DE102004003593A1 - Sending user-specific data based on WAP or HTML protocols involves determining characteristics of user/terminal sending URL information, analyzing for tokens, replacing with user/equipment-specific data for sending to service provider - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves personalizing URL information originating from a terminal and directed to a service provider. It involves determining equipments and/or user-specific characteristics of the user and/or terminal from which the URL information is sent, analyzing the URL information from the terminal for the presence of tokens, replacing them with associated user and/or equipment-specific information for sending to the service provider. An independent claim is also included for a method of modifying, especially personalizing URL information originating from a terminal.

Description

The The present invention describes a method and an apparatus which allows mobile network operators to provide third-party customer information in connection with electronic services through WAP or HTML to disposal to deliver.

Field of the invention:

WAP is the mobile-specific equivalent to the html-based web with the typical requirements and conditions of mobile (such as low memory on the terminal, high Latency on the air route, small screen sizes, etc.) adapted protocols (WTLS, WTP, ...) and description languages (WML, XHTML, ...).

WAP applications are now widely used. Virtually every mobile operator has its own WAP portal (eg T-Mobile, Vodafone, ePlus).

meanwhile are independent including many independent ones Banking / Brokerage WAP applications (wap.comdirect.de,), Personal Information Services (yourwap.com), Information Services (wap.handelsblatt.com, wap.yahoo.com,).

These Applications all have in common that personalization is a vendor-specific registry requires, d. H. the user has to go through endless forms move to there for everyone Provider specifically to enter his personal information. Should he be prompted via WAP, the probability is for the use due to the ergonomic limitation associated with the mobile phone (small Displays, telephone keypad, mobilfunktechnisch conditioned comparatively long waiting times) is very low, which in turn is not won Customers come soon.

task the invention is to provide a method and a device, a simplification of the personalized use of WAP services entail.

These The object is achieved by the inventions having the features of the independent claims. advantageous Further developments of the inventions are characterized in the subclaims.

in the Essentially, the mobile network operator may be affected by his hardware system Has access to personal information, - u. U. after prior approval by the customer - this information automatically provide to the service provider. At the same time connected herewith is an authentication of the customer. Overall, this will be one significant increase in service quality for the benefit of the service provider, the network operator and the customer causes. The systems of the mobile network operator replace the user-specific ones based on defined tokens Inputs automatically, so that the user only send the confirmation got to.

URLs (Universal Resource Locator) are defined in RFC 1738 and become for web and WAP applications used to access documents and services on the Internet to reference. By means of WTP or http request this is specified by URL Document (or, the service) requested.

Web / WAP-based Support documents and services usually on a variety of each other by hyperlinks / jump addresses linked documents. These hyperlinks point to - via URL defined - more Documents.

technical The content of this invention is that the description of replacement tokens is to define which are components of URLs that are in the frame use of WAP / Web services by service providers.

By corresponding systems will be a mobile network operator-side replacement this replacement token through appropriate information, eg. B. personal information or z. B. Charging information performed.

One Another component of the present invention is a method for the personalization of URL information originating from a terminal and to a service provider.

in this connection The procedure refers to the URLs that are part of http / WTP requests as part of a document request from a service provider from a terminal be dropped off; be discontinued; be deducted; be dismissed.

One Filter system that has access to a database in the user-specific Information stored in relation to tokens leads to this a series of steps.

In a first step is the identity of the terminal and the user to whom the URL information is sent or from which they are received. This can be determined by the ID of the SIM card or by a login password and in combination.

After this is done, in a white teren step the URL information, which comes from the terminal, analyzed by a filter system on the occurrence of tokens. These tokens are then replaced with the user-specific information stored in the database in relation to the tokens, in order then to forward the changed URL information to the service provider. The tokens are preferably defined uniformly throughout the network in order to maintain a consistent concept. So the tokens can stand for names, account information, location information or location information.

In a further embodiment If necessary, a necessary reinsurance against the Service user as part of the WAP / Web session, with respect to the End user ensures that, for example, the provided Information from the z. B. mobile operator to third parties allowed to or that the cost of the service offer is accepted and, for example be added to the mobile phone bill.

To the transferring The information is preferably a provider-side decrypting this personal information for the purpose of providing personalized information Services and applications made.

In the preferred embodiment the procedure is through a transparent proxy or gateway implemented.

hereby There are a number of advantages possible. On the one hand, there is an increase in service quality. Essential advantage are the much more ergonomic and efficient options for the design of WAP applications in that personal Information from z. B. Mobile network operators the service providers (after any necessary reinsurance with the customer) to be provided.

Of the Service provider receives qualitatively better data (by the mere fact that the user she does not have to enter). Furthermore, the service provider in its technical expenses for the realization of services considerably relieved.

