WO2002039698A1

WO2002039698A1 - Universal platform for telecommunication services

Info

Publication number: WO2002039698A1
Application number: PCT/NL2001/000806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre Walter
Original assignee: Ucomserv B.V.
Priority date: 2000-11-07
Filing date: 2001-11-06
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: AU2002224208A1; DE20018926U1

Abstract

A universal telecommunication services platform (1), comprising a platform application data processing unit (2) and a remote platform data application unit (3). The platform application data processing unit (2) having a data network transmission part (4) and an application data processing part (5). The remote platform data application unit (3) having an application data input/output part (7), a data mapping part (8), a data control part (9) and a mobile data network transmission part (10). The platform application data processing unit (2) and the remote platform data application unit (3) being operatively connected for transmitting application data between the remote application data input/output part (7) and the application data processing part (5). The data control part (9) being arranged for allocating profile data to the application data to be transmitted, and for allocating the application data and profile data to a data container for transmission between the remote platform data application unit (3) and the platform application data processing unit (2). The data mapping part (8) being arranged for mapping application data at the application data input/output part (7) and the data control part (9) in accordance with a logic, arithmetic or other data operation to be programmed.

Description

Universal Platform for Telecommunication Services.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telecommunications and, in particular, to wireless transmission of data between an application data processing unit and a remote data application unit.

Background of the Invention

Up till now wireless or mobile telecommunication technology has been primarily designed and used for speech transmission purposes. Today, portable and mobile telephone handsets are commercially available to the general public and enjoy a wide use. However, with the advent of data transmission over public data networks such as the Internet, there is a growing need for equipment and protocols supporting wireless or mobile data transmissions other than speech. New transmission techniques and protocols, particularly designed for the support of wireless or mobile data transmission, have been designated WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), for example. Applications which may benefit from these new transmission techniques and protocols are, for example, the delivery of goods from automatic dispensing machines such as cigarettes, ice creams, beverages, or motor fuel, whilst these goods are ordered and paid using a mobile tel ecommuni cati on termi nal . Other applications are, for example, the payment of parking tickets at parking places or parking houses, for parking a car by a driver using his or hers mobile telecommunication terminal.

At present, in practice, few of the above-mentioned services have been implemented, and they have been merely designed for operation with a specific protocol, such as GPRS/WAP, for example, and not UMTS or another protocol, simply because a telecommunication structure or network supporting UMTS was not available at the time of implementing the services.

To benefit from the tremendous number of opportunities provided by mobile data communication for commercial purposes, for example, such as the above mentioned purchase of consumer goods and the like, by easy ordering and payment using portable or mobile wireless telecommunication terminals, there is a need for a more general data transmission approach which does not suffer from application specific designs and telecommunication protocols.

Summary of the Invention

The invention has for its object to provide a versatile and flexible solution for application independent data transmission using available and future data transmission techniques, such as WAP, GPRS, UMTS and others, supporting efficient data transmission.

To solve this object, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a universal telecommunication services platform, comprising a platform application data processing unit and a remote platform data application unit, the platform application data processing unit having a data network transmission part and an application data processing part, and the remote platform data application unit having an application data input/output part and a mobile data network transmission part, the platform application data processing unit and the remote platform data application unit being operatively connected for transmitting application data between the remote application data input/output part and the application data processing part, the remote platform data application unit comprises a data control part arranged for allocating profile data to the application data to be transmitted, and for allocating the application data and profile data to a data container for transmission between the remote platform data application unit and the platform application data processing unit.

The universal telecommunication services platform according to the present invention is based on the insight that by separating the data transmission functionality and the application data input/output functionality, a plurality of specific remote applications can be serviced while not imposing any constraints on the design and development of a specific application and the application data to be transmitted by the data telecommunication protocol or protocols available. By allocating profile data and a data container to application data to be transmitted, the universal telecommunication services platform according to the present invention provides a very flexible en versatile approach for supporting a plurality of different services, such that these services can be made commercially available at a wide scale. In a practical embodiment of the universal telecommunication services platform according to the present invention, the application data input/output part comprises a plurality of digital and/or analog input/output data interfaces, including standard data interfaces, for transferring application data to application devices connected to the input/output data interfaces.

