KR20050072993A - Method and apparatus for providing flat rate service about mobile application - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing a flat rate service for using a mobile application. The method may include transmitting a flat fee subscription request signal to an application server using a flat fee application, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and the user from the authentication server. Receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the authentication request signal, and receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server.

Description

Method and apparatus for providing flat rate service for mobile application

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing a flat rate service for using a mobile application of a mobile communication terminal.

With the development of mobile communication terminals and wireless internet, mobile subscribers use various contents and applications through wireless internet. The billing for the use of the application program over the wireless Internet is made by information usage fee or data communication fee. Referring to FIG. 1, a charging method for using an application program in a mobile communication terminal is as follows.

1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a charging system for using a conventional application program.

Referring to FIG. 1, the charging system for using the application includes a mobile communication terminal 101, a wireless communication network 103, a gateway 105, an application server 107, and a charging center 109.

The mobile communication terminal 101 has an input device, and when a user inputs a desired command, the mobile communication terminal 101 converts an RF signal suitable for a content service and transmits the converted RF signal to the wireless communication network 103. The mobile communication terminal 101 may include a mobile phone, a PDA phone, a smart phone, a notebook tablet PC, and the like.

The gateway 105 receives a signal suitable for a protocol for an application program service from the wireless communication network 103, converts the received signal into a signal suitable for accessing the application program, and transmits the signal to the application server 107. do. In addition, the gateway 105 performs a function of transmitting a usage data record (UDR) for using an application program to the charging center 109.

The charging center 106 receives the usage record from the gateway 105 and performs the charging process on the application program usage of the mobile communication terminal 101 using the usage record.

Referring to the above configuration with reference to the conventional charging method for using the application program, first, the mobile communication terminal 101 transmits the application program request signal to the gateway 105 through the wireless communication network 103 by the user's operation do. The gateway 105 converts the application request signal into a signal suitable for accessing the application program and transmits the signal to the application server 107. The application server 107 transmits a response signal to the gateway 105 in response to the application program request, and the gateway 105 converts the response signal into a protocol suitable for wireless communication through the wireless communication network 103. Transmit to mobile communication terminal 101. Through the above process, the mobile communication terminal 101 can use an application program provided by the application program server 107. Thereafter, the gateway 105 transmits the usage record to the charging center 109, and the charging center 109 performs the charging process based on the usage record.

Since the billing by the method is charged according to the amount of packets transmitted, the user cannot use many applications through the wireless Internet due to the charge. Therefore, there is a need to provide a flat rate service for the use of the application. Flat rate service refers to a service that pays a certain amount regardless of the call volume, and is widely used as a call rate product in wired and wireless communication. However, the flat rate service is not yet serviced for the use of the mobile application.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a method and apparatus for providing a flat rate service that charges a flat rate for the use of a mobile application of the mobile communication terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flat rate application that can be mounted on a mobile platform for easy subscription or termination of a flat rate service for using a mobile application.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention to provide a flat-rate service for the use of the application in the mobile communication terminal coupled with the application server and the authentication server through the gateway, the flat-rate application is mounted The method comprising the steps of: transmitting a flat fee subscription request signal to the application server using the flat fee application, wherein the application server sends a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal. Transmitting and receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server; and receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server, wherein the application is received. Pro Ram charging for the use of the application providing server may provide a method of providing a flat-rate service for use in applications wherein a predetermined fixed rate.

The method includes transmitting a flat fee cancellation request signal to the application server using the flat fee application, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee cancellation request signal. And receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server; and receiving a flat fee cancellation result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server. do. The method may further include receiving one of a subscription result short message and a cancellation result short message for the flat fee service from the application server.

In a preferred embodiment, the flat fee application is installed in the mobile communication terminal by a download method. In addition, the flat fee application is characterized by providing a subscription menu and cancellation menu for the flat rate service.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a flat-rate service for the use of the application in a gateway coupled with a mobile communication terminal, an application server and an authentication server equipped with a flat-rate application, from the mobile communication terminal Receiving a flat fee subscription request signal, and transmitting the flat fee subscription request signal to the application server, wherein the application server sends a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal. Transmitting and receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server-receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server and the flat fee subscription result signal Transmitting to the mobile communication terminal, wherein the charge for the use of the application provided by the application server is a predetermined flat rate. Can be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication terminal is equipped with a flat-rate application, combined with the application server and the authentication server through the gateway to provide a flat-rate service for the use of the application, the program is stored And a processor configured to execute the program in combination with the memory, wherein the processor transmits, by the program, a flat fee subscription request signal to the application server using the flat fee application, wherein the application is used. The program server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and receives a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server. Now, but receives a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the authentication result, the charge for use of applications provided by the application server may provide a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that a predetermined fixed rate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the gateway providing a flat-rate service for the use of the application in combination with a mobile communication terminal, an application server and an authentication server equipped with a flat-rate application, the memory in which the program is stored And a processor coupled to the memory to execute the program, wherein the processor receives, by the program, a flat fee subscription request signal from the mobile communication terminal, and sends the flat fee subscription request signal to the application server. Wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and receives a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server. Frog Receive the flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the server and transmit the flat fee subscription result signal to the mobile communication terminal, but the charge for the use of the application provided by the application server in advance A gateway can be provided which is a set flat rate.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a flat rate service for using an application program according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flat fee service system includes a mobile communication terminal 201, a gateway 203, an application program server 205, and an authentication server 207.

