DE19757770C2 - Signaling system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for transmitting Data to a recipient connected to a computer network gerrechner as well as a system and a program for implementation of the procedure.

Computer networks are today in many forms knows. In simple networks, few computers are over one Direct connection (e.g. coaxial cable) connected to each other sen. Data can be extracted using appropriate protocols from transferred from one computer to another. Composites from several small, local networks (LAN, Local Area Net works), for example with the help of data connections Manufactured over telephone lines are considered to be far designated area networks (WAN, Wide Area Networks). Lots Such networks are on the global Internet today summarized so that from each connected Compu transmit data to any other connected computer can be.

In the global Internet, computers communicate on network Level with each other using the TCP / IP protocol. There are also applications based on this for the transmission of data known, which are to be regarded as standard. An example of this is the transmission of messages as electronic mail (E-mail). Emails are mostly over in computer networks Relay stations from a transmitter computer to a receiver calculator transmitted.

The data transmission in such known networks - e.g. B. via email - but always requires a special one to send computer equipped for this purpose, connected to the same computer network as the receiver computer is connected.  In the publication "Cellular Digital Data Networks", Bell Labs Technical Journal, Summer 1997, pages 164-181 an example of connecting networks to computers described about wireless transmission techniques. A compu ter sends data directly to a base station wirelessly is connected to a computer network.

It is the object of the invention to propose a method with the data from any place to a recipient computer can be transferred.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method with the following steps:

• - A first digital, alphanumeric message sent,
• - The first message is from a cellular reception device that is sent to a gateway (gateway) is connected, the mobile radio receiving device a mobile terminal of a cellular network with the Ability to receive alphanumeric messages,
• - the message is read by the gate computer,
• - The gate computer generates one from the first message second digital, alphanumeric message and
• - The gate computer sends the second message via the Computer network to the recipient computer.

Mobile phones in use today are - if that corresponds appropriate equipment is available - able to alphanumeric short messages via the mobile network to transmit to another participant. Such with division contains apart from the alphanumeric, digital coding content contains further information, such as B. the mobile phone number of the sender as well as time and date.

Modern mobile phones often have interfaces, with  which they can be connected to computers. Therefor for example, the mobile phones with a serial Interface of a computer connected. So data from Mobile phone can be transferred to the computer.

With the help of a method according to the invention, a poss  provided for, even on computers that are not are directly connected to a mobile radio receiver, Data can be transmitted. The data can be from one commercially available mobile phone can be sent. This mobile phone can be used anywhere. The ones from User created individually or from a number of before prepared messages selected alphanumeric message is digitally transmitted to the receiving device by the cellular network forwarded. For this, the telephone number of the mobile phone Receiving device specified as the addressee of the short message the.

The mobile radio receiving device receives the message and stores it saves them digitally. The message is then sent from the Goal computer read out and processed. The goal calculator gene based on the message according to a predetermined algorithm a second message made up of alphanumeric characters that just if digitally encoded. This second message is about the computer network is sent to the recipient computer.

An important feature of the process is therefore the two-stage speed, namely that a first message by the gate computer in a second message is converted. Both the first and the second message is also not a public broadcast gene (broadcast), but to a specific recipient address messages that are usually only received by the recipient can be. (The reception may also be abusive possible through stations that are not addressees of the message are. However, this is not the rule.)

The interposition of a goal calculator is not only here required to get the first message from the cellular network in redirect the computer network. But there must also be one suitable addressing of the second message made the. Because the addressee of the first message is inevitable connected to the gate computer mobile radio receiver, so that the gate computer content and recipient of the second message  other information.

The advantage of the method according to the invention is that each receiver computer connected to a computer network from any location (as long as it is in the area of the mobile radio network is) can be achieved. For this there are many possible application possibilities. Please note playful only on the logging of control requests security guard.

The method can be implemented particularly advantageously if the mobile radio receiving device is a second mobile phone, the is equipped with a connector for a computer. Such Mobile phones are known and because of their wide distribution very inexpensive. It is therefore not a special receiving device necessary, but a mobile phone with the ability to Alphanumeric digital message reception is off reaching.

