WO2006126834A2

WO2006126834A2 - Method of certificating message, terminal thereof and system thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006126834A2
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001961
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung Jae Lee; Yeon Lae Lim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2005-05-27
Filing date: 2006-05-24
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Also published as: EP1886510A4; WO2006126834A3; US20060271396A1; KR100606748B1; EP1886510A2

Abstract

A method of certificating a message, terminal thereof and system thereof are disclosed. By the present invention, in transmitting various messages via a prescribed communication service, a validity of the message is certificated. By the present invention, without checking contents of a message, a recipient can confirm whether a received message is sent from a valid originator or whether the received message is a valid message.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

METHOD OF CERTIFICATING MESSAGE,

TERMINAL THEREOF AND SYSTEM THEREOF

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the transmission of messages, and more particularly, to

a method of certifying messages, and a terminal and system for sending same.

Background Art

Due to the increased cover and popularity of mobile communication networks, the

number of calls made using mobile communication terminals continues to increase such that

they may out number calls made using conventional wired systems.

Most mobile communication terminals include functionality which allows a user to

transmit text or multimedia messages in addition to voice communication functionality. These

messages are transmitted using various services, such as short message service (SMS), a long

message service (LMS), an enhanced message service (EMS), a multimedia message service

(MMS) and the like, which provide standardized protocols for transmitting text and/or

multimedia messages over a wireless communications network.

The use of these messaging service continues to increase due to the wide spread use of

wireless communications.

Furthermore, with the advent of the fast information-oriented society, personal

information is frequently disclosed via Internet. For example, personal information of mobile

communication subscribers is open to public. As a result, users are receiving unnecessary

spam mail or voice communications in their mobile communication terminals.

With unwanted voice communications, a user can manually filter out the unwanted

voice communications using a supplementary service such as a caller identification number display service. However, mobile terminals are unable to filter out unwanted or unlawful

messages received via the various non-voice messaging services, (e.g., SMS₅ LMS, EMS,

MMS, etc.). More specifically, current mobile communication systems are unable to confirm

whether a message or the sender of the message is valid or not.

As a result, a user can only confirm whether a received message is valid or

unnecessary after reading the message. As a shortcut, users generally manually filter their

messages by determining who the message is from before they read the entire message.

However, if an originator manipulates the caller information transmitted with a

message, a recipient will be unable to filter the message using the conventional methods.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method of certifying messages, and

a terminal and system for sending same that substantially obviates one or more problems due

to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of certifying

transmitted messages.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description

which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice

of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and

attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as

well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of

the invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of certifying

transmitted messages in a telecommunication system, the method comprising: receiving a

certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated message including a certification code and a message; determining whether the certification code is valid; and relaying the

message to a called terminal if the certification is determined to be valid.

certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated message including a certification

code and a message; relaying the certificated message to a called terminal; determining

whether the certification code is valid; and revoking the certificated message if the

certification code is determined to be invalid.

code and a message; relaying the message to a called terminal; determining whether the

certification code is valid; and sending a decryption key to the called terminal if the

certification code is valid.

whether the certification code is valid; and transmitting a signal to the called terminal, the

signal indicating whether or not the certification code is valid.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of certifying transmitted

messages in a telecommunication system, the method comprising: receiving a message from a

calling terminal; requesting from the calling terminal a certification code for certifying the

calling terminal; receiving the certification code and determining whether or not the

certification code is valid; and relaying the message to a called terminal if the certification code is valid.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telecommunication

system for certifying transmitted messages, said system comprising: first receiver receiving a

code and a message; processor determining whether the certification code is valid; and

transmitter relaying the message to a called terminal if said processor determines that the

certification code is valid.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a telecommunication

system, a server certifying transmitted messages, said server comprising: means for receiving

a certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated message including a

certification code and a message; means for determining whether the certification code is

valid; and means for relaying the message to a called terminal if said processor determines that

the certification code is valid.

system for certifying transmitted messages, said system comprising: receiver receiving a

code and a message; transmitter relaying the certificated message to a called terminal;

processor determining whether the certification code is valid; and means for revoking the

certificated message if the certification code is determined to be invalid.

