WO2008082183A1

WO2008082183A1 - Inquiring system for alteration result of subscriber information in digital multimedia broadcas(conditional access system)ting service using ota wireless communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2008082183A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ju-Young Choi; Min-Suk Guahk; Seok-Chang Choi
Original assignee: Tu Media Corp.
Priority date: 2007-01-02
Filing date: 2007-12-28
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: KR100838034B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for inquiring the result of change processing regarding subscriber in¬ formation in a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using an Over The Air (OTA) mobile communication network. The system includes: a Business Information System (BIS) server; a Conditional Access System (CAS); a Mobile Station (MS) server; a OTA mobile communication network server; and a receiving MS, wherein the MS server maintains a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information by the receiving terminal, and allows direct access by the BIS server and search of the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information; and the system further includes a BIS client for gaining access to the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information of the MS server connected to the BIS server via the BIS server, and then inquiring a result of change processing regarding subscriber information on a predetermined subscriber.

Description

INQUIRING SYSTEM FOR ALTERATION RESULT OF

SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION IN DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA

BROADCAS(CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEM)TING

SERVICE USING OTA WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

NETWORK Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a system for inquiring the result of change processing regarding subscriber information in a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using an Over The Air (OTA) mobile communication network, and more particularly to a system in which a Business Information System (BIS) client gains direct access to the result of change processing regarding subscriber information (or the result of subscriber information change processing) maintained by a Mobile Station (MS) server, and can then inquire the result of subscriber information change processing.

[2]

Background Art

[3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a subscriber management system for a general DMB service. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the subscriber management system includes a BIS (i.e., a client management device) 10, a Conditional Access System (CAS) (i.e., a reception restriction device) 20, an MS server 30, at least one OTA mobile communication network server 40, and a receiving MS 50. Herein, the BIS manages subscriber information of the DMB service. The CAS 20 generates a CAS message in response to a change of the subscriber information, and then transmits the generated CAS message to the MS server 30. The MS server 30 receives, as input, the CAS message from the CAS 20, and then selects a mobile communication provider corresponding to a call according to a telephone number and mobile communication company information of the receiving MS 50 transmitted along with the CAS message and included in the CAS message. Then, the MS server 30 transmits the CAS message to an OTA mobile communication network server 40 of the selected mobile communication network. The one or more OTA mobile communication network servers 40 transmit the CAS message transmitted from the MS server 30 to the receiving MS through a relevant mobile communication network. Upon receiving the CAS message transmitted through the mobile communication network, the receiving MS 50 analyzes the received CAS message, and then displays a broadcast signal (e.g., a video signal, an audio signal, data, et.) transmitted through a DMB network on a screen based on a prescribed viewing grade. Also, the receiving MS 50 stores subscriber information therein, and receives a CAS message to store the received CAS message therein. The receiving MS 50 can also include a smart card for setting and changing a viewing grade based on the received and stored CAS messages, or a memory area (not shown) equivalent to the smart card.

[4] The BIS 10 performs management, such as the generation, a change, the cancelation, etc., of subscriber information of the DMB service (i.e., receiving MS information, smart card information and personal information of subscribers, information related to a broadcasting service, passwords, etc.). If a change situation, such as the generation, a change, the cancelation, etc., of the subscriber information, occurs during the performance of the management, the BIS 10 transmits a smart card number and receiving MS information of a receiving MS 50 for a relevant subscriber to the CAS 20 along with the changed contents. At this time, the receiving MS information can be either a telephone number of the receiving MS, information on a mobile communication company, or a contract number related to service use.

[5] The CAS 20 generates a CAS message including the smart card number and the changed contents, and then transmits the generated CAS message to the receiving MS 50 through the MS server 30, the OTA mobile communication network server 40, and the mobile communication network. Also, even though changed contents of subscriber information is generated within the CAS 20 (e.g., key information on a relevant subscriber, etc.), the CAS 20 generates a CAS message including the smart card number and the changed contents, and then transmits the generated CAS message to the receiving MS 50 through the MS server 30, the mobile communication network server 40, and the mobile communication network.

[6] Namely, the CAS 20 manages viewing qualifications a viewing grade regarding pay channels, passwords through CAS messages, etc., of users. Thus, each CAS message includes at least one among information on channel viewing qualification and a viewing grade regarding pay channels, a password, and a smart card number of a receiving MS user.

[7] Accordingly, only a receiving MS 50 coinciding with the smart card number can change information on viewing qualification and a viewing grade regarding pay channels. At this time, the CAS 20 includes, in a CAS message, information on whether a subscriber is authenticated, and then transmits the CAS message. Other than this, the CAS 20 can generate a CAS message in such an independent manner as to include whether a subscriber is authenticated and changed contents of subscriber information, and can then transmit the generated CAS message to the receiving MS 50.

