DE10029333A1 - Paying in credit to mobile telephone account involves user sending data to automatic payment machine identifying account, paying in amount to be credited, transfer to account manager - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves a user (21) sending data to an automatic payment machine identifying the account (43) and paying in an amount to be credited. The automatic payment machine (100) sets up a connection to the account manager (40) and communicates the payment, whereupon the account manager credits the identified account with the amount corresponding to the payment. Independent claims are also included for the following: an automatic payment machine and a mobile telephone for implementing the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for paying into a credit account, which the available credit for using a Mon bilfunktelefons represents and which ge from an account management leads, a deposit machine to carry out the process and a mobile phone to carry out the process.

Credit accounts of the type mentioned at the beginning, which are available represent standing credit for using a mobile phone,  are in the prior art from one in the mobile phone itself orderly account management. The user of the cellular phone In this case (cell phone) buys a microchip card from a network operator with a certain amount of credit and he can use that credit telephone after inserting the card into his phone (so-called pre paid-card). After the credit has been used up, the user must: Purchase a new prepaid card from the network operator's branch and use in his mobile phone, which is relatively expensive.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention To provide methods and corresponding devices with which the management of the credit account of a mobile phone user-friendly Licher can be made.

This object is specified by a method with those in claim 1 resolved characteristics. A suitable one for carrying out the method Deposit machine or a suitable mobile phone are given in claims 11 and 15. Advantageous design are contained in the subclaims.

In the process of depositing into an account, which is available sufficient credit for using a mobile phone sent and which is managed by an account management a user to a deposit machine to identify data Account and deposits an amount to be credited to the account. The Deposit machine builds a communication after entering the data connection to the account management and shares this over the communica connection with the planned or already made deposit. The Account management then writes to the one named by the user Account an amount that corresponds to the deposit (if necessary after Ab train administration fees or the like). If the Account management centrally and thus spatially distant from the deposit is arranged automatically, it is the communication connection typically around a long distance connection. Account management  can also be decentralized in a device carried by the user be arranged so that no long-distance connection is required.

The advantage of the method according to the invention is that the use of a deposit machine to deposit into the account from different locations and basically to any one Can be done around the clock. The user is therefore not ge forced to open a network point of sale during normal business hours the driver to make the deposit. Due to the ver Deposit machines can be relatively low investment costs be set up in a dense network, so that for the user almost everywhere in a short spatial distance Deposit machine can be provided.

Another advantage of the procedure is that of the deposit automat with basically any number of different con administrations of different types and different network operators can work together. The correct allocation of the deposited amount to a specific account or mobile phone is based on the information provided by the Be Data entered by the user to identify the account. With the help of this The deposit machine is also capable of communicating data to establish a connection to the associated account management and so si Make sure the deposit is credited to the correct account becomes. It is also essential that problem-free controlling is possible Lich and that the failure rate is improved proportionately, because be is paid.

The deposit of the amount to be credited to the deposit ATMs can be entered by entering cash in the form of coins and / or banknotes or cashless. Procedure for About Checking and determining the value of cash entered are known. It is also known to use a credit card, check card or the like make a cashless deposit. Ultimately, this takes place a transfer of credit from one belonging to the card  Account to the target account of the mobile phone designated by the user fons instead. When entering cash, the deposit machine determines the amount paid independently. In the case of cashless payment, however, must the user enters the amount to be posted.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it identifies itself the user towards the deposit machine. That means the User provides the deposit machine with information that verifiable individually only to one user or possibly one limited user group is assigned. This ensures that the deposit made by the user is not anonymous, but that the origin of the deposit is fundamentally attributable. Furthermore, the identification reduces the risk that the user due to an incorrect entry accidentally paid into a wrong account.

The identification of the user towards the deposit machine according to a development of the method, it allows the individual automated machine in the account management queries whether the named user to make deposits into the account specified by him is justified, and that the deposit machine accepts the deposit refused if, according to the account management, no authorization of the user for a deposit. Because by a single the beneficiary is not harmed but enriched, in most cases the payer is not identified. However, with the proposed identification of the payer, too such applications are carried out in which deposits of any side should not be allowed. Such an application An example of this is the payment to a customer's credit account Cellular phones when a child uses the cellphone should and the parents make an arbitrary payment to the account want to prevent by the child. In this case, typically se only the parents may be entitled to the credit account of the mobile phone  deposit so they are in control of sales at all times of the account.