The mobile communication terminal 201 includes an input device, and when a user inputs a desired command, the mobile communication terminal 201 converts an RF signal suitable for a content service and transmits it to a wireless communication network. The mobile communication terminal 201 may include a mobile phone, a PDA phone, a smart phone, a notebook tablet PC, and the like.

The gateway 203 receives a signal suitable for a protocol for an application program service from a wireless communication network, converts the received signal into a signal suitable for an application program connection, and transmits the signal to the application server 205. In addition, the gateway 203 transmits a usage data record (UDR) for using an application program to a charging center.

The authentication server 207 checks in a reliable manner whether or not a user who is connected to the application program server 205 through the communication network is a registered legitimate user. The authentication server 207 authenticates the fact that the user is an authorized user using an authentication protocol using user information such as a password for the user of the application provided by the application server.

A method of providing a flat rate service for using an application will be described with reference to the above configuration. First, the mobile communication terminal 201 downloads a flat fee application from a mobile communication provider and installs it in the mobile communication terminal 201. Thereafter, in order to subscribe to the flat fee service according to the present invention, the mobile communication terminal 201 executes the flat fee application by a user's key input. When the application program to use the flat fee service is selected by the user, the mobile communication terminal 201 transmits a flat fee subscription request signal to the gateway 203. The gateway 203 transmits the flat fee subscription request signal to the application server 205. The application server 205 transmits an authentication request signal to the authentication server 209 for user authentication. The authentication server 207 performs authentication on the user and transmits the authentication result to the application server 205. The application server 205 transmits the flat fee subscription result generated based on the authentication result to the gateway 203, and the gateway transmits the flat fee subscription result to the mobile communication terminal 201. In this case, the application program server 205 may transmit the flat fee subscription result to the mobile communication terminal through a short message service.

In order to terminate the flat fee service according to the present invention, the mobile communication terminal 201 transmits a flat fee cancellation request signal to the gateway 203. The gateway 203 transmits the flat fee cancellation request signal to the application server 205. The application server 205 transmits an authentication request signal to the authentication server 209 for user authentication. The authentication server 207 authenticates the user and transmits the authentication result to the application server 205. The application server 205 transmits the flat fee cancellation result generated based on the authentication result to the gateway 203, and the gateway transmits the flat fee cancellation result to the mobile communication terminal 201. At this time, the application program server 205 may transmit a flat fee cancellation result to the mobile communication terminal through a short message service.

3 is a flow chart showing a flat-rate service subscription procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, the mobile communication terminal drives a flat fee application by a user's key manipulation (step 301). The mobile communication terminal transmits the flat fee service subscription request signal to the application server via the gateway (step 303). Thereafter, the authentication server receives an authentication request signal for the user from the application server, performs an authentication process, and transmits an authentication result to the application server (step 305). The application server generates a flat fee subscription result based on the authentication result and transmits the result to the terminal (step 307).

4 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a flat fee subscription procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when an application program to use the flat fee service is selected by the user, the mobile communication terminal transmits a flat fee subscription request signal to the gateway (step 401). The gateway sends the flat fee subscription request signal to an application server (step 403). The application server transmits an authentication request signal to an authentication server for authentication of the user (step 405). The authentication server performs authentication on the user and transmits an authentication result signal to the application server in response to the authentication request signal (step 407). The application server generates a flat fee subscription result based on the authentication result and transmits the flat fee subscription result to the gateway (step 409). The gateway transmits the flat fee subscription result to the mobile communication terminal (step 411).

5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for canceling a flat fee service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, a mobile communication terminal drives a flat fee application by a user's key operation (step 501). The mobile communication terminal transmits a flat fee service termination request signal to the application server via the gateway (step 503). Thereafter, the authentication server receives an authentication request signal for the user from the application server, performs an authentication process, and transmits an authentication result to the application server (step 505). The application server generates a flat fee cancellation result based on the authentication result and transmits the result to the mobile communication terminal (step 507).

