WO2002050741A1

WO2002050741A1 - Method of transmitting message by means of identification codes printed on articles

Info

Publication number: WO2002050741A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/002056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Sunwoo
Original assignee: Min Sunwoo
Priority date: 2000-12-18
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2002-06-27
Also published as: KR100420576B1; JP2004516583A; CN1531699A; KR20020048248A; CN1293486C; JP4306249B2; AU2002221161A1; JP2007087406A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, by which an individual can indirectly open himself or herself to the public through an identification code printed on an article and can utilize service of message transmission from others by registering as a member managedby an Internet Service Provider, who does a service of matching the identification code with the individual's mobile phone number.The method comprising: a first step, in which the Internet Service Provider sells the article, on which the identification code isprinted, on-line and off-line together with a security code; a second step, in which individuals join a membership of the InternetService Provider by means of the identification code and the security code on the Internet; and a third step, in which the messagesender having recognized the identification code, which has been open according to a use of the article by the article owner, connects with and sends a message and the identification code to the Internet Service Provider, and the Internet Service Provider outputs the phone number matching the identification code and sends the phone number to the mobile communication service company.

Description

METHOD OF TRANSMITTING MESSAGE BY MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION CODES

PRINTED ON ARTICLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, and more particularly to a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, by which an individual can indirectly open himself or herself to the public through an identification code printed on an article and can utilize a service of message transmission from others by registering as a member managed by an Internet Service Provider, who performs a service of matching the identification code with the individual's mobile phone number.

Description of the Prior Art

Nowadays, culture rapidly spreads and changes, and the generation leading this new culture is becoming younger and younger. In this social atmosphere, each individual's self advertising is natural. Expression of one's personality by means of clothing, accessories, or miscellaneous articles enable the very self advertising as described above. Further, characters and logograms endowed on commodities usually represent images of companies and thereby are treated importantly. Moreover, they increase sales of a company's products. Therefore, transmission media expressing companies are frequently advertised, and various propaganda and advertisement are now being used to enable the transmission media to be recognized by people.

From the above description, it is noted that personal and company propaganda and advertising are indispensable. However, although companies can carry out the external propaganda in public by means of advertisement media, much expense is necessary in self-advertising by an individual. Moreover, in the case of individual self-advertising, differently from the company advertising, an individual's information is exposed to the public, so that the individual's information can leak and be used.