The identification of the user towards the deposit machine can be entered by entering an identification code and / or in a biome trical procedures. An identification code is typically one Combination of digits and numbers that are individual to the user ne secret number is assigned (so-called PIN: personal identification onsnummer). The allocation and control of such identification codes is carried out by the account-maintaining body, which is based on the saved data an assignment of the entered code to that standing users can make. Furthermore, the Identifi cation based on biometric processes, which a certain unchangeable and individual biological parameters of the Be sensed by the user and based on this information and a Database recognize the user. Typical examples of suitable bio metric sizes are a fingerprint or anatomical features of the eye.

In a preferred development of the method, the user has a disk assigned to him, which with the deposit automate via a cable or wirelessly a communication link establishes and over this communication connection data for identification on the user and / or the account on which he is credited should follow. A user-brought data carrier has the advantage that the data required by the deposit machine is auto can be transferred matically from the data carrier and the user This data does not need to be remembered. The danger of a verge sens of the secret numbers and accounts, which are usually difficult to remember drawings are therefore excluded. A disk also has the The advantage that he can identify the Be user, since the information used for identification in the form of Hardware can be realized. This ultimately becomes the individual data carrier  identified and the authorization of the user deducted from it directs that he has control over this disk. Around additional protection against misuse of the To ensure data carrier, such as after a theft, can additionally Lich the query of a secret number from the user, this However, the PIN is kept relatively short and easy to remember can be.

When using a data carrier to transmit information at the deposit machine is the one between the data carrier and the communication connection established with the deposit machine after data transmission has been completed, after a specified NEN time limits and / or by an appropriate input by the user canceled. A limitation of the communication connection to one maximum period of time or for the execution of the data Transmission of the necessary period of time helps prevent miss use of the data carrier by giving the time for the authorization of Trans actions are kept as short as possible.

When using a data carrier, the method can preferably do so be further developed that the disk from the deposit the updated balance of the account is automatically communicated, and that the data carrier stores this transmitted information. Since the The user receives data carriers in the control of the user users in this way at any time with appropriate reading devices accessible information about the balance of his account.

In a preferred development of the invention, said Da Arranged in the mobile phone on its credit account is paid up. Communication between the disk and the Automatic payment machines are preferably located via a cellular network bond instead, and the mobile phone transmits the deposit machine, among other things, his phone number. This has the advantage that the existing facilities in the mobile phone for  Data storage and data processing and for building a comm Communication connection can be used to create a data carrier ger with the functionality explained above. Furthermore sets the phone number of the cellular phone to the device information that individualizes the user, which in is highly forgery-proof and therefore of the deposit Use machines to identify the user and / or the account can be detected.

As explained at the beginning, there is the well-known tariff structure at Mobil radiotelephones in the provision of credit accounts in the form of Chip cards (prepaid cards) which can be used for telephone calls. With the According to the method of the invention, this known system can be raised Lich improve, because to refresh the phone credit not only by constantly a new card in a branch of the network operator and must be inserted into the phone, but only there at a deposit machine the balance in the account is increased must become. Deposit machines can do this with large spatial Set up densely and stand around the clock for one use to disposal. So if the user of the cellular phone does that to him want to increase available credit for making calls, he can use a deposit machine for this. Preferably thereby between the mobile phone and the deposit machine established a communication link, which is particularly about a Infrared interface, via a cable connection between the on payment machines and the mobile phone or via a mobile phone connection can take place. Identified via the named connection the cellular phone opposite the deposit machine what especially with the help of the phone assigned to the mobile phone number can be made. Furthermore, the user can use his PIN or the Enter higher-level PIN to prevent misuse of the To prevent mobile phones, for example after theft. The ones from User made cash deposit or a cashless  The deposit will then be credited to the cell phone account. Alternatively, the account of another mobile subscriber can also be sent to to whom the amount is to be credited. In which such beneficiary third parties can, for example, be children deln, whose phone credit should be increased by the user.

The management of the account for a mobile phone can be done centrally on the network administrator. In addition, it is possible that the administration of the account in parallel or exclusively from the mobile phone itself is carried out, the balance of the account in a memory of the Mobile phone is stored.

The invention further relates to a deposit machine for performing the above-described method, which contains the following elements:

• An input unit for the input of data by the user,
• - A communication unit for establishing communication connection to account management,
• - a deposit acceptance unit for acceptance and verification of deposits by the user.

By using such a deposit machine the advantages described above in connection with the method achieve. In particular, that means that a user in a large spatial Finds dense and around the clock opportunities with the help of an on ATMs to the credit on the account of a mobile phone increase. Via the input unit of the deposit machine you can in the data for the necessary identification of the account or mobile phone fons are provided. The communication unit allows the on payment machines, in contact with the relevant account management kick and exchange the relevant information. The Com Communication connection can in particular as a remote connection via a Line or radio (for example, GSM, or SMS).  

Units for accepting deposits are generally known and can coins, banknotes or cashless means of payment such as check cards or credit cards.

In the simplest case, the input unit contains a keyboard, via which the user can enter alphanumeric or numeric data. The input unit preferably contains an interface for the setup a communication link with a data carrier of the user. The data carrier can be, for example, a chip card deln, which at appropriate access contacts from the interface is contacted. The interface is preferably for communication cation connection via cable, radio and / or infrared set up. A Such an interface allows the data carrier of the user necessary information is automatically transmitted.

The interface of the deposit machine is also preferably for set up communication with a mobile phone. hereby it becomes possible to use a cellular phone as a data carrier, wel ches the information needed to identify the user and / or the account to be processed. In particular, it can Account also the phone credit for the corresponding mobile radio phone itself.

Furthermore, the input unit can have a module for recording biometric Contain parameters, in particular for recording fingerprints and / or features of the eye.

The invention further relates to a cellular phone Implementation of the method explained above, which is characterized thereby is that there is an account management unit to manage one Has account, the account the available credit represents the use of the mobile phone. Account management includes both direct debits by using the telephone connections as well as bookings. In this case it is the data carrier  to identify the user and / or the one to be filled Accounts and account management in one and the same device, namely the mobile phone. The advantage of such a mobile Radiotelephones is that it is by calling a credit account can be used and that at the same time filling this Credit accounts in a simple and secure way on a deposit automat is possible.

The mobile radio telephone advantageously has an interface to the comm communication with the deposit machine, whereby the communication preferably takes place via cable, radio and / or infrared.

The invention is explained below by way of example with the aid of the figure. The figure shows a schematic of the processes involved in making a deposit the credit account of a mobile phone with the help of a erfindungsge moderate deposit machines.

In an account manager 40 which is integrated into the mobile phone 20, in a memory of an account, the management of the account 43 is passed 43 to the telephone credit of the mobile radio telephone 20 is carried out by a management module 42 that communicates with an interface 41 bidirectionally bond in Ver.

A deposit to increase the credit in the account 43 can be made with the aid of the deposit machine 100 according to the invention. Such deposit machines 100 can be set up in large numbers in a dense grid at publicly accessible points and are then available to users around the clock. The deposit machine 100 has an interface 12 , via which a communication link 30 can be established with the mobile radio telephone 20 and, via this, with the interface 41 at the account management 40 . The communication link can be established via a line or via radio (for example GSM).

The deposit machine 100 also contains means for receiving a deposit. In the example shown, this is a coin slot 13 , a bill acceptance 15 and a card acceptance 14 . By means of the facilities mentioned, cash (coins, notes) and / or cashless payment can be made in a manner known per se using a credit card or EC card. A display device 10 is provided for displaying information to the user, for example operating instructions. Furthermore, the deposit machine 100 has a keyboard 11 , via which the user can enter numbers and / or letters in order to identify himself and / or the account 43 and to control the processing operation. In particular, the keyboard 11 should have an "end". Contain key with which the deposit can be interrupted at any time.

The deposit machine 100 also contains an interface 16 , via which a radio connection 31 to the mobile telephone 20 of the user 21 can be established. Alternatively, the communication connection 30 can also be established via a cable connection or an infrared connection.

A deposit into the account 43 takes place in the system shown in the figure as follows: The user 21 approaches a ready-to-use deposit machine 100 and establishes a communication connection to it. This is done in the example via a radio link 30 between the mobile phone 20 of the user and the interface 12 of the deposit machine.

In particular, the user 21 or his mobile radio telephone 20 is identified by the deposit machine 100 . Among other things, the identification number is the telephone number of the mobile radio telephone 20 . In addition, the PIN of the user 21 can be queried, which the user can enter via the keyboard of his mobile radio telephone 20 or via the keyboard 11 of the deposit machine. Furthermore, the account or the mobile phone is named via the communication link 30 or via the keyboard 11 of the deposit machine 100 , which should benefit from the deposit to be made. Together with the account 43 , the associated account management 40 is also identified. If the account 43 specifically represents the credit account for the mobile radio telephone 20 of the user 21 , all the information required is already available with the identification of the mobile radio telephone 20 .

