WO2015008244A2 - Recharging communication services - Google Patents

Recharging communication services Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015008244A2
WO2015008244A2 PCT/IB2014/063170 IB2014063170W WO2015008244A2 WO 2015008244 A2 WO2015008244 A2 WO 2015008244A2 IB 2014063170 W IB2014063170 W IB 2014063170W WO 2015008244 A2 WO2015008244 A2 WO 2015008244A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
image
characters
mobile communication
string
communication device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/063170
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2015008244A3 (en
Inventor
Mageshpren MOODLEY
Original Assignee
ANTHONY, Ashley Bronwyn
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ANTHONY, Ashley Bronwyn filed Critical ANTHONY, Ashley Bronwyn
Publication of WO2015008244A2 publication Critical patent/WO2015008244A2/en
Publication of WO2015008244A3 publication Critical patent/WO2015008244A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
    • G06Q20/3276—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/22—Payment schemes or models
    • G06Q20/28—Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"

Definitions

  • This invention relates to recharging of communication services.
  • the invention relates to a method of recharging mobile communication credits and to a mobile communication recharge system.
  • the inventor is aware of applications for mobile communication devices that can perform simple optical character recognition procedures. However, the inventor identified a need to recharge communication services, commonly referred to as pre-paid communication services, where a user pays in advance to obtain communication credits.
  • a method of recharging mobile communication credits which includes
  • the predefined format may be a number of rows and columns in which the characters are arranged. In particular, the predefined format may be a matrix of alphanumeric characters.
  • Recognizing the image as a string of alphanumeric characters may include employing optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms to identify the characters from the captured image.
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • Populating a data field of the mobile communication device may include populating the data field in groups of alphanumeric characters, such as in multiple rows of characters in a matrix.
  • Decoding the encoded string of alphanumeric characters may include decoding a Quick Response (QR) code, a bar code, or the like.
  • QR Quick Response
  • a mobile communication recharge system which includes
  • a mobile communications device equipped with image capturing means in the form of a camera for capturing an image representative of a communication credit
  • image processing means for identifying a portion of an image conforming to a predefined format
  • image recognition means operable to extract an alpha numeric string of characters from the portion of an image.
  • the image recognition means may be in the form of any one of optical character recognition (OCR) means, a barcode decoder, a Quick Response (QR) code reader, or the like.
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • QR Quick Response
  • the invention extends to a set of computer executable instructions, operable to be compiled for execution on a mobile communication device, when loaded onto a mobile communication device to perform a method in accordance with the invention.
  • Figures 1 shows a method of recharging mobile communication credits
  • Figure 2 shows a mobile communication recharge system
  • Figure 1 shows a method 10 of recharging mobile communication credits.
  • the method 10 initiates by capturing 12 an optical image representative of a communication credit by means of a camera into a mobile communication device.
  • the optical image is recognized as one of a string of alphanumeric characters, an encoded string of alphanumeric characters, such as a barcode or a Quick Response (QR) code.
  • QR Quick Response
  • the method includes recognizing a matrix of numbers arranged in rows and columns as a representation of a communication credit.
  • the optical image is not recognizable as a string of alphanumeric characters, then at 16.1 or 16.2 the optical image is decoded, depending of whether it is a barcode or a QR code.
  • the captured or decoded string of alphanumeric characters is populated into a data field of the mobile communication device.
  • the populated data field is representative of a mobile communication recharge credit, which can be either a so called airtime voucher, representative of time that a user can use voice communications on the mobile communication device, a short message system (SMS) recharge voucher permitting a user to send SMS messages, a data recharge voucher permitting a user to access the Internet via the mobile communication device, or the like.
  • SMS short message system
  • the method terminates at 20 where the communication recharge credit is submitted to a mobile communications network operator to recharge the pre-paid account of a user.
  • FIG. 2 shows a mobile communication recharge system 50.
  • the mobile communication recharge system includes a mobile communications device in the form of a smart phone 52 equipped with image capturing means in the form of a camera 54 for capturing an image representative of a communication credit.
  • the smart phone 52 includes a processor, which contains image-processing means 52.1 for identifying a portion of an image conforming to a predefined format.
  • the redefined format can be any one of a matrix of alphanumeric characters 54.1 , a barcode 56.1 , a QR code 58.1 , as shown in the three examples of recharge vouchers 54, 56, 58 respectively.
  • the smart phone 52 further includes image-recognition means 52.2 operable to extract an alpha-numeric string of characters from the portion of an image.
  • the image recognition means includes optical character recognition (OCR) means 52.3, a barcode decoder 52.4 and a Quick Response (QR) code reader 52.5.
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • QR Quick Response
  • the smart phone 52 is operable in a cellular mobile communications network 60, to which the alpha-numeric string of characters are uploaded one populated in the data field.
  • the inventor is of the opinion that the invention as described and illustrated provides a novel method of recharging mobile communication credits and a novel mobile communication recharge system.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