[8] The MS server 30 acts as a message analysis server between the CAS 20 and the OTA mobile communication network server 40 of the mobile communication network. After the MS server 30 includes, in the CAS message, information capable of dividing sessions by each mobile communication company and then managing each divided session, the MS server 30 processes the CAS message in such a format that the OTA mobile communication network server 40 can accept, and then transmits the processed CAS message to an OTA mobile communication network server of each mobile communication company.

[9] The OTA mobile communication network server 40 is constructed by each mobile communication company. As the need arises, the OTA mobile communication network server 40 transmits a CAS message through the mobile communication network so as to process the CAS message in such a data format that a receiving MS can accept for data processing, and then transfers the processed CAS message to the receiving MS.

[10] Both the MS server 30 and the OTA mobile communication network server 40 are allowed to process the CAS message. Also, either the MS server 30 or the OTA mobile communication network server 40 can collectively process the CAS message.

[11] The receiving MS 50 is based on the premise that it corresponds to a double-use receiving MS capable of simultaneously providing a DMB reception service function and a mobile communication service function. In addition, the receiving MS 50 receives the CAS message, and then parses the received CAS message. Then, if a smart card number included in the CAS message coincides with a smart card number (or information for authentication) equipped within the receiving MS 50, the receiving MS 50 determines viewing qualification and a viewing grade regarding pay channels, and receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a DMB network to display the received broadcast signal on a screen.

[12] In the system as described above, so that a subscriber may check the result of processing, such as subscription to and the cancelation of the DMB service, the opening and the cancelation of the receiving MS, a temporary stop and the removal of the temporary stop of DMB service reception, etc., the subscriber has access to a customer center for managing the DMB service. At this time, the customer center refers to a DMB processing center for a special use or an operating room of a mobile communication company, and can then provide related information. That is, a procedure for confirming the result of change processing of subscriber information is highly intricate.

[13]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-stated problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system which enables a customer center for managing a DMB service to equip with a simple and rapid procedure for confirming the result of change processing regarding subscriber information, where the change processing regarding subscriber information includes subscription to and the cancelation of the DMB service, a temporary stop and the removal of the temporary stop of DMB service reception by a receiving MS, etc.

[15]

Technical Solution

[16] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a system for inquiring a result of change processing regarding subscriber information in a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using an Over The Air (OTA) mobile communication network, the system including: a Business Information System (BIS) server for managing subscriber information of the DMB service; a Conditional Access System (CAS) for generating a CAS message; a Mobile Station (MS) server for selecting a mobile communication network which is to transmit the CAS message from the CAS; a OTA mobile communication network server for receiving CAS message provided by the MS server and then transmitting the received CAS message through the mobile communication network selected by the MS server; and a receiving MS for receiving the CAS message, and then displaying a broadcast signal of the DMB on a screen thereof based on the received CAS message, wherein the MS server maintains a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information by the receiving terminal, and allows direct access by the BIS server and search of the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information; and the system further includes a BIS client for gaining access to the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information of the MS server connected to the BIS server via the BIS server, and then inquiring a result of change processing regarding subscriber information on a predetermined subscriber.

[17] Preferably, the result of change processing regarding subscriber information includes a processing result regarding at least one among: a new subscription of the receiving MS to the DMB service; a cancelation of the DMB service; a temporary stop of the DMB service; a removal of the temporary stop of the DMB service; and a service change. For example, the CAS message can include new subscription/ cancelation, a temporary stop/the removal of the temporary stop, authority stop/the removal of the authority stop, subscription/the cancelation to/of premium channels, subscription/the cancelation to/of Pay-Per-view (PPV), password initialization, setting of a PPV use limit, key information by each subscriber generated within the CAS and then managed by the CAS, etc. Namely, both change details of subscriber information transmitted from the BIS to CAS and change details generated within the CAS can be transmitted can be included in data transmitted as the CAS message.

[18] Preferably, a search condition for inquiring, by the BIS client, the result of change processing regarding subscriber information includes at least one among: a telephone n umber of the receiving MS; a CAS number; and a contract number.

[19] More preferably, the BIS server further includes a function for preventing a case of a traffic congestion caused by trying, by multiple BIS clients, to gain a simultaneous access to the MS server.

[20]

Advantageous Effects

[21] According to the present invention as described above, by constructing an interface capable of gaining direct access between a BIS and a MS server, a BIS client capable of gaining access to the BIS can search a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information, maintained by the MS server. Accordingly, when a subscriber inquires change processing regarding subscriber information in a DMB service, and the opening and cancelation of the DMB service, a customer center can quickly and accurately respond to the subscriber's inquiry.

[22]

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

[24] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a subscriber management system for a general DMB service;

[25] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system of inquiring the result of change processing regarding subscriber information in a DMB service using an OTA mobile communication network according to the present invention; and

[26] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information according to the present invention.