Of the Service provider saves itself in the development of applications significant expenses in the personalization of services, in particular when connecting to mobile network providers (for example, for use of Location Services) and in the development / connection z. B. mobile payment method.

Of the Service provider is used in its processes, such as CRM or Billing, significantly relieves and can affect its core competence focus, namely Content Provisioning.

Farther the service provider is authenticated by the customer. Also, the billing of services to the customer is billable.

One Mobile network operator can, based on this invention, new business models develop, for example, the sale of customer data, possibly even further, z. For example, between master data and dynamic data (current Whereabouts, current preferences, current consent to the assumption of costs for services with possibly mentioned upper limit), could be differentiated.

in the The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments which are shown schematically in the figure. In detail shows:

1 the sequence of the method according to the invention, wherein a mobile telephone user ( 1 ) a mobile phone with WAP session ( 2 ) and the mobile network operator with WAP gateway ( 3 ) establishes a connection to backend systems of the mobile network operator as an incident / diarrhea gate and the service provider ( 4 ) receives the data.

in the The scope of the invention are numerous modifications and developments the described embodiments realizable.

Internet applications support i. d. R. on WAP (mobile phones) or HTML (PDA, notebooks, etc.). An essential aspect of the invention is the use of replacement tokens, that are part of URLs. Replacement Tokens (for example, & a, & l, etc., as in the below Examples) are placeholders for personal or location-related information and are z. B. mobile radio provider side by the respective personal Information replaced.

The Symbol "&" derives in the following Examples exemplify the replacement tokens. Instead of "&" could be one other meaningfully chosen Find icon use.

Possibly. necessary confirmations on the part of the mobile phone user are not listed in the examples.

Example 1:

• • Wap.kinobremen.de/&n.wml (with & n as a wildcard for the name of the mobile user) would be replaced by the mobile network operator by:
• • Wap.kinobremen.de/michael_hasemann.wml

Example 2:

• • Wap.kinos.de/&n&l.wml (with & n as placeholder for the name of the mobile user and & l the current residence) be replaced by the mobile network operator by:
• • Wap.kinos.de/michael_hasemann_56_2445N_8_234320.wml (with 56.2445N.8.234320 approximate geographical Length and Width of the current residence of the user Michael Hasemann)

Example 3:

• • Wap.kinotickets.de/verschicken_an&a.wml (with & a as placeholder for the Address of the user) would be replaced by:
• • Wap.kinotickets.de/verschicken_anMichael.Hasemann.Heidkamp. 20.27321.Emtinghausen.wml

Example 4:

• • Wap.kinotickets.de/ticket1238934534kaufen&c30.wml (with & c30 as placeholder for payment from 30 euros) would be replaced by:
• • Wap.kinotickets.de/ticket1238934534buy45634895.wml (with 45634895 the transaction number for the payment of the mobile phone bill).

Example 5:

• • Wap.clever-tank.de/&l.wml (with 56.2445N.8.234320 the approximate geographical length and latitude of current whereabouts) would be replaced with:
• • Wap.clever-tank.de/56_2445N_8_234320.wml.

Just Also on this example shows how easy based on here illustrated invention realize applications. to let. The current clever-fueling implementation requires for the purpose of localization the extra reference of the location information from the mobile operator. For this is an extra infrastructure (applications, servers, lines) from clever-fuel necessary, which is not necessary in the present invention is. It is about it Beyond that, also the response times due to the significantly lower infrastructure will be significantly lower.

Of the Replacement tokens replacement process illustrated in the examples finds appropriate way in the sovereignty of the mobile network operator, since there also the necessary personal data.

When appropriate technical point is the mobile network provider side WAP gateway, since this i. d. R. is preset on the mobile phones of his Customers and the gateway for representing the customers.

Out From a technical point of view, this position is suitable because in the WAP gateway anyway Conversion of the used transmission protocols takes place (especially from WTP to HTTP) and at this point the proposed replacement process with relatively little effort can be done.