In another aspect of the present invention, a telecommunication system for certifying

transmitted messages, said system comprising: receiver receiving a certificated message from

a calling terminal, the certificated message including a certification code and a message;

transmitter relaying the message to a called terminal; and processor determining whether the

certification code is valid, wherein said transmitter sends a decryption key to the called

terminal if the certification code is valid. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the

following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide

further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of

the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate

embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle

of the invention, hi the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message

certification method according to a first embodiment of the present invention may be

employed;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message

certification method according to a second embodiment of the present invention may be

employed; ^■ -

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message

certification method according to a third embodiment of the present invention may be

employed;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting messages according to a first

embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting messages according to a second

embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting messages according to a third

embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting messages according to a fourth

embodiment of the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention,

examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the

same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A user message as defined by the present invention includes any text or multimedia

message transmitted via a message communication service as SMS, LMS, EMS, MMS and the

like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message

employed. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a calling terminal 10, a

called terminal 30, and a server 20 which transmits or relays messages from the calling

terminal 10 the called terminal 30.

Although the calling and called terminals 10 and 30 are illustrated as mobile terminals

any mobile device capable of transmitting and receiving messages may be employed. In

addition, in the description below various functionality is discussed with regard to the calling

terminal and the called terminal, however, each terminal may include both the calling and

called terminal functionality.

The calling terminal 10 includes a first menu for a user or message originator to

generate a user message. The calling terminal 10 also includes a second menu to grant a

prescribed certification code to the message generated by the originator via the first menu.

The calling terminal 10 also includes a third menu to transmit the message (referred to

as a certificated message) certificated by granting the certification code to the user message

via the second menu. The calling terminal 10 further includes a processor to generate a

certificated message by granting the certification code to the user message according to the

execution of the second menu. Therefore, the calling terminal 10 grants the certification code to the user

message through the above-explained menu configurations and then sends the generated

certificated message to a called number inputted by the originator. The aforesaid certificated

message or a certificated message described in the following is a message to which the

certification code of the present invention is granted.

In the above description, the calling terminal 10 is operating in a certification mode in

case of granting the certification code to the user message. In the certification mode, the

second menu of the calling terminal 10 is operative. In contrast, if the originator requests a

normal mode instead of the certification mode, the second menu is not operative. In normal

mode, the third menu sends a user message generated via the first menu instead of sending the

certificated message. Operation in the certification mode is explained as follows.

First of all, the calling terminal 10 generates the certificated message via the processor

in case that the originator requests a grant of the certification code via the second menu.

The server 20 selectively relays the certificated message sent by the calling terminal 10

to the called terminal 30 of the corresponding called number. Before relaying the certificated

message, the server 20 extracts the certification code from the certificated message and

preferably verifies the validity of the certification code.

The server 20 then selectively relays the user message based on the verification of the

certification code. Specifically, if the certification code from the certificated message is valid,

the server 20 extracts the user message from the certificated message and sends the extracted

user message to the called terminal 30. On the other hand, if the certification code is not valid,

the server 20 revokes the certificated message and does not send the corresponding user

message of the received certificated message.

By revoking the certificated message, the server 20 may revoke the received

certificated message and notify the calling terminal 10 of the revocation, and/or notify the calling terminal 10 that an update or modification of the certification code is

needed.

As a result, the called terminal 30 only receives user messages from the server 20 that

have been verified by the server. Furthermore, the called terminal does not receive the

certification code granted by the calling terminal 10 because it is removed and only the user

message is received by the called tenninal 30.

Exemplary methods for the server 20 to verify the validity for the certification code

granted to the certificated message are explained below.

According to a first verification method, the server 20 retains a code for the calling

terminal previously registered by the calling terminal 10 or the originator. The server 20

compares the previously registered code to the certification code extracted from the

certificated message received from the calling terminal 10.

The server 20 decides that the certification code granted to the certificated message is

valid if the above two codes (the code for the calling terminal and the certification code

granted to the certificated message) coincide with each other, otherwise the certificated

message is invalid.

The code for the calling terminal or the certification code is an identification code

uniquely granted to the calling terminal 10 or the originator. For example, the identification

code may be a mobile identification number (MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), a

mobile equipment identifier (MEID), an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) or the

like. However, the identification code is not limited to one of the MIN, ESN, MEID and IMSI

but may include any code that can be uniquely granted to the calling terminal 10 or the

originator.

For example, the identification code may be an arbitrary code previously registered

with the server 20 by the originator. In particular, the present invention uses an social identification number of the originator as the code. Specifically, the social identification

number of the originator is used as the code of the present invention in part or entirely.

According to a second verification method, the server 20 retains a code for a called

terminal previously registered by the called terminal 30, and the server 20 compares the

previously registered code for the called terminal to the certification code extracted from the

certificated message received from the calling terminal 10.

valid if the above two codes (the code for the called terminal and the certification code granted

to the certificated message) coincide with each other.

The code for the called terminal or the certification code is an identification code

uniquely granted to the called terminal 30 or a user (hereinafter called a recipient) of the called

terminal 30. For example, the identification code may be a mobile identification number

(MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), a mobile equipment identifier (MEID), an

international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) or any other code that can be uniquely granted

to the called terminal 30.