The input/output data interfaces are not limited to a specific application or type of application, but may be designed for servicing a wide variety of applications such as, but not limited to, applications using temperature, moisture, light and other optically, magnetically, capacitively or inductively operated sensors, counters, timers, locks, displays, and readers such as bar-code readers, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the universal telecommunication services platform according to the present invention, the application data input/output part and the data control part connect to an intermediate data mapping part, the data mapping part being arranged for mapping application data at the application data input/output part and the data control part.

The data mapping part provides for the allocation of data of a plurality of applications to a data container, such that an optimum and efficient data transmission can be achieved, in particular in those cases wherein the transmission of data is subjected to volume-based billing. That is, the transmission of data can be delayed till a data container has been filled completely or to an acceptable data volume percentage, for example, in order to transmit the data against the most cost-effective charges. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data mapping part comprises means for mapping the application data in accordance with a logic, arithmetic or other data operation to be programmed. That is, the platform provides the designer the possibility of individually programming the allocation of data to a particular data container, for example.

For the purpose of allocating profile data and a data container to application data to be transmitted, in a yet further

■embodiment of the universal telecommunication services platform according to the present invention, the data control part comprises a plurality of input/output ports, and the data mapping part being arranged for mapping application data in accordance with profile data allocated to the input/output ports, respectively.

By mapping the application data received at an input/output data interface, for example, onto a specific or a plurality of the input/output ports, dependent on the profile data assigned to an input/output port, without any constraints on the application data and the data application as such, data provided at an input/output data interface of the remote platform data application unit can be transmitted to the platform application data processing unit as specified by the selected and assigned profile data. It will be appreciated that the selection of the specific profile data is provided for by the data mapping part which, to this end, is suitably arranged, i.e. programmed, in accordance with a business or application specific mapping logic.

For the allocation of profile data and application to a (specific) data container, the data control part comprises data container filling means and header generator means, wherein the data container filling means are arranged for filling a data container by the application data allocated to the data container and wherein the header generator means are arranged for allocating the profile data in the form of a header to the data container. The header generator means, in practice, provide information relevant to the transmission of application data in a data container such as, but not limited to, data message length, service type, check sum and other control bits, flags, etc.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data control part of the remote platform data application unit and the data network transmission part of the platform, application data processing unit are arranged for transferring data containers in accordance with an Internet Protocol (IP). That is, the data control part generates an IP signal, including an IP address, on the basis of which a data container can be routed and delivered to a specific destination address using the Internet or any other data network operating under a TCP/IP protocol, for example. The data network transmission part of the platform application data processing unit may comprises a TCP/IP protocol stack.

The application data processing part of the platform application data processing unit, in the preferred embodiment of the universal telecommunication services platform according to the invention, is arranged for or comprises an application data association part for associating application data and corresponding application software of the platform application data processing unit. The application data association part may be functionally implemented in the protocol stack, for example, and provides the unpacking of a data container and allocation of the application data to specific application software running on the platform application data processing unit, in accordance with the profile data allocated to the application data.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular for future use, the mobile data network transmission part comprises a GPRS/UMTS protocol stack and GPRS/UMTS transmission means for transmitting data containers through a mobile GPRS/UMTS data network.

