MXPA99001968A - Method for crediting or recrediting a data card with a given amount - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method for crediting or recrediting a SIM card (subscriber identity module) for a mobile radio telephone (6) with a given amount (28). The SIM card comprises a chip provided with a memory element (11). The amount is stored in said memory element (11) and decreases as the mobile radio telephone is used. In order to credit or recredit a SIM card, the user must possess a memory board (13) payable in advance. The memory board (12) has a code area (14) covered with a nontransparent detachable film (22). A code (15) appears upon detaching the film (22). The SIM card (7) and memory board (13) holder dials a service number from a telephone (6, 8), the calling party thereby being connected to a data bank (17) where all codes allocated to memory boards (15) and the corresponding amounts (12) are recorded. The calling party is requested to input his code number into the telephone (6, 8) with which he is calling. Once entered, the code is compared with the code recorded at the data bank. As soon as the code (15) has been retrieved, a short message with the amount to be credited or recredited is temporarily recorded at the short message service center (18, 19). The amount (28) and the code (15) registered at the data bank (17) are then marked as depleted or erased. Next time the holder inserts his SIM card (7) into any mobile radio telephone and sets up a connection with the telecommunication network (9), said card will be credited or recredited with the amount (28) temporarily recorded on the basis of the prepared short message (20).

Description

PROCEDURE FOR CHARGING OR RECHARGING A DATA CARRIER CARD WITH A MONETARY AMOUNT VALUE DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The present invention relates to a method for charging or reloading a data carrier card with a value of monetary amount, in particular of a SIM card for a communication device, which is coordinated with a communication network, card of data carrier that is provided with a storage medium, storage medium in which the monetary amount is stored. Furthermore, the invention relates to a value card for carrying out the method according to the main concept of claim 6 as well as parts of an annex for carrying out the method according to the main concept of claim 9. They are used - Today there are usually SIM cards (SIM, Subscriber Identification Module) in portable radiotelephones in a service network of portable radiotelephones according to the GSM Standard (GSM, Global System for Mobil Communication). The SIM cards serve inter alia for the identification of a subscriber and the adjustment of accounts related to the subscribers of the telephone calls made or the respective subscriber in the service network of prototype radiotelephones. Expenses are no longer coordinated with a service portable radiotelephones according to the GSM Standard, unlike the wired telephone set, with a permanently installed device, but directly with the possessor of the corresponding SIM card. European Patent Application EP 0 689 368 discloses a device for the transmission of messages in a mobile communication network, according to which the application of the SIM cards is extended, in particular with the transmission of short messages, for the development of particular services according to a special procedure, which is accessible to certain subscribers authorized to it. In this device, it is possible to send not only certain bit streams in the transparent mode according to Phase 2 of the GSM Standard as a short message from a central SIM card, but also to send data and authorized subscribers instructions authorized to it or receive from them. This, without changing the internationally established norms. The present invention now describes a certain particular service, respectively a certain function, namely a method for charging or reloading a data carrier card, in particular a SIM card with a monetary value, which has application together with the device set forth in the aforementioned European patent application. Although this is not planned for today, you can also think about using devices wired communication with SIM cards and carry out the adjustment of accounts no longer in relation to the devices, but in relation to the cards. An electronic microcircuit is present on the SIM card, which is electrically communicable on a contact field, which consists of several individual electrical contacts, with a writing / reading device arranged in the communication device. The microcircuit includes, among others, a storage medium, in which a value of monetary amount is stored. During telephone calls or during the performance of other services, the reduction in the value of the monetary amount is normally recorded and must be recharged by the cardholder when it has reached zero or a minimum. This operation is so far complicated. It is especially foreseen that the card holder makes a deposit in a postal site with a certain monetary amount, a monetary deposit that is then transferred from the mail to an electronic account adjustment module (MOBIA, Customer Care and Billing System Mobilcom). The monetary amount deposited by the subscriber is then transferred from the account adjustment module as monetary value value together with the subscriber identification data to an operation center for particular services (SSC, SIM Service Center). There a short message is processed according to a particular service or a particular function, which then transfers the next time, if the subscriber is activated to call by telephone, the value of the monetary amount by means of a short message of the SIM card and there loads or recharges the value of the monetary amount stored to the corresponding amount. This method corresponding to the state of the art is shown in figure 1 attached in a block diagram for a portable radiotelephone service network. Reference number 1 thus characterizes a postal deposit receipt, with which a deposit