In addition, the code for the called terminal or the certification code may be an

arbitrary code previously registered to the server 20 by the recipient. In particular, the present

invention uses a social identification number of the recipient as the code. Specifically, the

social identification number of the recipient is used as the code of the present invention in part

or entirely.

According to a third verification method, the certification code is a digital electronic

signature using either a certificate of the calling terminal 10 or a certificate of the originator.

Alternatively, the certification code is a digital electronic signature using either a certificate of

the called terminal 30 or a certificate of the recipient. The certificates are public key based

certificates used in the public key based structure. The server extracts the certification code from the certificated message

received from the calling terminal 10, and inquires of an online certificate status protocol

(OCSP) responder about the extracted certification code (digital electronic signature using a

certificate). The OCSP responder confirms whether the certification code is valid and then

answers a corresponding confirmation result in response.

The server 20 then determines the validity of the certification code (digital electronic

signature using a certificate) based on the response of the OCSP responder. For example, if an

affirmative response is received from the OCSP responder, the server 20 decides that the

certification code is valid. Otherwise, the sever 20 decides that the certification code is invalid.

According to a fourth verification method, the server 20 retains a certificate revocation

list (CRL), which is periodically updated, and the server 20 compares the extracted

certification code to the CRL. For example, certification codes may be added to the list after

at predetermined amount of time, or upon expiration of a specified amount of time after

registration.

The certification code is a digital electronic signature using either a certificate of the

calling terminal 10 or a certificate of the originator. Alternatively, the certification code is a

digital electronic signature using either a certificate of the called terminal 30 or a certificate of

the recipient. The certificates are public key based certificates used in the public key based

structure.

The server 20 determines the validity of the certification code (digital electronic

signature using a certificate) according to whether the certificate of the extracted certification

code is included in the CRL. For example, if the certificate of the extracted certification code

is included in the CRL, the server 20 decides that the certification code from the certificated

message received from the calling terminal 10 is invalid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message certification method according to a second embodiment of the present invention may

be employed. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system includes a calling terminal 10, a

called terminal 30, and a server 20 which transmits or relays certificated messages from the

calling terminal 10 the called terminal 30.

The calling terminal 10 includes a first menu for an originator to generate a user

message, and a second menu to grant a certification code to the user message generated by the

originator via the first menu. The calling terminal 10 also includes a third menu to transmit a

certificated message generated by granting the certification code to the user message via the

second menu, and a fourth menu to transmit the certification code granted to the user message

via the second menu.

In addition, the calling terminal 10 includes a processor to generate a certificated

message by granting the certification code to the user message according to the execution of

the second menu.

Therefore, the calling terminal 10 grants the certification code to the user message

through the above-explained menu configurations and then sends the generated certificated

message to a called number inputted by the originator. The calling terminal 10 then sends the

certification code granted to the certificated message to the server 20.

In the above description, in case that the calling terminal 10 grants the certification

code to the user message, it means that the originator requests a certification of the user

message generated via the first menu. According to the originator's certification request, the

calling terminal 10 operates in a certification mode.

In the certification mode, the second and fourth menus of the calling terminal 10 are

operative, hi contrast, in case that the originator requests a normal mode instead of the

certification mode, the second and fourth menus are not operative. In case of the normal mode,

the third menu sends a user message generated via the first menu instead of sending the certificated message. The operation in the certification mode is explained below.

First, the calling terminal 10 generates a certificated message via the processor in case

that the originator requests a grant of the certification code via the second menu. Then the

server 20 relays the certificated message sent by the calling terminal 10 to the called terminal

30 of the corresponding called number. . . _ .

The server delivers the certificated message received from the calling terminal to the

called terminal 30 and verifies a presence or non-presence of validity for the certification code

received from the calling terminal 10.

The server 20 sends a verification result of the validity for the certification code to the

called terminal 30. As mentioned in the foregoing description, the server 20 sends the

verification result of validity for the certification code to the calling terminal 10 according to

the implementation of the system.

If the certification code received from the calling terminal 10 is valid, the server sends

^■ a decryption key, which is to be used in decoding the user message from the certificated

message, to the called terminal 30. On the other hand, if the received certification code is

invalid, the server orders the called terminal 30 to revoke the certificated message received as

the verification result. The server 20 may also notify the calling terminal 10 that an update or

modification of the certification code is needed.

The called terminal 30 decodes the user message from the certificated message

received from the server 20 using the received decryption key and displays contents of the

decoded user message via a display means. In particular, the called terminal 30 decrypts the

certification code granted to the previously received certificated message using the decryption

key received from the server 20. If so, the certification code is removed from the certificated

message and the user message is then extracted as a decryption result. Subsequently, the called

terminal 30 displays contents of the extracted message. The various verification methods discussed above with regard to the first

embodiment may also be employed in the second embodiment and therefore for brevity are

not discussed again here.