The necessary connection for a computer - here the gate calculator - is used today by a large number of mobile devices phones provided. This can be, for example a serial connection (e.g. RS 232), or a PCMCIA interface. This interface can be used to access the Memory of the mobile phone can be accessed and it can Control functions can be called. In the present case the data connection used to the at the as Mobile phone receiving device used second mobile phone read out the first message received.

It when the mobile phone and the Mobile radio receiving device work according to the GSM standard. The Most of the cell phones sold today rework the GSM standard. The cellular network according to the GSM standard works digitally and allows the transfer of data a speed of 9600 bits.  

If GSM mobile phones are used, it is particularly advantageous to send the first alphanumeric digital message as an SMS message, which contains an alphanumeric content and the sender's telephone number. This form of text messages is supported by the majority of cell phones sold today. Any mobile phones can be used to carry out the method; special hardware is not required. In particular, SMS messages are standardized regardless of the manufacturer, so that an SMS message can be transmitted without problems from a mobile phone from a manufacturer 1 to a mobile phone from a manufacturer 2 working as a mobile radio receiver. The SMS message automatically contains the sender's telephone number. This allows the message to be assigned to the corresponding sender - if the number is known to the system. It is not possible to falsify the sender. The cellular network also ensures that the message cannot be received by a second cell phone other than the cell phone receiving device, so that confidential transmission is ensured.

It is particularly advantageous if the mobile radio receiving device and the gate computer are installed stationary. This can a comparatively inexpensive calculator as well as a very easy connection to the computer network can be used. The mobile radio receiver can then be set up that optimal cellular reception is possible. With stationary Operation can also provide power to both devices the power supply network can be guaranteed.

The fixed installation of the two devices is not a problem Limitation of the advantages of the method. Because the state location of the mobile radio receiving device plays for the implementation the procedure does not matter as long as it is in the field of mobil radio network. In particular, the distance between the first mobile phone and the mobile radio receiver without loading interpretation.  

It is particularly advantageous if the second message as Send electronic letter (email) over the computer network det. The use of email is standard today to watch. The majority of are connected to a computer network closed computers can receive emails. So there will be no extraordinary requirements for the equipment of the Recipient computer provided.

Applications are known today in which a computer in a program that runs automatically on a computer network reacts to incoming emails. For example, a electronic diary for a group of people are kept, with entries in the database via email the calendar calculator are made. Such applications can with the method according to the invention now also with the help of a Mobile phones can be operated remotely.

According to an advantageous development of the invention is before seen that the computer network is the worldwide internet. This makes the advantages of the invention particularly clear forth. Because when using the worldwide Internet to over average of the second message from the gateway to the recipient Anyone can use a mobile phone to connect to the Internet connected computers can be reached. Here they play Distances between the mobile phone coming from the mobile phone Receiver and the gateway computer formed intermediate station and the recipient computer no longer matters.

Given the number of people already online today closed computers hereby increases the number of possible Receiver computer considerably.

According to an advantageous development of the invention is before seen that the gate computer runs a computer program that at intervals the mobile radio receiving device arrived again Checked messages. With the help of this so-called polling Procedure - with a correspondingly short Inter  vall - the goal calculator determines within a very short time whether a Message is received in the mobile radio receiving device. Polling is an easy procedure. If the entrance the program reads the message Message through the interface to the mobile radio receiver on.

To create the second message from the first message a program is used by the gate computer Goal calculator is running.

For the algorithm implemented by this program, according to the second message is created from the first message, there are a variety of options.

A simple algorithm works with a table in which Each sender phone number of a first message has a destination address for the second message is assigned. The program finds the corresponding destination address for every first message the second message and sends the content of the first Message to this destination address.

More complex algorithms can work with other types of tables In such an algorithm, tables with a bipartite key used, the content of the first message is part of the key.

Finally, an algorithm can be provided in which the content of the first message viewed as a command sequence hen and this command sequence by the on the gate computer running program is interpreted and executed so the create second message.

Of course, instead of a single second message several second messages are sent in the computer network become.  

According to a development of the invention it is provided that as A mobile phone receiving device is used which send and send digital, alphanumeric text messages can also receive. So not only incoming short messages divisions are processed, but it will also be possible opened, messages (e.g. confirmations or Ant words on requests) in this way.