Therefore, in consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims at performing services such as advertising and publicity, chatting by means of letters, provision of information, job seeking, and job offering, which are all transferred through letters, by manufacturing daily necessaries on which information such as letters, numbers, and domain names capable of indirectly representing individuals are recorded and by transferring the information to mobile communication terminals, Internet mail addresses, and the like of the individuals who own the daily necessaries. Further, the present invention aims at increasing the sale of goods through creation of a new culture by printing identification codes on articles such as clothing found most commonly in our daily lives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, by which an individual can indirectly reveal himself or herself to the public through an identification code printed on an article and can utilize a service of message transmission from others by registering as a member managed by an Internet Service Provider, who performs the service of matching the identification code with the individual's mobile phone number. More specifically, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, in which daily necessaries such as clothing, accessories, and miscellaneous articles are provided with specific codes such as numbers, letters, and characters, and thereby anyone can utilize message transmission to mobile communication terminals of individuals who own the daily necessaries, so that the daily necessaries can be utilized as identification codes or media and can reflect the owners' lifestyle. Moreover, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method capable of effectively transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles, thereby enabling an Internet Service Provider to effectively sell articles on which the identification codes are printed. In order to accomplish these objects, there is provided a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles by a message transmission system, the message transmission system comprising: personal computer terminals or mobile communication terminals through which a message sender and an article owner can connect with the Internet, the article owner possessing an article on which an identification code is printed, the message sender recognizing the identification code and sending a message; a mobile communication service company having a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server, which includes a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and a WAP Gateway, the WAP functioning to enable a connection to the Internet by means of a Web browser in the mobile communication terminal, the WAP Gateway functioning to transmit a request from the mobile communication terminal to the Internet network and a response from the Internet to the mobile communication terminal, so that the mobile communication company transmits requests and responses between the WAP Gateway and a Web server; and an Internet Service Provider linked to the WAP server and having the Web server, so as to provide a menu of contents through the mobile communication terminal when connecting to the Internet, to certify a joining of membership by means of the identification code printed on the article, to search a mobile phone number matching the identification code transmitted from the mobile communication service company, and to transmit the found mobile phone number to the mobile communication service company, the method comprising: a first step, in which the Internet Service Provider sells the article, on which the identification code is printed, on-line and off-line together with a security code; a second step, in which individuals join a membership of the Internet Service Provider by means of the identification code and the security code on the Internet; and a third step, in which the message sender having recognized the identification code, which has been open according to a use of the article by the article owner, connects with and sends a message and the identification code to the Internet Service Provider, and the Internet Service Provider outputs the phone number matching the identification code and sends the phone number to the mobile communication service company. In this case, it is preferred that the second step comprises the steps of: (a) connecting with a Web site managed by the Internet Service Provider; (b) inputting the identification code and the security code of the purchased article and personal details; (c) progressing a process of admission and log-on of the Internet Service Provider; (d) selecting if the individual will receive an advertisement also when the individual receives the message; (e) issuing cyber money when the visitor responded to receive the advertisement; and (f) transmitting data, which have been inputted in the steps b and d, to the Web server to be stored as database. In this case, it is preferred that the second step further comprises a step of changing the security code to a new security code after the step c, the second step proceeding again from the step c after the security code changing step.

Further, the third step preferably comprises the steps of: (g) the message sender' s recognizing the identification code and connecting with the Internet by means of the mobile communication terminal; (h) selecting an item from the menu of contents provided by the Internet Service Provider after connecting with the Internet;

(i) making a message by selectively utilizing voice, characters, and dynamic images; (j) transmitting the identification code printed on the article and the message sender' s mobile phone number or identification code to the Internet Service Provider; (k) the Internet Service Provider' s searching for an identification code equal to the transmitted identification code and outputting a phone number corresponding to the identification code; (1) determining if the advertisement will be received, and making the message together with the advertisement when a reception of the advertisement has been selected; (m) transmitting the message with the advertisement or the transmitted message and the found phone number to the mobile communication service company; and (n) transmitting the message to the article owner.

In this case, it is preferred that, in a state where a specific code is provided for the identification code inputted by the article owner while the article owner joins the membership, the step k comprises the steps of: executing the specific code corresponding to the identification code; carrying out a specific execution code in relation to the specific code, so as to search for a corresponding address; and outputting a phone number from the corresponding address.

Further, it is preferred that, after the step n, the third step further comprises a step of accumulating cyber money according to a reception of the advertisement.

In the meantime, it is preferred that, when a registration as a member is completed after the second step, the method further comprises the steps of: carrying out a Web surfing after a process of log-in; requesting to purchase an article with an identification code printed thereon through a cyber shopping during the Web surfing; determining if the article owner requests an article having an identification code coinciding with the identification code inputted when the article owner logs in, treating an order of the article from the article owner in an order production mode when a coinciding identification code has been requested, and treating the order as requesting an already manufactured article having a certain identification code when the coinciding identification code has not been requested; carrying out a payment for the article requested; and transmitting order treatment data from the Internet Service Provider to the producer.

In this case, it is preferred that, wherein, in the payment step, the payment is carried out by the cyber money accumulated according to the reception of the advertisement, and account transfer and credit card are selectively utilized in paying a deficit amount when the cyber money is not enough for the payment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. la is a conceptional view illustrating a message transmission system for carrying out a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. lb is a view schematically illustrating the construction of a personal computer terminal, a Web server, and a mobile communication service company according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a conceptional flow chart of a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process of registering as a member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of a message transfer service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of purchasing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a payment process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted.