can be activated at a deposit site, for example a postal service site 2. The corresponding deposited monetary amount is transferred as monetary value value along with the identification of the subscriber to the aforementioned account adjustment module 3, which is responsible for processing a short message in an operation center for particular services 4. This short message 5 is then transferred through a portable radiotelephone 6 next time, when the corresponding subscriber is activated, to your SIM card 7 inserted into this portable radiotelephone. The value of the monetary amount obtained in the short message is stored in the SIM card 7. It is loaded or reloaded with the value of the monetary amount deposited. This operation, in particular for making the payment at a postal service site, is relatively expensive. It is therefore the objective of the present invention to seek a solution, with which the deposit of a value of monetary amount for charging or recharging a SIM card. This objective is solved with an operation, which shows the steps of the procedure presented in the characterization of claim 1. A value card paid in advance for carrying out the procedure according to the characterization of claim 6 is specified. for the performance of the procedure, it needs the criteria presented in the characterization of the patent 9. A main advantage of the method according to the invention is that the value card can be bought in many sales sites, such as stores, kiosks or service Postal Service. In this way, the annoying operation of filling a deposit slip and depositing an amount at a postal service site for loading or reloading a certain data carrier card, in particular a SIM card, is eliminated. The amount, which has to be paid for a value card, corresponds at the same time to the amount for which a specific data carrier card, in particular a SIM card, can be charged or recharged to the maximum. The value card has a covered code field, which is intended by a party to establish, based on its full coverage, that the value card has not been used yet. After exposing the code field covered, for example scraping to remove a covered layer, a code is exposed, on the basis of which you can prepare the charge or recharge on a certain SIM card, through any communication device that is linked to a public communication network. By means of a voice issuer menu, the holder of the value card is asked, after dialing a certain service number, to insert the code in the communication device, for example with the keys. The subscriber is thus linked to a data bank, in which are stored all the codes and the values of monetary amount coordinated, for which value cards have been supplied. If the code inserted in the databank is found, then a short message is prepared according to Phase 2 of the GSM Standard and deposited in a short message service center. In the data bank, the code with the value of subordinate monetary amount is marked as necessary or it is deleted. When the subscriber dials the aforementioned service number with a communication device, where your SIM card is inserted, then your personal identification is automatically recognized, which is stored on the SIM card. After the insertion of the code, it is recognized to whom the monetary value amount is subordinated. In the short message, which is prepared and stored in a short message service center, there is the subscriber identification code and the monetary amount value. If the marking of the above-mentioned service number with a communication device, with which no SIM card can be used, for example from a normal telephone station, then it is requested after insertion of the subscriber's code, also inserting the identification code of the SIM card, for which the value of the monetary amount is intended. The value card can also be used to call by telephone in the normal manner. The caller is then asked, by means of an automatic voice-emitting unit, after dialing the aforementioned service number in a procedural step, whether to load or reload a data carrier card or whether You must hold a telephone conversation. When conducting a telephone conversation, an amount per conversation is calculated after the insertion of the code number based on the subscriber called and stored in the data bank or subtracted from the value of the monetary amount stored there. It is evident that the entire value of monetary amount is no longer loaded or recharged with a subsequent load or recharge of the data carrier card, but only with respect to the value of the reduced monetary amount by means of the sum of all the amounts per conversation . As already mentioned, the value card has a region with a field, which contains when buying a card a code that is covered with an invisible removable layer. The total coverage of the field is a guarantee that the card of value acquired is truly new and has not been used yet. A similar card with a release layer has been disclosed in the European patent application with the publication number EP 0 689 163 Al. The card serves to hold telephone conversations. It is a data carrier card with a microcircuit that has several electrical contacts to link to a card reader. In order to establish whether or not the data carrier card has been used, at least a part of the electrical contacts of a release layer is covered. The card is used to hold telephone conversations. It has a number of conversation units in the microcircuit which are deducted from the register gradually when calling by telephone. The card may also have a second covered field that is covered with a release layer, in which field a detachment number is made visible after scraping. This previously known card is not however provided for charging other data carrier cards of a monetary value quantity. The value cards that include a code that must be inserted in a service exchange, in order to have access to certain telephone services, are already known from WO 95/35619. However, it is not described in this document how data carrier cards can be loaded or recharged.