It can be provided that the gate computer after the Read out one received by the mobile radio receiving device first message prepared a receipt, where as the addressee of the acknowledgment of receipt of the sender of the first Message is used, he this for cellular reception device transmitted and that the mobile radio receiving device Acknowledgment of receipt sent. The sender receives the Certainty that his message is properly sent to the gateway has arrived and is being processed.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the second message contains a reply address resulting from the Network address of the gate computer and from the telephone number of the Sender of the first message is formed. This opens up the possibility of replies to the second message being sent to the Goal computer arrive and this based on the special address can determine for which recipient the answer actually is determined.

Such or a similar mechanism is necessary if a "return channel" is to be provided, ie a possibility with the receiver in the computer network on with the fiction respond to inquiries submitted via or in accordance with the procedure can confirm received messages. Since the second night normally sets the network address as the sender address of the goal calculator is to forward an answer in addition, the information required to which participant this is directed. This can be done by designing the Ab sender address can be reached in the specified manner. It  other possibilities of such an assignment are also possible cash, e.g. B. by referring back to the second message sent.

In order to open the possibility that in addition to the transmission of messages from the mobile network to the computer network, messages (e.g. replies) from the computer network to a mobile phone are sent, according to a further development that

• - The gate computer a third digital, alphanumeric after receives over the network,
• - Processes the third message and a fourth from it digital alphanumeric message is being prepared
• - the prepared fourth message to the connected one Cellular reception device transmitted and
• - From this is sent to another mobile phone.

As a way of how the fourth message is created it is envisaged that the fourth message from the third post is created by adding the phone number further Mobile phone to which the fourth message will be sent from the address or the content of the third message is taken and the content of the third message largely completely included in the content of the fourth message becomes.

An embodiment of the invention is in the drawings shown, which are explained in more detail below. In the Show drawing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for over averaging of data,

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a program running on the gate computer.

In Fig. 1, a mobile phone 1 is shown, which is located at any location within the range of the cellular network.

The mobile phone 1 is a mobile phone from any manufacturer who works according to the GSM standard. It can send and receive SMS messages. By suitable programming, the mobile phone 1 can be programmed so that SMS messages can be prepared, ie that the recipient and the content of the message can be entered first and the correspondingly prepared SMS message can be sent at a later time at the push of a button.

The mobile phone 2 is also a GSM mobile phone. A Nokia 8110 mobile phone is used here, which can send and receive SMS messages. In this mobile phone 2 , the interface 3 is a serial RS 232 interface. The mobile phone 2 can be completely controlled by suitable control via the serial interface 3 , ie all operating functions can be carried out which are also possible via the keyboard. Data from the memory of the mobile phone 2 can be read out via the serial interface 3 and data can be transferred via the serial interface 3 into the memory of the mobile phone 2 . At the serial interface 3 , a gate computer 6 is connected via a cable connection 4 . The Kabelverbin extension 4 can be several meters long, so that the mobile phone 2 can be placed in a place where a good mobile radio reception is possible. The gate computer 6 has a serial interface 5 to which the cable 4 is connected. In this exemplary embodiment, the gate computer is a standard PC with the Windows operating system. The gate computer 6 executes a program, the function of which is explained in more detail below.

The gate computer 6 is connected to a computer network 8 together with a receiver computer 9 and further computers - not shown here. These computers can exchange data with one another via a suitable network protocol. The gate computer is connected via its network interface 7 to the network 8 ; the receiver computer has a network interface 10 , via which the connection to the network is established. In this example, both interfaces are Ethernet network cards. The network protocol used is TCP / IP. A program for receiving and sending emails is installed on the gate computer 6 , and a program for sending and receiving emails is also executed on the recipient computer 9 . The network 8 is in this example a local area network (LAN), e.g. B. within a company building. However, the system is basically the same if, instead of the direct connection indicated for the network 8, another known type of network connection, e.g. B. is set via relay stations (routers) and telecommunications lines.

