols of payments by means of intelligent tokens including money safes e.g. electronic purses.

Subject matter wherein the intelligent token is programmed prior to use or its value bearing data is increased.

Payment procedures in which the authentication of the intelligent token is pertinent for the inventive concept. The token being an electronic wallet involving an electronic purse.

Subject matter including reconciliation of cumulative transaction data or synchronising account data on the portable data carrier with corresponding data from a host.

Subject matter including specifics of e-cash or electronic purse value data stored on the intelligent token.

According to the method of managing the electronic cash, a classification in G06Q 20/065-G06Q 20/0658 should also be assigned. If details of the storage on a card itself are of importance, classify in G07F 7/08.

Subject matter drawn to the steps involved in a payment protocol, e.g. authorising a payment or confirming the validity of a proposed transaction before realising it.

Aspects of a payment transaction relating to currency conversion and money exchanging.

Concepts for insuring higher security of transaction in general.

In case cryptography of the business transaction for shopping digital content is specially pertinent also a classification in G06Q 2220/00 and subgroups may be given.

Subject matter wherein digital data authorising a particular user to participate in a payment transaction is provided.

Use of certificates or encrypted proofs of transaction rights as payment credentials.

Multiple forms of encryption are used throughout the payment transaction to provide further security.

Use of electronic (blind) signatures as authentication of payment or payment tokens.

Hash or message digest of transaction details is created and checked to ensure authenticity and integrity.

Management, e.g. by a certification authority, of the encryption keys used within the payment scheme.

If a Trusted third party or certification authority is required, classify also in G06Q 20/02.

Protection of consumer privacy during payment transaction, e.g. enabling anonymous transactions.

An alias or single-use transaction code is used as a reference to an account or credit card number, i.e. as a substitute account number only valid for a given transaction.

Discounts or coupons used within a payment transaction.

This group covers only the usage of discounts or coupons interacting with the payment protocol.

Mutual authentication between two parties of a payment transaction without using cards, for example, using a challenge response mechanism.

Non-repudiation of a transaction is guaranteed by a notary-like third-party keeping a log of the transaction data as proof.

If trusted third party or notary plays important role in transaction, also classify in G06Q 20/02.

Specific steps of a protocol relating to authorising a payment and which define the technical contribution or inventive concept.

Subject matter wherein the details of a transaction are cryptographically processed to allow subsequent confirmation thereof.

Cryptographic aspects of payment protocols should also be classified under G06Q 20/382 and subgroups.

Subject matter wherein the personal identification number is confirmed for transaction verification.

Verification of the identity of the payer or payee in payment procedures, not making use of biometric identity checks which is classified in G06Q 20/40145.

Verification of the identity of the payer or payee in payment procedures, making use of biometric identity checks.

Evaluating the risk of a transaction, e.g. credit card payment or fraud detection.

Using the Card/Conventional Verification Value (CVV) to verify a transaction made using the card.

General aspects of verifying credit validity and/or solvency, without risk assessment, or system where a combination of offline and online solvency check methods are used.

If only offline or online verification is used, classify in one of the subgroups.

Verifying credit validity or solvency, without risk assessment and without connecting to a server, e.g. offline.

Verifying credit validity or solvency, without risk assessment and with connecting to a server, e.g. online.

Establishing and using transaction specific rules that are managed locally or remotely, that both limit the (type of) allowed transactions or select between multiple accounts, e.g. if the amount is greater than $1,000, then use my credit account because the interest rate is lower.

Payment features relevant specifically to cancelled transactions, e.g. reimbursement of funds.

Device authentication in transaction processing.

Monitoring while authenticating a transaction by use of a transaction authentication number or the use of a security access module (SAM).

Mutual authentication between a device identifying or held by the user and the transaction partner, e.g. terminal, with which transaction is taking place.

Details of the devices used for card payments should also be classified in G07F 7/10.

The two parties to the transaction exchange encrypted mutual challenge-response(s) for authentication.

Specific steps of the protocol for confirming the validity of a proposed transaction before realising it, which define the technical contribution or inventive concept of the payment protocol, also including parent/child confirmation.

This group covers confirmation of a proposed transaction, e.g. card holder receives notification or message via mobile phone or personal computer for confirmation and locally verifies that the transaction is known to him or her and continues with a payment made with his or her card.

Not to be confused with authorisation by a remote authority, such as a credit company.

If the payment network or the confirmation network is wireless, classification in G06Q 20/30 is required.

To insure that the transaction attempted on a network is known and accepted by the user or customer use is made of a network which is different from the network to effectuate the transaction. The second network is associated with the user or customer and is used to get a confirmation to realise the transaction.

If the payment network or the confirmation network is wireless, classification under G06Q 20/30 is also required.

Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the marketing, promoting, buying or selling of goods or services, or for billing.

The following subjects are therefore covered, the list being non-exhaustive: