DE102004017841A1 - Operating method for a mobile telephone uses an account with a credit balance according to a call-by-call process via specific access numbers like secret numbers - Google Patents

Abstract

Available in a call-by-call program or software (3), first (5) and second (6) program routines start after each other. By using the software, a mobile telephone produces an automatic connection with a call-by-call provider. The first program routine uses a call number/connection call number downloaded in the software to dial automatically.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating a mobile radio terminal according to the preamble of claim 1 specified type.

In Nowadays, telephoning with mobile devices is far common. For however, a user is the cost in comparison to fixed line prices usually much higher. For customers using a so-called prepaid card, which has a credit balance on a certain account, there is the disadvantage that with an empty account, a phone call is no longer possible. Unfortunately, then Even important, paid telephone calls are not made.

meanwhile There are so-called call-by-call procedures that allow you to make a phone call over a Credit account possible is. The telephone costs can z. For international calls be reduced or it may be a telephone call from abroad mostly cheaper call-by-call procedures guided become. Such services can also from mobile devices be exploited.

at however, handling such a call-by-call service is relatively handling laborious and time consuming. Will the user of a mobile terminal a To reach other telephone subscribers, he must first have a variety of Enter access numbers or at least several columns of numbers before an activation can take place. Such number columns can one additional Area code, a secret number or PIN and / or a specific Be phone number.

Out JP 2002-152417 is a method of operation a mobile terminal known which reduces telephone costs in a convenient and easy way should be. Here is a telecommunications terminal the Mobile users a software available. This he can get up his mobile terminal Download. The software only includes a least-cost routing function d. H. a feature to automatically get the cheapest phone call service or phone provider select. The mobile phone or the mobile terminal so first contacted Center to download the least-cost-routing or best-price routing software. However, it is not stated if and how a complicated Entering number columns should be avoided.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a method for operating a mobile terminal according to the Preamble of claim 1 specified features to develop such that a cheaper one Telephoning with a mobile terminal in easier and more convenient Way is possible.

These Task is for the method by the characterizing features of the claim 1 solved in conjunction with its generic features.

The under claims form advantageous developments of the invention.

By the inventive solution can the User of a mobile terminal very quickly connect to another phone user because the software needed much faster Number sequences can use as in a manual input through the operator. The number sequences stored once in the software for the Access to the call-by-call service are used by the software every time, so that practically one Telephone connection is made automatically, the user does not have to change his usual calling behavior.

Especially interesting is the inventive solution for mobile phone owners with a Prepaid card, so-called prepaid customers. Is the credit of the Card exhausted, He can add another credit to the call-by-call service in a simpler and more convenient way Use the way. Such providers initially offer their access via a free number, in particular a 0800 number z. B. in Germany, to.

One another aspect is the significantly lower costs for prepaid customers, because on the one hand no monthly basic fees are charged and because on the other hand, the telephone connection costs by using the convenient, reduced call-by-call method according to the invention can be.

By the invention, the user of a mobile terminal a Calling card on the one hand for talks from Fixed network on the other hand, very convenient from his mobile phone exploit.

Basically offers the inventive method significant benefits also for other mobile terminal owners without credit card, d. H. with monthly basic fees.

A Such inventive solution works both domestically and abroad.

The user avoids the repeated entry of the access numbers, in particular It is favorable that he does not have to remember these numbers or that he does not have to carry the calling card constantly.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention It is intended that the call-by-call software has a direct access function a in the mobile station already existing telephone book has. This saves you the user a long input a phone number. Because in the Usually the most important telephone numbers in the existing telephone book is stored with assignment to the persons concerned is such operation especially convenient. The user can be on access your familiar and familiar phone book and at the same time the cheaper ones Use telephone connection costs. Through direct access to that in the mobile device Existing phonebook is given a fully automatic solution. By dialing a number already stored in this phonebook the call-by-call software can be called automatically, so that the user his usual telephoning behavior at all do not change got to. Preferably, such automatic access to the Call-by-call software can also be switched off, if, for example, the corresponding service should not be used.

Advantageous is also when the call-by-call software has one integrated into it Phonebook included. This variant is particularly favorable, though Direct access to the existing phone book of the mobile station manufacturer- and / or software-related not possible is. By the additional Phone book in which the user the most important phone numbers Nevertheless, a comfortable phonebook function can be realized become. Such software can be started manually by the user being the usual Functions of telephoning pretends. So the user can practically select numbers from two directories. In the first, already in the Mobile terminal available Phonebook, are z. B. stored numbers in which the call-by-call service is not used shall be. When in the call-by-call software integrated phone book, however, phone numbers are stored at which the call-by-call service should be used.

A further variant of the method according to the invention is given, if the call-by-call software includes an option with which the Storage of a telephone book on a server is possible. Such a server phonebook filing may be an optional part of the call-by-call software.

Basically the software has one, two or all such phonebook access functions, which are optionally usable. So the software can be designed that way be that they have either a direct access to an existing Phonebook or access to one in the call-by-call software integrated phonebook allowed. Such a setting may be off out of a menu be made by the user.

Especially The call-by-call software is based on the programming language JAVA. Such software can be easily, for example, by WAP or SMS downloaded, with commercially available mobile devices with such JAVA programs are compatible. Such software can be the usual Virtually simulate telephone services.

at the pure JAVA solution can the handling and appearance of the software to the manufacturer-specific handling or the layout of the manufacturer easily adapted. For example, the software can be designed to that they follow a familiar menu of the Manufacturer of the mobile terminal is customized so that the user is not application specific Get used to handling got to. For example, a manufacturer uses the dial command in the display the name "choose", another manufacturer the designation "O.K.", which in the basic software can be found.

If the call-by-call software to a software version MIDP (Mobile Information Device Profile), in particular Version 2.0, of the mobile radio terminal, then a JAVA application can be easily realized without a system in the mobile station Symbian OS is present.

In another expedient development the method according to the invention is provided that the call-by-call software at least partially has a Symbian system, in particular in addition to JAVA GUI components. With such a special software for mobile devices can more Functions are realized with a pure JAVA program or a JAVA application not or only very cumbersome implemented can be. Such a Symbian program is practically a JAVA program placed. In addition to the direct access to the already in the mobile terminal existing phone book can in a simple way more functions in the call-by-call software to get integrated. Such an additional function can be a Best price routing function, with the most cost effective Phone provider can be selected automatically. Such a further education Program can be complete Expire in the background, taking advantage of the call-by-call service practically unnoticed by the user. There is no additional Adaptation for different Symbian variants necessary.

at the Symbian solution or the Symbian program or the Symbian application Furthermore the advantage that it can start automatically, for example after a battery failure. It does not require individual customization to a so-called JAVA API the manufacturer of the mobile station. In addition, on arrival an SMS does not leave the call-by-call software or the application become.

Conveniently, The call-by-call software can run on a Windows CE system mobile radio terminal be installable. When used on mobile devices with the Windows CE system are advantageously no adjustments for the terminals different manufacturers necessary. In such an advantageous solution may be similar Benefits are achieved, as in the Symbian application.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

Further Advantages, features and applications of the present Invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawing.

The Invention will now be described with reference to the drawing and in the drawing embodiments described in more detail. In the description, in the claims, the abstract and in the drawing, the list given in the back of the reference numerals used terms and associated reference numerals. In the drawing means:

1 a schematic diagram of the transfer process of the software,

2 a simplified representation of a program sequence of the method according to the invention,

3 a schematic representation of a first advantageous variant of the method according to the invention, and

4 a schematic representation of a second advantageous variant of the method according to the invention.

As 1 Illustrated may be a user of a mobile station 1 from a call-by-call provider 2 a software 3 for operating the method according to the invention, for example by SMS download. The software 3 can be ordered for example on an internet website. There the user can download the software after a single registration and purchase of a credit. The software already contains all necessary information to use the call-by-call service. The dial-in information can (not) be changed by the user. The credit can be recharged.

alternative the user has a so-called calling card with the appropriate Access data and indeed an access number or an access-free Access number, for example a 0800 number, as well as an identification number, which is also on the calling card. The identification number, also personal Secret number or account number, for example, is located in a rubbing field.

at In such a service, a telephone is only possible if a correct indication the access data is done and there is a credit. The Credit is located in an account that is located on a central bank Platform or a calling card platform. Alternatively is also one Billing in retrospect (postpaid) possible.

In the program or the software 3 are several program routines 5 . 6 present, which are started in succession, as in 2 is shown.

First, the mobile device 1 based on the software 3 an automatic connection with the call-by-call provider ago, wherein a first program routine 5 automatic selection based on the stored in the software number or call number causes. This special number, for example, a 0800 number for Germany, has already been deposited in a memory, not shown.

If the connection has been made, the call-by-call provider electronically asks for a personal PIN. A second program routine 6 outputs the secret number also stored in the software.

Also Here this number has already been deposited in the memory.

The user of the mobile station 1 can now dial a telephone number of the subscriber to be spoken or even with the help of an electronic phone book that in the mobile station 3 integrated, connect. The first and the second program routine 5 . 6 are preferably executed so that the user does not notice.

During the telephone conversation In particular, a credit account is charged with the resulting telephone charges. The account is managed by the call-by-call provider.

As in 3 can be represented in the software 3 integrated telephone book 7 be present, parallel to an already in the mobile station 3 existing first phone book 8th exist. The first phone book 8th is in a manufacturer-specific program part 9 or basic program or basic software embedded. The second (electronic) phonebook 7 is independent of the first (electronic) phonebook 8th by loading the software 3 available.

In this variant, the software 3 can be easily realized by a pure JAVA program, an automatic selection by using the access or program routines 5 and 6 as well as the additional telephone book 7 , Entering a phone number using a numeric keypad when using the program routines 5 . 6 is also possible. In this case, the user may preferably use a keyboard shortcut to the software 3 Call and start and can enter his phone numbers either directly or from the existing phone book 7 choose. The program routines 5 and 6 are started as soon as the user presses the selection key.

In 4 a variant of the phonebook solution is illustrated. In the software 3 If there is no additional phonebook, the original phonebook is used directly for dialing via the call-by-call service. The software 3 almost directly accesses the first phone book 8th in the program section 9 , Such a variant is based, for example, on a Symbian solution. In such a solution, in principle, the application of this software in the normal election process of the mobile terminal depends 1 on, ie the user inputs his desired telephone number by means of keys, which appears in the display of the device, or he goes into the telephone book of his mobile phone and selects the appropriate entry. The application of the dial-in software is called up and executed in the background.

Preferably the software is adjustable so that the user can decide whether he always, whether he never or whether he either via the application of the invention phone.

Preferably In the software, a Best Price Routing option is installable.

In the variants according to 3 and 4 Pressing an entry in the corresponding phonebook starts the automated access procedure. Basically, the user of the mobile phone in both versions can decide whether he wants to use his normal provider directly or through his provider only the free connection or this central platform of the call-by-call provider.

Preferably, the call-by-call software 3 designed so that they are, especially after a battery failure and / or when switching the mobile device 1 , automatically starts.

The invention is characterized by a mobile radio terminal 1 installable call-by-call software 3 in which an access number, for example 0800, and at least one identification string are storable or stored and access to the account via at least one automatic access routine of the call-by-call software 3 can be obtained using the software 3 automatically connects to the account via an automatic dialing of a call number (0800 ...), and automatically communicates the identification string, in particular a personal identification number, for example 1234, so that without manual entry of call-by-call numbers Number sequences (0800 ..., 1234) in the mobile terminal 1 a telephone connection can be made.

The Software basically replaces manual entry of access numbers and automates this process.

1

mobile radio terminal

2

Mobile phone providers

3

Call-by-Call software

4

5

first program routine

6

second program routine

7

second phone book

8th

first phone book

9

program part

Claims (12)

Method for operating a mobile radio terminal ( 1 ), in which an account, in particular a credit account, is used after a call-by-call procedure, wherein certain access numbers, such as secret number and access number, must be used to access the account of a call-by-call provider to receive, characterized by a in the mobile station ( 1 ) installable call-by-call software ( 3 ), via which at least one access call number and at least one identification string can be stored, or the at least one access call number and at least one Identification string and via which access to the account via at least one automatic access routine ( 5 . 6 ) the call-by-call software can be obtained, wherein the software a) establishes an automatic connection to the account via an automatic dialing of a connection number, and b) an automatic communication of the identification string, in particular a personal identification number and / or a personal one Telephone number, so that without manual entry of call-by-call number sequences in the mobile terminal ( 1 ) A telephone connection can be established. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) a direct access function to a in the mobile station ( 1 ) already existing telephone book ( 8th ) having. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) a telephone book integrated in it ( 7 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) includes an option that allows you to save a phonebook to a server. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) is based on a JAVA programming language. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) to a software version MIDP, preferably at least version 2.0, of the mobile radio terminal ( 1 ) accesses. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) at least partially has a Symbian system, in particular in addition to JAVA GUI components. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) is installable on a Windows CE system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) comprises a best-price routing function. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) can be downloaded via WAP or SMS. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ) is provided with a menu leading to a in relation to the mobile radio terminal ( 1 ) manufacturer-specific menu navigation is adjusted. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the call-by-call software ( 3 ), in particular after a battery failure and / or when switching on the mobile radio terminal ( 1 ), starts automatically.