Alternatively, instead of the server 20 sending a decryption key, the server 20 may

send a verification result indicating the validity for the certification code to the called terminal

30. According to implementation of the system, the server 20 may also send the verification

result for the certification code to the calling terminal 10.

The verification result sent to the called terminal 30 may be a message or phrase

indicating that the certification code for the user message is valid or invalid. The server 20

may also notify the calling terminal 10 that an update or modification of the certification code

is needed if the certification code for the user message is invalid.

The called terminal 30 displays the verification result received from the server 20 via a

display means. Thereafter, if the recipient requests a display of the received user message by

operating the called terminal 30, the called terminal 30 displays contents of the corresponding-

user message via the display means. Generally, in case that the phrase indicating that the

certification code for the user message is valid is displayed, the recipient requests the display

of the received user message.

In contrast, if the recipient requests a revocation of the received user message by

operating the called terminal 30, the called terminal 30 deletes the corresponding user message.

Generally, if a phrase indicating that the certification code for the user message is invalid is

displayed, the recipient requests revocation of the received user message.

Again, the various verification methods discussed above with respect to the first

embodiment may be employed in the present embodiment as well.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in which a message

certification method according to a third embodiment of the present invention may be employed. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system includes a calling

terminal 10, a called terminal 30, a server 20 receiving a certification code for message

certification from the calling terminal 10, and a relay server 21 receiving a message sent from

the calling terminal 10 to relay to the called terminal 30.

_ , . The calling terminal 10 includes a first menu for an originator to generate a prescribed .

user message, and a second menu to grant a prescribed certification code to the user message

generated by the originator via the first menu.

The calling terminal 10 also includes a fourth menu to transmit the certification code

granted to the user message via the second menu to the server 20.

the second menu.

message to a called number inputted by the originator. The calling terminal 10 also sends the

certification code granted to the certificated message to the server 20.

code to the user message, it means that the originator requested certification of the user

calling terminal 10 operates in a certification mode.

operative. In contrast, in case that the originator requests a normal mode instead of the

a third menu sends the user message generated via the first menu instead of sending the

certificated message. The operation in the certification mode is explained below. First of all, the calling terminal 10 generates the certificated message via the

processor in case that the originator requests a grant of the certification code via the second

menu. Then the relay server 21 relays the certificated message sent by the calling terminal 10

to the called terminal 30 of the corresponding called number.

Server 20 verifies the presence or non-presence of validity for the certification code

received from the calling terminal 10. The certification code may automatically be sent to the

server 20 from the calling terminal or the calling terminal may wait for a request from the

server 20 before sending the certification code. The server 20 then sends a verification result

of the validity for the certification code to the called terminal 30. According to the

implementation of the system, the server 20 may also send the verification result of validity

for the certification code to the calling terminal 10 as well.

If the certification code received from the calling terminal 10 is valid, the server 20

sends a decryption key, which is to be used as the verification result in decoding the user

message from the certificated message, to the called terminal 30.

On the other hand, if the received certification code is invalid, the server 20 orders the

called terminal 30 to revoke the certificated message received as the verification result. The

server 20 may also notify the calling terminal 10 that an update or modification of the

certification code is needed.

The called terminal 30 decodes the user message from the certificated message

received from the relay server 21 using the decryption key received from the server 20 and

then displays the contents of the decoded user message via a display means. In particular, the

called terminal 30 decrypts the certification code granted to the certificated message

previously received from the relay server 21 using the decryption key received from the server

20. Then the certification code is removed from the certificated message and the user message

is extracted as a decryption result. Subsequently, the called terminal 30 displays contents of the extracted message.

The various verification methods discussed above with regard to the first embodiment

may also be employed in the third embodiment and therefore for brevity are not discussed

again here.

. . . Alternatively, according to the third embodiment of the invention, instead of the server

20 sending a decryption key, the server 20 may send a verification result of the validity for the

certification code to the called terminal 30. According to implementation of the system, the

server 20 may send the verification result for the certification code to the calling terminal 10

as well.

is needed if the certification code for the user message is invalid.

display means. - Therefore, the called terminal 30 receives the user message delivered from the

relay server 21 and also receives information indicating the presence or non-presence of the

originator and/or the presence or non-presence of the user message as the verification result

delivered from the relay server 21 in receiving the user message.

Thereafter, if the recipient requests a display of the received user message by operating

the called terminal 30, the called terminal 30 displays contents of the corresponding user

message via the display means. Generally, in case that the phrase indicating that the

of the received user message.