The program executed on the gate computer 6 essentially has the program structure shown in FIG. 2. It includes the following steps:

A start of the program; Initialize the interface

B Query the mobile phone 2 via the serial connection ( 5 , 4 , 3 ) whether an SMS message has been received

W In the event that no message is received: before set waiting time of 10 seconds

C In the event that a message is received: Download the SMS message via the serial connection ( 3 , 4 , 5 )

D Process the received SMS message for the setup an email using one stored in memory table

E Sending the email via the computer network 8

The program is simple in structure and implementation of the individual steps results for the expert from the respective requirements (e.g. operating system Network software, etc.). Only step D, in which an email of the received and read SMS message is created, is to be explained in more detail here.

A variety of processing options are conceivable to send an email from a received SMS message put. Here is a simple implementation be written. In this implementation, an im Memory stored table of each sender phone number SMS message a recipient address for the one to be created Email assigned. The alphanumeric content of the SMS post stra is included in the content of the email.

A corresponding table is shown below as an example given.

Table 1

The transmission of data by the user of the mobile phone 1 to the target computer 9 proceeds as follows:

The user of the cell phone 1 sends a previously prepared SMS message of a certain content - here: for example with the text "customer visit ended" - to the phone number of the cell phone 2 . The message is transmitted via the mobile radio network (not shown here ), received by the mobile phone 2 and stored in the memory. The program executed on the gate computer 6 recognizes at the next query that an SMS message has been received and transmits it via the serial connection 3 , 4 , 5 into the memory of the gate computer 6 . The SMS message contains the sender's phone number (mobile phone 1 ). Using this sender phone number, the program executed on the gate computer 6 searches in Table 1 for the corresponding line. After finding the line, the email recipient stored here is used as the recipient of the email to be set up. A group of receivers can also be used here.

The content of the SMS message is copied into the content of the email to be created. The email created in this way is sent via the network 8 by calling up a corresponding program.

The gate computer 6 also creates a reply message to the sender of the first message, with which the receipt is confirmed. This message is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 and sent from there to the mobile phone 1 .

A variety of application examples are available for such a process conceivable. The procedure described above with the simple on Built Table 1 can, for example, by a security guard be used where the staff at each control pass on a prepared message to the head office. The recipient of the messages can then check whether the Messages arrive periodically and for the If the message is missing, take suitable measures fen.

Because emails are a very simple form of delivery Represent alphanumeric data, there are also applications result in such electronic messages for tax purposes be used by recipient computers. For that be Emails to a recipient's account specially equipped for this purpose ner transmitted. The recipient computer interprets the content  the electronic message and can contain commands contained therein To run.

In a second embodiment, the recipient performs the calculation ner an application with which for a group of users an electronic diary is kept. The computer (Calendar Server) runs a corresponding program, the is controlled by incoming emails. The program can for example received an email with which a user a previously agreed meeting cancels. The Calendar Server will then delete the corresponding appointment in the database and inform the participants - by email - about it.

The subscriber who sends a control message to the Calendar Ser has sent a reply message via the Receipt of his control message at the Calendar Server and via the triggered actions are informed. For this the Calen sends the server sends a reply email to that in the control message specified reply address.

In the second exemplary embodiment, a table of the second type, as shown below by way of example, is used in the creation of the email from the SMS message in step D of the program executed on the gate computer 6 . The Calendar Server is one of the email recipients listed in Table 2.

Table 2

In this second embodiment, no plain text is considered Content of the SMS message sent, but the SMS message contains an alphanumeric key.

With the help of Table 2, the program running on the gate computer 6 in program step D from the telephone number of the sender of the SMS message and the key contained in the content of the SMS message is used to find the rule corresponding to this combination for creating an email. If, for example, Müller (line 1 ) sends the message "3" to the cell phone 2 via his cell phone, an email is first sent to the company's calendar program, so that a meeting is called from there at Müller. A second email is sent to a person in Müller's household telling them that Müller is coming home late.

The messages sent contain the reply address (reply to) the email address of the goal calculator with an addition that the Identifies the sender's phone number (e.g. 0172125126@torrechner.fima.de). The reply messages that sent from the Calendar Server to this reply address,  can be processed by the gate computer in different ways become. In the present embodiment, the entire Text of the reply message as an SMS message to the specified one Telephone number (here: 0172125126) sent. (Reply messages of the Calendar Server are so short that the maximum allowed SMS messages are not exceeded.)

