SK286141B6 - Method for inputting codes of orders in a terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for entering order codes (100) with a terminal (1, 10) in a telecommunications network (2). An input mask for the input of the order code being displayed on the screen (10) of the terminal (1), the order code containing at least one supplier identification (103) with which each order code is automatically passed on to the indicated supplier (9) through said network, as well as at least one product and/or service identification(106). The input mask containing at least one field (10, 106, 108, 110) able to be edited with the input means (11). The input mask also contains one field (104) which can be written over, the original content (41) of which depends on a value (MCC) stored in terminal (1, 10). Information is stored into memory of identification card (12) after logging on of mobile device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for storing order codes, e.g. codes for ordering products or services in the terminal, where an input mask is used to store the order code on the terminal screen. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of storing order codes by a mobile device equipped with an identification module. However, the present invention also relates to an identification module that can be plugged into a mobile device to enable the method to be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile devices, such as digital mobile radiotelephones, are mainly used to conduct user channel conversations. However, modern mobile devices also have additional channels for exchanging data, in particular short messages, with other mobile devices or service servers in the mobile radio network. For example, GSM mobile devices can send and receive SMS messages (Short Message Service) and USSD data (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) separately.

EP 689368 describes a method of collecting data in SMS messages and transmitting them in a mobile radio network. For example, not only short text messages such as e.g. Please call home, between different terminals in the network, but also complex messages and programs that are automatically received from the receiving terminal and can resolve certain actions. Other types of messages or bearers in the GSM circuit or in a mobile radio network of another type may also be used.

In addition, various variants of communication and transport protocol levels have been developed to allow secure data transmission between terminals in a telecommunications network. The offered SICAP method makes this possible, for example, in a simple way of exchanging data in both directions between the mobile device and the control center (Short Message Service Center or SMS-C) via a secured channel. The WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) architecture, which is currently under development, but for which a provisional specification (Version 0.9) on the Internet (www.xwap.com) is available, describes another protocol by which a user of WAP capable mobile devices can be connected to these Internet carriers, intranets and similar Internet services.

This opens the possibility of using mobile devices and mobile phones also as clients in the client-server architecture in the mobile radio network. The advantage of such systems is the possibility of identifying customers with great confidence through an identification module, for example a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card. For example, PCT / CH96 / 00464 (not yet published) proposes inserting an order code into a mobile device to order, for example, products or services from a supplier. These order codes shall be standardized and shall contain at least the first box clearly identifying the supplier as well as the second box indicating the particular product of that supplier. In addition, additional shelves may be defined indicating, for example, the type of transaction and the method of payment. The customer is reliably identified by the network infrastructure. Order codes received from subscribers are delivered to the clearing point of the mobile radio network and automatically assigned to the relevant vendor. The selected supplier receives a customer order with a unique identification of that customer and an order for the product or service.

Mobile devices are increasingly miniaturized, so they often have very limited input resources, such as a small - often incomplete - numeric keypad and several additional buttons. Further reporting with these input means can be handled only with a relatively high effort. It is therefore advantageous to define only very short order codes. Therefore, if more suppliers are involved in this process, further identification of suppliers must necessarily be defined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for solving these problems and to simplify the assembly of additional order codes on mobile devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of storing and transmitting orders in a telecommunications network that is simpler and more reliable than conventional methods.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of the cognitive elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are furthermore based on the dependent claims and the description.

The present invention will be better understood from the examples and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for implementing the process of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an input mask used to store order codes according to the invention.

The following description applies in particular to the particular case of the transmission of order codes by a digitally working, cellular radio network, such as a GSM network. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention may also be used in connection with other telecommunications networks, in particular telecommunications networks, in which subscribers are identified at an operational switchboard, for example at the entry point of that network. The present invention can be used, for example, to order products or services via the Internet.

In FIG. 1, only its elements are shown schematically and by way of example for understanding the invention. To identify a part of the telecommunications network, the reader shall rely on the technical specifications of the network concerned. For example, if the invention were to be used to order products and services by mobile devices over the GSM network, the corresponding GSM specifications have been available since 1996 at the Secretariat of the European Telecommunications Institute of Standards (ETSI), F-06921 Sophia Antipolis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows the order codes 100 to be passed between a customer equipped with a terminal - here a mobile device 1 - and a supplier 9, for example a product vendor or offering services such as a financial server. The mobile device 1 comprises in this example an identification module, for example a SIM card 12 (Subscriber Identity Module) for unambiguous identification of a subscriber in the telecommunications network, here in the mobile radio network 2. In other telecommunications systems, the subscriber could also be identified by another chip card, such as an OpenCard specification card or a suitable sign-on protocol that requires a password, for example. Other identification and authentication procedures may also be used according to the security needs of the present invention.

