Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
  • H04W88/02—Terminal devices

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of wireless communications networks, in particular of the GSM type, acronym for the Anglo-Saxon expression "Global System for Mobile Communication”. It relates in particular to a method and a server center for identifying and storing the technical characteristics or capacities of a fleet of mobile communication devices in use. More particularly, the invention finds application in the provision of services adapted to communication devices as well as, where appropriate, in their automatic configuration prior to the transmission or use of these services. As adapted services, one can quote offers of MMS, ringtone, logo.
• WAP Wireless Fidelity
• MMS mobile multimedia management
• GPRS General Packet Markup Language
• e-mail e-mail
• SyncML SyncML
• the server is able to analyze the value of an identifier received automatically, so as to determine the model and type of corresponding device. This information is used to find out the highest capacities of the device, such as the protocol supported for a remote configuration, the available services (electronic mail "e-mail", multimedia MMS, WAP browser, etc.) situation roaming to provide the best possible services.
• the available services electronic mail "e-mail", multimedia MMS, WAP browser, etc.
• an operator or possibly a service provider to directly query the mobile to know if it has been configured and in what way and offer it the best possible service supported by its mobile.
• the means used by the method of the invention are compatible or allow a transition at low cost to the means used by the various methods and infrastructures currently deployed or in the process of standardization as mentioned above.
• the invention therefore aims to allow the identification and if necessary the configuration of the current fleet of different types of mobile, working or not with SIM card, with the least user intervention, and which allows a transition with various automatic identification systems as the mobile fleet is renewed.
• the subject of the invention is a method for identifying the technical capacities of communication devices in a wireless communications network, said method comprising the steps consisting in transmitting at least one identifier of the device to a center. server, process the identifier so as to store at least one indication of the capabilities of the device in relation to the coordinates of one user.
• - another type of identifier is used in parallel in the same server center independently of the simplified identifier, in default or in addition to the latter;
• the server returns a message indicating the reference or model of the identified device corresponding to the identifier;
• the identifier can be transmitted when activating a prepaid service including sending a prepaid number to a remote server, in particular with a reload number.
• the invention also relates to an application of the above method to the configuration of wireless communication device and / or to the provision of services adapted to the devices.
• the subject of the invention is also a server center in a wireless communications network system, comprising communication devices, said server center comprising message reception means capable of receiving at least one first type of device identifier.
• processing means able to process at least a first type of identifier so as to store at least one indication of the capabilities of the device in relation to the coordinates of the user.
• the server center is distinguished in that the processing means are capable of processing at least one second type of device identifier in addition to or, failing this, the first type of identifier to determine the capacities of the corresponding device.
• the first type of identifier is a standard serial device identifier (IMEI) and a second identifier is a simplified identifier relating to the type of device;
• the server center includes means for interpreting the simplified identifier received as an explicit request for device configuration from a user.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the communications network system implemented by the invention
• Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device and user identification base
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of a message comprising simplified requests according to the invention.
• the invention uses a communications network system 1 for cellular communication devices 2, said to be mobile ME thereafter and operating with a subscriber identification card 3 called SIM or (U) SIM.
• SIM subscriber identification card
• the mobile could however be a mobile operating without a SIM card.
• Each mobile can include an IMEI identifier stored in a memory of the mobile.
• Networks can be multiple and have different characteristics. They can notably include a GSM, GPRS, UMTS, WLAN, etc. network.
• the network can carry sophisticated multimedia MMS data, video and audio streams.
• the system in the example comprises a server center 4 connected to the telecommunications network by a short message channel SMS.
• This server center 4 comprises in a simplified form: - message reception means 5 able to receive at least a first type of message and device identifier, a base of device identifiers 6 associated with the capabilities of the mobile, !: - processing means 7 and a database capable of processing at least the first type identifying it so as to store at least one indication of the capabilities of the device in relation to an indication of the coordinates of the user.
• the server center can - further comprise: - several means for receiving a message comprising a mobile identifier, notably a voice server, interface for SMS, voice, DTMF type audio message (included in the means of reception 5) ; - a database 6a relating to the subscription subscribed by the user indicating in particular the services to which he is entitled, - a base 6b of configuration profiles, - transmission means 8 capable of transmitting data or instructions for configuring the mobile determined by the processing means 7.
• the means 8 can comprise or be connected to interfaces or adapters of mobile supporting standard or proprietary protocols such as "smart messaging TM", WAP TM, WLA others ... allowing communication according to the specifics of the mobile.
• the processing means 7 may also be able to identify the necessary or optimal configuration corresponding to each identifier in response to the reception of a message containing the simplified identifier which would be interpreted as a request for configuration.
• the processing means can remotely configure or leave a message containing an operating mode to be followed, in particular on a user's mailbox.
• the preferred embodiment consists of processing means capable of also processing, in parallel with a second type of device identifier or even more, in addition to or failing a first type of identifier. It is however possible to operate the server center only with a simplified identifier.
• a program in the processing unit is provided for extracting indifferently each type of identifier used and comparing them in the base 6 of identifiers, either in the form of a list. common arranged in the same memory space, or in separate lists arranged in separate memory spaces.