That is, the data container, i.e. the IP signal in the case of transmission via an IP protocol, is transferred from the data control part to the mobile data network transmission part of the remote platform data application unit and through a GPRS/UMTS protocol stack and GPRS/UMTS transceiver means to the a GPRS/UMTS network. The GPRS/UMTS networks connects to the Internet, to which also the platform application data processing unit connects. For use in the universal telecommunication services platform in accordance with the present invention, the remote platform application unit comprises an application data input/output part, a data mapping part, a data control part and a mobile data transmission part, wherein the application data input/output part and the data mapping part are advantageously implemented using Programmable Logic Control (PLC) circuitry, and wherein the data control part operates as a software program on a Computer Processing Unit (CPU). The data mapping part may comprise business specific mapping logic, for mapping application data between the input/output part and the data control part. The platform application data processing unit for use in the universal telecommunication services platform in accordance with the present invention, comprising a data network transmission part and an application data processing part, may be advantageously implemented in that the application data processing part operates as a software program on a Computer Processing Unit (CPU). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable software programming language and CPU platform can be used for the implementation of the platform application data processing unit and the remote platform data application units, providing a very flexible, efficient and cost effective design of the universal telecommunications services platform according to the present invention and its constituting components.

This provides the advantage that services and applications to be supported by the universal telecommunication services platform in accordance with the present invention can be developed in an Internet environment, for which easy to use and understandable development tools are generally available. This contrary to the prior art application c.q. protocol specific design methods, requiring SCP (Service Control Point) programming of network switches, CC7 signaling, and further agreements with an operator, for example. The programming of the input/output part, the mapping part, and the control part can be made even easier by providing a special development kit for developing the application, i.e. business, logic of the mapping part in a higher level programming language or even at GUI (Graphical User Interface) level. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for transmitting application data in a universal telecommunication services platform, comprising a platform application data processing unit and a remote platform data application unit, the method comprising the steps of: - allocating profile data to the application data to be transmitted; - allocating the application data and the profile data to a data container, and

- transmitting the data container between the remote platform application unit and the platform application data processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the profile data are allocated in the form of a header to the data container, and application data to be transferred with a plurality of application interfaces are allocated to the data container by mapping the application data to a particular one or a plurality of input/output ports of the data control part, to which input/output ports specific profile data have been assigned.

In particular for use with public data network, such as the

Internet, the data containers are transmitted in accordance with an Internet Protocol (IP) using an IP address for transmitting application data between the platform application unit and the platform processing unit.

Without the intention of a limitation, the invention will now be explained in more detail by reference to a number of application examples and the enclosed drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, a preferred embodiment of a universal telecommunication services platform in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows, in a schematic and illustrative manner, a preferred embodiment of a data control part for use in the remote platform data application unit according to the present invention. Detailed description of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a universal telecommunication services platform in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, and essentially comprising two distinct and separated units, i.e. a platform application data processing unit 2 and a remote platform data application unit 3.

In the embodiment shown, the platform application data processing unit 2 comprises a data network transmission part 4 and an application data processing part 5. In the preferred embodiment shown, the data network transmission part comprises a TCP/IP protocol stack and connects to the Internet 6.

The data processing part 5 operatively connects to the network transmission part 4, or may be integral therewith, and is operative for assigning application data to specific application software programs, which may directly run on the platform application data processing unit 2 or at any other processing unit connecting thereto.

Further, the platform processing unit 2 may comprise other components and software for the proper operation thereof, such as for displaying information, which itself are well-known to a person skilled in the art and which will not require further elucidation. To this end, reference is made to generally available handbooks on computer engineering.

The remote platform data application unit 3, in its preferred embodiment, comprises an application data input/output part 7, a data mapping part 8, a data control part 9, and a mobile data transmission part 10 which operatively connects to a mobile data network

11.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the mobile data network transmission part 10 is arranged for data transmission at its air interface 14 using the GPRS/UMTS protocol, and comprises GPRS/UMTS transceiver means 12, having an antenna 13 for wireless data transmission with a GPRS/UMTS mobile data network 11. The GPRS/UMTS data network operatively connects to the Internet 6 and is arranged for the exchange of IP signal data to and from the platform application data processing unit 2.