In contrast, if the recipient requests a revoke of the received user message by operating

the called terminal 30, the called terminal 30 deletes the corresponding user message. Generally, in case that the phrase indicating that the certification code for the user

message is invalid is displayed, the recipient requests the revoke of the received user message.

Again, the various verification methods discussed above with regard to the first

embodiment may also be employed in the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, based on the system configurations according to the aforesaid various

embodiments of the present invention, a message certificating procedure in the mobile

communication system in transmitting various messages via a mobile communication service

is explained in detail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a message certificating procedure based on the system in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, a calling side corresponds to a calling terminal, a called side corresponds to a called

terminal, and a relay side corresponds to a server.

As shown in FIG. 4, in response to an originator's request to generate a certificated

message, the calling side grants a certification code to the user message generated by the

originator (Sl). The certification code is a predefined unique identifier associated with the

originator or the calling terminal.

The granted certification code is a code entered in a code input window by the

originator. And, the user message includes one of an SMS message, an LMS message, an

EMS message and an MMS message.

Then calling side applies the granted certification code to the originator's message. In

other words, the calling side generates a certificated message using the granted certification

code (S2). Hence, the certificated message includes the user message generated by the

originator and the certification code.

As the originator enters a phone number or address of the called side in a called

number input window, the calling side sends the certificated message having the originator

certification applied thereto to the corresponding called number (S3). In this case, the sent certificated message follows a message format of SMS, LMS, EMS or MMS.

The relay side extracts the certification code granted to the certificated message

received from the calling side (S4). Then the relay side verifies the validity of the extracted

certification code (S5) using for example any one of the verification methods discussed above.

. If it is verified that the certification code of the received certificated message is valid

(Yes path out of S6), the relay side delivers the user message excluding the certification code

used in the validity verification to the called side (S7).

In contrast, if it is verified that the certification code of the received certificated

message is invalid (NO path out of S 6), the relay side revokes the corresponding received

certificated message (S 8), and notifys the revoke of the certificated message to the calling side

(S9). In addition, after completion of the revoke, the relay side may notify the calling side that

an update or modification of the certification code is needed (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a message certificating procedure based on the system in FIG. 2.

hi FIG. 5, a calling side- corresponds to a calling terminal, a called side corresponds to a called

terminal, and a relay side corresponds to a server.

As shown in FIG. 5, in response to an originator requesting a certificated message, a

predetermined certification code is granted to a user message generated by the originator (SlO).

The granted certification code may be a code entered in a code input window by the originator,

and the user message may be one of an SMS message, an LMS message, an EMS message and

an MMS message.

The calling side then generates a certificated message using the granted certification

code (SIl). Hence, the certificated message includes the user message generated by the

originator and the certification code.

number input window, the calling side sends the generated certificated message to the corresponding called number. In this case, the sent certificated message follows a

message format of SMS, LMS, EMS or MMS.

Hence, the calling side sends the certification code entered in the code input window

by the originator and the certificated message generated using the certification code to the

relay side (S 12). The relay side delivers the certificated message received from the calling

side to the called side of the corresponding called number and verifies the validity of the

certification code received from the calling side (S 13) using for example one of the various

verification methods describe above.

If the certification code received from the calling side is determined to be valid (YES

path out of S 14), the relay side sends a decryption key to be used in decoding the user message

from the certificated message as the verification result to the called side (S 15). The called side

decodes the user message from the previously received certificated message using the

verification result received from the relay side, and displays the contents of the decoded user

message via a display means (S 17).

Alternatively, if the certification code received from the calling side is determined to

be invalid (NO path out of S 14), the relay side orders the called side to revoke the certificated

message as the verification result (si 6) and may notify the calling side that an update or

modification of the certification code is needed (not shown). The called side revokes the

previously received certificated message based on the verification result received from the

relay side (S 18) and notifies the relay side of the revoke of the certificated message (not

shown).

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a message certificating procedure based on the system in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 6, a calling side corresponds to a calling terminal, a called side corresponds to a called

terminal, a first server side corresponds to a relay server relaying a message, and a second

server side corresponds to a server verifying a certification code. As shown in FIG. 6, in response to an originator requesting a certificated

originator (S20). The granted certification code may be a code entered in a code input

window by the originator, and the user message may include one of an SMS message, an LMS

message, an EMS message and an MMS message.

Then, the calling side generates a certificated message using the granted certification

code (S21). Hence, the certificated message includes the user message generated by the

originator and the certification code entered by the originator.