The format of the order code 100 is standardized as described in PCT / CH96 / 00464 already cited. As detailed later, the order code includes at least one unique identifier of the supplier 103, 104, as well as at least one product identifier 106. Thus, the products or services of a given supplier can be uniquely identified. For example, order codes 100 for certain products may be listed in offers or brochures so that the interested customer can include them with his mobile device and thereby order the product in question or request more information about it.

The order codes 100 may be stored by the input means 11 via the pointer 10, as described below. In one variation, they are transmitted directly from an external device 14, for example, from a point of sale or from an Internet terminal, through a contactless interface to a mobile device 1. Contactless communication includes, for example, an infrared transceiver 13 on the mobile device housing or an induction coil in the device or a SIM card 12. This allows the customer to transfer the order code from an external device through this contactless link directly to their mobile device. As a variant, the order codes may also be obtained from the telecommunications network 2. In the case of a device 1 capable of working on the Internet, an intranet or a WAP, the order codes may be obtained, for example, from the WEB pages visited. The order code lists may also optionally be stored in the memory of the mobile device 1 or the identification module 12 and processed by a suitable program as well as, for example, telephone number lists or URLs in known mobile radiotelephones.

When a button is pressed, for example the # button, the selected order code from the appropriate software in terminal 1, particularly on the SIM card 12, is compiled in short messages such as SMS messages, USSD data or e-mail and sold by mobile radio network 2 Short Message Service (SMSC) 3 of the relevant network operator. Optionally, the message between terminal 1 and the control panel 3 or between terminal 1 and the supplier 9 can be partially or completely keyed. The control panel 3 is mainly connected to the charging server 4, so that the telecommunication charges for this report, but in particular the amount paid for the ordered products or services can directly burden the customer's account with the network operator. The communication protocol between the control panel 3 and the charging server 4 may include, for example, transmission from CDR (Call Detail Records), as is common in GSM systems and / or from other messages. In one variation, the transaction from the charging server 4 will be credited to the customer according to the payment method in the order code (credit card, trade-off, etc.) or according to the stored customer profile. In addition, the control panel 3 is connected to a subscriber data bank 5 where additional customer-specific parameters are stored. For example, the subscriber data bank corresponds to a subscriber data bank with data of all subscribers at the network operator 2. For example, the customer is identified in the Header 3 by means of an Intemational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS) message received in the Header; this identification is then used as an input criterion for the subscriber data bank 5, from which additional customer specific parameters are obtained. These additional identifying parameters include, for example, the customer's full address, his account address, disposition rights, the language he prefers, etc. This additional information is then linked to the SMS exchange 3 with the contents of the received order codes so that the supplier receives all necessary customer data.

The subscriber data bank 5 also contains customer solvency data 50. If these data indicate that the customer is not solvent or that its solvency is not sufficient for the ordered products or services, the transaction is interrupted and the order code is no longer routed to the supplier. In one variation, the order code in this case is sold to the supplier with a note regarding the solvency status. Especially in this case, the SMSC sends the message to the customer with the reason for the return. The solvency check may also include a blacklist customer test.

If the solvency is sufficient, the order code 100 is associated with additional customer-related parameters and is routed further to the clearing server 7. This handover is effected, for example, over a TCP / IP 6 network and via a junction 70 or other appropriate communication channel. The clearing server 7 is connected to a vendor database 71. The vendor database is confronted with the order code and the vendor information upon receipt of each order code from the SMSC control panel 3, thus obtaining additional vendor information such as the current full vendor address.

The order code continues through the interconnection point 72 and the network 8 to said vendor. For example, this order code may be transmitted at the supplier's option as a fax by the Public Service Telecommunication Network (PSTN), or as an e-mail over a TCP / IP network, or by continuing, corresponding other procedures to the supplier. The attachment point 72 comprises a FAX-Module 720 corresponding to an e-mail module 721 for preparing faxes or e-mails. Other transmission channels, such as normal mail, can also be used for orders. Accordingly, the order codes can be supplied to the supplier 9 individually or in a Batch Modus, for example, every day, every week or according to a predetermined number of orders.

The supplier 9, who receives the order from the customer, may send the ordered product to the customer or perform the required performance of the service. The vendor may optionally send a confirmation to the customer in the form of a short message, for example as an e-mail or as a short SMS, once the order has been received.

Referring now to FIG. 2, we describe how the new order codes 100 are edited and can be stored. The order codes comprise a plurality of fields, the format of which is standardized and which are indicated by reference numerals 101 to 110. Field 101 contains a collector and shows that this is indeed an order code.