6 is a signal flowchart illustrating a flat fee cancellation procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when an application program for canceling a flat fee service is selected by a user's key manipulation, the mobile communication terminal transmits a flat fee cancellation request signal to the gateway (step 601). The gateway transmits the flat fee cancellation request signal to an application server (step 603). The application server transmits an authentication request signal to an authentication server for authentication of the user (step 605). The authentication server performs authentication on the user and transmits an authentication result signal to the application server in response to the authentication request signal (step 607). The application server generates a flat fee cancellation result based on the authentication result, and transmits the flat fee result to the gateway (step 609). The gateway transmits the flat fee cancellation result to the mobile communication terminal (step 611).

7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a mobile platform of a terminal on which a flat rate application is installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mobile platform includes mobile communication terminal hardware 701, terminal basic software 703, HAL (Handset Application Layer) 705, run time engine 707, basic API 709, API manager 711, application manager 713, extended API 715, and application 717.

The mobile communication terminal hardware 701 may include any mobile communication terminal or portable terminal, such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a PDA phone, a smartphone, and the like. The terminal basic software 703 includes software for terminal basic operation, an LCD driver, a KPD driver, and a serial driver. The HAL 705 is an abstraction layer for maintaining hardware independence of the platform. The HAL 705 supports independence in which upper layers can operate independently of the mobile communication terminal hardware 701 and the terminal basic software 703 on the HAL.

The base API 709 is a collection of base APIs supported by the platform used by the application developer. The basic API 709 includes a C API and a Java API to provide convenience for program developers. The API manager 711 updates and adds the base API 709 and the extended API 715 of the platform. In addition, the API manager 711 provides a function to download the application manager 713 as well. The application manager 713 performs overall management functions such as viewing, downloading, installing, executing, deleting, and managing security of the application 717. The extension API 715 is a collection of APIs that can be standardized on the mobile platform, and provides a collection of APIs for providing various services.

The application 717 refers to an application that is installed in a terminal equipped with a mobile platform and can operate regardless of the terminal environment or terminal basic software. The application program may include a flat fee application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the above configuration, a method of providing a flat rate service for using an application will be described below. First, the mobile communication terminal is equipped with a mobile platform having the above configuration. The user of the mobile communication terminal downloads the flat fee application according to the present invention from the mobile communication operator using the application manager 713 by performing key operation of the mobile communication terminal. The flat fee application may be implemented in a C language or a Java language and may be produced in an application server. The mobile communication terminal can download the flat fee application from the application server. The user executes the flat fee application to subscribe to the flat fee service or terminate the flat fee service. In addition, when the user wants to delete the flat fee application, the user may delete the flat fee application using the application manager 713.

8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating screens of a mobile communication terminal in a procedure of executing a flat rate application according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8A through 8C, first, a user of a mobile communication terminal inputs a key of at least one mobile communication terminal to drive a flat rate application in order to subscribe or terminate a flat rate service. Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal outputs the flat rate service screen 801 to the display unit. The screen may include a flat fee subscription item and a flat fee cancellation item.

When the user inputs the selection button of the mobile communication terminal by designating the flat rate subscription item on the flat rate service screen 801 to subscribe to the flat rate service, the terminal lists the application to subscribe to the flat rate service. The screen 803 is output to the display unit of the terminal. When the user inputs a selection button by designating an application for subscribing to the flat fee service, the mobile communication terminal transmits a flat fee service subscription request signal to a server providing the application.

Meanwhile, when the user inputs a selection button of a mobile communication terminal by designating the flat rate cancellation item on the flat rate service screen 801 to terminate the flat rate service, the terminal subscribes to the flat rate service. The list screen 805 of the program is output to the display unit of the terminal. When the user inputs a selection button by designating an application program for canceling the flat fee service, the mobile terminal transmits a flat fee service cancellation request signal to a server providing the application.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an execution procedure of a flat fee application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, first, a mobile communication terminal attempts to drive a flat fee application by a user's key input (step 910). The mobile terminal determines whether the information file of the flat fee application is damaged (step 930). If it is determined that the information file is damaged, step 932 is performed. If it is determined that the information file is not damaged, step 940 is performed.

In step 932, the mobile communication terminal determines whether the flat fee application is driven successfully. If the driving of the flat rate application fails, step 934 is performed. If the driving of the flat rate application is successful, step 936 is performed. In step 934, the mobile communication terminal reports the error to the mobile service provider and requests the download of the flat fee application. In step 936, the mobile communication terminal connects to a server providing an application program whose information file is damaged and updates the information file (step 938).

On the other hand, in step 940, the mobile communication terminal determines whether the driving attempt of the flat fee application is driving for the deletion attempt, and performs step 942 if the driving attempt is for the deletion attempt. Do this. In step 942, the mobile communication terminal drives the flat fee application and transmits a flat fee cancellation request signal to a server of an application program subscribed to the flat fee service to terminate the flat fee service (step 944). The mobile terminal then deletes the flat fee application (step 946).