For transmission under the TCP/IP protocol, the mobile data transmission part 10 comprises a GPRS/UMTS protocol stack 15 which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, operatively connects to an IP protocol stack 16 of the data control part 9. The data mapping part 8, which operatively connects between the data control part 9 and the data input/output part 7, is arranged for mapping application data at a plurality of input and output ports thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the data input/output part 7 comprises a plurality of data interfaces El, E2 En which may be designed for analog and/or digital data exchange. The interfaces Eli , i=l, ..., n, preferably comprise standard parallel or serial data interfaces. However, if required, special purpose interfaces may be provided too. At the interfaces Eli a plurality of applications connect, such as, but not limited to, a credit card application 20, a parking meter application 21, a GPS tracking application 22, a laptop 23, a barcode reader 24, a cigarette dispensing machine 25, a beverages dispensing machine 26 and an alarm system 27. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that fewer or even more applications may connect to the data input/output part 7.

In its simplest embodiment, the data mapping part 8 may be arranged for mapping application data between any of the interfaces Ei of the data input/output part and any of input/output ports Al, A2, ..., Am, in a one-to-one fashion, for example. However, in a more sophisticated embodiment of the invention, the data mapping part 8 comprise means 17 arranged for mapping application data at the interfaces Ei and the ports Aj, j=l, 2, ..., m in accordance with a logic, arithmetic or other data operation to be programmed by a user or designer. That is logic operations like EN, OR, EXOR, NOR, NAND and simple inversions, , if ... then ... else logic, mathematical or arithmetic functions and other software routines.

This provides a very flexible approach to the designer in order to transmit application data in a most efficient or desired manner under the control of the data control part 9, while not having to bother concerning transmission protocol requirements and the like. The mapping includes selection of proper profile data by suitably programming the means 17, in accordance with specific business requirements, i.e. business logic, for example.

In accordance with the present invention, the data control part 9 is arranged for transferring data in a so-called data container 37₁₅ 37₂, ..., 37_k, as shown in more detailed fashion in fig. 2.

The control part 9 comprises header generator means 35 and data container filling means 36 arranged for filing data containers 37_ls 37_z 37_k by application data provided at the input/output ports Aj from the interfaces Ei , as explained above. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, free definable data may be adhered to the application data and comment data associated with a particular input/output port Aj.

For identification and control purposes, the header generator means 36 allocate so-called profile data 39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39_m to the application data to be transmitted by a data container, in the form of a header 38₁₉ 38₂, ..., 38_k to each of the data containers 37_ls 37₂ 37_k.

The profile data 39_ls 39₂ 39_m may be assigned to respective ones of the input/output ports Aj, for example.

In accordance with the data received from a data interface Ei at a particular input/output port Aj, profile data 39_ls 39₂, ..., 39_m are generated. The profile data 39, 39₂, ..., 39_m comprise, among others, information such as, message length, i.e. the number of data bits received and transmitted by a particular data application, the kind of service type, check sum and other error correction bits, flags, etc. Further, a source address and a destination address are generated from the profile data 39₁₉ 39₂ 39_m. The profile data 39₁₅ 39₂, ..., 39_m may also comprise comment data to be adhered to the application data to be filled in a data container 37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k.

The header generator means 35 and the data container filling means 36 can be arranged for generating headers 38_:, 38₂, ..., 38_k and preparing data containers 37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k in accordance with different data transmission protocols, dependent on the source and/or destination address of the application data to be transferred, for example. In the case of an IP signal, the combination of header and data container is also called a datagram. The use of data containers 37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k provides a very flexible and cost efficient transmission of data if the transmission costs are calculated in accordance with a volume billing approach. As schematically indicated in fig. 2, application data available at the input/output ports Aj can be filled in a particular data container 37₁₉ 37₂ 37_k on demand of the user. For example, data at the input/output ports Al, A2, A3 and A6 are filled in data container 37₁₉ whereas application data received at input/output ports A4 and A5 are filled in container 37₂, for example.

The data containers 37₁₉ 37₂₉ ...₉ 37_k and headers 38₁₉ 38₂₉ ..., 38_k are transferred to the mobile data network transmission part 10 for transmission from the remote platform data application unit 3 to the platform application data processing unit 2. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that data transferred from the platform application data processing unit 2 to the remote platform data application unit 3 will be unpacked by the data control part 8 from a received data container, to which end the data container filling means may operate as data unpacking means, for example.