EP-A-10589757 describes a method for transferring recharge amounts actually recharged by means of a telecommunication system. This request describes, above all, the security of the transfer. Until now, it is provided that the communication device, which can be activated with the data carrier card, in particular with the SIM card, is a portable radiotelephone with a card reading according to the GSM Standard. Of course, it can be foreseen, even though it is not planned today, that the wired telephones also have a card reading in the future and can be used with a SIM card belonging to the subscriber or the corresponding caller. The operation of such a discount from the telecommunications company would no longer take place for each wired communication device in connection, such as telephone sets, but precisely for the SIM card holder. As described above, subscriber driving takes place by means of a voice sender system. This system is constituted as a voice issuing server, which is integrated into the communication network and which can be called with the aforementioned service number. The access to the voice sender server can also take place through a wired communication network or through a network of portable radiotelephones. A discount module is also present in the equipment, which is linked on the one hand with the voice issuer system and with the data bank and on the other hand it has a link with the central short message service. This discount mode serves on the one hand to contain messages, which come from the data bank, and a code identifying the value of the monetary amount, for which the SIM card determined by the identification code must be loaded or recharged, transmitted to The central short message service and serve however also to prepare the corresponding short messages for the monetary amounts paid on account according to the state of the account. The present invention is described below in more detail by way of example, based on the figures. They show: Figure 1, a block diagram for the procedure according to the state of the art. Figure 2, a block diagram representing the process according to the invention. Figure 3, a first flow diagram showing the process steps of the beginning of the process according to the invention. 4 shows a second flow diagram showing the process steps for loading or recharging a given data carrier card according to the invention. Figures 5A and 5B, a third flowchart that represents the procedural steps for using the value card according to the invention to telephone in the usual manner. In FIG. 1, a state of the art which has already been described in the introduction of the description is reproduced according to a block diagram. In Figure 2 shows according to a block diagram the technical support components that are used to perform the procedure according to the invention. The reference symbol 25 characterizes a production site for value cards in which value cards are produced, for example cardboard or plastic. In each value card there is printed a value of monetary amount, for example of 10, 20, 50 or 100 monetary units. A code 15 is provided for each value card 26 in an area provided for it on a code field 14. The field 14 or this region is then covered with a release layer 22, which is invisible, so that it is no longer The code is visible on some value cards. The surfaces of value cards can be provided, for example, with an advertising print. It is also possible to print an instruction manual for value cards. It is anticipated at this point that the production of value cards at the site of production of cards of value 25 for each card of new value 26 produced, is transmitted the code 15 coordinated with it and the value of monetary amount 28 coordinated with the same in a block of messages 33 of a valuation platform 16 and stored there in a data bank 17. The newly produced value cards 26 are then sent to sales sites 27, for example to kiosks, stores, postal services sites, etc. In a network of extensively branched purchases, value cards can be obtained commercially, paying the amount printed on the value card with a corresponding monetary amount. It is therefore called the value card 26 value card 13 paid in advance. A data carrier card 7, intended to be charged or recharged, includes in an electronic circuit a storage means 11, in which, together with an identification code 29, a value of a monetary amount is also stored among others. The value of monetary amount should not correspond to a real value at all, but can also be provided in tariff units. The identification code may correspond, for example, to communication devices, which are used in a portable radiotelephone service network, to the Natel-D number. For charging or recharging the data carrier card 7, this is inserted into a card reader 23 provided for this purpose in a communication device 6, usually a portable radiotelephone. The release layer 22 is then required on the data carrier card 13 paid in advance. Advantageously, the layer is also removed removable 22 in such a way that it can be removed by simply scraping with the fingernail. The code 15 is then made possible in the code field 14. In the subsequent process steps for loading or reloading the data carrier card, which can also be seen in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4 , then the service number is marked. The service number can be printed on the value card. After the choice of the service number, the portable radiotelephone is linked in the example shown through the communication network 10 operating wirelessly; the network of portable telephones transmitted by the wired communication network 9, for example ISDN, with the voice issuing system 21, a voice issuing server 21. This procedure corresponds to the block 39 in the flow diagram of figure 3 The subscriber is welcomed according to block 40 in several languages. According to block 41, the voice sender server then leaves the subscriber with a spoken message to insert the operation value the language desired by him. The subscriber can also choose according to each region among several languages, for example German, French, Italian and English. After this has been done, the subscriber's voice server requests the subscriber, according to block 42 in the flow diagram of figure 3, in the language chosen by him, to insert the code in his value card.