FIG. la is a conceptional view illustrating a message transmission system for carrying out a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. la, the message transmission system includes an article owner having a personal computer terminal 100 and a mobile communication terminal (not shown) through which the owner can connect with the Internet, a message sender having a mobile communication terminal 200 through which the message sender can transmit message through an identification code printed on an article the owner owns, a mobile communication service company which arranges a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server 300 and a base station intermediating the message, so as to enable communication between the article owner and the message sender, and an Internet Service Provider (hereinafter, referred to as "ISP") which includes a Web server 400, so as to certify membership through the identification code printed on the article and to search the phone number of a mobile phone matching the identification code transmitted from the mobile communication service company and then transmit the found phone number to the mobile communication service company.

FIG. lb is a view schematically illustrating the construction of a personal computer terminal, a Web server, and a mobile communication service company according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. lb, the personal computer terminal 100 includes a customer connection section 110 through which a customer can connect with a Web site managed by the ISP, an interface section 120 connected with the customer connection section 110 so as to connect input/output data with corresponding programs, an operation system 130 connected with the interface section 120 so as to control the operation of the entire system, an internet protocol section 140 for exchanging the input/output data with the internet, a Web browser 150, which is connected with the operation system 130 and the internet protocol section 140, has a standardized internet protocol, and displays the input/output data, and a customer input/output section 160 supporting the input and output of the data.

The customer connection section 110 includes a modem or a network adapter which enables a connection to the Internet or a network. In particular, as the network adapter, it is preferred that an appliance such as 10 Mbps Ethernet is employed so as to enable high-speed communication. It is further preferred that the network is a high-speed network such as an optical fiber based 100 Mbps and an ISDN line.

Further, the Web server 400 in the ISP includes a server connection section 410 which can be connected with the customer connection section 110 through the Internet, an interface section 420 which connects the input/output data with corresponding programs, an operation system 430 connected with the interface section 420 so as to control the operation of the entire system and process the input/output data, an internet protocol section 440 for exchanging the input/output data with the internet by control of the operation system 430, a file management section 450 connected with the operation system 430 and the internet protocol section 440 so as to search and manage the inputted and outputted identification codes, and a server input/output section 460 including a normal keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Further, the mobile communication service company includes a wireless transmission means 310 for wireless transmission, in addition to the WAP server 300 having a construction similar to that of the Web server. The WAP server, arranged by the mobile communication service company, provides the Internet service for mobile communication terminals. The WAP means a wireless application protocol technology which enables the mobile communication terminals to connect with the Internet by means of a Web browser. In the Internet connection method through the WAP, a WAP gateway, which functions to transfer requests from the mobile communication terminals to the Internet network and transfer responses from the Internet network back to the mobile communication terminals, is also provided in the middle of the existing Internet connection method. That is, while the existing Internet connection method utilizes a method of transferring URL response requests between the personal computer terminals and the Web server, the Internet connection method through the WAP utilizes a method of transferring response requests between the mobile communication terminals, the WAP gateway and the Web servers .

In the meantime, the mobile communication terminals 200 have to be capable of connecting with the Internet. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal 200 basically includes: a transmission filtering section 211 which receives high-frequency signals for position data and such data as characters, voice, and images transmitted from the base station through an antenna, obtains only signals of necessary bands by filtering the received high-frequency signals, and obtains only signals of necessary bands by filtering the received high-frequency signals and sends the filtered signals of necessary bands to the base station through the antenna; a signal receiving section 212 which amplifies the week high-frequency signals filtered in the transmission filtering section 211 to a predetermined level, mixes the amplified signals with signals of local oscillation frequencies, detects medium frequency signals from the mixed signals, and decodes the detected medium frequency signals to the original signals; a signal processing section 213 for processing the signals decoded in the signal receiving section 212; a frequency synthesis section 214 for generating signals having frequencies corresponding to the transmission frequencies through the signal processing section 213; a signal sending section 215 for modulating the data through the signal processing section 213 into the high-frequency signals outputted from the frequency synthesis section 214, and amplifying and sending the modulated high-frequency signals; and an interface section 216 connected with an output apparatus so as to display the inputted data. In addition, the mobile communication terminal further includes an IP address memory section (not shown) for storing an IP address of the ISP.

In the mobile communication terminal 200 having the above described construction, when a predetermined signal is detected by the antenna which finally receives and sends position data and voice, character and dynamic image data, if the predetermined signal or frequency is a signal suitable for the user' s mobile communication terminal is analyzed. However, since the IP address of the ISP has been stored m advance in the IP address memory section (not shown) of the mobile communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal can recognize specific signals or specific frequencies. Since a specific user among the mobile communication terminals using the same IP address has to be recognized, the data received and sent m the way described above are transmitted to an E-mail address storage section, and then if the data has been exactly transmitted to the desired user position is referred. When the address contained m the transmitted signal is determined to exactly coincide with the E-mail address of the destination, the recognized signal data are automatically compressed or decompressed. The information data compressed or decompressed as described above are modulated or demodulated according to the mode of the transmission data, and then are classified according to the modes of the received information data such as voice data, image data, and character data. The information data is displayed through a speaker and a microphone m the case of the voice data, through a display monitor and a camera m the case of image data, and through a simple liquid crystal display monitor in the case of character data, so that a user can easily recognize the information.

FIG. 2 is a conceptional flow chart of a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, at first, the ISP executes an advertisement off-line or online through the Internet and sells articles such as clothing, hats, accessories, and miscellaneous articles, on which characters, numbers, and other specific identification codes are printed, to general consumers off-line or on-line through the Internet. In this case, each article is provided with a specific identification code regardless of the kind of the article and is sold together with a separately prepared security code to a consumer. In this case, the security code is covered by a scratch-off material as that on an instant lottery ticket, so that only the purchaser of the article can recognize the secret code (S100) .

Next, the purchaser becomes a member of the ISP, who performs the message transmission service through the identification codes on the Internet, by means of the identification code and the security code printed on the article. In this case, a registration has to be carried out only when the identification code and the security code printed on the article at the time of obtaining the membership coincide with the identification code and the security code provided at the time of purchasing the article. This requirement is necessary in order to secure personal information. Also, the individual having the membership can freely change the security code after the registration, but the identification code cannot be changed since it is specifically provided for each article (S200) .

Thereafter, the article owner opens the identification code to other persons by habitually wearing or using the article, so that another person can recognize the identification code printed on the article and send a message to the article owner through a mobile communication terminal by means of the identification code. Then, the ISP executes a search for the identification code transmitted from another person and provide a phone number matching the identification code for the mobile communication service company, so that the message is transferred to the article owner (S300) .

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process of registering as a member according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, although the process of registering as a member may be performed by means of a mobile communication terminal, a personal computer terminal is utilized in the process of registering as a member on the Internet in the present embodiment in pursuit of convenience of description about the general method.

Referring to FIG. 3, the article owner, who bought an article with an identification code printed thereon, connects to a Web site managed by an ISP, who functions to transfer message, by means of the identification code printed on the article (S202) . Thereafter, whether the visitor to the Web site has completed the log-in process or not is determined (S204) . When there is no log-in process as a result of the determination about the existence of the log-in process, the identification code printed on the article together with a separately provided security code is inputted (S206) . Next, a Web page, through which personal details can be inputted, is displayed, so that essential input details are inputted (S208) . The essential input details usually include a resident registration number, a date of birth, address, and credit card number, together with a phone number of a mobile communication terminal which is an indispensable input detail in the present invention. The mobile communication terminal phone number is indispensable in the later process of converting an identification code to a phone number.