The deposit machine 100 can then establish a connection to the account manager 40 via the communication link 30 . The account manager 40 is first asked whether the user 21 should be authorized to pay into the account 43 . If it is not, the deposit is rejected and the deposit machine 100 aborts the process. On the other hand, if the user 21 is authorized to deposit into the account 43 , the deposit machine 100 prompts the user 21 to make the deposit. Alternatively, the deposit can be made before the communication connection 30 to the account management 40 is established.

If the user deposits cash via the coin slot 13 and / or the bill acceptance 15 , the deposit machine 100 determines the amount deposited independently. After the user has not made a deposit for a predetermined period of time and / or has given a confirmation that the deposit has ended, the deposit machine 100 transmits the information that the deposit has been received and the booking via the communication link 30 to the account manager 40 can be made to the account 43 .

If the user 21 wants to make a cashless payment via a card, he must insert the card into the card slot 14 and enter the amount to be rebooked in a known manner and, if appropriate, prove his authorization to use the card. The deposit machine 100 can be connected to the account-maintaining office for the card used for payment via further connections (not shown).

Via the interface 12 and the communication link 30 between the deposit machine 100 and the mobile radio telephone 20 , the amount of the credit on the account 43 is communicated to the mobile radio telephone 20 .

After successful completion of the booking on the account 43 , the communication connections 30 to the account management 40 or to the mobile radio telephone 20 are closed.

reference numeral

100

deposit machine

10

display

11

keyboard

12

interface

13

coin

14

card slot

15

Bill acceptor

16

interface

20

mobile phone

21

user

30

communication link

31

radio link

40

account management

41

interface

42

management module

43

account

Claims (16)

1. Method for depositing into a credit account ( 43 ) which represents the available credit for using a mobile telephone ( 20 ) and which is managed by an account management ( 40 ),
wherein a user ( 21 ) transmits data for identification of the account to a deposit machine ( 100 ) and deposits an amount to be credited,
and wherein the deposit machine establishes a communication connection ( 30 ) to the account management and uses this to report the deposit, whereupon the account manager credits the identified account ( 43 ) with an amount corresponding to the deposit. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment of the amount to be credited to the deposit machine ( 100 ) is carried out by entering cash or cashless. 3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the user ( 21 ) identifies himself to the deposit machine ( 100 ). 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the deposit machine ( 100 ) asks the account manager ( 40 ) whether the user ( 21 ) is authorized to make payments and that he accepts the deposit in the event of a lack of authorization denied. 5. The method according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the user ( 21 ) identifies himself to the deposit machine ( 100 ) by entering an identification code and / or by a biometric method. 6. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a data carrier ( 20 ) assigned to the user ( 21 ) establishes a communication link ( 30 ) with the deposit machine ( 100 ) and data for identifying the user and / or of the account ( 43 ). 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the communication connection ( 30 ) between the data carrier ( 20 ) and the one payment machine ( 100 ) after completion of data transmission, after a predetermined time limit and / or after a corresponding command by the user ( 21 ) is canceled. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the data carrier ( 20 ) from the automatic payment machine ( 100 ) is informed of the updated credit of the account ( 43 ) and the data carrier stores this information. 9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the data carrier is arranged in a mobile radio telephone ( 20 ), that the communication between the data carrier and the deposit machine ( 100 ) takes place via a mobile radio connection ( 30 ), and that Cellular phone transmits its phone number to the deposit machine. 10. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the management of the account ( 43 ) from the mobile radio telephone ( 20 ) is carried out in a memory of the mobile phone. 11. A deposit machine ( 100 ) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, containing
an input unit ( 11 ) for inputting data by the user ( 21 ),
a communication unit ( 12 ) for establishing a communication connection ( 30 ) for account management ( 40 ),
a deposit acceptance unit ( 13 , 14 , 15 ) for accepting and checking deposits by the user. 12. A deposit machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the input unit has an interface ( 12 ) for establishing a communication connection ( 30 ) to a data carrier ( 20 ) of the user ( 21 ), the interface preferably for a communication connection via cable, radio and / or infrared is set up. 13. Deposit machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface ( 12 ) is set up for communication with a mobile radio telephone ( 20 ). 14. Deposit machine according to at least one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the input unit is a module for Acquisition of biometric parameters contains, in particular of Fingerprints and / or features of the eye. 15. Mobile radio telephone ( 20 ) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has an account management unit ( 40 ) for keeping an account ( 43 ) which has the available credit for using the mobile telephone represents. 16. Mobile radio telephone according to claim 15, characterized in that it has an interface for communication with the deposit machine ( 100 ), which is preferably set up for communication via cable, radio and / or infrared.