Based on the code of the value card inserted by the subscriber, the voice issuer server recognizes the card type. In this way, you can differentiate the value card from other telecommunication cards, for example from the Swiss Telecom Card, which is intended for other functions. This procedure is indicated by block 43 in the flow chart of FIG. 3. Two functions are provided with the value card. On the one hand charging or recharging in accordance with the invention a value of monetary amount on a data carrier card and on the other hand the use of the value card to telephone in the usual manner. The flow diagram in Figure 4 shows procedural steps that are carried out for loading or reloading the data carrier card. After entering the service number, the subscriber is asked according to block 44 in the flow chart of figure 4, indicate whether he wishes to telephone or wish to load a data carrier card. In the flow diagram shown in Figure 4, the subscriber chooses to load or reload the data carrier card, as it is presented by the block 45. The subscriber is then asked to insert the identification code or the Natel-D number of the data carrier card, which he wishes to load with a value of monetary amount. If the subscriber chooses, as in the previously described example, the service number with a portable radiotelephone code, then it can be displayed directly (block 47) the identification code for the data carrier card, which is located in the portable radiotelephone, in a visual indicator of the portable radiotelephone. If that data carrier card is to be loaded, the subscriber still needs to simply confirm the identification code displayed. Otherwise, you are asked through the voice sender server, insert the correct identification code. This operation is represented in blocks 48, 49 and 50 of FIG. 4. If the correct identification code is inserted, then the procedure for loading or reloading the data carrier card now determined as follows is continued. According to block 51 of FIG. 4, an examination of the data bank 17 or the performance of an evaluation is then carried out, for which the voice transmitting system 21 is also linked to the evaluation platform 16, which contains the data bank 17. The one block there are messages 31, the code 15 inserted in the portable radiotelephone 6 by the subscriber and the identification code 29 of the data carrier card have been transmitted to the evaluation platform 16, which must be loaded or reloaded with the value of the monetary amount. The valuation platform then searches the data bank 17 for the code corresponding to code 15, which has been stored there, as already mentioned, as a reason for the production of the value card. If the code is not found, the subscriber is asked to back the voice server of According to the iterative cycle, formed by the blocks 53, 52, 51 in FIG. 4, correctly insert the code 15. If this is done and the correct code 15 is also found in the data bank 17, then the operation for the subscriber. The valuation platform then transfers a message block 32, which contains the identification code 29 of the data carrier card, which must be loaded or recharged, as well as the value of the monetary amount or the number of rate pulses. , for which the given data carrier card must be loaded or reloaded, to a discount module 24. In addition to the data bank, the value of the monetary amount 28 or the number of rate pulses has been taken, with respect to which you must load the data carrier card then determined by means of the identification code 29. This amount has been coordinated there with the identification code. After the message block 32 has been produced, the corresponding code 15 in the data bank 17 is marked or deleted as needed. Based on the information obtained with the message block 32, the discount module 24 sets in zeros the production of a short message 20 through the central office for special services 19 in the central short message service 18. The short message 20 is deposited there in a data bank. The next time, when the data carrier card 9 determined with the identification code on a portable radiotelephone 6 is activated, that is, when it is connected to the portable radiotelephone, the short message 20 is deposited and the data carrier card is charged or recharged through the portable radiotelephone service network 10 with the corresponding monetary amount value or with a certain number of rate pulses. With this the operation is finished. As this is represented by the reference symbol 8, the charging or recharging operation can be carried out equally of any usual telephone device, which is linked to a telephone network here, for example, with the ISDN-9 network. In this case, the subscriber must manually enter the identification code or the telephone number of the data carrier card, which must be loaded or reloaded. It is further requested to do so through the voice issosr system 21 with a spoken message as described above. The data carrier card 7 drawn with dotted lines on the telephone set 8 indicates that in the future no wireline telephone set 8 can be identified based on its telephone number, but based on the data carrier card, which You must insert this phone to call by phone. The discount of the telephone tariff for a given telephone device would no longer be made, but instead by a data carrier card, in particular by SIM card, as is usual in the service network of portable radiotelephones according to the GSM Standard. Although such a form of execution has not been foreseen until now, this l it should embrace the present invention. Instead of inserting data by means of the service number, a short message can be used according to the GSM Standard- As already mentioned, the value card 13 can also be used to call by telephone in the usual way. The individual process data for this are represented in the flowchart of Figure 5. Since the making of calls properly with the value card does not correspond to the invention and the flowchart of Figure 5 is evident, its operation must Explain the call operation of calling by phone in detail. It is only necessary to indicate that, after the option to call by telephone has been chosen and after the telephone number of the subscriber to whom it is to be called in the telecommunication device has been inserted with the keys, the maximum duration is calculated. of the conversation, according to block 55, based on the position of the calling subscriber and the value of monetary amount over the data range 17. If a calculation can not be made, why can not the code 15 of the card be found? of value in the databank 17 of the valuation platform 16, the insertion of the code in the iterative cycle of blocks 56, 57 is still being explored several times. When the scan is valid, the link scheme is made to the subscriber to whom It has to be called. After the link established effectively, a timer is started on the server voice and the maximum calculated duration of the conversation is monitored. When the link is finished, a valuation platform 16 is produced, an adjustment of accounts of how much the conversation cost. The conversation costs or the number of rate pulses corresponding to the conversation costs are stored in the databank 17 of the valuation platform 16 as the value of the amount of the conversation. When charging or reloading the data carrier card according to the flowchart of Figure 4, it is not loaded or recharged, if telephone conversations are made, the value of the nominal monetary amount printed on the data carrier card, otherwise the value of the nominal monetary amount after deduction of the sum of all the values of the conversation amounts. If the rate pulses are counted, the difference amount value may also correspond to the number of rate pulses, the difference amount value may also correspond to the number of rate pulses. This operation is performed in accordance with blocks 59 and 60 according to the flow chart in figure 5. After terminating any call, the calling subscriber is informed of the value of the remaining monetary amount of the value card . If the maximum calculated conversation duration is reached, the call to the called party is automatically terminated. According to blocks 62 and 63, the conversation amount value is calculated in ***** procedures described in blocks 59 and 60 and deposited in the data bank 17 on the valuation platform 16. The difference of the value of the nominal monetary amount of the value card and the sum of all the conversation amount values is now zero. Correspondingly, the calling subscriber is informed, in accordance with block 64, that the value of the monetary value of the value card has been exhausted. If a subscriber wishes to call by telephone, after the value of the monetary amount of his value card has been transferred to the data carrier card or has been treated a second time, load or reload the data carrier card with the same value card, then a memory emptying module not drawn in the flowcharts is instructed to inform the subscriber of the communication device that the value card is not valid. You are sometimes asked to insert a correct code. Since he can not do this, the program is finished.