In the simplest case, the collector contains only one single ASCII symbol, in this case the letter F. The second field 102 is a predefined boundary, here with an asterisk, to separate the other fields. The adjacent box 103 contains the vendor identification, e.g. an abbreviation or mnemonic that uniquely identifies a particular supplier or includes an alphanumeric designation that is assigned to the supplier by the clearing point. In this case, box 103 contains the SWC designation as a possible short identification for Swisscom. Box 104 belongs to the supplier's information and indicates the country where the supplier is most active. Country designation 104 corresponds to the country's conventional telephone area code; in this case, the marking corresponds to the area code of Switzerland. Supplier - in this case Swisscom -

- is clearly identified by the complete SWC 41 supplier identification. In the case of an internationally active supplier, the country designation 104 may be deleted or replaced by the international abbreviation -

- such as "com."

Field 105 includes a second border, in this case the * symbol again. Adjacent box 106 contains product identification, here BWN1. This abbreviation chosen by the supplier or by this designation is characterized by a particular product in the supplier's offer. As a variant, order codes may include multiple fields for different product identifications, or product identifications that characterize multiple products or service performances may be provided. This field is supplemented by a third border 107 and is separated from the field 108 containing the checksum. One or more additional fields 110 separated by additional boundaries 109 may be provided for additional information. For example, this additional information may include the type of transaction (for example, “I want to order a product” or “I only need information about this product”), the payment method (credit card, bill, direct account load on network operator, etc.) and any other possible, standardized or supplier defined information that is needed.

In one variation, the field may also include a vendor address if it is different from the client address. Portions of the program, such as Java Applets or other oriented computer language, can be transmitted within the box 110. These Applets can also, for example, define menus or lists for inputting additional parameters.

Fields 101-110 may include any combination of alphanumeric symbols. Each alphanumeric symbol can have different values, such as 26 letters, 10 digits, and 10 other usable symbols on the mobile phone keypad. Naturally, other selections of eligible symbols may be defined, for example, by distinguishing between uppercase and lowercase letters. The fields 103, 104, 106, 108, 110 have variable length, but the total length of the order code may be limited to, for example, 24 tags.

In one variant, these fields have a predetermined fixed length: in this case, the boundaries are not necessary and may be omitted. As a variant, field 110 may also include binary data, for example, program or object portions or links to binary data.

The checksum 108 is determined by some known error testing or error correction algorithm from fields 103, 104, 106, and 110, respectively. For example, a parity check algorithm may be used to determine the value of the checksum 108. The number of checksum characters depends on the algorithm used and the maximum acceptable error rate. This checksum is determined mainly by the central database of product suppliers and must be in accordance with the client. This may cause errors in entering or transmitting order codes. In one variant of the interactive system, for example by way of USSD, this checksum can be omitted. Instead, the ordered product is shown to the client as a receipt.

To edit the order codes 100, for example, the customer selects a corresponding menu option in a suitable program, which is executed by the processor of the mobile device 1 or, in particular, by the identification module 12. As a variant, the customer may select a suitable telephone number. In any case, the input mask on screen 10 illustrates how it can insert the selected order code.

The corresponding input mask 100 is not entirely empty, but in particular contains at least one fixedly defined non-editable field. Especially in the original input mask, fields 101 and 102 with predetermined contents are already shown, as well as fields 105, 107 and 108, respectively, when the length of the different fields is fixed.

The fields 103, 104, 106, 108 and 110 can be released by the input device. Alternatively, they may additionally be selected from a list stored in terminal 1, as schematically illustrated. For example, the value from field 103 can be selected according to the values in list A ', A, ... and' and '' with the arrow buttons 111, 112. Appropriate program management can be provided so that new values can be added to one list, for example, store new vendor shortcuts or discard existing shortcuts. If the desired value is not stored in the list, for example when the abbreviation of the supplier is used for the first time, it may be input by means of input.

According to the invention, the input mask also comprises at least one field, here field 104, which is editable and rewritable by the input means of the mobile device, the original content of which is dependent on the value stored in the memory transmitted by the mobile device.

2. In this earlier example, the box shall contain a piece of information which is necessary to uniquely identify the supplier and corresponds to the area code of the country in which the supplier is primarily active. The input mask that is presented to the customer contains the original brand of the country in which it is located when signing in to its mobile device. In the case of a GSM mobile device 1, by default this information, which in this context is the most frequently referred to as the MCC (Mobile Coutnry Code) when logged in from the network infrastructure, is transferred to the SIM card 12 and stored in the EF _L0CI register. Since many orders are certain for one supplier of the country in which they are currently located, this information is used as the original value for box 104 according to the invention. If the customer wanted to use a different country code, for example, he would like to request products or information from a foreign supplier, this field can be easily bridged by the input means 11 or selected as a variant of another character from the list memory by means of the arrow buttons 111,112.