After all of the input details have been inputted and transferred, an admission and log-on process by the ISP is progressed (S210) . Of course, the identification code and the security code have to be inputted again when not only the identification code and the security code, but also the personal details, inputted at this time, do not coincide with the stored data. Especially, in the case of the personal details, a billing server may be separately arranged, so as to carry out certification.

Thereafter, as an optional step, whether the security code is requested to be changed or not is determined (S212) . As a result of this determination, when the security code is requested to be unchanged as is, the process goes to the next step. Otherwise, the process returns to the step S210, in which the log-on is carried out again, through the step S214, in which a new security code is inputted. Through this process, the security code in the database is changed into a new one.

Meanwhile, whether the visitor will simultaneously receive an advertisement when the visitor receives the message or not is inquired (S216) . As a result of this determination about the reception of the advertisement, when the visitor chooses to receive the advertisement, cyber money is issued (S218) . In this case, a basic amount of cyber money is paid according to the visitor's membership, with the cyber money accumulated according to the reception of advertisements. Of course, when the visitor chooses not to receive the advertisement, cyber money is not issued.

When a joining button is pressed after all of the personal details and selectively inputted data are inputted through the above process, all the data inputted through the above process are transferred to the Web server (S220) . Thereafter, the personal data are stored in the database of the Web server (S222) .

In the meantime, when the visitor is determined to have completed the log-in process in the step S204, on-line labors such as the search of information provided by the ISP, the order of articles through cyber shopping, and transmission of messages, can be carried out (S224) .

Although the process of registering as a member is progressed by means of a personal computer terminal in the present embodiment in pursuit of convenience of description, it is apparent that the registration process may be progressed by a mobile communication terminal since the mobile communication terminal can carry out the Internet function also. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of a message transfer service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before describing FIG. 4, it is assumed that the ISP has proposed a business plan and a file capable of carrying out a WAP service by means of Wireless Markup Language (WML) to the mobile communication service company and has received admission from the mobile communication service company and the ISP then links those to the WAP server operated by the mobile service company or has provided data necessary for the WAP server operated by the mobile service company. Therefore, it is also assumed that a menu capable of linking the ISP is added to the contents menu a user can select when the user has connected to the Internet by means of the mobile communication terminal .

In the description hereinafter, a message sender means one who recognizes the identification code printed on an article, while a message receiver means the article owner who owns the article with the identification code printed thereon.

Referring to FIG. 4, after the message sender recognizes the identification code (S302), the message sender connects with the Internet by means of his or her mobile communication terminal (S304) . When the connection to the Internet has been accomplished, the message sender selects from a menu linked with the ISP among the entire menu displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal (S306) . Of course, the message sender is required to already have knowledge about the contents of the service in relation to the menu through advertisement and the like.

When the menu has been selected, a message input window, in which a message can be written, is displayed, and then a message including characters and images or dynamic images can be made by inputting them in the message input window through a keyboard (S308) . Of course, the images or the dynamic images mean images or dynamic images of a flash type, which can be displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal. Moreover, the dynamic images may be dynamic images made in advance aimed at, for example, the IMT2000 business. Thereafter, when the message has been completely made, the identification code recognized by the message sender or the identification code printed on an article is inputted. Also, the phone number of the message sender's mobile communication terminal is simultaneously inputted, so as to receive a reply to the transmission of message (S310) . In this case, when the message sender is a member of the ISP, the message sender can input his or her identification code instead of his or her mobile communication terminal phone number, for a benefit, such as the accumulation of cyber money, which will be described later.

Next, by pressing a transmission button, information such as the message sender' s phone number and the message receiver' s identification code including the message is transmitted to the ISP (S312) .

Then, the ISP carries out a first search in searching for the same identification code as the transmitted identification code. When there is no identical identification code as the transmitted identification code, a warning message informing the failure of the message transmission is displayed on the message sender's mobile communication terminal and re-input of an identification code is required. Of course, when the same identification code as the transmitted identification code is found, a specific code in relation to the identification code is subsequently carried out. That is, the message receiver or the article owner is provided with a specific code in relation to the identification code when he or she inputs the identification code into the database so as to obtain a membership to the ISP, and the specific code in relation to the identification code is carried out, so as to search for the corresponding address, thereby outputting a related phone number (S314) .