But it is also conceivable that the gateway computer receives incoming email Messages processed in a different way. You can turn converted into other SMS messages using a table become; likewise z. B. for confidential communications from Encryption possible.

In addition to the examples mentioned, there are many more other ways of processing incoming SMS messages judge conceivable. It is even conceivable to have your own command language, the content of an SMS message then interpreted by the program in program step D. and the instructions it contains for creating Email will be executed.

Claims (19)

1. Method for transmitting data to a receiver computer connected to a computer network with the following steps:

• 1. a first digital, alphanumeric message is sent from a mobile phone,
• 2. the first message is received by a mobile radio receiving device which is connected to a gate computer (gateway), the mobile radio receiving device being a mobile terminal of a mobile radio network which has the ability to receive alphanumeric messages,
• 3. the message is read by the gate computer,
• 4. The gate computer generates a second digital, alphanumeric message and from the first message
• 5. The gate computer sends the second message over the computer network to the recipient computer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile radio receiving device is a second mobile phone, which is equipped with a connector for a computer is. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cell phone as well as the cell phone receiving device work according to the GSM standard. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the first message is sent as an SMS message that an alphanumeric content and the phone number of the Sender includes.   5. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the mobile radio receiver and the gate computer stationary are. 6. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the second after judge as an electronic letter (email) on the computer network is sent. 7. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the computer network factory is the worldwide internet. 8. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the gate computer Computer program that runs the mobile at intervals radio receiving device for newly arrived messages checked. 9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second message is created from the first message by

• 1. from a table of a first type stored on the gate computer
• 2. Using the sender phone number of the first message as a key
• 3. the assigned destination address of the second message (recipient computer) is determined and
• 4. The content of the first message is transferred to the content of the second message.

10. The method according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the second message is created from the first message by

• 1. from a table of a second type stored on the goal computer
• 2. Using the content of the first message as a key
• 3. The content and recipient of the second message is created.

11. The method according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the second message is created from the first message,

• 1. by using a table of a second type stored on the goal computer
• 2. Using the content and the phone number of the first message as the key
• 3. The content of the second message is created and the recipient of the second message is determined.

12. The method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the content of the first message is understood as a command sequence and this command sequence is executed so the two to create the message. 13. The method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that as a cellular Receiving device a mobile phone is used, the digi tal, alphanumeric text messages both send and can also receive. 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the gate computer after reading one by the mobile radio receiving device received a first message Acknowledgment of receipt prepared, the addressee being the Acknowledgment of receipt of the sender of the first message is used, he this to the mobile radio receiver transmitted and that the mobile radio receiving the Emp confirmation of receipt sent.   15. The method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the second after contains a reply address that comes from the network address of the goal calculator and from the telephone number of the Sender of the first message is formed. 16. The method one or more of the preceding and workman surface, characterized in that

• 1. the gate computer receives a third digital, alphanumeric message via the network,
• 2. the third message is processed and a fourth digital alphanumeric message is prepared therefrom,
• 3. transmit the prepared fourth message to the connected mobile radio receiving device and
• 4. from this is sent to another mobile phone.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the fourth message is created from the third message by entering the phone number of the other cell phone, to which the fourth message is to be sent, from which Address or the content of the third message and the content of the third message largely completely in the content of the fourth message men will.   18. System for performing a method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by

• 1. a mobile phone ( 1 ) which can send digital alphanumeric short messages,
• 2. a mobile radio receiving device ( 2 ) with an interface ( 3 ) for connection to a computer which can receive digital alphanumeric short messages, the mobile radio receiving device being a mobile terminal of a mobile radio network,
• 3. a gate computer ( 6 ) to which the mobile radio receiver ( 2 ) is connected and which is connected to a computer network ( 8 ) and
• 4. a receiver computer ( 9 ), which is also connected to the computer network ( 8 ).

19. Program for performing a method according to one or more of claims 1-17, characterized by the following program steps

• 1.Monitoring the connected mobile radio receiving device for whether a text message has been received,
• 2. upon receipt of a notification
• 3. Reading out the message from the mobile radio reception device,
• 4. create a second message from the short message,
• 5. Send the second message over the computer network and
• 6. Return to the first step.