A method of recharging mobile communication credits, which includes capturing an optical image representative of a communication credit by means of a camera into a mobile communication device, recognizing the optical image as a string of alpha numeric characters and populating a data field of the mobile communication device with the string of alpha numeric characters.

Description

RECHARGING COMMUNICATION SERVICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to recharging of communication services. In particular, the invention relates to a method of recharging mobile communication credits and to a mobile communication recharge system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor is aware of applications for mobile communication devices that can perform simple optical character recognition procedures. However, the inventor identified a need to recharge communication services, commonly referred to as pre-paid communication services, where a user pays in advance to obtain communication credits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of recharging mobile communication credits, which includes
capturing an optical image representative of a communication credit by means of a camera into a mobile communication device;
recognizing the optical image as a string of alpha numeric characters;
populating a data field of the mobile communication device with the string of alpha numeric characters. The method may include decoding the encoded string of alphanumeric characters into a string of alpha numeric characters prior to populating the data field of the mobile communication device with the string of alpha numeric characters. Recognizing the image as a string of alphanumeric characters may include identifying a portion of the image containing characters that conform to a predefined format. The predefined format may be a number of rows and columns in which the characters are arranged. In particular, the predefined format may be a matrix of alphanumeric characters.
Recognizing the image as a string of alphanumeric characters may include employing optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms to identify the characters from the captured image.
Populating a data field of the mobile communication device may include populating the data field in groups of alphanumeric characters, such as in multiple rows of characters in a matrix.
Decoding the encoded string of alphanumeric characters may include decoding a Quick Response (QR) code, a bar code, or the like. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile communication recharge system, which includes
a mobile communications device equipped with image capturing means in the form of a camera for capturing an image representative of a communication credit;
image processing means for identifying a portion of an image conforming to a predefined format;
image recognition means operable to extract an alpha numeric string of characters from the portion of an image. The image recognition means may be in the form of any one of optical character recognition (OCR) means, a barcode decoder, a Quick Response (QR) code reader, or the like. The invention extends to a set of computer executable instructions, operable to be compiled for execution on a mobile communication device, when loaded onto a mobile communication device to perform a method in accordance with the invention.
The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the following drawing.
DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Figures 1 shows a method of recharging mobile communication credits; and
Figure 2 shows a mobile communication recharge system.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a method 10 of recharging mobile communication credits.
The method 10 initiates by capturing 12 an optical image representative of a communication credit by means of a camera into a mobile communication device. At 14 the optical image is recognized as one of a string of alphanumeric characters, an encoded string of alphanumeric characters, such as a barcode or a Quick Response (QR) code.
More specifically, the method includes recognizing a matrix of numbers arranged in rows and columns as a representation of a communication credit.
If the optical image is not recognizable as a string of alphanumeric characters, then at 16.1 or 16.2 the optical image is decoded, depending of whether it is a barcode or a QR code. At 18, the captured or decoded string of alphanumeric characters is populated into a data field of the mobile communication device. The populated data field is representative of a mobile communication recharge credit, which can be either a so called airtime voucher, representative of time that a user can use voice communications on the mobile communication device, a short message system (SMS) recharge voucher permitting a user to send SMS messages, a data recharge voucher permitting a user to access the Internet via the mobile communication device, or the like.
The method terminates at 20 where the communication recharge credit is submitted to a mobile communications network operator to recharge the pre-paid account of a user.