At the same time, whether an option that the message receiver chooses to receive the advertisement is selected in the database sector or not is determined (S316) . As a result of the determination about the reception of the advertisement, when the option of receiving the advertisement is selected, the advertisement data are added to the message data (S318) . In contrast, when the option of receiving the advertisement is not selected, the process of adding the advertisement data to the message data is skipped. Thereafter, the ISP sends the phone number, found by the search, together with the optionally added advertisement data to the mobile communication service company (S320) , and the mobile communication service company calls the message receiver' s mobile phone and then sends the message to the message receiver (S322) . In addition, the message receiver can send a return message to the message sender (S324 to S326) . In this case, the message transmission can be carried out optionally through the ISP. That is, it is preferred to perform mutual communication by means of the mobile communication service company and the base station. Of course, when a re-return message in response to the return message is transmitted to the article owner, it is preferred that the message transmission is carried out through the ISP in consideration of accumulation of the cyber money. In this case, when the message sender inputs the identification code in the step S310, it is also preferred that the message transmission is carried out through the ISP in consideration of accumulation of the cyber money.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of purchasing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, although Internet cyber shopping may be carried out by means of a mobile communication terminal, a personal computer terminal is utilized in the Internet cyber shopping of the present embodiment so as to carry out Internet cyber shopping in the most common way. Further, it is assumed that registration as a member has been carried out through the above process as shown in FIG. 3. The member means an article owner, who obtained the membership of the ISP by means of an identification code sold by the ISP, and will be referred to as a "member" hereinafter. Further, the present process is a successive process which is a part of the Web surfing process in the step S224 shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, after connecting to the Web site and carrying out the log-in process, the member links to a Web page of a shopping mall and carries out a cyber shopping, so as to request a purchase of an article he or she wants to buy (S400) .

In this case, the ISP determines if the member has requested to order an article having an identification code printed thereon, which coincides with the identification code inputted when the member logs in (S410) . In this case, when the member requests the identification code of the ordered article to coincide with the identification code inputted during the log-in process, an article manufacture order is carried out in an order production mode (S420) . This process not only meets the requirement of a member who wants to own a personal identification code in each sector such as clothing, accessories, and miscellaneous articles, sold by the ISP, but also can avoid complexities by providing multiple identification codes for multiple articles. That is, the identification code printed on the initially purchased article can also be printed on other articles. For this purpose, there should be a precondition that the identification code printed on the initially purchased article has to be fixed as the member's intrinsic identification code. In this case, it is necessary to print the intrinsic identification code on _^ the article manufactured according to the order production mode as described above. In the meantime, when the member requests not to make the identification code of the ordered article coincide with the identification code inputted during the log-in process, an order for an already manufactured article with a certain identification code printed thereon is carried out (S430) . This corresponds to a case where the member requests to provide different identification codes for multiple articles according to the member's taste, and articles having identification codes printed thereon in a random order are ordered. Thereafter, according to the purchase of articles, a payment window is displayed, and the member performs a payment (S440) . Then, the ISP treats the order and sends the order treatment data to a manufacturer (S450) . Then, the manufacturer manufactures articles randomly or according to the order production mode on the basis of the order treatment data. Thereafter, the manufactured articles are delivered by a transportation company (S460) , and finally the member receives the ordered articles (S470) .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a payment process according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, there is given an assumption that the member has selected the option of receiving the advertisement when the member sends a message, so that cyber money has been accumulated.