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION. CLAIMS,

1. - Procedure for loading or reloading a data carrier card (7) with a value of monetary amount (28), in particular of a SIM card (7) for a communication device (6,8), which is coordinated with a communication network (9,10), data carrier card (7) which is provided with a storage means (11), storage means (11) with which the monetary amount value is coordinated (28) ), further characterized by the following steps: for a given monetary amount (12), a value card (13) paid in advance is obtained commercially; in the value card (13) the card holder exposes a code field (14) that is covered, whereby a code (15) becomes visible; with a communication device a service number is called, whereby the caller is linked to a data bank (17), in which all the codes (15) provided on the value cards and the monetary amount (12) coordinated respectively with the code; the caller is asked to insert the code (15) into the communication device (6, 8) from which he is calling; the inserted code (15) is compared with the codes stored in the data bank (17); if the code (15) inserted in the bank of data (17), a short message (20) is prepared and temporarily stored with the monetary amount value (28) to be loaded or reloaded in a central short message service (18,19); they are marked or deleted as needed from the monetary amount value (28), the code (15) in the data bank (17); and the next time, if the data carrier card (7) is inserted in any communication device (6.8) and a link is established with the communication network (9,10), the data carrier card (7) that is to be charged or recharged is loaded or recharged with the value of monetary amount (28) stored temporarily by means of a short message (20) prepared.

2. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the telephone set (8) or the communication device (6, 8) is connected, after inserting the service number, with a voice sender system (21) and because the subsequent procedural steps are carried out by operating with the voice.

3. - Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the value card (13) can also be used to call by telephone, whereby an amount per conversation is calculated by the duration of the conversation with a subscriber to whom call, import per conversation that is memorized after ending the conversation in the data bank (17) or subtracted from the value of monetary amount (12) and is no longer used that the difference between value of monetary amount (12) and the sum of all amounts per conversation to load or reload the data carrier card (7).

4. - Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the service number insertion can be made from any wired telephone set (8) or from any wireless communication device (8), operating in accordance with the GSM Standard .

5. Procedure for loading or reloading a data carrier card (7) with a value of monetary amount (28), in particular of a SIM card (7) for a communication device (6,8), the which is coordinated with a communication network (9,10), data carrier card (-7) is provided with a storage medium (11), storage medium (11) with which the value of monetary amount is coordinated (28), further characterized by the following steps: for a given monetary amount (12), a value card (13) paid in advance is commercially obtained; and the value card (13) the card holder exposes a code field (14) that is covered, whereby a code (15) becomes visible; a short message is then used according to the GSM Standard to link the caller to a data bank (17), in which all the codes (15) provided on the value cards and the monetary amount (12) coordinated are stored respectively with code; the caller is asked to insert the code (15) into the communication device (6, 8) from which he is calling; the inserted code (15) is compared with the codes stored in the data bank (17); if the code (15) inserted in the data bank (17) is found, a short message (20) with the monetary amount value (28) to be loaded or recharged in a service center is temporarily prepared and stored. of short messages (18,19); the code (15) in the data bank (17) is marked or deleted as needed from the monetary amount value (28); and the next time, if the data carrier card (7) is inserted in any communication device (6,8) and a link is established with the communication network (9,10), the card is loaded or recharged. data carrier (7) to be loaded or reloaded with the monetary amount value (28) temporarily stored by means of a short message (20) prepared.

6. - Method according to claim 5, further characterized in that the telephone set (8) or the communication device (6, 8) is linked, after the use of a short message, with a voice sender system (21) and so the subsequent procedural steps are carried out by operating with the voice.

7. - Method according to claim 5, further characterized in that the value card (13) can also be used to call by telephone, whereby an amount per conversation is calculated by the duration of the conversation with a called party, amount per conversation that is memorized after the end of the conversation in the data bank (17) or subtracted from the value of the monetary amount (12) and only the difference is used between value of money amount (12) and the sum of all amounts per conversation to load or reload the data carrier card (7).

8. - Method according to claim 5, further characterized in that the service number insertion can be performed from any wired telephone set (8) or from any wireless communication device (8), operating in accordance with the GSM Standard .

9. Equipment for carrying out a procedure for loading or reloading a data carrier card (7), further characterized by: a data bank (17), in which a list of the codes inserted in the value cards and the monetary amount coordinated with the code; a valuation platform (16), which can search in the aforementioned data bank (17) if an inserted code is stored and, in this case, can transfer a block of messages (32) and mark or delete as needed the code (15) in the data bank (17). 10.- It comprises a voice server (21), which can be called with the corresponding service number from any telephone device (8) or communication device (6) through a communication network (9) wired or through a network of portable telephones (10). 11. An account adjustment module (24) is present, which is linked to the data bank (17) and the short message service center (18,19) of a portable radiotelephone service network. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention describes a method for charging and recharging a SIM card for a portable radiotelephone apparatus with a value of monetary amount; the SIM card has an electronic microcircuit with a storage medium; in the storage medium, the value of the monetary amount is stored and it is reduced with the continuous use of the portable radiotelephone; a value card paid in advance for a specific monetary amount is purchased commercially for the loading or recharging of the value of monetary amount; the value card has a code field covered with an invisible removable layer; after detaching the layer, the code becomes visible; with a communication device, the processor of the SIM card or the value card dials a service number; in this way, the caller is connected by telephone to a data bank in which all the codes provided in the value cards and the monetary amount coordinated with the respective code are stored; the caller is asked to insert the code into the communication device from which the call is made; the inserted code is compared with the code stored in the data bank; if the code inserted in the data bank is found, a short message with the value of monetary amount that is then prepared and temporarily stored in a central short message service is stored. has to be charged or recharged; the value of the monetary amount and the code in the data bank are marked or deleted as needed; the next time, when the SIM card is inserted in any portable radiotelephone and a link is established with the communication network, the SIM card to be charged or recharged is loaded or recharged with the monetary amount value temporarily stored by means of the short message prepared. GC / amm * mmr * asg * cgm P99-234F