The remote platform data application unit 3 for use in the universal telecommunication services platform 1 in accordance with the present invention can be realized using existing Programmable Logic Control (PLC) circuitry and Computer Processing Units (CPUs). In particular, the application data input/output part 7 and the data mapping part 8 can be provided using existing drivers and other interface software generally available and running on a computer platform to be chosen. For the purpose of the present invention, the remote platform data application unit 3 may also be realized using Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) components, arranged for operating the steps of:

- allocating profile data 39_ls 39₂, ..., 39_m to the application data to be transmitted; - allocating the application data and profile data 39₁₉

39₂ 39_m to a data container 37₁₅ 37₂, ..., 37_k, and

- transmitting the data container 37_t, 37₂, ..., 37_k between the remote platform data application unit 3 and the platform application data processing unit 2. Likewise, the platform application data processing unit 2 for use in the universal telecommunication services platform 1 in accordance with the present invention can be realized using a programmed software program on an existing computer platform or Computer Processing Unit (CPU) and using existing interfaces, such as Corba. Again, for the purpose of the present invention, special circuitry and software may be designed.

As schematically indicated in fig. 1, for powering the remote platform data application unit 3 any available power supply 30 can be used, either alone or in combination comprising conventional batteries 31. Solar cells 32 and a mains supply 33 may be provided, connected to charge the batteries 31, for example. The powering of the remote platform data application unit 3 is independent from the applications 20 - 27, which provides flexibility and independency in the case of malfunctioning of the applications or if the applications do not require any powering at all, such as mechanically operated cigarette dispensers 25, for example. By using solar cells 32, the remote platform data application unit 3 can be operated in those areas wherein no mains power is available.

Although the invention has been merely disclosed in connection with data transmission using the Internet and GPRS/UMTS, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is in no way limited thereto and can be implemented with any known or future communication platform and protocols.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to a number of non-limiting application examples. Example 1:„ Beverages dispenser. A drinks or beverages dispenser 26, connected to interface

El, comprises a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature in the dispenser 26. The measured temperature is read from the interface El into the remote platform data application unit 3. The data input/output part 7 is arranged for comparing the measured temperature with a set value. If the set value is exceeded, the data mapping part 8 may activate one of the input/output ports Aj, to which predefined profile data 39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39_ra are allocated. From the destination address provided in the profile data 39₁₅ 39₂, ..., 39_ra a data container 37₁₅ 37₂, ..., 37_k is filled and transmitted to the platform application data processing unit 2, as explained above. In the platform application data processing unit 2 the received data container is unpacked by the data network transmission part 4 and transferred to the application data processing part 5 for signaling, by an associated software program, that the temperature control of the drinks dispenser 25 is not functioning properly, for example. For the purpose of amending price or tariff indications, the beverages dispenser 26 may receive update information form the platform application data processing unit 2, i.e. the particular software program running thereon. Example 2: Parking meter. A parking meter 21 connects to interface E7. By inserting a credit card (not shown), for example, into the parking meter 21 at the start of a parking period, a registration number is read from the credit card and transmitted to the platform application data processing unit 2, using particular profile data 39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39_m allocated to an input/output port Ak, as explained in the above example 1. At the end of the parking period, the credit card is again inserted into the parking meter 21 and the registration number is transmitted to the platform application data processing unit 2. The relevant application software in the platform application data processing unit 2 can now calculate the duration of the parking period, and the owner of the credit card can be billed. Of course, registration or billing means other than a credit card can be used for registering the parking time and identity of the user. Example 3: Bar-code reader.

A bar-code on an article is read by a bar-code reader 24 connected to data interface E4. The bar-code is transferred to an input/output port Aj, for example A3, and the relevant profile data is attached to a data container 37₁₅ 37₂, ..., 37_k into which the bar-code is transmitted to the platform application data processing unit 2, for further processing by suitable processing software, for example for logistic purposes. Example 4: Cigarette dispenser.