Referring to FIG. 6, the member carries out the payment by means of cyber money (S440-1) . In this case, whether the accumulated amount of cyber money is more than the price of the article or not is determined (S440-2) . That is, whether the price of the article can be paid only with the accumulated amount of cyber money or not is determined. As a result of the determination about the payment by the cyber money, when it is possible to pay the price of the article only by the cyber money, the price of the article is paid with the cyber money, and the cyber money is reduced by an amount corresponding to the price of the article (S440-3) . In contrast, when it is impossible to pay the price of the article only by the cyber money, whether the balance can be paid by an account transfer or not is determined (S440-4) . As a result of this determination, when the account transfer is necessary, an electronic payment window for carrying out electronic payment is displayed, and a specific bank and an amount to be transferred are inputted after a log-in process (S440-5 and S440-6) .

In this case, the server checks the balance of the specific bank (S440-7) and then determines if an electronic payment can be carried out (S440-8) . In this case, as a result of these determinations about the possibility of the electronic payment, when the electronic payment can be carried out, the server sends data about an account number of the member and the amount to be paid to the specific bank (S440-9) . Then, the payment is completed (S440- 10) .

In contrast, when a payment by the account transfer is not utilized, whether the payment is carried out by means of a credit card or not is determined (S440-11) . In this case, when payment by means of a credit card is selected, an admission number is firstly received from a card company (S440-12) . Thereafter, the member's credit status and limit are referred (S440-13) , and then the process goes to the step S440-8. In contrast, when payment cannot be carried out by credit card in the step S440-8, the process of payment is instantly terminated.

Although not shown in the attached drawings, for example, when an article is lost, a finder of the article can search for the article owner by means of the identification code printed on the article and send a message to the article owner, so that the genuine owner of a lost article can be searched for by means of not only a mobile communication terminal but also a personal computer terminal. In this case, the same process as above is repeated when the mobile communication terminal is utilized in the search. In contrast, when the personal computer terminal connected with the Internet is utilized in a search, the ISP provides a homepage for each member, so that the finder of the article can visit a homepage corresponding to the finder's identification code and send a message of having found the article through the homepage, thereby returning the article to the owner or the article owner. In this case, the article owner's homepage can be linked through input of the identification code to be searched in a search process by the ISP.

According to the present invention, each of daily necessaries is provided with a number code or a character code connected to mobile communication appliances, so that articles currently used can function as media for self-advertising, advertisement, or transfer of information. Therefore, companies can advertise through the daily necessaries so as to increase sales, while the individual can gain self-confidence in a view of a cultural phenomenon or a sense or superiority in that the individual possesses the individual's own article which can differentiate the individual from others, that is, articles such as clothing, bags, hats, accessories, and miscellaneous articles, on which the individual's own identification codes or characters are printed. Although commodities or daily necessaries have no other uses than their inherent uses until now, the present invention employs a concept of connecting and relating such daily necessaries with portable mobile communication terminals, so as to add an additional function of acting as media outlet for advertisement, propaganda, and transfer of information to the inherent functions and utilities of the daily necessaries.

As described above, a method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to the present invention enables portable mobile communication terminals to provide a character transmission service, an electronic chat service, an instant electronic meeting, and a rapid character information service, thereby creating a new meeting or chatting culture. That is, taking the numbers or characters printed on an individual's clothing, hat, and the like, others can send a message through a mobile phone or a portable mobile communication terminal, which is then received as a character message in a mobile communication terminal of the individual possessing the corresponding article. Further, on the Web, a character transmission service and an E-mail service can be done in such a way as described above.