The skilled person will understand that other national abbreviations may also be used in place of the country code. For example, two-letter abbreviations common from the Internet can be used, for example CH for Switzerland or DE for Germany. In this case, a correspondence table is stored in terminal 1, 10 where possible, linking the MCC codes obtained from network 2 to the corresponding country abbreviations.

In the case of a mobile device which is operated via a contactless interface 13, for example an infrared or inductive coupler, the order code from the external device 14 can also be directly transmitted via this location, in this case. Alternatively, only part of the order codes can be retrieved from the external device. For example, supplier abbreviations, as well as a list of different product abbreviations for products B, B ', B, etc. may be transmitted. offered by this supplier. For example, the list may be contained in Applet. The customer can then, with the input mask described, select a product from this list and optionally edit other fields 108,110, etc.

In the case of a mobile device 1 having an impact on the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and / or the Wireless Markup Language (WML) pages in the telecommunications network 2, of course, the order codes and corresponding edition Applets may be transmitted from these pages. Alternatively, the order codes can also be transmitted with special messages such as SMS, USSD or e-mail in network 2 and finally with the invented input mask 100 edited. Also in this case, it seems to be advantageous if the transmitted messages contain Applets with which it is easier to store values in fields 103, 106 and 110.

Order codes correspond mostly to a particular vendor's product and can therefore be defined statically for that product. For example, a supplier may define a specific order code for one product or service and offer that order code in all its offers and catalogs to enable potential customers to order that product or service. As already mentioned, a single product identification 106 may also correspond to multiple products. In this case, order codes can also be defined dynamically. For example, a customer builds a basket of goods from several products or services with one suitable program and then confirms that he wants to order the basket of goods or wishes to know about it. A suitable program in the terminal 1, for example in the SIM card 12, then automatically communicates with the supplier 9 the order code 100, which unambiguously identifies the products in the goods basket and which, in particular, can still be edited with the input mask. supplier. A test code 108 is also automatically obtained from this program. In one previous variant, product identifications 106 and the corresponding test code 108 are obtained dynamically from a server in the telecommunications network 2 and transferred to terminal 1.

Claims (21)

PATENT REQUIREMENTS in that said A method of storing an order code (100) by a terminal (1, 10) in a telecommunications network (2), wherein the entry mask for inserting the order code is shown on the screen (10) of the terminal (1), the order codes comprising at least one identification (103) ) of the supplier, each order code (100) being automatically routed to said supplier (9) in said telecommunications network, as well as at least one product identification and / or service identification (106), characterized in that the entry mask comprises at least one with an input means (11) of the terminal (1) an editable field (10, 106, 108, 110) as well as at least one rewritable field (104) whose original content (41) from the terminal (1, 10) is dependent on the stored a value (MCC), wherein said stored value is updated when said terminal is in said telecommunications network and is overwritten by input means (11). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the entry mask further comprises at least one fixedly defined non-editable field (101,102). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stored value is selected by the input means (11) in the list. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stored value is transmitted from the infrastructure of the telecommunications network (2) at logon. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the terminal (1) is a mobile device and said telecommunications network (2) is a mobile radio network, said stored value indicating the status (MCC) of said mobile device (1). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said stored value corresponds to a country code (MCC) of the visited mobile radio network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the female value corresponds to at least one part of the identification of the suppliers. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one part of a field (106) containing the identification of the product or the performance of services by means (11, 111, 112). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the field (106) containing the product or service identification is selected from the list by said input means (11, 111, 112). Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the identification of the product and / or the performance of services in the field (106) corresponds to a plurality of selected products and / or performance of services and dynamically. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the identification of the product and / or the performance of the services in the field (106) is generated dynamically from a server in said telecommunications network (2). Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the identification of the product and / or service performance in the field (106) is generated dynamically with a suitable program in said terminal (1). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orders further comprise at least one payment method information in the field (110). and wherein said saving is by at least storing the input counterpart, that the value in that the codes (100) have the codes (100) Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the orders further comprise at least one test code. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the orders further comprise at least one delivery address of the customer. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orders further comprise at least one field, the content of which is dependent on the information supplied from the external device (14). wherein the codes (100) have the codes (100) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received order codes (100) in the form of a message and via said telecommunications network (2) are transferred to a central office (7) which further directs these codes to said suppliers (9). with the appropriate identification (103, 104) suppliers. 5 Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the order codes (100) in said telecommunications network (2) are associated with specific customer data (50) stored in a customer data bank (5). Method according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the solvency is checked on the order code (100), wherein the order code (100) of the order (100) does not continue further on said 10 suppliers (9) in case of negative solvency test. Method according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the solvency test relating to said order code (100) follows and the order code is directed further with reference to the solvency status, unless the solvency test has passed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the already entered order codes (100) have been collected to a suitable extent in the memory of the terminal (1, 10) and can be removed from the memory by the customer.