A cigarette dispenser 25, comprises sensors (not shown) for sensing the filling grade of the dispenser. Assume the dispenser 25 comprises cigarette packages of a particular type in arranged in two stacks to each of which a filling grade sensor XI respectively X2 is adhered, which sensors XI and X2 connect to interfaces E2 and E3, respectively. The application data provided by the sensors XI and X2 are read into the data input/output part 7 and logically EN processed by the data mapping part 8 in a manner such that an input/output port Aj is activated, for example A4, if the logic EN operation provides that the amount of cigarette packets has dropped below a certain level and should be refilled. The profile data 39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39_m allocated to the input/output port A4, for example, is arranged for activating the suitable processing software in the platform application data processing unit 2, in order to have suitable measures taken for refilling the dispenser 25. Example 5: GPS position indication.

The position of a truck 22, for example, can be traced by a commercially available GPS receiver and transferred via interface E6, for example, to the data mapping part 8. The data mapping part 8 may be arranged for processing the application data received for calculating whether the truck is still at its predetermined route. If not, a particular profile may be activated, for example the profile allocated to input/output port A5, for signaling the deviation to the associated software application in the platform application data processing unit 2. Example 6: Credit card transactions. Registration and other details of a credit card inserted in a card reader 20, which connects to interface E8, are transferred to the platform application data processing unit 2, for processing by an associated software application, for example debiting the bank account of the owner of the credit card. It will be appreciated that in this application information may be transmitted to the card reader 20 if the transaction fails, for example. Example 7: Laptop.

Assume a measurement application is installed on a laptop 23, connected to the interface E5. Measured data may be transferred from the interface E5 into a particular data container 37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k for evaluation by an associated software application running on or under the control of the platform application data processing unit 2. Example 8: Alarm system.

The alarm system 27 may comprise several sensors and detectors (not shown), which connect to the interface E9. Application data received at the interface from the several sensors and detectors are logically processed by the data mapping part 8, resulting in the information that the light gates in front off and in a house are interrupted, for example. From measuring the time between interruptions of the light gates, it can be determined whether there is a true or false alarm situation. In the latter case for example activated by an animal or the like. By activation of the proper input/output port Aj, such as A7, the proper profile data 39₁₉ 39₂ 39_m are transferred to the platform application data processing unit 2 for signaling the alarm situation.

The present invention is not restricted to the application examples provided, nor to a particular type of data transmission technique and protocols.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that several modifications can be made to the disclosed preferred embodiment, without departing form the novel and inventive scope of the present invention, as reflected by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A universal telecommunication services platform (1), comprising a platform application data processing unit (2) and a remote platform data application unit (3), said platform application data processing unit (2) having a data network transmission part (4) and an application data processing part (5), and said remote platform data application unit (2) having an application data input/output part (7) and a mobile data network transmission part (10), said platform application data processing unit (2) and remote platform data application unit (3) being operatively connected for transmitting application data between said remote application data input/output part (7) and said application data processing part (5), said remote platform data application unit (3) comprises a data control part (9) arranged for allocating profile data (39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39 to said application data to be transmitted, and for allocating said application data and profile data (39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39 to a data container (37₁₅ 37₂, ..., 37_k) for transmission between said remote platform data application unit (3) and said platform application data processing unit (2) .

2. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to claim 1, wherein said application data input/output part (7) comprises a plurality of digital and/or analog input/output data interfaces (El, E2, ..., En) including standard data interfaces, for transferring application data to application devices (20 - 27) connected to said input/output data interfaces (El, E2, ..., En).

3. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to claim 2, wherein said application data input/output part (7) and said data control part (9) connect to an intermediate data mapping part (8), said data mapping part (8) being arranged for mapping application data at said application data input/output part (7) and said data control part (9) .

4. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to claim 3, wherein said data control part (9) comprises a plurality of input/output ports (Al, A2, ..., Am), and said data mapping part (8) being arranged for mapping application data in accordance with profile data (39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39 allocated to said input/output ports (Al, A2, ..., Am).

5. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said data mapping part (8) comprises means for mapping said application data in accordance with a logic, arithmetic or other data operation to be programmed.

6. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to claim 5, wherein said data control part (9) is arranged for allocating application data of a plurality of data interfaces (El, E2, ..., En) of said application data input/output part (7) to a data container (37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k).

7. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said data control part (9) comprises data container filling means (36) and header generator means (35), wherein said data container filling means (36) are arranged for filling a data container (37_ls 37₂ 37_k) by application data allocated to said data container (37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k) , and wherein said header generator means (35) are arranged for allocating said profile data (39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39 in the form of a header (38₁₅ 38₂, ..., 38k) to a data container (37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k) .

8. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said mobile data network transmission part (10) comprises a GPRS/UMTS protocol stack (15) and GPRS/UMTS transmission means (12) for transmitting data containers (37₁₉ 37₂, .... 37_k) through a GPRS/UMTS data network (11).

9. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said application data processing part (5) is arranged for associating application data and corresponding application software of said platform application data processing unit (2) .

10. A universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said data control part

(9, 16) and said data network transmission part (4) are arranged for transferring data containers (37₁₉ 37₂₉ ...₉ 37_k) in accordance with an Internet Protocol (IP).

11. A method for transmitting application data in a universal telecommunication services platform (1) ₉ comprising a platform application data processing unit (2) and a remote platform data application unit (3), said method comprising the steps of:

- allocating profile data (39₁₉ 39₂ 39_m) to said application data to be transmitted; - allocating said application data and profile data (39₁₉

39₂, ..., 39 to a data container (37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k) , and

- transmitting said data container (37_ls 37₂, ..., 37_k) between said remote platform data application unit (2) and said platform application data processing unit (3).

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein application data to be transferred with a plurality of data application interfaces (El, E2, ..., En) are mapped in accordance with a logic, arithmetic or other data operation to be programmed with a plurality of input/output ports (Al, A2, ..., Am), said profile data (39₁₉ 39₂, ..., 39 being allocated to said input/output ports (Al, A2, ..., Am).

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein application data at said input/output ports (Al, A2, ..., Am) are allocated to a data container (37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k).

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said profile data (39₁₉ 39₂₉ ...₉ 39 are allocated in the form of a header (38₁₉ 38₂, ...₉ 38_k) to said data container (37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k) .

15. A method according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein data containers (37₁₉ 37₂, ..., 37_k) are transmitted in accordance with an Internet Protocol (IP) using ^' an IP address for transmitting said application data between said remote platform data application unit (3) and said platform application data processing unit (3).

16. A remote platform data application unit (3) for use in a universal telecommunication services platform (1) in accordance with any of the previous claims, comprising an application data input/output part (7), a data mapping part (8), a data control part (9) and a mobile data network transmission part (10), wherein said application data input/output part (7) and said data mapping part (8) comprise Programmable Logic Control (PLC) circuitry, and wherein said data control part (9) operates as a software program on a Computer Processing Unit (CPU) .

17. A remote platform data application unit (3) in accordance with claim 16, wherein said data mapping part (8) comprises business specific mapping logic, for mapping application data between said input/output part (7) and data control part (9).

18. A platform application data processing unit (2) for use in a universal telecommunication services platform (1) in accordance with any of the claims 1 - 15, comprising a data network transmission part (4) and an application data processing part (5), wherein said application data processing part operates as a software program on a Computer Processing Unit (CPU).

19. A platform application data processing unit (2) in accordance with claim 18, wherein said application data processing part (5) is arranged for associating application data and corresponding application software of said platform application data processing unit (2).

20. Use of a universal telecommunication services platform (1) according to any of the previous claims in any of a group of applications comprising financial transactions, consumer good transactions, measurements, position indication and alarm signaling.

21. A development kit, for developing application, i.e. business, logic of the mapping part (8) in a higher level programming language or even at GUI (Graphical User Interface) level.