As described above, the method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles according to the present invention can produce a new meeting or chatting culture, and moreover can produce a new culture capable of providing new advertising or information services. That is, the present invention absorbs a new social stratum who have a desire towards diversity through their own articles, their own identification codes, and something of their own, thereby creating a new culture. Further, through the new culture, new additional functions can be harmonized with the intrinsic function in the daily necessaries, thereby inducing the creation of something new. Therefore, according to the concept of the present invention, any circumstances or any articles may be modified so as to enable information to be easily transferred or an advertisement to be easily carried out. Therefore, the present invention can create and increase innumerable cultures and functions.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles by a message transmission system, the message transmission system comprising: personal computer terminals or mobile communication terminals through which a message sender and an article owner can connect with the Internet, the article owner possessing an article on which an identification code is printed, the message sender recognizing the identification code and sending a message; a mobile communication service company having a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server, which includes a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and a WAP Gateway, the WAP functioning to enable a connection to the Internet by means of a Web browser in a mobile communication terminal, the WAP Gateway functioning to transmit a request from the mobile communication terminal to the Internet network and a response from the Internet to the mobile communication terminal, so that the mobile communication company transmits requests and responses between the WAP Gateway and a Web server; and an Internet Service Provider linked to the WAP server and having the Web server, so as to provide a menu of contents through the mobile communication terminal when connecting to the Internet, to certify membership by means of the identification code printed on the article, to search a mobile phone number matching the identification code transmitted from the mobile communication service company, and to transmit the found mobile phone number to the mobile communication service company, the method comprising: a first step, in which the Internet Service Provider sells the article, on which the identification code is printed, on- line and off-line together with a security code; a second step, in which individuals get membership in the Internet Service Provider by means of the identification code and the security code on the Internet; and a third step, m which the message sender having recognized the identification code, which has been open according to a use of the article by the article owner, connects with and sends a message and the identification code to the Internet Service Provider, and the Internet Service Provider outputs the phone number matching the identification code and sends the phone number to the mobile communication service company.

2. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed m claim 1, wherein the second step comprises the steps of: (a) connecting with a Web site managed by the Internet Service Provider;

(b) inputting the identification code and the security code of the purchased article and personal details;

(c) progressing a process of admission and loggmg-on of the Internet Service Provider;

(d) selecting whether or not the individual will receive an advertisement also when the individual receives the message;

(e) issuing cyber money when the visitor responds to receive the advertisement; and (f) transmitting data, which have been inputted in the steps b and d, to the Web server to be stored on a database.

3. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 2, the second step further comprising a step of changing the security code to a new security code after step c, the second step proceeding again from the step c after the security code changing step.

4. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third step comprises the steps of:

(g) the message sender's recognizing the identification code and connecting with the Internet by means of the mobile communication terminal;

(h) selecting an item from the menu of contents provided by the Internet Service Provider after connecting with the Internet;

(i) creating a message by selectively utilizing voice, characters, and dynamic images; (j) transmitting the identification code printed on the article and the message sender's mobile phone number or identification code to the Internet Service Provider;

(k) the Internet Service Provider's searching for an identification code equal to the transmitted identification code and outputting a phone number corresponding to the identification code;

(1) determining if the advertisement will be received, and making the message together with the advertisement when reception of the advertisement has been selected;

(m) transmitting the message with the advertisement or the transmitted message and the phone number to the mobile communication service company; and

(n) transmitting the message to the article owner.

5. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in a state where a specific code is provided for the identification code inputted by the article owner while the article owner gets a membership, the step k comprises the steps of: executing the specific code corresponding to the identification code; carrying out a specific execution code in relation to the specific code, so as to search for a corresponding address; and outputting a phone number from the corresponding address.

6. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 4, wherein, after the step n, the third step further comprises a step of accumulating cyber money according to a reception of the advertisement .

7. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when registration as a member is completed after the second step, the method further comprises the steps of: carrying out Web surfing after a log-in process; requesting to purchase an article with an identification code printed thereon through cyber shopping during Web surfing; determining if the article owner requests an article having an identification code coinciding with the identification code inputted when the article owner logs in, treating an order of the article by the article owner in an order production mode when a coinciding identification code has been requested, and treating the order as requesting an already manufactured article having a certain identification code when the coinciding identification code has not been requested; carrying out payment for the article requested; and transmitting order treatment data from the Internet Service Provider to the producer.

8. A method of transmitting a message by means of identification codes printed on articles as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in the payment step, the payment is carried out by cyber money accumulated according to the reception of the advertisement, so that account transfer and credit card are selectively utilized in paying balance when the cyber money is not enough for the payment.