On the other hand, in step 950, the mobile communication terminal determines whether or not it is subscribed to the flat-rate service for each application. If the determination result is not subscribed to the flat fee service, step 952 is performed. If the flat fee service is subscribed to at least one application program, step 960 is performed. In step 952, the mobile communication terminal runs a flat fee application. Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal transmits a flat fee subscription request signal to an application server to subscribe to a flat fee service by performing a user's key manipulation (step 954) and performs step 960. In step 960, the mobile communication terminal outputs a flat rate application service screen to the display unit.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a deletion procedure of a flat fee application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, a mobile communication terminal attempts to delete a flat fee application by a user's key input (step 1010). The mobile terminal determines whether the information file of the flat fee application is damaged (step 1030). If it is determined that the information file is damaged, step 1032 is performed. If it is determined that the information file is not damaged, step 1050 is performed. Steps 1032 to 1038 are the same as steps 932 to 938 of FIG. 9, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

In step 1050, the mobile communication terminal determines whether there is an application program subscribed to the flat fee service. If it is determined that the subscriber is subscribed to the flat fee service, step 1052 is performed. If it is determined that the user is not subscribed to the flat fee service, step 1070 is performed. In step 1052, the mobile communication terminal runs a flat fee application (step 1052). Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal terminates the flat fee service by transmitting a flat fee service cancellation request signal to an application server subscribed to the flat fee service (step 1054), and performs step 1070. In step 1070, the mobile communication terminal deletes the flat fee application.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to induce the activation of the wireless Internet by providing a flat rate service for the use of a mobile application, and the effect of increasing sales can be expected from a mobile operator.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily sign up or terminate the flat rate service for using a mobile application using the flat rate application.

1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a charging system for using a conventional application program.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a flat rate service for using an application program according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart showing a flat-rate service subscription procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a flat fee subscription procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a flat fee service cancellation procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a flat-rate cancellation procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view showing the structure of a mobile platform of a terminal on which the flat rate application is installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating screens of a mobile communication terminal in a procedure of executing a flat rate application according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an execution procedure of a flat fee application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a deletion procedure of a flat fee application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

201: mobile communication terminal 203: gateway

205: application server 220: authentication server

Claims (8)

In the method for providing a flat-rate service for the use of the application in the mobile communication terminal that is coupled to the application server and the authentication server through a gateway, the flat-rate application is mounted, Transmitting a flat fee subscription request signal to the application server using the flat fee application, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and performs the authentication. Receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from a server; And Receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server; Including but not limited to: The billing for the use of the application provided by the application server is a predetermined flat fee Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Transmitting a flat fee cancellation request signal to the application server by using the flat fee application, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee cancellation request signal and performs the authentication. Receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from a server; And Receiving a flat fee cancellation result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server; Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that it further comprises. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Receiving one of a subscription result short message and a cancellation result short message for the flat-rate service from the application server; Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 1 The flat fee application is to be installed in the mobile communication terminal by the download method Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, The flat fee application is to provide a subscription menu and cancellation menu for a flat rate service Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that. In the method of providing a flat-rate service for the use of the application in the gateway coupled with the mobile communication terminal, the application server and the authentication server equipped with the flat-rate application, Receiving a flat fee subscription request signal from the mobile communication terminal; Transmitting the flat fee subscription request signal to the application server, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and requests the user authentication from the authentication server. Receive a user authentication result corresponding to the signal; Receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server; And Transmitting the flat fee subscription result signal to the mobile communication terminal; Including but not limited to: The billing for the use of the application provided by the application server is a predetermined flat fee Method for providing a flat rate service for the use of the application, characterized in that. A mobile communication terminal equipped with a flat fee application, which provides a flat fee service for use of an application in combination with an application server and an authentication server through a gateway, A memory in which a program is stored; A processor coupled to the memory to execute the program; The processor by the program, The flat fee subscription request signal is transmitted to the application server using the flat fee application, wherein the application server transmits a user authentication request signal to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal and the authentication server. Receiving a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the user; receiving a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server, and using an application provided by the application server Billing for is a preset flat fee Mobile communication terminal, characterized in that. A gateway providing a flat fee service for use of an application in combination with a mobile communication terminal equipped with a flat fee application, an application server, and an authentication server, A memory in which a program is stored; A processor coupled to the memory to execute the program; The processor by the program, Receive the flat fee subscription request signal from the mobile communication terminal, and transmit the flat fee subscription request signal to the application server, where the application server authenticates the user to the authentication server based on the flat fee subscription request signal. Transmit a request signal and receive a user authentication result corresponding to the user authentication request signal from the authentication server; receive a flat fee subscription result signal generated based on the user authentication result from the application server and subscribe to the flat fee subscription The resultant signal is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal, but the charge for the use of the application provided by the application server is a predetermined flat fee. Gateway characterized in that.