In response to the originator entering a phone number or address of the called side in,

for example, a called number input window, the calling side sends the generated certificated

message to the corresponding called number via a first server side (S22). Substantially,

simultaneously, the calling side sends the certification code granted to the certificated message

to a second server side (S23). Therefore, the calling side sends the certification code entered

in the code input window by -the originator and the certificated message generated using the

certification code to the different server sides, respectively.

The first server side sends the certificated message received from the calling side to the

called side of the corresponding called number (S24). The second server side verifies the

validity of the certification code received from the calling side (S25) using for example of the

four verification methods discussed above.

After completion of the verification of the validity for the certification code, the second

server side sends a verification result of the validity for the certification code to the called side

(S26). According to implementation of the system, the second server side may send the

verification result of the validity for the certification code to the calling side as well.

path of S26), the second server side sends a decryption key to be used in decoding the user message from the certificated message as the verification result to the called side (S27).

The called side decodes the user message from the previously received certificated message

using the verification result received from the second server side (S29), and, displays the

contents of the decoded user message via a display means (not shown).

be invalid (NO path out of S26), the second server side orders the called side to revoke the

certificated message as the verification result and notifies the calling side that an update or

modification of the certification code is needed (S28). The called side revokes the previously

received certificated message based on the verification result received from the second server

side (S30), and may notify the second server side of the revoke of the certificated message

(not shown).

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a message certificating procedure according to a fifth

embodiment of the present invention, hi FIG. 7, a calling side corresponds to a calling

terminal, a called side corresponds to a called terminal, and a relay side corresponds to a

server.

As shown in FIG. 7, in response to an originator requesting a certificated message, the

calling side links a certification code entered in the code input window by the originator to the

user message generated by the originator and then sends them to a relay side (S31). The relay

side delivers the user message received from the calling side to the called side of the

corresponding called number, and then verifies the validity for the certification code received

from the calling side (S32) using for example, one of the various verification methods

discussed above.

After completion of the verification of the validity for the certification code, the relay

side sends a verification result (a presence or non-presence of coincidence between the

compared codes) of the validity for the certification code to the called side. According to implementation of the system, the relay side may send the verification result of the

validity for the certification code to the calling side as well.

path out of S33), the relay side sends a message or phrase indicating that the certification code

is valid to the called side (S34). Alternatively, if the certification code received from the

calling side is determined to be invalid (NO path out of S33), the relay side sends a phrase

indicating that the certification code is in valid to the called side (S35). The relay side may

also notify the calling side that an update or modification of the used certification code is

needed (not shown).

The called side displays the verification result received from the relay side via a

display means (s36). Thereafter, if the recipient requests a display of the user message based

on the displayed verification result (YES path out of S37), the called side displays contents of

the corresponding user message via the display means (S38). Alternatively (NO path out of

S37), if the recipient requests a revoke of the user message based on the displayed verification

result (YES path out of S39), the called side revokes the corresponding user message (S40).

A configuration of a terminal for message certification in a mobile communication

system according to the present invention is explained in detail as follows.

A terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a

transmitting block certificating a message to transmit and a receiving block receiving a

message. The transmitting block includes a first block for generating certificated messages by

granting a predetermined certification code to a user message generated by an originator and a

second block for transmitting the certificated message generated by the first block.

The receiving block includes a third block for receiving the user message, of which

prescribed certification code is decoded, from a server and a fourth block for displaying the

received user message. A terminal according to a second or third embodiment of the present invention

includes a transmitting block for certificating a message to transmit and a receiving block for

receiving a message. The transmitting block includes a first block for generating certificated

messages by granting a predetermined certification code to a user message generated by an

originator and a second block-for .transmitting the certificated messages generated by the first

block and the certification code used in generating the certificated message.

The receiving block includes a third block for receiving a certificated message from a

server and a decrypting key for decrypting the prescribed certification code, a fourth block for

decoding the user message from the received certificated message using the received

decryption key, and a fifth block for displaying the decoded user message.

Another terminal according to a second or third embodiment of the present invention

receiving a message. The transmitting block includes a first block for granting a certification

code to a user message generated by an- originator and a second block for transmitting the

certification code granted by the first block and the generated user message. For the

transmission, the second block inserts the certification code in a reserved area of the user

message to be transmitted.

The receiving block includes a third block for receiving a user message from the server

and a verification result (phrase indicating that the user message certification code is valid or

invalid) of validity for the user message certification code from the server, a fourth block for

displaying the received verification result, and a fifth block for displaying the received user

message in response to a request of a recipient. For the display, the fourth block detects the

verification result inserted in the reserved area of the user message.

Meanwhile, each of the terminals according to the above-described embodiments of

the present invention uses an identification code uniquely granted to the terminal or a terminal user as the certification code. For example, a social identification number of the

terminal user may be used entirely or in part, or a digital electronic signature using a public

key based certificate granted to the terminal or the terminal user may be used as the

certification code.