Figure 2 shows a mobile communication recharge system 50. The mobile communication recharge system includes a mobile communications device in the form of a smart phone 52 equipped with image capturing means in the form of a camera 54 for capturing an image representative of a communication credit.
The smart phone 52 includes a processor, which contains image-processing means 52.1 for identifying a portion of an image conforming to a predefined format. In this example, the redefined format can be any one of a matrix of alphanumeric characters 54.1 , a barcode 56.1 , a QR code 58.1 , as shown in the three examples of recharge vouchers 54, 56, 58 respectively.
The smart phone 52 further includes image-recognition means 52.2 operable to extract an alpha-numeric string of characters from the portion of an image. In this example, the image recognition means includes optical character recognition (OCR) means 52.3, a barcode decoder 52.4 and a Quick Response (QR) code reader 52.5. The smart phone 52 is operable in a cellular mobile communications network 60, to which the alpha-numeric string of characters are uploaded one populated in the data field.
The inventor is of the opinion that the invention as described and illustrated provides a novel method of recharging mobile communication credits and a novel mobile communication recharge system.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A method of recharging mobile communication credits, which includes
capturing an optical image representative of a communication credit by means of a camera into a mobile communication device;
recognizing the optical image as a string of alpha numeric characters;
populating a data field of the mobile communication device with the string of alpha numeric characters.
2. The method of claim 1 , which includes decoding the encoded string of alphanumeric characters into a string of alpha numeric characters prior to populating the data field of the mobile communication device with the string of alpha numeric characters.
3. The method of claim 1 , in which recognizing the image as a string of alphanumeric characters includes identifying a portion of the image containing characters that conform to a predefined format.
4. The method of claim 3, in which the predefined format is a number of rows and columns in which the characters are arranged.
5. The method of claim 3, in which recognizing the image as a string of alphanumeric characters includes employing optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms to identify the characters from the captured image.
6. The method of claim 1 , in which populating a data field of the mobile communication device includes populating the data field in groups of alphanumeric characters, such as in multiple rows of characters in a matrix.
7. The method of claim 1 , in which decoding the encoded string of alphanumeric characters includes decoding any one of a Quick Response (QR) code and a bar code.
8. A mobile communication recharge system, which includes a mobile communications device equipped with image capturing means in the form of a camera for capturing an image representative of a communication credit;
image processing means for identifying a portion of an image conforming to a predefined format;
image recognition means operable to extract an alpha numeric string of characters from the portion of an image.
9. The system of claim 8, in which the image recognition means is in the form of any one of optical character recognition (OCR) means, a barcode decoder, and a Quick Response (QR) code reader.
10. A set of computer executable instructions, operable to be compiled for execution on a mobile communication device, when loaded onto a mobile communication device to perform a method as claimed in claim 1 .
1 1 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.
12. A system as claimed in claim 8, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
13. A set of computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 10, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
14. A new method, a new system and a new set of computer executable instructions, substantially as herein described.
PCT/IB2014/063170 2013-07-17 2014-07-17 Recharging communication services WO2015008244A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201305442 2013-07-17
ZA2013/05442 2013-07-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015008244A2 true WO2015008244A2 (en) 2015-01-22
WO2015008244A3 WO2015008244A3 (en) 2015-05-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2014/063170 WO2015008244A2 (en) 2013-07-17 2014-07-17 Recharging communication services

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Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110215140A1 (en) * 2010-03-03 2011-09-08 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Recharging prepaid accounts
US20110270747A1 (en) * 2010-04-28 2011-11-03 Xu Richard H System and Method for Adding Funds to a Prepaid Account for a Mobile Device Associated with Mulitple Communication Profiles
US8839379B2 (en) * 2010-10-26 2014-09-16 Cisco Technology, Inc. Using an image to provide credentials for service access

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Publication number Publication date
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