[27]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

[29] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system of inquiring the result of change processing regarding subscriber information in a DMB service using an OTA mobile communication network according to the present invention.

[30] A configuration including a BIS 10, a CAS 20, an MS server 30, an OTA mobile communication network server 40 and a receiving MS 50, and the function of each configuration unit are the same as in general technology. Nevertheless, the present invention is different from general technology in that a system according to the present invention further equips with a BIS client 15 capable of gaining access to the BIS 10, and an interface (not shown) through which the BIS 10 can gain direct access to the MS server 30. Therefore, an overlapping description of the existing configuration elements and functions will be omitted.

[31] The BIS 10 according to the present invention equips with the interface capable of gaining direct access to the MS server 30. In addition, it is possible to gain access to and then search a database (not illustrated) maintained by MS server 30 through the interface. The interface uses database interlocking technology, and queries various processing results corresponding to a particular telephone number, a CAS number, etc.

[32] The database includes a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information which maintains processing result regarding whether a CAS message provided by the BIS 10 and the CAS 20 has been normally transmitted and applied to the receiving MS 50 via the OTA mobile communication network server 40 in response to a change of subscriber information.

[33] Meanwhile, at least one BIS client 15 can gain access to the BIS 10. The BIS client

15 is mainly a terminal used by a consultant who works at a customer center of a DMB service-providing company. As the need arises, by using the BIS client 15, a consultant of a customer center gains access to the BIS 10, and then searches the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information of the MS server 30 so as to inquire the result of change processing regarding subscriber information.

[34] Also, when multiple BIS clients 15 desire to gain access to the MS server 30 and then to search the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information, the BIS 10 manages traffic in such a manner as to keep multiple BIS clients 15 from simultaneously querying the table for the sake of preventing overload of the MS server 30.

[35] At this time, inquiry conditions include at least one among a telephone number of a mobile phone, a CAS number, and a contract number. Also, inquired information is configured to include: a smart card number and a telephone number of a mobile phone as a CAS number item; the time a transaction begins, as a processing start time item; the time a transaction is completed, as a processing completion time item; the number of times regarding an reattempt of a transaction as a reattempt frequency item; the result of a transaction as a result item; the time a transaction receives data provided from the CAS, as a CAS time item; whether a transaction fails finally (i.e., the final success, the final failure, in process, and compulsory deletion by an operator), as a final result item; an error generation system code (i.e., HLR, MSC SMS, OTA, WCDMA HLR, etc.) as a SYSTYPE item; and an error code (device power off, no page response, signal arrival prohibition, etc.) in the case of failure, as an error item.

[36] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information according to the present invention, and the inquired information corresponds to items included in the present table.

[37]

Industrial Applicability

[38] According to the present invention as described above, a BIS client capable of gaining access to the BIS can search a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information, maintained by the MS server. Accordingly, when a subscriber inquires change processing regarding subscriber information in a DMB service, and the opening and cancelation of the DMB service, a customer center can quickly and accurately respond to the subscriber's inquiry.

[39] With the realization as described above, in a service and an apparatus to which a system according to the present invention is applied, not only the possibility of the use of the service but also the possibility of marketing or sales the apparatus is large enough. Also, not only the service but also the apparatus has the extent to which a realistic application thereof is obvious. Hence, the system according the present invention is worthy to have high industrial applicability.

Claims

[1] A system for inquiring a result of change processing regarding subscriber information in a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using an Over The Air (OTA) mobile communication network, the system comprising: a Business Information System (BIS) server for managing subscriber information of the DMB service; a Conditional Access System (CAS) for generating a CAS message; a Mobile Station (MS) server for selecting a mobile communication network which is to transmit the CAS message from the CAS; a OTA mobile communication network server for receiving CAS message provided by the MS server and then transmitting the received CAS message through the mobile communication network selected by the MS server; and a receiving MS for receiving the CAS message, and then displaying a broadcast signal of the DMB on a screen thereof based on the received CAS message, wherein the MS server maintains a table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information by the receiving terminal, and allows direct access by the BIS server and search of the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information; and the system further comprises a BIS client for gaining access to the table on results of change processing regarding subscriber information of the MS server connected to the BIS server via the BIS server, and then inquiring a result of change processing regarding subscriber information on a predetermined subscriber.

[2] The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the result of change processing regarding subscriber information comprises a processing result regarding at least one among: a new subscription of the receiving MS to the DMB service; a cancelation of the DMB service; a temporary stop of the DMB service; a removal of the temporary stop of the DMB service; and a service change.

[3] The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a search condition for inquiring, by the BIS client, the result of change processing regarding subscriber information comprises at least one among: a telephone number of the receiving MS; a CAS number; and a contract number.

[4] The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BIS server further comprises a function for preventing a case of a traffic congestion caused by trying, by multiple BIS clients, to gain a simultaneous access to the MS server.