. According to another example . of the present invention, once a user message or a

certificated message is received from a prescribed originator to a prescribed called number, a

server or relay side requests a certification code from a called side. In response to the request,

the calling side sends a certification code entered in a code input window by the originator to

the server or relay side. If so, the server or relay side verifies validity of the certification code

received from the calling side. In doing so, the certification code request made by the server

or relay side is repeated as many as a prescribed count by a prescribed time interval until a

response (including the certification code) is received from the calling side.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, if the certification code of the

certificated message is valid, it is preferable- -that the server or relay side sends a certification

success message.

In addition, in the above embodiments of the present invention, in the case that the

server or relay side does not send the verification result for the certification code of the

certificated message to the receiving side is taken into consideration. Hence, the receiving

side receives the corresponding message only if the server or relay side succeeds in the

verification for the certification code of the certificated message. Otherwise, the receiving

side does not receive any information for the verification result.

Moreover, in the above embodiments of the present invention, it is described that the

message transmitted from the calling side is generated by the user via the prescribed menu.

Yet, the message of the present invention preferably includes one multimedia (digital

contents) selected by the user from various multimedia (various digital contents) previously stored in the calling side as well as the message generated by the user.

Preferably, the message is selected by the user from messages previously stored in the calling

side.

Hence, preferably, the aforesaid first menu is operative in selecting one of the

previously stored messages or one of.-the previously stored multimedia (contents) to be

included in the user message as well as in generating the message. As the first menu is

provided, the calling terminal grants the certification code to the message generated or

selected by means of the first menu.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages. First,

it can be certificated that the message sent by the calling side is valid or that the originator is a

valid originator. Hence, without viewing the contents of a received message, the recipient can

determine unnecessary or unlawful messages from the received messages.

Secondly, since the recipient can confirm whether a received message is sent from a

valid originator or whether the received message-is valid without checking the contents of the

received message, the message transmission via the mobile communication service becomes

more reliable.

Industrial Applicability

Finally, the present invention is not limited to the message transmission function

supported by the mobile communication system but is applicable to an e-mail transmission

service via wire or wireless Internet with ease.

Throughout the description various functionality within the mobile terminals is

discussed with regard to different menus for ease of explanation only. It should be understood

that multiple functionally may be provided through a single interface menu.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation

can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and

variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and

their equivalents.

Claims

rCL AIMEDl

1. A method of certifying transmitted messages in a telecommunication system,

the method comprising:

receiving a certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated message

including a certification code and a message;

determining whether the certification code is valid; and

relaying the message to a called terminal if the certification is determined to be valid.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the message at the called terminal.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

receiving the certification code with the message at the called terminal.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

transmitting the certificated message from the calling terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a first server receives the certificated message

from the calling terminal, and wherein a second server determines whether the certification

code is valid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

determining whether a code previously registered by the calling terminal matches the

certification code.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises: determining whether a code previously registered by the called party terminal

matches the certification code.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

confirming the validity of the certification code based on a response to the inquiry

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

comparing the certification code to a list of codes stored in a certificate revocation list;

and

determining the certification code is invalid if certification code is on the certificate

revocation list.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

placing the certification code on the certificate revocation list upon the expiration of a

predetermined amount of time.

11. A method of certifying transmitted messages in a telecommunication system,

the method comprising:

including a certification code and a message;

relaying the certificated message to a called terminal;

determining whether the certification code is valid; and

revoking the certificated message if the certification code is determined to be invalid.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the

certification code is valid comprises:

determining whether a previously registered code matches the certification code.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises: ^{. . .}

sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

and

determining the certification code is invalid if the certification code is on the certificate

revocation list.

5. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

predetermined amount of time.

16. A method of certifying transmitted messages in a telecommunication system,

the method comprising:

including a certification code and a message;

relaying the message to a called terminal;

determining whether the certification code is valid; and sending a decryption key to the called terminal if the certification code is valid.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving the message at the called terminal; and decrypting the message.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

transmitting the certificated message from the calling terminal.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

determining whether a code previously registered by the- calling terminal matches the

certification code.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

determining whether a code previously registered by the called party terminal matches

the certification code.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

confirming the validity of the certification code based on a response to the inquiry from the

online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

and

determining the certification code is invalid if certification code is on the certificate revocation list.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

predetermined amount of time.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the message is provided by a communication

service selected from a group of communication services consisting of a short message service,

a long message service, an enhanced message service and a multimedia message service.