• A. Der Benutzer initiiert eine WAP-Sitzung durch Aufruf einer URL, z. B. wap.clever-tanken.de/&l.wml durch direkte Eingabe der URL, Auswahl eines Lesezeichens/Bookmarks oder bspw. durch Auswahl eines Hyperlinks auf der einer aktuellen WAP-Seite (also durch „Navigieren" auf der WAP-Seite).
• B. Die gewählte URL wird an das WAP-Gateway übertragen. Dort wird das Replacement-Token „&l" nach Identifikation des Benutzers und Lokalisierung in den jeweiligen Backendsystemen des Mobilfunknetzbetreibers durch den aktuellen Aufenthaltsort ersetzt: Wap.clever-tanken.de/56_2445N_8_234320.wml
• C. Sollte es für B notwendig sein, eine Erlaubnis des Benutzers einzuholen, so wird zunächst das Ergebnis des Ersetzungsprozesses für den Benutzer zwischengespeichert. Dann wird dem Benutzer als Ergebnis eine WAP-Seite zurückgeschickt, in der dargestellt wird, welche personenbezogenen Informationen vom Serviceprovider gewünscht und vom Mobilfunknetzbetreiber bereitgestellt werden könnten.
• D. Der Benutzer wird aufgefordert einzuwilligen.
• E. Der Benutzer kann hierzu einwilligen, oder er verneint die Übertragung der Informationen.
• F. Im Falle der Einwilligung wird die URL mit den ersetzten Replacement-Tokens (siehe Schritt B) an den Serviceprovider weitergeleitet. Falls keine Einwilligung gegeben worden ist, wird die ursprüngliche URL mit den nicht ersetzten Replacement-Tokens an den Serviceprovider weitergeleitet.
• G. Weitere Schritte können darin liegen, dass der Serviceprovider und der Benutzer in eine personalisierte Interaktion treten.

For WAP this looks like the 1 is apparent, as follows:

• A. The user initiates a WAP session by invoking a URL, e.g. Eg wap.clever-tank.de/&l.wml by direct entry of the URL, selection of a bookmark / bookmark or eg by selecting a hyperlink on the current WAP page (ie by "navigating" on the WAP page) ,
• B. The selected URL is transmitted to the WAP gateway. There, the replacement token "&l" is replaced by the current location after identification of the user and localization in the respective backend systems of the mobile network operator: Wap.clever-tank.de/56_2445N_8_234320.wml
• C. Should it be necessary for B to obtain a user's permission, then the result of the replacement process is first cached for the user. Then, as a result, the user will be returned to a WAP page, which will display what personal information may be desired by the service provider and provided by the mobile network operator.
• D. The user is requested to comply.
• E. The user may agree or deny the transfer of the information.
• F. If approved, the URL will be forwarded to the service provider with the replaced replacement tokens (see step B). If no consent has been given, the original URL will be forwarded to the service provider with the non-replaced replacement tokens.
• G. Other steps may be for the service provider and the user to enter into a personalized interaction.

For HTML-based traffic (ie when using PDAs, notebooks) a proxy would take on the role of the gateway in the previous representation. If this is not designed to be transparent, however, would normally have in the mobile devices (PDAs, notebooks) according to Configura be made.

in principle The use of this method is also for Internet service providers meaningful.

Claims (17)

Method for personalizing URL information, that of a terminal and are directed to a service provider, with a filtering system and a Database, in the user-specific information in relation are stored tokens, with A step in which device and / or user-specific features of the user and / or terminal, of the URL information is sent, - one Step where the URL information from the terminal is removed from the filter system be analyzed for the occurrence of tokens, then this with the user's stored in the database in relation to the tokens. and / or device specific Replace information to then return the URL information to the service provider to send. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized characterized in that the terminal is a mobile terminal. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the token for name, account information, Location information and / or location information is available. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that WTP / WTLS or http / https the transmission protocol is. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the filter is prior to the replacement process sends a request to the user to retrieve an acknowledgment and / or to obtain an authorization. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that an encryption of the replaced tokens done by the terminal and / or service provider decryptable is. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the filter system is a proxy, in particular a transparent or a gateway. Device for modification, in particular personalization, URL information originating from a terminal and to a service provider are directed, - With Means that are set up to provide access to a database takes place in the user-specific information in relation to Tokens are stored, - With Means that are set up so that device and / or user-specific features of the user and / or terminal from which the URL information was sent will be determined - with funds that are set up are that there is an online filtering of URL information, wherein the URL information from the terminal from the filtering system to the Occurrences of tokens are parsed to match those in the database in relation to the token stored user-specific information to replace, then the URL information to the service provider to send Device according to the preceding device claim, characterized in that the terminal is a mobile terminal is. Device according to one or more of the preceding Device claims, characterized in that the token for name, account information, Location information and / or location information is available. Device according to one or more of the preceding Device claims, characterized in that the means are arranged such that WTP / WTLS or http / https the transmission protocol is. Device according to one or more of the preceding Device claims, characterized in that means are provided which are so arranged are that before a replacement process, a request to the user is sent to a confirmation to retrieve and / or to obtain an authorization. Device according to one or more of the preceding Device claims, characterized in that means are provided which encrypt to perform the replaced token that from the terminal and / or can be decrypted by the service provider. Device according to one or more of the preceding Device claims, characterized in that a proxy, in particular a transparent one or a gateway, with the means extended. Software for a gateway and / or a proxy system, characterized in that a method according to one or more of the preceding the method claims is implemented. disk for one Computer, characterized by the storage of software after the previous software claim. Computer system, characterized by a device, the procedure of a method according to one or more of the preceding method claims allowed.