• the first type of identifier is a standard serial device identifier (IMEI) while the second identifier is a simplified identifier relating to the type of device or model or generally to a set. of devices, even of different brands sharing one or more identical characteristics or functions.
• IMEI serial device identifier
• the processing means are also able to interpret the reception of a simplified identifier as an implicit request from the user for a configuration or a request for access to the various possible services from his device; This is not the case when the IMEI number is automatically retrieved via the network independently of a voluntary action by the user.
• the method of the invention for the identification of the technical capacities of the network communication devices will now be described.
• a user has a device comprising an old generation SIM card which does not contain a program dedicated to automatic configuration.
• the user wishes to use a new service of which he is aware but which requires configuring his device. Due to the risk of error due to the complexity of the operation (connection addresses, speed of exchanges, etc.), it is very difficult for it to carry out this configuration itself.
• a list of identifiers simplified established for each type of device supplied by its service operator and finds the identifier corresponding to its mobile.
• This list includes, for example, simplified identifiers in the form of 4-digit numbers making it possible to identify a few hundred different types or models of devices.
• the IMEI identifier of the device has 13 characters and is therefore less easy to handle without risk of error or less easy to memorize by the user for use at any time, especially abroad, where a configuration and / or a new service may be essential.
• the list is made available to the subscriber; it can be made public by any means, available on a site or distributed to each subscriber, in particular by mail from a wireless telephone operator or manufacturer of the device.
• the user will transmit this simplified identifier to the dedicated server center described above. He communicates it preferably by a short message type SMS by typing on the keyboard of his device. He can also communicate it himself manually or orally so as to be usable by means of automatic processing of the server, in particular the voice server. As an alternative, the user can have a contactless, "blue-tooth", DTMF module comprising the identifier which it suffices to bring closer to his mobile to communicate the identifier. On receipt of the message via the appropriate server interface, the server extracts the identifier and processes it so as to identify the model of the corresponding device.
• a processing program comprising a comparison test browsing a correspondence table identical to that broadcast to users and preloaded in a database of the server.
• the processing program is therefore able to search for a model corresponding to the device from a list of identifiers comprising at least the simplified identifiers, and where appropriate the program is able to also search from also a list of complementary identifiers such as the IMEIs.
• a test on the length of the identifier can automatically eliminate the list or irrelevant memory space.
• the server center also extracts the contact details of the user, such as his telephone number and / or his name and / or possible address and other information available on him.
• the server center proceeds, by storage, to the constitution of a database 10 (FIG.
• the server center has a program for interpreting the extracted data which interprets an SMS message including the simplified number as a specific request from the user resulting from a configuration need. This is not the case when the IMEI number is automatically retrieved via the network.
• the server center can also interpret, in the same way as previously, the reception of the identifier transmitted by voice or by DTMF.
• the invention makes it possible to distinguish simply by the nature of the transmission (voice, DTMF audio) and / or the type of coded identifier (simplified) between a configuration need or a simple inventory of devices. And in response to this distinction, take the appropriate actions.
• the simplified identifier is transmitted in the absence of the IMEI identifier, this makes it possible to identify devices that are not otherwise identifiable, as well as their users.
• the simplified identifier is transmitted in addition to the IMEI identifier, this makes it possible to confirm a prior identification, and offers the advantage not only of discriminating configuration requesters but also makes it possible to discriminate users likely to be receptive to new services and capable of implementing them.
• the invention also makes it possible to detect, in addition or not to a configuration need, the need for services and to respond to it as best as possible.
• the server center determines the configuration information necessary for the device concerned. It can also determine if the device is adapted to different services and in the favorable case trigger the sending of adapted services. It can also determine whether the device is automatically configurable and carry it out over the network.
• the configuration information is preferably sent via a short message to the subscriber and automatically by the server. They can also be communicated directly by an automatic voice message or the like on the user's mailbox which the latter can consult when the time comes.
• the host center may include an error checking function prior to sending data from
• the server can return a message ⁇ ! "automatic acknowledging receipt of the identifier and
• the server can warn the user that it will configure and how. In the event of an error, the user can return another 25. identifier or decline an offer or receipt of automatic configuration.
• sending a simplified identifier alone by SMS means a configuration request and a predisposition to the reception of any available service.
• the coded identifier is transmitted in association with another code, at the same time or successively, this is interpreted by the program as a request to activate a service and / or a configuration if necessary.
• the identifier is transmitted, (FIG. 3) with a recharging number (12482567) to a remote server.
• the server center can also include a function for recharging a user account or be linked to an account recharging center.
• the identifier is transmitted with the charging number in the same message, for example a separate co "Sharp.
• Other access to particular services expressed by user requests may be associated with sending the identifier, such as request for a logo, ringtone, weather service, sport, tourist information, etc. These specific requests are illustrated, for example, by additional codes 02, 05.
• the interpretation means mentioned above are capable of detecting in a message from the user the presence of a code representative of a particular service associated with a device identifier, and to interpret it as an explicit request to access this subscription service or to subscribe to it.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-02-13 FR FR0450263A patent/FR2866510B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-02-10 EP EP05716663A patent/EP1714509A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-02-10 WO PCT/EP2005/050603 patent/WO2005088995A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-02-10 CN CN2005800046146A patent/CN1922905B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

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