25. A method of certifying transmitted messages in a telecommunication system,

the method comprising:

including a certification code and a message;

relaying the certificated message to a called terminal;

determining whether the certification code is valid; and

transmitting a signal to the called terminal, the signal indicating whether or not the

certification code is valid.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

receiving at the called terminal the certificated message and the signal indicating

whether or not the certification code is valid.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

certification code.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein determining whether the

certification code is valid comprises:

the certification code.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

and

determining whether the certification code is invalid if certification code is on the

certificate revo cation list.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising:

predetermined amount of time.

32. A method of certifying transmitted messages in a telecommunication system,

the method comprising:

receiving a message from a calling terminal;

requesting from the calling terminal a certification code for certifying the calling

terminal; receiving the certification code and determining whether or not the

certification code is valid; and

relaying the message to a called terminal if the certification code is valid.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises: ^{. . .}

certification code.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

the certification code.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein determining whether the certification code is

valid comprises:

and

determining whether the certification code is invalid if certification code is in the

certificate revocation list.

37. A telecommunication system for certifying transmitted messages, said system comprising:

first receiver receiving a certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated

message including a certification code and a message;

processor determining whether the certification code is valid; and

transmitter relaying the message to a called terminal if said processor determines that

the certification code is valid.

38. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

second receiver at the called terminal, said second receiver receiving the transmitted

message.

39. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

a first server which includes said first receiver.

40. The system of claim 39 further comprising:

a second server in communication with said first server, wherein said second server

includes said processor.

41. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

memory storing a previously registered code.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein said processor determines whether the

certification code is valid by sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP)

unit, and confirming the validity of the certification code based on a response to the inquiry

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

43. In a telecommunication system, a server certifying transmitted messages, said

server comprising: means for receiving a certificated message from a calling terminal, the

certificated message including a certification code and a message;

means for determining whether the certification code is valid; and

means for relaying the message to a called terminal if said processor determines that

the certification code is valid.

44. The system of claim 43 further comprising:

means for storing a previously registered code.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the certification code and the previously

registered code are unique.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for determining whether the

certification code is valid comprises:

means for comparing the certification code to a list of previously stored codes; and

means for determining whether the certification code matches one of the previously

stored codes.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for determining whether the

certification code is invalid comprises:

means for determining whether the certification code matches a previously stored code

in a certificate revocation list.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein said means for determining whether the

certification code is valid comprises:

means for sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol (OCSP) unit; and

means for confirming the validity of the certification code based on a response to the

inquiry from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

49. A telecommunication system for certifying transmitted messages, said

system comprising:

receiver receiving a certificated message from a calling terminal, the certificated

message including a certification code and a message;

transmitter relaying the certificated message to a called terminal;

processor determining whether the certification code is valid; and

means for revoking the certificated message if the certification code is determined to

be invalid.

50. The system of claim 49 further comprising:

memory storing a previously registered code.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the certification code and the previously

registered code are unique.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein said processor determines whether the

certification code is valid by comparing the certification code to a list of previously stored

codes and by determining that the certification code matches one of the previously stored

codes.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein said processor determines whether the

certification code is valid by comparing the certification code to previously stored codes in a

certificate revocation list.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein said processor determines whether the

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

55. A telecommunication system for certifying transmitted messages, said system

comprising:

message including a certification code and a message;

transmitter relaying the message to a called terminal; and

processor determining whether the certification code is valid, wherein said transmitter

sends a decryption key to the called terminal if the certification code is valid.

56. The system of claim 55 further comprising:

0 second receiver at the called terminal receiving the message; and

second processor at the called terminal decrypting the message using the decryption

key.

57. The system of claim 55 further comprising:

memory storing a previously registered code.

5 58. The system of claim 55, wherein said processor determines whether the

from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein said processor determines whether the

O certification code is valid by comparing the certification code to a list of codes stored in a

certificate revocation list.

60. A telecommunication system for certifying transmitted messages, said system

comprising: receiver receiving a certificated message from a calling terminal, the

certificated message including a certification code and a message;

transmitter relaying the certificated message to a called terminal; and

processor determining whether the certification code is valid, wherein a signal is sent

to the called terminal indicating whether or not the certification code is valid.

61. The system of claim 60 further comprising:

second receiver at the called terminal receiving the message and the signal that

indicates whether the certification code is valid.

62. The system of claim 60 further comprising:

memory storing a previously registered code.

63. The system of claim 60, wherein said processor determines whether the

certification code is valid by sending an inquiry to an online certificate status protocol

-(OCSP) unit, and confirming the validity of the certification code based on a response

to the inquiry from the online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responder.

.

64. The system of claim 60, wherein said processor determines whether the

certification code is valid by comparing the certification code to a list of codes stored in a

certificate revocation list.